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? Which player has provided the most crosses and who last week put in a true captain’s performance? Then read on and let the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index arm you with enough stats to impress everyone but girly girls.
Saturday 13th April
Arsenal v Norwich 15:00
Tomas Rosicky grabbed both goals as Arsenal held on with ten men to beat West Brom 1-2 at The Hawthorns last weekend.
Santi Cazorla is not only Arsenal’s most efficient passer of the ball, he’s also their most consistent threat on goal. He sits joint third on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for shots on target this season with 66, a full 21 more than his nearest squad rival Theo Walcott. To illustrate his attacking influence this season, the only midfielder in the league who’s been regularly testing opposition keepers more than Cazorla is the potential PFA Player of the Year Gareth Bale with 82 on target attempts.
Arsenal will likely have the bulk of possession this weekend and so be able to cause Norwich’s defence numerous problems in the final third. They have two of the most accurate passers in the league in the shape of Cazorla and Mikel Arteta, who between them have raced up an incredible 1227 successful passes in the opponent’s half.
Theo Walcott appears to be maturing into the player that many knew he could be when he arrived at Arsenal from Southampton in 2006. He has been one of the Gunners’ most dangerous players this season, racking up a squad-high 12 assists and 21 dribbles.
Norwich were left hovering above the relegation zone as they failed to hold on to their lead and succumbed to a 2-2 draw last time out at home to Swansea.
Robert Snodgrass was praised last weekend for staying on feet and trying to hard to deliver a killer ball rather than attempt to win a penalty. It is that honest work ethic which has seen him become by far Norwich’s most dangerous attacker this season, and surely the man most likely to test the Gunners this weekend. He’s amassed 126 crosses this season, double that of his nearest team mate Anthony Pilkington, as well as 5 assists.
Remarkably the Scottish midfielder has also attempted more tackles than any other Canaries player with 115, being successful 57.4%, showcasing his commitment to the cause and willingness to track back. This could also be key this weekend as he lines up against an Arsenal midfield which will no doubt dictate possession for large parts of the game.
Norwich fans will have been excited to read about John Ruddy’s impending return from injury this week. The big stopper had made 74 saves before injury sidelined him back in November, an average of one every 16.5 minutes.
Aston Vila v Fulham 15:00
A contender for goal of the season from Matthew Lowton helped Aston Villa to a 1-3 win over Stoke as Paul Lambert’s side strode towards a desperately needed three points last weekend.
Matthew Lowton’s wondergoal last weekend certainly showcased his ability in the attacking third but it is in his own half that he has been leaving his stamp on Aston Villa’s season. He sits second on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for total tackles attempted with 103, coming out on top in an impressive 73.8% of them.
Keeper Brad Guzan may have been left exposed at times this season but he has been repeatedly rising to the threats posed on his goal. He has made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season with 204, remaining the only keeper so far to have broken the 200-save barrier.
Retaining the services of Christian Benteke will be crucial to Aston Villa’s hopes for success next season, no matter which league they find themselves competing in. The Belgian hitman has been by far and away Villa’s most potent threat in front of goal. He’s racked up an impressive 70.9% shot accuracy rate from 93 attempts, meaning he’s had a shot on target on average once every 27.8 minutes he’s been on the field this season.
A goal at the death denied Fulham a point as they fell to a 0-1 defeat away to Newcastle last weekend.
Martin Jol this week hailed the impact of Giorgos Karagounis and the Greek midfielder has the stats to back up this praise from his manager. He’s been important in breaking up the play in the Fulham midfield this season, completing 68.8% of his 45 attempted challenges according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
The mercurial talents of Dimitar Berbatov have been central to Fulham’s attack this season, the Bulgarian international being given a free rein at Craven Cottage to express his full range of talents. He has the best minutes per shot tally in the Fulham squad, firing at effort goalwards on average every 39.2 minutes.
Phillippe Senderos recently signed a contract extension at Craven Cottage and has been putting in some solid performances to help earn himself a new deal. He’s so far compiled a record of 75 interceptions and 20 clearances for the Cottagers this season.
Everton v QPR 15:00
A late Tottenham goal forced a 2-2 draw and denied Everton all three points in a pulsating encounter at White Hart Lane last weekend.
Phil Jagielka’s goal last weekend was a deserved reward for the consistent level of performances he’s been turning in as the season approaches its end. No Everton player has made more defensive contributions than him, his total of 287 complementing his superb 85.9% tackle success rate from 64 challenges.
David Moyes will need Leon Osman involved as much as possible this weekend to try and dictate the terms of possession to what will be a highly motivated and aggressive QPR side. Osman has one of the best passes per minute ratios in the Everton squad, finding a team mates in the opponent’s half on average once every 4.08 minutes.
