The most wasteful Premier League sides so far this season - including Man Utd, Chelsea, and more

Not sure if you've heard, but the word on the street is that goals win football matches. It's a cliche so drab and well-trodden that even Michael Owen might dismiss it as a touch on the nose, but it is the truth.

Even with an iron-clad defence, you will struggle to find a goal-shy side anywhere near the upper reaches of a division, and quite often, those of a wasteful disposition will soundly fail to achieve their ambitions in any given campaign. But that doesn't always mean that the teams who squander the most chances are the ones battling relegation.

We've taken a look at the Premier League clubs who have the largest negative disparity between their xG and the actual number of goals they have scored per 90 minutes, and have collated the worst six in the top flight below. Look away now, Manchester United fans, this doesn't make for pleasant reading...

Bournemouth - -0.24 per game

It took a little while for Andoni Iraola to make his mark on this Bournemouth side, but at long last, it would appear that the Cherries are moving in the right direction. Five games unbeaten and rocketing up the league, things are looking good on the south coast, but that sluggish start was still enough to ensure Bournemouth's spot on this list.

Chelsea - -0.35 per game

Chelsea have endured a grim season so far. Despite early signs of promise under Mauricio Pochettino, they have ultimately slipped back into their old, stagnated ways, and at the time of writing, they are currently 12th in the Premier League table, 10 points clear of the relegation zone. One of the biggest problems they have faced is a lack of a reliable goal threat, and with that in mind, it is probably no surprise to read constant reports detailing their desire to sign a new striker in January.

Crystal Palace - -0.43 per game

Crystal Palace, blessed with the likes of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, are never going to be caught too short when it comes to creating goalscoring opportunities. That being said, it would appear that they could really use a boost to their finishing capabilities. Only bottom side Sheffield United have registered fewer strikes than the Eagles this season, and when you consider that they have wasted an expected 6.88 goals already, that stat is hardly shocking.

Brentford - -0.47 per game

Brentford have been without Ivan Toney for the first half of the campaign, and based on their wasteful ways in front of goal, they are feeling his absence keenly. Perhaps the biggest concern the Bees will have, however, is that the 27-year-old is widely expected to leave them in January. If they don't reinvest the sizeable transfer he is likely to fetch properly, then it could prove to be a long and arduous second half of the season for Thomas Frank's men.

Everton - -0.55 per game

This season has been one of several 'what ifs' for Everton thus far. What if they hadn't been deducted 10 points for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations? What if they hadn't wasted as many 8.8 expected goals by mid-December? Ultimately, we'll never know, but Sean Dyche can at least rest easy in the knowledge that neither shortcoming looks set to damage his side's survival hopes, based on their current form, at least.

Manchester United - -0.72 game

And finally, the most wasteful team in the Premier League so far this season is Manchester United - and honestly, it's not even particularly close. The Red Devils' most prolific scorer in the top flight is central midfielder Scott McTominay, which is a damning indictment in and of itself, but the fact that they have squandered 11.52 goals already is simply unforgivable. It is little wonder that their goal difference sits at -3, the worst in the top eight by quite some distance.