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Opta Analyst

@optaanalyst.optajoe.com
18K followers 18 following 3.4K posts

Data-driven storytelling for sport. 📈 U.S. sports @optaanalystus.optajoe.com www.theanalyst.com Sign up for our Stat, Viz, Quiz football newsletter: theanalyst.com/sign-up

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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 29/09/2026
Things may turn around for the early strugglers, but they have given others a head start. So, we ask: is it best to overhaul your squad or stick with what you've got? theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
theanalyst.com
Mass Overhaul or Squad Continuity: What is the Recipe for Premier League Success? | Opta Analyst
In an age when fans wants limitless spending on shiny new signings, we ask whether less change can sometimes be more beneficial.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 29/09/2026
New players 🤝 underperformance In the Premier League this season, the teams who have more new players have started off worse than the teams who have favoured continuity.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 25/09/2026
Jürgen Klopp is back in the dugout, and we saw some of his influence in Germany's 1-1 draw with the Netherlands on Thursday. @davidsegar.bsky.social looks at Klopp's first game back in management since May 2024. theanalyst.com/articles/jur...
theanalyst.com
What Did We Learn From Jürgen Klopp’s First Game Back in Management? | Opta Analyst
After over two years out of management, Jürgen Klopp returned to the touchline on Thursday as Germany boss. How did it go?
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 25/09/2026
We decided the international break was a good time to see how the new anti-timewasting rules are working in the Premier League. Pretty well, it seems... ⏱️👇 🔗 theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
theanalyst.com
More Football, Less Timewasting: The New Premier League Rules on Throw-Ins and Goal-Kicks Are Working | Opta Analyst
New laws were brought in this summer to try and speed up restarts in Premier League games. Have they worked so far?
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 24/09/2026
Everyone's favourite page just got better. Our Power Rankings now include: 📈 Highest risers & fallers ⚖️ Team comparison 🌍 16,000 men's and women's teams ranked 🔗Go explore: theanalyst.com/articles/who...
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 24/09/2026
Although Spanish football seemingly didn't require any sort of youth development revolution, a new long-term plan was created intending to safeguard the existing pathways. Instead of building out of a crisis, they've built from a position of strength. theanalyst.com/articles/spa...
theanalyst.com
Spain Built the Youth Development Pathway England Still Crave | Opta Analyst
Spain have won successive major international men's tournaments. The pathways from academy football to senior teams at La Liga clubs has undoubtedly helped.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 24/09/2026
Spain and La Liga have long been standard bearers when it comes to pathways for youth players. Evidence suggests their position is only improving relative to the other top leagues.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 23/09/2026
Can Man City win the title with a defence this leaky? theanalyst.com/articles/man...
theanalyst.com
How Problematic is Manchester City’s Leaky Defence? | Opta Analyst
Manchester City are top of the Premier League with a perfect record of five wins from five, but they haven’t been very convincing at the back.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 23/09/2026
Does attack or defence win titles?
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 23/09/2026
The biggest differences between actual and expected Premier League position: Man Utd: 12th ▶️ 4th Tottenham: 20th ▶️ 12th Sunderland: 14th ▶️ 8th Newcastle: 9th ▶️ 20th The expected points table after MD5:
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 22/09/2026
The form of Liverpool's Florian Wirtz is causing quite a debate, with @23carra.bsky.social questioning if he'll ever live up to the hype in the Premier League. @davidsegar.bsky.social has had his say too, armed with Opta data. Are criticisms of Wirtz fair? 🤔 #LFC theanalyst.com/articles/flo...
theanalyst.com
The Florian Wirtz Debate: Were Jamie Carragher’s Criticisms Harsh or Fair? | Opta Analyst
Florian Wirtz has not had the impact expected at Liverpool. Does the Germany international deserve the criticism he's getting though?
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 22/09/2026
We’re five games into the 2026-27 Premier League season. So, which teams have been fortunate, and which might feel hard done by? theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
theanalyst.com
Man Utd 4th, Spurs 12th, Newcastle 20th? Premier League Expected Points Table After Matchday 5 | Opta Analyst
Which Premier League teams have been lucky or unlucky this season? Opta’s expected points table reveals the biggest overperformers and underperformers.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 22/09/2026
Man Utd according to Opta's Expected Points table: ◉ Actual position: 12th ◉ Expected position: 4th They lead the Premier League for shots (113) and opposition-box touches (182), but have converted just 7.1% of their attempts. Do they deserve to be higher?
