Just as you have finally got your head around expected goals (xG), we are going to throw some expected points data at you.
Yeah, yeah, we know – get the eye rolls out of the way.
These numbers do present us with an interesting insight, but trying to explain them is the issue. Give us a chance.
Basically, our stats provider, Opta, uses the xG values that teams accrue in games, for and against, and then simulates the match 10,000 times, with the expected points based on the proportion of those games they win, draw or lose.
Hopefully that is clear enough.
The table they have churned out keeps the same top five after 22 games, but rejigs their positioning: Celtic first, Hibs second, Hearts third, Rangers fourth and Motherwell fifth.
