Barclays Golden Glove race a five-way affair

[davieG]

Kasper Schmeichel, Joe Hart, Petr Cech, David De Gea and Hugo Lloris vying for BPL award

Here are the five contenders in the race for the Barclays Golden Glove

The race for the Barclays Premier League title may have been won by Leicester City but there is still plenty to play for in the remaining fixtures, with five of the division's leading goalkeepers embroiled in a closely contested battle for the Barclays Golden Glove.

The Barclays Golden Glove is awarded to the keeper who attains the most clean sheets during the course of the season and Leicester's Kasper Schmeichel has surged into contention for the prize.

Proving invaluable for the Foxes during their successful title-run-in, Schmeichel is joint-top of the standings after rattling off seven clean sheets in his last 10 BPL appearances.

The 29-year-old has been ever-present in Claudio Ranieri's side over 36 matches and despite clinching the title, Schmeichel will be determined to add to his clean-sheet haul of 15 when facing Everton, at home on Saturday, and then Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Kasper Schmeichel has kept seven clean sheets in his last 10 BPL matches

The Foxes secured six points in the reverse of those fixtures earlier in the season but on both occasions conceded.

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart is also on 15 clean sheets but keeping out Arsenal in their battle for a top-three place at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday will prove a tall order.

The Gunners prevailed 2-1 at home against Man City in December when Petr Cech was denied a clean sheet by a wonderful late strike by Yaya Toure.

The Czech international, who boasts the most clean sheets in BPL history with 177 shutouts for Chelsea and Arsenal, also lies level with Hart and Schmeichel on 15 and will be keen to boost his chances of joining Hart as a four-time winner of the Barclays Golden Glove. After the trip to City, his final chance to extend his haul, if selected, comes against Aston Villa on the final day of the season.

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  Arsenal's Petr Cech has kept 15 clean sheets in just 32 BPL appearances

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  With a match in hand David De Gea could win his first Barclays Golden Glove

 

 

Behind this trio of leading candidates Manchester United's influential shot-stopper, David De Gea, looms large. The Spain international is on 14 clean sheets but could yet surpass all of his rivals as he has a match in hand.

With Louis van Gaal's team aiming to land UEFA Champions League qualification with forthcoming fixtures against Norwich City, West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth, De Gea could yet land a first Barclays Golden Glove.

Earlier in the campaign, De Gea kept out West Ham but could not prevent Norwich or AFC Bournemouth from scoring.

Tottenham Hotspur's 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Monday evening may have ended their title dream but Hugo Lloris, the Spurs captain, can take comfort from 13 clean sheets in an impressive personal campaign.

Remaining fixtures against Southampton and Newcastle United will be crucial in Spurs' final league position and should they prevent both sides from scoring, Lloris could yet draw level at the top of the 'Golden Glove' standings.

Race for the Barclays Golden Glove Goalkeeper Clean sheets Fixtures

 

Kasper Schmeichel 15 EVE (H), CHE (A)

 

Joe Hart 15 ARS (H), SWA (A)

 

Petr Cech 15 MCI (A), AVL (H)

 

David De Gea 14 NOR (A), WHU (A), BOU (H)

 

Hugo Lloris 13 SOU (H), NEW (A)