Opta Analyst
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Olivia Smith Exclusive Interview: Arsenal’s Award-Winning Prodigy Taking the Next Step in 2026-27
Opta Analyst sat down exclusively with two-time PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year Olivia Smith to analyse her fantastic first season at Arsenal through the data, and discuss her aspirations for the new season and the 2027 World Cup. The post Olivia Smith Exclusive Interview: Arsenal’s Award-Winning Prodigy Taking the Next Step in 2026-27 appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Bundesliga Predictions 2026-27: The Opta Supercomputer Projections
Can Bayern Munich retain their Serie A title? Who will qualify for the Champions League? And can the promoted clubs avoid relegation? We answer all the key questions with our German Bundesliga 2026-27 season predictions via the Opta supercomputer. The post Bundesliga Predictions 2026-27: The Opta Supercomputer Projections appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Do Liverpool Need a Defensive Midfielder, or Just More Discipline?
There has been much discussion about Liverpool's midfield since their draw at Newcastle. Do they need a 'number six'? The post Do Liverpool Need a Defensive Midfielder, or Just More Discipline? appeared first on Opta Analyst .
In Cole Palmer, João Pedro and Morgan Rogers, Chelsea Have a Front Three to Rival Any Other
Chelsea's new-look front three made a blistering start to life together, each getting on the scoresheet in a 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday. The post In Cole Palmer, João Pedro and Morgan Rogers, Chelsea Have a Front Three to Rival Any Other appeared first on Opta Analyst .
FCS Playoff Bracket Predictions: A Preseason Peek to Selection Sunday 2026
Who's in and who's out? We unveil a 2025 preseason FCS playoff bracket to predict what teams will travel the Road to Nashville. The post FCS Playoff Bracket Predictions: A Preseason Peek to Selection Sunday 2026 appeared first on Opta Analyst .
A September to Remember? 10 Story Lines to Watch for in MLB
Awards, titles, playoff spots – there’s a lot to follow in the final month of the MLB season. Here are 10 of the bigger story lines. The post A September to Remember? 10 Story Lines to Watch for in MLB appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Six Knee-Jerk Reactions to Premier League Matchday 1
The 2026-27 Premier League season has kicked off, so we're back with our weekly column of knee-jerk reactions. Here are six conclusions we’ve come to from across the first weekend of action in the new campaign. The post Six Knee-Jerk Reactions to Premier League Matchday 1 appeared first on Opta Analyst .
From 1 to 13, How the TRACR Projection Model Ranks FCS Conferences in the Preseason
Their overall strength is a source of pride among FCS conferences. For a preseason ranking, we called on the TRACR projection model. The post From 1 to 13, How the TRACR Projection Model Ranks FCS Conferences in the Preseason appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Fulham vs Chelsea Prediction: Premier League Preview
We look ahead to this Premier League match at Craven Cottage with our Fulham vs Chelsea prediction and preview. The post Fulham vs Chelsea Prediction: Premier League Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool Stats: Last-Gasp Szoboszlai Spot-Kick Salvages Draw
Both Newcastle and Liverpool have new managers in the dugout for the 2026-27 Premier League campaign, but who will get off to a perfect start? The post Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool Stats: Last-Gasp Szoboszlai Spot-Kick Salvages Draw appeared first on Opta Analyst .