Everton captain Phil Neville announced that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season, with many speculating that he might possibly move on to another club rather than retire. His performances have certainly been solid enough to suggest that the 36 year old has a couple more years left in him, his tackle success rate of 47.6% from 42 attempts a solid return at this level.
A free kick in the dying embers of stoppage time saw things end in a 1-1 draw and QPR denied a vital win at home to Wigan last weekend. The cruelty was magnified given after Loic Remy’s goal looked to have secured the win in the 86th minute.
Harry Redknapp knows that QPR must take the game to Everton, not just because this is a game they have to win but should they fall behind early away from home they may struggle to ever get back in the game. Bobby Zamora could cause the Everton defence problems with his strength and experience, the striker also being in solid form in front of goal with 71.4% shot accuracy rate from 21 attempts according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Andros Townsend was brought in on loan from Spurs to provide a much-needed attacking option for QPR, yet his performances have suggested he is truly invested in the cause and not seeing the Rs as a mere stopover. He already has the joint best tackle success rate in the QPR squad, coming out on top in 85.7% of his 21 challenges this season.
French striker Loic Remy was bought by Tony Fernandes to do one thing, find the back of the net. Remy has not disappointed and has adapted quickly to the physicality of the Premier League, his five goals a return from his ability to get behind opposition defences and get his shots away. Indeed he’s had an attempt on goal on average once every 31.4 minutes he’s been on the pitch.
Reading v Liverpool 15:00
Reading’s hopes of avoiding the drop as they fell to a 0-2 defeat at home to new manager Nigel Adkins’ old side Southampton.
Captain Jobi McAnuff may well be the man Nigel Adkins’ side turns to help them get something out an uphill task this weekend. McAnuff has been leading from the front this campaign, delivering a squad-high 66 crosses and 8 assists, as well as chipping in with 111 defensive contributions at the other end of the pitch. His box-to-box style will be crucial for the Royals against a talented Liverpool midfield.
Whilst many around him have been failing to put in a defensive shift this season, the same cannot be said of Mikele Leigertwood and he will need to be on top of his game to deal with the likes of Luis Suarez and Phillippe Coutinho. The midfielder has attempted 115 tackles this season, at a success rate of 63.5%, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Despite repeatedly starting games on the bench, super-sub Adam Le Fondre has been consistently coming to Reading’s rescue this season and Nigel Adkins may well see fit to use him against a strong Liverpool side. The striker has had an effort on goal once every 35.2 minutes, the best average in the Royals squad and his ability to carve out a chance or two could be vital this weekend.
An excellent defensive display from West Ham saw them shut out Liverpool last weekend in a 0-0 draw which damaged the Reds’ hopes of European football next season.
Liverpool’s talisman Luis Suarez continues to rack up the impressive statistics this season and he will be looking to test what has been a shaky Reading defence this season. His movement and pace has seen him have a shot on goal on average once every 18.9 minutes to complement a shot accuracy rate of 59.6% from 156 attempts.
Brazilian midfielder Lucas this week signed a new long-term deal to keep on Merseyside for the next stage of his career. The Reds will be hoping he can overcome the niggling injuries that have held him back recently given his ability to dictate the pace and possession of a game when fully fit. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index Lucas has completed a pass on average once every 4.45 minutes this season and is also Liverpool’s most frequent tackler with 94 attempted challenges.
Fellow Brazilian Phillippe Coutinho may well mature into the perfect foil for Lucas’ ability to read the game and control possession, the young attacker already showing signs of possessing the talent to unlock Premier League defences. Despite his small stature and diminutive frame, Coutinho has already managed to adapt to the physical defences of the Premier League, compiling a 73.3% shot accuracy rate from 15 attempts. This means a shot on target once every 43.7 minutes he’s been on the pitch this season.
Southampton v West Ham 15:00
Southampton all but ensured their survival in the top flight with a fine 0-2 win over Reading last weekend.
It is little wonder Southampton are flying high at this point in the season when you consider the solid defensive foundations that have seen them concede just three goals in their last five outings. Between then Jose Fonte and Maya Yoshida have amassed a highly impressive 538 defensive contributions between them this season.
Midfielder Adam Lallana continues to prove that he belongs at Premier League level, posting some incredibly impressive statistics this season. The creative Englishman has been posting some fantastic all-round performances, racking up a tackle success rate of 71.6% as well a completed pass in the opponent’s half on average once every 4.4 minutes.
Southampton will be desperate to cling onto the services of Luke Shaw come the summer, the youngster maturing with every game he plays in the top flight. At only 17 years of age, only 3 other players in the Southampton squad have contributed more defensively than Shaw (Schneiderlin, Yoshida and Fonte).
A highly organized West Ham managed to negate Liverpool’s potent attacking threat as they battled to a 0-0 draw at Anfield last time out.
