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Opta Analyst
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Data-driven storytelling for sport. 📈
U.S. sports @optaanalystus.optajoe.com

https://www.theanalyst.com

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Liverpool: 0 games
Manchester City: 521 games

Everyone else?

We analyse how many games since each Premier League failed to have a shot on target 👇 theanalyst.com/articles/liv...
Liverpool 0, Man City 521: How Many Games Since Each Premier League Team Failed to Have a Shot on Target? | Opta Analyst
After Liverpool blanked against Arsenal, we look at how many games it's been since every Premier League team failed to land a shot on target.
theanalyst.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Man City’s shift towards more direct play opens the door to a different kind of winger.

Two-footed, a ball carrier and direct runner, Antoine Semenyo might just be the perfect fit 📊⚽

theanalyst.com/articles/ant...
With Man City Embracing Direct Play, Two-Footed Antoine Semenyo Could Be a Perfect Fit | Opta Analyst
With Antoine Semenyo close to completing a move from Bournemouth to Manchester City, we look at what the winger will bring to the Etihad.
theanalyst.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Igor Thiago’s brace against Sunderland took him to 16 league goals, a new record for a Brazilian in a single Premier League season.

But who did he dethrone to get there?

More: theanalyst.com/articles/igo...
Igor Thiago Breaks Premier League Brazilian Scoring Record | Opta Analyst
Igor Thiago’s brace against Sunderland took him to 16 league goals, a new record for a Brazilian in a single Premier League season. But who did he overtake?
theanalyst.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:28 AM
𝐀𝐅𝐂𝐎𝐍 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 📈

Ahead of the quarter-finals in Morocco, we've checked in with the Opta supercomputer to see what the latest predictor numbers are for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025. ⬇️

#AFCON

theanalyst.com/articles/afr...
Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Predictions: Opta Supercomputer Update Ahead of Quarter-Finals | Opta Analyst
We’re down to the final eight at AFCON 2025, so it’s time we checked in again with the Opta supercomputer to see the latest predictor numbers.
theanalyst.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:14 AM
𝐅𝐓: 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝟒-𝟑 𝐋𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬

An astonishing game.

Harvey Barnes' decider was the latest (101:48) winning goal on record in the Premier League, and the joint-second latest of all goals.
January 7, 2026 at 10:41 PM
𝐅𝐓: 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝟐-𝟐 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐝

Life after Ruben Amorim begins with a frustrating draw away to struggling Burnley.

United miss the chance to go fourth despite dominating at Turf Moor.

Get all the key stats and our recap here:
theanalyst.com/articles/bur...
January 7, 2026 at 10:36 PM
𝐅𝐓: 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝟏-𝟏 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐧

City drop points for the third game in a row despite creating a host of chances.

It means Arsenal can go eight points clear at the summit with a win on Thursday.

Get all the key stats and our recap here:
theanalyst.com/articles/man...
January 7, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Darren Fletcher's Man Utd trail at the break to a freak Ayden Heaven own goal.

United have had one goal disallowed and seen two goal-bound efforts cleared off the line in a first half they've largely dominated.
January 7, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Eli Kroupi Jr. is the first teenager to score seven or more goals in their debut Premier League season since Dele Alli in 2015-16 (8).
January 7, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Chelsea have received more than twice as many red cards in the Premier League as any other team this season.

Their seasonal record in the Premier League era is six (2007-08).
January 7, 2026 at 8:04 PM
With Ruben Amorim out, it looks like a swift return to a back four for Manchester United.

Darren Fletcher only names one of his sons - Jack - on the bench. Maybe Tyler didn't tidy his bedroom?
January 7, 2026 at 7:18 PM
𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬' 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐢𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭

Tuesday’s home defeat to Nottingham Forest meant West Ham are now winless in 10 games and 7 pts from safety.

Is there any way they can avoid relegation from the Premier League?

theanalyst.com/articles/wes...
West Ham's Survival Hopes Going South, But Nuno's Men Aren't Completely Without Hope in Relegation Battle | Opta Analyst
Now 10 games without a league win, is there any way West Ham can ignite a spark to survive relegation from the Premier League?
theanalyst.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Mikel Arteta insists Viktor Gyökeres makes Arsenal better.

They are six points clear at the top of the table, but the 'natural goalscorer' they signed in the summer only has three non-penalty goals in 18 PL appearances.

So, what's the truth? Is Arteta right?

theanalyst.com/articles/vik...
Is Mikel Arteta Right: Are Arsenal Better With Viktor Gyökeres? | Opta Analyst
Viktor Gyökeres was brought to Arsenal to score the goals to fire them to the title. He hasn't done that, but his manager insists he is improving the team.
theanalyst.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Arsenal are six points clear at the top of the Premier League after 20 matches.

