Football Basics
What Does xG Mean in Football?
Expected goals, usually written as xG, is a statistic used to estimate the quality of scoring chances.
What is xG?
xG stands for expected goals. A model gives each shot a probability of becoming a goal based on factors such as location and the type of chance. Different providers can use different models.
How to read xG
A shot with an xG of 0.50 can be described as a chance that the model estimates would be scored about half the time across similar situations. It is a probability estimate, not a prediction of what must happen.
Why fans use it
xG can add context to a scoreline. Two teams may both score twice while creating very different numbers or qualities of chances.
What xG does not tell you
xG does not measure every part of a performance and it does not decide whether a player or team played well. It is one statistic that can be used alongside other information.