INTERNATIONAL EDITIONMonday · 12 October 2026INFORMATION IN DEVELOPMENT
NEWTIMES.NEWS
BREAKING NEWS
Context to understand the world
← Volver a la portada
en · THE GUARDIAN FOOTBALL

The Premier League so far: draws, underperforming xG and other data pointers

Goal averages are crumbling as players take fewer touches in the box and forwards underperform against xG Goals are on the up in the Premier League. The average of 2.70 non-penalty goals per game in 2026-27 is higher than last season and two of the four previous campaigns. Yet we should have been even more royally entertained. Matches have averaged 2.88 non-penalty expected goals, the second most in the past six seasons. Chances have been going to waste. If the 20 teams converted at the par rate

The Premier League so far: draws, underperforming xG and other data pointers
Imagen distribuida por The Guardian Football a través de su feed. Fuente y contexto ampliado al final.

La noticia

Fuente: The Guardian Football · Entradilla del feed; se actualizará con más información editorial.

Goal averages are crumbling as players take fewer touches in the box and forwards underperform against xG Goals are on the up in the Premier League.

The average of 2.70 non-penalty goals per game in 2026-27 is higher than last season and two of the four previous campaigns.

Yet we should have been even more royally entertained.

Matches have averaged 2.88 non-penalty expected goals, the second most in the past six seasons.

Chances have been going to waste.

If the 20 teams converted at the par rate, there would have been almost two extra goals per week.

As few as that sounds, the proportion of games drawn is higher than in any past Premier League season.

Some tied matches might have been settled had the finishing been up to the mark.