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 9 OVERACHIEVERS AND UNDERACHIEVERS

xG OVERACHIEVERS

Gylfi Sigurdsson (+0.94)

Marcos Alonso (+0.90)

Jamie Vardy (+0.88)

xG UNDERACHIEVERS

Raheem Sterling (-1.23)

Tammy Abraham (-0.90)

Anwar El Ghazi (-0.75)

Nicolas Pepe (-0.68)

TEAM UNDER/OVERACHIEVERS

In general, the xG gods were in agreement with the majority of the scorelines for Gameweek 9. The only game where xG had another opinion to the final result was Leicester 2-1 Burnley. Leicester came away with another 3 points to add to their very impressive start to the season, however, Burnley actually trumped their xG 1.80 to 0.83.

In terms of underachievement, Manchester City were unfortunate not to add to their 2 goal tally at Selhurst Park, notching an xG of 4.02. Arsenal will also be very disappointed to leave Sheffield United with nothing having practically matched their opponent’s xG 0.95 (Arsenal) to 0.90 (Sheffield United). Dogged and resilient defending from the underdogs saw them take the 3 points.

GAMEWEEK 9 KEY STATS AND POSITIONS

TOTAL GOAL ATTEMPTS

Defenders – Webster (3)

Midfielders – Walcott (7), McGinn (6)

Forwards – Jesus (8), Maupay, Ings (6)

CHANCES CREATED

Defenders – R.Pereira (5), Digne, Cancelo (4)

Midfielders – Grealish (6), Hudson-Odoi, Gross (5)

Forwards – Jesus, Maupay, King (2)

AVERAGE POSITIONS

Digne in opponent’s half on average, not far behind the position of Bernard.

Anderson were deep and central, positioned inside his own half on average.

Rico very advanced, further forward than Harry Wilson.

Pukki isolated in a very advanced position.

Mount and Hudson-Odoi marginally more advanced than Abraham.

Dan James utilised as a striker alongside Rashford as part of a 3-4-1-2 formation.

OTHER STANDOUT STATS

Team Shots – Aston Villa (24), Man City (21), Brighton (20).

Highest xG – Gabriel Jesus (1.49), Chris Wood (1.48)

Jesus had the best ‘mins per goal attempt in box’ ratio amongst all starting forwards (11.3 mins).

Chambers top amongst defenders for touches in the final third (46). R.Pereira had the most touches in the opposition’s penalty area (8).

Fraser delivered the most crosses out of all players (18).