<?php /* This code filters the Categories archive widget to include the post count inside the link */
add_filter('wp_list_categories', 'cat_count_span');
function cat_count_span($links) {
$links = str_replace('</a> (', ' (', $links);
$links = str_replace(')', ')</a>', $links);
return $links;
}
/* This code filters the Archive widget to include the post count inside the link */
add_filter('get_archives_link', 'archive_count_span');
function archive_count_span($links) {
$links = str_replace('</a>&nbsp;(', ' (', $links);
$links = str_replace(')', ')</a>', $links);
return $links;
}?>

https://gist.github.com/BronsonQuick/2692275

Genius stuff right here from https://gist.github.com/BronsonQuick

Move the posts count inside the link of the Archive and Category widgets of WordPress

wordpress

PHP