EA Sports give us all the stats ahead of the rest of the Premier league Programme this weekend

Burnley v Everton

Burnley will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 3-1 home defeat to West Ham, and ensure that they do not remain the only side in the Premier League still looking for their first win. A win could kick start the Clarets’ season, and it is crucial that they add to their four goals scored in 8 Premier League games so far.

Last weekend saw George Boyd bag his first goal of the season, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he was a worthy goal scorer. The index reveals that George Boyd managed to cover an impressive 13.12km in last weekend’s match, and it’s important that he keeps up that work rate. The Scottish international has scored with an excellent 33.3% of his shots, and will only improve his chances of scoring by continuing this. He is 11/2 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Rewinding from Burnley’s most recent goal scorer to their first scorer of the season, Scott Arfield, the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals a clear parallel. Scott Arfield has covered the second most ground out of any Premier League player, covering an impressive 95.81km, showing the rewards of hard work to the Burnley players. He has also completed a squad best 147 passes in the opposition half and grabbed an assist, and could be the man to unpick the Toffee’s defence.

At the back, Burnley will be hoping for a solid performance from the 31 year old English defender, Jason Shackell. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that he has won 80% of his tackles this season, whilst completing 94 clearances and racking up an impressive 10 interceptions and 6 clearances.

Everton will be glad to have a secured a comfortable 3-0 home win over Aston Villa to record their first victory in four games. They will now be looking to extend their run with a second win in a row, which will push them back into the more familiar territory of the top half of the table.

Last weekend’s comprehensive victory was rounded off by Seamus Coleman’s finish from Leighton Baines’ cross. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index tells us that this was the England left back’s fifth assist of the season, to add to his one goal from just two shots taken. The England international has won 79.16% of his tackles, made 27 clearances and nine interceptions. Having delivered a squad best 24 crosses, he is bound to add to his assists if he continues in this vein.

Equally happy will be Belgian 21 year old striker, Romelu Lukaku, who netted his third goal of the season against Aston Villa. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that 33% of Lukaku’s shots on target end up in the back of the net. Having hit a top speed of 35.42km/h, he will be looking to use his pace to get in behind and find his fourth goal of the season. He is 11/9 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Everton’s third scorer was centre back and captain Phil Jagielka, who doubled his tally for the season with his finish. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index tells us that he is more than capable of just finding the net, and he is actually the fastest recorded player in the Premier League this season, hitting a top speed of 35.99km/h. He has also made a squad best 77 clearances and won an impressive 76.92% of his tackles.

Tottenham v Newcastle

Tottenham will be looking to bounce back straight away from their defeat to Manchester City; in particular Sergio Aguero who netted all four goals against Tottenham. They will be looking for their second home win on the bounce having overcome Southampton with a 1-0 victory in their last outing at White Hart Lane.

Spurs will be equally as keen to keep their second home clean sheet in a row and their fourth overall this season. A big part to this defensive success has been goalkeeper Hugo Lloris who, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, has racked up more saves than any other Premier League keeper. The France captain has made 29 saves so far this season, at an average of 3.63 saves per game.

Tottenham have been very impressive in midfield, in particular Christian Eriksen, who scored his third goal of the season last weekend at The Etihad. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that he has also won an impressive 17 tackles and made six interceptions. On the ball is where he really impresses though, completing 66.6% of his dribbles and completing a club best 238 passes in the opposition half with an overall 83.95% pass completion rate.

Fellow midfielder Nacer Chadli has been in equally phenomenal form according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, with four goals and an assist to his name, with 66.6% of Chadli’s shots on target have found the back of the net. He has completed 85.57% of his passes so far this season, and he will pose a major threat to the Magpies. He is 13/5 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Newcastle will go into the game with renewed optimism, having grabbed all three points for the first time this season against Leicester last weekend. Former Manchester United winger Gabriel Obertan’s goal handed the Magpies their first win of the campaign, and they will be looking to double up this weekend to make it six points from a possible six.

Whilst he didn’t score last weekend, Papiss Demba Cisse’s return to action has been of immense help to Newcastle. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that the Senegalese striker has bagged four goals in as many games and also grabbed an assist. What most impresses though is his decisiveness in front of goal, as he has scored every other shot he has taken. He is 5/2 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

In the middle of the park, Jack Colback has continued to impress since his switch from local rivals Sunderland. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows

us how crucial he is to the Toon’s midfield, racking up 17 interceptions and winning 13 tackles to help break up the play. He has covered the seventh most ground of any player in the Premier League so far this season, completing an impressive 92.09km and will look to out-run his London midfield opponents to help give Newcastle a foothold in the midfield battle.

