SoccerOct 9
Premier League Rerank Shows Arsenal Dip and Brentford, Leeds Gains
After the international break and amid off-field developments, updated rankings place emphasis on limited shifts in expected goals for one contender alongside strong underlying numbers for two others.
· 2 min read
On this page3 sections
Arsenal's Attack Holds Steady but Depth Concerns Linger
Arsenal averaged 1.5 non-penalty expected goals per match this season after posting 1.6 last season while conceding 0.7 in both campaigns. Extrapolating the minor offensive decline across a full schedule points to 3.8 fewer goals scored. The side created strong numbers on the road in Europe yet sits ninth in set-piece expected goals created so far. New additions have yet to fully integrate while key attackers face ongoing availability questions.
Brentford Maintains Position Through Identity and Metrics
Brentford sit fourth after five matches with the second-best expected goals differential at plus-3.6. The side posted 3-0 wins against two opponents and three straight draws while generating the third-best goal differential overall. Vitaly Janelt recorded 16 interceptions and 17 successful tackles. Mamadou Sangare posted 25 ground duels won and 14 tackles won. Kristoffer Ajer won 69.0 percent of 29 aerial attempts. Kevin Schade tallied three goals from 21 one-on-one attempts and Igor Thiago generated 3.2 expected goals from 13 shot attempts. The team ranks among the most direct in the league by pass distance and line-breaking attempts.
Leeds Extend Strong Form Over Extended Span
Since Dec. 1 of last season across 30 matchdays, Leeds collected 45 points, trailing only Manchester City with 68, Arsenal with 67, Manchester United with 55 and Liverpool with 48. The side ranks sixth in goal differential at plus-9 and eighth in expected goals differential at plus-3.5. Opponents posted 6.5 expected goals against Leeds yet scored three times in that window. The team ranks 10th in passes allowed per defensive action at 11.9 while forcing the sixth-most high turnovers at 54. Average pass distance stands at 20.1 meters, fifth-longest in the league, with 204 aerial duels attempted, second-most overall. Leeds won the second-most ground duels at 193 with a 53.0 percent success rate.
Analysis, not a wagering instruction. Confirm every number on the sportsbook. 21+.
