Opta Analyst
@optaanalyst.optajoe.com
Data-driven storytelling for sport. 📈
U.S. sports @optaanalystus.optajoe.com
https://www.theanalyst.com
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U.S. sports @optaanalystus.optajoe.com
https://www.theanalyst.com
Sign up for our Stat, Viz, Quiz football newsletter: http://theanalyst.com/sign-up
What. A. Win.
Seven years on from a 3-0 defeat to Lionel Messi's Barcelona, Chelsea turned the tables on the Spanish giants.
Are they Champions League contenders?
Seven years on from a 3-0 defeat to Lionel Messi's Barcelona, Chelsea turned the tables on the Spanish giants.
Are they Champions League contenders?
November 25, 2025 at 10:10 PM
What. A. Win.
Seven years on from a 3-0 defeat to Lionel Messi's Barcelona, Chelsea turned the tables on the Spanish giants.
Are they Champions League contenders?
Seven years on from a 3-0 defeat to Lionel Messi's Barcelona, Chelsea turned the tables on the Spanish giants.
Are they Champions League contenders?
Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona HT
The stats don't tell the whole story at Stamford Bridge, where a rampant Chelsea have had two goals disallowed and could easily be more than 1-0 up.
Barcelona are down to 10 men and face a huge task in the second half.
The stats don't tell the whole story at Stamford Bridge, where a rampant Chelsea have had two goals disallowed and could easily be more than 1-0 up.
Barcelona are down to 10 men and face a huge task in the second half.
November 25, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona HT
The stats don't tell the whole story at Stamford Bridge, where a rampant Chelsea have had two goals disallowed and could easily be more than 1-0 up.
Barcelona are down to 10 men and face a huge task in the second half.
The stats don't tell the whole story at Stamford Bridge, where a rampant Chelsea have had two goals disallowed and could easily be more than 1-0 up.
Barcelona are down to 10 men and face a huge task in the second half.
Man City 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen HT
Pep Guardiola made 10 changes for this match, and his second string have put in a predictably disjointed performance.
Leverkusen lead at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola made 10 changes for this match, and his second string have put in a predictably disjointed performance.
Leverkusen lead at the Etihad.
November 25, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Man City 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen HT
Pep Guardiola made 10 changes for this match, and his second string have put in a predictably disjointed performance.
Leverkusen lead at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola made 10 changes for this match, and his second string have put in a predictably disjointed performance.
Leverkusen lead at the Etihad.
Only Victor Osimhen (six) has been directly involved in more goals in the Champions League this season than Harvey Barnes (five).
November 25, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Only Victor Osimhen (six) has been directly involved in more goals in the Champions League this season than Harvey Barnes (five).
Ajax 0-2 Benfica FT
Benfica win the battle of the basement boys, leaving Ajax as the only team with 0 points in the #UCL league phase.
José Mourinho picks up his seventh CL win over Ajax - only Guardiola vs Shakhtar and Ancelotti vs Bayern have more wins vs a single opponent.
Benfica win the battle of the basement boys, leaving Ajax as the only team with 0 points in the #UCL league phase.
José Mourinho picks up his seventh CL win over Ajax - only Guardiola vs Shakhtar and Ancelotti vs Bayern have more wins vs a single opponent.
November 25, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Ajax 0-2 Benfica FT
Benfica win the battle of the basement boys, leaving Ajax as the only team with 0 points in the #UCL league phase.
José Mourinho picks up his seventh CL win over Ajax - only Guardiola vs Shakhtar and Ancelotti vs Bayern have more wins vs a single opponent.
Benfica win the battle of the basement boys, leaving Ajax as the only team with 0 points in the #UCL league phase.
José Mourinho picks up his seventh CL win over Ajax - only Guardiola vs Shakhtar and Ancelotti vs Bayern have more wins vs a single opponent.
𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬
The teams are in from Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea will line up without a recognised striker... even though they have four on the bench.
Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong all play in a star-studded Barcelona team #UCL
The teams are in from Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea will line up without a recognised striker... even though they have four on the bench.
Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong all play in a star-studded Barcelona team #UCL
November 25, 2025 at 6:58 PM
𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬
The teams are in from Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea will line up without a recognised striker... even though they have four on the bench.
Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong all play in a star-studded Barcelona team #UCL
The teams are in from Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea will line up without a recognised striker... even though they have four on the bench.
Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong all play in a star-studded Barcelona team #UCL
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞: 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
After an excellent weekend for Arsenal and Chelsea, what has it done to the Opta supercomputer projections?
We reveal all... 👀
theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
After an excellent weekend for Arsenal and Chelsea, what has it done to the Opta supercomputer projections?