At the back, nobody can be disappointed with the performance of new signing and Dutch international fullback Daryl Janmaat. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows us how the former Feyenoord man has been a box to box full back for the Geordies, also grabbing himself a goal in the process. Only Cisse himself boasts more shots on target than Janmaat’s tally of four, and he is equally as astute defensively. He has won a total of 16 tackles so far this campaign in his addition to his 14 clearances and interceptions alike. Watch out for the Dutch fullback at both ends of the pitch this weekend.

QPR v Aston Villa

QPR twice came from behind last weekend against Liverpool, only to be denied a point by a late own goal, leaving the Rs stranded at the foot of table. The West Londoner’s will need to tighten up at the back as they have the worst defensive record in the league, conceding an average of 2.25 goals per game.

The shining beacon of light last weekend for QPR was second half substitute Eduardo Vargas, as the Chilean striker showcased his talent to the Loftus Road faithful. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index tells us more about the Chilean that him scoring twice on the weekend, revealing that he has only hit the back of the net with 50% of his shots taken. After his fantastic display last weekend he is definitely pushing for a starting place, and he is 12/5 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Whilst Vargas is hoping for a repeat performance from last weekend, Steven Caulker will be hoping that he doesn’t find the back of his own net this weekend. The English centre back is the only player to have played every minute of football for The Hoops, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals why. He actually proves more of a threat up top than most defenders and has had the second most shots on goal in the QPR squad with 11, resulting in him grabbing a goal. Defensively, the 22 year old has racked up 59 clearances, 21 interceptions and four blocks, and will need to add to his statistics to keep the Aston Villa front line quiet.

In the middle of the park, Leroy Fer could not have come closer to breaking the deadlock last week and opening his account for the season, twice striking the crossbar. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that he whilst he has only hit the target once from five efforts, 60% of his efforts have hit the woodwork this season. He has completed a squad best 14 dribbles and also created two of the R’s six goals this season. He could be the key to unlocking the Villa defence.

Aston Villa come into the game on the back of playing last year’s top five in the Premier League. Since beating Liverpool, the Villans have suffered four defeats on the bounce and will be looking to get back to winning ways in White City come Monday.

A big part of Villa’s failure to secure points has been that they have only managed four goals so far this campaign. Two of these goals have been scored by Gabriel Agbonlahor and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index tells us how important he is to Villa. Having hit a top speed of 34.34km/h this season, the English striker will be hoping to execute high speed counter attacks that reaped rewards for Liverpool against QPR last weekend.

Aston Villa’s other two Premier League goals this campaign have been delivered by Agbonlahor’s strike partner Andreas Weimann. The Austrian international has started the season in impressive fashion according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, scoring with every other shot that he has taken at goal. He has also showed how he is willing to work for the team by grabbing an assist, winning 75% of his tackles and completing a squad best 443 sprints. He is 31/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

At the back, Villa will be looking to sure things up, having conceded 11 of their 12 goals in their last four games of the campaign. The man who has most impressed at the back is Alan Hutton who, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, is the seventh fastest player in the Premier League this year having hit a top speed of 35.54km/h. The Scottish full back has won a fantastic 93.75% of his tackles, made 27 clearances and made 15 interceptions and will vital in Aston Villa’s effort to keep their fourth clean sheet of the season.

West Brom v Crystal Palace

West Brom will be looking to find their first win in three having only picked up a point against Manchester United on Monday night having twice taken the lead. The Baggies should be confident going into Saturday’s fixture given that eight of the nine points that they have picked up have come at the Hawthorns.

So far this season, Craig Gardner has been most impressive for the Midlands-based side, as highlighted by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The English midfielder has covered the 12th most ground of any Premier League player, covering 88.36km. He is also the ninth fastest recorded player in the Premier League, clocking an impressive 35.49km/h. He has also won 30 tackles, which is the fifth highest in the Premier League and has made 22 interceptions, which is the 11th highest. West Brom will need Gardner to cover every blade of grass as ever to win the midfield battle.

The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index also illustrates the difference made by English striker Saido Berahino. The 21 year old has hit the back of the net 6 time already this campaign, making him the third highest scorer in the Premier League. The key to his secret is getting shots off and making sure that he works

the keeper, as only three players have hit the target with more efforts than Berahino’s 11 attempts on target. He is 5/4 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Further threats in the West Brom side are evident, and Chris Brunt is certainly a player to keep your eye on, as is Sebastien Pocognoli. The Northern Irish international has completed six crosses, and holds three assists to his name. The Belgian defender has completed a further seven crosses, and both will be able of threatening the Palace back line with their delivery.