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 21/09/2026
🔃 Liverpool have their new Van Dijk 😱 Arsenal's weaknesses have been revealed 🐈‍⬛ Brobbey is up there with the PL's best We're back with our weekly column of knee-jerk reactions to the weekend's action. theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
theanalyst.com
Five Knee-Jerk Reactions to Premier League 2026-27 Matchday 5 | Opta Analyst
In our weekly column, we bring a dose of five knee-jerk reactions to the weekend’s Premier League action.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 21/09/2026
We’re five matches into the 2026-27 Premier League season, meaning we now have more information than we did at the start of the campaign. So, how have the title predictions changed in the Opta supercomputer’s model? theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
theanalyst.com
Premier League 2026-27 Title Predictions: Updated Opta Supercomputer Projections After Five Matchdays | Opta Analyst
See the latest Premier League predictions after five matches, including Opta’s supercomputer probabilities for Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Brighton and more.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 21/09/2026
Five games in, who are favourites for the Premier League title? 🏆 Arsenal: 43.7% 🔵 Man City: 39.8% 🔴 Liverpool: 5.7% 🔵 Brighton: 4.2% Arsenal remain the Opta supercomputer's favourites, but City have closed the gap dramatically after winning all five. See the latest Premier League predictions 👇
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
𝐅𝐓: 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝟎-𝟏 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 Coventry get their first Premier League goal, win and points for 25 years. A bad day at the office for Forest, who haven't scored at home since the final day of last season.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
Get all the key stats, our match recap and the Opta chalkboard right here: theanalyst.com/articles/rom...
theanalyst.com
Roma 2-2 Inter Stats: Lautaro Martínez Brace Earns Dramatic Comeback Against Scudetto Rivals | Opta Analyst
Lautaro Martínez came to his team's rescue in a top-of-the-table thriller in Serie A. Look back on the game with our Roma vs Inter stats page.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
𝐅𝐓: 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚 𝟐-𝟐 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 Inter produce a brilliant fightback to rescue a point at Stadio Olimpico in a top-of-the-table thriller. Lautaro Martínez scored both goals to cancel out Manu Koné's first-half brace, keeping the two sides locked on points.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
Coventry City's first Premier League goal for 25 years. But most importantly...🚨A FIRST GOALKEEPER ASSIST OF THE SEASON🚨
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
𝐇𝐓: 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝟎-𝟎 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 Lots of huffing puffing, but no goals yet. Since their return to the Premier League 2022, Forest have only had more first-half shots without scoring on one occasion (16 vs Wolves in February).
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
Martínez ➡️ Thuram ➡️ Martínez ➡️ Thuram ➡️ GOAL Less than a minute into the second half and Inter have a goal back - and a very well-worked one at that!
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
𝐇𝐓: 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚 𝟐-𝟎 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 Roma are heading three points clear at the summit of Serie A. Manu Koné has them firmly in control of this top-of-the-table clash at Stadio Olimpico. The Frenchman scored both goals.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
Get all the key stats and our match recap right here: theanalyst.com/articles/bri...
theanalyst.com
Brighton 3-0 Arsenal Stats: Champions Stunned by All-Action Seagulls | Opta Analyst
The Premier League champions suffered their first defeat of the season. Look back on a brilliant game with our Brighton vs Arsenal stats page.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝟑-𝟎 𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥 Arsenal suffer their biggest Premier League defeat since May 2023, which was also against Brighton and Hove Albion (3-0 at Emirates Stadium). Brighton's exceptional start to the season continues. They move up to third in the table.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
Chema Andrés' first Premier League goal has Arsenal trailing by three goals in a league game for the first time since May 2023 (a 3-0 defeat to Brighton...).
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
Charalampos Kostoulas' record (all comps) at Brighton: 2026-27: 6 goal involvements | 519 mins 2025-26: 3 goal involvements | 532 mins A brilliant start to the season for the 19-year-old Greek forward.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
Make that three goals conceded from outside the box...
