Head to head: Julio
Baptista v Carlos Tevez
Cast your mind back to August and transfer deadline day and you may
remember a slight fuss over goings-on at Upton Park.
West Ham United had struck a double deal which many believed would
make them genuine contenders for a Champions League place.
Argentinas World Cup duo Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano would
spend the season wearing the claret and blue.
Things dont always turn out as expected though. Just six minutes
of action between October and January saw Mascherano switch his
Hammers shirt for the red of Liverpool, while Tevez only found his
first goal for the club three matches ago after 19 previous
attempts.
Since then however the stocky striker has netted in three
successive games and began to galvanise what was a sinking ship
into one which has West Hams fellow relegation strugglers glancing
over nervous shoulders.
Returning to transfer deadline day, Arsenal were also rushing
through transfers of their own. William Gallas and Denilson signed
permanently while Brazilian striker Julio Baptista joined on loan
from Real Madrid. After a mixed start he too has showcased his
talents since putting four past Liverpool at the turn of the
year.
On Saturday, The Beast and The Bull will lock horns at Emirates
Stadium. But what do the statistics tell us about how the two have
performed this season?
Well, as their respective nicknames (Tevez earned his in his
homeland whereas Baptistia's was the invention of the Spanish
press) suggest neither are short on power, and both have used that
to run at their opponents. Tevez has done so more often, but has
been dispossessed attempting 18 of his 33 dribbles. Our man on the
other hand has been far more productive, finding a team-mate
following 10 of his 15 forays forward.
When it comes to finding the net it was again Baptista who found
his feet first. The burly Brazilian has eight goals in all
competitions of which one in last months 2-1 win over Reading -
came in the Premiership. Yet despite Tevez not notching until the
4-3 defeat to Tottenham last month the Argentines purple patch has
given him two more league goals than his counterpart. The pair have
also provided two assists apiece for their respective teams.
Furthermore, the stats suggest they may have netted more often.
Baptista has produced 27 shots so far of which 12 have been on
their way to goal. Of those three have been blocked en route, eight
have been saved and the one against Reading crept in. Tevez on the
other hand has managed 20 shots on target and 20 off, had seven
blocked and hammered the woodwork on two occasions.
Finally, they have performed with similar efficiency when it comes
to distribution. A hamstring injury left Baptista on the sidelines
earlier in the season and as a result he has played just 743
minutes, 355 fewer than his fellow South American. This is
important when you consider Baptista has been accurate with 64 per
cent of his passes at a rate of one every 13 minutes. Because, in
comparison, Tevez has enjoyed success with 67 per cent of his
passes but only at a rate of one every 16 minutes.
Saturdays game may go some way to deciding where both sides will
be playing their football next season. Arsenal need to cement that
top four spot while time is running out on West Hams battle
against the drop. The Emirates faithful have shown confidence in
Baptista while Tevez, despite his troubles, is undoubtedly a fans
favourite too.
This weekend theyll have a chance to prove their worth again. The
battling qualities of The Beast and The Bull are needed more
now than ever.
