Trends in Goal Scoring by PSL Teams During Q1
Rewritten Article:
Football Action Galore: What to Expect in the Second Half of the 2024 PSL Season
The recent international break has come to an end, and we're back to reconnoiter the thrilling happenings in the *Premier Soccer League (PSL). With roughly 20% of the season already under our belts (50 games played), every team has tasted victory and defeat, with only one undefeated team - league leaders Orlando Pirates - and one winless team - TS Galaxy.
As we march towards the end of the year, scheduled are another 40 games, catapulting the completed games percentage to 38%. The forthcoming months will brim with more football action, as the second half of the season, Nedbank Cup matches, and the March international break take center stage. Buckle up, for the next five months promise to be a rollercoaster ride! But will this flurry of games impact the quality of football, leading to fewer goal-scoring opportunities? Only time will spill the beans.
Where do the shots originate?
The following shot map visualizes the shooting volume and accuracy for all 16 teams in the league, sorted by the number of shots taken thus far. Zoom in to find your favorite team.
Despite their Cup final heartbreak, Mamelodi Sundowns continue to be ruthless in front of the net, netting the most league goals (15) among all teams. Their impressive shot conversion rate of 23% indicates excellent finishing skills - well over the league average of 10% - but it has dropped slightly (by 3%) since the October international break and could decrease further in the coming weeks. Like SunDowns, Orlando Pirates, the league leaders, have the highest xG (11.75) but an above-average 40 errant shots - a hint that they lack conviction in crucial moments.
Kaizer Chiefs may have stumbled early in the season, but they've taken the second-highest number of shots in the league, lagging slightly behind their rivals, Orlando Pirates. Despite taking the league lead in inaccuracy, the Glamour Boys' shooting accuracy can help them climb higher if they can improve their finishing skills and shore up their defense.
Teams like Stellenbosch FC and Sekhukhune United, currently sitting 4th and 5th on the table, have displayed promising shooting volumes, but their low conversion rates suggest they still have room for improvement.
In our previous post, we noted that some teams, including Royal AM, SuperSport United, Magesi, and TS Galaxy, were struggling to capitalize on opportunities. Now, Cape Town City FC and Marumo Gallants have joined the ranks, with disappointing shot conversion rates of just 6%.
The league average shot conversion rate rarely deviates significantly from 10%, whether domestically or internationally. To secure higher spots on the table, teams need both volume and accuracy. For instance, Golden Arrows boasted the second-highest shot conversion rate last season (12%), but their low shot volume (ranking 15th) offset their finishing prowess.
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Insights:
- Increased games in a short period can lead to higher player fatigue, defensive lapses, and a dip in goal creation.
- Tactical adaptations may become necessary to manage player fatigue, potentiallyimpacting goal creation as teams become more cautious.
- International breaks can disrupt a team's momentum, making it challenging for teams on a winning streak to regain their previous form immediately.
- Returning players from international duty may not be at their peak fitness or form, which can influence the overall team performance and goal creation.
- Although specific data for the second half of the 2024 PSL season is not available, these insights highlight the general potential impacts on football quality and goal creation.
- In the second half of the 2025 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season, we can expect to see high volumes of shots from teams like Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch FC, although their low conversion rates suggest they need to improve.
- Despite their impressive shot conversion rate, league leaders Orlando Pirates are noted for taking an above-average number of errant shots, signifying potential moments of indecision.
- As teams prepare for another 40 games in the second half of the 2025 PSL season, some may need to adapt their tactics to manage player fatigue, ultimately impacting goal creation.
- Teams aiming for a higher spot on the table will need to strike a balance between shot volume and accuracy, like Golden Arrows did last season, when they finished with the second-highest shot conversion rate but ranked 15th in shot volume.
