With sport around the world slowly returning to our screens, the highly-anticipated resumption of the 2019/20 Premier League campaign comes next week, with Sheffield United taking on Aston Villa and Arsenal squaring up against Manchester City as football returns to the UK.
The return of the Premier League sees the return of Grosvenor Goals as well. A free-to-enter game, all you need to do is pick the first goalscorers in the 10 selected matches that week, and if they are all correct you win yourself £1M, with a consolation prize of £10,000 if all your selections are anytime goalscorers, and if any three of your picks get on the scoresheet, you earn yourself a £10 free bet on us.
It’s tricky to figure out who you’re going to pick to score first in each game, so we at Grosvenor Sport have broken down how frequently each team in the Premier League has scored first this season, and which players are scoring those goals for their teams.
Arsenal
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 11 of 28 (39.29%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (5)
Arsenal’s struggles this season are well-documented, and this includes their ability to score first in a game. Scoring first is crucial to ensuring success on the pitch, and the Gunners have done this on 11 occasions this season, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being the opening scorer in five of those 11 games. With 17 goals in total this campaign, Aubameyang will have his eyes set on Jamie Vardy ahead of him and the Golden Boot.
Aston Villa
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 11 of 28 (39.29%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Wesley (3)
Currently sat in 19th in the Premier League table with a game in hand on their rivals, Aston Villa need to find some late-season magic if they are to avoid relegation. Having joined for £22m from Club Brugge last summer, club-record signing Wesley would’ve been looked at as the man to steer them clear of the drop, but the Brazilian – who is also Villa’s most frequent first goalscorer this season, is out for the remainder of the campaign with an ACL injury. John McGinn and Conor Hourihane have both scored Villa’s first goal in a game on two occasions as the onus falls on their talented midfield to carry them out of the bottom three.
Bournemouth
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 12 of 29 (41.38%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Callum Wilson (3)
Like Villa, Bournemouth also occupy a relegation place as we build up to the resumption of the Premier League season. Of the 12 occasions they have scored first in the Premier League season, Bournemouth’s most frequent goalscorer in those games is Callum Wilson with three goals, one more than Josh King, Harry Wilson and Dan Gosling who each have opened the scoring for Bournemouth on two occasions.
Brighton
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 11 of 29 (37.93%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Neal Maupay; Adam Webster (3)
Currently sitting in 15th place, two points outside of the relegation zone, Brighton will be looking over the shoulders nervously in the coming weeks. In years past, the goals of Glenn Murray have helped the Seagulls beat the drop. This year, they will be looking to Neal Maupay, the man who replaced Murray in the regular starting lineup for Graham Potter’s side, to score the goals that keep them afloat. Defender Adam Webster has also been equally prolific at opening the scoring for Brighton as set plays remain a crucial and profitable part of their game.
Burnley
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 13 of 29 (44.83%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Chris Wood (6)
Burnley are set to secure another season in the Premier League, largely thanks to the efforts of Chris Wood in attack. The Clarets have scored first in 13 Premier League games this season, a modest total, but Wood has been the man to break the deadlock on six of those occasions – the greatest share of opening goals any player has for their team in the league this season. With six opening goals, no player has scored first in the Premier League this season more frequently than the New Zealand international.
Chelsea
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 20 of 29 (68.97%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Tammy Abraham (6)
Only Liverpool (23) have opened the scoring in Premier League games this season more often than Frank Lampard’s youthful Chelsea side. In those 20 games where the Blues have scored first, 11 different players have broken the deadlock, but Tammy Abraham has been the man through the middle for Chelsea this season, with six of his 13 Premier League goals being the first of the match.
Crystal Palace
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 11 of 29 (37.93%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Jordan Ayew (4)
Crystal Palace will not be dragged into a relegation scrap this season as they sit 11th in the table, 12 points clear of the drop as we enter the final nine games of the season. They’ve had to battle for those points, only taking the lead on 11 occasions in the Premier League this season, with Jordan Ayew more often than not being the man to do so. Half of his eight Premier League goals this season have been Crystal Palace openers.
Everton
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 14 of 29 (48.28%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Richarlison; Dominic Calvert-Lewin (4)
A poor start to the season have cost Everton a run at a European qualification spot when the Premier League resumes next week, but they have had some bright moments. Scoring first in nearly half of their games so far this season, the attacking quality is there. Four of Richarlison’s 10 goals have been Everton openers this season, while top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin, rejuvenated under Carlo Ancelotti, has also registered four openers in his 13 league goals.
Leicester
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 16 of 29 (55.17%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Jamie Vardy (6)
Sitting in third place, Leicester look set to clinch a return to Champions League football barring a late season collapse. The goals of Premier League top scorer Jamie Vardy have been crucial for the Foxes and Brendan Rodgers. With 19 goals so far and leading the Golden Boot race, Vardy has been the scorer of the opening goal in six of the 16 games where Leicester have taken the lead. In recent games, however, it’s been Harvey Barnes who has been a difference-maker – the last three games in which Leicester have scored first, it’s been as a result of a Harvey Barnes strike.
