In the first of a two-part series for members, we analyse the team statistics over the last four Gameweeks. With the focus on attacking intent, we assess the key data available in our members section and also single out some of the most impressive individuals over the featured period:
Team Stats – Attacking – Per Match Averages – Last Four Gameweeks
| Team | Goals | On Target | Off Target | Pen Box Att | Big Chances | Shot Accuracy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City | 1.7 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 11.7 | 3.3 | 53.3 | |
| Chelsea | 1.3 | 7.3 | 6.7 | 12.0 | 2.7 | 52.4 | |
| Southampton | 1.5 | 6.8 | 6.2 | 8.2 | 2.2 | 51.9 | |
| Manchester United | 2.0 | 6.3 | 5.7 | 9.3 | 1.3 | 52.8 | |
| Queens Park Rangers | 2.2 | 5.8 | 6.0 | 7.8 | 2.2 | 48.9 | |
| Everton | 2.0 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 9.3 | 2.3 | 48.6 | |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 1.5 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 6.8 | 1.8 | 50 | |
| Liverpool | 2.5 | 5.2 | 3.5 | 8.5 | 3.0 | 60 | |
| Arsenal | 2.3 | 4.7 | 6.0 | 11.0 | 1.3 | 43.8 | |
| West Bromwich Albion | 0.8 | 4.5 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 0.5 | 46.2 | |
| West Ham United | 1.3 | 4.3 | 5.3 | 7.7 | 0.7 | 44.8 | |
| Wigan Athletic | 1.0 | 4.0 | 5.7 | 8.7 | 1.7 | 41.4 | |
| Sunderland | 1.0 | 3.5 | 5.8 | 6.0 | 1.5 | 37.8 | |
| Fulham | 2.0 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 45.5 | |
| Aston Villa | 1.5 | 3.2 | 6.0 | 7.2 | 2.2 | 35.1 | |
| Newcastle United | 0.8 | 3.0 | 6.2 | 5.5 | 1.2 | 32.4 | |
| Swansea City | 0.8 | 2.5 | 6.2 | 7.8 | 1.5 | 28.6 | |
| Reading | 0.8 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 0.8 | 35.7 | |
| Stoke City | 0.2 | 2.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 1.0 | 31.3 | |
| Norwich City | 0.2 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 21.4 |
Somewhat surprisingly, it’s defending champions City who have shown the most attacking promise over the previous four Gameweeks. Roberto Mancini’s men played three times over this period but aside from last weekend’s 4-0 home hammering of injury-hit Newcastle, have failed to prosper in front of goal, finding the net just once over games against Villa and Everton. Nevertheless, City have had more shots on target per game (7.7) than any other side and, crucially, have registered more “big chances” (a situation where a player should reasonably be expected to score usually in a one-on-one scenario or from very close range) than any other side. Their average of 3.3 edges Liverpool (3.0) into second spot and is good news for owners of Carlos Tevez or Sergio Aguero – clearly, Mancini’s side are still producing chances aplenty, with an average 11.7 shots inside the box second best of any side over the last four. David Silva has been key for City in recent matches – he’s created more chances (15) than any player in the league across the featured period. . In terms of total attempts over the period, Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko are fourth and fifth with 16 and 14 respectively, though the Argentine has offered far less threat from close range – only five of his shots have been inside the area compared to Dzeko’s 12.
Chelsea have also impressed going forward. Despite (or because of) the rest and rotation policy, Rafa Benitez’s side have registered 7.3 shots on target per game and are top for penalty box attempts, with an average of 12 just eclipsing City. Having played three times on the last four Gameweeks, then, Chelsea have had 36 shots inside the box and scored just four times – highlighting their inability to finish off the multitude of opportunities they have been creating; Juan Mata, for example, provided eight key passes over two appearances yet picked up just one assist. Benitez’s side are third for “big chances” with 2.7 per game – while they’ve faltered in front of goal, averaging 1.3 goals per game, it’s reassuring for their owners that they have, at least, still been creating plenty.
Sitting in third spot in our rankings with 6.8 shots on target per game, Southampton’s attacking potential has harvested back-to-back wins over Liverpool and Chelsea in recent matches. Although they’ve registered almost a third less shots in the box than Chelsea (8.2 versus 12 per game), Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been more accurate than any other with their shooting – 40.9% of the Saints efforts over their last four games have been on target. Although Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez have both scored twice over the period, it’s the latter who has offered the greater threat, producing 11 shots on target to Lambert’s four – indeed, Rodriguez’s tally here is more than any forward over the four Gameweeks.
