The 2023–24 Premier League is the 32nd season of the Premier League and the 125th season of top-flight English football overall. The fixtures were announced on 15 June 2023 at 09:00 BST. Manchester City, the three-time defending champions can become the first men’s club in the history of the English top flight to win four titles in a row, if successful.
One of the most captivating aspects of the English Premier League with its sheer unpredictability. Each new season unveils a fresh canvas where traditional giants like Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea contend with the plucky underdogs, creating a captivating narrative where the underdog can triumph over the favorite on any given day. This unpredictability is what keeps fans on the edge of their seats, season after season.
Before the international break which ran between 11th August 2023 and 1st September 2023, about 39 matches had been played in the English premier league. The total number of goals scored stood at 127. This represents an average of 3 goals per match. Our tracker chart gives a view of the performance thus far.
As they always say to stand a chance in the premier league and avoid relegation every team maximises the opportunity of the home tuff. Home teams have edged visiting teams in goal scoring. There were about 69 goals scored by the home team while the away teams were still catching up by much. A total of 58 goals were scored by away teams. By every standard, this is a very decent tally demonstrating the competitive stand of the league with its unique financial reward model that continues to narrow the gap between the teams.
The English Premier League boasts some of the fiercest rivalries in world football. The Manchester Derby, the North London Derby, and the Merseyside Derby are just a few examples of fixtures that have fans marking their calendars months in advance. The passion, the intensity, and the history behind these rivalries add layers of drama to the league.
It’s sad to observe a relatively high number of own-goals scored this season. There are many emerging “Escobers” who seem to know how to convert their chances even on the wrong side of the field. Well, what can you do under a tremendous amount of pressure? As the saying goes “Wuya ko da magani ba dadi”. Here are the scorers of the 3 own goals thus far.
- Matty Cash (Aston Villa)
- Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United
- Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Erling Haaland continues where he left it from last season. He continues to torment defenders across the land. He is showing no signs of letting go. One could bet that with his tally of 6 before the break, the mask man will likely retain the Golden Boot as the highest goal scorer in the league for 2 sessions in a row. A crown held by only a limited number of players. Below is the pictorial analysis of the top goal scorers before the international break.
Discipline around the box by defenders continues to be a challenge for managers, perhaps it’s too early in the season to tell. Maybe many players are still rusty from the summer vacation. As of the time of this analysis, the total number of penalties awarded after 39 matches stood at 10. Of this total, all 10 penalties were converted to goals.
The relatively high number of penalties shows a similar trend to the number of cautionary cards awarded. Before the international break, the total number of yellow cards issued was 181. Analysis of teams with records with so much to be desired is shown below:
| Club | Number of Red Cards | |
| 1. | Fulham | 2 |
| 2. | Liverpool | 1 |
| 3. | Arsenal | 1 |
| 4. | Burnley | 1 |
| 5. | Nottingham Forest | 1 |
The total number of red cards issued stood at 9. Players may have to adjust to the new rules, or else it will be a session with the highest number of cards since the inception of the premier league in its current form. Below is the analysis of cards distribution to the teams.
| Club | Number of Yellow Cards | |
| 1. | Newcastle | 14 |
| 2. | Brighton | 13 |
| 3. | Wolverhampton | 13 |
| 4. | Fulham | 12 |
| 5. | Manchester United | 12 |
| 6. | Nottingham Forest | 12 |
| 7. | Chelsea | 11 |
| 9. | Sheffield | 11 |
| 10. | Spurs | 11 |
A few more statistics to watch
- Biggest home win: Newcastle United 5_1 Aston Villa (5) and Manchester City (5)
- Biggest away win: Burnley 3_5 Spurs
- Longest winning run: Manchester City (4 games)
- Longest winless run: Bournemouth, Everton and Sheffield United (4 games each)
- Players with hat-tricks: Erling Haaland (Man City), Son Heung-Min (Spurs), and Evan Ferguson (Brighton).
Focus of African players:
A number of African players have been impressive this season. Let’s take a look at a few moments to recognise a few of them.
Taiwo Awoniyi this season has scored three goals and also 1 assist, with 4 times he played game in the first line. The Nigerian and Nottingham forward Taiwo Awoniyi shots an average of 0.75 goals per game in club competitions. Last season his average was 0.34 goals per game, he scored 11 goals in 32 club matches.
Mo Sallah – Somehow he is a recurring decimal in focus. The Liverpool forward has been a centre of discussion because of his possible move to the Saudi Arabian league. Liverpool FC has rejected the offer but who knows for how long. Mo Sallah has scored 2 times after match days in the season 2023/2024. This makes him the number 47th all-time highest goal scorer in the Premier League. He is gradually climbing the ladder self for his potential move away from the league. With the Saudi league home to some of the greatest players in the world, it’s just a matter of time before he joins.
Andre Onana: The Manchester United and Cameron goalkeeper excels at making reflex saves and has impressive reactions. He protects his near post well and is generally reliable in stopping shots from inside the box. The 2 goals he conceded late in the game against Arsenal have tainted his tally so far. Thanks to the defensive quality of the Manchester United team, who made things very difficult for the stopper.
As we stand on the precipice of another English Premier League season, we are reminded of the beautiful tapestry that is football. It’s not just about goals and victories; it’s about the stories, the emotions, and the shared experience that it brings. So, whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, gear up for what promises to be another thrilling journey through the highs and lows of the world’s most popular football league. The stage is set, the players are ready, and the drama is about to unfold. Welcome to the new English Premier League season – where legends are made, dreams are shattered, and football reigns supreme.
This article was written by Saleh Mikaila (a data scientist with a passion for football). Saleh works with Markstar Logistics. You can follow Saleh Mikaila on Twitter. @sm_banaka.
