Want to be the pub/terrace know-all this weekend? Want to know who has committed the most fouls? Or who has covered the most ground and put in a true captain’s performance? Then read on and let the welcome return of the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index arm you with enough stats to impress everyone but girly girls.
Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars with at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate team.
Aston Villa v Liverpool – 15:00 Saturday
This weekend will see Aston Villa go in search of their first win in seven games at home to a dangerous Liverpool side, but the Villans will come into the game with confidence having already beaten Liverpool this season. Villa will need to improve in attack and convert their chances in to goals, but having only conceded three times in their last five Premier League games, they will be hard to break down.
One man who has helped to keep that defensive record intact is American shot stopper Brad Guzan. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, he has made 66 saves already this season, at an average of 2.9 saves per goal conceded. He will need to be on top form to keep his third clean sheet in four games this Saturday.
In front of him, Alan Hutton has proved to be a crucial part of the defensive, as illustrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He has already covered 172.7km so far this term, hitting a top speed of 33.9km/h. He has also won 39 tackles this year, winning 81.25% of his overall tackles, and that combination of fitness and tenacity will prove a challenge to break down.
Up top, the responsibility of putting the ball in the back of the net falls on the shoulders of Gabriel Agbonlahor. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, he has hit a top speed of 34.8km/h and will look to use that pace to his advantage and find his fourth goal of the season. He has converted 37.5% of his eight shots on target, and he is 37/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
This weekend’s visitors to Villa Park are Liverpool, who’s form in somewhat of a contrast to that of the Villans. Liverpool are now unbeaten in five, winning three of those matches and a win this weekend could see them climb two places to sixth.
What has been most impressive is their fluidity in midfield, with such a number of prodigious talents. In particular, Jordan Henderson, as demonstrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index as he is the only Liverpool player to cover over 200km, clocking a total 216.1km. He has also racked up a squad best 525 passes in the opposition half, leading to his squad best six assists. If he gets on the ball in the opposition half, he will pose a threat.
If Henderson provides a threat with his passing, then Sterling is the direct running equivalent. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that he has completed more dribbles than any other Liverpool player, with 65 in total, leading to his four goals this season. He has been clocked at a top speed of 35km/h, which is a squad best, and will prove a major threat to the Villa back line. He is 2/1 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
The third man who has been extremely impressive of late in midfield is Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian midfielder, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index has completed 443 passes in the opposition half and completed 53 dribbles as well. He will provide both the passing of Henderson and the direct running style of Sterling, and could prove a threat with his vision or direct style.
Burnley v Crystal Palace – 15:00 Saturday
Burnley will come into this weekend’s fixtures with confidence, having been buoyed by their results of late. Burnley are now undefeated in three, and picked up all three points last weekend at home to QPR and will be hoping to make it back to back home wins this time out.
Burnley will be reliant on their shot stopper this weekend, as Tom Heaton goes in search of his first clean sheet in six games. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, he has already made 69 saves this season, at an average of 2.09 saves per goal conceded. He will need to be on top form to keep out Palace’s attack.
In front of him, Kieran Trippier has been the most impressive member of the Burnley back line this year. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, he has already covered 217.2km this term, whilst also winning 33 tackles, making 81 clearances and 43 interceptions.
Up top, Danny Ings is really finding his feet as a Premier League striker and is consistently posing a threat. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has converted six of his 17 shots on target, turning 35.3% of those shots in to goals. He is 5/3 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Crystal Palace will come in to this game with just as much, if not more, confidence. They have also remained unbeaten in their last three fixtures, with a superb victory over Tottenham in their last outing. They will be looking to make it six points from six to avoid being leapfrogged by this weekend’s opponents.
Palace keeper Julien Speroni has also been in great form this season, as highlighted by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He has racked up 50 saves this season, at an average of 1.61 saves per goal conceded. He will be hoping for another shut out this weekend to help boost that ratio even further.