The Latest Goals in Premier League History
We look at the latest goals scored in Premier League history, a record that has been broken in recent years with the increase in added time. The post The Latest Goals in Premier League History appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Brighton 4-0 Aston Villa Stats: Nightmare Start for Villa as Brighton Seal Thumping Win
Brighton defeated Aston Villa 4-0 on the opening matchday of the new Premier League season, with all four of their goals coming inside the first 31 minutes. The post Brighton 4-0 Aston Villa Stats: Nightmare Start for Villa as Brighton Seal Thumping Win appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth Stats: Substitute Cherki Sparks Late Turnaround as Maresca Gets First Win
Manchester City were heading for defeat in their first Premier League game under Enzo Maresca, until Rayan Cherki came on to assist late goals for Marc Guéhi and Josko Gvardiol. The post Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth Stats: Substitute Cherki Sparks Late Turnaround as Maresca Gets First Win appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Top Opening-Day Goalscorers in Premier League History
Which players have scored the most goals on the opening weekend of Premier League seasons? The post Top Opening-Day Goalscorers in Premier League History appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Newcastle vs Liverpool Prediction: Premier League Preview
Two teams under new management clash at St. James’ Park on Sunday. Look ahead to this showdown with our Newcastle United vs Liverpool prediction and preview. The post Newcastle vs Liverpool Prediction: Premier League Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Brentford 3-0 Tottenham Stats: Bees Cruise to Opening Day Victory Over Woeful Spurs
Brentford eased to a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday evening, but in truth it could have been even worse for Roberto De Zerbi's side. The post Brentford 3-0 Tottenham Stats: Bees Cruise to Opening Day Victory Over Woeful Spurs appeared first on Opta Analyst .
2026 FCS Football Conference Previews
Our 2026 FCS football conference previews span the nation from the Big Sky to the MVFC to the CAA and beyond. See all of our predictions. The post 2026 FCS Football Conference Previews appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Hull City 2-0 Manchester United: Ajayi and Mendy Secure Dream Premier League Start for Tigers
Promoted side Hull City face a tricky return to the Premier League with a clash against a much-improved Manchester United under Michael Carrick. The post Hull City 2-0 Manchester United: Ajayi and Mendy Secure Dream Premier League Start for Tigers appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Carlos Baleba Can Be the Final Piece of Man Utd’s Midfield Rebuild
Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and now Carlos Baleba? The Brighton midfielder could be joining Manchester United. If he does, he'll be a popular arrival. The post Carlos Baleba Can Be the Final Piece of Man Utd’s Midfield Rebuild appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Rodri, Gordon, Three-Peat Ambitions: The Key Questions for Barcelona Ahead of 2026-27
After winning back-to-back La Liga titles and signing arguably the best midfielder on the planet, the mood should be optimistic at Barcelona. Ahead of the 2026-27 season, though, there are still questions to be answered. The post Rodri, Gordon, Three-Peat Ambitions: The Key Questions for Barcelona Ahead of 2026-27 appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Hull vs Man Utd Prediction: Premier League Preview
We look ahead to Saturday's 2026-27 MD1 clash with our Hull vs Man Utd prediction and preview. The post Hull vs Man Utd Prediction: Premier League Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry Stats: Defending Champions Cruise to Victory on Opening Night
It was a routine win for the Premier League champions on the first night of the 2026-27 campaign. Re-live it with our Arsenal vs Coventry stats page. The post Arsenal 3-0 Coventry Stats: Defending Champions Cruise to Victory on Opening Night appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Newcastle Predictions: Opta Supercomputer Projections for Premier League 2026-27
It's been a summer of change at Newcastle, but could they still challenge for Champions League qualification? We look at the Opta supercomputer’s Premier League predictions. The post Newcastle Predictions: Opta Supercomputer Projections for Premier League 2026-27 appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Aston Villa Predictions: Opta Supercomputer’s Projections for Premier League 2026-27
Aston Villa have lost a lot of key players this summer, but can Unai Emery produce miracles with them once again in the Premier League? We look at the Opta supercomputer’s pre-season predictions for the Villans. The post Aston Villa Predictions: Opta Supercomputer’s Projections for Premier League 2026-27 appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Tottenham Predictions: Opta Supercomputer Projections for Premier League 2026-27
How will Tottenham fare in the Premier League in 2026-27? We fired up the Opta supercomputer to find out what it predicts. The post Tottenham Predictions: Opta Supercomputer Projections for Premier League 2026-27 appeared first on Opta Analyst .