STATS: Osman’s passing for Everton vs Remy’s attempts on goal for QPR
Everton v QPR, 15:00
– A late Tottenham goal forced a 2-2 draw and denied Everton all three points in a pulsating encounter at White Hart Lane last weekend.
– Phil Jagielka’s goal last weekend was a deserved reward for the consistent level of performances he’s been turning in as the season approaches its end. No Everton player has made more defensive contributions than him, his total of 287 complementing his superb 85.9% tackle success rate from 64 challenges.
– David Moyes will need Leon Osman involved as much as possible this weekend to try and dictate the terms of possession to what will be a highly motivated and aggressive QPR side. Osman has one of the best passes per minute ratios in the Everton squad, finding a team mates in the opponent’s half on average once every 4.08 minutes.
– Everton captain Phil Neville announced that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season, with many speculating that he might possibly move on to another club rather than retire. His performances have certainly been solid enough to suggest that the 36 year old has a couple more years left in him, his tackle success rate of 47.6% from 42 attempts a solid return at this level.
– A free kick in the dying embers of stoppage time saw things end in a 1-1 draw and QPR denied a vital win at home to Wigan last weekend. The cruelty was magnified given after Loic Remy’s goal looked to have secured the win in the 86th minute.
– Harry Redknapp knows that QPR must take the game to Everton, not just because this is a game they have to win but should they fall behind early away from home they may struggle to ever get back in the game. Bobby Zamora could cause the Everton defence problems with his strength and experience, the striker also being in solid form in front of goal with 71.4% shot accuracy rate from 21 attempts according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
– Andros Townsend was brought in on loan from Spurs to provide a much-needed attacking option for QPR, yet his performances have suggested he is truly invested in the cause and not seeing the Rs as a mere stopover. He already has the joint best tackle success rate in the QPR squad, coming out on top in 85.7% of his 21 challenges this season.
– French striker Loic Remy was bought by Tony Fernandes to do one thing, find the back of the net. Remy has not disappointed and has adapted quickly to the physicality of the Premier League, his five goals a return from his ability to get behind opposition defences and get his shots away. Indeed he’s had an attempt on goal on average once every 31.4 minutes he’s been on the pitch.