Explainers on football metrics, what they measure and where they mislead.
Birmingham sit near the foot of the WSL, but winger Océane Hurtré's six goals in six games already rank among the division's best-ever debut returns, built on pace in transition and ruthless finishing.
A fifth straight league game without a win has turned murmurs about Renée Slegers into open dissent, and the underlying data points to problems that go beyond a dip in form.
Arsenal travel to the Allianz Arena as Opta's model rates them Europe's top side, but Bayern arrive on a six-goal high and without Michael Olise.
Alexander Isak scored his third straight Premier League away winner at Brentford, and the underlying numbers show a striker now shooting from far better positions than last season.
Three straight Premier League wins decided by substitute goals point to a deliberate pattern in how Mikel Arteta manages games from the touchline.
Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez have combined for 24 goals, well clear of the next-best attacking trio in Europe's top five leagues, according to Planet Football.
Data from The Analyst (Opta) shows why Chelsea, unbeaten in 13 WSL games and boasting the division's best defence, are rated overwhelming favourites against a Tottenham side still searching for a first win over 'big-four' opposition since 2023.
Xabi Alonso's side arrive at Hill Dickinson Stadium with the division's leakiest defence and its sharpest early-game attack, against an Everton side still searching for consistent conversion.
Opta data highlights four Fantasy Premier League assets owned by under 10% of managers heading into Gameweek 7, led by Brighton's Luka Vuskovic and Manchester United's Matheus Cunha.
Jamie Redknapp blamed Manchester United's draw with Tottenham on a running deficit, but data analysed by The Analyst shows distance covered has almost no bearing on where Premier League teams finish.
With three NWSL rounds left, Opta's simulation model makes Gotham FC overwhelming favourites for the Shield while Chicago Stars and Racing Louisville face grim projected finishes.
Five matches into 2026-27, London City Lionesses' attacking trio have racked up 14 goal involvements - a pace that, if sustained, would rival the WSL's best-ever combinations.
