English FA Premier League Research Articles

Analysis of elite soccer players' performance before and after signing a new contract.

The aim of the current study was to analyse performance differences of football players 2-years prior and the year after signing a new contract (the following year) while taking playing position, nationality, player’s role, team ability, and age into account. The sample was comprised of 249 players (n = 109 defenders, n = 113 midfielders; and n = 27 forwards) from four of the major European Leagues (Bundesliga, English FA Premier League, Ligue 1, and La Liga) during the seasons 2008 to 2015. The dependent variables studied were: shooting accuracy, defense (the sum of defensive actions, tackles, blocks, and interceptions), yellow cards, red cards, passing accuracy, tackle success, and minutes played per match. Two-step cluster analysis allowed classifying the sample into three groups of defenders (national important, foreign important, and less important players) and four groups of midfielders and forwards (national important, foreign important, national less important, and foreign less important players). Magnitude Based Inference (MBI) was used to test the differences between player’s performances during the years of analyses. The main results (very likely and most likely effects) showed better performance in the year prior to signing a new contract than the previous year for foreign important defenders (decreased number of red cards), national important midfielders (increased number of minutes played), foreign important forwards (increased minutes played and defense), and national important forwards (increased minutes played). In addition, performance was lower the year after signing the contract compared to the previous one for less important defenders (decreasing defense), national less important midfielders (decreased minutes played), and foreign less important forwards (decreased defense). On the other hand, the players showed better performance in defense and more minutes played the year after signing the contract for less important defenders, national less important midfielders, and foreign less important forwards. These results may assist coaches to decide on when a new contract should be signed or the duration of the contract.

Home advantage in elite soccer matches. A transient effect?

The aim of the current study was to identify how the performances of home and away teams evolve during the first half of matches and to investigate whether or not the home advantage effect disappears or weakens as the game goes on. The sample consisted of 90 matches during the season 2015/2016 from the English FA Premier League (n = 19), French Ligue 1 (n = 21), Spanish La Liga (n = 18), Italian Serie A (n = 19) and German Bundesliga (n = 13) in which the first half ended with a score of 0–0. Data were examined using the autocorrelation function and linear regression analysis. Ball possession (p < .01), successful passes (p < .05), short passes (p < .01) and touches (p < .01) achieved their greatest values in the 0–5 min period compared with other match periods. However, as the first half went on, the home teams exhibited lower performances compared with those shown at the beginning of the match. This was particularly evident from the 16–20 min period until the end of the first half. This transient effect was enhanced or attenuated, depending on the quality of the opponent (p < .01). The better the opponent the lower the home teams’ performances at the beginning of the match. These variables can be used to develop a model to simulate team performance of home and away teams during the first half of a match.

Score-line effect on work-rate in English FA Premier League soccer

This paper investigates the effect of score-line on work-rate in English FA Premier League soccer. Player movement data from 110 matches where a goal was scored between 15 minutes and the end of the first half were captured by the ProzoneTM player tracking system. The number of V-cut path changes performed per minute declined more after the first goal in matches that were won by one of the sides than in drawn matches (p < 0.017). V-cut path changes involve players changing direction more than 135° to the left or the right. There was also a significant interaction of match type (won, drawn or lost by the team scoring first), period of the match (before and after the first goal), venue and the relative quality of the teams on the total number of path changes performed (p < 0.05). Players from the scoring and conceding teams spent significantly less time in the middle third of the pitch after the first goal then before (p < 0.017). This suggests that variability in work-rate is influenced by a combination of factors. The results suggest that the first goal has an influence on teams’ tactics and work-rate. However, the study did not find any differences in work-rate between teams achieving different outcomes having scored first.

