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.
Saturday 4th April
Arsenal v Liverpool 12:45
Arsenal will be looking forward to this weekend’s encounter, coming into the match up with Liverpool as the league’s form side. The Gunners have won their last six on the bounce in the Premier League and will be looking to make it seven on the trot to leap frog second place Manchester City.
The North Londoners will be hoping for another top performance from their ever-dependable left back, Nacho Monreal. The Spanish defender, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, has won 53 tackles this season, 75.7% of his overall attempts, also racking up 102 clearances and 70 interceptions. Defending is not enough to play in an Arsenal back line though, but seeing as Monreal has also completed 84.8% of his 930 passes this season, he slots in to Arsenal’s passing style effortlessly.
In the middle of the park, Santi Cazorla is having another fantastic season in English football. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that is, in part, down to his work rate, having covered a squad best 284.97km already this term. He is a major threat on the ball having scored seven times this season, also completing 87.9% of his 1,620 passes. Of those, he has also completed a squad best 1,001 passes in the opposition area, and he will look to get into pockets of space where he can hurt Liverpool this weekend.
Up top, Olivier Giroud is a man in outstanding form as demonstrated by the EA SPORTS player Performance Index. Giroud has now netted 13 goals this season at an average of a goal every 96.5 minutes; a better ratio than any other Premier League striker can boast. Giroud is 7/6 to score anytime this weekend with 888sport.com.
Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to bitter rivals Manchester United and get back to the form that has seen them mount a serious challenge for the top four. Prior to their last outing, the Reds had won five on the bounce and will want to start a similar run this weekend with another three points in their bid for Champions League football.
Liverpool will be looking for a big performance from Dejan Lovren, who will be leading the back line for them. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has won 42 tackles with an 82% win rate so far this season, also racking up 166 clearances and 35 interceptions. He is equally adept on the ball having completed 85.4% of his passes, and he will both look to keep Arsenal at bay this weekend and build up the play from the back for Liverpool.
In the middle of the park, Jordan Henderson is having a fantastic season that has seen him earmarked as a potential future Liverpool captain. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that Henderson has covered a squad best 318.26km already this campaign, helping him to add to his goal scoring ability this year, with his tally standing at five. He possesses ability on and off the ball having won 68 tackles, 72.3% of his overall attempts, and having also completed a squad best 768 passes in the opposition area.
A potential major goal threat for Liverpool will come from England youngster Raheem Sterling. The England international, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index has hit a squad-high top speed of 35.04km/h so far this season, also gaining squad-best totals of 15 completed crosses and 84 completed dribbles. He has the ability to either turn provider or score himself, and he will certainly want to add to his tally of six goals for the season. He is 14/5 to score anytime this weekend with 888sport.com.
Everton v Southampton 15:00
Everton are hitting good form at just the right time, as we enter into the run-in to the Barclays Premier League season. Roberto Martinez’s men have won back-to-back games and will look to keep that run going with a third victory in a row that could see them climb two places to 11th in the table.
The Toffees will be looking for another sterling performance from their ever dependable left back, Leighton Baines. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that the England international has once again proven himself both defensively and offensively this season, winning 42 tackles, 77.8% of his overall attempts, and also racking up eight assists. It is no wonder he is Everton’s leading man in terms of setting up goals, having completed a squad best 20 crosses, a tally that he will look to add to this weekend.
In the middle of the park, Gareth Barry quietly goes about his work and is a vital part of this Everton team. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has covered a squad best 275.79km this term, helping him to compile another squad-best 60 tackles, 63.1% of his overall attempts. He has also shown that he is key to Everton’s forward play, dictating the tempo of matches having completed a squad best 763 passes in the opposition area and completing 86.2% of his overall passes.
Ahead of Barry, Steven Naismith has really found his feet in the league this season, as demonstrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Naismith has managed to find the net seven times already this term from just 11 shots on target, meaning he has converted 63.6% of those chances. He is 29/10 to score anytime this weekend with 888sport.com.
