Sun Oct 05 15:00:00 UTC 2025: **Premier League Season Sees Mixed Results in Expected Goals Performance**
**London, UK** – As the seventh edition of The Alternative Premier League Table is released, analyst Anantaajith Raghuraman delves into the performance of each team, this time analyzing expected goals (xG) to evaluate how teams are performing against this metric. Six games into the 2025-26 season, key takeaways emerge regarding over and underperformance in front of goal.
Manchester United, now under Ruben Amorim, are creating higher quality chances (2.1 xG per match) compared to last season. Despite a league-high number of shots, a lack of conviction in the final third and poor luck have affected their goal tally.
Tottenham Hotspur have built upon their strong xG performance from last season. With key creators Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison out injured, there are concerns about their sustainability.
Promoted side Burnley have surprised by overperforming their xG. While prioritizing quality over quantity, they have efficiently converted their limited chances. Brentford have also impressed with their high average shot quality (0.156xG per shot), utilizing a direct approach under Keith Andrews. Brighton, known for underperforming their xG, have returned to this trend after briefly bucking it last season.
Crystal Palace are creating first-time shooting opportunities, although they have missed their big chances so far. Bournemouth’s goals have come from converting low-quality opportunities, while Leeds have performed largely as expected in xG, but there are some concerns that they rely too much on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
West Ham sacked their manager despite their goal tally matching the xG, but that’s not saying much, as they sit 19th. They have struggled to produce high-quality opportunities. Nottingham Forest have underperformed (five goals from 6.5 xG), with their conversion rate being third-worst in the league.
Newcastle United and Aston Villa are the league’s joint-lowest scorers with 0.08 xG per shot. Everton’s set-piece proficiency has been a significant threat. Meanwhile, Fulham fall in the middle of the pack in terms of shot quality and conversion rate.
Arsenal excel at set pieces, though they still need to improve open-play creativity. Chelsea, too, have become threatening from set pieces, and are improving their finishing, while the open play opportunities remain less impressive. Manchester City’s xG is the second lowest they have managed since 2018-19 (9.7 in 2020-21 is the lowest).
Liverpool, despite leading the league, are experiencing their first wobble, with the attackers Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah performing well.
First Piper 