Hugo Lloris vs. Joe Hart: Complete Statistical Breakdown of the Keeper Battle

When Tottenham face Manchester City, the focus could fall on their diminutive playmakers. David Silva and Christian Eriksen have both had quietly excellent seasons for their clubs and have each been among the Premier League's best in their role. 

Perhaps the under-achieving Belgian defenders are the key men. Jan Vertonghen and Vincent Kompany were named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2012-13 and 2013-14 respectively and are long-term international teammates but this season has been a significant disappointment for both. 

Behind their misfiring centre-backs though, both Spurs and City have the benefit of excellent goalkeepers. 

Hugo Lloris, the France captain and unquestionably Spurs' best player faces his opposite number Joe Hart, the England custodian enjoying a quietly impressive season in Manchester. 

The two keepers are very different. Hart is much bigger, with eight centimetres and 18 kilograms on the Frenchman. Hart lives on confidence and is at his best when the team is playing well. If City struggle, so does Hart. 

Lloris is the opposite. A sprinter, he practically dares opposition attackers to beat him to a loose ball and he thrives regardless of how well his team is playing. 

Twelve months ago, rumours abounded that the two keepers would swap teams over the summer. 

Hart, having been dropped early in that campaign, reclaimed his place and restored his reputation with a strong end to the season. 

By the end of that campaign, Lloris' second in England, the Frenchman had established himself as one of the finest goalkeepers in the division. Despite playing for an objectively inferior side with an exceptionally weak defence, Lloris ended the season with more clean sheets (14 to 13) and saves (103 to 71) than Hart. 

Hart played six fewer matches which probably accounts for the clean-sheet disparity but Lloris still averaged almost one save more per game than the Englishman. 

Jon Super/Associated Press

Lloris' saves-to-clean-sheets ratio certainly backs up the impression that he was playing behind a weaker defence than Hart who blanked opponents despite doing less of the dirty work. 

This season, that gap has become even more pronounced. Hart has made just 68 saves (2.1 per game) to Lloris' 96 (3.0 per game). Despite Lloris getting through a massive amount of work, he has accrued just six clean sheets while Hart has collected nearly double (11). 

Tottenham's goalkeeper has the best save percentage in the Premier League at 81.8 percent. This is a remarkable record. It gives Spurs a huge advantage to know that when Lloris is exposed, which is very often, they have an excellent chance of keeping the opposition at bay.  

WhoScored rates Lloris as the superior performer in this season but it is closer than expected. The Spurs man edges out Hart 6.87 to 6.63 in their statistical analysis. It is no surprise that they rate Hart twice as strong as Lloris in aerial challenges. Hart's physical dimensions give him an obvious advantage in those situations. 

Transfermarkt values Lloris 40 percent higher than Hart. As ever, the valuations at Transfermarkt are surprisingly low but having applied the same methodology to both players, the comparison is valid. 

Statistics have limited value in comparing footballers. The game is far too fluid for the numbers to ultimately determine the difference between players of different styles playing for teams of vastly different means. 

In all likelihood, the statistical difference between these two players would be exponentially more pronounced if they were to swap teams. 

Hart would be forced to deal with Spurs' inept defence and lack of physical presence in midfield while Lloris would be well-protected and probably have little trouble shattering his own clean-sheets record.

Of course, such a trade is unlikely to take place this summer (or anytime) but if Spurs fail to reach the Champions League, there is a chance that we will have the opportunity to see Lloris playing for a stronger side.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has denied rumours that Lloris will seek an exit this summer but, given his position as one of the world's pre-eminent goalkeepers, he could be forgiven for becoming frustrated with Spurs' lack of progress. 

Lloris probably won't leave this summer but the examples of Luka Modric and Gareth Bale are permanent reminders that brilliant players won't stay at Spurs forever without sufficient reward.

Lloris' brilliance certainly warrants that.