Leeds United’s xG struggles point to further issues

Wed 20 October 2021 19:45, UK

Leeds United’s xG woes will be a worry for Marcelo Bielsa.

The Whites have played eight games in the Premier League this season, only winning one.

That one win came against Watford just before the international break.

After the break, though, the Whites travelled to Southampton, who were winless going into this game, and lost.

This was a very winnable game on paper, but Marcelo Bielsa’s side were comfortably second best.

This was yet another game in which Leeds lost the game on xG.

Southampton clocked up an xG of 1.83 compared to Leeds 0.45.

That makes it six games out of eight this season that Leeds have lost the xG battle ().

Only on two occasions have Bielsa’s side mustered better scoring opportunities than their opposition.

One of those came during that win against Watford whilst the other came in a 1-1 draw away at Newcastle United.

Leeds United’s xG woes will be a worry for Marcelo Bielsa

Aside from that, Leeds have massively fallen short.

Losing the xG battle against Liverpool, Manchester United and even Everton is understandable.

However, when Burnley are out-creating you and West Ham are beating you at Elland Road, there are problems.

This is where Bielsa must make some sort of adjustments.

It’s true that he’s suffered with injuries and absences.

However, that doesn’t excuse the fact they’re 17th in the table and sitting dangerously close to the relegation zone.

When Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford in particular return to action then things should improve.

However, if they come back and the xG doesn’t shift then the fans must prepare themselves for a long season.

Fighting in and around the drop zone is never fun and if things don’t improve then the Elland Road faithful need to be ready for it.