ALISTAIR TWEEDALE

Bad news for West Ham, Brighton and Tottenham going into this weekend: it is becoming harder than ever to win away against the best sides in the Premier League.

Those three travel to Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United respectively over the next few days, and face a serious challenge. Last season saw the eventual top six lose only 11 home games between them, with Chelsea accounting for four of those and Liverpool remaining unbeaten. A total of 11 is

the second-lowest in any of the past 10 Premier League seasons: the only season that saw fewer home losses by the top-six teams was one year earlier, in 2016-17.

Go back another season and the top six lost 19 home games; a year earlier that number was 17. Only a few years ago, away wins against the top sides were far more common.

The big sides are pulling away from the chasing pack. They have already scored 18 goals in their six home games this season, and are dominating matches in the comfort of their own home.

Last season’s top six were the only Premier League teams to have the majority of the ball in home games, each averaging at least 55 per cent possession. No other team had more than 48 per cent of the ball on average in their 19 home games.

Opponents are visiting the “Big Six” with the aim of sitting back and hoping they can hold out for a result. Chances to score on the break or at set-pieces are a bonus that some will not even experience.

So, what chance is there of a West Ham win at the Emirates, or Brighton beating a second title challenger in a week after their home victory over United last Sunday, or even a very strong Spurs side winning at Old Trafford?

Those fixtures would have looked like home wins in just about any Premier League season, but nowadays the prospect of an upset is slimmer than ever.