Goalless draws rise in Premier League as shots and goals fall

Goalless draws have become more common in the Premier League this season, with Nottingham Forest v Arsenal and Wolves v Newcastle both finishing 0-0 at the weekend, taking the season total to 17. Seventeen goalless games so far is already more than last season (16) and the season before (11).

Three of the four matches played on New Year’s Day ended 0-0, and the current rate of 7.7% of matches finishing goalless is the highest since 2020-21 (7.9%). Crystal Palace and Newcastle have been involved in the most 0-0s this season (four each), while Manchester United, Fulham and West Ham have yet to draw 0-0.

There have been 603 goals in 220 games this season, an average of 2.7 per game. Teams are playing more directly — fewer passes, more long balls and greater reliance on set pieces — and matches are averaging 24.4 shots per game, the second fewest since records began. Shots on target are at a record low (8.2 per game) even though inside-the-box shots remain high (16.7); outside-the-box shots have fallen below eight (7.8) for the first time.

The season’s shot conversion rate is 11.2%, suggesting the rise in 0-0s is linked more to fewer shots than poorer shot quality. Analysts note coaches tightened defending after recent high-scoring seasons and say football trends tend to cycle, so attacking focus could yet reverse the pattern.

Key Topics

Sports, Premier League, Goalless Draws, Arsenal, Newcastle, Crystal Palace