Premier League TOTW Gameweek 20: Newcastle and Brentford among teams to dominate | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest‘s Matz Sels will be staking a claim to be the best goalkeeper in the Premier League right now.

The Belgian has kept nine clean sheets in the Premier League so far this season, at least two more than any other goalkeeper. He’s one of the key reasons behind Forest’s current position in the top four.

Sels has conceded just 19 goals, at an average of 0.95 per 90 minutes and has also averaged 2.9 saves. The Belgian has prevented 1.58 goals in the Premier League this season too, conceding his 19 goals from 20.58 Expected Goals on Target conceded.

His latest performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers as Sels in Squawka’s latest Premier League Team of the Week. It was a good week for a lot of Premier League teams, with four boasting two representatives in our TOTW.

We’ve used our Squawka Score to determine the 11 picks, based on the statistical leaders for metrics relevant to their positions. And as ever, we’ve thrown an honourable mention XI for good measure.

GK: Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)

Matz Sels has been wonderful for Nottingham Forest this season, and it was no different against Wolves. The Belgian kept a clean sheet thanks to five saves, all from shots inside the box, with 0.98 goals prevented. Sels also ensured his defence was secure with three punches, and he helped move Forest up the pitch with 10 long passes completed.

Honourable mention: Robert Sanchez (81%)

RB: Pedro Porro (Tottenham)

He may have ended up on the losing side, but Pedro Porro was on top form for Tottenham Hotspur against Newcastle United. The Spaniard provided an assist for Dominic Solanke’s opener, one of a few wonderful crosses he put into the box. Porro won five tackles including one last-man tackle, ensuring it wasn’t worse for Tottenham.

Honourable mention: Daniel Munoz (72%)

CB: Sven Botman (Newcastle)

Sven Botman made a return to the Newcastle starting XI after injury and it was a very strong performance. The Dutchman made four clearances and won two tackles, with a 75% ground duel success rate. Botman was strong in the air too, winning three aerial duels, helping Dan Burn alongside him. He did pick up a knock towards the end, but it doesn’t look too serious.

Honourable mention: Dean Huijsen (70%)

CB: Nathan Collins (Brentford)

Brentford were one of three teams to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League this weekend. And Nathan Collins was one of their defensive stars. He made five clearances and won four aerial duels alongside one blocked shot. Collins was key at winning the ball back too, with four possessions won in the defensive third and five possessions won in the middle third. What a performance.

Honourable mention: Jannik Vestergaard (69%)

LB: Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth)

Bournemouth also kept a clean sheet, shutting out Everton. It was a narrow 1-0 victory with Milos Kerkez setting up the winner with the one big chance he created. He also completed three crosses. Defensively, Kerkez did his bit with three interceptions retaining possession and two tackles won, proving tough to beat.

Honourable mention: Keane Lewis-Potter (72%)

RW: Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)

What a season Bryan Mbeumo has had. And it was another strong performance against Southampton. The Cameroonian was directly involved in three goals for Brentford, scoring two with one intentional assist. He created five chances, the joint-most in the Premier League this weekend, two of which were big chances. Mbeumo also completed 32 final third passes, the second-most, as well as 13 penalty area entries. He was a goal threat too, with three shots on target and five touches in the opposition box.

Honourable mention: Amad Diallo (78%)

CM: Lewis Cook (Bournemouth)

Our second Bournemouth player, Lewis Cook looked solid at the base of the Cherries’ midfield. The Englishman was all involved for Bournemouth, with one interception retaining possession, three tackles won and one big chances created. Cook also made eight ball recoveries, with three possessions won in the middle third and five possessions won in the defensive third.

Honourable mention: Tom Cairney (74%)

CM: Ross Barkley (Aston Villa)

What a performance for Ross Barkley this weekend. The Aston Villa midfielder was dynamite at the weekend, with nine possessions won in the middle third, more than any other player in the Premier League. He also made 10 ball recoveries and won nine duels, sitting at the base of the midfield. But Barkley was good on the ball too, with a retention rate of 97.1% and 98% open-play passing accuracy. Once he was on the ball, Villa weren’t losing possession.

Honourable mention: Bruno Guimaraes (76%)

LW: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)

Anthony Gordon was playing one of his favourite opponents at the weekend, a Big Six side. The Englishman equalised for Newcastle against Tottenham, with one of his two shots on target. He posted a non-penalty Expected Goals on Target total of 0.98 and 12 final third passes completed. Gordon also had six touches in the opposition box, eight penalty area entries and four ball recoveries, doing his bit defensively.

Honourable mention: Savinho (71%)

ST: Dominic Solanke (Tottenham)

Dominic Solanke was in good form for Tottenham, striking early in their defeat to Newcastle. Solanke had four shots in total with two on target, posting a non-penalty xG of 0.46. That increased to a non-penalty xGOT of 0.81, really upping his chances of scoring with his shot placement. The Englishman also won five aerial duels and had seven touches in the opposition box.

Honourable mention: Yoane Wissa (75%)

ST: Raul Jimenez (Fulham)

Raul Jimenez scored both of Fulham‘s goals in their 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town, though both were penalties. The Mexican striker had three shots on target in total, with an xG of 1.86. Outside of goalscoring, Jimenez won seven aerial duels, completed three lay-off passes and nine touches in the opposition box.