EFL Stats Gallery: xG, xT, cross zones, shot maps and more from Reading vs Middlesbrough | OneFootball

Reading edged past Middlesbrough at the Madejski Stadium. The home side came out on top with a narrow 1-0 victory. Halilovic scored the only goal of the match in the 55th minute to secure three points for his side. Matt Crooks was sent off late in the game and Middlesbrough were forced to finish the match with 10 men.

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!

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

Which team had the highest xG? Why were Middlesbrough unable to win despite creating high xT?

The home side lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. Junior Hoilett led the attack flanked by Ejaria and Halilovic on either side.

The average positions shows that Reading did not push up to high into the opponent half. They occupied many central areas and the fullbacks stayed in their own half to cover the defenders.

Middlesbrough lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Andraz Sporar led the attacking line up for the visitors.

The visitors played with a high line with several of their players pushing high up in the opponent half. Substitute Watmore was the man farthest for the Boro. Both the fullbacks pushed high up the field.

Reading had an xG of 1.28 to their opponents’ 0.79. The home side took a total of five shots on target while the visitors could only muster one. However, the visitors were ahead in terms of positional attacks. Middlesbrough applied better defensive pressure as suggested by their lower PPDA of 11.5. The visitors also made more recoveries in the opponent half. Not much separated the two teams in terms of possession.

Dele-Bashiru had the highest xG in the match, 0.47 closely followed by Matt Crooks, 0.38. McNair made 17 passes into the final third. John Swift took the highest number of shots in the match, four while he also made the most dribbles, eight.

Reading took most of their shots from outside the box. They scored the only goal of the match from inside the box.

The visitors took an equal number of shots from inside and outside the box. They only had one shot on target in the entire match.

Despite losing the game, Middlesbrough were more threatening in both halves as indicated by the xT timeline. However, the xG timeline is dominated by the home side in both halves.

Danny Drinkwater attempted the most number passes for his team, 69, while he also received the most, 58.

McNair received the highest number of passes from his team, 43, while he also attempted the most, 60.

Reading dominated the passing zones in the half-spaces near the central zone. They played just one successful cross from the right-wing while they played three unsuccessful ones from the left.

Middlesbrough dominated the passing zones on the left flank. They attempted plenty of diagonal balls and crosses from both wings. Despite delivering multiple successful crosses into the opponent box, they were unable to take advantage.

Reading created their highest xT on the left-hand side half space near the opposition box. Danny Drinkwater created the highest xT from his passes, 0.299.

John Swift played many misplaced passes which brought down his xT from passes. Junior Hoilett created the highest xT from his dribbles, 0.049.

Marc Bola created the highest xT from his passes, 0.509 closely followed by Howson at 0.502. Middlesbrough were most threatening in the half-spaces on the left-hand side in the opponent half.

Tavernier made many unsuccessful passes which brought down his xT from passes. Marc Bola also created the highest xT from his dribbles, 0.072.

Tetek participated in the highest number of defensive duels for his team, 15. He won five of those defensive duels.

Danny Drinkwater won three of his eight aerial duels. Reading lost many aerial duels in the central zone and in their own half.

Reading recovered the majority of their loose balls in their own half. Yiadom won all three of his loose ball duels, while Ejaria won two of his five loose ball duels.

McNair won two of his nine defensive duels. Middlesbrough engaged in defensive duels all over the field, winning mostly in their own half.

The visitors were successful in winning aerial duels on the right-wing near the central zone and a few near the opponent half. Crooks won four of his six aerial duels.

Crooks won just one of his six loose ball duels. The visitors recovered few loose balls in the opponent half.

Middlesbrough created many chances throughout the game but were unable to score any goals. They were the more threatening team in both halves but were unable to capitalize. Their failure to take their chances cost them the game.

If you want to download the stats report in PDF format you can do so here: EFL Championship Stats: Reading vs Middlesbrough