Predicted assists per game reveal some interesting names.
Sports statisticians Opta have teamed up with the Premier League to analyse the amount of assists in the English top tier and where they come from.
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This has led to a prediction of which players will provide the most assists each game and therefore who will prove to be the most creative stars this season.
Here are the top 10, with some unexpected names joining the usual suspects.
10=. Pablo Zabaleta, Manchester City – 0.188 assists expected per 90 minutes
Despite being a defender this right-back loves to get forward and this is proven by the fact Zabaleta is the only player on the list who plays at the back.
10=. Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal – 0.188 assists
The inclusion of Ramsey may see some raise an eyebrow, but he’s here because the stats have been taken from the start of the 2013/14 campaign and the Welshman was in fine form then.
9. Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal – 0.198 assists
Despite being deemed surplus to requirements by FC Barcelona this Chile international was still a useful asset and his performances for the Gunners so far have also greatly contributed to this prediction.
8. Rickie Lambert, Liverpool – 0.199 assists
The England international has not been in sparkling form since joining his boyhood club over the summer, but last term Lambert was one of the few players in Europe to score and assist more than 10 in the league.
7. Raheem Sterling, Liverpool – 0.203 assists
Another Reds ace now and Sterling has also struggled to recreate his form of 12 months ago this time around, but at 19-years-old the forward has plenty of time to rediscover it.
6. Morgan Amalfitano, West Ham United – 0.206 assists
This Frenchman has been quietly solid since first arriving in England on-loan with West Bromwich Albion last season and Amalfitano is also contributing to the Hammers’ strong start.
5. Roberto Soldado, Tottenham Hotspur – 0.214 assists
This one will probably surprise many with Soldado having been widely considered a flop since joining Spurs in 2013, but according to the stats the 29-year-old has actually been a useful addition.
4. Jesus Navas, Manchester City – 0.220 assists
Amazingly this Spaniard gets in ahead of fellow countryman and City star David Silva and although behind the attacking midfielder and Samir Nasri currently, Navas is clearly a useful option.
3. Angel di Maria, Manchester United – 0.295 assists
Since becoming the British record transfer over the summer at £59.7m this Argentine has been good, but it is his impressive form for previous side Real Madrid that really sees di Maria in third.
2. Dusan Tadic, Southampton – 0.359 assists
Replacing captain Adam Lallana was always going to be tough, but the Saints have achieved it by signing this winger from FC Twente and Tadic has immediately taken to English football.
1. Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea – 0.369 assists
Leading the way though is a midfielder who has been brilliant since coming back to London and Fabregas already has 10 assists for the Blues in just 12 appearances.