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Opta Analyst
@optaanalyst.optajoe.com
Data-driven storytelling for sport. 📈
U.S. sports @optaanalystus.optajoe.com

https://www.theanalyst.com

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West Ham had 14 Premier League points after MD21; only one team have ever avoided relegation after managing 14 pts or fewer ahead of MD22.

They've since taken 9 pts from 4 games and their probability of relegation is gradually decreasing in the eyes of the Opta supercomputer.
February 9, 2026 at 4:07 PM
▪️ A first comeback win of the season
▪️ More long balls than usual
▪️ Wild celebrations at full-time

83 minutes in at Anfield, Man City were looking down and out.

Then, they produced a stunning turnaround to keep the Premier League title race alive.

theanalyst.com/articles/man...
How Defiant Manchester City Came Back From the Brink to Keep Premier League Title Race Alive | Opta Analyst
Manchester City produced an unexpected late turnaround at Anfield on Sunday to keep Arsenal in their sights. The Premier League title race is still on, for now.
theanalyst.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:52 PM
After another exciting weekend in the Premier League, we thought it was time to see who the Opta supercomputer projects will qualify for next season's Champions League.

Find out the results below (FAO Brentford fans...)

theanalyst.com/articles/cha...
Which Premier League Teams Will Qualify for the Champions League? The Opta Supercomputer’s Predictions | Opta Analyst
Which Premier League clubs will do enough to qualify for next season’s Champions League? We look at the latest Opta supercomputer predictions.
theanalyst.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:15 PM
𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝟏-𝟐 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲

A dramatic ending at Anfield sees Man City keep their title hopes alive.

City have achieved a league double over Liverpool for the first time since 1936-37, and reduce the gap to leaders Arsenal back to six points.

#LIVMCI
February 8, 2026 at 6:56 PM
𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝟎-𝟏 𝐂𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞

Ismaïla Sarr scored the only goal to end a 12-game winless run for Palace in all competitions.

James Milner was an unused sub for the hosts, meaning Gareth Barry's PL appearance record is safe for another few days.

#BRICRY
February 8, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Can Florian Wirtz continue his excellent form for Liverpool when they face Manchester City today?

@davidsegar.bsky.social has gone over the data to see, other than goals, where the German has improved in recent weeks.

#LIVMCI

theanalyst.com/articles/liv...
Liverpool Are Starting to See the Real Florian Wirtz | Opta Analyst
Liverpool’s £100m summer signing was expected to hit the ground running. He didn’t, but Florian Wirtz is starting to show why few questioned his price tag.
theanalyst.com
February 8, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Liverpool are unchanged from their 4-1 win over Newcastle United last weekend as they welcome Manchester City to Anfield.

Pep Guardiola makes one change from the team that drew 2-2 at Spurs, with Omar Marmoush replacing Rayan Cherki. Rúben Dias is on the bench.

#LIVMCI
February 8, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Goalless at the break between Brighton and Crystal Palace, with the hosts having the only shot on target between the two sides in the opening 45 minutes.

We're all just waiting for James Milner to come on, though, aren't we?

#BRICRY
February 8, 2026 at 2:59 PM
𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝟏-𝟎 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲

Olivia Smith's early goal was enough to give Arsenal all three points against WSL leaders Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday.

It brought an end to City's 13-game winning streak.
February 8, 2026 at 2:16 PM
🔵 A striker with four goals in his last six
📈 Another set for positive regression
🧤 A back-up goalkeeper now set to start?

Here are our top five differentials for #FPL GW25, among those players owed by few than 10% of managers 👇👇 theanalyst.com/articles/fpl...
The 10% Club: Opta's Best Under-the-Radar FPL Picks for Gameweek 25 | Opta Analyst
Who are the best under-the-radar players to add to your FPL team for Gameweek 25 of 2025-26? We use Opta data to bring you our picks.
theanalyst.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:46 PM
#FPL Challenge GW25 gives double points to all players featuring in Brighton vs Crystal Palace on Sunday.

We use Opta data to find the top players to target 👀

theanalyst.com/articles/fpl...
FPL Challenge GW25 Picks: Double Points for Brighton and Crystal Palace Players | Opta Analyst
In a gameweek where players Brighton and Crystal Palace players score double, we analyse the Opta data to find the best picks in FPL Challenge GW25.
theanalyst.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:36 PM
🚲 3x bicycle kicks
🏃 Van de Ven's run vs Copenhagen
🎯 Richarlison's long-ranger
🦂 Solanke's scorpion kick

For a team that don't score many goals, Spurs have scored a disproportionate number of worldies.

Why?

theanalyst.com/articles/spu...
Is it a Problem That Spurs Score So Many Wondergoals? | Opta Analyst
Tottenham have caught the eye consistently this season with impressive goals. We look into why that is the case when they aren’t generally a high-scoring team.
theanalyst.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:21 PM
He's eight off equalling the record for most assists in a Premier League season.

