Newcastle United vs Chelsea
Saturday – 12:45 BST, 7:45 AM EST
St. James’ Park
BT Sport 1 / BT Sport 1 HD
Newcastle welcome league leaders Chelsea in Saturday’s early kick off and will want to bounce back to winning ways. Newcastle had won five league games on the trot, but have now picked up only a point from their last two games.
Papiss Demba Cisse has had limited time on the pitch this season, but that has not stopped him from becoming Newcastle’s top goalscorer. Cisse has bagged 5 goals in just 425 minutes of Premier League football, averaging out at a goal every 85 minutes, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Cisse is 37/10 to score any time with 888sport.
Daryl Janmaat, signed in the summer, has proven to be a very astute signing. Janmaat has made 39 successful tackles, more than anyone else in the Newcastle squad and the twelfth highest total in the league. In addtition, Janmaat has made 34 interceptions, which is the ninth best in the division as well as being a squad best. Not only has Janmaat displayed defensive prowess, but he has also shown a willingness to work up and down the pitch. Over the course of the season, the Dutchman has covered 93.7 miles (150.8km), which ranks Janmaat in 8th for distance covered in the Premier League, one place ahead of his teammate, Jack Colback, who has covered 93.6 miles (150.7km), albeit having played a game less.
Paul Dummett has also been in top form this season. Having played on both the left side of defence as well as centre half, Dummett has been immaculate of late, regardless of his position. So far this season, Dummett has made 90 clearances, 39 more than the next highest total in the squad (Mike Williamson), according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Chelsea continued their march at the top of the league midweek, beating Tottenham 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, after Sunderland held them to a point at the Stadium of Light on the weekend.
Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic have become the first players, alongside Jake Livermore, to cover over 100 miles this season. Fabregas has run a total distance of 101.9 miles (164.1km), while Matic has clocked up 101.2 miles (162.9km). The duo have formed a mighty partnership in central midfield, but it will be broken up against Newcastle after Matic picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Spurs.
Matic will be particularly missed this weekend as he has made more successful tackles than any other Chelsea player, dispossessing the opponent 48 times this season, the third highest total in the Premier League. In addition to his efforts at breaking up the play, Matic has an exceptional range of passing and has a remarkable 89.9% success rate, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Eden Hazard had yet another outstanding performance midweek, giving the Spurs right back Vlad Chiriches a torrid time. Hazard scored the opening goal of the game and brought his total for the season to five goals, ensuring he is Chelsea’s second top scorer behind Diego Costa. Hazard has also completed 65 successful dribbles in the league so far, making him by far and away the leader in said statistic, with his closest challengers being Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jefferson Montero with 42 successful dribbles to their names. Hazard is 39/20 to score any time with 888sport.
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.