Opta Analyst
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How Does Getting Into Europe Affect Premier League Form?
Getting into Europe is the aim for most teams at the beginning of the season, but recent evidence suggests some may thrive having failed to qualify last time around. The post How Does Getting Into Europe Affect Premier League Form? appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Champions League Draw 2026-27: Best and Worst Scenarios for Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd, Man City and Aston Villa
Ahead of the draw for the league phase of the 2026-27 Champions League, we use the Opta Power Rankings to objectively assess the quality of the English sides’ possible opponents. The post Champions League Draw 2026-27: Best and Worst Scenarios for Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd, Man City and Aston Villa appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Just How Big Is the Gap Between Sinner, Alcaraz and the Rest in 2026?
How big is the gap between Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and the rest of the ATP Tour in 2026? We break down decades of data to find out. The post Just How Big Is the Gap Between Sinner, Alcaraz and the Rest in 2026? appeared first on Opta Analyst .
FCS Football Week 0 Preview & Predictions: The Season is Coming Right at You
The FCS Football Week 0 preview has the game of the week, predictions, facts and figures, and big storylines across the nation. The post FCS Football Week 0 Preview & Predictions: The Season is Coming Right at You appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Total Domination: Longest Winning Streaks in Series Between FCS Teams
Count them up, these are the longest winning streaks between FCS college football teams - both active and all time. The post Total Domination: Longest Winning Streaks in Series Between FCS Teams appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Immovable Objects: Three FCS Defenses That Have Championship-Level DNA
Among FCS football defenses, Montana State, South Dakota State and Lehigh enter the 2026 season with elite characteristics. The post Immovable Objects: Three FCS Defenses That Have Championship-Level DNA appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Overshadowed by Endrick and Estevão, Man City-Bound Allan Found His Own Path to the Top
Manchester City are reportedly close to signing 22-year-old Brazilian winger Allan from Palmeiras for £34 million. Here, we look at what might have caught their eye. The post Overshadowed by Endrick and Estevão, Man City-Bound Allan Found His Own Path to the Top appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Cole Palmer, Martin Ødegaard, and the Six Premier League Players Poised for a Bounce-Back Season
Not every player enjoyed a Premier League season to remember in 2025-26. We look at six who could put those struggles behind them and rediscover their best form this campaign. The post Cole Palmer, Martin Ødegaard, and the Six Premier League Players Poised for a Bounce-Back Season appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Olivia Smith Exclusive Interview: Arsenal’s Award-Winning Prodigy Taking the Next Step in 2026-27
Opta Analyst sat down exclusively with two-time PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year Olivia Smith to analyse her fantastic first season at Arsenal through the data, and discuss her aspirations for the new season and the 2027 World Cup. The post Olivia Smith Exclusive Interview: Arsenal’s Award-Winning Prodigy Taking the Next Step in 2026-27 appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Bundesliga Predictions 2026-27: The Opta Supercomputer Projections
Can Bayern Munich retain their Serie A title? Who will qualify for the Champions League? And can the promoted clubs avoid relegation? We answer all the key questions with our German Bundesliga 2026-27 season predictions via the Opta supercomputer. The post Bundesliga Predictions 2026-27: The Opta Supercomputer Projections appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Do Liverpool Need a Defensive Midfielder, or Just More Discipline?
There has been much discussion about Liverpool's midfield since their draw at Newcastle. Do they need a 'number six'? The post Do Liverpool Need a Defensive Midfielder, or Just More Discipline? appeared first on Opta Analyst .
In Cole Palmer, João Pedro and Morgan Rogers, Chelsea Have a Front Three to Rival Any Other
Chelsea's new-look front three made a blistering start to life together, each getting on the scoresheet in a 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday. The post In Cole Palmer, João Pedro and Morgan Rogers, Chelsea Have a Front Three to Rival Any Other appeared first on Opta Analyst .
FCS Playoff Bracket Predictions: A Preseason Peek to Selection Sunday 2026
Who's in and who's out? We unveil a 2025 preseason FCS playoff bracket to predict what teams will travel the Road to Nashville. The post FCS Playoff Bracket Predictions: A Preseason Peek to Selection Sunday 2026 appeared first on Opta Analyst .
A September to Remember? 10 Story Lines to Watch for in MLB
Awards, titles, playoff spots – there’s a lot to follow in the final month of the MLB season. Here are 10 of the bigger story lines. The post A September to Remember? 10 Story Lines to Watch for in MLB appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Six Knee-Jerk Reactions to Premier League Matchday 1
The 2026-27 Premier League season has kicked off, so we're back with our weekly column of knee-jerk reactions. Here are six conclusions we’ve come to from across the first weekend of action in the new campaign. The post Six Knee-Jerk Reactions to Premier League Matchday 1 appeared first on Opta Analyst .
From 1 to 13, How the TRACR Projection Model Ranks FCS Conferences in the Preseason
Their overall strength is a source of pride among FCS conferences. For a preseason ranking, we called on the TRACR projection model. The post From 1 to 13, How the TRACR Projection Model Ranks FCS Conferences in the Preseason appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Fulham vs Chelsea Prediction: Premier League Preview
We look ahead to this Premier League match at Craven Cottage with our Fulham vs Chelsea prediction and preview. The post Fulham vs Chelsea Prediction: Premier League Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool Stats: Last-Gasp Szoboszlai Spot-Kick Salvages Draw
Both Newcastle and Liverpool have new managers in the dugout for the 2026-27 Premier League campaign, but who will get off to a perfect start? The post Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool Stats: Last-Gasp Szoboszlai Spot-Kick Salvages Draw appeared first on Opta Analyst .
The Latest Goals in Premier League History
We look at the latest goals scored in Premier League history, a record that has been broken in recent years with the increase in added time. The post The Latest Goals in Premier League History appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Brighton 4-0 Aston Villa Stats: Nightmare Start for Villa as Brighton Seal Thumping Win
Brighton defeated Aston Villa 4-0 on the opening matchday of the new Premier League season, with all four of their goals coming inside the first 31 minutes. The post Brighton 4-0 Aston Villa Stats: Nightmare Start for Villa as Brighton Seal Thumping Win appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth Stats: Substitute Cherki Sparks Late Turnaround as Maresca Gets First Win
Manchester City were heading for defeat in their first Premier League game under Enzo Maresca, until Rayan Cherki came on to assist late goals for Marc Guéhi and Josko Gvardiol. The post Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth Stats: Substitute Cherki Sparks Late Turnaround as Maresca Gets First Win appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Top Opening-Day Goalscorers in Premier League History
Which players have scored the most goals on the opening weekend of Premier League seasons? The post Top Opening-Day Goalscorers in Premier League History appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Newcastle vs Liverpool Prediction: Premier League Preview
Two teams under new management clash at St. James’ Park on Sunday. Look ahead to this showdown with our Newcastle United vs Liverpool prediction and preview. The post Newcastle vs Liverpool Prediction: Premier League Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Brentford 3-0 Tottenham Stats: Bees Cruise to Opening Day Victory Over Woeful Spurs
Brentford eased to a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday evening, but in truth it could have been even worse for Roberto De Zerbi's side. The post Brentford 3-0 Tottenham Stats: Bees Cruise to Opening Day Victory Over Woeful Spurs appeared first on Opta Analyst .
2026 FCS Football Conference Previews
Our 2026 FCS football conference previews span the nation from the Big Sky to the MVFC to the CAA and beyond. See all of our predictions. The post 2026 FCS Football Conference Previews appeared first on Opta Analyst .
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