EFL Stats Gallery: How did Middlesbrough have a higher xG despite having fewer passes against Forest? | OneFootball

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EFL Analysis

·17 September 2021

EFL Stats Gallery: How did Middlesbrough have a higher xG despite having fewer passes against Forest?

Article image:EFL Stats Gallery: How did Middlesbrough have a higher xG despite having fewer passes against Forest?

Nottingham Forest suffered their sixth loss in seven games as they lost to Middlesbrough in the EFL Championship.

We’ve broken down all the key stats for you to digest, including; * shot maps * xT (expected threat) * pass networks * xG timelines * defensive duels * average positions and much more!


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We also try to answer some questions for you with the visuals;

How did Middlesbrough have a higher xG despite having less possession? Which player won most loose ball duels?

To navigate the stats gallery simply click on the numbers to move through the pages.

At the end of the gallery, you’ll be able to download the full PDF stats report.

Nottingham Forest started in a 4-1-4-1 formation with Lyle James as their number nine.

Ryan Yates had a deeper average position and was sometimes playing as a third centre back.

Middlesbrough started in a 4-2-3-1 with Andraz Sporar leading the attack for them.

Middlesbrough made three changes in the second half to bring on some fresh legs.

Nottingham Forest had a pretty decent game but did not get the result they wanted. They were able to attack the Middlesbrough goal well and attempted more attempts on goal. They also had a high xG of 1.53, but Middlesbrough had more shots on target which is why their xG was higher. Forest dominated the possession as they had 62% of possession throughout the game.

Forest did manage to get more attempts than Middlesbrough, but they had a low shot on target percentage. Middlesbrough had 45.45% of their shots on target. Grant Hall recorded the highest xG than any player on the pitch while Zinckernagel had the highest xG for Forest.

Out of the 14 shots that Forest attempted, only four shots were taken from inside the penalty area. Most of their shots were taken a long way from goal. Forest also had five free kicks but failed to keep them on target.

Middlesbrough on the other hand were more clinical with their attempts and had seven shots taken from inside the box.

Zinckernagel attempted the most number of shots for Forest and had one shot on target. The xT timeline indicated Middlesbrough were always on top in terms of chances created and were threatening in certain positions. Forest had a better xG in the first half but failed to capitalise on those chances.

Nottingham Forest striker, Lyle James was ineffective in the game as he only received the ball 12 times throughout the game.

Middlesbrough failed to keep possession of the ball and that can be depicted from the pass matrix as they have a lower number of passes and were unable to complete passes to their teammates.

The Nottingham Forest pass zones indicate that Forest made more passes on the right flank. Brennan Johnson who was playing as a right-winger, attempted the most number of crosses for Forest.

Middlesbrough attacked more from the left flank as they attempted more passes from this side of the pitch. Hernandez attempted the most number of crosses for Boro from the same flank. He also attempted to play one smart pass into the final third.

As seen previously, Forest had a higher xT with passes from the right flank. Scott McKenna had the highest threat from his passes and is followed by Brennan Johnson who had an xT of 0.217 from the crosses he attempted.

While McKenna, Johnson and Grabban had a high xT from their passes, Ryan Yates and James Garner failed to create any significant threat with the passes they attempted. Brennan Johnson also threatened the Boro defence with his dribbling skills.

Middlesbrough had more of the xT creation zones in the final third and the highest threat was created by Jonathan Howson. He had a high xT of 0.208 from his passes.

Most of the Boro players had a positive xT from their passes throughout the game. Onel Hernandez impressed with his dribbling skills but failed to provide the right cross into the box.

Article image:EFL Stats Gallery: How did Middlesbrough have a higher xG despite having fewer passes against Forest?

Forest players failed to win most of the defensive duels they attempted.

Ryan Yates won the most number of aerial duels for Forest. He won eight out of the 10 duels he attempted.

Ryan Yates also won the most number of loose ball duels and recovered possession for Forest.

The Boro defenders won 12 defensive duels out of their 31 attempts.

Article image:EFL Stats Gallery: How did Middlesbrough have a higher xG despite having fewer passes against Forest?

Dael Fry did not lose a single aerial duel out of the five duels he attempted.

They lose most of the loose ball duels they attempted and failed to recover possession of the ball.

Although Forest dominated most of the possession of the ball throughout the match, Middlesbrough were able to make most of their chances when they had the ball and were more direct in their approach towards goal. Middlesbrough got their first win in their last five games and moved to 11th position on the table while Forest only have one point from their seven matches.

If you want to download this stats report in a PDF you can do so here: EFL Championship Stats: Nottingham Forest vs Middlesbrough

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