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.
An own goal from Leicester’s Esteban Cambiasso saw West Brom leave the King Power Stadium with all three points last weekend. Alan Irvine will be hoping for another three points this weekend as they look to continue their march up the table.
Craig Gardner may be a crucial lynchpin of the West Brom midfield, but the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows he has some work to do on his discipline as the season progresses. Although he’s won 75% of his 48 challenges, he’s given away 23 fouls in the process, the joint second highest total in the Barclays Premier League, level with Sunderland’s Conor Wickham and behind only Crystal Palace’s Mile Jedinak (25).
Striker Saido Berahino has been grabbing the headlines this season after some impressive performances. The young frontman has so far registered an excellent 22 shots on goal, 63.6% of which have been on target according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Expect him to look to test out the Newcastle back four this weekend with his pace and movement. Berahino is 7/5 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.
No West Brom player has been more active in the opponent’s half than James Morrison so far this season. The Scottish international has completed more passes in the opponent’s half than any other Baggies player, with 218 to his name.
Ayoze Perez struck yet again for Newcastle as they moved into the top half of the table thanks to a 1-0 win over Liverpool at St James’ Park.
Newcastle Utd have started to dig themselves out of a sticky situation at the foot of the table, the players rallying around Alan Pardew following some heavy criticism. They players have clearly wanted to show their support for their manager by putting in the yards on the pitch, something the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index clearly demonstrates. Three members of the Magpies’ squad have covered more than 100km in total on-pitch distance this season (Colback - 116.8km; Sissoko - 110.2km; Janmaat 107.9km), with Fabricio Coloccini not far behind on 951km. It must please their manager to see such effort and he will be hoping for a similar showing at The Hawthorns this weekend.
Ayoze Perez has shown a keen eye for goal since arriving on Tyneside, netting twice in quick succession in recent weeks. His movement has seen him carve out five chances for himself so far this season, working the ‘keeper with 60% of them. He may well be a key figure in Alan Pardew’s plans if he can continue in this kind of form. Perez is 45/17 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.
Fabricio Coloccini’s class at the back has been shining through for Newcastle this season. The captain has attempted 20 challenges throughout his 900 minutes of football so far this term, winning 90% of them and conceding just five fouls according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Can Albion end Newcastle good form on Sunday? Have your say at Baggies Banter.