With both City and the Phoenix vying for a crucial three-points on Saturday night, we look at the key numbers between two of the more influential midfielders on the park.
Both Luke Brattan and Goran Paracki have played important roles for their respective clubs this season.
Initially Brattan was used as a second-half substitute – featuring off the bench on three occasions – but as the season has progressed, he has earned himself a place in the starting XI. In contrast, Paracki has started in all 12 of the Phoenix’s games this season without being substituted.
The statistics suggest that Brattan is the more prolific of the two players when it comes to the attacking half of the field.
The City midfielder has provided two assists and three successful crosses this season. In comparison, his Phoenix counterpart is yet to register an assist or a successful cross thus far.
Both players have shown their ability to execute a damaging ball forward from the midfield; Brattan has registered 11 key passes and Paracki seven.
When it comes to shots on goal the two midfielders can’t be separated, they have both netted one goal this season and registered two shots on target each.
In the defensive half of the field, the numbers are again fairly even. Brattan and Paracki both have the ability to read the play, which is reflected in the number of interceptions they have made (Brattan – 17, Paracki – 18).
The Phoenix man has made two more blocks than his City counterpart, and four more clearances.
In contrast, Brattan’s ability to win a tackle is greater than that of Paracki’s. Despite starting in four less games, the City midfielder has won 25 tackles this season, compared to Paracki’s 16.
One of Paracki’s greatest strengths is his ability to carry the ball across the field. This is demonstrated in the number of successful dribbles the midfielder has made (Paracki – 15, Brattan – 9), and may be a reflection of his ability to win fouls (Paracki – 32, Brattan – 19).
Paracki might be used to winning fouls, but he is no stranger to conceding them either. The Phoenix midfielder’s indiscipline is exposed by the 21 fouls he has conceded this season – 10 more than Brattan.
With both teams desperate for a win on Saturday, there is no doubt that the battle in the midfield will be a deciding factor.