We reveal all... 👀
theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
Premier League Title Race 2025-26: The Opta Supercomputer Projections | Opta Analyst
After a good weekend for Arsenal and Chelsea, the Opta supercomputer tells us the latest projections for the 2025-26 Premier League title race.
theanalyst.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞: 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
After an excellent weekend for Arsenal and Chelsea, what has it done to the Opta supercomputer projections?
We reveal all... 👀
theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
After an excellent weekend for Arsenal and Chelsea, what has it done to the Opta supercomputer projections?
We reveal all... 👀
theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
Are Manchester United on the up?
Ahead of Monday’s clash with Everton, their 12-game rolling points-per-game average stands at 1.75. The last time it was higher than that was December 2023 after a Boxing Day win over Aston Villa took them to 1.83.
Ahead of Monday’s clash with Everton, their 12-game rolling points-per-game average stands at 1.75. The last time it was higher than that was December 2023 after a Boxing Day win over Aston Villa took them to 1.83.
November 24, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Are Manchester United on the up?
Ahead of Monday’s clash with Everton, their 12-game rolling points-per-game average stands at 1.75. The last time it was higher than that was December 2023 after a Boxing Day win over Aston Villa took them to 1.83.
Ahead of Monday’s clash with Everton, their 12-game rolling points-per-game average stands at 1.75. The last time it was higher than that was December 2023 after a Boxing Day win over Aston Villa took them to 1.83.
🤷♂️ Do Chelsea need to beat Arsenal next weekend for the good of the league?
⬇️ Are the current bottom three doomed?
❗ Will Spurs finish 17th again
We provide our knee-jerk reactions from this weekend in the Premier League.
theanalyst.com/articles/fiv...
⬇️ Are the current bottom three doomed?
❗ Will Spurs finish 17th again
We provide our knee-jerk reactions from this weekend in the Premier League.
theanalyst.com/articles/fiv...
Five Knee-Jerk Reactions to Premier League Matchday 12 | Opta Analyst
For our weekly column of knee-jerk reactions, here are five conclusions we’ve come to based across the action on Matchday 12 of the 2025-26 Premier League.
theanalyst.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:36 PM
🤷♂️ Do Chelsea need to beat Arsenal next weekend for the good of the league?
⬇️ Are the current bottom three doomed?
❗ Will Spurs finish 17th again
We provide our knee-jerk reactions from this weekend in the Premier League.
theanalyst.com/articles/fiv...
⬇️ Are the current bottom three doomed?
❗ Will Spurs finish 17th again
We provide our knee-jerk reactions from this weekend in the Premier League.
theanalyst.com/articles/fiv...
If Arsenal had any problems with chance creation in open play, they don't anymore.
The reason?
𝐄𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐢 𝐄𝐳𝐞 🔥
theanalyst.com/articles/ebe...
The reason?
𝐄𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐢 𝐄𝐳𝐞 🔥
theanalyst.com/articles/ebe...
Eberechi Eze Has Proved He Is the Solution to Arsenal’s Open-Play Problems | Opta Analyst
Eberechi Eze scored a historic hat-trick in his first north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday, continuing his fine start to life at Arsenal.
theanalyst.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:10 PM
If Arsenal had any problems with chance creation in open play, they don't anymore.
The reason?
𝐄𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐢 𝐄𝐳𝐞 🔥
theanalyst.com/articles/ebe...
The reason?
𝐄𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐢 𝐄𝐳𝐞 🔥
theanalyst.com/articles/ebe...
𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝟒-𝟏 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐦
A hat-trick from Eberechi Eze wins the north London derby for Arsenal, who extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points.
#ARSTOT
A hat-trick from Eberechi Eze wins the north London derby for Arsenal, who extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points.
#ARSTOT
November 23, 2025 at 6:39 PM
𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝟒-𝟏 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐦
A hat-trick from Eberechi Eze wins the north London derby for Arsenal, who extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points.
#ARSTOT
A hat-trick from Eberechi Eze wins the north London derby for Arsenal, who extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points.
#ARSTOT
It took until the 55th minute for Tottenham to have their first shot of the north London derby.
It was a pretty good one from Richarlison though, to be fair...
#ARSTOT
It was a pretty good one from Richarlison though, to be fair...
#ARSTOT
November 23, 2025 at 5:47 PM
It took until the 55th minute for Tottenham to have their first shot of the north London derby.
It was a pretty good one from Richarlison though, to be fair...
#ARSTOT
It was a pretty good one from Richarlison though, to be fair...
