With the international break allowing clubs and supporters a chance to take a step back, breathe, and assess how to approach the busy pre-winter period, who will be able to do so with optimism and who should be filled with dread?
It will come as no surprise that Chelsea and Manchester City are first and second respectively in the English Premier League standings and could be about to get better. The west Londoners have spent less time losing (37 minutes) than any other side, their goals tally of 21 is 11 more than the league average of 9.8 and only Southampton have conceded fewer goals, with five allowed to Chelsea’s seven.
It is City though that have the most scope to improve. In a number of areas where an element of fortune plays a part, they appear down on their luck. They have hit the woodwork four times, more than anyone else except Tottenham (also four), they are the only side to have conceded two own goals and they have been awarded just 53 fouls all season, 10 fewer than the second-least fouled side (Leicester City).
These things tend to level out as the season progresses, meaning City can expect to pick up some points due to kind refereeing or a fortunate deflection. Considering they have only lost once all term, an upturn in fortunes would quickly see pressure put back on Chelsea. That this defeat came at the hands of Stoke City, a team struggling to convert chances and keep them out at the other end, is rather coincidental.
The Potters should be worried that there are many signs that things could quickly get worse, as some key attacking and defensive numbers suggest. They have work to do at both ends: their tally of 96 shots is the sixth highest in the league, yet their return of six goals is the third lowest. Meanwhile they are the only side to have conceded more goals (eight) than shots saved (seven). England’s Roy Hodgson will not, it seems, be the only manager with a busy week ahead.
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