Relationship between time and goal scoring of European soccer teams with different league ranking

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to compare scored and conceded goals as well as the time period among teams of different league ranking. Researchers recorded the total games (n= 1446) of the top European leagues of Spain, Italy, Germany, and France for the period 2015-2016. The teams were divided into the ones which achieved their participation for European cups (L1), teams that remained to the category (L2), and teams which relegated to the lower category (L3). The researchers recorded the scored goals, the conceded goals, and the goal differences, per game, per half, and per 15min in total games for 2015-2016 season. The results showed that L1 teams were superior to L2 and L3 in overall goal scoring characteristics in both halves. The superior 15min periods were also explored. In addition, L2 teams performed higher than L3 teams in most of the variables. In conclusion, the difference between L1 with L2 and L3 teams is based in goal scoring during the whole game, in contrast with the difference between L2 and L3 teams that relies on stronger defense. On the other hand, L3 teams did not perform higher in any goal scoring pattern than the other two groups. It is obvious, that performance difference is achieved by the first half which is difficult to change during the second half. Thus, coaches have to emphasize achieving high performance in the first half of the game. Furthermore, they must use their substitutions so as to avoid poor performance periods and

The rotation strategy in high-level European soccer teams

“…A possible explanation is that several teams use substitutes for more time probably because the outcome of the game requires the change of the score or because teams try to maintain a suitable for them score. This is in accordance to Bekris et al (2018) study who found that the most successful teams have scored more goals and have received fewer goals during the first half. The need, therefore, for substitutes is greater for the teams that are losing, or the score is not the desired one.…”

The influence of randomness on goals in football decreases over time. An empirical analysis of randomness involved in goal scoring in the English Premier League

“…While these aspects are directly and unequivocally observable, an exact determination of team strength is difficult due to the complex and unambiguous connection between strength, performance and success in football. While the quality of teams or opposition is a widely used variable, the difficulty of estimating strength rather than success is reflected in the diversity of approaches such as using the final table rank (Evangelos et al, 2018;Taylor et al, 2008), the number of points or goals (Heuer & Rubner, 2009;O'Donoghue & Robinson, 2016), or models based on ELOratings (Hvattum & Arntzen, 2010;Lasek et al, 2013). The inclusion of Team Strength and Strength Difference based on betting odds is driven by the fact that betting odds have been shown to outperform expert judgements, ranking systems and various quantitative models in forecasting football results (Hvattum & Arntzen, 2010;Leitner et al, 2010;Spann & Skiera, 2009) and have been demonstrated to be a superior information basis for the evaluation of team quality when compared to match results or goals (Wunderlich & Memmert, 2018).…”

“…There is plenty of evidence that the frequency of goals scored during a match is time-dependent and systematically increases throughout the match, with a climax in the last period from minute 75 on (Alberti et al, 2013;Armatas et al, 2009;Evangelos et al, 2018). As expectable, the vast majority of goals (roughly between 80 and 90%) are scored inside the penalty area (Michailidis et al, 2013;Wright et al, 2011).…”

Statistical Analysis of Leading Goal Scoring Pattern of Europe’s Top Five Football Leagues

“…Without goal scoring, football will be boring and tactics, individual efforts, strategies and team work often results to goals [2][3][4][5]. Goal scoring is purely probabilistic and always needed in the computation and finalization of the top teams at the end of a season [6]. Goal scoring is another important metric in determining the competitive nature of the football league [7].…”