Home How-to use xG data with Sportmonks’ Football API

How-to use xG data with Sportmonks’ Football API

The hottest statistic in the world of football is xG, and it has arrived in our Football API now! We’ll walk you through the process of leveraging xG data to enhance your football analysis and gain valuable insights into goal-scoring probabilities.

Football

Guides

Time to read< 1 min

Published 13 May 2024

Last updated 20 August 2024

How-to use xG data with Sportmonks’ Football API

Accessing xG Data

First, you need to make sure you have access to the Expected Metrics Add-on in the Sportmonks API. If you don’t have that, please head over to our dedicated xG page.

After that, you’ll need to familiarise yourself with the world of xG data. Below you can find all the xG values we offer.

The explanation of what every metric means can be found in our xG explained blog. To learn how these values are calculated you can head over to our ‘What is expected Goals?‘ blog. For a more detailed deep dive into our xG model, you can read this blog by our partners at Octosport.io.

Retrieving xG Data

Now that you have familiarised yourself with xG data, you can start retrieving it. First, you’ll need to gather the tools.

Here’s what you’ll need:

API Token: First, obtain your Sportmonks API token. If you haven’t got one yet, simply head to MySportmonks and create one.
Code Editor: It is crucial to have a reliable code editor for crafting and refining your page’s code. We suggest using Visual Studio Code, though any editor you choose will suffice.
Postman (Optional): While not essential, having Postman installed can significantly assist in testing and debugging your API requests. Refer to our Postman Guide for a comprehensive guide on using the Sportmonks Football API with Postman.

With these tools, you can use our xG data. Let’s get started!

Choose your endpoint

Then you need to choose the right endpoint based on your requirements. You can either use the GET Expected by Team or GET Expected by Player endpoints.

GET Expected by Team: Analyse team performance

When you aim to analyse the overall performance of teams in a match, the GET Expected by Team endpoint is your prime choice. This endpoint provides a comprehensive overview of xG values attributed to each participating team. This enables you to gauge teams’ offensive prowess, identify patterns, and derive valuable insights to inform strategic decisions.

GET Expected by Player: Spotlight on player contributions

For those seeking to delve deeper into individual player performances, the GET Expected by Player endpoint offers a tailored solution. By accessing this endpoint, you unlock a wealth of xG data specific to each player in the lineup. This allows you to examine individual players’ contributions, assess their impact on the game, and gain a good understanding of player performance dynamics.

  "data": [
    {
      "id": 27778093,
      "fixture_id": 19071356,
      "type_id": 7945,
      "participant_id": 6829,
      "data": {
        "value": 0.8069999999999999
      },
      "location": "home",
      "type": {
        "id": 7945,
        "name": "Expected Goals Open Play (xGOP)",
        "code": "expected-goals-open-play",
        "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_OPEN_PLAY",
        "model_type": "statistic",
        "stat_group": "offensive"
      }
    {
      "id": 27778095,
      "fixture_id": 19071356,
      "type_id": 7944,
      "participant_id": 6829,
      "data": {
        "value": 0.238
      },
      "location": "home",
      "type": {
        "id": 7944,
        "name": "Expected Goals Set Play (xGSP)",
        "code": "expected-goals-set-play",
        "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_SET_PLAY",
        "model_type": "statistic",
        "stat_group": "offensive"
      }
    },

      {
        "id": 10054642241,
        "sport_id": 1,
        "fixture_id": 18842644,
        "player_id": 26823,
        "team_id": 19,
        "position_id": 26,
        "formation_field": "3:1",
        "type_id": 11,
        "formation_position": 6,
        "player_name": "Martin Ødegaard",
        "jersey_number": 8,
        "xglineup": [
          {
            "id": 1118772830,
            "fixture_id": 18842644,
            "player_id": 26823,
            "team_id": 19,
            "lineup_id": 10054642241,
            "type_id": 5304,
            "data": {
              "value": 0.0938
            },
            "type": {
              "id": 5304,
              "name": "Expected Goals (xG)",
              "code": "expected-goals",
              "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS",
              "model_type": "statistic",
              "stat_group": "offensive"
            }
          },
          {
            "id": 1118772840,
            "fixture_id": 18842644,
            "player_id": 26823,
            "team_id": 19,
            "lineup_id": 10054642241,
            "type_id": 5305,
            "data": {
              "value": 0.1021
            },
            "type": {
              "id": 5305,
              "name": "Expected Goals on Target (xGoT)",
              "code": "expected-goals-on-target",
              "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_ON_TARGET",
              "model_type": "statistic",
              "stat_group": "offensive"
            }
          }
        ]
      },