#ARSTOT
A one-sided north London derby so far. Goals from Leandro Trossard and Eberechi Eze have Arsenal in complete control at half-time against a Spurs side who haven't attempted a single shot at the Emirates.
#ARSTOT
#ARSTOT
November 23, 2025 at 5:23 PM
A one-sided north London derby so far. Goals from Leandro Trossard and Eberechi Eze have Arsenal in complete control at half-time against a Spurs side who haven't attempted a single shot at the Emirates.
#ARSTOT
#ARSTOT
𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
We look ahead to the north London derby at the Emirates Stadium with our Arsenal vs Tottenham prediction and preview.
Will the Gunners extend their lead at the top of the Premier League?
#ARSTOT
theanalyst.com/articles/ars...
We look ahead to the north London derby at the Emirates Stadium with our Arsenal vs Tottenham prediction and preview.
Will the Gunners extend their lead at the top of the Premier League?
#ARSTOT
theanalyst.com/articles/ars...
Arsenal vs Tottenham Prediction: Will Gunners Extend Winning Run in North London Derby? | Opta Analyst
We look ahead to Sunday's Premier League fixture at the Emirates Stadium with our Arsenal vs Tottenham prediction and preview.
theanalyst.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:14 PM
𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
We look ahead to the north London derby at the Emirates Stadium with our Arsenal vs Tottenham prediction and preview.
Will the Gunners extend their lead at the top of the Premier League?
#ARSTOT
theanalyst.com/articles/ars...
We look ahead to the north London derby at the Emirates Stadium with our Arsenal vs Tottenham prediction and preview.
Will the Gunners extend their lead at the top of the Premier League?
#ARSTOT
theanalyst.com/articles/ars...
𝐋𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝟏-𝟐 𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚
Unai Emery's men come from behind to win thanks to a second-half brace from Morgan Rogers.
The England international is the first Villa player to score twice at Elland Road in a Premier League game since Gareth Southgate in January 2000.
#LEEAVL
Unai Emery's men come from behind to win thanks to a second-half brace from Morgan Rogers.
The England international is the first Villa player to score twice at Elland Road in a Premier League game since Gareth Southgate in January 2000.
#LEEAVL
November 23, 2025 at 4:07 PM
𝐋𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝟏-𝟐 𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚
Unai Emery's men come from behind to win thanks to a second-half brace from Morgan Rogers.
The England international is the first Villa player to score twice at Elland Road in a Premier League game since Gareth Southgate in January 2000.
#LEEAVL
Unai Emery's men come from behind to win thanks to a second-half brace from Morgan Rogers.
The England international is the first Villa player to score twice at Elland Road in a Premier League game since Gareth Southgate in January 2000.
#LEEAVL
𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬
Piero Hincapié starts for Arsenal in place of the injured Gabriel Magalhães.
Spurs line up with a back three for the first time since the UEFA Super Cup against PSG, Thomas Frank's first game in charge.
#ARSTOT
Piero Hincapié starts for Arsenal in place of the injured Gabriel Magalhães.
Spurs line up with a back three for the first time since the UEFA Super Cup against PSG, Thomas Frank's first game in charge.
#ARSTOT
November 23, 2025 at 3:35 PM
𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬
Piero Hincapié starts for Arsenal in place of the injured Gabriel Magalhães.
Spurs line up with a back three for the first time since the UEFA Super Cup against PSG, Thomas Frank's first game in charge.
#ARSTOT
Piero Hincapié starts for Arsenal in place of the injured Gabriel Magalhães.
Spurs line up with a back three for the first time since the UEFA Super Cup against PSG, Thomas Frank's first game in charge.
#ARSTOT
𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐟𝐟 𝐖𝐞𝐝 𝟎-𝟑 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐟𝐟 𝐔𝐭𝐝
The bragging rights go to Sheffield United, who earn the biggest away win in the history of the Steel City derby.
The Blades remain in the relegation zone with their rivals, but are now just a point from safety.
The bragging rights go to Sheffield United, who earn the biggest away win in the history of the Steel City derby.
The Blades remain in the relegation zone with their rivals, but are now just a point from safety.
November 23, 2025 at 2:22 PM
𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐟𝐟 𝐖𝐞𝐝 𝟎-𝟑 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐟𝐟 𝐔𝐭𝐝
The bragging rights go to Sheffield United, who earn the biggest away win in the history of the Steel City derby.
The Blades remain in the relegation zone with their rivals, but are now just a point from safety.
The bragging rights go to Sheffield United, who earn the biggest away win in the history of the Steel City derby.
The Blades remain in the relegation zone with their rivals, but are now just a point from safety.
