Swansea vs Albion
West Brom travel to Swansea still searching for their first win under new manager Pepe Mel. The Baggies will have to manage without Captain Chris Brunt who is out for 6 weeks with Medial Ligament damage and Uruguayan international defender Diego Lugano. Having failed to create a repeat performance of their win over the United in September, they are only above the relegation zone on goal difference; having won just once in eighteen league games.
Following United’s goal courtesy of Phil Jones, Zoltán Gera came closest to equalising for the Baggies. West Brom fans will be hoping that Gera can exploit the absence of suspended Chico Flores this week. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that the Hungarian had a shot accuracy rating of 66.7%. He is 23/5 to score at anytime with 888sport.com
Youssuf Mulumbu played a significant role in both ends of the pitch; clearing the ball off the West Brom goal line following a erroneous header from Baggies skipper Chris Brunt as well as making 29 attacking contributions (Shots on target, passes, dribbles and crosses). The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that Mulumbu has made 725 total attacking contributions this season to date; the highest at the club.
Baggies fans will be hoping that their defence can cope better with Swansea’s attacking threats than it did against Manchester United’s firepower. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that the Englishmen had a tackle accuracy of 80%. Meanwhile fellow defenders Jonas Olsson and Gareth McAuley lead the way in the total of defensive contributions this season with 309 and 281 respectively.
Swansea entertain struggling West Brom this week with the hope of putting another three points between themselves and the relegation scrap. Swansea looked to have taken a positive step towards Premier League safety against Crystal Palace having taken the lead through Jonathan de Guzman after 25 minutes however with 8 minutes to go, Chico Flores saw red after fouling Glenn Murray inside the box which resulted in a penalty which Murray then converted. Swans fans will feel frustrated after their side dominated possession and territory from early on with a particularly impressive passage of play resulting in de Guzman’s goal from 14 yards out.
Swans Fans will be looking to Dutchman Jonathan De Guzmán for inspiration this weekend following his strike, which put them ahead against Crystal Palace 2 weeks ago. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that De Guzmán has made 798 attacking contributions (shots on target, dribbles, passes and crosses) this season. He is 37/10 to score at anytime with 888sport.com
Wilfred Bony was unlucky not to have doubled their tally after it seemed certain he would score from 6 yards; only to be denied by an impressive one handed save from Speroni. Bony, the clubs top scorer, has 10 goals so far this season and will be hoping to exploit the damage done to the confidence of West Brom’s defence following Man United’s 3 goal rout. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that the Ivory Coast international has a shot accuracy rating of 40.3% this season.
Swansea will be without key man Chico Flores this week following his suspension against Crystal Palace. The Spaniard has played a vital role in Swansea’s season, making 309 defensive contributions; the most at the club. In his absence, Gary Monk will be hoping that Neil Taylor will fill the defensive void. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that the Welshman has won 88.9% of his tackles.
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