{
  "data": {
    "id": 18842619,
    "sport_id": 1,
    "league_id": 8,
    "season_id": 21646,
    "stage_id": 77464011,
    "group_id": null,
    "aggregate_id": null,
    "round_id": 307175,
    "state_id": 5,
    "venue_id": 492,
    "name": "Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Arsenal",
    "starting_at": "2024-04-20 18:30:00",
    "result_info": "Arsenal won after full-time.",
    "leg": "1/1",
    "details": null,
    "length": 90,
    "placeholder": false,
    "has_odds": true,
    "starting_at_timestamp": 1713637800,
    "expected": [
      {
        "id": 31889006,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 5304,
        "participant_id": 19,
        "data": {
          "value": 1.7954
        },
        "location": "away",
        "type": {
          "id": 5304,
          "name": "Expected Goals (xG)",
          "code": "expected-goals",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889005,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 5304,
        "participant_id": 29,
        "data": {
          "value": 0.2347
        },
        "location": "home",
        "type": {
          "id": 5304,
          "name": "Expected Goals (xG)",
          "code": "expected-goals",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889008,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 5305,
        "participant_id": 19,
        "data": {
          "value": 2.1182
        },
        "location": "away",
        "type": {
          "id": 5305,
          "name": "Expected Goals on Target (xGoT)",
          "code": "expected-goals-on-target",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_ON_TARGET",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889007,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 5305,
        "participant_id": 29,
        "data": {
          "value": 0.6839
        },
        "location": "home",
        "type": {
          "id": 5305,
          "name": "Expected Goals on Target (xGoT)",
          "code": "expected-goals-on-target",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_ON_TARGET",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889022,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 7939,
        "participant_id": 19,
        "data": {
          "value": 2.49
        },
        "location": "away",
        "type": {
          "id": 7939,
          "name": "Expected Points (xPTS)",
          "code": "expected-points",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_POINTS",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889021,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 7939,
        "participant_id": 29,
        "data": {
          "value": 0.32
        },
        "location": "home",
        "type": {
          "id": 7939,
          "name": "Expected Points (xPTS)",
          "code": "expected-points",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_POINTS",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889018,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 7940,
        "participant_id": 19,
        "data": {
          "value": 0
        },
        "location": "away",
        "type": {
          "id": 7940,
          "name": "Expected Goals Penalties (xGP)",
          "code": "expected-goals-penalties",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_PENALTIES",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889017,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 7940,
        "participant_id": 29,
        "data": {
          "value": 0
        },
        "location": "home",
        "type": {
          "id": 7940,
          "name": "Expected Goals Penalties (xGP)",
          "code": "expected-goals-penalties",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_PENALTIES",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889016,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 7941,
        "participant_id": 19,
        "data": {
          "value": 0
        },
        "location": "away",
        "type": {
          "id": 7941,
          "name": "Expected Goals Free Kicks (xGFK)",
          "code": "expected-goals-free-kicks",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_FREE_KICKS",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889015,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 7941,
        "participant_id": 29,
        "data": {
          "value": 0
        },
        "location": "home",
        "type": {
          "id": 7941,
          "name": "Expected Goals Free Kicks (xGFK)",
          "code": "expected-goals-free-kicks",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_FREE_KICKS",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889014,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 7942,
        "participant_id": 19,
        "data": {
          "value": 0.073
        },
        "location": "away",
        "type": {
          "id": 7942,
          "name": "Expected Goals Corners (xGC)",
          "code": "expected-goals-corners",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_CORNERS",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889013,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 7942,
        "participant_id": 29,
        "data": {
          "value": 0.023
        },
        "location": "home",
        "type": {
          "id": 7942,
          "name": "Expected Goals Corners (xGC)",
          "code": "expected-goals-corners",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_CORNERS",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889020,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 7943,
        "participant_id": 19,
        "data": {
          "value": 1.7954
        },
        "location": "away",
        "type": {
          "id": 7943,
          "name": "Expected Goals Non Penalty Goals (npxG)",
