Premier League records that could be broken this season

Last season was a year to remember as Leicester City stormed to league victory in one of the most enthralling success stories of the century. Since the Premier League began, only five teams have won the title; Leicester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal. Tottenham will be hoping to add their name to the prized list but there’s a few other achievements which could be made this year.

As well as a few proud records, there’s a few records that many teams will be hoping to avoid but as the Premier League becomes even tougher for Championship sides, there’s a few that could be broken. Here’s just ten of the records up for grabs, including a few most will be wanting to avoid.

Smallest title-winning margin

In the 2011-12 season, we witnessed one of the greatest finale to a Premier League season as Manchester City became the first team to win the title on goal difference. There was 0 points and 8 goals between Manchester United and the winners, City as both teams finished on 89 points in an incredible season. City clinched it with a goal difference of +64 over United’s +56 but with after last season, the table is as open as ever going into 2016-17. Tottenham, Leicester City, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea will all be vowing for a place at the top as Arsenal, Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton continue to press in on European spots.

Fewest away wins in a season

Several hold this horrible record; six teams in total. Derby County are one of those after their unforgettable season in 2007-8 which saw them lose every game except one during their time in the Premier League and they hold the joint record of 0 away wins in a season. After coming up from the Championship, they went straight back down and Burnley, Hull City and Middlesborough will be hoping they avoid the same fate.

Most consecutive league games without a win since start of the season

Queens Park Rangers struggled to make their mark on the Premier League in the 2012-13 season and they suffered a horrific string of 16 games without earning a single victory. It wasn’t as bad as Derby County’s 32 game string but the new boys will be hoping they get some points on the board quickly and get their first win of the top flight sooner rather than later.

Most away defeats in a season

Burnley currently hold this record and they’ll be hoping it’s another team that take up the baton this year. In the 2009-10 season, the Clarets suffered 17 losses on the road. Steven Fletcher was their top goal-scorer that season with 8 goals but it wasn’t enough to keep them in the top flight and they went back down to the Championship after securing just 30 points, along with current Premier League new boys, Hull City.

Promoted clubs never relegated from the Premier League (to date)

Bournemouth made it into the top flight last season and avoided the drop after manager, Eddie Howe got them playing some nice football. They won’t be expecting the drop this year either but they’ll have to dig deep to avoid the drop. Stoke City and Swansea City are the only other two teams to stay in the Premier League too; Stoke have lasted six seasons and will be looking to add their seventh. Swansea have been in the Premier League since the 2011-12 season. All three promoted Championship sides have already suffered Premier League relegation so it’s up to Bournemouth to continue their record by staying up this season.

All promoted clubs avoiding relegation in the same season

This feat has been achieved on just two occasions; during the 2001-2 season and the 2011-12 season. (Fulham, Blackburn Rovers & Bolton Wanderers (2001/02) and Queens Park Rangers, Norwich City & Swansea City (2011/12.) The odds are against Burnley, Middlesborough and Hull City to stay up but this season could be another year all three sides stay up after impressing largely in the Championship. The club’s previous experiences in the Premier League should put them in good stead but will they all have enough?

All promoted clubs being relegated in the same season

The good news for the new boys is that there’s been only one occasion when all three sides have gone straight back down to the Championship again. That happened in the 1997-98 season when Barnsley, Bolton Wanderers and Crystal Palace went from success to failure in the space of a year. At least Burnley, Hull and Middlesborough know there’s a good chance at least one of them will stay up.

Avoiding relegation when bottom at Christmas

Usually, if you’re in the relegation zone at Christmas you’re in trouble. Only three teams have survived the drop after being rock bottom in December and one of them was last season’s title winers, Leicester City just the season before they lifted the trophy. Sunderland achieved it the year before Leicester in 2013-14 and West Bromwich Albion defied the odds in 2004-5.

Most goals scored in a single match 

Last season, Sergio Aguero became the 5th player to score five goals in one league game when he knocked all five past Newcastle United in October 2015. He joined Defoe, Berbatov, Shearer and Andy Cole who achieved the feat previously. With Manchester United’s new signing, Ibrahimovic looking to make his mark on the Premier League, this could be a record he’ll be hoping to achieve.

Most clean sheets in a season

With Manchester United strengthening their squad, David De Gea will be hoping to write his name in the record books before he moves on to bigger and better things. With Jose Mourinho now at the helm, the Spaniard may opt to stay in England for another season and will hope his side will be strengthened this summer. Manchester United have already made two big name signings in Ibrahimovic and Mkhitaryan and already look stronger for the next year. De Gea has been their star player in recent years and he’ll be chasing former United keeper, Edwin Van Der Sar’s record of 21 clean sheets in one season. Petr Cech also shares the record after keeping his side safe on 21 occasions in the 2004-5 season.