Our weekly standout stats article is a pocket-sized statistical bible of everything eyebrow-raising that happened in the previous gameweek. For starters, we’ll shine the spotlight over everyone who over and underperformed their underlying stats. Our eagle-eyed analyst also keeps an eye on player heatmaps, searching for any assets who might be drifting out of their FPL position.

As with most of the content posted on our blog, the aim is to find FPL’s hidden gems. If you read nothing else ahead of next gameweek, read this.

(by the way, the xG Delta stat is the difference between actual goals and expected goals (xG). A high minus figure indicates underachievement and a high plus figure indicates overachievement. Cool.)

GAMEWEEK 18 OVERACHIEVERS AND UNDERACHIEVERS

xG OVERACHIEVERS

Danny Ings (+1.20)

Willian (+1.19)

Jack Stephens (+0.95)

xG UNDERACHIEVERS

David McGoldrick (-1.10)

Teemu Pukki (-0.86)

Shane Long (-0.84)

TEAM UNDER/OVERACHIEVERS

In what was the complete definition of a smash and grab victory, Burnley are awarded the overachievers of the week title. An 89th minute winner from Rodriguez in a game generally lacking quality and final product, saw The Clarets steal a 0-1 away win at Bournemouth despite the two sides matching each other’s xG of just 0.14.

The underachievers of the week were Man United. You already know this because they just lost 2-0 to a Watford side glued to last place in the table, having only previously scored four home goals this season. However, the xG figures will depress United fans further as the xG scoreline read 1.59-1.53, yet the Red Devils lost by two preventable goals.

GAMEWEEK 18 KEY STATS AND POSITIONS

TOTAL GOAL ATTEMPTS

Defenders – Doherty, Alonso, Dunk, Engels (2)

Midfielders – Mahrez (10)

Forwards – Pukki, Deeney (5)

CHANCES CREATED

Defenders – Van Aanholt (5)

Midfielders – Buendia (9)

Forwards – J. Ayew (4)

AVERAGE POSITIONS

Grealish the most advanced Aston Villa player.

Mahrez, De Bruyne, Jesus and Sterling all equally advanced, some considerable distance ahead of the rest of the City team.

Pukki the most advanced player in GW18.

Traore the most advanced Wolves player.

Rashford the most advanced Man United player, with United lacking advanced width on the right-hand side of the pitch yet again.

Fraser the most advanced Bournemouth player.

OTHER STANDOUT STATS

Team Shots – Man City (23)

Highest Player xG – Gabriel Jesus (1.56)

Highest Team xG – Man City (3.59)

Jimenez had the best ‘mins per goal attempt in box’ ratio amongst all starting forwards (22.3 mins).

Alonso top amongst defenders for touches in the final third (37). Doherty had the most touches in the opposition’s penalty area (5).

Moutinho delivered the most crosses out of all players for the second week running (13).