Southampton took all three points for the second time in three matches with a 2-0 victory over Burnley in their last outing, and they will be looking to turn their run into 10 points from a possible 12. Sixth placed Southampton currently sit six points off the Champions League places, and will hope to halve that deficit with a victory that will also see them leapfrog fifth placed Liverpool.
Last week saw Southampton put on a brave face having lost their man mountain of a keeper, Fraser Forster. However, Kelvin Davis put on his gloves and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he made three saves in his 76-minute clean sheet. Both he and the Southampton fans will hope that he can keep a second clean sheet in a row this weekend, to help deliver all three points for the Saints.
At the back, Jose Fonte will be looking to protect the Southampton keeper as he leads the line. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has covered a squad best 190.08km so far this campaign, also winning 60 tackles, 83.3% of his overall total. On top of that, he has also racked up 150 clearances, 85 interceptions and 17 blocks and will hope to add to all of those respective tallies to keep the Toffees at bay.
Up top, Graziano Pelle will be looking to add to his eight goals for the season, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows how he goes about his business. Pelle has shown that getting a large quantity of shots off on goal is the key to his success, having hit the target 29 times already this season, and that is how he will go about searching for his ninth goal for the season this weekend. He is 2/1 to score anytime this weekend with 888sport.com.
Leicester v West Ham 15:00
Leicester come into the weekend in need of a victory, and will be targeting this match as one to kick off a run of form. There is still time enough for the Foxes to pick up enough points to survive, but they must start with a victory this weekend to leave them level on points with 19th placed QPR.
Leicester will be looking for a big performance from their skipper Wes Morgan at the back to help keep the Hammers at bay. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has won 36 tackles this season, an impressive 94.7% of his overall attempts. Further to this, he has also amassed 209 clearances, made 69 interceptions and 39 blocks and will hope that he can add to each of those tallies this weekend.
In the middle of the park, Riyad Mahrez will be looking to get back to his dynamic best this weekend, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals what a threat he is when he’s on form. Mahrez has completed a squad best 56 dribbles on his way to scoring twice this season, and is potentially even more threatening when it comes to creating chances for others. He has compiled another squad-best with 18 crosses completed, and he will be hoping more of the same to help him add to his four assists for the season so far.
Another man who is equally capable of both scoring and turning provider is Jamie Vardy. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has hit set up nine goals this season and also scored twice himself, having hit the target with 60% of his 20 shots. He is 9/4 to score anytime this weekend with 888sport.com.
West Ham will be looking for their second victory in a row this weekend, after their 1-0 triumph over Sunderland in their last Premier League outing. The Irons will be confident that they can pick up all three points, which could see them leapfrog Swansea and claim eighth place.
West Ham will be hoping that their in-form keeper Adrian can deliver another sterling performance to help them pick up another three points. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has played every minute of Premier League football for the Irons this season, and has made 104 saves this season at an average of 2.81 saves per goal conceded. He will be hoping for more of the same to further increase those ratios and help keep his second clean sheet in a row.
Manchester Utd v Aston Villa 15:00
Manchester United will come into this fixture full of confidence after an impressive display saw them beat their fierce rivals Liverpool in their last outing. The Red Devils have hit form just at the right time, winning four on the bounce and looking to make a late bid for second spot in the league.
The red half of Manchester will be hoping that their in form shot stopper David de Gea can deliver yet another impressive performance this weekend. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that the Spanish international has made 79 saves so far this term, at an average of 2.93 saves per goal conceded. De Gea will be hoping for more of the same this weekend to help keep his fourth clean sheet in five.
In the middle of the park, United will hope that their midfield maestro Daley Blind can deliver another high quality display. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that the Dutch international has racked up 62 interceptions so far this term, but it is when he is on the ball that his quality shines through. Blind has completed 1036 passes so far this season, 88.3% of his overall passes, also managing two assists. It will be vital that Villa get close to him early on to stop him dictating the pace of the game.