Crystal Palace will be looking to bounce back from consecutive league defeats to Hull and, more recently, Chelsea. The Eagles now hover menacingly above the drop zone, just one point clear of 18th place, and will be looking to put distance between themselves and the chasing pack with their second away win of the season.

Leading the Eagles out on the weekend will be their influential Australian skipper, Mile Jedinak. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals just how big a player he has been for Palace in the middle of the park this season. He is disruptive to opposition by stopping them from playing, and leads the Premier League in both tackles won and interceptions, with 39 and 29 respectively. He will need to continue his good work to leave Palace in control in the middle of the park.

Jason Puncheon has also been in fine form in midfield for Crystal Palace, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows how he has aided Jedinak in his battle, with nine interceptions and nine tackles won. His best work is going forward. Though he has completed 15 dribbles, he will be looking to add to his tally of just one goal, yet will be pleases with the three goals that he has created for his teammates. He is 9/2 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Having conceded 14 goals so far this season, Palace will be looking to sure things up at the back, and will have Joel Ward to lead the line. The English 24 year old defender has already made 32 clearances and 15 interceptions, and won a very impressive 85% of his tackles.

Sunderland v Arsenal

Sunderland find themselves teetering on the verge of the relegation zone after the second heaviest defeat in the history of the Premier League last weekend. They will want to get straight back on track this weekend and extend their unbeaten home run to three by taking all three points against the North London side.

Having failed to find the net last weekend, Sunderland will be hoping that this week is a very different occasion, and in Conor Wickham they have a goal scorer. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, he is the 5th fastest player recorded in the Premier League so far this season, clocking an impressive

35.8km/h. The 21 year old English striker has already found the back of the net once this season and is 13/4 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

At the other end of the pitch, Patrick van Aanholt has impressed with his defensive statistics, as shown by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The former Chelsea man has won the fourth most tackles in the Premier League so far this season, with an impressive 31 tackles won, winning 72.09% of his tackles. He also holds the joint third most interceptions in the league with 25, and will look to be as solid as ever against a side with great wingers like Arsenal.

Whilst Arsenal have plenty of attacking threat from midfield, Sunderland possess their own weapon from midfield in Adam Johnson. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index illustrates that the English left footer has scored one goal from just four shots this season, and is more than willing to chip in defensively if needs be. He has won 75% of his tackles and completed 73.64% of his dribbles, illustrating his qualities both going forward and tracking back.

Arsenal managed to grab an injury time equaliser at home to Hull last weekend to gift themselves a point, but they remain without a league win in three. In order to secure their third win of the season this year, Arsenal will be looking to keep a second clean sheet and head back to North London potentially sitting in the top four once more.

In order to ensure Arsenal tighten up in defence, they will be looking to their defensive stalwart Laurent Koscielny to take charge. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that the French international has become a fantastic reader of the game, having racked up 25 interceptions already this term. He has also won 73.3% of his tackles and will need to ensure that his reading of the game is at it’s absolute best to deal with the pace of the Sunderland attack.

In midfield, no one can doubt that Arsenal possess an abundance of talent. In Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla, Arsenal possess three of the best passers in the Premier League, as highlighted by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The trio are all in the top eight for most passes completed in the opposition half having completed 293, 285 and 275 respectively. It is important that they continue to keep possession in these dangerous areas and convert these passes into assists.

Whilst everyone knows Arsenal to be a fantastic passing side, they are equally adept at being direct. Arsenal’s top scorer is Alexis Sanchez with three Premier League goals, and Sanchez, Santiago Cazorla and Jack Wilshere are all in the top ten for dribbles completed in the Premier League. Sanchez and Cazorla are joint fourth having completed 19 dribbles, with England international Wilshere having completed 18 dribbles; the seventh most in the league. This shows that Arsenal can be more direct in their approach and should not be shy of doing so.

West Ham v Manchester City

West Ham currently sit in a Champions League spot after a superb run of form, winning three of their last four games. Sam Allardyce will be looking to ensure this streak extends further, giving West Ham a genuine belief that they can secure European football this year. West Ham face arguably their toughest task this weekend against Man City, however.

