West Ham v Newcastle Preview – Saturday 3pm
West Ham still sit in sixth place in the table in spite of their defeat to Everton last weekend. The East Londoners will be looking to bounce straight back to winning ways on the weekend but will be under no illusions that it will be an easy game, as they are playing the league’s form team.
If West Ham are to come away with the points, they will be looking for the rock at the back Aaron Creswell to maintain his fantastic form, as demonstrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He has played every minute of football for the Irons so far this season, winning 18 tackles, making 48 clearances and making 10 interceptions. He will need to remain in great form to deny a Newcastle strike force that has found its feet.
In midfield, Stewart Downing has been the form player for the Hammers and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index makes it clear for all to see. The 30 year old England international will be looking to improve on his goal tally of two, but will be happy with the five assists that he has from the season so far. He will be looking to further increase that tally, by linking up with in form striker Diafra Sakho.
Sakho has made a great start to his debut season in the Premier League with the Irons but will want to make sure that he continues that form. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that he has bagged six goals so far this season at an average of 108 minutes per goal, scoring 75% of his shots that have hit the target. His danger is clear for all to see, and he is 33/25 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Newcastle will come into this game as the league’s in form team having won five on the spin, including away wins at West Brom and Leicester. Their great run of form has seen them move up into fifth place in the league and they will be hoping that they are not yet finished ascending the table.
Key to this turnaround has been a team of players in every position all over the pitch. At the back, the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index singles out Dutch fullback Daryl Janmaat as their star defender, with the Dutch international winning 73.9% of his 46 tackles, whilst racking up 28 clearances and 30 interceptions. He is no slouch going forward either, and don’t be surprised to see him venture forward looking to add to his goal and two assists.
In the middle of the park, Jack Colback continues to impress, having featured in all 12 of Newcastle’s games this season. The English midfielder has racked up 29 interceptions already this season, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, illustrating the level of his reading of the play. He has covered the most ground in the Newcastle squad by some distance, completing 138.98km already this season, and will provide the motor in the Newcastle engine room.
Up top, Newcastle will be looking to the services of Ayoze Perez, if his form stays true in accordance with the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The 21 year old Spanish striker has already found the net three times this season, at an average of just 130 minutes per goal, illustrating the threat he holds. His accuracy in front of goal is also impressive, hitting the target with 75% of his shots. He is 29/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
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.