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
Arsenal have now conceded two goals in the Premier League this season. Both were from outside the box.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
Harvey Barnes provided two assists in the first seven minutes against Hull. It's the earliest into a Premier League game a Newcastle player has recorded multiple assists.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
Dr. Tottenham has the remedy for Aston Villa. Look back with all the key Opta stats and the Opta chalkboard for your own analysis: theanalyst.com/articles/tot...
theanalyst.com
Tottenham 2-3 Aston Villa Stats: Villans Pile More Misery on Spurs | Opta Analyst
Saturday's early Premier League kick-off ended up being quite the treat. Look back on the game with our Tottenham vs Aston Villa stats page.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
𝐅𝐓: 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝟐-𝟑 𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 Spurs finally score, but Aston Villa hold on for their first win of the season despite a late wobble. Tottenham will spend the upcoming international break in the relegation zone.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
Perhaps the real story... Tottenham's first Premier League goal since May.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
Since the start of last season, Aston Villa have scored four more goals from outside the box (16) in the Premier League than any other side.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
¡𝐵𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑎! ... but not for Tottenham. Pick. That. Out.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
*gulp* A few minutes after Tottenham had an equaliser disallowed, Nicolas Jackson makes it 2-0 to Aston Villa. A goal and an assist now for Johan Manzambi on his first Premier League start - he's been a big plus 🇨🇭
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
The answer the world's been waiting for: Reto Ziegler (18y 351d) Philippe Senderos (20y 243d, and again at 20y 334d)
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
Senderos ✅
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
Senderos ✅
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
𝐇𝐓: 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝟎-𝟏 𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 Spurs' 4 shots on target in the first half was double what they had in their previous two league games combined (2)... but still no goal. They last won a game in which they trailed at HT (all comps) in November 2024.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
Trivia question: who are the only two Swiss players to score a Premier League goal while younger than Manzambi (20y, 340d) is? Prize: our eternal respect, or something
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
First Premier League start. First Premier League goal. Johan Manzambi could hardly miss.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/09/2026
Tottenham have reached 4.0 xG this season. The wait for a first goal goes on...
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 18/09/2026
The Brighton pressing machine has attracted considerable praise this season. Will it pose a threat to Arsenal this weekend? Or will the Gunners outsmart the Seagulls? theanalyst.com/articles/bri...
theanalyst.com
Brighton’s Pressing Is a Hot Topic – Arsenal Will Be the Next to Feel the Heat | Opta Analyst
Brighton's pressing has impressed in the Premier League this season. Will they continue to earn plaudits this weekend, or will Arsenal knock them down a peg or two?
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 18/09/2026
Brighton have recorded the greatest proportion of pressures in the opposition's box (14.2%) of all Premier League clubs this season.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 18/09/2026
Which side has got the Opta supercomputer’s backing for European glory? theanalyst.com/articles/uef...
theanalyst.com
UEFA Women's Champions League Predictions 2026-27: The Opta Supercomputer Projections | Opta Analyst
Who will win the UEFA Women's Champions League in 2026-27? We let the Opta Supercomputer have its say.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 18/09/2026
Who will win the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2026-27? Here's how the Opta supercomputer sees this season playing out:
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 17/09/2026
Gian Piero Gasperini has Roma motoring. After an impressive third-place finish last season, can they challenge Inter for the Scudetto this season? @davidsegar.bsky.social has taken a look at the rise of the Giallorossi. theanalyst.com/articles/rom...
theanalyst.com
Roma Renaissance? Gian Piero Gasperini Has Giallorossi Believing They Can End 26-Year Scudetto Wait | Opta Analyst
With four wins from four in Serie A, Roma are leading the way in the early stages of the season. Can they really challenge for the Scudetto?
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 17/09/2026
Barcelona have scored 33 goals in just seven games across all competitions so far this season. That’s 4.71 goals per game, comfortably ahead of every other team in Europe’s top five leagues. Top scorers: Barcelona — 33 Freiburg — 22 Ajax — 22 Benfica — 21 Brighton — 20
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 17/09/2026
Barcelona beat Racing Santander 7-2 last night. They created 6.74 expected goals - the most on record by a team in La Liga 🤯🤯🤯
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