What the Premier League is all about: key week for Luton, Everton = parody of an attack

While there are only four Premier League games next weekend due to the FA Cup schedule, the last round was played in full, including the 1-1 draw between first placed Liverpool and second placed Manchester City. In our weekly column, however, we will be looking at the other end of the table.

After Everton’s return of four points, it seemed that the fight for salvation would again be a little uninteresting. The three newcomers will go back down, the rest of the teams will protect their five-point lead. Only Everton, Nottingham and Brentford haven’t scored much since.

Everton (not) shooting themselves

Who would have guessed after previous seasons that Everton would have the highest -xG of any team in the league in mid-March. Overall, by that metric, the Toffees should have scored 17.62 more goals than the current 27. They should have scored almost twice as many goals. Even in Saturday’s 0-2 loss to Manchester United, they outshot their opponents.

For context, the second worst in this respect is Chelsea, who should have scored 10.18 more goals. And with Everton it’s not just about team woes, former England international striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has the worst individual negative xG of the top 5 leagues.

Beto isn’t doing well either, the summer signing has scored 10+ goals each time in the past four seasons. Now he is only on two goals in the league and two in the Carabao Cup. Fans are also looking his way because of a missed penalty against West Ham (1: 3). And they are annoyed that their Everton are worried about survival despite a functioning defence.

The Luton Tale in the Premier League – Now or Never

Luton are just three points behind the relegation places from 17th position and can pull away this week. Or rather, they must if they want to make it to the end of the season. Wednesday’s match at Bournemouth is a return leg of a game that was abandoned due to Tom Lockyer’s collapse, with a game against Nottingham at the weekend.

It will be tough at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth have found themselves under Andoni Iraola and are playing some nice football. If Luton take a point, I think we’ll be fine. The next home fixture with Nottingham will be a straightforward battle for 17th place.

At home against Tricky Trees a win is needed, especially as Nottingham are not at their best and have been dealing more with refereeing than their poor performances in recent weeks. And Luton really must, as they face Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham in the four rounds after the national break.

Source: Premier League