Unveiling Patterns in the EPL 2023-2024 Half-Season: A Tale of Dominance, Efficiency, and Late-Game Drama

January 9, 2024

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The English Premier League‘s half-season has unfolded with intriguing patterns and performances. Among the noteworthy insights, the dominance of Liverpool and Manchester City stands out prominently. A fascinating revelation is that both teams have yet to play a single minute while trailing by two goals or more this season, showcasing their formidable control over the game. Let’s delve into this and other compelling narratives that have shaped the league’s landscape.

Brighton emerges as the league’s most exciting team, navigating a rollercoaster of emotions. Leading and trailing frequently, they hold the distinction of spending the least time tied. Their unpredictable style injects an unparalleled thrill into every match.

Now, let’s turn our attention to Manchester United, a team that defies conventional statistics. Despite leading in only 14.8% of their total minutes played, they’ve accumulated an impressive 31 points, securing the 8th position on the table. This begs the question: Is it efficiency in stealing points, or is Lady Luck shining brightly on the Red Devils?

Among the top 5 teams, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal emerge as points stealers, with fewer minutes in the lead compared to rivals Man City and Tottenham. The latter, often criticized for bottling points, indeed faltered this season, costing them valuable points.

Tottenham’s narrative takes a twist as they find themselves among the unluckiest teams in maintaining a lead. Scoring first in 16 occasions, they failed to secure victory in 6, resulting in a significant loss of 16 points. A step further, Brentford’s woes intensify, scoring first 12 times but only winning 5, costing them a staggering 18 points.

Liverpool stands tall as the comeback kings, conceding first on 9 occasions but losing only once, earning them a substantial 16 points. Aston Villa follows suit, showcasing resilience and winning 12 points after conceding the first goal.

Manchester United emerges as the late-game specialists. Remarkably, one-third of their goals and the most points in the league (13) come from the last 15 minutes of play. There was a popular term, ‘Fergie time’; should we now call it ‘Ten Hag time’? While Manchester United tops the charts in late-game heroics, Liverpool isn’t far behind, scoring almost 40% of their goals in the last 15 minutes and securing 11 points. Luton Town emerges as the late-game enthusiasts, with over half of their goals coming in this crucial interval. Conversely, Crystal Palace, Brentford, and Burnley appear apprehensive in late-game situations, collectively lost 29 points during this period. Crystal Palace, in particular, conceded more than 35% of their total conceded goals during this time frame, shedding light on their vulnerabilities in the dying minutes.

In conclusion, the EPL 2023-2024 season is marked by intriguing patterns and performances that add layers to the narrative of each team’s journey. As the season progresses, these insights will continue to shape the unfolding drama on the football pitch.