United sit in fourth with 6.3 shots on target per game over their three matches. Despite an average two goals per game, however, the league leaders have failed to impress in terms of “big chances” – a mere 1.3 per game is more than half Chelsea’s tally and far inferior to City’s 3.3 and perhaps goes some way to explaining Robin Van Persie’s goal drought. The Dutchman, nevertheless, has managed seven shots on target over United’s three fixtures without scoring. Intriguingly, Everton have mirrored United for both goals per game (two) and average penalty box attempts (9.3), highlighting the form that has helped them register three successive wins.
Harry Redknapp’s QPR have averaged 2.2 goals per game over their last four. Impressively, the R’s have been consistent up top, scoring twice on three occasions in addition to putting three past Sunderland. An average 7.8 penalty box attempts per game is on a par with Swansea (7.8) and West Ham (7.7) but while the R’s have been finding the net with regularity, the latter two have averaged 0.8 and 1.3 goals per game respectively. Loic Remy’s displays have been key; the Frenchman has scored three times from six shots on target.
Liverpool and Tottenham have both registered 5.2 shots on target per game but while the north London side edge it for shot accuracy by 40.4% to 39.6%, the Merseysiders have been far more threatening. Brendan Rodgers’ side have averaged three “big chances” over their four fixtures – second only to City – with Spurs producing 1.8 per game by comparison. As a result, Liverpool have scored 2.5 goals per game, with four against Wigan and three against Andre Villas-Boas’ side in Gameweek 29 the highlights. A comparison of both teams’ main attackers over the four matches is interesting. Luis Suarez has bettered Gareth Bale for shots on target (10 to eight), accuracy (58.8% to 40%) and goal conversion (23.5% to 10%), though Bale’s total of 20 shots is double all but two midfielders – Michu and Frank Lampard, with 15 and 11 respectively – over the time frame.
Arsenal’s 2.3 goals per game is second only to Liverpool here but more promisingly for the Gunners is that only 26.4% of their shots have been on target. If Arsene Wenger’s side can find a little more accuracy, they could be racking up the goals – Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott produced 26 shots and just two goals between them over the last three league fixtures, with the former pair managing 10 shots apiece. Crucially, Arsenal are third for attempts inside the box, with 11 per game highlighting their attacking potential ahead of the double Gameweek 33.
Roberto Martinez’s Wigan also have cause for optimism. Despite averaging just one goal per game over their last three fixtures, the Latics have won twice and have created chances aplenty – 8.7 penalty box attempts is not far off United (9.3) and is better than Liverpool (8.5) and Tottenham, while 1.7 “big chances” per game is more or less on a par with the latter (1.8). Three players stand out in particular as the Latics attempt their annual survival bid. Jean Beausejour leads the way with chances created (nine), Arouna Kone has the most shots (11) and shots in the box (seven), while Shaun Maloney offers a bit of everything; seven chances created and four shots on target is more than Kone on both counts.
Further down the standings, Villa and Fulham stand out as anomalies. In terms of penalty box attempts, Martin Jol’s side fare third worst here (5.0 is inferior to Stoke’s 5.5, for example) and despite a lowly average of just 3.3 shots on target, have scored two goals per game. As expected, this is down to Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian has scored four times from just eight attempts but a conversion rate of 50% is impossible to maintain, though, with his seasonal average 20.6% more in line with what to expect. Berbatov’s recent scoring form has attracted significant new owners ahead of the double Gameweek 33 but Jol’s side will surely need to create far more chances in order for him to have any chance of maintaining the same pace.
Villa have perhaps a little more reason for optimism. Paul Lambert’s side have created 2.2 “big chances” per game – only four clubs (City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Everton) have surpassed this figure but a lowly shot accuracy of 25% has proven costly. Christian Benteke’s 11 penalty box attempts is fourth best over the period, while the Belgian and Andreas Weimann have both impressed in terms of minutes per attempt, with 27.1 and 29.5 respectively. Gabby Agbonlahor has also impressed – a 28.6% conversion rate is second only to Berbatov for regular starters over the period, with Benteke also featuring highly with 21.4%.
Elsewhere, there’s an obvious cause for concern at Reading, Stoke and Norwich. The Canaries, in particular, have been dire going forward – right across the main categories, they are bottom of the pile. A mere 0.5 “big chances” created per game, with 1.5 shots in the box, 0.8 on target and a 13.6% accuracy, it’s little wonder they have already snapped up a new striker ahead of next season. The only crumb of comfort for both Norwich and Stoke is that they are both 11 points clear of the Royals and QPR but with Villa and Wigan just four points behind, the former pair will be worried, with neither offering any evidence to suggest they are capable of finding the attacking form to boost their respective bids for survival.
