The Indian Super League (ISL) season 2024-2025 is one-third of its way through, and Bengaluru FC remain at the top of the table with 17 points from eight matches. In second are Mohun Bagan SG with 14 points from seven matches. The third and fourth positions of the table are held by NorthEast United FC and Chennayin FC with 14 and 14 points respectively from eight matches.

With eight matchweeks completed Mohammedan SC and East Bengal FC remain at the bottom of the table in 12th and 13th positions with just five and one point respectively.

With a third of the league season behind us, we have just about enough action under the belt to have a look at the expect goals metrics and how teams have been faring on attacking as well as defensive fronts in terms of creating and conceding chances and the quality of these chances at either ends.

Expected goals

Teams	Goals	Expected Goals	G-xG
NorthEast United FC	19	11.95	7.05
FC Goa	16	10.48	5.52
Bengaluru FC	13	8	5
Mohun Bagan SG	13	9.07	3.93
Odisha FC	13	9.2	3.8
Chennaiyin FC	16	12.28	3.72
Jamshedpur FC	11	8.23	2.77
Kerala Blasters FC	12	9.3	2.7
Mumbai City FC	12	10.99	1.01
Hyderabad FC	7	6.4	0.6
Punjab FC	10	9.59	0.41
East Bengal FC	4	8.02	-4.02
Mohammedan SC	3	8.84	-5.84

xG (expected goals) is a metric used to assess the quality of scoring opportunities in football, and how many goals a player or team should have scored, based on the chances they had.

With the completion of eight matchweeks. NorthEast United FC who are third on the table have overperformed their xG significantly, scoring approximately seven more goals than their expected total of 11.95 in xG showcasing that the Highlanders have had a very remarkable start in front of goal. It comes as no surprise with newcomer Alaaeddine Ajaraie scoring 11 goals in the eight matches. When a striker is scoring at the rate, it's very natural to see him outperforming the xG metric. It will be interesting to see how long he can sustain this scoring rate and in case it dips, how will the Higlanders make up for the loss of goals.

Similarly, FC Goa and Bengaluru FC have also exceeded their performance, with both outscoring their expected goals by approximately five each. While Chennaiyin FC and Odisha FC have modest positive differentials, Jamshedpur FC and Kerala Blasters FC are closer to their expected goal totals, with minimal overperformance. On the other hand, Mohammedan SC, East Bengal FC, and Punjab FC have underperformed their xG, scoring fewer goals than expected, with Mohammedan SC notably underperforming by over five goals.

While underpeformance in xG could point at a possible room for improvement for these teams, it could also be a reflection of a problem these sides are facing in converting the chances they create. It is a problem that may or may not go away as the season progresses.

Expected goals Against

Teams	Goals Conceded	Expected Goals Against	G-xGA
Bengaluru FC	6	8.29	-2.29
Chennaiyin FC	12	13.11	-1.11
Hyderabad FC	10	10.7	-0.7
Odisha FC	14	12.32	1.68
Mohun Bagan SG	8	6.28	1.72
Punjab FC	7	4.33	2.67
NorthEast United FC	14	11.04	2.96
FC Goa	13	9.93	3.07
Mohammedan SC	11	7.86	3.14
Mumbai City FC	10	6.58	3.42
Kerala Blasters FC	16	12.13	3.87
East Bengal FC	12	8.06	3.94
Jamshedpur FC	16	11.72	4.28

Expected Goals Against (xGA) is a metric used to estimate the number of goals a team would be expected to concede based on the quality of scoring chances they allowed. Bengaluru FC have outperformed expectations, conceding two fewer goals than their xGA of 8.29, highlighting their strong defensive start to the season. Chennaiyin FC and Hyderabad FC have also shows some defensive overperformance. The Mariana Machans conceding two goals fewer than expected and Hyderabad one goal fewer. Owen Coyle would want to improve on this front as Chennaiyin FC have the worst xGA in the league even behind Jamshedpur FC who have conceded four goals more.

The Men of Steel have underperformed defensively, conceding four goals more than expected, which is the highest negative differential (4.28) on the table, underlining defensive struggles. Kerala Blasters FC, East Bengal FC, and Mohammedan SC have also conceded more than expected, with Kerala Blasters showing a GC - xGA of 3.87, East Bengal at 3.94, and Mohammedan at 3.14, suggesting room for improvement in their backlines, especially when it comes to cutting down individual mistakes.

Mohun Bagan SG and Punjab FC, despite conceding slightly more than expected, remain relatively close to their xGA.