But how often does a lead like that actually result in a title, and what does history suggest about their chances?

✍️: theanalyst.com/articles/ars...
Six Points Clear After 20 Matches: What Does History Tell Us About Arsenal’s Title Chances? | Opta Analyst
Arsenal are six points clear at the top of the Premier League after 20 matches. But what does history suggest about their chances?
theanalyst.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:36 AM
𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the favourite to take over at Man Utd on an interim basis - but others are still in the running.

Here, we assess the pros and cons of the main contenders.

theanalyst.com/articles/man...
Solskjaer? Fletcher? Southgate? The Pros and Cons of Man Utd's Interim Contenders | Opta Analyst
Man Utd are to appoint an interim head coach until the end of the season after sacking Ruben Amorim. Here, we assess the pros and cons of the main contenders.
theanalyst.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Only Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé have scored more than Igor Thiago's 14 goals in Europe's top five leagues this season.

@davidsegar.bsky.social has looked at what makes Brentford's star striker so good, and yes, it's far more than just penalties.

theanalyst.com/articles/igo...
How Igor Thiago Has Filled the Void Left by Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa | Opta Analyst
Igor Thiago has been outstanding for Brentford in the Premier League this season. What makes the Brazilian such a force for the Bees?
theanalyst.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Arsenal are six points clear after 20 games.

But how often do teams in this position actually go onto win a Premier League title?

We dug into the history 📊: theanalyst.com/articles/ars...
Six Points Clear After 20 Matches: What Does History Tell Us About Arsenal’s Title Chances? | Opta Analyst
Arsenal are six points clear at the top of the Premier League after 20 matches. But what does history suggest about their chances?
theanalyst.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Will Liam Rosenior be a success at Stamford Bridge?

The new Chelsea head coach is highly regarded, but it's still a big call. @davidsegar.bsky.social looks at Rosenior and some of his data at Strasbourg to see if he'll be a good fit for the Blues.

#CFC

theanalyst.com/articles/lia...
Why Chelsea Have Appointed Liam Rosenior | Opta Analyst
With Liam Rosenior confirmed as the new Chelsea boss, we take a look at his credentials to see if he'll be a good fit at Stamford Bridge.
theanalyst.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:18 AM
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐬? 🧙‍♂️

Wolves have won a match... are they now about to embark on a remarkable run to safety?

With six points from 20 games, they'd have to do something never seen before in the Premier League.

✍️ @alitweedale.bsky.social

theanalyst.com/articles/wol...
Can Wolves Pull Off the Premier League’s Greatest Ever Escape? | Opta Analyst
Wolves remain bottom of the Premier League, but after ending their winless start to 2025-26 at the weekend, do they have a chance of beating the drop?
theanalyst.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:55 PM
𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐝'𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐮𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝟑-𝟒-𝟑

Ruben Amorim's time as Man Utd head coach was dominated by talk of his system.

Fittingly, then, it proved a key sticking point in his ultimate downfall.

✍️ @rbenson92.bsky.social

theanalyst.com/articles/rub...
Ruben Amorim Sacked: Man Utd's Problems Run Deeper Than a 3-4-3 System | Opta Analyst
The Ruben Amorim era at Manchester United is over after the Portuguese coach seemingly lost an internal power struggle.
theanalyst.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Reposted by Opta Analyst
Aaron Rodgers connected with Calvin Austin on a 26-yard touchdown pass with 55 seconds remaining, and Tyler Loop missed a field goal attempt inside 50 yards for the first time all season as time expired, allowing the Steelers to escape with the win and AFC North title.
January 5, 2026 at 4:45 AM
𝐅𝐓: 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝟏-𝟏 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐚

Enzo Fernández’s goal (93:14) was the latest equaliser or winner Man City have conceded at home in the Premier League since December 2023.

A deserved point for Chelsea? Get all the key stats and recap here: theanalyst.com/articles/man...
January 4, 2026 at 7:54 PM
𝐅𝐓: 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝟐-𝟐 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐥

Liverpool thought they'd won it, but Harrison Reed's long-range stunner in stoppage time earned Fulham a point.

It's now 8 unbeaten in the PL for Liverpool, though 4 of those have been draws.
January 4, 2026 at 5:29 PM
𝐅𝐓: 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝟐-𝟎 𝐂𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞

Crystal Palace's slide down the table continues with a fourth league defeat in five games.

Newcastle are now unbeaten in seven home league games (W5 D2), scoring exactly two goals in each match during that run.
January 4, 2026 at 5:19 PM
𝐅𝐓: 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝟐-𝟒 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝

Igor Thiago stole the headlines with his hat-trick, as Brentford extended their unbeaten run to five Premier League games to go seventh.

Everton have now conceded 3+ goals in three of their last six home league matches.
January 4, 2026 at 5:13 PM