Stat Attack – AFCB v Wolves

Written by Matt Stevenson

Here’s the xG from the Wolves game. There were very few good chances, with only three chances rated 1 in 7 or better, all falling to Wolves in the second half. The first chance was Moutinho’s free-kick, rated 1 in 7, which was blocked by the wall. After the Liverpool game it was good not to see this, and other chances go flying into the top corner. The biggest chance by far fell to Jiminez, who has a habit of scoring against AFCB, following a counter attack after Kelly lost the ball. The Mexican was through one on one against Neto, who stood up well and Jiminez put it wide (7 in 10). Two minutes later, Kelly made amends for his earlier error when clearing Podence’s header off the line after a good header back across by Jimenez (1 in 3). AFCB’s best chances fell to Solanke, the first a header just after half time which went straight at Sa, and a turn in injury time, where he slipped whilst striking (both about 1 in 10).

I’m not sure how to describe the formation. I was expecting a 4-2-3-1 when the team was announced, but Billing and Tavernier played in very similar average positions (which could be rotating going forward, rather than stood next to each other) with Christie deeper and close to Zemura. Smith was as advanced as Zemura, but switched flanks when Fredericks replaced Zemura, with Fredericks playing where Smith had done. Lerma played slightly deeper than Cook.