Diafra Sakho has been in scintillating form since his move from the French Ligue 2, and has scored a goal every 117 minutes on average, with four goals in six appearances. Sakho’s pace is one of his biggest weapons and the forward has made more sprints in any single game this season than the rest of the Premier League, with 98 in the 3-1 victory over Liverpool, as shown by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Stewart Downing is another player to be thriving in the West Ham side this season, from a newly adopted central role. Despite playing centrally, Downing has completed the most crosses of any player in the West Ham squad and the second most in the division, with 13 successful deliveries, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. This has led to three assists for the Englishman, also placing him eighth in the Premier League assist rankings.

Defender Winston Reid has made a great impression on spectators so far this season, and has been a key cog in the Hammers’ defence. Reid has made 79 clearances in total, which is the sixth highest number in the Premier League and the best amongst his teammates, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Reid comes up against the red hot Sergio Agüero, who may well prove to be the toughest opponent Reid has faced this season.

Man City come in to this game off the back of a 4-1 win over Tottenham, bringing the aggregate score of the side’s last three meetings to 15-2. City need a win in order to keep the pressure on Chelsea at the top of the league, but overcoming West Ham will be no mean feat.

There were few arguments about who the man of the match award should have gone to in City’s match versus Spurs, with Sergio Agüero netting all four goals. This puts Aguero on nine goals for the season and makes him joint-top goalscorer alongside Diego Costa. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, 69% of Aguero’s shots have been on target so far this season, in comparison to Costa’s 82%. The race for the Golden Boot is sure to be interesting and the prolific Argentinian will be hoping to add to his total this weekend against West Ham.

City are a side that have spent a lot of time in opposition territory this season, and their attacking intent is reflected in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, as two of their players are in the top three for passes in the opposition half. Yaya Toure (362) and David Silva (338) rank second and third respectively, and Silva especially has been extremely creative in the final third, much to the delight of Aguero.

Milner has continued to prosper through his extended run in the team, and has almost become a permanent fixture in Manuel Pellegrini’s XI. Milner covered 12.8km against Tottenham, which means he has covered the fifth greatest distance in a single game of any Premier League player, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Liverpool v Hull

Liverpool’s last Premier League game saw them edge out QPR late on in a 3-2 win, but truthfully the game could have gone either way. Liverpool sit in fifth place, behind West Ham who are fourth on goal difference, but will be hoping to affirm their place in the Champions League spots, starting this weekend.

Raheem Sterling is showing no signs of tiring, and continued his fine start to the season against QPR. The England playmaker is Liverpool’s top scorer with three goals and also has completed the second most dribbles in the Premier League with 26, six of which were against QPR, helping him to have a hand in all three goals, including an assist. Sterling has made 473 sprints so far this season, placing him in the top ten in the league, only beaten by Jordan Henderson (478) within the Liverpool squad.

Henderson also has three assists so far but has made a very impressive contribution defensively too, making more successful tackles than anyone in the Liverpool squad (26) according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. This ranks Henderson as the fifth most successful tackler amongst Premier League midfielders, and ninth most successful tackler overall.

Despite being aged 34, Henderson’s midfield partner Steven Gerrard has managed to cover 85.8km so far this season, the fourteenth most in the Premier League, averaging out at 10.7km per game. The Liverpool captain has been in a more reserved role this season next to Henderson, but the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that Gerrard is still willing to work for the team.

Hull currently sit mid-table on eleven points. Last week saw Hull concede a 91st minute goal to draw 2-2 to Arsenal, and although a point at the Emirates should be seen as a good result, Steve Bruce will be disappointed his side could not hold on.

Mohamed Diame is looking to be an inspired signing by Steve Bruce, along with many of Hull’s other summer signings. The midfield enforcer scored with a delightful chipped finish against Arsenal, bringing his tally to four for the season, but he offers much more than just goals. Diame has made the fifth most tackles in the Premier league, with 30 in eight games and he has made Hull a tough side to break down in the middle of the park.

Abel Hernandez, signed from Palermo in the summer, has scored three goals in his first five games. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, Hernandez has 0.77 goals per 90 minutes of Premier League football played. It is

an encouraging start to life in England for Hernandez, and he will be hoping to further improve his goalscoring record against Liverpool.

At the other end of the pitch, Curtis Davies has displayed defensive solidity and has made the most clearances of anybody in the Premier League, with 95. In addition to this, Davies has made the most interceptions of anyone in the Hull side (24) and the sixth most throughout the entire division, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Man Utd v Chelsea

Sunday’s 4pm kick off sees Louis Van Gaal’s first encounter against any of last season’s top four. Van Gaal has claimed that he still believes his Manchester United side can catch Chelsea at the top of the table this season, but anything other than a win this Sunday would put a serious dent in Van Gaal’s hopes.

