Foxes of Leicester
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Leicester vs Leeds analysis: which team should win?

By Elliot Mackness

Youri Tielemans celebrates with James Maddison of Leicester City (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Youri Tielemans celebrates with James Maddison of Leicester City (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Leicester City
Wesley Fofana of Leicester City is challenged by Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

Defensive stats

Let us have a quick gander at the defensive statistics. In this section, it is important to understand the terms: Expected Goals (xG) and Expected Goals Against (xGA). These refer to the value of each shot taken by a team for or against. A sitter which is scored 100% of the time is valued at 1.00 xG; so these numbers are very useful in analysing the quality and quantity of chances created.

The Foxes have seven clean sheets, with an xGA (expected goals against) of 22.79, actually conceding 22. This means that the Foxes are preventing an immense deluge of chances on their goal, preventing about 0.79 in xG; these preventions are the primary contributions of Schmeichel and Little Wes. Blocks, aerial clearances, and miraculous saves all contribute to reducing these numbers, and the Blue Army has plenty of them in them.

Leeds have 6 clean sheets, with an xGA of 35.85, actually conceding 35. This means that Leeds are allowing an excessive quantity of chances on their goal in matches; they only really concede what is expected of them, though they do prevent about 0.85 xG. Likely this is due to missed chances against them.

A lot has got to do with the system’s that both teams employ. BR’s men are possession based, recycling the ball frequently to prevent turnovers from attack. Bielsa’s men are a fluid transition team, quickly and intricately moving the ball vertically into space, this risks turnovers, which is where they are hit hardest.