The numbers behind Aberdeen's impressive start to season

Sitting second in the Premiership at the international break, Aberdeen have had a hugely impressive start to the new campaign.

The Dons look a team transformed under Jimmy Thelin, who has steered the club to four league wins out of four as part of a record-breaking start to his tenure of nine successive victories.

Aberdeen are joint on points with leaders Celtic, four points clear of Dundee United, and the numbers make for fine viewing as well as the football.

According to Opta stats, Thelin's side have created 11 big chances, a tally bettered only by Celtic and Rangers.

With eight goals scored, the Dons are comfortably outperforming their xG of 5.4.

Of those eight goals, five have come from open play and the remaining three from corners - a set-piece prowess that is a league high.

The new man in the dugout is finding joy from stability too. Thelin has made just two starting XI changes this season, the lowest in the league, and has only used 19 players.

From that the Pittodrie side have had five different goalscorers. Jamie McGrath is top of the goals and assist charts with five goal contributions in four games. The Irishman has also created the most chances in the league with 17, with Lennon Miller of Motherwell the closest to him on 11.

Papa Gueye's three goals have him joint top scorer with Celtic's Callum McGregor and Cyriel Dessers of Rangers.

There's plenty of cause for optimism in the north east with the numbers showing a creative, attacking team that can score goals and create chances.