The effect of dismissals on work-rate in English FA Premier League soccer

The current paper studies the effect of dismissals on work-rate in English FA Premier League soccer. The study included 28 matches where a team had a player dismissed while they were winning by a single goal or the score was level. Two types of match were compared; matches where the team reduced to 10 players maintained the drawing or winning score-line until the end of the match and matches where they failed to do so. Similar reductions in work-rate variables were observed for teams reduced to 10 players and for their opponents after the dismissal irrespective of the outcome of the match. A significant interaction effect of team (the team reduced to 10 players v the team that played with 11 players throughout the match), match period (before v after the dismissal) and type of match was found on the percentage of time spent in the defending and attacking thirds (p < 0.05). The teams reduced to 10 players tended to spend more time in the defending third and less time in the attacking third after the dismissal. This pattern was observed to a greater extent in matches where the 10 players successfully maintained or improved the score between the dismissal and the end of the match. This suggests that outnumbered teams played strategically to defend the match status, rationing their efforts after the dismissal.

Home advantage in football: Examining the effect of scoring first on match outcome in the five major European leagues

The aim of the current study was to examine the importance of scoring the first goal on the match outcome in football and to determine if this influence depends on the minute in which the first goal is scored. The sample consisted in all the matches played in the season 2014/2015 in the English FA Premier League (n=380), French Ligue 1 (n=380), Spanish La Liga (n=380), Italian Serie A (n=380) and German Bundesliga (n=306). Data were examined using classification tree analysis and a linear regression analysis. The results showed that home teams scored first in 57.8 % of matches and went on the obtain 84.85% of points won in these games. In contrast when the away team scored first, they obtained only 76.25% of subsequent points. These differences were further influenced by the quality of the teams and by the match period in which the first goal was scored. Three independent variables were significant factors on the final outcome: the quality of the opposition (p<0.001), the minute in which the first goal is scored (p<0.01) and the team scoring first (p<0.001). The teams that scored first ended games scoring an average 1.88 goals more than their opponents. Coaches can use this information to establish objectives for players and teams during practices and matches and can be prepared for these different competitive scenarios.

Just how important is a good season start? Overall team performance and financial budget of elite soccer clubs

The aim of the current study was (i) to identify how important is a good season start on elite soccer teams’ performance and (ii) to examine whether this impact is related to the clubs’ financial budget. The match performances and annual budgets of all teams were collected from the English FA Premier League, French Ligue 1, Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A and German Bundesliga for three consecutive seasons (2010–2011 to 2012–2013). A k-means cluster analysis classified the clubs according to their budget as High Range Budget Clubs, Upper-Mid Range Budget Clubs, Lower-Mid Range Budget Clubs and Low Range Budget Clubs. Data were examined through linear regression models. Overall, the results suggested that the better the team performance at the beginning of the season, the better the ranking at the end of the season. However, the impact of the effect depended on the clubs’ annual budget, with lower budgets being associated with a greater importance of having a good season start (P < 0.01). Moreover, there were differences in trends across the different leagues. These variables can be used to develop accurate models to estimate final rankings. Conversely, Lower-Mid and Lower Range Budget Clubs can benefit from fine-tuning preseason planning in order to accelerate the acquisition of optimal performances.

The effect of high and low percentage ball possession on physical and technical profiles in English FA Premier League soccer matches

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of high (HPBPT) and low percentage ball possession teams (LPBPT) on physical and technical profiles in elite soccer matches. Match performance data were collected from players in the English FA Premier League (n = 810) using a multiple-camera computerised tracking system. Physical indicators such as the total (10690 ± 996 vs 10778 ± 979 m; effect size [ES] = 0.11) and high-intensity running distance covered in matches (931 ± 299 vs 938 ± 311 m; ES = 0.13) did not differ between HPBPT and LPBPT. However, high-intensity running with ball possession in HPBPT was 31% higher (P < 0.01) than LPBPT (449 ± 266 vs 343 ± 236 m; ES = 0.42) but 22% lower without ball possession (423 ± 153 vs 539 ± 177 m; ES = 0.73). Players in HPBPT performed 44% more (P < 0.01) passes than those in LPBPT (35.3 ± 14.2 vs 24.6 ± 11.2; ES = 0.83). This trend was also evident (P < 0.05) for successful passes, received passes, touches per possession, shots, dribbles and final-third entries (ES range of 0.20–0.94). Central defenders of LPBPT covered 33% less (P < 0.01) high-intensity running with ball possession than central defenders of HPBPT. While fullbacks, attackers, central and wide midfielders of LPBPT covered more (P < 0.01) high-intensity running without and less with ball possession than their HPBPT counterparts (ES range of 0.91–1.23). Technical indicators such as total passes and passes received were higher (P < 0.01) across all positions in HPBPT than LPBPT (ES range of 0.82–1.52). The data demonstrate that percentage ball possession does not influence the overall activity profile of a team but impacts on the composition of high-intensity running efforts (with and without ball) and some technical elements of performance. Position-specific changes in physical and technical profiles were evident for teams employing different ball possession percentages and this information could aid training preparation.

