- A fine season for the most part is in danger of ending on something of a low for West Brom as they fell to a heavy 4-0 defeat at the hands of Norwich. They will be looking to end their season on a high in what will be an historic occasion against Manchester United.
- Steve Clarke may struggle to retain the services of Romelu Lukaku next season with the Belgian striker keen to experience European football as his development steps up a gear next year. Lukaku has been pivotal for the Baggies this term, not just with his strong hold-up play but with his eye for goal as well. He currently has an 64.6% shot accuracy rate from 82 attempts, meaning a shot on target on average once every 39.6 minutes he’s been on the pitch this season.
- Shockingly though, Lukaku is nowhere near the club’s most accurate shooter this season, although admittedly Billy Jones has had far fewer attempts. Jones has been in remarkable form when presented with his chances in front of goal, seeing 91.7% of his 12 efforts hitting the target according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Lukaku is 2/1 to score at any time with 888sport.com this weekend.
- Whilst those in front of him have perhaps caught the eye a little more than Gareth McAuley, the big centre half has been just as crucial to West Brom’s success this season. He has been a defensive titan at times for Steve Clarke’s side, recording a squad-high 314 defensive contributions
- A typical Javier Hernandez strike and a rare Rio Ferdinand goal ensured that Sir Alex Ferguson’s last appearance at Old Trafford asManchester Utd manager ended with, appropriately, victory. It will be an emotional afternoon for all concerned on Sunday as the greatest manager in British football finally retires at the end of this season.
- Despite limited opportunities this season, Chicarito has been as impressive as ever when given his chance to impress. The Mexican sharp shooter has managed to craft a shot on target on average once every 39.2 minutes, an excellent return given that most of his appearances in the league this season have been from the bench. You can find Hernandez at 5/4 with 888sport.com to score at any time this Sunday.
- It was fitting that it fell to one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s longest serving players in Rio Ferdinand to seal the win on his manager’s final appearance at the Theatre of Dreams. Despite rarely finding himself on the scoresheet, Ferdinand has still been dominating for Utd at the back this season, racking up a solid 63.6% tackle success rate from 33 attempts. His relatively low number of tackles shows his ability to read the game and therefore bypass the need to go to ground. He ranks fourth in the United squad for interceptions with 68.
- Now the only left of the old guard, Ryan Giggs shows no signs of slowing down even at 39 years if age. The Welshman continues to defies the odds and his figures on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows he has at least another year of top level football left in him. According to his data Giggs has completed a pass in the opponent’s half on average once every 4.1 minutes this season, as well as delivery 22 crosses placing him 6th in the United squad.
What will the score be on Sunday? Have your say here at Baggies Banter.
Source: WBA MAD
Source: FOOTYMAD