Up top, Wayne Rooney will be hoping that he can skipper United to another victory and keep their run of form going. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has covered a squad best 285.78km so far this season, helping him to become the club’s top scorer this season with 11 goals. He is 22/25 to score anytime this weekend with 888sport.com.
Aston Villa will be looking to get back to winning ways this weekend after their good run of form was abruptly halted by a 1-0 defeat to Swansea. The Villans had won their two fixtures prior to that defeat, and another win could double the three point margin between themselves and the relegation zone.
Villa will be hoping that their shot stopper Brad Guzan can deliver an impressive display to help keep United at bay. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that the American keeper has made 91 saves so far this term, at an average of 2.33 saves per goal conceded. He will be hoping to further strengthen those ratios with his second clean sheet in three matches.
In the middle of the park, Fabian Delph will be hoping to continue his impressive form and help Villa gain a stranglehold in the middle of the park. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has won 39 tackles so far this season, 60.9% of his overall attempts, also making 29 interceptions and completing 575 passes in the opposition half.
Up top, Christian Benteke will be hoping that he can find the form that saw him become one of the most highly regarded prospects in Europe, and help keep Villa in the league. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that hard work is key his game, winning 66% of his 12 tackles and putting in 739 sprints so far this season. He has netted five times so far this season, and he is 39/10 to score anytime this weekend with 888sport.com.
Swansea v Hull 15:00
Swansea will be looking to continue where they left off last week, having picked up all three points away at Aston Villa with a 1-0 victory. The Swans currently sit in eighth place with a chasing pack behind them and will hope to seal all three points this weekend to stave off any challenges for their league position.
Swansea will be looking for another big performance from their in-form shot stopper Lukasz Fabianksi. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has made 99 saves so far this term, at an average of 2.61 saves per goal conceded. He will hope to further improve that ratio with his second clean sheet in a row this weekend.
At the back, Swansea will be looking for their skipper Ashley Williams to successfully marshal the back line once more. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that the Wales captain has won 31 tackles this season, 67.4% of his overall attempts, also racking up 332 clearances, 79 interceptions and 32 blocks.
In the middle of the park, Ki Sung-Yeung is having a fantastic season for the Swans, as demonstrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He has covered a squad best 300.14km so far this term, helping him to win 41 tackles, 68.3% of his overall attempts. He has also completed a squad best 523 passes in the opposition half and netted six times, so will prove a threat with both his vision and finishing. He is 24/5 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Hull come into this weekend’s fixture in need of a win to further ensure their Premier League survival for another season. They will be looking for three points which could double the gap between themselves and the relegation zone and reward their fans for the trip across the border into Wales
Hull will also be hoping that their ever-dependable shot stopper Allan McGregor can keep up his good form this weekend. Their keeper, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, has racked up 63 saves so far this term, at an average of 1.97 saves per goal conceded. He will hope to keep his second clean sheet in three matches to keep the Swans at bay.
In the middle of the park, Jake Livermore is having a fine season and the EA SPORTS player Performance Index can reveal the key to his game. Livermore has covered a squad best 331.42km, which has seen him win 82 tackles, 73.9% of his overall attempts, and also amass 56 interceptions. On the ball, he is equally important for the Tigers, having completed a squad best 541 passes in the opposition area, and Swansea will need to get close to him early on to stop him dictating the pace of the game.
Up top, Hull will look to Abel Hernandez to deliver the goods. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has netted his four goals this term, from just 17 shots on target, converting 23.5% of those chances. He will be hoping to further increase that ratio with his fifth of the season this weekend. He is 7/2 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
West Brom v QPR 15:00
West Brom come into this fixture on the back of some mixed form, having won two and lost two in their last four Premier League outings. The Baggies will be looking to bounce back in style this weekend following their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, with three points that could see them climb three places to 11th.
West Brom will be hoping for a big performance from their centre back, Joleon Lescott this weekend, to help marshal the back line. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has won 44 tackles so far this season, 81.5% of his overall attempts, whilst also racking up 163 clearance, 63 interceptions and 26 blocks.