          "code": "expected-non-penalty-goals",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_NON_PENALTY_GOALS",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889019,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 7943,
        "participant_id": 29,
        "data": {
          "value": 0.2347
        },
        "location": "home",
        "type": {
          "id": 7943,
          "name": "Expected Goals Non Penalty Goals (npxG)",
          "code": "expected-non-penalty-goals",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_NON_PENALTY_GOALS",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889012,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 7944,
        "participant_id": 19,
        "data": {
          "value": 0.222
        },
        "location": "away",
        "type": {
          "id": 7944,
          "name": "Expected Goals Set Play (xGSP)",
          "code": "expected-goals-set-play",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_SET_PLAY",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889011,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 7944,
        "participant_id": 29,
        "data": {
          "value": 0.023
        },
        "location": "home",
        "type": {
          "id": 7944,
          "name": "Expected Goals Set Play (xGSP)",
          "code": "expected-goals-set-play",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_SET_PLAY",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889010,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 7945,
        "participant_id": 19,
        "data": {
          "value": 1.572
        },
        "location": "away",
        "type": {
          "id": 7945,
          "name": "Expected Goals Open Play (xGOP)",
          "code": "expected-goals-open-play",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_OPEN_PLAY",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889009,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 7945,
        "participant_id": 29,
        "data": {
          "value": 0.211
        },
        "location": "home",
        "type": {
          "id": 7945,
          "name": "Expected Goals Open Play (xGOP)",
          "code": "expected-goals-open-play",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_OPEN_PLAY",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889026,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 9684,
        "participant_id": 19,
        "data": {
          "value": 1.5607
        },
        "location": "away",
        "type": {
          "id": 9684,
          "name": "Expected Goals Difference (xGD)",
          "code": "expected-goals-difference",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_DIFFERENCE",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889025,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 9684,
        "participant_id": 29,
        "data": {
          "value": -1.5607
        },
        "location": "home",
        "type": {
          "id": 9684,
          "name": "Expected Goals Difference (xGD)",
          "code": "expected-goals-difference",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_DIFFERENCE",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889028,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 9685,
        "participant_id": 19,
        "data": {
          "value": 0.3228
        },
        "location": "away",
        "type": {
          "id": 9685,
          "name": "Shooting Performance (SP)",
          "code": "shooting-performance",
          "developer_name": "SHOOTING_PERFORMANCE",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889027,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 9685,
        "participant_id": 29,
        "data": {
          "value": 0.4492
        },
        "location": "home",
        "type": {
          "id": 9685,
          "name": "Shooting Performance (SP)",
          "code": "shooting-performance",
          "developer_name": "SHOOTING_PERFORMANCE",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889030,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 9686,
        "participant_id": 19,
        "data": {
          "value": 0.6839
        },
        "location": "away",
        "type": {
          "id": 9686,
          "name": "Expected Goals Prevented (xGP)",
          "code": "expected-goals-prevented",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_PREVENTED",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "defensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889029,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 9686,
        "participant_id": 29,
        "data": {
          "value": 0.1182
        },
        "location": "home",
        "type": {
          "id": 9686,
          "name": "Expected Goals Prevented (xGP)",
          "code": "expected-goals-prevented",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_PREVENTED",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "defensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889024,
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        "participant_id": 19,
        "data": {
          "value": 0.2347
        },
        "location": "away",
        "type": {
          "id": 9687,
          "name": "Expected Goals Against (xGA)",
          "code": "expected-goals-against",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_AGAINST",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      },
      {
        "id": 31889023,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "type_id": 9687,
        "participant_id": 29,
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          "value": 1.7954
        },
        "location": "home",
        "type": {
          "id": 9687,
          "name": "Expected Goals Against (xGA)",
          "code": "expected-goals-against",
          "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_AGAINST",
          "model_type": "statistic",
          "stat_group": "offensive"
        }
      }
    ]
  },

