When it comes to a matchday, football supporters are only concerned about their respective side prevailing against another club, and that is how it should be when VAR continues to threaten to rid emotion from the game. However, that is not to say that the increasing amount of statistics cannot be enjoyed away from the action, and it has become particular interesting where 'expected goals' is concerned. Sometimes, teams can be over-performing in the final third, it making the difference in title bids and relegation battles, but failing to take opportunities can be a bigger pivotal factor.
Punters are blessed with masses of data right now, just like you can access with Expected Goal stats, and it is interesting to discover that half of the teams in the Premier League are currently failing to make the most of their chances in the final third this season. In most cases, a sense of perspective and context is required when looking at the numbers. Take Brighton & Hove Albion, for example, who are currently riding high in sixth position in the standings despite being at +2.07, meaning that they should have scored two more strikes than they actually have. Despite the negative statistic, you will struggle to find a Seagulls fan who is disappointed with their campaign so far, and their negative stat stems from a three-match streak where they failed to find the back of the net.
When fans talk about a lack of goals in the Premier League, Wolverhampton Wanderers will always enter the conversation. Just eight goals have been scored from their 14 matches, and they are a huge 5.71 below their expected goal rate. There is an argument that is higher than anticipated. Wolves have taken many speculative shots from outside the area and converted two spot kicks, and the statistic suggests that they have perhaps received too much criticism with regards to creating chances.
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Wolves have netted just four goals fewer than West Ham United, and the Hammers have the worst expected goals rate in the Premier League at +6.87. To their credit, David Moyes's side have a positive rate when it comes to expected goals conceded at -0.92, and it may make West Ham fans appreciate that they could be lower than their current 15th spot.
Everton are another team who have often failed to impress in front of goal this campaign, scoring just 11 times, and they currently stand at an expected goals rate of +4.45. Dominic Calvert-Lewin's continued injury issues have not helped matters, but Frank Lampard's side are heavily reliant on a defence which has conceded an incredible 8.92 fewer goals than is expected.
Manchester United, Liverpool, Leeds United, Aston Villa, Southampton and Nottingham Forest are the other teams who are seemingly failed to live up to expectations in an attacking sense. While Man United's record is only a marginal under-performance at 0.47, Forest are at -4.29, highlighting that it is not just their leaky defence which must improve if they are to climb outside of the relegation zone.
