I follow the XG data on Experimental361 to give accurate indicators on where we are. Makes interesting reading after the first 3 games. Leeds are comfortably the best side so far...their expected Goal Difference is +3.4, with the next best Fulham on +2.2. Quite easy to make the case that Leeds are value at 9/4 to win the division.
We currently rank 8th. With XG for of 4.1, and XG against of 3.1, and a net of +1. So we are outperforming on goals scored, but conceded one more than we should have too.
Early days obviously, and this doesn't adjust for quality of opposition, but the signs are encouraging, especially given two of our matches have been away from home.
It will be interesting to see how we go against Forest (XG for 3.9, XG against 2.9) who have a similar expected goal difference to us and went well against Leeds.
Wigan, Luton and Birmingham are adrift at the bottom with XG difference of -2.5,-2.5 and -2.9 respectively.
0
Comments
I think it’s interesting, but I wouldn’t place to much weight on it as an assessment of how we are doing.
Premier League top 3: 1 Man City 2 Liverpool 3 Chelsea
end of season xG stats: 1 Man City 2 Liverpool 3 Chelsea
Championship: 1 Norwich 2 Sheffield United 3 Leeds
xG: 1 Leeds 2 Sheffield United 3 Norwich
xG: 1 Luton 2 Barnsley 3 Pompey
There is certainly more to it than useless statistics.
Also the following via @markohaire on twitter
If you also look at 'xG from open play' and 'shots in the box'...
The top-three teams in the league filled 30 of the available 36 data slots – 5 more were filled by Pompey and Mansfield, who finished 4th.
Colchester - finished 8th - were the only team to finish below 4th in the league and take a top-three data position.
I'll take Lancashire Lads player marks thread over that all day.
However, it seems as if a little too much of it is "after-the-fact" data that seems obsolete except for talking in hindsight. Meh. Whatever. All that really matters, of course, is the actual Gs.
If in our next 10 matches we get into a load of excellent scoring positions and get shots in on goal. whilst at the other end we stop the opposition from getting a sniff at goal, they will have us top of the table.
Mind you if that happens and we are top, it won't be hard to predict that we should be top. Wibble.
Don't get me started on fielding metrics in cricket.
Who decides the ranking of each particular shot? One person may think an effort is an expected goal and another may have it at 50% chance of goal.
The updated table sees that we should be sitting 10th, so still seemingly overachieving at this stage. But as alluded to above we seem to be finding something extra in terms of being very clinical, and reaching very strong positions in play.
Leeds still way out ahead on top. Should be 5 from 5, and 4 points clear. That 9/4 for the title is now long gone a best priced 5/4 and as short as 5/6 in a place!
Are we overachieving? Or just underrated?
Not a fan and not sure if it tells you anything accurately...
xG cannot predict every score every time but over a long period, it will get it right.
Nothing more, nothing less.