An Analysis of Goals Scored in the Maltese Football Premier League 2018-2019

Abstract

Given that goal scoring is the ultimate performance objective in football, thepresent case study aimed at a thorough dissection of a census of goals scored duringthe BOV Premier League 2018/19 season in Malta. A quantitative methodology was used,incorporating a range of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques for the analysis ofthe large pool of data collected. From a total of 495 goals scored in the 182 matches playedthroughout season 2018/19, 491 goals were considered in this study. Video recordings weredownloaded from InStat, and the relevant data operationalised according to pre-set criteriausing notational analysis. The paper presents spatio-temporal descriptive statistics aboutthe goal-scoring patterns and trends, as well as results from several post hoc hypothesistests. Findings indicated that while a majority of the time the first team to score went onto win the match, this trend tapered off towards the end of the season, with the outcomeof matches rendered increasingly unstable as the season progressed. The majority of goalsresulted from possession play, followed closely by direct play. Most goals materialised inthe second half of play, with the final 15-minute phase of the match, specifically, producingthe highest proportion of goals overall. Through spatial analysis this study looks at thepitch location where goal actions started and ended, as well as the goal net location inwhich the goals were finally scored. The paper ultimately presents these empirical findingswith a view to informing match analysts, coaches and other stakeholders wishing togeneralise the patterns and trends identified, to substantive strategic considerations forthe continuing enhancement of performance standards in local football.