The derby could be make or break for Brendan Rodgers
Everton enter the fiercest game in English football just one point above their Merseyside rivals, but four places above them in the Premier League table. It’s a big season for both teams, as they look to qualify for European football again.
Merseyside Derbies are always spicy encounters with the match always holding significance, no matter where each side is placed in the table. This Sunday is likely to be particularly entertaining, though, as both teams are committed to playing short-passing, possession football. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index demonstrates this, as it shows that of Liverpool’s passes this season 88% of them have been short passes, and of Everton’s passes, 83% have been short.
Ross Barkley is likely to be the man that Everton look to, to provide a killer pass or moment of magic, as the England youngster has been in scintillating form so far this season. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, Barkley has completed more passes in the opposition half than any of his teammates (169) and also leads his teammates in shots on target. Lucas is likely to be charged with marking Barkley, which is unsurprising as he’s won 16 tackles so far this season – which is the most in the Liverpool squad. Barkley is 15/4 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.
The battle of the midfield engine room is likely to be a crucial one on Sunday as in James Milner and Gareth Barry, the teams have two of the hardest workers in the league. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that Milner has covered 74.7km this season, which is more than anyone else in the league, but Gareth Barry isn’t far behind him on 68.8km.
In Seamus Coleman and Alberto Moreno, Everton and Liverpool possess two of the most attacking full backs in the league, who are willing to bomb forward at every opportunity and deliver the ball at will. So far this season, Coleman has driven forward to great effect, delivering the ball 20 times, with Moreno just behind on 13.
Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars with at http://fantasy.
