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EA Sports Player Performance Index Premier League 20th December
Saturday, 20th Dec 2014 10:17

A look at the other matches going on away from St Mary's In the Premier League this weekend.

Man City v Crystal Palace — Saturday 12:45

Man City will approach this game with confidence as they now sit in second place and just three points behind the league leaders Chelsea. City have managed five wins on the bounce now, and another win could see them move level on points with the West Londoners as an early Christmas present.

With their top scorer Sergio Aguero out, in addition to Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic being absent through injury, City are likely to play a re-vamped formation without a striker. This means that there will be more emphasis on Yaya Toure, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows off his prowess. The Ivory Coast international has now bagged for goals and will look to add to that tally this weekend. He has also grabbed one assist, and if can add to his total of 758 completed passes in the opposition half, he could prove to be a game changer. He is 33/20 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Another man who is equally likely to make a difference is Spain international midfielder, David Silva. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has completed 87.2% of his 671 passes so far this season, and he is also capable of unlocking a defence at any time with his eye for a pass.

At the other end, England international goalkeeper Joe Hart will be going in search of his third back to back clean sheet this weekend, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals just how good his form is at the moment. The Blues shot stopper has averaged 2.36 saves per goal conceded so far this season, and will look to further extend that ratio this weekend.

This weekend’s visitors to The Etihad are Crystal Palace, and the Eagles will prove anything but a walkover for the home side. The South Londoners have only lost one of their last five Premier League outings and will be looking for all three points to build a buffer between themselves and the relegation zone.

As ever, the Eagles will look to their inspirational skipper Mike Jedinak to win the midfield battle, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows off his prowess. The Australian national team captain has illustrated his quality on the ball by scoring five goals and creating one more already this season. His statistics in defence are even more impressive having won 80.3% of his 76 tackles and made 59 interceptions.

Behind Jedinak, Martin Kelly has been Palace’s most impressive and consistent performer this season, as illustrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The right back has won 85.2% of his 61 tackles this season, making 68 clearances and 27 interceptions and will be key to keeping City at bay.

At the other end, Crystal Palace will be relying on Dwight Gayle to find the back of the net, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows off his talents. His two goals this season have come at an average of every 187 minutes, hitting the target with 75% of his attempts. Much like Jedinak and Kelly, Gayle is also impressive in defence and has won all of his four tackles this season, showing that defending from the front is key to Palace’s success. He is 5/1 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Aston Villa v Manchester United — Saturday 15:00

Whilst they will realise that they are playing host to the league’s form side, Villa will only be concentrating on taking all three points for the third time in four matches. The Birmingham based outfit has only conceded four goals in the last six outings, which was the platform for their early season success.

One man who has been key to this turnaround is the Villans’ shot stopper Brad Guzan. The USA international, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, has averaged 2.6 saves per goal conceded, and will look to increase that ratio once more with a third clean sheet in Villa’s impressive seven game run.

Up top, Andreas Weimann still remains a big threat and great option for Villa, as the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index proves. The Austrian international forward has scored three times this season and his pace will pose a massive problem, having hit a top speed of 34km/h so far this season. He is 41/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Another impressive performer so far this season has been Ciaran Clarke, as illustrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The 25 year old Irish defender has made 12 tackles so far this season, winning 75% of them. He has also made 15 interceptions so far this season, illustrating his improvement in ability to read the play.

Last weekend saw Manchester United become the first team to claim six victories in a row, and this weekend will see them look to go for number seven. Their last six games have seen them score 13 goals and concede an average of a goal every other game, and they will look to keep that impressive form at both ends going.

At the back, David De Gea is a keeper in exceptional form and has played a big part in his side keeping three clean sheets in their six straight wins. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, the Spain international has averaged 2.76 saves per goal conceded so far this season, and will be looking to keep his sixth clean sheet of the season.

In the middle of the park, Juan Mata has started to really find his feet this season, as the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index demonstrates. Mata has scored his five goals from just 11 shots this season, converting 45.4% of his shots. He has now covered 131.78km and will look to out-run and out-maneuver his opponents once more this weekend.

Up top, Robin van Persie has more than closed the door on his critics, as the EA SPORTS player Performance Index can testify to. Van Persie has taken his tally to seven goals for the season, also showing off his hard working nature by winning 71.4% of his 21 tackles so far this season. However, it is offensively where he is likely to have the biggest impact on the game, and he is 23/20 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Hull v Swansea — Saturday 15:00

Hull has seen a dip in form over the last load of games, which has seen them slip into the relegation zone having failed to win in their last nine league outings. Hull will look to take all three points to ensure that they don’t sit in the relegation zone at Christmas.

