It could be a tasty battle in the middle of the park at St. Mary’s on Sunday if Fernandinho and Southampton’s Victor Wanyama lock horns.
Barclays Premier League stats only
Appearances
The Brazilian missed a few games through injury in January, but has been a go-to guy when fit throughout the campaign. His Kenyan counterpart’s disciplinary problems have seen him sit out a swathe of matches, but when available he’s been in manager Ronald Koeman’s plans.
Ferna: 28 (plus two as substitute)
Wanyama: 27 (+ 1)
Goals
Ferna was on target in our first two home games, but hasn’t troubled the Premier League scorers since although he’s got four more across the Champions League and Capital One Cup.
Wanyama’s one and only was against Newcastle earlier in April, only his fourth since arriving on the south coast three years ago.
Fernandinho: 2
Wanyama: 1
Assists
It’s level pegging when it comes to setting up their teammates.
Ferna: 1
Wanyama: 1
Chances created
The stats suggest that Ferna is more likely to be further up the pitch and creating opportunities.
Ferna: 25
Wanyama: 13
Passes - average number per game
Again, Ferna looks likely to at the hub of operations.
Ferna: 57.4
Wanyama: 45.3
Pass accuracy
Decent figures from both, with the City man shading it.
Ferna: 88%
Wanyama: 80%
Discipline
No surprises that both players pick up their fair share of cautions given where they play, but Wanyama’s three red cards have counted him out a decent chunk of the season.
Ferna: Yellow/Red cards - 6/0
Wanyama: Yellow/Red cards - 4/3
