STATS: West Ham’s Noble covers more distance than anyone vs Lallana the focus for Southampton

West Ham v Southampton, Saturday 15:00

– West Ham lost 3-1 to Arsenal in their last Premier League game, with Mohamed Diame putting West Ham ahead

– That was Diame’s first goal from ten attempts at goal with 50% on target. The striker’s attempts to win the ball back have not been so successful, with Diame giving away 17 fouls and losing out on 13 of the 21 tackles he has attempted

– Although they both provide some of West Ham’s biggest threats on goal when playing, Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole need to put more precision into their defensive duties. They’ve racked up 30 fouls between them this season according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

– Mark Noble continues to be the heartbeat of the Hammers in the engine room this season. His displays this season now put him joint third on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for successful tackles with 21.

– Noble also remains top of the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for distance covered with 46.21 miles clocked up so far this season

– It’s no surprise to also see Noble tops the West Ham player charts for ball receptions too, as his team mates constantly seek out the West Ham midfielder leading to him receiving the ball 417 times this season

– Southampton’s last performance against Fulham earnt them a point in an exciting 2-2 draw, and also saw them continue to break records for distance covered this season

– The 67.85 miles covered by the squad was the highest distance covered by a team in a single game so far this season

– Meanwhile three Southampton players entered the top ten for distance covered in a single game by an individual this season. The ever energetic Morgan Schneiderlin posted the most distance by a single player in a game so far this season with 7.56 miles. He now holds all three top spots for distances covered in a single game

– He is joined in the top ten by Adam Llalana who posted 7.15 miles against Fulham and is now 4th for individual distance covered, and Steven Davis who posted 7.03 miles against Fulham, the 7th highest in an individual game

– The game is set up to be the battle of the midfield work horses, as Southampton will face West Ham’s Mark Noble who remains top of the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for distance covered with 46.21 miles clocked up so far this season

– As well as his work rate Schneiderlin has impressed with his defensive duties this season. He currently sits joint third with his midfield opponent Mark Noble on Saturday the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for successful tackles with 21

– It’s Schneiderlin’s midfield team mate Adam Lallana who’s been sought out by his team mates more than any other Southampton player, having received the ball 341 times so far this season