Ahead of tomorrow’s visit to Middlesbrough, Chelsea News have had a look at the stats behind both team’s seasons so far, and the form that they’re in heading into tomorrow’s contest. (All of these stats were provided by Squawka)
Middlesbrough
Position: 15th
Points tally: 11
Goals scored: 10
Goals conceded: 12
Goal-difference: -2
Last five games: DLDWD
Top goalscorer: Cristhian Stuani (3 goals)
Most assists: Alvaro Negredo (3 assists)
Average possession: 49%
Shot accuracy: 40%
Chances created: 70
Chelsea
Position: 3rd
Points tally: 25
Goals scored: 26
Goals conceded: 9
Goal-difference: +17
Top goalscorer: Diego Costa (9 goals)
Most assists: Pedro and Nemanja Matic (5 assists)
Average possession: 53%
Shot accuracy: 51%
Chances created: 147
What does it all mean?
Middlesbrough have scored just 10 goals and created only 70 chances, both are fewer than any team in the Premier League. They may have a tough time breaking down Chelsea tomorrow, who have not conceded a single goal in their last five Premier League games. Chelsea may have similar issues, though, only us, Manchester City and Tottenham have conceded fewer goals in the league this season than Aitor Karanka’s side.
Chelsea not only average a larger share of possession, but we are also more productive with it. Conte’s side have created 77 more chances that Middlesbrough so far this campaign. A lot of that can be credited to the creative exploits of Pedro and Nemanja Matic, who both have five assists each so far this season.
The Blues’ 51% shot accuracy is the third best in the division, and is 11% better than tomorrow’s opponents. We have also scored 16 more goals than Boro this season in the same amount of games. Diego Costa has scored nine of those, and is currently the top goal-scorer in the Premier League.
The stats suggest that we should be taking all three points tomorrow, but football isn’t played on paper, only what happens on the pitch tomorrow that matters in the end.
