Can Lloris and Martinez bring World Cup form to clubs?

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 18.

Hugo Lloris v Emiliano Martinez

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The defences of Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa both looked shaky without the comfort of having their first-choice goalkeepers between the posts on Boxing Day.

Spurs conceded twice and Villa three times, so both will be boosted by the returns of their FIFA World Cup final goalkeepers, Hugo Lloris and Emiliano Martinez, when they meet on New Year’s Day.

Both ‘keepers enhanced their reputations with a string of fine individual performances in Qatar, with Villa’s No 1 awarded the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper in the tournament.

Handling Spurs’ aerial threat

Unai Emery will be delighted to welcome his Argentinian back into the starting XI for the trip to Spurs.

Antonio Conte’s side have scored 10 headed goals this season, more than anyone else, and are always a major threat from crosses and set-plays.

Harry Kane has been exceptional at attacking crosses in 2022/23, with 19 headed shots. Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic, with 25, is the only player to register more headed efforts.

The return of Martinez in goal means Spurs will need to add extra precision to their deliveries. The 30-year-old is forthright in his decision-making, developing into one of the most dominant 'keepers in the game.

No other Premier League goalkeeper has made more successful catches than Martinez, who will readily come through bodies to claim the ball.

Most catches in 2022/23

At the other end of the pitch, Lloris is less authoritative in this area, making just 10 catches this season.

With Martinez so strong in the air, we may see Spurs opt for more short corners that change the angle of delivery.

In open play, they must also avoid hanging lofted crosses into the area.

World Cup boost?

Martinez and Lloris raised their performance levels in Qatar, producing key saves on a consistent basis for their respective countries.

In the Premier League, where they are currently ranked 10th and 11th respectively for "save percentages", you could say they have not performed to the same level for their clubs this season.

During his first campaign at Villa Park, in 2020/21, Martinez was in magnificent form, keeping out 75.4 per cent of the shots he faced.

This season that figure stands at 69.0 per cent, with Lloris narrowly behind on 68.2 per cent. 

Save percentages 2022/23

Conte and Emery will be hoping their goalkeepers' World Cup exploits have provided a boost in confidence.

While Martinez has largely been consistent, the spotlight has been on Lloris at times, with several errors creeping into his displays.

He was criticised for a mistake in the north London Derby and overall Lloris has conceded 2.5 more goals than Opta’s xGOT (expected Goals on Target) metric suggests he should have done.

Martinez is also in negative territory in this area, letting in 0.6 of a goal more than expected.

Most goals prevented* 

*xGOT - goals conceded; min 40 per cent of appearances

There is no question these two highly accomplished 'keepers have the talent and temperament to shine brightly between now and the end of the season.

Their shot-stopping brilliance always makes them potential difference makers. Spurs and Villa certainly look stronger when they are named on the teamsheet.

It will be fascinating to see who shines brightest on their return to domestic matters.

Next: Adrian Clarke on Darwin Nunez

Also in this series

Part 1: Leicester must go back to basics to counter Liverpool threat