Newcastle
Newcastle have shown a big improvement in league position this season but their stats have not been that different apart from a few key areas.
They have kept 6 more clean sheets this season and conceded 0.22 fewer goals per game this season. They have also only completed 1.20% more passes this season and had found a teammate with their crosses 1% less of the time.
Newcastle have also scored 1 less goal than last season but scored a goal every 62 minutes, which is 2 minutes shorted than last season. They have also converted 1% more of their chances and had 41 fewer shots.
They have created a staggering 30 less clear-cut chances this season, and it has taken them 52 minutes longer to create a clear-cut chance. Although, they have converted 10% more of their clear-cut chances, which just goes to show what Ba and Cisse have bought to the table this season.
Therefore, if Newcastle want to compete for the Champions League places next season they will need to create more clear-cut chances for their strikers, so a creative midfielder may be high on their shopping list this summer.
Chelsea
It’s fair to say that Chelsea have struggled at times this season and find themselves out of the Champions League Places and there are some clear reasons in the statistics to show why.
Chelsea have conceded 0.27 more goals per game this season and kept 5 less clean sheets. They have also been 2% less accurate with their crosses but improved their passing accuracy by 1.19% this season.
It has taken Chelsea 0.75 minutes longer to create a chance this season and 3 minutes longer to score a goal. Although, they have converted 1% more of their chances.
The big difference this season is the amount of clear-cut chances Chelsea have created, as they have created 36 less clear-cut chances this season. This may have been one of the main reasons why they wanted to sign Luka Modric this summer who has created 8 clear-cut chances this season which is 19% of the amount of clear-cut chances Chelsea have created this season. Although, Chelsea have converted 10% more of the clear-cut chances that have been created this season.
Therefore, if Chelsea want to improve next season they need an attacking midfielder or a winger to help Mata supply Drogba and Torres with some more clear-cut chances. Also, if they can keep up their high clear-cut chance conversion rate next season they will be in with a chance of the top 4.
Liverpool
Liverpool have struggled in the league season, especially at home with their main problem being converting chances as you can see from the table to the right.
They have only converted 9% of their chances this season, which is 5% worse than last season and converted 15% less of the clear-cut chances that have been created this season. These statistics show just why Liverpool have only scored 43 goals this season compared to the 59 goals that they scored last season. The fact that Liverpool have had 44 more shots this season and 9 less shots on target go to show why they have struggled.
On the other hand, Liverpool have conceded 0.10 less goals per game this season, completed 3.53% of their passes and been 1% more accurate with their crosses.
Therefore, the only thing that Liverpool need to do to get back among the top 4 is take their chances as this is the only thing holding them back. So, if Carroll gets back to his goalscoring form at Newcastle and Suarez continues to score goals then Liverpool may have a much better year next season.
All of the stats from this article have been taken from the Opta Stats Centre at EPLIndex.com – Subscribe Now (Includes author privileges!) See Demo’s and videos about the Stats Centre & read about new additions to the stats centre.
