Statistical Preview: Can Cardiff Hold Off Manchester City?

Cardiff City’s first game in the Premier League ended in a 2-0 defeat to West Ham last weekend, and they’ll have to pull out a special performance to get a result against Manchester City, who swept aside Newcastle 4-0 in their first fixture.

If Cardiff are going to threaten then midfielder Peter Whittingham may be the one to surprise City. Whittingham had four efforts at goal against West Ham, a total bettered only by Frank Lampard among the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index’s midfielders. Although all 4 were off target, so Whittingham will want to pair the willingness to shoot with greater accuracy against a City team who don’t give away chances cheaply. Whittingham is 17/4 to score and 10/1 to score first against Man City with 888sport.com.

The signing of Spurs defender Steven Caulker will boost Cardiff fans. Caulker had limited opportunities at Spurs last season but when he did play he impressed. Of all players in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index to have attempted 25 or more tackles, Caulker won the fifth highest percentage with 82.7%.

That’s no fluke either, as the previous season on loan at Swansea Caulker won 75.6% of the 33 tackles he attempted, while also making 117 interceptions, 33 blocks and 39 clearances.

Manchester City announced their intention to reclaim the Premier League title with a comprehensive 4-0 win against Newcastle. City are 11/10 with 888sport.com to score in both halves against Cardiff.

Despite not scoring himself Edin Dzeko was on dangerous form with two assists and eight shots at goal, the most by any player in the opening round of fixtures. Dzeko got four of his eight attempts on target to again top the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for shots on target.

David Silva also looked in imperious form, and was one of four players in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index to complete more than 50 passes in the opposition half in the first round of games.

Manchester City had two of the top four players in the Premier League for passes completed in opposition territory last season. Yaya Toure was ranked second, having completed 1301 passes in the attacking half, and David Silva fourth with 1150.

Man City showed they also have quality in defence, with Pablo Zabaleta winning all six of the tackles he attempted against Newcastle .

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.