Palace are looking threatening going forward at the moment, in particular with the talent of Dwight Gayle. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has hit the back of the net three times this season, at an average of a goal every 176.6 minutes. He has only needed six attempts to get his goals, converting 50% of his shots taken, and hitting the target with 83.3% of his shots. He is 14/5 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Whilst Gayle is in great form, so is fellow striker Frazier Campbell. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has also netted three times this season, from his 18 shots taken. He may prove a different type of threat, having hit a top speed of 34.3km/h.
Leicester v Stoke – 15:00 Saturday
Leicester will come into Saturday’s fixture full of confidence having kick started their season with a good run of form of late, remaining unbeaten in their last three fixtures. Those three matches have seen the Foxes pick up seven points from a possible nine, with good victories over Hull and Aston Villa, only conceding twice in three games.
This defence has been key to the change in fortunes for the Midlands based club, and Wes Morgan has been a key figure in that back line. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal what a crucial role he has played, having won 20 tackles this season, winning 95.2% of his overall challenges. Whilst not having made that many tackles, he has made a whopping 54 interceptions, showing how crucial his reading of the play is to the side.
Paul Konchesky is also in fine form for Leicester, having found the only goal of the game to seal the three points against Villa. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that Konchesky has won 27 tackles this season, winning an impressive 81.8% of his tackles. He has also made 64 clearances and 40 interceptions and will hope to continue his impressive form at left back this weekend.
Up top, Leicester will continue to look to Leonardo Ulloa. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that his seven goals have come form just 12 shots on target, converting an impressive 58.3% of those chances. He is 43/20 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Stoke will come into this fixture in confident mood despite having suffered defeat in their last outing at the hands of Arsenal. Prior to that, Stoke picked up seven points from a possible nine, and will be looking to get back to winning ways this weekend.
Key to that will be their prolific shot stopper Asmir Begovic. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that the Bosnia and Herzegovina international keeper has made a total of 42 saves this season, at an average of 1.55 saves per goal conceded. He will be hoping to keep his third clean sheet in five games to bolster that ratio.
In front of him, Ryan Shawcross has been instrumental in the Stoke back line, even popping up with two goals. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that he has won 29 tackles, winning 74.3% of his total challenges. He has also made 163 clearances and racked up 36 interceptions and will look to remain the focal point of Stoke’s solid defensive unit this weekend.
Up top, Peter Crouch has always popped up with goals, and this season is proving no different. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows us that Crouch has netted four times this season, converting 50% of his eight shots on target. He is 51/20 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
QPR v Man Utd – 15:00 Saturday
This weekend will see QPR looking to get back on track having failed to win any of their last four matches, and slipped back into the relegation zone. Having suffered defeat in the reverse fixture earlier on this season, QPR will be eager to avenge that result so expect a big performance from them this Saturday.
QPR will hope that their ever-reliable shot stopper Rob Green lives up to the form that he has shown so far this season. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index demonstrates that he has made an astonishing 76 saves this season, at an average of 2.05 saves per goals conceded. He will need to be on top form to keep out the United front line.
At the back, Steven Caulker is having a solid season so far, as highlighted by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He has 22 tackles this season, winning 61.1% of them, also racking up 208 clearances and 40 interceptions. He will need to marshal his back line with authority this weekend to help QPR to their second clean sheet in four.
Up top, the talents of Charlie Austin are there for all to see, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index also illustrates his prowess. The English striker has now netted 13 goals in the league from 47 shots, converting 27.7% of his overall shots. He has also found the target with 68% of his shots, and is 39/20 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Manchester United suffered their first defeat last weekend since losing to Man City on the 2nd November, but will be hoping to get back to winning ways this weekend. They will hope that they can replicate the form that saw them put four past QPR in front of the Old Trafford faithful and get another run going.
Key to their success will be the highly acclaimed Spanish international keeper, David de Gea. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, he has racked up an impressive 58 saves already this term, making an average of 2.76 saves per goal conceded. He will need to continue that form to deliver his first clean sheet in three matches.
At the other end of the pitch, United will hope to get back to scoring ways, and that duty lies with Robin Van Persie. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index illustrates how important he is having scored eight goals from his 25 shots on target, converting 32% of those attempts. He is 11/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney will be looking to rally his troops this weekend, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index highlights his importance to the team. Not only has Rooney scored eight times this season, but his passing is also now a major facet of his game having laid on four assists. Rooney has now made 496 of his 763 completed passes in the opposition half, with an accuracy of 85% on his overall passing.
