Sunday 20th January
Tottenham v Man Utd 16:00
– Tottenham could only take a point from a 0-0 draw against QPR as they faced former manager Harry Redknapp for the first time since firing him last summer. Spurs were frustrated by QPR’s tactics and some excellent goal-keeping but will need to up their ruthlessness in front of goal when they welcome Man Utd this Sunday.
– Gareth Bale’s pace and technical ability inevitably propels him into countless positions to have a crack on goal and he has been really letting loose this season. He’s had 72 attempts on goal, yet according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index has still managed to keep 63% of them on target.
– Ask the Tottenham players and they will tell you they rate Aaron Lennon just as highly as Bale and it’s not hard to see why. The England international is full of confidence at the moment and has used his pace and low centre of gravity to notch up 28 dribbles, placing him fourth on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
– Mousa Dembele was a shining light for Tottenham before being sidelined by injury. He turned in a typically all-action performance against QPR though, running for a squad high 5.84 miles at Loftus Road according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
– Tottenham fans are really starting to see just what a great acquisition Jan Vertonghen was for them as he continues to maintain some exceptional defensive standards. He is the leading percentage tackler in the Tottenham squad with a 75% success rate from 64 attempted challenges, as well as 27 clearance and 74 interceptions. He will need all of his ability to halt the rampant Robin van Persie this weekend.
– A typically clinical Man Utd performance saw them dispatch fierce rivals Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford last Sunday. Yet another strike from Robin van Persie, as well as another from Nemanja Vidic saw Sir Alex Ferguson’s side maintain their seven point lead at the summit of the Premier League table.
– Robin van Persie looks in unstoppable form at present, yet again ranking on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index as the best player in the league. The striker has so far contributed a quite incredible 26 combined goals and assists to the Man Utd cause this season.
– Patrice Evra is clearly enjoying rediscovering his scoring touch this season, and has been powering forward down the left flank with what Man Utd’s opponents will view alarming regularity. He’s whipped in 35 crosses and is second only to Michael Carrick for passes completed in the opponent’s half with 449.
– Carrick was one again the heart of the Man Utd machine as they recorded a fine derby win over Liverpool. The classy central midfielder was the hardest grafter on the pitch on the day, working hard for a 6.5 mile total.
– Look to see Ashley Young continue to bounce back from recent injury setbacks and add to his excellent season totals on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He’s provided 29 crosses and 2 assists this season.
– Wayne Rooney has been challenged by Sir Alex Ferguson to start delivering more goals for United, but his statistical totals already show him as have a healthy shot-to-goal ratio of seven and a shot accuracy rate of 67.3% from 49 attempts.
