We are just eight games into the 24/25 campaign and the Scottish Premiership is already proving to be a real a rollercoaster, with both Celtic and Aberdeen are neck and neck at the top of the league, while Rangers struggle continues as they languishes in third.
There’s been two managers dismissed already, with both St Johnstone and Hearts opting for a change at the top. Hibs’ change of direction in the summer has so far not improved fortunes, with David Gray’s Easter Road side rock bottom of the league having won just one of their opening eight games.
It has been a bright start from newly promoted Dundee United, who sit in fourth after just one defeat, while Motherwell have also enjoyed an impressive start and occupy fifth position.
When it comes to each team’s start to the season, it is quite clear that the ability - or inability - to limit their opposition chances play a vital role in the league table’s current look. But how does each side compare to their rivals across the Scottish Premiership when it comes to xG conceded?
Using popular statistics website, FotMob,we rank each team on goals conceded vs expected goals (xG) conceded to see which defences are performing best so far this season.
5. Dundee - 14 goals conceded from an xG of 11.6
Conceding 2.4 more goals than xG anticipated them too, Dundee are one of the sides that need to tighten up at the back. | SNS Group
6. Ross County - 17 goals conceded from an xG of 15.
The Staggies suffered a poor 3-0 defeat to St Johnstone last week and are one of the leakier defences in the league, conceding two more goals than their xG expects them to. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
7. Hibs - 14 goals conceded from an xG of 12.1
The Easter Road outfit may be propping up the table as it stands, but they're far from the worst defence in the league. However, they have conceded 1.9 goals more than expected. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
8. Motherwell - 9 goals conceded from an xG of 10.7
The Fir Park outfit have started the season strongly, and much of the good work has come defensively. They have conceded nine goals, despite their 10.7 xG. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group