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
West Brom remain just above the relegation zone as they lost 2-0 to Hull at the KC Stadium last time out. They face a Cardiff side very dangerous on their day but Pepe Mel will be pushing to claim some vital points at the Hawthorns.
Midfielder Claudio Jacob has been a crucial part of the Baggies’ defensive structure this season. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, Yacob has racked up the second highest total number of tackles attempted in the league with 144.
Youssuf Mulumbu will be keen to test out the Cardiff back four after seeing Liverpool be so effective last weekend. He is not short of confidence to take on defences either, leading the Baggies squad as he does for dribbles with 36 this season. Mulumbu is 6/1 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.
Cardiff do possess the quality to hurt teams on their day though, so Jonas Olsson will have to be on guard at the back. He has been a defensive rock for the Baggies for much of this season though as shown by the fact that he currently leads the squad for total defensive contributions with 323 (blocks, interceptions, clearances, tackles won).
Despite managing to rack up three goals, Cardiff could not contain a rampant Liverpool as they fell to a 3-6 defeat. Jordon Mutch grabbed a brace, with Frazier Campbell also back on the scoresheet and these two could well be vital this weekend.
Jordon Mutch will no doubt have been desperately disappointed that despite scoring twice against Liverpool, his side were still unable to go on and claim victory. It is unlikely this has dented his confidence though and he will be looking to add to his six goals and 33 shots on goal this season, the latter category in which he now sits only behind frontman Campbell (38). Mutch is 11/2 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.
Much as he has been for the majority of the season, expect Gary Medel to play a key role in the heart of the Cardiff midfield this season. Following the last round of fixtures, he remains the only Cardiff player to have moved into triple figures for both tackles attempted (108) and total defensive contributions (185)(blocks, tackles won, interceptions, clearances).
Craig Bellamy may not start in every game but he has lost none of his touch and ability when he does enter the fray and his experience is a great asset to Cardiff. He still knows how to take the right options, as we can see by the fact that he has the best average rate for passes completed in the opponent’s half of any Cardiff player. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index he has completed a pass on average once every 4.1 minutes he’s been on the pitch this season.