In the middle of the park, Craig Gardner is having a typically astute season, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal the key to his success. Gardner has covered a squad best 274.32km already this season, which has enabled him to rack up 52 interceptions and win 76 tackles, 67.3% of his overall attempts. He will hope for more of the same this weekend to ensure that the Baggies win the midfield battle on Saturday.
Up top, Saido Berahino has been the spearhead of the Baggies’ attack all season. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has bagged his 12 Premier League goals from just 28 shots on target, converting 42.9% of those chances into goals. He has already completed 1,320 sprints this season, so the QPR defence will need to be on their guard at all times. He is 5/4 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
QPR come into this weekend’s match in need of three points to help them keep up hopes of survival this season. A victory this weekend could see the R’s move level on points with 18th placed Burnley, and within striking distance of the teams that sit perilously above the drop zone.
The R’s will be looking for their in-form shot stopper Rob Green to deliver another big performance this weekend. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has made 106 saves already this season, at an average 1.97 saves per goal conceded. He will be looking for a clean sheet this weekend to give the R’s every chance of taking what could be a vital three points.
At the back, Steven Caulker is the Hoops’ rock, as demonstrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Caulker has covered a squad best 274.26km already this term, and it is that hard work that has allowed him to rack up some impressive statistics. As a consequence, Caulker has managed to amass 290 clearances, 58 interceptions, 31 blocks and win 34 tackles, 66.7% of his overall attempts.
Up top, Charlie Austin is the main man for QPR and the English striker provide their main goal scoring threat this weekend. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has netted his 15 Premier League goals at an average of one every 156.6minutes. A big part of those numbers is his continual hitting the target, having been on target 43 times this season, 66.2% of his overall attempts. He is 12/5 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Cheslea vs Stoke 17:30
Chelsea were forced to grind out what looked like initially being a routine victory after going two up against Hull last time out in the league thanks to early goals from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa. A spirited fightback from Hull however ensured that the scoreline was kept more than respectable, the home side pushing the leaders all the way in an eventual 2-3 win for the Blues.
Belgian forward Eden Hazard continues to be one Chelsea’s leading attacking lights this season, repeatedly pushing them on when it looks like games are going away from them. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows us that he will likely be the man Stoke will need to keep an eye again this weekend, given that he is the only player in the Barclays Premier League to have completed more than 1,000 passes in the opponent’s half (1,178) and also completed more than 100 dribbles (178).
Diego Costa will also no doubt be looking to menace the Stoke defence on Saturday, his debut season in England seeing him rack up some superb offensive statistics. He’s now had 58 attempts on goal, 63.8% of which have been on target. He also has the fourth best minutes per goal ratio of any player to have played more than 1,000 minutes this season, finding the back of the net on average once every 102 minutes this term. Costa is 11/3 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.
Captain John Terry has continued to defy the critics who’ve said his best years are behind him, putting in some cultured performances at the back for the Blues this season. He has most certainly not lost his gift for judging a tackle, seeing him win an excellent 79.6% of the 49 tackles he’s attempted.
Despite going ahead early in the first half through Mame Biram Diouf’s neatly taken finish, Stoke couldn’t hold on as Crystal Palace game back through goals from Glenn Murray and Wilfried Zaha to ensure the Eagles went home with all three points in a 1-2 win.
Midfielder Charlie Adam put in a serious shift against Crystal Palace and he will no doubt have to do the same this weekend when up against a Chelsea side full of passing flair and technique who will no doubt dominate the majority of possession. He covered a standout 10.9km against the Eagles, more than any other Stoke player according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Phil Bardsley has been turning in some assured displays for Stoke this season and he will likely have his work cut out for him again at the back against the current league leaders. He appears up to the task though, having compiled one of the best tackle success rates in the Potters squad, winning 75.6% of his 86 attempted challenges this season, as well as racking up 31 interceptions.
