Statistical Preview: Newcastle Swansea
Newcastle will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Stoke when they entertain Swansea this Saturday. The Magpies form has been poor in recent weeks having lost their last 4 matches. The club currently sits in 9th place in the Premier League with 46 points, and under fire boss Alan Pardew will be hoping for a much needed win in their bid to secure a top half finish.
Although goals have been hard to come by in recent weeks Yoan Gouffran might be Newcastle’s best hope of a goal this weekend with on loan striker Loic Remy still likely to be sidelined with a calf injury. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows Gouffran has netted 6 times in 31 appearances this season, with a 45% shot accuracy from his 31 attempts at goal this season.
With Moussa Sissoko out until the end of the month Cheick Tioté is likely to be the magpies best midfield option on Saturday. Tioté has made 45 attacking contributions so far this season (shots on target, assists, dribbles and crosses) including 11 shots on target and 31 dribbles inside the opposition half.
Despite last week’s defeat Mike Williamson was Newcastle’s standout performer at the back with 7 defensive contributions (tackles won, clearances, interceptions and blocks) including 5 clearances, 1 interception & 1 block. The 30-year old centre back has made 29 appearances this season and has managed to average a 79% tackle accuracy from the 57 tackles he has made so far.
Swansea City’s battle for Premier League survival continues this weekend as they visit out of form Newcastle. Gary Monk’s side have only managed 1 win from their last 9 matches themselves, and will be looking to bounce back from last Sundays 1-0 defeat to title chasers Chelsea. The Swans currently sit in 15th position in the table having picked up only 33 points so far this season. But Monk will be hoping for a repeat of December’s meeting between the two sides; when Swansea came out 3-0 victors. Swansea will be without the suspended Chico Flores after the Spaniards red card last weekend.
Wilfried Bony will be looking to add to the 12 Premier League goals he’s already scored so far this season as he looks set to lead the Swansea line again. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index the Ivorian striker has a 44% shot accuracy so far this term; hitting the target 34 times from his 78 total attempts at goal.
Wayne Routledge has been Swansea’s main attacking threat so far this season with 86 attacking contributions (shots on target, assists, dribbles and crosses), including 19 crosses and 3 assists. And Routledge will be looking to add tothis tally on Saturday as he looks to fire his side 6 points clear of the drop zone.
With Flores suspension Swansea will be looking at Ashley Williams and Angel Rangel to keep out the Newcastle frontline. Rangel was Swansea’s strongest defender in the loss to Chelsea, with a defensive contribution (tackles won, clearances, interceptions and blocks) of 14 including 7 tackles won, 4 interceptions and 2 clearances.
0 comments