xG
Sports abbreviation · Soccer (Association Football)
| Stands for | Expected goals |
|---|---|
| Categories | Sports |
xG stands for Expected goals, a soccer (Association football) abbreviation.
Statistic estimating the probability that a shot becomes a goal, from 0 to 1, based on its location, angle, body part and type of assist. Adding up a team's shots gives its total xG, a measure of chance quality.
Example: They won 1-0 despite an xG of just 0.4 against the opponents' 2.3.
Usage notes
Expected-goals models were developed by analysts in the early 2010s and entered mainstream British TV coverage around 2017. Teams that consistently outscore their xG often have elite finishers, but large gaps usually narrow. Opponents' chances are measured as xGA (expected goals against). Written with a lowercase x.