Whoscored.com return to rattle through the numbers this weekend
Leicester vs Manchester United
If you would have told a United fan their side, after 13 games of the season, would be behind Leicester in the league table they would have assumed it had been a disastrous start to the campaign. It’s far from it though, with the Foxes the only team above Van Gaal’s side in the standings ahead of the weekend after a quite remarkable run under new manager Claudio Ranieiri.
With 12 goals scored across the two meetings between the sides last season, this game promises to be another intriguing battle. Leicester, who have the league’s deadliest attack (28 goals), have the task of breaking down United, who have the meanest defence (conceding just 9 goals). Indeed, Van Gaal has built his side’s success around their impressive resolve, highlighted by the fact that in all competitions United haven’t conceded a goal from open play in over 14 hours.
As mentioned, it was the offensive that came out on top when the two met last season though, with Leicester’s 5-3 win in this fixture last year among the most memorable of the 2014/15 campaign. Having twice trailed by two goals in that game the Foxes came from behind in spectacular fashion and have made a habit of doing the same under their new boss, recouping the most points from losing positions in the top-flight (10).
However, while this match up directly pips first against second in the league, all eyes will be on one man. If Jamie Vardy scores against United he will break the Premier League record - set by Ruud van Nistelrooy - for scoring in the most consecutive appearances, with his opener against Newcastle last time out representing the 10th league game he had netted in a row.
Vardy will have fond memories from this fixture last season too. A man of the match WhoScored.com rating of 9.39, scoring once and registering 2 assists, remains his best ever in the Premier League. It was the game in which Vardy truly announced himself at this level, though no-one could have predicted his current run of form, with a season rating of 7.90 second only to teammate Riyad Mahrez in England’s top tier.
The England international’s relentless work ethic could well prove problematic again for United considering they have had to recover from a disappointing result in the Champions League in midweek. As a result, if the visitors begin to tire in the dying stages Vardy will be on hand to punish them.
On the opposing side the away fans will be hoping that Anthony Martial can convert his encouraging form into goals once again. After a scintillating start to life in Manchester - still boasting the best WhoScored rating for the club (7.51) - the youngster has failed to score in 6 Premier League appearances. He faded badly in the second half against PSV on Tuesday having made his return from injury and may struggle to last the 90 once again.
That said, if Martial can get off to a strong start, Leicester are far from watertight at the back. Ranieri’s men, despite sitting top, have been losing at half time in 6 matches this season, while only six teams have conceded more goals (20).
Saturday’s evening kick-off is something of a good versus evil battle for the football purists. Can Vardy inspire another exciting attacking display from the hosts to extend Leicester's unlikely lead at the top or will Van Gaal’s improving backline win out?
Tottenham vs Chelsea
There’s little doubt as to the top game in the Premier League this Sunday, as Spurs kick-off proceedings with a home encounter against London rivals Chelsea. It’s been rare that the North London side have had bragging rights over the Blues, but while Chelsea came out on top in the last meeting between the two in the Capital One Cup final, Tottenham have the happier fans so far this season, sitting as they do a full 10 points and 10 places above Mourinho’s men.
Mauricio Pochettino has his side playing very effective, high intensity football at present. Spurs are unbeaten since the first game of the season, when a Kyle Walker own goal was the only thing to separate them and Manchester United. Only PSG and Bayern are on a longer unbeaten streak in Europe’s top 5 leagues than Tottenham (12), who will be confident of a repeat performance from this fixture last season.
As with Leicester’s meeting with Manchester United on Saturday, this match is a repeat of an 8-goal thriller from last season, in which Spurs came out on top with a 5-3 win on New Year’s Day. The hosts will certainly be hopeful of troubling Chelsea’s backline, with only the league’s bottom five sides conceding more goals than their opponents this weekend (23).
The fans making the short trip from West London will, however, hope that their side have turned a corner, recording back-to-back wins in all competitions for only the third time this season. While a 4-0 win in midweek will have boosted the Blues’ confidence, they are still yet to record successive victories in the Premier League, aiming to do so having narrowly beaten Norwich last weekend.
The visitors hold a slight advantage in having played two days earlier than Tottenham in midweek, with both sides facing long trips back from Israel and Azerbaijan respectively. Both sides fielded strong line-ups in Europe, so ensuring a high tempo for the game’s entirety will be a tough ask.
Harry Kane will again lead the charge for Spurs and scored twice in this fixture last season. He will also come up against a Chelsea backline that will be without captain John Terry - who has an impressive goalscoring record against Tottenham - so the striker will be particularly confident of stretching his sensational scoring streak in the league. With 7 goals in his last 4 appearances, the England international has put a slow start to the season firmly behind him, with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.48 now the third highest in the Tottenham ranks.
While he started on Thursday night, Kane will likely have the reserves of energy to be up for this London derby, and the absence of John Terry should aid his chances of registering on the scoresheet once more.
For the visitors, one man who will perhaps want to win more than most given his connections to Arsenal is Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard has had a difficult start to the campaign, with his form ultimately tailing off since the start of the year, but he remains one of the few players that Mourinho has kept his faith in this season. The midfielder has certainly improved since the recent international break - playing a starring role in Spain’s friendly with England - registering only his second league assist of the season last weekend.
Tottenham may lose a little intensity in midfield, not only due to their exploits on Thursday night but also given the absence of Dele Alli through suspension. If Fabregas does get more time on the ball as a result he is more than capable of pulling the strings in the middle of the park.
With plenty of needle between the sides we can certainly expect a feisty affair, regardless of the key players missing on either side. Pochettino will know that if Tottenham can extend their unbeaten run this weekend it will be an incredibly tough task for Chelsea to make up ground on his side. A win for visitors, meanwhile, would no doubt restore confidence that a top 4 finish is not yet out of the question.
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