At the back, Allan McGregor has had a great start to the season for Hull and will look to continue in the same vein this weekend. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has already made 33 saves this season, making an average of 1.43 saves per every goal conceded. He will look to further increase that ratio this weekend to ensure Hull get their first victory in ten.

Jake Livermore has had a fantastic start to his season, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that this is due to hit hard working style and nature. He has completed a squad best 183.76km so far this season, making him along with Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic of Chelsea the first players to pass the 100 mile barrier this season. He will look to continue out-running opponents to ensure that Hull get a foothold in the middle of the park.

Up top, Hull will look for Nikica Jelavic to find the back of the net for them and clinch three points for the Tigers. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, he has scored four times, converting 57.1% of his shots on target. He has also covered 113.88km already this season, and will look to wear out his markers once more this weekend. He is 13/5 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

This weekend’s visitors to the KC Stadium are Swansea City, who have lost their last two matches to London-based opponents Tottenham and West Ham. Regardless of these two blips in form, Swansea sit in ninth position in the league, just six points off the Champions League spots.

Key to them taking all three points this weekend will be the goal scoring exploits of their star striker Wilfried Bony. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has scored eight times at an average of a goal every 139.6 minutes so far this season. Not only does he present the strength required to hold off opponents, but also the pace, having hit a top speed of 33.5km/h. He is 6/4 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Looking to win the battle of the midfield is Swansea’s Iceland international midfield man, Gylfi Sigurdsson. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has completed a squad best 180.29km so far this season, and he will look to add to that total this weekend. He has also had a hand in ten of Swansea’s goals so far this season, scoring twice himself and creating a further eight goals. He will be both a threat in front of goal and when creating chances for his teammates.

At the back, Swansea are a very compact unit, led by their skipper Ashley Williams. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index highlights his impressive statistics so far this season having won 76.9% of his 26 tackles, racking up 172 clearances and 41 interceptions. He will be instrumental in Swansea keeping their first clean sheet in three matches.

QPR v West Brom — Saturday 15:00

QPR have gone through a mixed bag of late, winning two and losing two of their last four games. However, QPR will go into this weekend’s fixture with plenty of optimism having won both of their last two home fixtures. The R’s will look to continue in the same vein this weekend by making it three home wins on the bounce.

Last week saw Bobby Zamora come on as a second half substitute for the R’s in the absence of suspended front man and top scorer Charlie Austin. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that Zamora needed only 31 minutes to score on Monday night with his only attempt on goal, whilst completing 71.4% of his seven passes. He is 51/20 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

In the middle of the park, Leroy Fer continues to impress in his debut for the Loftus Road outfit. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index demonstrates that he has not only scored and set up two goals apiece but also won 71.4% of his 42 tackles and racked up 17 interceptions. He will look to continue his all-round good work to deliver another match winning performance.

At the back, Richard Dunne has been a rock all season for the West Londoners, as illustrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The Republic of Ireland international centre back has won 86.7% of his 30 tackles, making 98 clearances and amassing 15 interceptions. He will be key to the R’s keeping their second clean sheet in three matches and gaining the three points required to get Rangers out of the relegation zone pre-Christmas.

Opponents West Brom will be looking for their second victory in a row after their 1-0 win over city rivals Aston Villa in their last outing. Another win this weekend could see them leapfrog Villa and they will come into the match with confidence.

Goalkeeper Ben Foster has been in fantastic form so far this season, as shown by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The England international has made 45 saves already this season at an average of 2.25 saves per goal conceded. He will look to keep up the good work to help deliver six points from six in their last two matches.

In the middle of the park, Craig Gardner has made a great impact for West Brom in the first half of the season, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Gardner has covered a squad best 163.8km so far this season. He has also won 73.9% of his 69 tackles so far this season, and his hard work will be needed to give West Brom the desired three points.

Up top, Saido Berahino has been West Brom’s ever present threat this season, as demonstrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Berahino has netted seven times, converting 25% of his 28 shots so far this season. Having hit a top speed of 33.7km/h, Berahino will look to use his pace to get in behind the R’s backline. He is 39/20 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Tottenham v Burnley — Saturday 15:00

A late winner from Christian Eriksen saw Tottenham move to the brink of the top four as they beat Swansea 1-2 at the Liberty Stadium last weekend.

Midfielder Eriksen has been hailed this week for his recent performances, praise that is apparently well deserved given his statistics this season. He’s racked up as many shots on goal as star striker Harry Kane (22), as well as completing more passes in the opponent’s half than any other Spurs player (469) according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Eriksen is 11/5 with 888sport.com to score at any time.

Nabil Bentaleb is growing in authority with each passing game, providing manager Mauricio Pochettino with another midfield option as the season progresses. He’s won an excellent 75% of his 20 tackles so far this term, proving he is up to the task of shackling the best the Barclays Premier League has to offer.