Evaluation of the Most Intense High-Intensity Running Period in English FA Premier League Soccer Matches

The aim of this study was to examine the most intense period of high-intensity running during elite soccer matches. Elite players (n = 100) were analyzed using a multicamera computerized tracking system. High-intensity running (speed >19.8 km·h) in 5-min periods were quantified during matches. High-intensity running was performed for approximately 3% of total time, but this doubled (F[1,99] = 9.179, p < 0.001, d > 1.2) during the most intense period (8.4 ± 2.7 vs. 16.4 ± 4.6 seconds). Recovery time between high-intensity efforts was approximately 30 seconds during the most intense period (33.3 ± 19.7 seconds). The work:rest ratio between high-intensity bouts increased (F[1,99] = 2.018, p < 0.001, d > 0.6) from 1:12 for the match average to 1:2 during the most intense period. The distance of each discrete high-intensity running bout increased (F[1,99] = 1.958, p < 0.001, d > 0.6) approximately 13% during the most intense period compared with that of the match average (6.7 ± 1.8 vs. 5.8 ± 0.6 m). Central defenders were running at high-intensity for less (F[4,95] = 4.907, p < 0.05, d > 0.6) time than full-backs, wide midfielders, and attackers (12.9 ± 2.4 vs. 17.9 ± 3.4, 18.3 ± 5.5, and 16.9 ± 3.8 seconds). Central defenders had a greater recovery time (F[4,95] = 3.083, p < 0.05, d > 0.6) between high-intensity efforts than wide midfielders. No differences were evident between playing positions for maximum running speed and average distances of high-intensity running. These results show that high-intensity running, work:rest ratios, and average high-intensity distances change markedly during the most intense period of matches and are highly dependent on positional role. Therefore, conditioning drills and performance tests should closely mimic distances, work:rest ratios, and recovery times of those found during the most intense period of matches.

The effect of score-line on work-rate in English FA Premier League soccer

Investigations finding that soccer players perform more work when the score is level than when leading or trailing have not considered hat the significant effects were due to fatigue rather than score-line. For example, two teams may be level for the early part of a game and the score diverges later on. The current study established a typical fatigue pattern using data from 79 player performances during five 0-0 drawn English FA Premier League matches. This typical fatigue pattern was used to adjust the work-rate of 90 player performances in five English FA Premier League matches where both teams were level, ahead and behind for at least 15 minutes each. There was a significant interaction between player position and score-line (p = .010) with forwards spending a greater percentage of time moving at 4 m.s-1 or faster when their team was leading than when level while defenders spent a greater percentage of time moving at 4 m.s-1 or faster when their team was trailing than when level. An explanation for this interaction effect is that forwards feel encouraged to work harder when their team has earned a lead with the work-rate of opposing defenders also increasing as a result.

The most intense running periods in English FA Premier League soccer matches

The aim of this study was to examine the most intense periods of high-intensity running during elite soccer matches. Elite players (n=100) were analysed using a multi-camera computerised tracking system....

