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 12 OVERACHIEVERS AND UNDERACHIEVERS

xG OVERACHIEVERS

George Baldock (+0.96)

Bernardo Silva (+0.95)

Fabinho (+0.95)

Trezeguet (+0.91)

xG UNDERACHIEVERS

Alexandre Lacazette (-0.81)

Ryan Fraser (-0.80)

Diogo Jota (-0.77)

TEAM UNDER/OVERACHIEVERS

To add to Manchester City’s VAR frustrations following a 3-1 defeat against title rivals Liverpool at Anfield, the xG figures suggest they were unfortunate to walk away pointless. City actually slightly trumped the Red’s xG 1.48 to 1.33, yet scored 2 goals fewer and saw the gap between the 2 clubs rise to 9 points. Nobody show this stat to Pep: I fear Sunday’s events may have already sent him to the cliff edge of clinical insanity.

Gameweek 12 saw no massive standout xG team underachievements, however, Chelsea perhaps could have added to their goal tally. The Blues were 2-0 victors over Crystal Palace, but their xG of 3.29 suggests that they should have scored at least once more. Promising signs for our Chelsea attackers.

GAMEWEEK 12 KEY STATS AND POSITIONS

TOTAL GOAL ATTEMPTS

Defenders – Lundstram, Walker, Willems, Mina (4)

Midfielders – Son (7), Pulisic (6)

Forwards – Rashford (7)

CHANCES CREATED

Defenders – Digne (4)

Midfielders – Willian, Martial, McNeil (4)

Forwards – Jimenez, McGoldrick (4)

AVERAGE POSITIONS

Lundstram the most advanced Sheffield United player (!!!).

Hernandez the most advanced Norwich player (the first time anyone has been more advanced than Pukki all season).

Wood further forward than Barnes.

Fraser more advanced than Harry Wilson, with Callum Wilson the most advanced Bournemouth player.

Ndombele almost as advanced as Kane and Son.

Arsenal’s frontline very narrow and generally lacking attacking width with Kolasinac pushed back.

Connolly the most advanced Brighton player.

Salah the most advanced Liverpool player, with Henderson the second furthest forward pushing forward into right-wing-like positions.

De Bruyne the most advanced Man City player.

OTHER STANDOUT STATS

Team Shots – Everton (24), Chelsea (23)

Highest Player xG – Marcus Rashford (1.71)

Highest Team xG – Manchester United (3.65)

Rashford, Jimenez and Wood had the best ‘mins per goal attempt in box’ ratios amongst all starting forwards (all 17.8 mins).

R. Pereira top amongst defenders for touches in the final third (39). Doherty had the most touches in the opposition’s penalty area (8).

Digne delivered the most crosses out of all players (14).