Background and purpose Modern football increasingly demands an analytical approach, particularly in terms of enhancing scoring performance. The aim of this article is to analyze the modern statistical indicator of expected goals (xG) in football and its impact on the performance of teams and players according to the data of modern scientific literature. The use of xG allows coaches, analysts, and fans to better evaluate the effectiveness of attacking actions, predict match outcomes, and make informed decisions regarding game strategy. Material and methods Articles were selected using a search tool in the Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. The search was carried out using the keywords "xG", "football", "performance", "football statistics", "football analytics", "shot on goal" The search was conducted as follows: first, the word "football" was entered, 43,706 sources were found, then "football statistics, analytics" was specified, 109 sources were found, among which 5 were selected that most corresponded to the topic of our research. Results It has been found that the probability of converting a shot into a goal depends on the player's position in the finishing zone, the location of the shot, the angle to the goal, the distance to the goal, the part of the body used to take the shot, the preparation for the shot, the number of touches before the shot, the number of players in the ball's path, and the goalkeeper's position. It was also determined that some zones are better suited for preparing a shot or continuing a combination play due to a low xG value. Conclusions The conducted analysis made it possible to study how the metric of expected goals (xG) affects performance. Coaches use xG data to optimize their game plans, focusing on creating high-quality scoring chances rather than simply increasing the number of shots. In addition, xG can inform defensive strategies by highlighting the types of shots most likely to lead to goals, allowing teams to adjust their defensive positioning and pressure tactics accordingly.
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