Defender Jan Vertonghen has been in typically imperious form this season, the classy centre back establishing himself as the rock at the back for this Spurs side. He leads the Tottenham squad for total defensive contributions (blocks, interceptions, clearances and tackles won) with 122 to his name, meaning he is making a defensive contribution on average once every 8.3 minutes he’s been on the pitch.

A second half deflected strike from Ashley Barnes saw Burnley claim another vital win with a 1-0 victory over Southampton that saw them move out of the bottom three.

Responsibility for leading the line for Burnley has largely fallen to Danny Ings this season, something he’s clearly been happy to take on. He’s had more attempts on goal than any other Burnley player with 30, as well as contributing two assists, so expect to see him heavily involved in their attacking efforts this weekend. Ings is 14/5 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.

Jason Shackell has been putting in some serious defensive work this season, apparently relishing the inevitable physical battle that comes with every Barclays Premier League game. He ranks second in the league for total defensive contributions (blocks, clearances, interceptions and tackles won), his 234 bettered only by Swansea’s Ashley Williams (253) according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Defender Kieran Trippier has certainly not been confined by his defensive duties when getting higher up the pitch this season, getting himself further up the pitch whenever the opportunity has presented itself. He’s completed the third highest total number of crosses of any player in the league this term, with 23 to his name.

Liverpool v Arsenal — Sunday 16:00

Santi Cazorla grabbed a brace on his 30th birthday as Arsenal scored four for the second game in the row with a 4-1 win over Newcastle at The Emirates last Saturday.

Olivier Giroud also found the net twice last weekend, the big forward coming back refreshed following a lengthy injury layoff. He now has four goals in the league this season, meaning he has scored with every 3.75 shots he has had on goal. Giroud is 7/4 to score at any time this weekend with 888sport.com.

Should Mathieu Flamini feature against Liverpool, he will be key in helping to break up their play in the middle of the park. His distance stats certainly suggest his fitness is up to the task of tracking the likes of Jordan Henderson, the Frenchman covering more ground than any other Arsenal player this season with 153,579m to his name according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Alexis Sanchez has been at the forefront of much of the good about Arsenal this season, his movement and technique frequently getting him in positions to score, as well as provide for his teammates. Not only does he rank second in the Arsenal squad for shots on goal, his total of 28 bettered only by Danny Welbeck with 30, he’s also compiled five assists.

Liverpool dropped to 10th in the Barclays Premier League after a 3-0 defeat at the hands of a revitalised Manchester Utd at Old Trafford last weekend. A midweek victory in the League Cup will have provided some much needed confidence though, setting up an intriguing clash with Arsenal this weekend.

Raheem Sterling has been central to Liverpool’s efforts this season, the skillful forward shouldering the extra burden of attacking responsibility in the absence of the injured Daniel Sturridge. He has the best shot accuracy rate of any Liverpool player to have had more than 10 shots on goal, with 62.5% of his 24 attempts hitting the target. Sterling is 27/10 to score at any time this weekend with 888sport.com.

Midfielder Jordan Henderson has been controlling the tempo superbly in the middle of the pitch for Liverpool this season, providing the platform for the likes of Sterling to flourish in front of him. As well as attempting the highest number of challenges in the squad with 53, winning 75.5% of them, he’s also completed more passes in the opponent’s half than any of his teammates with 391, at an average rate of one every 3.3 minutes according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Youngster Alberto Moreno has been in strong form this term, acquitting himself well in his first season in the Barclays Premier League. He ranks behind only captain Steven Gerrard (44) for total challenges with 41, winning an excellent 87.9% of them.

West Ham v Leicester — Saturday 15:00

West Ham are now unbeaten in four games and remain in fourth spot, ahead of the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton and Liverpool. They face Leicester City and will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run to five games.

After last weekend’s game, West Ham left back Aaron Cresswell became the highest ranked defender on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, after some impressive performances this season. One of the highlights thus far has been his crossing ability as the defender has put in the ninth most successful crosses in the Premier League, finding his man on twelve occasions, with one fifth of his crosses reaching a teammate.

Another prolific crosser in the West Ham side is Stewart Downing. Downing has put in 24 crosses, the second most in the division, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Only Dusan Tadic has put in more successful crosses (29), but has played one game more than Downing. With the return of Andy Carroll, Downing’s crossing ability could prove to be all the more important, and is certainly something that could help continue West Ham’s charge at the top of the table. Downing is 4/1 to score any time with 888sport.

At the other end of the pitch, goalkeeper Adrian has been in good form this season. He has made the fourth most saves in the Premier League so far with 49. On average, Adrian has made 2.6 saves for every goal conceded, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Leicester City sit bottom of the league on ten points and haven’t won any of their last eleven games, since they beat Manchester United 5-3.