Swansea vs Chelsea – Saturday 15:00
Swansea welcome Chelsea this Saturday having not won in any of their last three Premier League games. Swansea fell to a 4-2 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but they will be more confident that they can achieve a result in front of their home fans.
Now that Wilfried Bony has departed for Manchester City, the Swans will be looking to star midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson to supply the firepower needed to break down the Chelsea defence. Sigurdsson has scored four goals this season and assisted his teammates eight times – only bettered by his opposite man Cesc Fabregas with fourteen. Sigurdsson is ranked as the fourteenth best player in the Premier League according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Sigurdsson is 13/1 to score first with 888sport.
Lukas Fabianski will be the man between the sticks looking to keep Chelsea at bay. The stopper has made the fifth most saves in the division with 68, only eight behind first placed Rob Green. Fabianski has averaged 3.4 saves per game according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index and this is likely to increase this weekend against Chelsea.
Ki Sung-Yueng has been a regular for Swansea this season, and has racked up some impressive statistics in the process. Ki has made the most clearances of any midfielder in the division with 76. Mile Jedinak is the next closest midfielder with 65, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Chelsea now find themselves two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the league and will be hoping to extend their lead to put the pressure on City, who play on Sunday against Arsenal. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index ranks three Chelsea players among the top four in the division, along with Alex Sanchez.
Diego Costa sits top of the rankings having scored a remarkable 15 goals in 18 games. The combative forward has scored with 34.1% of his shots and has recorded an incredible 72.7% of his shots on target, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Costa is 3/1 to score with 888sport.
Ranked second in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index is winger Eden Hazard, who has had a scintillating first half to the season. He has scored eight goals and set up five goals for his teammates. Hazard is set to be the first player to hit a century for dribbles, as he currently has 99 successful dribbles to his name. Should he continue with his average of 4.71 dribbles per game, he should smash in to the hundreds this weekend at Swansea.
Cesc Fabregas completes the Chelsea trio and is ranked fourth in the overall EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Fabregas has stormed the assists chart, setting up 15 goals so far this season. This is largely down to the fact Fabregas has completed more passes in the opposition half than any other player (963). In addition to this, Fabregas has covered 273.4km over the course of the season, the most in the Premier League, averaging out at 13.7km per game.
Tottenham vs Sunderland – Saturday 15:00
Tottenham face Sunderland this weekend having not won either of their last two league games against Burnley and Crystal Palace. Spurs will be looking to bounce back against a Sunderland side without a win in four.
Christian Eriksen has been one of Tottenham’s standout players this season, but he has proven that there is a lot more to his game than just creativity and guile. Under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, Eriksen has covered the second most ground of any player in the Premier League, clocking 235.0km in total, which averages out at 11.2km per game, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
In form striker Harry Kane is likely to be one of the main threats to Sunderland this Saturday, having scored eight goals in seventeen games this season. The striker has recorded 57.6% of his shots on target, and has scored with 24.2% of his shots on goal, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Kane is 16/5 to score first with 888sport.
Danny Rose could well play supplier to Kane this weekend as the fullback has completed the most successful crosses in the Spurs squad. Rose has found his man on twelve occasions this season according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, which ranks him seventeenth in the division.
Sunderland have this week signed former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, and the forward is sure to receive a great reception at White Hart Lane. Should Defoe receive international clearance, he will be eligible to play against Spurs and Gustavo Poyet will certainly be hoping this is the case. Defoe is 33/10 to play and score with 888sport.
Lee Cattermole has been a regular in the centre of midfield for Sunderland and he has played a key part in breaking down opposition play. Cattermole has made a squad-best 44 interceptions, which ranks him fourteenth in the league, as well as winning 49 tackles successfully, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Only Seb Larsson betters his tackling record in the Sunderland squad, racking up 50 successful tackles, albeit having played three more games than Cattermole. Larsson has also covered the most distance of any Sunderland player, and the twelfth most in the division, clocking up a total of 221.3km this season.
