Statistical Betting Preview: Southampton vs Hull

Southampton secured a point away at Stoke, but the real talking point from the game was Asmir Begovic’s freak goal in the first minute.

A draw away at Stoke has been seen as a good result over recent years, with the Brittania becoming renowned for being a bit of a fortress. If anything, however, the Saints may have come away slightly disappointed with only a draw – such was their level of dominance. The performance of Adam Lallana sums this up perfectly, as the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he completed a pass in the opposition half every 3 minutes.

Lallana’s excellent dribbling has also been evident this season, as the academy graduate has completed 14 dribbles – more than any of his teammates. Lallana is an industry best 15/2 with 888sport.com to score the first goal on Saturday.

Compatriot James Ward-Prowse has been earning plaudits this season for his successful transition into the first team, and he was a thorn in Stoke’s side again on Sunday. In total, he managed to make 33 attacking contributions (based on passes in the opposition half, crosses, dribbles and shots on target).

Victor Wanyama made history this year by becoming the first Kenyan player to feature in the Premier League, and his swashbuckling style of play has been integral to Southampton’s success this season – as the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he has an impressive tackle success rate of 70%. However, Wanyama is in danger of making history for all the wrong reasons too, as no player in the league has committed more fouls than the Kenyan’s 29.  

A Carlos Cuellar own goal handed Hull all three points against Sunderland, but the game was overshadowed by two Sunderland dismissals.

Summer transfer Tom Huddlestone could be a surprise contender for signing of the season following his impressive start to life at the KC Stadium, and the former Spurs man was in fine form again on Saturday. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index demonstrates that Huddlestone completed 60 passes in Sunderland’s half, at a rate of a pass every 1.5 minutes.

Hull’s attacking intent on Saturday was also evident in the performance of defender Liam Rosenior. The full back completed 34 passes in Sunderland’s half on Saturday, which was the fifth most of any defender in the league.   

Roy Hodgson has pledged to give youngsters a go in the upcoming international friendlies ahead of the World Cup next year, and he would be wise to look at Hull centre half Curtis Davies. Davies has had a wonderful year on Humberside, topping the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index in the number of defensive contributions made (blocks, tackles won, clearances and interceptions) with 144. Davies is also the only Hull player to have featured in every minute of the campaign so far.  

David Meyler may have only featured in 237 minutes for Hull so far this term, but he has certainly made his mark in this short time frame. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index demonstrates that of the 14 tackles he has attempted, he has been successful in 13 of them – at an impressive success rate of 93%. Meyler is 18/1 with 888sport.com to the first goal on Saturday.

Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate Team for FIFA 14