Attacking<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nKaizer Chiefs\u2019 4th place is not particularly reflective of their underlying performances. In fact, by expected goals, they seem more like a 2nd-placed side. A quick look at their xG difference (+17) shows they are the second most effective team in the Premier League, behind Sundowns (+22). When you consider the xG per match, Chiefs actually have the highest xG in the PSL at 1.7 per match. These are the kinds of numbers you\u2019d expect for a team competing for the title itself, but Chiefs haven\u2019t even topped the table for one day this season (eight sides have). When looking at xG, we have to take into account the number of penalties they\u2019ve received (seven is the most). Even then, Chiefs do down one place to third in xG behind Sundowns & Cape Town City, although the gap grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another way to interpret Chiefs stats is to look at the trendlines over the last couple of seasons (the gold line indicates a change in season).<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n It is interesting that Coach Zwane chose the three-season period, a tacit acknowledgment to Ernst Middendorp\u2019s 2019\/20 side that came so close to a title. A ten-game rolling average of their xG and xG conceded shows the inconsistency that they\u2019ve struggled with over the years. Whenever they are on fire, they struggle to keep up that form. For example, after playing extremely well at the end of last season (the blue line going up), they continued in the same vein in the first half of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the second half, they started to fall off a little again. Having said that, underlying numbers are more than just xG. The radar below compares the last two seasons in a few attacking metrics. The volume of shots and shot quality has gone up significantly. They are also more adventurous with long-range shots (thanks Yusuf Maart) and taking slightly more touches in the opposition box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n There are a few areas that have gone down from last season, but these may be more indicative of changes in the style of play and personnel availability. The average pass length has decreased, together with the volume of progressive passes and long passes per game. Tactical choices and personnel decisions may reveal tangible reasons for some of these changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n