Despite the fact Leicester sit bottom of the league, a lot of their defenders have recorded some impressive statistics this season. Wes Morgan has an impeccable tackling success rate, having won 93.3% of his tackles this season, shortly followed by Paul Konchesky who has an 85.7% tackle success rate, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Leicester are 8/1 to win with a clean sheet with 888sport.

Not only this, but Konchesky has also covered more ground than any of his other Leicester teammates. The left back has covered 146.7km over fifteen games this season, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, and his energy combined with his tackling could prove vital if Leicester are to get a result against The Hammers this weekend.

A surprising stat perhaps, is that 34 year old defender Marcin Wasilewski has recorded the third fastest sprint speed of any player in the entire Premier League. Wasilewski has been clocked running at 35.1km/h (21.8mph) meaning he is ahead of the more notorious speed merchants such as Raheem Sterling and Alexis Sanchez, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Newcastle v Sunderland — Sunday 13:30

Sunday’s early kick off is one of the Premier League’s greatest rivalries as Newcastle United host Sunderland Athletic at St. James’ Park. Newcastle’s fine run recently came to an end when they lost 4-1 to Arsenal.

Moussa Sissoko has recorded the fastest sprint speed of any player in the Premier League. Sissoko has been a constant threat to defences, with a top speed of 35.3km/h (21.9mph) according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, and he could well continue to cause trouble to the Sunderland defence this weekend. Sissoko is 9/2 to score any time with 888sport.

Daryl Janmaat, meanwhile, has had a positive influence at the other end of the pitch. The right back has made the ninth most tackles in the Premier League (48) as well as 37 interceptions, the eleventh most in the division, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Paul Dummett has also had a very positive contribution at the back this season. The versatile defender has made the most clearances in the Newcastle squad with 105, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Such strong performances have earned Dummett a regular place in the Newcastle side this year, and he has featured in fourteen of Newcastle’s sixteen games in the league.

Sunderland have had an indifferent start to the season. They sit in sixteenth place on sixteen points, but are only five points adrift of the top half.

Santiago Vergini has been a highlight for Sunderland, proving to be very adept when taking on his man. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, the Argentinian has completed the most successful dribbles in the Sunderland squad with 25. Vergini is 14/1 to score any time with 888sport.

It is Seb Larsson who remains the hardest working Sunderland player if the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index is anything to go by. Larsson has covered the 13th most ground of any Premier League player, clocking up a total of 166.1km over the first sixteen games, averaging out at over 10km per game.

Wes Brown has provided some decent displays this year and has been a big part of the Sunderland defence. He has made sixteen blocks in just thirteen appearances, averaging at more than a block per game. He ranks in at sixth for number of blocks among the rest of the league, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Stoke v Chelsea — Monday 20:00

Chelsea remain on top of the league and last weekend bounced back to winning ways with a win over Hull City.

Diego Costa got himself back on the scoresheet and brings his total for the season to twelve, in thirteen games. Costa has scored a goal every 91 minutes on average and has an impressive conversion rate of 40% (12 goals from 30 shots). In addition, exactly 80% of his shots this season have been on target (24/30), according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Costa is 29/10 to score first with 888sport.

Eden Hazard has sat on top of the dribbling charts all season, and this does not look like changing any time soon. After last weekend’s match, Hazard has completed 71 successful dribbles, which is around 4.6 take-ons per game this season, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He along with Costa are likely to be Chelsea’s biggest threats to Stoke on Monday night.

Cesc Fabregas missed Chelsea’s game against Hull but is set to return against Stoke, and that will certainly be a big boost to Jose Mourinho. The midfielder has made an astonishing 739 passes in the opposition half this season, averaging out at around 49 per game. Only Yaya Toure has a greater total in the division, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

This week’s Monday night visitors to Stamford Bridge are Stoke, who certainly won’t be a pushover and will be looking to emulate their performance away at Man City that saw them take all three points. Stoke will come into the game in a positive frame of mind having picked up four points from a possible six in their last two outings, including a fantastic victory over Arsenal.

In Asmir Begovic, Stoke have one of the league’s most talented goalkeepers and he has been living up to all expectations this season, as illustrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international has made 26 saves this season to help keep the goals against column as low as possible. This also showcases the great work that his defence has been doing in front of him to keep the shots testing him to a minimum.

In midfield, Steven N’Zonzi continues to impress for Stoke, as demonstrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The French holding midfielder has covered a squad best 178.8km, and is equally adept on the ball as well, having completed a squad best 528 passes. His work rate and talent could be the key to unlocking the Chelsea backline.

Up top, Bojan has really started to find his feet in the Premier League and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can showcase this mercurial talent. Bojan has netted twice for the Potters and will look to threaten in behind with his top speed, recorded at 32.9km/h. He is 27/5 to score at any time this weekend with 888sport.com.

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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