This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

According to Experimental361’s alternative Premier League table based on expected goals, Tottenham Hotspur lie in 17th position ahead of the visit of Watford on Saturday.

It is a sign of just how poor and perhaps fortunate Spurs have been so far this term, especially considering they currently lie in ninth position before they face the division’s bottom club at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium today.

For those who don’t know, the xG table is based upon the quality of chances both created and conceded compared to a team’s actual goal tallies.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men have scored 14 goals and let in 12 in their eight top flight fixtures to date, with their defensive record particularly eye-catching given they only conceded 26 in the entire 2016/17 campaign, for example.

According to Experimental361’s calculations according to expected goals, they would have 4.2 fewer to their name, while they would have let in 2.1 more.

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If that had been the case in a non-hypothetical world, they would be lying in 17th position and only ahead of Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Norwich City, with a measly six points to their name – relegation form, indeed.

The 10 goals they have conceded in their previous two fixtures against Bayern Munich and Brighton and Hove Albion tells you all you need to know about the north London outfit’s situation and lack of confidence right now, and these latest statistics should be a cause for concern.

To put it simply, they are allowing the opposition to create far too many clear-cut chances, and aren’t doing the same themselves.

Tottenham have clearly been slightly fortunate with the finishing of some of the teams they have come up against, and they must hope that the same situation doesn’t arise against Quique Sanchez Flores’ strugglers this afternoon.

Consistent attacking personnel and ensuring there is more protection for the defence could be two of the potential answers, as Pochettino looks to turn Spurs’ fortunes around.