There have been doubts this week over Angel Di Maria’s fitness after he limped off in Monday night’s game against West Brom, and his manager and fans alike will be on tenterhooks awaiting news as to if he can play on Sunday. Di Maria already has three goals and four assists in his first six games. The Argentinian also has thirteen successful dribbles and five successful crosses to his name, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Juan Mata plays against his former club for the first time since leaving and is likely to want to prove a point to Jose Mourinho. Mata has covered the eighth most ground in a single Premier League game out of any player, running a total distance of 12.5km against both Swansea and Everton. Mata will need to work hard again against an energetic Chelsea midfield, if he is to make an impression on his former manager.

Mata’s fellow Spaniard Ander Herrera has made an impression in the midfield for United and has won 93.8% of his tackles from the middle of the park. Combined with his 87.4% pass completion rate, Herrera clearly has a variety of strengths that make him a key man in the United midfield.

Chelsea continued their unbeaten start to the season by winning away at Crystal Palace last Saturday, and a win at Old Trafford would really make a statement and silence any doubts that may remain about this Chelsea side.

The start of this season has seen a major revival in the form of Oscar. Jose Mourinho has recently spoken of the Brazilian playmaker’s transformation in to more of a complete midfielder. Oscar has attempted a total of 30 tackles, a quite outstanding total for an attacking midfielder and as well as this has made 206 passes in the opposition half, the fifteenth highest total of any Premier League player. Oscar’s versatility and interchangeability with Cesc Fabregas could be vital if Chelsea are to get a result at Old Trafford on Sunday.

There has been a lot of praise targeted towards the attacking stars in Chelsea’s side, but some would argue that the most consistent performer in the squad has been Nemanja Matic. The midfielder has made more tackles than any otherChelsea player (25) as well as making fifteen interceptions. Matic is likely to be a key part of Chelsea’s play this Sunday.

Eden Hazard has prospered this season with the introduction of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa, and the Belgian winger has completed more successful dribbles (41) than any Premier League player. Hazard has also played the fifth greatest number of passes in the opposition half this season, with 298.

Swansea vs Leicester

Jonathan Walters grabbed the winner for Stoke last time out as they emerged with all three points after a 2-1 win over Swansea at the Brittania. This followed a Charlie Adam penalty as Stoke showed grit to come from behind and move into the top half of the table.

Striker Wilfried Bony has been one of the main threats for the Swans this season, the physical frontman providing all sorts of problems for opposition defenders. Despite only scoring twice so far this term, he’s been on target with 57.9% of his 19 shots on goal according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. If he keeps this rate up, more goals may well be on the way. Bony is 16/13 to score at any time this weekend with 888sport.com.

Despite being more noted for his speed and dribbling in attack, Wayne Routledge has also shown himself an adept defender when called upon this season. He’s won a squad best 72.7% of his 22 attempted tackles, showing a willingness to put in the defensive yards for his team as well as propel them forward in attack.

Midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson has been in fine form since his return to South Wales, the Iceland international drifting into space between the lines as he looks to play the killer pass or work opposition ‘keepers from range. He manages to do this though via his consistently high work rate, with the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index showing that he has so far covered the most ground of any Swansea player this term, with 93.4 km to his name.

Leicester came off second best against Newcasle at St James’ Park last weekend, a solitary Gabriel Obertan strike the sole difference between the two teams on the day.

Defender Ritchie De Laet has been a key man at the back for Leicester so far this season and will likely be in for another busy weekend against a Swansea side that like to pass and move at pace. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index though it appears he will be up to the challenge given that he has won 76.3% of his 38 attempted tackles this season, whilst also contributing 50 clearances and 28 interceptions.

Should he feature this weekend, midfielder Riyad Mahrez could well pose some problems for the Swansea defence. He leads the Leicester squad this season for dribbles with 18, as well as being on target with 80% of his attempts on goal. Mahrez is an industry best 6/1 to score at any time with 888sport.com.

Fellow midfielder Daniel Drinkwater has been one of the key fulcrums in the Leicester engine room this season and expect to see him orchestrating proceedings in the centre of the park for Nigel Pearson’s side this term. No other Leicester player can top Drinkwater’s total of 152 passes in the opponent’s half

Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars at fantasy.premierleague.com or with FIFA Ultimate Team.

Photo: Action Images

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