After 5 games of the new Premier League season, both Manchester teams sit proudly atop the league table, boasting identical records, having Won 4, Drawn 1, Scored 16 and conceded just 2 goals each. However, by drilling down into the stats, who is entitled to feel they have made the better start? Here, we look at just that :
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
Both teams have played 5 games, but United have played three at home, whilst City have only played two games at the Etihad Stadium. United have not yet faced a ‘top six’ rival, whilst City have entertained – and demolished – Liverpool in their opening games. Also, if counting up the points tallies of the teams the two Manchester rivals have faced, United’s opponents total 22 points, whilst City’s total 27. A clear winner here.
Advantage : City
GOALSCORERS
16 goals in five games is impressive by any team – to average over three goals a game in the Premier League is superb going. But closer analysis shows that United’s goals have been spread between 8 players, with City’s between just five. Both teams have a 5 goal ‘top’ scorer – with Lukaku and Aguero leading the charge, but the goals are much more spread around at Old Trafford, with, crucially, two defenders having netted already. Only Otamendi has tallied in the Premier League for City.
Advantage : United
DISCIPLINE
As the games tick by and suspensions start to kick in with the accrual of yellow cards, along with the auto bans that come with red cards, discipline will be ever more crucial to maintaining the momentum gained and help managers pick a consistent team. So far City have picked up 9 Yellow Cards and 2 Red Cards, whilst United have just 5 Yellows and 0 Reds. A continuation of this will really benefit the Old Trafford outfit.
Advantage : United
FANTASY POINTS PRODUCTION
Its fairly loose, but fantasy points really give some indication of overall performance, especially from the big hitters of each team and how the points are accrued. If we take the top points scorer of each position (GK, DF, MF & FW) and compare the total points tallies, we see that United come in with a total of 138 points, whilst City total 117. City have conceded in two out of the 5 games, with United keeping a clean sheet in 4 of their 5. They also number more assists than City. Hey, we said it was loose….but theres a difference for a reason…!
Advantage : United
THE LEAGUE TABLE
Even looser than the above, the final reason why the League table actually shows City in pole position with United in second position is…..the alphabet! Yes, the only difference between the two teams is that City comes before United – and should this trend continue, they would remain in the privileged spot. However, should this be the case come the final game of the season, the trophy wouldn’t be presented to City….there would be a winner take all playoff. Highly unlikely….but you never know!
Advantage : City
So there you have it….identical records, but taking everything into consideration, we think Manchester United just shade the claim of having the better start to the season!
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