This Premium Members article explores the expected goals (xG) data from the season so far.
Firstly, we’ll assess each side from an attacking and defensive perspective.
Then, we’ll also discover the leading players for expected goal involvement (xGI), as well as the best and worst finishers.
TEAMS
EXPECTED GOALS (xG) – GAMEWEEK 1-7
| Team | xG | Goals scored | xG delta | Season Ticker rank (GW1-7) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tottenham Hotspur | 15.03 | 14 | -1.03 | 16th |
| Chelsea | 14.65 | 16 | +1.35 | 3rd |
| Liverpool | 14.03 | 13 | -1.03 | 1st |
| Manchester City | 13.94 | 17 | +3.06 | 18th |
| Arsenal | 13.09 | 15 | +1.91 | 14th |
| Bournemouth | 12.24 | 8 | -4.24 | 5th |
| Brentford | 11.30 | 13 | +1.70 | 19th |
| Manchester United | 11.11 | 5 | -6.11 | 9th |
| West Ham United | 10.96 | 10 | -0.96 | 10th |
| Fulham | 10.93 | 10 | -0.93 | 7th |
| Brighton and Hove Albion | 10.81 | 13 | +2.19 | 17th |
| Newcastle United | 10.46 | 8 | -2.46 | 8th |
| Aston Villa | 10.03 | 12 | +1.97 | 2nd |
| Southampton | 8.34 | 4 | -4.34 | 13th |
| Nottingham Forest | 8.32 | 7 | -1.32 | 11th |
| Crystal Palace | 8.21 | 5 | -3.21 | 6th |
| Everton | 7.00 | 7 | 0.00 | 4th |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 6.61 | 9 | +2.39 | 20th |
| Leicester City | 5.10 | 9 | +3.90 | 15th |
| Ipswich Town | 5.06 | 6 | +0.94 | 12th |
Tottenham Hotspur have the highest xG total in Gameweeks 1-7.
They haven’t been clinical enough, underperforming their xG by 1.03, but deserve credit for creating so many chances given their tricky start to the season:
Spurs’ attacking process is fine, then, they just need to learn how to manage games better.
Chelsea are as high as second, meanwhile.
The Blues’ opening day defeat to Manchester City remains their only loss. Two home draws against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest really should have been wins, given the xG difference in both matches:
As for Liverpool, they are the only team to post a superior xG tally in every match this season. They have benefitted from the easiest start, however, at least according to our Season Ticker.
Perhaps the biggest story here is Manchester United.
Their inability to finish chances is a concern. The Red Devils have scored over six fewer goals than expected given the quality of chances they have created.
United’s shot conversion rate in the Premier League this season is just 5.6%. Only Crystal Palace (5.4%) and Southampton (5.3%) have worse averages.
At the foot of the table, newly promoted Ipswich Town and Leicester City, plus Wolverhampton Wanderers, occupy the bottom three.
EXPECTED GOALS CONCEDED (xGC) – GAMEWEEK 1-7
LAST CHANCE TO VOTE FOR US AT THE FOOTBALL CONTENT AWARDS – THE DEADLINE IS TONIGHT!
DETAILS OF HOW TO VOTE HERE
GO STRAIGHT TO THE VOTING PAGE HERE
5 months, 24 days agoThink I'll bench Saka and play Dibling if he's out, Palmer's fixtures are tough and I don't fancy Foden yet