The xG curse and what needs to change amid Nottingham Forest’s search for goals

Nottingham Forest are facing a severe goalscoring drought under head coach Oliver Glasner, sitting 19th in the Premier League table with five points after seven games. Following a 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal, the Reds have gone five consecutive home matches without scoring across all competitions. Despite creating chances, Forest are underperforming significantly against their expected metrics, recording just five goals from an expected goals tally of 11.20.

Sarah Clapson writes that Forest possess the division's lowest conversion rate at 4.17%, having missed 17 out of 21 big chances created. While strikers Liam Delap and Chris Wood have faced criticism from pundits for missed opportunities, Glasner insisted the team's struggles are not due to a lack of confidence. Forest are expected to welcome back Morgan Gibbs-White from a muscle injury for their upcoming match against Ipswich Town.