Wes Brown has featured in seventeen of Sunderland’s games so far and has blocked fifteen shots so far this season, nearly working out at one per game. His fifteen blocks rank him in fourteenth place in the division for number of blocks, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Newcastle v Southampton – Saturday 15:00
This weekend will see Newcastle look to get back to winning ways having suffered a defeat to league leaders Chelsea in their last outing. The Geordies sit in tenth place in the league at the moment and will look to solidify their position with another victory this weekend.
Newcastle will look to please the toon faithful with a victory this weekend, and there is nothing that fans like to see more than hard work. The EA SPORTS Player Performance can highlight that Jack Colback has been an instant hit in Newcastle having covered a squad best 232.9km already this term. That hard work will be vital in an engine room going up against Southampton’s talented array of midfielders.
Moussa Sissoko will join him in midfield, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index also demonstrates what a fabulous season he is having in the black and white stripes. Sissoko has proved his box to box nature by bagging two goals, winning 63.3% of his 30 tackles and racking up 580 completed passes, with an accuracy of 79.3%.
At the back, yet also a threat going forward, Daryl Janmaat has had a great first half to his debut season on Tyneside. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index highlights that he has won 57 tackles so far this term, winning 76% of his tackles overall, racking up 52 clearances and 48 interceptions. Having already found the net once this season, he is 15/1 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
This weekend’s visitors to St. James’ Park will come into the Saturday fixture brimming with confidence after a fantastic victory at Old Trafford saw them leapfrog the Manchester side and climb into third place. The Saints are now unbeaten in five, winning four of those matches, and will look to make it five wins from six.
A massive part of their form has been keeper Fraser Forster, as Southampton have the best defensive record in the league. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that the England international shot stopper has now made 42 saves this season, at an average of 2.8 saves per goal conceded. He will be looking to keep his third consecutive clean sheet.
It should be no great surprise that Dusan Tadic was Southampton’s match winner last weekend, as explained by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He has had a fine debut campaign with the Saints, netting three times and also completing a squad best 34 crosses. He will both be a danger in front of goal and when he looks to turn provider.
One man who will thrive off that service is Graziano Pelle. The Saints top scorer has been in scintillating form this season, as demonstrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He has now scored eight times, converting 36.3% of his 22 shots on target. Like Tadic, he has the ability to both score and turn provider having also racked up five assists. He is 16/4 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
West Ham vs Hull – Saturday 13:30
West Ham claimed a point last time out against Swansea, with a strike from Andy Carroll securing a 1-1 draw for Sam Allardyce’s side.
Aaron Cresswell has been impressing at the back for the Hammers this season, adapting quickly to the standard expected of defenders in the top flight. He’s won an impressive 69.4% of his 49 attempted challenges this season according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Goalkeeper Adrian has been in exceptional form this season, repeatedly drawing praise for keeping his side in games to the very end. Not only has he racked up 70 saves saves this term, he’s also proved himself adept in the ‘sweeper-keeper’ role being popularized by the likes of Manuel Neuer and Hugo Lloris. On top of his impressive save ratio, he’s also recorded 18 clearances and one interception.
Andy Carroll may be better known for his ability to attack the ball in the air but he’s also been impressing this season with the delicate touch he’s shown with the ball at his feet. Despite being out injured for the start of the season, he’s already racked up 27 attempts on goal, with four goals to his name as a result. Carroll is 31/21 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.
Hull fell to a 1-0 defeat away to West Brom last weekend thanks to a second half strike from Saido Berahino.
One of the key strengths possessed by Hull is the tireless workrate of their engine room, a trait epitomised by no one more so that Jake Livermore. He’s recorded a squad-high of 229.8km of distance covered this season according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Livermore is 12/1 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.
Midfielder Ahmed Elmohamady has been a key defensive force in the middle of the park for Hull this season. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index he’s won an excellent 78.2% of his 46 total challenges this season, as well as 63 clearances and 41 interceptions.
For sheer defensive workrate though, no one at Hull can top Curtis Davies. He’s amassed a superb 317 total defensive contributions (blocks, interceptions, clearances and tackles won) this season, the only Hull player to have surpassed both the 200 and 300-barriers for this category.