Can Fernandes manage it? Could he even break it?

theanalyst.com/articles/bru...
February 6, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Bruno Fernandes has set up 12 goals in his last 14 Premier League appearances.

Only two players have ever tallied more PL assists in a 14-game period.
February 6, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Florian Wirtz recorded just three goal involvements in his first 21 games for Liverpool, all assists.

Since then, he has nine in his last 11 outings (6 goals, 3 assists), more than anyone from the Premier League in all competitions.

#LFC
February 5, 2026 at 5:07 PM
⛔️ Four top-class centre-backs
🏆 A six-time PL-winning midfielder
💪 Two big Europeans who could cut it in England

Here are seven big names who could be available on a free transfer this summer.

theanalyst.com/articles/bes...
Seven Huge Names Who Could Be Available on a Free This Summer | Opta Analyst
Some very well-known players from Europe's biggest and best teams are into the final few months of their contract and, as things stand, can be signed on a free transfer later this year.
theanalyst.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:18 PM
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬

For many of the game's biggest clubs, January was a quiet month.

Was that in part because some of them were eyeing up one of these seven summer bargains?

theanalyst.com/articles/bes...
Seven Huge Names Who Could Be Available on a Free This Summer | Opta Analyst
Some very well-known players from Europe's biggest and best teams are into the final few months of their contract and, as things stand, can be signed on a free transfer later this year.
theanalyst.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Only 2.5% of Premier League games have been won by at least four clear goals this season, the lowest percentage in the competition's history.

Arsenal's 4-0 victory at Leeds on Saturday was just the sixth occurrence in 2025-26. There were 33 such wins in the 2023-24 campaign.
February 4, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Every #SixNations creates new stars.

Using Opta data, we’ve identified one player from each nation whose underlying numbers suggest they could break out in the 2026 Championship.

Meet our players to watch 👇

theanalyst.com/articles/players-to-watch-in-the-2026-mens-six-nations
One Player to Watch From Every Team in the 2026 Men’s Six Nations | Opta Analyst
From an impetuous back-rower to a graceful winger, we identify one player to watch from every side ahead of the 2026 Men's Six Nations.
theanalyst.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Arsenal are in the EFL Cup final!

It wasn't pretty, but Arsenal stood firm and battled their way into their first final since Mikel Arteta's first season, when he led them to FA Cup glory.
February 3, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea HT (3-2 agg)

A half low on action ends goalless, but Arsenal still hold an aggregate lead.

Chelsea won't be entirely unhappy with how that half went, but they'll have to attack more after the break.
February 3, 2026 at 8:49 PM
𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬

The Premier League's January transfer window closed on Monday.

Which clubs do you think were the winners and losers?

theanalyst.com/articles/jan...
January Transfer Window: Premier League Winners and Losers | Opta Analyst
Here, we look at which teams were the winners and losers of the January transfer window in the Premier League.
theanalyst.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Liverpool have secured a deal for Rennes centre-back Jérémy Jacquet, though the 20-year-old will not move to the Premier League until the summer.

But what will the Reds eventually be getting? @davidsegar.bsky.social looks at his data. 👇

theanalyst.com/articles/jer...
Aerially Dominant and Composed on the Ball: Who is Liverpool’s Summer Signing Jérémy Jacquet? | Opta Analyst
Liverpool have agreed to sign Rennes centre-back Jérémy Jacquet, with the 20-year-old not arriving until the summer. What will the Reds be getting?
theanalyst.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:41 PM
𝐉𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐞 ⏩ 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨

If Casemiro had left Man Utd in 2024, he'd have departed after seeing his reputation smashed to pieces.

He stayed and will now leave at the end of this season as something of a cult hero at Old Trafford.

theanalyst.com/articles/cas...
Casemiro Could’ve Left Man Utd a Joke Figure – He’ll Leave a Cult Hero After Changing the Narrative | Opta Analyst
Casemiro will leave Manchester United at the end of the season having enjoyed a largely positive spell at Old Trafford, but that didn't always look like being the case.
theanalyst.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Enzo Fernández is having his most prolific season in front of goal, largely thanks to his now-trademark late runs into the box.

🏃 He is making the most valuable off-ball runs in the Premier League...

🧮...and we've got the numbers to prove it.

theanalyst.com/articles/enz...
Chelsea's Box-Crasher: Enzo Fernández Makes the Most Valuable Runs in the Premier League | Opta Analyst
Enzo Fernández completed a historic comeback win for Chelsea at the weekend after a goal following a run from deep, the type of which is increasingly becoming his trademark.
theanalyst.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:27 PM