Stats: Which teams are the most exciting and boring to watch in the EPL so far?
With half the 2015/16 Premier League season complete and all 20 teams having played each other once, we now have a bearing on which teams are in the title race and which teams could be headed for the drop come May 2016. It’s been an eventful season thus far with plenty of drama and record-breaking performances from individual players and teams alike.
In a league where Goal Difference is a crucial factor (remember the end of the 2011/12 season where Manchester City pipped Manchester United to the title in injury time?), scoring as many goals as possible could prove to be tantamount to a side’s chances of finishing higher up in the table. At the same time, their defence must also ensure that they conceded as little as possible.
Most exciting teams in the EPL
The Premier League thrives on goals and that is what brings in the crowds. That is why Leicester City have been the most exciting team to watch with 37 goals, the same as Manchester City. Last year, they barely survived relegation and were dead last in December.
This year, they were top of the league in December having scored in almost every game, barring the last two against Liverpool and Manchester City. But they have also conceded a number of goals in the process, failing to keep clean sheets.
Everton fans have seen it all this season. Although they are currently 11th in the table, a game involving the Toffees have been a treat to watch having witnessed 63 goals so far (3.3 goals per game). While they have conceded quite a few, a neutral fan would not mind watching Roberto Martinez’s side.
Most boring teams in the EPL
Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, there is hardly any surprise. Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United side have failed to enthrall the Old Trafford faithful with the attacking football made famous by Sir Alex Ferguson. United’s games have seen a mere 38 goals so far – only 2 goals per game.
The current squad is not even a pale shadow of the side that won the league title in 2013 in spite of spending more than £250m in the transfer market since. The Red Devils are currently sixth but were table toppers in September.
Among the top 10 sides, only Stoke City have scored fewer goals and they are second-last on this list. Van Gaal’s team are defensively solid having conceded less than a goal per game, but they aren’t doing anything of note at the other end of the pitch.
Liverpool are also no better. Currently in 7th place, having scored and conceded 22 goals, the Reds lost their way under Brendan Rodgers earlier this season, New manager Jurgen Klopp has seen the club play a more exciting brand of football but have failed to show consistency. Injuries and an inability to turn up against the smaller teams has cost them. The German manager will most likely address that in the January transfer window as he gets the chance to revamp his squad.
| POS | Team | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | TOTAL GOALS | GOALS/GAME |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Everton | 6 | 8 | 5 | 35 | 28 | 7 | 26 | 63 | 3.32 |
| 2 | Leicester City | 11 | 6 | 2 | 37 | 25 | 12 | 39 | 62 | 3.26 |
| 3 | Manchester City | 11 | 3 | 5 | 37 | 20 | 17 | 36 | 57 | 3.00 |
| 19 | Sunderland | 3 | 3 | 13 | 19 | 38 | -19 | 12 | 57 | 3.00 |
| 16 | Bournemouth | 5 | 5 | 9 | 22 | 34 | -12 | 20 | 56 | 2.95 |
| 15 | Norwich City | 5 | 5 | 9 | 22 | 32 | -10 | 20 | 54 | 2.84 |
| 18 | Newcastle | 4 | 5 | 10 | 19 | 34 | -15 | 17 | 53 | 2.79 |
| 14 | Chelsea | 5 | 5 | 9 | 23 | 29 | -6 | 20 | 52 | 2.74 |
| 1 | Arsenal | 12 | 3 | 4 | 33 | 18 | 15 | 39 | 51 | 2.68 |
| 8 | West Ham | 7 | 8 | 4 | 28 | 23 | 5 | 29 | 51 | 2.68 |
| 12 | Southampton | 6 | 6 | 7 | 26 | 23 | 3 | 24 | 49 | 2.58 |
| 20 | Aston Villa | 1 | 5 | 13 | 15 | 34 | -19 | 8 | 49 | 2.58 |
| 4 | Tottenham | 9 | 8 | 2 | 33 | 15 | 18 | 35 | 48 | 2.53 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 8 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 30 | 44 | 2.32 |
| 9 | Watford | 8 | 5 | 6 | 24 | 20 | 4 | 29 | 44 | 2.32 |
| 13 | West Brom | 6 | 5 | 8 | 18 | 24 | -6 | 23 | 42 | 2.21 |
| 17 | Swansea City | 4 | 7 | 8 | 16 | 24 | -8 | 19 | 40 | 2.11 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 9 | 4 | 6 | 23 | 16 | 7 | 31 | 39 | 2.05 |
| 10 | Stoke City | 8 | 5 | 6 | 20 | 19 | 1 | 29 | 39 | 2.05 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 8 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 16 | 6 | 30 | 38 | 2.00 |