Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Andrew Beasley

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

James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur reacts during the game with Aston Villa
Only two teams in the top flight have scored fewer goals than expected this season than James Maddison’s Spurs. Photograph: Alex Pantling/Getty Images

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.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.