Heaton or Pickford, who is the real competitor for England’s goalkeeper spot?

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The Burnley and Sunderland men are currently behind Joe Hart in the England pecking order.

Friday evening sees England taking on Scotland in their latest World Cup qualifying fixture.

They head into the game with a number of questions over the current squad and the team that Gareth Southgate should choose.

England’s Joe Hart

The goalkeeper position, in particular, is one that is hotly debated, with Joe Hart coming in for scrutiny after his performances at Euro 2016.

His current competitors are Burnley’s Tom Heaton and Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford, who have both impressed for their clubs.

So how do they compare so far this season? We have taken a look at their stats so far this season to find out.

As it turns out it is Heaton who is top, coming out on top in five of the eight areas analysed.

On a per game basis, he has registered more saves, 5.4 compared to 4.6 but Pickford is better at claiming high balls and is yet to fail to claim a cross.

Heaton’s distribution has been better with a higher accurate goal kick tally, 3.7 compared to 3.6 and more accurate throws, 3.1 compared to 2.7.

Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford celebrates after Patrick van Aanholt scores their first goal

He has also managed more accurate passes per game than the Sunderland man, 13.3 per game compared to 11.8, although Pickford has proven to be the better sweeper keeper of the two.

In terms of goals conceded it is the Burnley stopper who comes out on top having let in 15 this season compared to Pickford’s tally of 17.

Overall a win for Heaton, who on this evidence is Joe Hart’s closest competitor for the England number one spot at this moment in time.

Burnley’s Tom Heaton gestures