Manchester United v Sunderland Match Preview
Date: 15:00, Saturday 28th February
Venue: Old Trafford
Manchester United will hope to bounce straight back from last weekend’s defeat against Swansea with three points to put a smile back on the faces of the Old Trafford faithful. United will hope that this weekend sees them make it four wins from six in the Premier League, to help them re-gain third spot from long-standing rivals Arsenal.
Key to United gaining maximum points from the weekend will be their in-form keeper delivering another high-class performance. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that David de Gea has racked up 70 saves already this season, at an average of 2.69 saves per goal conceded. He will hope to further extend that ratio with another clean sheet come Saturday.
In the middle of the park, Juan Mata will hope to be given the opportunity to highlight his talent on the ball. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has completed 822 passes so far this season with an 89.6% completion rate. He has also converted 71.4% of his seven shots on target into a tally of five goals for the season so far, and he will be keen to keep up his impressive statistics with a dominant display in the middle of the park.
Up top, United will be hoping that their skipper Wayne Rooney can deliver a typically passionate and impressive performance. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that hard work is one of the key’s to Rooney’s success, having completed a squad best 244.4km so far this season. He has also completed a squad best 656 passes in the opposition half and will want to demonstrate his quality on the ball by adding to his eight goals for the season. He is 53/50 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Sunderland will come into this match hopeful of taking the points away with them, and having only lost once in their last four matches, should be in with a good chance of doing so. Sunderland are also the league’s draw specialists having finished all square in 13 of their 26 matches so far this season, and will hope for another draw as a minimum outcome this weekend.
Sunderland will need their back four to be on top form this weekend to keep United’s array of attacking talent at bay, and they will look to Santiago Vergini to lead the line. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has already won 48 tackles this season, made 85 clearances, 43 interceptions and 11 blocks. He has also demonstrated his quality on the ball by racking up a squad best 38 dribbles competed, and will need to demonstrate the same levels of composure this weekend.
In the middle of the park, the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal the secrets to Sebastian Larsson’s fantastic season thus far. Larsson has completed a squad best 279.3km, winning 59 tackles in the process, also racking up 28 interceptions. When on the ball his quality is undoubted, having completed 497 passes in the opposition half and laying on four goals for teammates.
Sunderland will hope that Adam Johnson is able to find the back of the United net to help deliver the travelling faithful with a happy journey back up North. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index sheds light on his ability to create goals having completed a squad best 22 crosses so far this term. He will look to add to his personal tally through his direct style, which has seen him complete 36 dribbles so far this season. He is 17/2 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Manchester United v Sunderland Possible Lineups:
Manchester United: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Shaw; Blind, Di Maria, Herrera; Fellaini; Rooney, Falcao
Sunderland: Pantilimon; Vergini, O’Shea, Brown, Van Aanholt; Cattermole; Wickham, Larsson, Gomez, Johnson; Defoe
Manchester United v Sunderland Prediction:
A 2-0 win for the home side.