Factors Associated with Goals and Goal Scoring Opportunities in Professional Soccer

The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors associated with goals and goal scoring opportunities in soccer taking into consideration a broader range of performance indicators. The study was part exploratory but, based on the current literature, we also developed some a priori predictions. In particular, it was predicted that (a) most goals would be scored within the penalty area (> 70%); (b) approximately 30% of goals would be scored from set plays and (c) the majority (> 70%) of goals would be scored from a relatively short (< 4) passing interchange. Data was collected from 1788 attempts and 169 goals for an English FA Premier League season. The Web-soft snapper performance analysis tool was used to time code when attempts on goal were made and the associated behaviours relating to the attempt on goal. All a priori predictions were supported. The binary logistic regression identified 3 covariates which had a significant (P < 0.05) impact on goals scored. This included position of attempt; goal keepers’ positions and type of shoot. Transitions in play accounted for 63% of all goals scored and well over half of all attempts on goal. Although similarities were evident between this and previous literature, this investigation also highlighted the importance of other key variables associated with goals and goal scoring opportunities. The high contribution of factors associated with transitions in play helped to uncover the importance of tracking goals and goal scoring opportunities back to their point of origin.

The effect of playing formation on high-intensity running and technical profiles in English FA Premier League soccer matches

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of playing formation on high-intensity running and technical performance during elite soccer matches. Twenty English FA Premier League games were analysed using a multiple-camera computerized tracking system (n = 153 players). Overall ball possession did not differ (P > 0.05) between 4–4–2, 4–3–3 and 4–5–1 formations (50%, s = 7 vs. 49%, s = 8 vs. 44%, s = 6). No differences were observed in high-intensity running between 4–4–2, 4–3–3 and 4–5–1 formations. Compared with 4–4–2 and 4–3–3 formations, players in a 4–5–1 formation performed less very high-intensity running when their team was in possession (312 m, s = 196 vs. 433 m, s = 261 vs. 410 m, s = 270; P < 0.05) but more when their team was not in possession (547 m, s = 217 vs. 461 m, s = 156 vs. 459 m, s = 169; P < 0.05). Attackers in a 4–3–3 performed ∼30% more (P < 0.05) high-intensity running than attackers in 4–4–2 and 4–5–1 formations. However, the fraction of successful passes was highest in a 4–4–2 (P < 0.05) compared with 4–3–3 and 4–5–1 formations. The results suggest that playing formation does not influence the overall activity profiles of players, except for attackers, but impacts on very high-intensity running activity with and without ball possession and some technical elements of performance.

Path changes and injury risk in English FA Premier League soccer

The purpose of the current investigation was to examine relationships between path changes performed by English FA Premier League soccer players, anthropometric variables and injuries reported. The study involved 25 players for whom typical path change performances were derived from at least six 90 minute matches. The players performed 39.9+13.2 sharp path changes to the side of the non-dominant leg which was significantly greater than the 35.4+12.7 sharp path changes made to the side of the dominant leg (p < .001). There was a negative association between height and the number of each type of path change (r < -.373) as well as a negative association between body mass and the number of each type of path change (r < -.287). There were no significant differences between the 10 players who missed at least one match through injury during the 2007-08 season and the 15 who did not for the frequency of any type of path change. Therefore, understanding the frequency of path changes alone is not sufficient to assess injury risk and it may also be necessary to examine the technique used when making path changes.

Intensities of exercise during match-play in FA Premier League referees and players

The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between intensities of exercise during match-play of elite-standard soccer referees with those of the players from the same match. Match analysis data were collected (Prozone® Leeds, UK) for 18 elite-standard soccer referees (age 26–49 years) on FA Premier League matches during the 2008/09 English FA Premier League season (236 observations). Running categories for referees and players were as follows: total distance covered (m); high-speed running distance (speed >19.8 km · h−1); and sprinting distance (speed >25.2 km · h−1). Analysis of the distance–time regression coefficients revealed no differences between the referees' and players' within-match rates of change for total distance covered (−0.594 ± 0.394 vs. −0.713 ± 0.269 m · min−1; P = 0.104), high-speed running (−0.039 ± 0.077 vs. −0.059 ± 0.030 m · min−1; P = 0.199), and sprinting (−0.003 ± 0.039 vs. −0.021 ± 0.017 m · min−1; P = 0.114). In addition, there were no differences between across-season rates of change for total distance (–26.756 ± 40.434 vs. −20.031 ± 25.502 m per match day; P = 0.439) and sprinting (–9.662 ± 7.564 vs. −8.589 ± 4.351 m per match day; P = 0.542). These results show that elite-standard soccer referees' intensities of exercise during match-play are interrelated with those of the players and thus demonstrate that referees are able to keep pace with the players during FA Premier League matches.