Newcastle 2-1 Man City FT
Newcastle came out on top of a game PACKED full of chances.
Instead of this being Erling Haaland's day for his 100th Premier League goal, Harvey Barnes grabbed the headlines.
Newcastle came out on top of a game PACKED full of chances.
Instead of this being Erling Haaland's day for his 100th Premier League goal, Harvey Barnes grabbed the headlines.
November 22, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Newcastle 2-1 Man City FT
Newcastle came out on top of a game PACKED full of chances.
Instead of this being Erling Haaland's day for his 100th Premier League goal, Harvey Barnes grabbed the headlines.
Newcastle came out on top of a game PACKED full of chances.
Instead of this being Erling Haaland's day for his 100th Premier League goal, Harvey Barnes grabbed the headlines.
Newcastle 0-0 Man City HT
Woltemade, Haaland, Barnes and Foden have all missed golden chances.
The two sides have had chances worth 2.59 xG between them, yet the game - somehow - remains goalless.
Woltemade, Haaland, Barnes and Foden have all missed golden chances.
The two sides have had chances worth 2.59 xG between them, yet the game - somehow - remains goalless.
November 22, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Newcastle 0-0 Man City HT
Woltemade, Haaland, Barnes and Foden have all missed golden chances.
The two sides have had chances worth 2.59 xG between them, yet the game - somehow - remains goalless.
Woltemade, Haaland, Barnes and Foden have all missed golden chances.
The two sides have had chances worth 2.59 xG between them, yet the game - somehow - remains goalless.
Reposted by Opta Analyst
4 - Liverpool are just the fourth side to start a season as defending champions in the Premier League with 6+ defeats in their first 12 games, after Blackburn Rovers in 1995-96 (6), Chelsea in 2015-16 (7), and Leicester City in 2016-17 (6). Crumbling.
November 22, 2025 at 5:09 PM
4 - Liverpool are just the fourth side to start a season as defending champions in the Premier League with 6+ defeats in their first 12 games, after Blackburn Rovers in 1995-96 (6), Chelsea in 2015-16 (7), and Leicester City in 2016-17 (6). Crumbling.
Nottingham Forest have become only the fourth visiting side to win a Premier League game at Anfield by a margin of 3+ goals.
Be honest. Who saw that coming?
theanalyst.com/articles/liv...
Be honest. Who saw that coming?
theanalyst.com/articles/liv...
Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest Stats: Reds Fall to Embarrassing Loss as Forest Run Riot at Anfield | Opta Analyst
Check out the best facts, stats and Opta data from this Premier League match with our Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest stats page
theanalyst.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Nottingham Forest have become only the fourth visiting side to win a Premier League game at Anfield by a margin of 3+ goals.
Be honest. Who saw that coming?
theanalyst.com/articles/liv...
Be honest. Who saw that coming?
theanalyst.com/articles/liv...
Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest HT
Liverpool have dominated the stats, but Forest have had the ball in the back of the net twice, seeing one goal disallowed.
The hosts trail 1-0, having lost this exact fixture by that same scoreline last season.
Can they turn this one around?
Liverpool have dominated the stats, but Forest have had the ball in the back of the net twice, seeing one goal disallowed.
The hosts trail 1-0, having lost this exact fixture by that same scoreline last season.
Can they turn this one around?
November 22, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest HT
Liverpool have dominated the stats, but Forest have had the ball in the back of the net twice, seeing one goal disallowed.
The hosts trail 1-0, having lost this exact fixture by that same scoreline last season.
Can they turn this one around?
Liverpool have dominated the stats, but Forest have had the ball in the back of the net twice, seeing one goal disallowed.
The hosts trail 1-0, having lost this exact fixture by that same scoreline last season.
Can they turn this one around?
Alphonse Areola is the first goalkeeper to assist a goal in a Premier League game this season.
November 22, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Alphonse Areola is the first goalkeeper to assist a goal in a Premier League game this season.
Burnley 0-2 Chelsea FT
A goal late on in either half handed Chelsea a win at Turf Moor that sends them second in the Premier League - for the time being, at least.
Are Enzo Maresca's side in the title race?
A goal late on in either half handed Chelsea a win at Turf Moor that sends them second in the Premier League - for the time being, at least.
Are Enzo Maresca's side in the title race?
November 22, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Burnley 0-2 Chelsea FT
A goal late on in either half handed Chelsea a win at Turf Moor that sends them second in the Premier League - for the time being, at least.
Are Enzo Maresca's side in the title race?
A goal late on in either half handed Chelsea a win at Turf Moor that sends them second in the Premier League - for the time being, at least.
Are Enzo Maresca's side in the title race?