{
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    "league_id": 8,
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    "stage_id": 77464011,
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    "aggregate_id": null,
    "round_id": 307175,
    "state_id": 5,
    "venue_id": 492,
    "name": "Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Arsenal",
    "starting_at": "2024-04-20 18:30:00",
    "result_info": "Arsenal won after full-time.",
    "leg": "1/1",
    "details": null,
    "length": 90,
    "placeholder": false,
    "has_odds": true,
    "starting_at_timestamp": 1713637800,
    "lineups": [
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        "position_id": 25,
        "formation_field": "2:2",
        "type_id": 11,
        "formation_position": 3,
        "player_name": "William Saliba",
        "jersey_number": 2,
        "xglineup": [
          
        ]
      },
      {
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        "formation_field": "2:1",
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        "formation_position": 2,
        "player_name": "Ben White",
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            },
            "type": {
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              "code": "expected-goals",
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              "stat_group": "offensive"
            }
          }
        ]
      },
      {
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        "team_id": 19,
        "position_id": 25,
        "formation_field": "2:3",
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        "formation_position": 4,
        "player_name": "Gabriel Magalhães",
        "jersey_number": 6,
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        ]
      },
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        "formation_position": 9,
        "player_name": "Bukayo Saka ",
        "jersey_number": 7,
        "xglineup": [
          {
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            "team_id": 19,
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              "value": 0.4093
            },
            "type": {
              "id": 5304,
              "name": "Expected Goals (xG)",
              "code": "expected-goals",
              "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS",
              "model_type": "statistic",
              "stat_group": "offensive"
            }
          },
          {
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              "value": 0.0992
            },
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              "id": 5305,
              "name": "Expected Goals on Target (xGoT)",
              "code": "expected-goals-on-target",
              "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_ON_TARGET",
              "model_type": "statistic",
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        "formation_field": "3:1",
        "type_id": 11,
        "formation_position": 6,
        "player_name": "Martin Ødegaard",
        "jersey_number": 8,
        "xglineup": [
          {
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              "value": 0.2048
            },
            "type": {
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              "name": "Expected Goals (xG)",
              "code": "expected-goals",
              "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS",
              "model_type": "statistic",
              "stat_group": "offensive"
            }
          },
          {
            "id": 1096638033,
            "fixture_id": 18842619,
            "player_id": 26823,
            "team_id": 19,
            "lineup_id": 9550022488,
            "type_id": 5305,
            "data": {
              "value": 0.2386
            },
            "type": {
              "id": 5305,
              "name": "Expected Goals on Target (xGoT)",
              "code": "expected-goals-on-target",
              "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_ON_TARGET",
              "model_type": "statistic",
              "stat_group": "offensive"
            }
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "id": 9550022474,
        "sport_id": 1,
        "fixture_id": 18842619,
        "player_id": 5329,
        "team_id": 19,
        "position_id": 27,
        "formation_field": "4:2",
        "type_id": 11,
        "formation_position": 10,
        "player_name": "Gabriel Jesus",
        "jersey_number": 9,
        "xglineup": [
          {
            "id": 1096507834,
            "fixture_id": 18842619,
            "player_id": 5329,
            "team_id": 19,
            "lineup_id": 9550022474,
            "type_id": 5304,
            "data": {
              "value": 0.0889
            },
            "type": {
              "id": 5304,
              "name": "Expected Goals (xG)",
              "code": "expected-goals",
              "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS",
              "model_type": "statistic",
              "stat_group": "offensive"
            }
          },
          {
            "id": 1096662247,
            "fixture_id": 18842619,
            "player_id": 5329,
            "team_id": 19,
            "lineup_id": 9550022474,
            "type_id": 5305,
            "data": {
              "value": 0.0011
            },
            "type": {
              "id": 5305,
              "name": "Expected Goals on Target (xGoT)",
              "code": "expected-goals-on-target",
              "developer_name": "EXPECTED_GOALS_ON_TARGET",
              "model_type": "statistic",
              "stat_group": "offensive"
            }
          }
        ]
      },

Including the xG data

You can also choose to include this data in one of your GET Fixtures or GET Livescores request. You can do that by using either of these includes: &include=xGFixture for fixture data.
&include=lineups.xGLineup for player data.

To retrieve more information about the specific values you’re receiving, you can use the include .type to both of the includes mentioned above. This will show you all the types we offer for our Expected Values.

Now you’re ready to send the request to our Football API, and you will retrieve the desired xG data.

Understanding the response

Understanding the response from the Sportmonks Football API is essential for effectively using xG data in your football analysis. The response provides detailed information in a structured format, including the unique id (id) of the expected value, the fixture related to the value (fixture_id), the type of the Expected value (type_id), the participant related to the Expected value (participant_id), the value itself (value), and the location of the home or away team (location). For the example above, you can see that Arsenal had an xG value of 2.49 in the match against Wolves. If you’re interested in a detailed explanation of the xG metrics, you can read our xG explained blog.