Comparison of physical and technical performance in European soccer match-play: FA Premier League and La Liga

The aim of this study was to compare match performance in professional soccer players across two major European championships: Spanish La Liga and English FA Premier League (FAPL). Data were collected using a computerized match analysis system. A total of 5938 analyses were recorded during the 2006–2007 season. The players were classified into six positional roles: central defenders, full backs, central defensive midfielders, wide midfielders, central attacking midfielders, and forwards. The match performance variables analysed included: (i) physical activity – total distance covered, distances covered at high-intensities both with and without possession of the ball; (ii) technical actions – heading and ground duels, passing, time in possession, and ball touches. Comparison of the total distance covered by FAPL and La Liga players showed no difference across individual playing positions but FAPL players generally covered greater distances in sprinting. In contrast, more of the total distance in sprinting was covered by La Liga players when their team was in possession (values from P < 0.05 to P < 0.001), while an equal total sprint distance, irrespective of possession, was observed in FAPL players. La Liga players won more heading duels (49.32% vs. 48.68%) and performed the same proportion of successful passes (76.17%). FAPL wide midfielders had ~20% more ball touches per possession than their La Liga counterparts (2.24±0.54 vs. 2.03±0.55, P < 0.001). In conclusion, our results show that FAPL and La Liga teams present differences in various physical and technical aspects of match-play, suggesting that cultural differences may exist across professional soccer leagues and playing positions.

Intermittent high intensity activity in English FA Premier League soccer

The purpose of the current investigation was to describe the activity within English FA Premier League match play. There were 20 players included in the study; 4 centre backs, 4 wide backs, 4 central midfielders, 4 wide midfielders and 4 forwards. The entire on-field activity of the players was verbally coded and recorded for later entry into a computerised time-motion analysis system. The players spent 9.5±2.5% of the first half performing high intensity activity compared to 7.8±2.4% of the second half (p < 0.001). Positional role had a significant influence on the percentage of match time spent performing high intensity activity (p = 0.006) with the 13.1+1.5% for wide backs being significantly greater than the 8.1±1.6% for centre backs (p = .011) and the 8.0±2.0% performed by forwards (p = .009). The high intensity activity performed by the players was intermittent with 58.0% of all bursts of high intensity activity being less than 3s. However, there was no relationship between the duration of high intensity burst and the recovery period that followed it (p = .737). Therefore, coaches and players should be aware that players may be required to take short recoveries after bursts of any duration.

