Ranking the 20 Premier League Clubs on Their Defensive Strength

It's easy to look at the Premier League table and see which teams have performed better than others throughout the season, but sometimes it's not easy to see where teams have gone wrong.

A common problem is conceding too many goals, but who are the worst offenders?

Here are the 20 Premier League teams ranked on their defensive results so far this season.

Some of the positions may surprise you.

20. Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolverhampton Wanderers have conceded a heavy 73 goals in their 34 league games to date.

Unfortunately, that kind of leaky defense spells relegation and Wolves are at the bottom of the Premier League.

Their conceding ratio is 2.18 goals a game.

Championship.

19. Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers have conceded the same amount of goals as Wolverhampton Wanderers and their relegation prospects are just as serious.

Losing Chris Samba in January was a huge blow to a team already defensively loose.

Troubling.

18. Bolton Wanderers

It's hardly surprising to see the Premier League's three worst defenses take up the bottom three league positions.

Bolton have conceded 65 goals in 32 league games to date, an average of 2.03 goals per game.

Gifters.

17. Norwich City

Norwich City have fortunately managed to match their defensive weakness with offensive strength.

The Canaries have managed only two clean sheets in the league all season, and have conceded 58 goals in 34 games.

A conceding ratio of 1.70 goals per game sees them lying 11th.

Brazilian style.

16. Wigan Athletic

Wigan—like Norwich City—have conceded 58 goals, but they have managed to grind out six clean sheets on the way, showing they can park the bus when they have to.

Ali Al-Habsi has been a revelation for the Latics.

Oman.

15. Queens Park Rangers

Queens Park Rangers have the sixth worst defense in the Premier League having allowed 57 goals to breach their back line.

An average conceding rate of 1.68 goals per game sees them lie in 17th place, just above the relegation zone.

Flirting.

14. Aston Villa

Alex McLeish has his work cut out to keep Aston Villa fans onside following his side's poor season thus far.

After 34 games, the Villains have conceded 48 goals, giving them a league position that could still threaten relegation.

Not safe.

13. West Bromwich Albion

The Baggies are well clear of the relegation zone, but it's in no way due to their tight defense.

47 goals in 34 games sees them get an average conceding rate of 1.38 goals per game. More clean sheets are required next season.

Improving.

12. Stoke City

Normally stingy Stoke City had an unusual start to the season but have become tighter as time has worn on.

After 34 games thus far, the Potters have an average conceding rate of 1.32 goals per game and they find themselves in 14th place in the league.

Recovering.

11. Swansea City

Swansea City have been somewhat of a surprise package in the league this season, but have been a little loose at the back after conceding an average of 1.29 goals a game.

Michel Vorm has had an impressive Premier League debut season, but will be upset with conceding 44 goals after having 13 clean sheets from 34 matches.

When it rains, it pours.

10. Fulham

Clint Dempsey has gained most of the attacking plaudits for Fulham this season, but their defensive home form has been impressive under Martin Jol.

With just 43 goals conceded this season, Fulham will be looking to build on their plus points in 2012-13.

Their conceding average is 1.26 goals a game.

9. Arsenal

Arsenal's defensive record may have been better if they hadn't suffered an injury crisis in the first half of the season.

They have been notably more solid since the return of Bacary Sagna, but have still shipped 43 goals in 34 games.

Injuries.

8. Newcastle United

Perhaps the Premier League's biggest surprise package this season was Newcastle United.

The Toon Army are still in with a shout of a Champions League place after conceding just 42 goals in 33 games—a ratio of 1.27 in the EPL—which has brought plaudits to the likes of Fabricio Coloccini.

Impressive.

7. Sunderland

Sunderland under Martin O'Neill are a lot more solid than the Sunderland under Steve Bruce.

The Black Cats have shipped just 41 goals so far this season, an average of 1.20 per game.

Former Manchester United stalwarts John O'Shea and Wes Brown have helped steady the ship.

Surprising.

6. Chelsea

Chelsea's defensive record has severely waned under former manager Andre Villas-Boas, but things may have been much different with Roberto Di Matteo at the helm from the start of the season.

Chelsea have conceded 38 goals in 33 games, which is a ratio of 1.15 every 90 minutes.

With just nine clean sheets all season, Petr Cech won't be too happy with his chances of winning the Golden Glove.

Declined.

5. Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur have actually conceded the same amount of goals as Chelsea, but have managed three more clean sheets along the way.

As Brad Friedel prepares to make his 300th consecutive appearance, you wouldn't bet against him making it clean sheet number 13.

Amazing.

4. Liverpool

Despite their poor league campaign in the 2011-12 season, Liverpool can't blame their defence.

Having let in just 36 goals in 33 games, the Reds ought to look to their forward line to see where things are going wrong.

Their conceding ration of 1.09 per game is the Premier League's fourth best.

Cup team.

3. Everton

Everton are the most surprising defensive package of the season, particularly considering the budget David Moyes works with.

The Toffees have conceded one goal fewer than Liverpool, which gives them the third-best defensive record this season so far.

1.03 is their conceding average, a record Tim Howard will be happy with.

American.

2. Manchester United

You don't get to the top of the Premier League without being tight at the back.

Manchester United have been rock solid in conceding just 28 goals in 34 games, a run which has included 18 clean sheets split between three different goalkeepers along the way.

Adaptable.

1. Manchester City

Manchester United are only bettered by the defence of their noisy neighbours, Manchester City.

City have conceded one goal fewer than United with Joe Hart having to pick the ball out of the back of the net on just 27 occasions.

Their conceding ratio of 0.79 per game coupled with 14 clean sheets gives them the best defence in the Premier League.

Parking the bus.

Afterthoughts

It seems the northwest of England has been dictating the defensive aspects of the Premier League this season with the top four all coming from Liverpool and Manchester.

Things could still change with four matches to go, but you have to tip your hat to the job that David Moyes has done at Everton. Working with a shoestring budget and currently achieving the third-tightest defense in the league is admirable.

All statistics are courtesy of PremierLeague.com and are assumed correct at the time of writing.

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