Up front, it may be a lonely shift for Mame Biram Diouf who will likely have to put in a tireless effort to get any change out of the Chelsea back four. He’s enjoyed a decent campaign though, one that currently sees him as Stoke’s top scorer in the league with eight goals, having hit the target with a solid 54.8% of his 31 attempts on goal. Biram Diouf is 23/4 with 888sport.com to score at any time.
Sunday 5th April
Burnley vs Tottenham
Burnley ensured a predictably difficult afternoon against Southampton last time out in the league as they went down to an eventual 2-0 defeat thanks to an own goal from Jason Shackhell and a close-range strike from Shane Long.
If anything has characterized Burnley’s season so far, it has been the tireless commitment and workrate of their squad. Three players (George Boyd – 338,837m; Scott Arfield – 332,231m; David Jones – 318,883m) feature in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index top three for total distance covered this season by all Barclays Premier League players. Boyd also appears no less than an incredible nine times in the total distance covered in any single game by an individual player this season.
But there is more to this Burnley outfit than just stamina and fitness, there’s no shortage of skill either. Jones himself has so far compiled a squad-best 597 passes in the opponent’s half, meaning that Spurs will have to be mindful not to get complacent this weekend as this is an outfit that can certainly knows how to move the ball as well as press and chase it down.
Danny Ings has been garnering plenty of headlines this season thanks to his performances for a Burnley side that have struggled at times this campaign. His nine goals have been crucial for them though and key to this is the fact that he currently sits with a squad-best total of 58 attempts on goal to his name this season according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Ing is 2/1 to score at any time this weekend with 888sport.com.
Harry Kane’s maiden Barclays Premier League hat-trick saw Tottenham keep the pressure on in the race for the top four as they played out a 4-3 thriller against Leicester at White Hart Lane.
The early momentum enjoyed by Harry Kane was predicted by many to be a short-lived phenomenon but the academy product has continued to defy his critics and delight the faifthful at the Lane this season. He’s popped up with goals at crucial times for Mauricio Pochettino’s side this season, demonstrating an unerring eye for goal and superb finishing ability. His 19 goals in the Barclays Premier League this season have come about from an excellent 60.7% shot accuracy rate from 61 attempts, giving him an average minutes per goal ratio of one every 98.3 minutes he’s been on the pitch this season. Kane is evens to score at any time this weekend with 888sport.com.
Although Burnley may be the side most known in the Barclays Premier League for their workrate, in midfield Christian Eriksen they will this weekend be coming against one of the hardest workers in the league. Not only does he sit second only to Burnley’s George Boyd for total distance covered this season (338,235m to Boyd’s 338,837m), he also has the distinction of having covered the greatest amount of ground in a single game by any individual player in the league this season, an impressive 13.6km against Swansea in March.
In Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb, Tottenham could have the basis for an extremely exciting midfield pairing that could see them through the next decade if managed and developed correctly. They will look to dictate play going forward as well as orchestrating midfield defensive efforts against Burnley this weekend, having so far compiled a superb total of 1,052 completed passes in the opponent’s half, as well as winning 71.9% of their combined 157 tackles according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Sunderland v Newcastle 16:00
Every year the Tyne and Wear derby seems to be billed as the biggest for a number of seasons and this time around, it’s no different. Sunderland, under their new manager Dick Advocaat, will be looking for a win to drag them away from the relegation zone and Newcastle will be looking for victory after suffering three defeats on the trot.
Dick Advocaat picked an offensive-looking team in his first game at the helm, with three recognised strikers in his starting lineup, in Jermaine Defoe, Steven Fletcher and Connor Wickham. All three will have been keen to impress their new ‘gaffa and Connor Wickham will certainly have done this, simply through the amount of ground he covered. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he ran a total of 11.4km, which was more than any of his teammates. If you fancy Wickham to hit the back of the net, head to 888sport.com who have him at 7/1 to score at any time.
When arriving at a club, new managers are often to willing to give players who may not have featured prominently under the old regime a go. Jordi Gomez falls under this category, as he had only featured in 1522 minutes of action prior to Advocaat taking the reins. However, he would certainly have made an impression on his new manager, as in Advocaat’s first match, he made a total of 19 attacking contributions, which was more than any other player in the Sunderland team.
