Premier League 2018/19: Ranking the top ten attacking teams on the basis of expected goals

The 2018/19 edition of England's top league has kicked off with usual pomp: pleasant surprises from newly-promoted sides (read: Wolves) and bad runs from big clubs (read: Manchester United).

The title race couldn't get any more exciting eight games in, with three teams - Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea- at joint top of the table going into the international break.

So far, the sides with the most goals in the season are reigning champions Manchester City and London clubs Chelsea and Arsenal.

Goals have been one of the deciding factors when it comes to a team's performance in the league. This is where the statistic expected goals (xG) comes into the picture.

Every shot taken in a match is analysed and given an xG value depending on the difficulty of the said shot.

The xG determines the probability of a shot that will end up as a goal.

The higher the team's xG figure than actual goals scored, it will be because the team is wasteful in finishing an effort or that the opposition goalkeeper is in-form or both. On the other hand, if a team is scoring more than its xG then it is because of a goalkeeping error or an attacker's individual heroics.

This value can also help determine whether a team has played good attacking football.

Here, we take a look at top ten attacking teams in the Premier League based on the expected goal value from Understat:

10. Arsenal

The North London outfit has an expected goal value of 10.41 with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang leading in individual goal value with 13.83 and 9.17 respectively.

Arsenal are back in the title race following their ninth consecutive win in all competitions.

Their 5-1 demolition of Fulham has taken them to 4th place in the Premier League table.

Fulham FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League

9. Watford

Watford has a team expected goal value of 10.55 with Troy Deeney as the players with top individual expected goal value of 2.57.

Watford currently stands at ninth place in the Premier League table with 13 points.

Watford FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League

8. Southampton

The Saints have an expected goal value of 10.61 goals with Danny Ings as the club's top expected goal scorer at 4.63.

Southampton currently sit in the bottom half of the table at 16th place with 5 points.

7. Wolverhampton Wanderers

The newly-promoted Wolves have an expected goal value of 11.06 goals with Raul Jimenez as the player with the highest expected goal value at 3.30.

The Wolves currently sit at 7th place in the Premier league table with 15 points.

Crystal Palace v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League

6. Manchester United

Manchester United has an overall expected goal value of 12.83 with Ander Herrera as the player with the highest expected goal value at 3.91.

United have had their worst start to a campaign in 29 years - the slowest in England’s top flight since 1989-90.

Their 3-2 victory against Newcastle United at Old Trafford has taken them to 8th place in the league table with 13 points.

Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League

5. Tottenham Hotspur

The Spurs have an expected goal value of 14.79 with Harry Kane being the player with the highest value at 5.22.

Mauricio Pochettino's side currently sits at 5th place in the league table with 18 points.

4. Chelsea

The Blues have an expected goal value of 15.72 with Eden Hazard being the player with the highest value at 3.79.

Chelsea currently sit at 2nd place with 20 points, a joint top of the table position with Manchester City and Liverpool.

Southampton FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League

3. Bournemouth

Bournemouth has an expected goal value of 16.08 with Callum Wilson as the player with the highest expected goal value at 5.34.

The club presently sits at sixth place in the league table with 16 points.

2. Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp's side has an espected goal value of 16.66 goals with Mohamed Salah as the player with the highest expected goal value at 5.91.

Liverpool currently sit at third place in the league table with 20 points, same as Chelsea and Manchester City.

SSC Napoli v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Group C

1. Manchester City

The reigning champions top the list with an expected goal value of 22.49 as Sergio Aguero tops the individual expected goal value at 4.75.

Manchester City tops the league table with 20 points, same as Liverpool and Chelsea.

Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League