Cesar Azpilicueta has been at Chelsea since 2012, and as we know has won the lot! While Adam Smith’s medal collection is not quite so impressive in the 10 seasons he has spent on the South Coast, the 32-year-old has flourished during the best times in Bournemouth’s history, which has included two promotions to the Premier League and a sustained spell at England’s top table.

Multitude of roles

Looking at the pair’s respective league campaigns up until this point, both have most commonly been used at right-back. They offer versatility too, though, with Smith sometimes deployed at left-back or centre-back in a four, and Azpi occasionally found at right wing-back or on the right of a three.

Our skipper has 21 league appearances to his name, eight as a sub. Smith has started 31 of Bournemouth’s 34 league games and accumulated almost twice as many minutes as Azpilicueta, so the figures that follow are mostly per-game averages.

Tough to pass

Let’s start with the defensive side of the game, where both players excel. Azpilicueta is fractionally ahead in terms of average interceptions (0.8 to 0.6 a game), tackles (1.5 to 1.4), tackle success rate (61 per cent to 59 per cent), and duels won (3.2 to 3.1), while they are level pegging for clearances (two a game).

Where our man does noticeably better is in not being beaten by an opponent. Azpilicueta is dribbled past on average just 0.3 times a game, very infrequently, whereas for Smith it is more often at 0.9 times a game.

Right-backs in attack

When it comes to what they offer going forward, Azpilicueta has proven more threatening, but it should probably be noted his figures are likely aided by the fact he has been used as a right wing-back on three occasions, so has spent more time higher up the pitch than his counterpart.

The Spaniard averages 51 touches a game to Smith’s 43, and ranks higher for completed passes (30 to 20) and pass accuracy (83 per cent to 75 per cent).

Azpi has created four big chances this term, to Smith’s two, although the latter does have an assist to his name from an xA (expected assist) rating of 1.35. Azpilicueta’s is 1.09, and the stats show they more or less play the same number of key passes each match (0.5 for Azpi to 0.4 for Smith).

Though they will most likely be doing their work on opposite flanks this weekend, both Frank Lampard and Gary O’Neil can be certain of the discipline, diligence and defensive solidity Azpilicueta and Smith will offer at the Vitality Stadium.