Manchester City vs Sheffield Utd Preview: What the xG Data Says

Premier League 2023/2024

30 Dec 15:00

D. Coote

This match has been played.

Pre-Match Signals

Sheffield United build from the back against one of the league's more aggressive presses, creating transition opportunities for MCI

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Sheffield United concede just NaN xGA per match vs MCI's 1.5. That gap should show in chance quality

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A stark contrast in approach: Sheffield United skip the midfield while MCI control tempo, creating a pattern clash

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Manchester City

Last 10 home games8W · 2D · 0L · 80% wins

Strong at home (clinical finishing)

2.6 goals per game (xG expected: 2.4)

Above expected

0.6 conceded per game (xGA expected: 1.2)

Outperforming

Player
Haaland MCI	1.02	0.73	3.56	99
Foden MCI	0.50	0.32	2.97	80
Doku MCI	0.47	0.21	2.56	73

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Tactical Analysis

How these teams play and where the match could be decided

Possession-based ↔ Direct

Low Block ↔ High Press

Conservative ↔ Risk-taking

Central Play ↔ Wide Play

Scrappy ↔ Technical

Light ↔ Physically Dominant

Sit Off ↔ Counter-Press

Low Intensity ↔ High Intensity

Manchester City

Sheffield United

Possession-based ↔ Direct

Low Block ↔ High Press

Conservative ↔ Risk-taking

Central Play ↔ Wide Play

Least vulnerable Average Most vulnerable

MCI(38 matches)

Σ GI

CAM

CDM

1.34

0.3917th

0.2613th

0.2117th

0.1314th

0.0818th

0.0516th

0.0318th

0.0518th

0.139th

GI = Goals + Assists / matchxG = Expected Goals / matchxT = Expected Threat / match

Did the press force the turnovers we expected?

Did the defensive gap show in chance quality?

Which style came out on top, direct or possession?

Come back after the final whistle.

Manchester City form

Scrappy ↔ Technical

Light ↔ Physically Dominant

Sit Off ↔ Counter-Press

Low Intensity ↔ High Intensity

Player
Haaland MCI	1.02	0.73	3.56	99
Foden MCI	0.50	0.32	2.97	80
Doku MCI	0.47	0.21	2.56	73

28 more players, opponent-adjusted columns and last-6 trendsSign Up Sign Up

Manchester CityMan City
2-0
Sheffield UtdSheffield Utd
Rodri 13'
Álvarez 60'

Pre-Match Signals

Venue Form

Players who decide this

MCI

MCI

MCI

Tactical Analysis

Style and key characteristics

Intensity, discipline, and resilience

Attacking Zones

Position vs Expected Position

Form & Head-to-head

Style and key characteristics

Positional Vulnerabilities

Questions for after full-time

Intensity, discipline, and resilience

Players who decide this

MCI

MCI

MCI

Pre-Match Signals

Venue Form

Players who decide this

MCI

MCI

MCI

Tactical Analysis

Style and key characteristics

Intensity, discipline, and resilience

Attacking Zones

Style and key characteristics

Positional Vulnerabilities

Questions for after full-time

Sheffield United form

Head-to-head · last 5

Intensity, discipline, and resilience

Players who decide this

MCI

MCI

MCI