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Matt Furniss

@mattfurniss.bsky.social
626 followers 53 following 6 posts

senior editor & football data journalist for Opta Analyst. still support watford for some reason.

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Reposted by Matt Furniss
Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 22/10/2025
Hearts could open an eight-point gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership this weekend if they defeat Celtic. Backed by Tony Bloom’s analytics and clever player recruitment, @mattfurniss.bsky.social looks at how the Edinburgh club could change the landscape of Scottish football.
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Reposted by Matt Furniss
Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 18/03/2025
𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 It’s not uncommon to see rankings for the best dribblers in the Premier League, but what about assessing how good players are when defending against them? @mattfurniss.bsky.social looks at the best and worst from this season. theanalyst.com/2025/03/prem...
theanalyst.com
Defending Against Dribblers: The Premier League’s Best and Worst One-v-One Defenders | Opta Analyst
It’s not uncommon to see rankings for the best dribblers in the Premier League, but what about assessing how good players are when defending against them?
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Reposted by Matt Furniss
Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 11/03/2025
Andoni Iraola has spent less than two years coaching Milos Kerkez at Bournemouth, but he’s already turned the 21-year-old into a player that many of Europe’s biggest teams want to get hold of. @mattfurniss.bsky.social analyses his Premier League season so far. #AFCB theanalyst.com/2025/03/milo...
theanalyst.com
Overlaps, Intensity and Tough to Beat: Why Milos Kerkez is One of the Most Sought-After Full-Backs in Europe | Opta Analyst
Andoni Iraola has spent less than two years coaching Milos Kerkez, but he’s already turned him into player that many of Europe’s biggest teams want.
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Reposted by Matt Furniss
Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 06/02/2025
Birmingham City sit top of the League One table with games in hand on their rivals. After a miserable period in the shadow of their rivals Aston Villa, the Blues are on the comeback trail. We analyse the data underpinning their successful season so far. theanalyst.com/2025/02/birm...
theanalyst.com
Second City Renaissance: The Data Behind Birmingham City's Comeback Plan | Opta Analyst
Birmingham City sit top of the League One table. We look at how the data shows their plan to rise back up the leagues is well underway.
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Reposted by Matt Furniss
Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 17/12/2024
𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐚 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐭'𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐳 🆕 The 2024 OptaAnalyst Football Quiz is here. 100 questions. 100 points up for grabs. It’s time to test yourself... theanalyst.com/2024/12/foot...
theanalyst.com
Opta Analyst Football Quiz 2024 | Opta Analyst
Here is the Opta Analyst football quiz for 2024, containing 100 questions for 100 points. Test yourself now - how much do you really know?
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Reposted by Matt Furniss
Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Do you like quizzes? Do you like Opta? Do you like Opta quizzes??? Well, OptaJoe OG @mattfurniss.bsky.social has put together this 100-question quiz for you to get your teeth into. Enjoy! theanalyst.com/eu/2024/12/f...
theanalyst.com
Opta Analyst Football Quiz 2024 | Opta Analyst
Here is the Opta Analyst football quiz for 2024, containing 100 questions for 100 points. Test yourself now - how much do you really know?
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Matt Furniss @mattfurniss.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Some positive Nicolas Jackson propaganda from me. Tim Sherwood is very wrong. theanalyst.com/2024/12/nico...
theanalyst.com
Erratic or Excellent? Nicolas Jackson Divides Opinion but There’s No Questioning His Goal Record | Opta Analyst
Not many Premier League players split opinion more than Nicolas Jackson, but he's beginning to show signs of becoming a top striker.
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Reposted by Matt Furniss
Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 27/11/2024
Curtis Jones (93.1%) had the best passing accuracy of any midfielder or forward to start the Liverpool vs Real Madrid game. A lovely symmetry to his pass viz, too. #LFC | #LFCRMA
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 27/11/2024
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐤𝐚 ⭐️ This week will bring up the sixth anniversary of Bukayo Saka’s Arsenal first-team debut. Based on his performances so far, he could easily go on to threaten some all-time Premier League records on his current trajectory. ✍️ @mattfurniss.bsky.social theanalyst.com/2024/11/buka...
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Reposted by Matt Furniss
Orbinho @orbinho.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
This is a really nice piece on Saka by @mattfurniss.bsky.social whose youngest boy loves the Gunners and is turning him into a 2nd hand Arsenal fan. Have a read.
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Reposted by Matt Furniss
Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 22/11/2024
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 📈 Corners get fans excited. Maybe a little too excited, as under 3% of them have led to a goal in the Championship this season. Some teams are better at them than others, though, so we look at the data behind corners so far in 2024-25. theanalyst.com/2024/11/cham...
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Reposted by Matt Furniss
Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 22/11/2024
Watford play at Plymouth Argyle tonight in the Championship knowing that a win could take them fourth in the table. It's been a chaotic season, but the Hornets have turned that into a positive. We look at the in-depth data underpinning their season so far. theanalyst.com/2024/11/watf...
theanalyst.com
Chaotic Watford Exceed Expectation Under Cleverley, but How Long Can It Last? | Opta Analyst
Despite being one of the favourites for relegation, Tom Cleverley's Watford sit sixth in the Championship. Can they continue to surprise?
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Matt Furniss @mattfurniss.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Got an unhealthy obsession with random Premier League players, like I have? With it the anniversary of Ali Dia’s debut this weekend, I’ve looked at all the players to make just one appearance in the Premier League. theanalyst.com/2024/11/prem...
theanalyst.com
Played One and Done: The Premier League One-Appearance Collective | Opta Analyst
Some players make their Premier League debut and then that’s it, forever stuck on one appearance, just like Ali Dia for Southampton.
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Reposted by Matt Furniss
Matt Furniss @mattfurniss.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
Watford have started 2024-25 a lot better than the majority expected, but are they in a false position? I'm still not sure on the answer, but it's definitely fun supporting #watfordfc this season. I've analysed the data behind their campaign so far. theanalyst.com/2024/11/watf...
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Matt Furniss @mattfurniss.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
Watford have started 2024-25 a lot better than the majority expected, but are they in a false position? I'm still not sure on the answer, but it's definitely fun supporting #watfordfc this season. I've analysed the data behind their campaign so far. theanalyst.com/2024/11/watf...
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