James Collins gained plenty of plaudits last weekend for his superb marshaling of the in-form Luis Suarez and his defensive authority will be needed again this week against a Southampton side full of attacking players. The Welsh international has the second best tackle success rate of any player in the Hammers squad to have made more than 10 attempted challenges, completing 70.6% of his 68 attempts according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Despite now being in his 30s, Joe Cole still has enough to influence proceedings when given the chance. Despite only playing 705 minutes for the Hammers this season, Cole has still managed to average a pass in the opponent’s half on average once every 4.1 minutes, the best rate in the West Ham squad.
No West Ham player has been more willing than Mohamed Diame to take the game to the opposition this season, the Frenchman currently sitting the highest in the squad for dribbles with 19. Sam Allardyce’s side will need his powerful runs from the midfield to give the likes of Lallana and Schneiderlin something else to think about when moving forward.
Sunday 14th April
Newcastle v Sunderland 12:00
A dramatic stoppage-time strike from Papiss Cisse clinch an important 1-0 win for Newcastle at home to Fulham last weekend and ease the relegation fears previously surrounding the club.
Jonas Gutierrez has established himself as a cult hero amongst the Toon Army thanks to his lung-busting efforts and unreserved commitment to the Newcastle cause. The Argentinian has proved himself a accomplished defender as well as attacker during his time on Tyneside and he has one of the best tackles success rate of anyone in the Newcastle squad to prove it, currently sitting at 72.3%.
Fullback Davide Santon continues to impress with the consistent level of his performances this season, and his offensive abilities may well cause an at times hesitant Sunderland defence problems this weekend. For players with 20 or more attempts on goal, he currently sits second on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for Shot accuracy, with 80% of his attempts on goal testing the keeper this season.
Should Newcastle local Shola Ameobi make an appearance this weekend, it will likely be from the bench. However the experienced front man knows what it means to play in derbies of this magnitude and will bring endeavor and passion to the Newcastle cause. Expect him to add to his already solid shot accuracy rate of 63.6% from 22 attempts should Alan Pardew decide to throw him into the mix.
Paulo Di Canio’s first match as Sunderland manager nearly saw them pull of an unlikely win at Stamford Bridge last weekend. However Chelsea showed steely resolve to battle back and claim a 2-1 win to see Sunderland go into this weekend’s Tyne-Wear derby outside of the bottom three on goal difference alone.
James McClean has certainly showcased his love of hard graft this season, the Irishman proving to be than happy to get involved in defensive duties in the middle of the park. He’s won more tackles than any other Sunderland player this season with 70.
John O’Shea continues to quietly amass some very impressive figures with his performances this season. He’s joint second on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for interceptions with 185 and his reading of the game may well be crucial this weekend as the Black Cats look to negate the technique and vision Yohan Cabaye.
Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has been attracting interest from a host of top clubs following some outstanding performances between Sunderland’s sticks. His excellent total of 180 saves may well be added to this weekend when he is called on to deal with Newcastle’s attacking threats.
Stoke v Manchester United 14:05
A second half Michael Kightly goal was not enough to prevent Stoke falling to another disappointing defeat, 1-3 at the hands of Aston Villa last weekend.
Stoke have been enduring a hard run of form at late and the champions-elect will no doubt be testing their defence again this weekend. No player is more ready to deal with that challenge than Ryan Shawcross though, the Stoke captain throwing himself in the way of anything that moves this season and sitting second on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for blocks with 38 as a result.
United will likely dominate possession for much of the match this Sunday so getting tight to their most influential passers in the midfield will be key for any chance of success for Stoke. Glenn Whelan may well be key in this regard, having the best tackle success rate of any Potters midfielder, completing 55.5% of his 63 challenges.
Jonathan Walters has been Tony Pulis’ go-to man this season when it comes to grabbing late winners but his shot accuracy has been somewhat wayward at times. Walters has only mustered a 45.2% shot accuracy rate from 42 attempts so he’ll need to find his shooting boots to beat David de Gea on Sunday.
Manchester United’s lead at the top of the Premier League was cut to 12 point, as ‘noisy neighbours’ Manchester City delayed the victory parties at Old Trafford with a 1-2 win.
Antonio Valencia hinted this week that United were ‘worried’ following their defeat to City on Monday evening, however the Ecuadorian winger doesn’t have much to worry about when it comes to his own performances according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He leads the Utd squad for crosses completed (49) as well as dribbles (18).
Defender Jonny Evans continues to underline his importance to the current Utd side with some highly mature performances this season. It is this new-found level of composure that has seen his tackle success rate rocket, the Northern Irishman being successful with an excellent 71.8% of his 32 challenges this season.
By his own lofty standards, Robin van Persie has been enduring something of a dry spell in recent weeks. However his statistics suggest that more goals to add to his current tally of 19 won’t be far off, the Dutchman so far having a shot on goal on average once every 24.8 minutes.