If Advocaat is looking for steel in his midfield then he should look no further than midfielder Liam Bridcutt. The former Brighton man, this term, has shown that he has a good eye for a tackle, winning an impressive 77% of the challenges that he has attempted.
Newcastle are experiencing a tough run of form at the minute, suffering three defeats on the bounce. They’ll be looking for a victory over their fierce rivals to help their fortunes around.
It was a real Jekyll and Hyde performance from the Magpies in their last outing, as they were comfortably outplayed by Arsenal in the first half, before producing an inspirational fight back to nearly draw them level. French midfielder Rémy Cabella was central to this effort, as he completed an impressive 23 passes in the opposition half – which, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, was more than any of his teammates.
There has been a lot of talk this season about promising English youngsters, with Raheem Sterling, Wilfried Zaha and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all enjoying stellar seasons with their clubs. One player who is often overlooked, however, is Newcastle winger Sammy Ameobi who throughout the season has showcased his excellent dribbling abilities. He was using this skill to great effect again against the Gunners, completing four dribbles, taking his tally for the season up to 42. If you fancy Sammy Ameobi to hit the back of the net against Sunderland, head to 888sport.com who have him at 12/1 to score at any time.
It will have been pleasing for Newcastle fans to see Ryan Taylor returning to action, as he has suffered such a torrid time with injuries. Despite being out of action for so long, he has not lost his willingness to run himself into the ground, with the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index showing that he ran a total of 11.1km against Arsenal, the second most in the Newcastle squad (behind only Remy Cabella).
Monday 6th April, 19:45
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
An excellent win away at Stoke City ensured that Palace maintained their fine form under manager Alan Pardew. They host the champions looking for a win that will inch them ever closer to the top half of the Premier League table.
Crystal Palace’s great strength is their wingers, who in the form of Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolassie, offer pace and skill to help fashion chances for their strikers. Zaha may have grabbed the headlines for scoring the winner against the Potters, but the contribution of Bolassie should not be ignored. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he completed a total of five dribbles against Stoke, which was the second most of any player in the league. If you fancy Bolassie to hit the back of the net against City, head to 888sport.com who have him at 15/2 to score at any time.
Jason Puncheon has been nothing but a revelation since Alan Pardew moved him into the coveted number 10 position, laying on chance after chance for his teammates. Yet again, he demonstrated his excellent passing ability in the fixture against Stoke, with the EA SPORTS Player Performance demonstrating that he completed an impressive twenty-six passes in the opposition half (more than any other Palace player).
The Eagles players will have to make sure that they follow the lead of midfielder James McCarthur when they take on Manuel Pellegrini’s men. The Scotland international ran a total of 11.1km against Stoke and with Palace unlikely to see too much of the ball against the champions, they will have to make sure they’re all running their socks off for the team.
A comfortable three nil victory over West Brom ensured Manchester City kept the pressure up on league leaders Chelsea last time out in the league.
West Brom may have had a man sent off, but that shouldn’t take anything away from the excellent performance that Manuel Pellegrini’s men produced, as they had an amazing 78% of possession. Central to this effort was midfielder David Silva, who completed an astounding 98 passes in the opposition half – more than any other player in the league during the last round of fixtures.
David Silva wasn’t the only Manchester City player to showcase his excellent passing ability, such was their dominance that they had seven players in the top ten of passes completed in the opposition half. Silva (98), Fernando (78), Lampard (61), Navas (56), Zabaleta (55), Aguero (54) and Clichy (42), all made the list.
If City are pipped to the Premier League title by Chelsea this year, then they will be ruing the loss of Aguero for much of the season. The City forward is a proven striker and they’ve missed his natural eye for goal. His willingness to take shots at every opportunity is best demonstrated by the fact that he averages a shot at goal every twenty minutes. If you fancy Aguero to find the back of the net again, head to 888sport.com who have him at 17/5 to score at any time.
