Atletico Madrid and Tottenham had the exact same overall score in 2017-18. Their defensive records were not even close.
FiveThirtyEight's Soccer Power Index (SPI) scores clubs on two separate dimensions: offensive output (expected goals scored per game) and defensive solidity (expected goals conceded per game). A team's overall SPI combines both, but looking at them separately reveals very different team identities.
In the 2017-18 season, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur were tied at 82.5 overall. Atletico's defensive rating was 0.4 — the best in the global top 20 — while Tottenham's was 0.7. On offense, Tottenham scored 2.5 expected goals per game against Atletico's 2.1. Same destination, different routes.
Attack vs. defense: SPI top 20, 2017-18
x = expected goals scored per game (higher = better attack). y = expected goals conceded per game (lower = better defense).
Source: FiveThirtyEight SPI, 2017-18 season
The scatter above shows all 20 clubs by their offensive (x-axis) and defensive (y-axis) ratings. The defensive axis is inverted — lower numbers mean better defense. Teams in the lower-right corner are the most complete: high attack, low concede.
Arsenal stands out at the top-right: the most prolific attack outside the top 5 (2.8 expected goals per game) but the worst defense in the top 20 (0.9 goals conceded). This is why they finished 6th in the Premier League despite a top-7 global offensive rating.
Top 20 clubs by Soccer Power Index, 2017-18
Overall SPI score (0-100). Combines offensive output and defensive solidity.
Source: FiveThirtyEight SPI, 2017-18 season
A note on this data. These rankings are from the 2017-18 season. FiveThirtyEight's soccer ratings platform was discontinued after ABC News acquired the site. The data is sourced from a community archive of the original dataset. Current rankings would look different — Bayern Munich's dynasty has since been challenged, Manchester City has risen further, and several clubs have changed substantially.
