Life particularly miserable at Tottenham without long-term absentee

The proof is in the numbers: How Bentancur’s absence has impacted Tottenham

First and most importantly, Bentancur’s presence directly corresponds to a much higher percentage of points taken.

Tottenham took 63 percent of points in the 18 matches he played this season (34 out of 54 points). Compare that to the 49 percent they’ve taken in the 13 matches without Bentancur. (19 out of 39 points).

While the points-taken category offers the best evidence of how costly his absence has been, several others are worth noting:

18 matches with Bentancur

• 35 goals scored (1.94 per match)
• 28 goals against (1.55 per match)
• 6 clean sheets (a clean sheet every three matches)
• Tottenham kept off the scoresheet once
• 1.26 expected goals per match
• 1.19 expected goals against per match

13 matches without Bentancur

• 22 goals for (1.69 per match)
• 17 goals against (1.31 per match)
• 3 clean sheets (clean sheet every 4.3 matches)
• Tottenham kept off the scoresheet three times
• 1.35 expected goals per match
• 1.25 expected goals against per match

Tottenham’s expected goals per match are one of the more interesting analytical categories. Spurs have a higher expected goals per match (1.35) without Bentancur than with him (1.26).

However, Tottenham scores more goals per game (1.96 compared to 1.69) with the Uruguayan, evidence of Spurs’ more clinical and ruthless nature when Bentancur is in the lineup.

The numbers prove a distinct difference to Spurs’ bottom line.

There are, of course, various other more prominent factors contributing to Tottenham’s recent demise, but losing their most enterprising and creative midfielder certainly hasn’t helped.