Hearts could open an eight-point gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership this weekend if they defeat Celtic.

Backed by Tony Bloom’s analytics and clever player recruitment, @mattfurniss.bsky.social looks at how the Edinburgh club could change the landscape of Scottish football.

𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬

It’s not uncommon to see rankings for the best dribblers in the Premier League, but what about assessing how good players are when defending against them?

@mattfurniss.bsky.social looks at the best and worst from this season.

theanalyst.com/2025/03/prem...

Andoni Iraola has spent less than two years coaching Milos Kerkez at Bournemouth, but he’s already turned the 21-year-old into a player that many of Europe’s biggest teams want to get hold of.

@mattfurniss.bsky.social analyses his Premier League season so far. #AFCB

theanalyst.com/2025/03/milo...

Birmingham City sit top of the League One table with games in hand on their rivals. After a miserable period in the shadow of their rivals Aston Villa, the Blues are on the comeback trail.

We analyse the data underpinning their successful season so far.

theanalyst.com/2025/02/birm...

𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐚 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐭'𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐳 🆕

The 2024 OptaAnalyst Football Quiz is here.

100 questions. 100 points up for grabs.

It’s time to test yourself...

theanalyst.com/2024/12/foot...

Do you like quizzes? Do you like Opta? Do you like Opta quizzes???

Well, OptaJoe OG @mattfurniss.bsky.social has put together this 100-question quiz for you to get your teeth into.

Enjoy!

theanalyst.com/eu/2024/12/f...

Some positive Nicolas Jackson propaganda from me. Tim Sherwood is very wrong.

theanalyst.com/2024/12/nico...

Curtis Jones (93.1%) had the best passing accuracy of any midfielder or forward to start the Liverpool vs Real Madrid game.

A lovely symmetry to his pass viz, too.

#LFC | #LFCRMA

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐤𝐚 ⭐️

This week will bring up the sixth anniversary of Bukayo Saka’s Arsenal first-team debut.

Based on his performances so far, he could easily go on to threaten some all-time Premier League records on his current trajectory.

✍️ @mattfurniss.bsky.social

theanalyst.com/2024/11/buka...

This is a really nice piece on Saka by @mattfurniss.bsky.social whose youngest boy loves the Gunners and is turning him into a 2nd hand Arsenal fan. Have a read.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 📈

Corners get fans excited. Maybe a little too excited, as under 3% of them have led to a goal in the Championship this season.

Some teams are better at them than others, though, so we look at the data behind corners so far in 2024-25.

theanalyst.com/2024/11/cham...

Watford play at Plymouth Argyle tonight in the Championship knowing that a win could take them fourth in the table.

It's been a chaotic season, but the Hornets have turned that into a positive. We look at the in-depth data underpinning their season so far.

theanalyst.com/2024/11/watf...

Got an unhealthy obsession with random Premier League players, like I have?

With it the anniversary of Ali Dia’s debut this weekend, I’ve looked at all the players to make just one appearance in the Premier League.

theanalyst.com/2024/11/prem...

Watford have started 2024-25 a lot better than the majority expected, but are they in a false position?

I'm still not sure on the answer, but it's definitely fun supporting #watfordfc this season. I've analysed the data behind their campaign so far.

theanalyst.com/2024/11/watf...

Watford have started 2024-25 a lot better than the majority expected, but are they in a false position?

I'm still not sure on the answer, but it's definitely fun supporting #watfordfc this season. I've analysed the data behind their campaign so far.

theanalyst.com/2024/11/watf...