High-intensity running in English FA Premier League soccer matches

The aims of this study were to (1) determine the activity profiles of a large sample of English FA Premier League soccer players and (2) examine high-intensity running during elite-standard soccer matches for players in various playing positions. Twenty-eight English FA Premier League games were analysed during the 2005–2006 competitive season (n = 370), using a multi-camera computerised tracking system. During a typical match, wide midfielders (3138 m, s = 565) covered a greater distance in high-intensity running than central midfielders (2825 m, s = 473, P = 0.04), full-backs (2605 m, s = 387, P < 0.01), attackers (2341 m, s = 575, P < 0.01), and central defenders (1834 m, s = 256, P < 0.01). In the last 15 min of a game, high-intensity running distance was ∼20% less than in the first 15-min period for wide midfielders (467 m, s = 104 vs. 589 m, s = 134, P < 0.01), central midfielders (429 m, s = 106 vs. 534 m, s = 99, P < 0.01), full-backs (389 m, s = 95 vs. 481 m, s = 114, P < 0.01), attackers (348 m, s = 105 vs. 438 m, s = 129, P < 0.01), and central defenders (276 m, s = 93 vs. 344 m, s = 80, P < 0.01). There was a similar distance deficit for high-intensity running with (148 m, s = 78 vs. 193 m, s = 96, P < 0.01) and without ball possession (229 m, s = 85 vs. 278 m, s = 97, P < 0.01) between the last 15-min and first 15-min period of the game. Mean recovery time between very high-intensity running bouts was 72 s (s = 28), with a 28% longer recovery time during the last 15 min than the first 15 min of the game (83 s, s = 26 vs. 65 s, s = 20, P < 0.01). The decline in high-intensity running immediately after the most intense 5-min period was more evident in attackers (216 m, s = 50 vs. 113 m, s = 47, P < 0.01) and central defenders (182 m, s = 26 vs. 96 m, s = 39, P < 0.01). The results suggest that high-intensity running with and without ball possession is reduced during various phases of elite-standard soccer matches and the activity profiles and fatigue patterns vary among playing positions. The current findings provide valuable information about the high-intensity running patterns of a large sample of elite-standard soccer players, which could be useful in the development and prescription of specific training regimes.

Passing patterns before and after goal scoring in FA Premier League Soccer

Previous investigations of scoreline effects in soccer have looked at all periods of matches where a team is winning, losing or drawing. The current investigation focussed instead on the 5 minutes leading up a goal being scored and the 5 minutes that followed the goal. The frequency of passing and the percentage of successful passes were compared between these periods and the average for 5 minutes within the half of the match in which the goal was scored. There were 285 goals from 120 English FA Premier League matches that were analysed. In the 5 minutes that preceded a goal, the scoring team played a significantly greater percentage passes accurately than the average for the half (p < 0.017), while the conceding team played significantly fewer passes (p < 0.017). After the goal was scored, the scoring team played significantly fewer passes (p < 0.017) and a lower percentage of passes were played accurately (p < 0.017) than the average for the half of the match where the goal was scored. Accurate passing not only retains possession but may also lead to scoring opportunities while also restricting opposition possessions and scoring opportunities.

The reliability of ProZone MatchViewer: a video-based technical performance analysis system

The aim of the present study was to determine the inter-observer reliability of ProZone’s MatchViewer system. Two groups of trained observers independently analysed an English FA Premier League soccer match. In total, 2552 events were recorded by both observers with 12 events being recorded only by the first observer and 37 events being recorded only by the second observer. The mean absolute error of event time was 0.007 s with very good strengths of inter-observer agreement found for event type (κ = 0.990), player (κ = 0.995) and second player involved in the event (κ = 0.979). The mean absolute error in pitch location of event was 3.6 m with the location of 95% of events being agreed by the two observers to within 8.5 m. The results suggest that ProZone’s MatchViewer system is reliable when operated by observers that have undergone the recommended quantity of end-user training.

Repeated work activity in English FA Premier League soccer

The purpose of the current investigation was to analyse the intermittent work performed by elite soccer players during English FA Premier League soccer matches. A computerised work-rate analysis system was used to record the work and recovery periods of 226 players during approximately 15 minutes of match-play each (33 defenders, 97 midfielders and 96 forwards). The 10.9±2.4% of match time spent performing work by midfielders was significantly greater than the 9.6±1.9%, p < 0.05, for defenders and the 9.6±2.5% for forwards, p < 0.05. The results suggest that players performed 49 repeated work bouts with a mean of 3.1 periods of work of 2.9s with short recoveries of under 20s (mean 7.3s). In addition, players performed 37 isolated periods of work of 2.9s, although durations ranged from under 2s to over 10s. The recoveries that separated the repeated work bouts and isolated work periods had a mean duration of 47.8s. Those designing the conditioning elements of players training programmes should consider the need to prepare players to perform repeated work bouts during matches.