There has been talk through the early weeks of the Premier League campaign regarding the presumed huge difference in quality between the three promoted teams and the mid-table teams.
Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United have struggled for points so far, but the Hatters were the first of the promoted teams to record a win, beating Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park last weekend.
Meanwhile Burnley and Sheffield United have continued to look poor at the back; conceding simple goals from their own defensive mishaps. The Clarets lost 2-0 away at Newcastle United, but it could’ve been much more. And the Blades lost 2-0 away at West Ham United and the worrying thing is: they never looked like getting back in the contest despite improving on their first half showing.
Sheffield United are sat at the foot of the table, on one point, because of their terrible goal difference which reads at -14. Burnley’s goal difference is almost as bad at -11, having played a game less. Luton are now up to 17th following their three points over Everton.
Is the Premier League table lying?
The disrespectful comments made towards Luton Town from neutral fans and pundits will now seem like a funny joke if you’re a Hatters fan.
They have every right to laugh at people who thought they would be the Premier League whipping boys; according to the xPoints, they should actually be sat on six points rather than three. They have the 13th-best defensive record, even better than the likes of Brighton and Fulham.
Burnley should have an extra three points on the board according to understat, that would leave them on four points. The Clarets have performed well in certain aspects so far, but their joint 2nd-worst defence is what’s stopping them from getting points on the board.
Sheffield United, currently on a single point, should have another point on the board according to the xPoints. A massive alarm bell should be ringing because they already have the worst defensive record in the league, but they are actually overperforming, or getting lucky, at the back. Their 19 goals conceded should stand at 21 considering the amount of good chances they are conceding.
Up next
Luton Town host Burnley on Tuesday evening at Kenilworth Road which will be seen as a relegation six-pointer. The hosts should be super confident coming into this game off the back of their first win in the Premier League. And the Hatters did make it a tough game for the visitors last season losing 1-0 because of a penalty, whilst being down to ten men.
If the Clarets were to win that game then things would look even worse for Sheffield United as they’ll be the only team remaining without a win in the Premier League.
But the Blades come up against an inconsistent Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday. Some people think they’re already in desperation mode considering the two tough fixtures after the international break: Manchester United and Arsenal. And then a kinder game follows as they host Wolves, but after they just saw off the best team in the world with a 2-1 scoreline, that fixture doesn’t look much easier.