Analysing the xG data

Now that you already understand the significance of xG values, you’ll need to consider the context of the match when analysing xG data. Factors such as team strength, playing style, and match conditions can influence xG values. Then, you can analyse xG data over multiple matches to identify patterns and trends. Look for correlations between xG values and match outcomes to uncover valuable insights. Finally, you can use xG data to inform tactical decisions, evaluate performance or enhance predictive modelling.

How are xG values calculated?

xG values are calculated using historical shot data. The calculations are made based on the shot's location, angle, and distance. Next, the type of shot (for example, header or foot) is considered. The position of the goalkeeper and players is also used in the calculations. This data and additional information are used to create the different xG metrics, providing a comprehensive understanding of goal-scoring probabilities.

Expected goals is usually expressed as a value between 0 and 1, where 0 indicates a very low probability of scoring and 1 indicates a very high probability. For example, a clear one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper might have a high xG value close to 1, while a long-range speculative shot might have a low xG value closer to 0. An xG value above 0.38 for a specific shot is considered a big chance. For example, a penalty has an average xG of 0.79 to be scored.

Keep in mind that the quality of a player is not accounted for. So, for expected goals, it does not matter if Lionel Messi is the one taking a shot or if the data scientist of Sportmonks takes the shot.

How can I get access to xG Data?

You can simply get access by going to MySportmonks and adding the Expected Goal add-on to your subscription. Not yet registered to MySportmonks? Create your account and start with Expected Goals by creating your New Subscription.

How does speed impact the availability of xG values?

The availability of xG values is influenced by the speed of data processing. Since xG calculations require match statistics like shots, there may be a delay before xG values become available. Patience is key as relevant match data is processed to generate accurate xG insights.

What are the numeric values associated with xG?

xG statistics generate numeric values that show the chance of scoring based on the quality of chances created or conceded. These values for one specific player usually range between 0 and 1.5 for a specific fixture. For example, Erling Haaland had an xG value of 1.1634 in the Manchester Derby (18842545). In that fixture, he scored 1 goal in total. Pretty accurate, right? For that same fixture, the xG for both teams was as follows: Manchester City: 3.6439 - Manchester United: 0.3841. As you can see, the xG values are pretty accurate to the actual outcome, which was 3-1. However, Marcus Rashford's wonder strike shows that xG doesn't always tell the full story. He had an xG of 0.3553 for that match but did manage to score 1 goal. Remember: This will not always be the case. You may expect Erlin Haaland to finish a 0,89 chance or to score at least once or twice if he has a total of 3,10 xG. However, that doesn't mean the xG metrics are wrong if he doesn't. xG metrics are just parameters to calculate the quality of a chance or multiple chances. Even if a chance has a 99% chance of resulting in a goal, there is a 1% chance it will not.

What can I use xG Corner/Free Kick/Penalty for?

Of course, we offer xG Open Play and xG Set Play. But if you want to dive deeper into xG Set Play, the metrics xG Corner, xG Free Kick, and xG Penalty will come in handy. These statistics have particular use cases. For example, in the 2023/2024 season, Arsenal scored many goals from set pieces. For some people, it might be very interesting to see if the XG Arsenal generates is higher than the XG for other title contenders (like Manchester City and Liverpool). At the moment of writing, they are only 1 point apart and are numbers one to three in the league standings. As you can imagine, the over- and underperformance of these teams from set pieces might have a small or big influence on the rest of the season. It might be interesting to show which of the set pieces generates the most xG for certain teams and to find out if there are any differences. For one team, free kicks might be way more dangerous (maybe because they have a free-kick specialist), while others have a way higher xG from corners (maybe because they have two giants as centre-backs who join the attack when they have a corner). As you can see, these use cases can be really interesting to get a better understanding of the tactics of specific teams and to find out if a late free kick or corner is actually as interesting as it seems when the whole stadium is cheering to support their team with this late chance to score.

Written by Wesley Van Rooij

Wesley van Rooij is a marketing and football expert with over 5 years of industry experience. His comprehensive knowledge of the Sportmonks Football API and a focused approach to APIs in the Sports Data industry allow him to offer insights and support to enthusiasts and businesses. His outstanding marketing and communication skills and technical writing expertise enable him to empathise with developers. He understands their needs and challenges to facilitate the development of cutting-edge football applications that stand out in the market.

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