Chelsea’s recent 2-2 draw against Burnley saw them climb to fourth place in the Premier League based on expected goals per match, with two. However, despite this improvement, Mauricio Pochettino believes that Chelsea should still be in fourth place based on data. The fact that they are currently in 11th place highlights the wastefulness of their finishing in front of goal, as they were previously sixth in xG before the Burnley match.
As Chelsea prepares for its next match against Manchester United, Pochettino is concerned about United’s defensive vulnerabilities. Despite their strong attacking play, United’s average shots faced per game is a concerning 17.2, which is second only to Sheffield United and Luton Town. Additionally, United’s expected goals against is the fifth highest in the league, indicating that the shots they concede are of high quality.
Despite this challenge, Pochettino remains optimistic about Chelsea’s chances of success at Stamford Bridge on Thursday. He believes that Chelsea’s attacking prowess will be a significant factor in determining the outcome of the match. However, he also acknowledges that Manchester United’s defensive vulnerabilities could make it difficult for Chelsea to score goals and secure a victory.
Overall, Pochettino sees this match as an opportunity for both teams to showcase their strengths and weaknesses on the pitch. While Chelsea will focus on scoring goals and exploiting Manchester United’s defensive flaws, Manchester United will look to tighten up their defense and limit Chelsea’s opportunities to create chances.
