Football Analytics Guides
Step-by-step frameworks, diagnostic checklists, and practical methodologies for analyzing players, matches, pressing systems, and data models.
Beginner’s Guide to Football Analytics
A gentle, comprehensive introduction to understanding and interpreting modern football data
Start your football analytics journey here. Learn why match scorelines can mislead, master xG and PPDA, and contextualize player stats per 90 minutes.
Step-by-Step Methodology (3 Steps)
- Step 1: Understand Why the Scoreline Can Be Misleading
- Step 2: Learn the Three Core Modern Metrics (xG, xA, PPDA)
- Step 3: Always Contextualize by Role and Playing Time
How to Analyze a Football Player with Modern Metrics
The recruitment analyst framework for evaluating individual player profiles
Use a structured recruitment scouting guide to evaluate individual football players using positional roles, Per 90 metrics, and market value models.
Step-by-Step Methodology (3 Steps)
- Step 1: Establish the Positional Role Definition
- Step 2: Collect Per 90 Output Across at Least 900+ Minutes
- Step 3: Audit Market Valuation and Contract Amortization
How to Compare Two Football Teams Using Data
A side-by-side diagnostic checklist for pre-match previews and tactical battles
Run a side-by-side tactical diagnostic between two football clubs by comparing Expected Goal Differential, PPDA pressing styles, and set-piece threat.
Step-by-Step Methodology (3 Steps)
- Step 1: Compare Expected Goal Differential (xGD/90)
- Step 2: Contrast Pressing vs Buildup Profiles
- Step 3: Evaluate Set-Piece Threat Disparity
How to Measure Pressing & Defensive Intensity
From PPDA to defensive line height: how to quantify defensive pressure
Follow a step-by-step tactical practitioner guide to calculating Passes Allowed Per Defensive Action (PPDA), high turnovers, and pressing efficiency.
Step-by-Step Methodology (3 Steps)
- Step 1: Gather Event Data for the Forward 60% of the Pitch
- Step 2: Calculate Passes Allowed Per Defensive Action (PPDA)
- Step 3: Analyze Formation Suitability
How to Analyze Attacking Efficiency & Finishing
Diagnose whether a team’s goal tally is sustainable or due for regression
Diagnose whether a football team or striker goalscoring rate is sustainable by auditing overall shot conversion, big chance finishing, and season pace.
Step-by-Step Methodology (3 Steps)
- Step 1: Calculate the Overall Shot Conversion Rate
- Step 2: Audit Big Chance Clinical Efficiency
- Step 3: Project Full-Season Trajectories
How to Analyze Defensive Performance & Solidity
Beyond clean sheets: evaluating underlying defensive durability and organization
Look beyond raw clean sheets to evaluate true team defensive resilience using Expected Goals Conceded (xGA), set-piece danger, and backline compactness.
Step-by-Step Methodology (3 Steps)
- Step 1: Separate Goalkeeping Heroics from Team Defense
- Step 2: Measure Danger Allowed on Set Pieces
- Step 3: Evaluate Central Defense Compactness
How to Use Football Statistics Correctly: Avoiding Common Errors
The golden rules of statistical integrity and ethical data storytelling in football
Avoid cherry-picked numbers, small sample size traps, and tactical context errors with our essential guide to ethical football statistical analysis.
Step-by-Step Methodology (3 Steps)
- Rule 1: Never Cherry-Pick Single-Game Stats Out of Context
- Rule 2: Respect Sample Sizes
- Rule 3: Pair Data with Video Scouting