Liverpool
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 23 of 29 (79.31%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Sadio Mane (5)
Runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool have only tasted defeat once in the Premier League this season and have scored first in 23 of their 29 games to date. There have been 11 different Liverpool players who have helped the Reds take the lead first in games this season, in addition to two own goals, but Sadio Mane has been one of Jurgen Klopp’s most consistent performers this season, breaking the deadlock on five of the 23 occasions Liverpool took the led in the Premier League before lockdown. Mohamed Salah contributed a further three opening goals, while Roberto Firmino has just two to his name.
Manchester City
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 18 of 28 (64.29%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Gabriel Jesus (6)
Manchester City’s title challenge fell short by some margin this season, but they will likely clinch second spot and go again next season. Pep Guardiola’s side are still the top scorers in the Premier League and have taken the lead in 18 of their 28 games so far, with the most common goalscorer being not Sergio Aguero but Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian has scored only 10 Premier League goals this season, but six of them helped City take the lead.
Manchester United
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 18 of 28 (51.72%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Marcus Rashford (6)
Currently fifth, Manchester United will be wondering how much better off they’d be if Marcus Rashford didn’t get injured. Not been seen since mid-January, Rashford has missed the last seven Premier League games having started the first 22 in succession, scoring first in six of those games. Now back fully fit after lockdown, United will be hoping that Rashford can rediscover his Winter form.
Newcastle
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 11 of 29 (37.93%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Allan Saint-Maximin; Matty Longstaff; Miguel Almiron (2)
Newcastle have found goals hard to come by this season, scoring just 25 goals in their 29 Premier League games so far, the joint-fewest in the division along with bottom side Norwich. Built to win tight games, Newcastle have scored first in 11 of their 29 games this season, and those goals have been shared around. Midfielders Allan Saint-Maximin, Matty Longstaff and Miguel Almiron have each opened the scoring for Newcastle on two occasions this season, while record-signing and star striker Joelinton has only done so once.
Norwich
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 11 of 29 (37.93%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Teemu Pukki (4)
Bottom of the Premier League and six points from safety, it looks unlikely that the league’s lowest scorers Norwich will be able to battle their way out of the relegation zone despite the goals of Teemu Pukki this season. The Finnish striker has 11 Premier League goals to his name, with four of those goals being openers for Norwich.
Sheffield United
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 12 of 28 (42.86%)
Most-common first goalscorer: John Lundstram; Lys Mousset; John Fleck; Oli McBurnie; Own Goal (2)
Sheffield United’s assault on the Premier League’s top six isn’t over yet, but they’ve had to do it without a consistent goalscorer. With no player topping five Premier League goals for the Blades this season, goals have been shared among the squad and remain the lowest scorers in the top half of the table. In the 12 games where Sheffield United have scored first this season, four players all contribute two goals to that total – joint-top scorers Lys Mousset and John Fleck who both have five on the season, John Lundstram and Oli McBurnie, while own goals also have helped Chris Wilder’s side take the lead twice this season.
Southampton
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 13 of 29 (44.83%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Danny Ings (6)
Southampton sit seven points clear of the relegation zone and a win or two away from cementing their Premier League status for next season, largely thanks to the efforts of Danny Ings up front. The former Liverpool striker has 15 Premier League goals this season and in the 13 games where the Saints have gone ahead first, Ings has scored the breakthrough goal in six of those games
Tottenham
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 14 of 29 (48.28%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Harry Kane; Dele Alli; Son Heung-Min (3)
Currently in eighth place and seven points back of Chelsea and a Champions League place for next season, this has been a season to forget on the whole for Tottenham. Despite taking the lead in 14 of their 29 games, they’ve been unable to keep up with those above them. Of those 14 breakthrough goals, Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Son Heung-Min have each contributed three openers to Spurs’ cause this season.
Watford
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 13 of 29 (43.83%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Abdoulaye Doucoure; Gerard Deulofeu; Ismaila Sarr (3)
Outside of the relegation zone courtesy of goal difference, Watford are at great risk of being relegated this season, and the fact that they are the fourth-lowest scorers in the Premier League doesn’t help their cause. In their 29 league games to date, they have scored first on 13 occasions, with Abdoulaye Doucoure, Gerard Deulofeu and Ismaila Sarr each breaking the deadlock three times. Sidelined for the rest of the season through injury, the loss of Deulofeu in attack could prove costly for the Hornets.
West Ham
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 15 of 29 (51.72%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Sebastian Haller (3)
Only the current top four in the Premier League – Liverpool, Manchester City, Leicester and Chelsea – have taken the lead in more games this season than West Ham have, which illustrates how shockingly poor the Hammers’ defence has been as they sit in 16th place and outside of the relegation zone by goal difference. In the 15 games where they’ve taken the lead, they’ve had nine different goalscorers get on the scoresheet first, but £40m summer signing Sebastian Haller, who has seven Premier League goals to his name, has done so on the most occasions for the Hammers, opening the scoring in three games.
Wolves
Premier League games they’ve scored first in: 7 of 29 (24.14%)
Most-common first goalscorer: Diogo Jota (2)
No team have opened the scoring in the Premier League than Wolves, having scored first in just seven of their 29 league games so far, less than a quarter of their games played. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are resilient and hard working, with the bulk of their goals coming in the second half of games. The last two games that Wolves took the lead in were both courtesy of Diogo Jota goals – the only player to open the scoring for Wolves on more than one occasion this season.
Will any of these players make your Grosvenor Goals picks when the Premier League returns next week? Let us know in the comments below.
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