If football outcomes were purely decided on statistics, there would be very little reason for Charlton Athletic to make the journey to Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Boro have taken the most points in the last 10 matches - 22 - with the Addicks (eight) down in 20th. Only West Ham United (29) have scored more goals than Kim Hellberg’s side (24) over that period.
Middlesbrough are also top of a number of the metrics in the current campaign - expected goals (xG), shots on target per match, accurate passes per match and touches in the opposition box.
They rank second for big chances and also xG conceded. At both ends of the pitch they are performing.
Will Lankshear celebrates Boro’s final goal at Bolton last weekend/Picture: Alamy
Last season’s Championship play-off finalists moved to the top of the table after a 5-1 demolition of Bolton Wanderers on Friday night. Charlton, nine without a victory after Saturday’s 3-1 reverse to Norwich City, are 19th.
Now comes what looks to be the ultimate test for the Addicks and their boss Nathan Jones. The confident and swaggering league leaders at The Riverside.
