WBA-MAD Stat Pack: Leicester vs Albion

Last updated : 31 October 2014 By Wba-mad Editor

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.

Leicester find themselves perilously poised about the relegation zone, just a point ahead of 18th placed Sunderland. The foxes are now without a win in four since their exhilarating victory over Manchester United. We will take a look at the key players for the foxes this weekend to see where we think they can use their strengths to take all three points.

The brightest spark in the Leicester side this season has been Leonardo Ulloa, as backed up by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He is the fifth highest scorer in the league so far this campaign with five goals, scoring 50% of his total amount of shots taken this season. He’s also not afraid of doing his defensive duties having won 14 tackles and made 13 clearances, but it is certainly in the final third where the Argentinian forward earns his keep. He is 31/20 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Whilst Leicester are certainly capable of scoring, they will need to sure things up defensively, having conceded 15 goals in their opening nine games. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index tells us that we should be keeping an eye on Wes Morgan who has won 100% of his tackles so far this season. He has also racked up the fourth most clearances in the Premier League, with 90 clearances, made 21 interceptions and made 13 blocks. He will need to remain as rock solid as ever to deny West Brom’s in form front line.

Both Ulloa and Morgan will receive ample help from their teammates in their duties. Ulloa will be looking to Jamie Vardy, who has assisted five of Leicester’s 11 goals so far this season. Morgan will look to Ritchie De Laet for defensive cover, as he has won the fourth most tackles in the Premier League this year with 34 tackles won, 73.91% of his tackles overall. He also has the fourth highest amount of interceptions in the league with 29, and will look to maintain the high standards that he has set himself so far this season.

West Brom go into the weekend’s fixture without a win in three, having played out two draws with Manchester United and Crystal Palace, and suffering defeat at the hands of Liverpool. This weekend’s visitors to the King Power sit just one point above the hosts and will be looking to extend that margin to four points come 5pm on Saturday evening.

West Brom’s starlet this season has undoubtedly been England U21 international Saido Berahino, who has been firing on all cylinders. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that he has struck the net seven times this season, averaging a goal just over every 115 minutes. He has hit the target with 61.9% of his shots this season, and even more impressively, has won 72.2% of his tackles.  However it is going forward where he will do damage to Leicester, and he is 8/5 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Across the middle of the park, the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index highlights two particular players to watch out for. When on the offensive, Chris Brunt is the man to watch, having created four goals for his teammates and completed eight crosses. On the backfoot, Craig Gardner is the man that Leicester will need to get past, having won 31 tackles so far this campaign, 73.8% of his overall tackles.

At the back, Craig Dawson and his fellow Baggies defenders will be charged with stopping Leonardo Ulloa. Dawson has started the season in impressive style as noted by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, having made nine blocks; the seventh highest tally in the league. The 24 year old Englishman has won 81.81% of his tackles, with 60 clearances and 18 interceptions to his name. He has even grabbed himself a goal, but will be fully focused on his defensive duties come Saturday.

Can Albion get a win on Saturday? Have your say at Baggies Banter