xG For, Top 5 Best and Worst Teams so far
As we sail past Week 2 of the Premier League season, the early xG numbers are in, and they’re already stirring the pot! This week’s stats are a tale of two cities—or rather, five. On one end, you’ve got the relentless Liverpool, who seem to have found their shooting boots in the early going, while at the other end, poor Ipswich City is left wondering if they accidentally signed up for a goal-scoring drought.
Let’s start with the good news—Liverpool fans, you’re in for a treat. A 5.1 xG after Week 2 isn’t just impressive; it’s downright frightening for the rest of the league. Arne Slot’s new system is looking like a well-oiled machine ready to take the season by storm. Manchester City isn’t far behind, but it’s clear Liverpool’s attack is packing some serious heat, ready to roast any defense that dares to stand in their way.
But then there’s the flip side—the grim reality facing the likes of Ipswich City, Everton, and Leicester City. Ipswich’s 0.7 xG is like a cry for help. I guess playing Liverpool and Manchester City to start only had one outcome. Everton and Leicester don’t fare much better. They’re finding chances as elusive as an open seat on the London Underground during rush hour. Frankly, it’s a bit worrying if you’re a fan of these clubs, especially Everton.
And what about the surprise packages? Nottingham Forest popping up in the top five is a bit of an eyebrow-raiser. Can they keep this momentum going, or will the early-season energy fizzle out as the competition heats up? The flip side for Newcastle and Southampton is a bit less glamorous, with both clubs needing to dig deep if they want to avoid getting stuck in the mud of mid-table mediocrity and relegation.
xG Against Best & Worst Teams
As the dust settles after Week 2 of the Premier League, the defensive titans and shaky fortresses have begun to emerge. The expected goals against (xG against) metric doesn’t just tell us who’s been keeping it tight at the back; it reveals which teams have their fans biting their nails every time the opposition crosses the halfway line.
On one end of the spectrum, Liverpool seems to have rediscovered their defensive mojo, with an xG against so low it’s practically subterranean. Slot’s men have clearly locked up shop and thrown away the key. Keeping the ball at the rate they have is turning out to be incredible for the Reds. Not far behind, Manchester City continues to show why they’re the reigning champions. Their defensive solidity is like an impenetrable force field—few teams can even dream of breaching it.
But let’s not overlook Nottingham Forest, who, against all odds, are showing the grit of a seasoned Premier League side. They’ve turned their defensive line into a wall that most teams would struggle to get a ball through, let alone a goal. Arsenal and Brighton round out the top five, reminding us that artful defending isn’t just about standing in the way—it’s about orchestrating a well-tuned symphony of blocks, interceptions, and tackles.
However, the other end of the xG spectrum paints a different picture—one of heartache and defensive frailty. Ipswich Town, bless their cotton socks, are probably ready to stop playing teams at the top of the Premier League. Newcastle United, once the darlings of defensive prowess, now appear to have misplaced their map back to St. James’ Fortress. Everton, Brentford, and West Ham are not faring much better, each of them leaking chances at an alarming rate. It’s early days, but alarm bells might be starting to ring.
The early xG against numbers tell a story of defensive discipline—or lack thereof. For the teams on the wrong side of this metric, there’s work to be done. The Premier League is unforgiving, and if these sides don’t tighten up soon, it could be a long, painful season ahead. As for the top performers, the challenge will be to maintain this early momentum and turn defensive solidity into something more tangible: points on the board.