Under the microscope: Reading’s season so far in the Championship, what do the stats say? | OneFootball

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EFL Analysis

·13 October 2021

Under the microscope: Reading’s season so far in the Championship, what do the stats say?

Article image:Under the microscope: Reading’s season so far in the Championship, what do the stats say?

After having a shaky start to the season, Reading currently sit 10th in the Championship table. The team has slowly started to shift gears and move up the league. It will be interesting to see if the Royals can make it to the playoffs. With seven goals and five assists, John Swift has contributed highly in terms of leading his team.

The Royals have won four of their last five matches which led them to break into the top 10. They have shown improvement and have been able to create chances as well as finish those chances this season. The Royals have scored 17 goals so far and with the line-up consisting of talents such as Swift, Ejaria, and Halilovic, the fans can expect to see more goals coming in the upcoming fixtures.


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The Royals home form has been brilliant with three wins, one draw and loss at home, they need to improve in their away fixtures where they lose most of their games. They have won two away games and lost four. They have struggled to keep clean sheets at their away games which has resulted them in dropping important points. Reading will soon be tested in their upcoming fixture against Barnsley at home.

Let’s look at some stats to understand Reading’s position in the Championship.

Article image:Under the microscope: Reading’s season so far in the Championship, what do the stats say?

In their previous game against Cardiff, the Royals attempted only two shots on target throughout the game but they were able to find a breakthrough and hold on to that advantage. This indicates that they were clinical in front of the goal and that they were adept in sustaining pressure for most of the game. The opponents on the other hand completely dominated the attacking stats however they failed to find the desired results.

Article image:Under the microscope: Reading’s season so far in the Championship, what do the stats say?

In their few previous games, Reading were unable to hit the target multiple times. In their game against Cardiff, they had attempted only two shots in the entire game while their opponent attempted 21 shots. They have been heavily relying on John Swift to provide them with goals. But despite taking fewer shots than many other teams in the championship, Reading have scored the seventh-highest goals in the Championship. This indicates that they have been able to find the target with fewer shots.

Article image:Under the microscope: Reading’s season so far in the Championship, what do the stats say?

In terms of defensive duels and defensive duels per 90, the Royals are placed near the bottom. They have conceded mostly at away games where they tend to lose the momentum of the game. Their defensive duels puts them in eighteenth spot while their defensive duels per 90 places them at nineteenth spot in the Championship.

Article image:Under the microscope: Reading’s season so far in the Championship, what do the stats say?

The above stats display Reading’s position in terms PPDA and average challenge intensity metrics. The Royals are placed near the bottom, it indicates that they do not apply defensive pressure effectively. They are placed in twenty-third spot both in terms of PPDA and average challenge intensity places. However, they have been doing well in terms of aerial duels.

It will be interesting to see if Reading can continue to take advantage of their fewer shots and fewer chances created. Their previous four games in the championship have been narrowly won or lost. However, they have displayed defensive tenacity and robustness that has enabled them to stand firm and hold on to their lead till the final whistle. Their opponents after the international break, Barnsley, have been struggling for form as well and might be able to mount a challenge against them.

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