Adrian Clarke is looking at key tactical talking points ahead of Matchweek 37.
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It is hard to think of two Premier League players with a better understanding than Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson.
In setting up 12 goals for one another this season the AFC Bournemouth duo have become the most prolific goalscoring combination in Europe’s top five leagues.
They are also only one shy of the record for goal combinations in a single PL campaign, set by Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton in Blackburn Rovers' title-winning season in 1994/95, when 42 matches were played.
Both players have the ability to dent the top-four hopes of Saturday opponents, Tottenham Hotspur, with their pace and direct style of play.
Incredible improvement
In 26 appearances last season, Fraser scored five goals and produced three assists as he impressed in bursts but struggled to be a consistent threat.
However, in 2018/19 the Scot’s end-product has shot up massively.
As well as scoring seven goals he has set up another 13. This is the joint-most along with Eden Hazard in the race for the Cadbury Playmaker award.
Indeed, Fraser has created 25 "big chances" this season. That figure is more than any other player and over eight times as many as the three he managed last term.
The 25-year-old has made huge strides as he mixes it with some of the league's best.
Most assists and big chances created
| Assists | Chances created | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fraser | 13 | Fraser | 25 |
| Hazard | 13 | Hazard | 16 |
| Eriksen | 12 | Salah | 15 |
When AFC Bournemouth fly forward on the counter-attack this weekend, Fraser and Wilson will be their most dangerous players.
Both quick attackers are experts at making runs in behind their markers.
Wilson has supplied five assists for Fraser and all have stemmed from quick transitions or breakaways.
Three were square passes or cutbacks from the right-hand side of the box after Wilson had surged towards the byline, while the others were both slide-rule passes releasing Fraser in behind for a 1v1 with the goalkeeper.
In turn, Fraser has created half of Wilson's 14 goals.
Delivering four of those assists from left-wing crosses, one from a through-ball, and two more from right-footed outswinging free-kicks, there has been a nice variety to their link-up play.
Fraser’s ability with either foot, coupled with Wilson’s sharp movement, makes them a powerful pair.
Wing wizardry
Fraser is an old-fashioned winger who loves to cross.
Indeed, he has made more than three times as many crosses as any AFC Bournemouth team-mate.
And with a respectable accuracy rate of 22.5 per cent, front men like Wilson trust Fraser’s delivery to make runs across defenders.
Most open-play crosses
| Player | Crosses | Accuracy rate |
|---|---|---|
| Fraser | 120 | 22.5 |
| King | 39 | 20.5 |
| Francis | 32 | 34.4 |
| Daniels | 27 | 33.3 |
| Rico | 26 | 19.2 |
But while Fraser’s supply line to Wilson has been outstanding, his record of seven assists for the forward could be even greater.
Fourteen of his big chances created have been for Wilson, a figure that is more than all but two PL players have managed overall, but only five of those were converted into goals.
So had Wilson been more clinical in his finishing, Fraser’s stats would be even more eye-catching.
And it is not only Wilson whom Spurs will have to watch out for when the winger gets on the ball at Vitality Stadium.
In total Fraser has created at least one big chance for eight different team-mates.
Recipients of Fraser's big chances
| Team-mate | Big chance received | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Wilson | 14 | 5 |
| Brooks | 3 | 2 |
| S. Cook | 2 | 1 |
| King | 2 | 0 |
| Smith | 1 | 1 |
| Ake | 1 | 0 |
| Daniels | 1 | 0 |
| Lerma | 1 | 0 |
When the ball is wide, or when the Cherries look to break, Spurs must close down Fraser with haste.
Together with Wilson, he has formed half of this season’s deadliest double act.
Also in this series
Part 2: Henderson mixing his game in Liverpool's title bid
Part 3: Rapid Deulofeu can strike fear into Chelsea's defence
Part 4: Kompany keeps City's defence on course