Opta Analyst
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30 FCS Defensive Standouts Named to 2026 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List
The Buck Buchanan Award honors FCS college football's defensive player of the year. Thirty players are named to the preseason watch list. The post 30 FCS Defensive Standouts Named to 2026 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Injustice, Red Cards and a Police Escort: Revealing the Data Behind England vs Argentina World Cup Rivalry
Given Opta has detailed data on the World Cup going back to 1966, we can reveal insights from historical meetings between England and Argentina that only fuel the rivalry further. The post Injustice, Red Cards and a Police Escort: Revealing the Data Behind England vs Argentina World Cup Rivalry appeared first on Opta Analyst .
France vs Spain Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview
Can Les Bleus reach a third straight World Cup final or will the European champions beat them for a third straight time? We look ahead to this semi-final clash with our France vs Spain prediction and preview. The post France vs Spain Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
France vs Spain: The 2026 World Cup’s Best Attack Meets Its Best Defence
Tuesday's World Cup semi-final presents an interesting proposition as a star-studded France attack will be tasked with breaking down a resolute Spain defence. The post France vs Spain: The 2026 World Cup’s Best Attack Meets Its Best Defence appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Andrey Santos: Why Man Utd Are Taking a Chance on a Chelsea Backup Player
Manchester United's first signing under Michael Carrick is Andrey Santos from Chelsea. A surprise, to be sure, but it's not a transfer without its merits. The post Andrey Santos: Why Man Utd Are Taking a Chance on a Chelsea Backup Player appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Mikel Merino is the World Cup’s Best Super Sub
Mikel Merino's last-minute winners for Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are just more proof of his remarkable ability to influence matches at crucial moments. The post Mikel Merino is the World Cup’s Best Super Sub appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Widespread Talent Fills 2026 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team
The 2026 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team features all 13 conferences, 53 schools and 101 players. The post Widespread Talent Fills 2026 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Six Talking Points From England’s Norway Win That Could Decide if They Win the World Cup
England have reached only their fourth ever men’s World Cup semi-final. How did they do it? We look at six takeaways from their victory in Miami. The post Six Talking Points From England’s Norway Win That Could Decide if They Win the World Cup appeared first on Opta Analyst .
FIFA World Cup 2026 Predictions: The Opta Supercomputer Projections Ahead of the Semi-Finals
We’re down to the final four of the 2026 World Cup. Which of France, Spain, England and Argentina are likeliest to go all the way, though? We ask the Opta supercomputer. The post FIFA World Cup 2026 Predictions: The Opta Supercomputer Projections Ahead of the Semi-Finals appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (aet) Stats: Alvarez and Martínez’s Extra-Time Goals Tee up England Semi-Final
Argentina booked their spot in the semi-finals of the World Cup after getting the better of Switzerland, who had Breel Embolo sent off. The post Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (aet) Stats: Alvarez and Martínez’s Extra-Time Goals Tee up England Semi-Final appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Bellingham or Bust: England’s Man of ‘the Moment’ Delivers Yet Again
England haven't been entirely convincing despite reaching the 2026 World Cup semi-finals, but in Jude Bellingham they have a player capable of tipping the scales, as he proved again. The post Bellingham or Bust: England’s Man of ‘the Moment’ Delivers Yet Again appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Norway 1-2 England (aet) Stats: Bellingham Leads Comeback to Seal Semi-Final Berth
Two of the world’s best strikers face off as Norway play England in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Check out the key data from the game with our Norway vs England stats page. The post Norway 1-2 England (aet) Stats: Bellingham Leads Comeback to Seal Semi-Final Berth appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Jordan Pickford Becomes England’s Most-Capped Player in World Cup Games
Jordan Pickford is set to break Peter Shilton's record as the England player with the most appearances in men's World Cup history. The post Jordan Pickford Becomes England’s Most-Capped Player in World Cup Games appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Argentina vs Switzerland Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview
Lionel Messi and Argentina are still in the FIFA World Cup, albeit by the skin of their teeth. We look ahead to Saturday’s quarter-final clash with our Argentina vs Switzerland prediction and preview. The post Argentina vs Switzerland Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Norway vs England Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview
Two of the world’s best strikers go to battle as Norway face England in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The post Norway vs England Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Spain 2-1 Belgium Stats: Merino Punishes Lammens Error to Tee up Semi-Final Showdown With France
Spain will face France for a place in the World Cup final on Tuesday, after Mikel Merino provided the heroics once again to down Belgium. The post Spain 2-1 Belgium Stats: Merino Punishes Lammens Error to Tee up Semi-Final Showdown With France appeared first on Opta Analyst .
The Oldest Players to Score at a World Cup
Who are the oldest FIFA World Cup scorers? We look back at the 10 oldest men to score a goal at the tournament, plus some other age-related goal records. The post The Oldest Players to Score at a World Cup appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Captain, Creator, and Everything In Between: How Martin Ødegaard is Leading the Charge for Norway
Norway have exceeded expectations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and captain Martin Ødegaard has been key to their success. The post Captain, Creator, and Everything In Between: How Martin Ødegaard is Leading the Charge for Norway appeared first on Opta Analyst .
The Oldest Players in World Cup History
Who are the oldest players in World Cup history? Here, we go through the oldest 10 players to feature in a World Cup finals match. The post The Oldest Players in World Cup History appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Bruno Guimarães: What Newcastle’s Heartbeat Would Bring to Arsenal
Reports suggest Arsenal are after Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães. We assess his qualities and what makes the Brazilian a key target for Mikel Arteta. The post Bruno Guimarães: What Newcastle’s Heartbeat Would Bring to Arsenal appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Six Things England Must (Try to) Do to Beat Norway
England have reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup, but they now face a dangerous Norway side in the last eight. Here is what they need to do to progress. The post Six Things England Must (Try to) Do to Beat Norway appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Spain vs Belgium Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview
Can Rudi Garcia’s side breach Spain’s impenetrable defence? We look ahead to Friday’s FIFA World Cup quarter-final with our Spain vs Belgium prediction and preview. The post Spain vs Belgium Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
France 2-0 Morocco Stats: Mbappé Scores, Assists and Sees Penalty Saved in Quarter-Final Win
Kylian Mbappé scored, assisted and was denied from the penalty spot as France overcame Morocco in this FIFA World Cup quarter-final tie. The post France 2-0 Morocco Stats: Mbappé Scores, Assists and Sees Penalty Saved in Quarter-Final Win appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Barcelona to Bromley: Alexia Putellas’ Shock Move Indicative of London City Lionesses and WSL Ambition
One of the greatest players of all time, Alexia Putellas has made the switch from Barcelona to London City Lionesses - but why? The post Barcelona to Bromley: Alexia Putellas’ Shock Move Indicative of London City Lionesses and WSL Ambition appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Does Going First or Second in a Penalty Shootout Matter?
All four penalty shootouts at the 2026 World Cup have been won by the team going second. Does it point to a broader advantage, or is it just a coincidence? The post Does Going First or Second in a Penalty Shootout Matter? appeared first on Opta Analyst .
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