Arsenal vs Man City – Sunday 16:00
Arsenal face second placed Manchester City this weekend and come in to the game off the back of a 3-0 victory over Stoke City. Arsene Wenger will now be looking to kick on and show they can challenge at the top of the league by beating Manchester City this Sunday.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has impressed in recent times, and according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index is the third best dribbler in the league. Oxlade-Chamberlain has completed 63 successful dribbles, just two behind second placed Raheem Sterling and 36 behind clear leader Eden Hazard.
‘The Ox’ has helped form one of the paciest attacking outlets this season, but the quickest among them is summer signing Alexis Sanchez. Sanchez has run at a top speed of 34.58km/h (21.49mph), and has put his pace to good use, chipping in with ten goals. He also sits just behind Oxlade-Chamberlain in terms of dribbles this season; recording 61 successful dribbles in the league. Sanchez is 13/2 to score first with 888sport.
Santi Cazorla has linked up with both Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sanchez in the Arsenal attack and the Spanish playmaker has set up plenty of chances for his teammates. Cazorla has put in thirteen successful crosses so far this season, which ranks as the thirteenth highest total in the Premier League, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
City come in to this game off the back of a 1-1 draw against Everton that sees them now sit two points adrift of league leaders Chelsea. City will be hoping for a win to in order to try and build momentum as we head in to the business end of the season.
Jesus Navas has proven to be a tricky player to deal with this season, and is constantly running at the fullbacks, looking to get down the byline and deliver the ball in to the box. Navas has made 1106 sprints in total this season, which averages out at 55.3 per game, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, and has set up six goals for his teammates.
The two City fullbacks have made the most successful tackles in the squad, with Zabaleta and Clichy winning 49 and 48 tackles respectively, ranking them both inside the top 20 tacklers in the league, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The next closest among the City squad is Martin Demichelis with 38.
With Yaya Toure at the African Cup of Nations, Frank Lampard is likely to have an increased role over the coming month, having been more of an impact sub up until now. Lampard has scored five Premier League goals this season, scoring from 45.5% of his shots on goal, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Lampard is 8/1 to score first with 888sport.
Everton vs West Brom – Monday 20:00
Everton responded quickly after going 1-0 down last weekend against Manchester City, with Steven Naismith drawing the Toffees level, a result which saw Roberto Martinez’s side pick up a well-won point.
Steven Naismith is clearly becoming Everton’s go-to man when they’re in need of a goal, the Scottish striker always seeming to deliver at the right moment. He’s scored six times so far this season, meaning he is not only Everton’s joint top scorer with Romelu Lukaku in the league this term, but that he’s also scored with every 2.8 attempts he’s had on goal. Naismith is 40/17 to score at any time this weekend with 888sport.com.
James McCarthy has been an important part of the defensive puzzle for Roberto Martinez’s side so far this season. Having given away only 15 fouls, he’s also won an impressive 63.3% of his 49 attempted challenges according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Fellow midfield colleague Gareth Barry has also been pivotal to Everton’s success this term, his consistently intelligent use of the ball helping to both maintain possession and move his side further up the pitch. He’s completed 602 passes in the opponent’s half this season, placing him 9th overall in the Barclays Premier League in this category.
Saido Berahino got back on the scoresheet last weekend against Hull, rifling in a shot from an indirect free kick on the Baggies way to a result that saw them edge further away from the bottom three.
It’ll be no surprise to anyone following the fortunes of West Brom this season that Saido Berahino has been their most dangerous attacking player. Key to Everton’s game plan this weekend will be limiting his chances to shoot at goal given that he’s scored on average with every 4.4 attempts he’s had. Berahino is 13/5 to score at any time this weekend with 888sport.com.
Midfielder Craig Gardner has been one of the key elements in the centre of the park for West Brom this term, recording a squad-high distance covered of 198.3km according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
It will likely be up to the likes of Sebastian Pocognoli to contain the attacking threats of Romelu Lukaku amongst others, however his stats this season suggest he is up to the task. He’s won an excellent 83.8% of his 37 total challenges this term, the best ratio of any Baggies player according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
