GlossaryFootball / soccer
What is xG (expected goals)?
Expected goals (xG) rates the quality of each scoring chance from 0 to 1 — the probability an average player would score it — and a team's xG is the sum of those chances.
xG estimates how many goals the chances a team created 'should' have produced, independent of whether they went in. It's used to judge whether a result flattered a team: a side that wins 1–0 but is out-xG'd 0.4 to 2.1 rode their luck. A tap-in might be 0.8 xG; a speculative 30-yarder 0.03.
Worked example: A team takes five shots worth 0.1, 0.2, 0.05, 0.6 and 0.15 xG. Their total xG for the match is 1.1 — so scoring once would be about par.
See it in the numbers
Open the spreadsheet and watch this appear in live scores and standings — disguised as work.
Related terms
What is goal difference (GD)?
Goal difference is goals scored minus goals conceded, and it's the most common tie-breaker when teams are level on points — a bigger goal difference ranks higher.
What is a clean sheet?
A clean sheet is when a team concedes no goals in a match — a common measure of defensive and goalkeeping quality.
What is an assist?
An assist is credited to the player who makes the final pass or touch before a team-mate scores a goal.
Aggregate score (two legs)
In a two-legged knockout tie, the aggregate score adds both matches together, and the team with the higher combined total goes through.