|
|
Leicester City prove again football is totally unpredictable
One year ago, BT Sport commissioned some of the leading names in football data and analysis to script the 19/20 season before a ball was even kicked - As it turns out, football cannot be scripted
If the Premier League were to finish as it stands today (24 July), the script would have correctly predicted the final positions of just 2 teams (Brighton and Chelsea), while 12 sides look set to finish three or more places away from their data-driven projection Check out what we originally said about Leicesters season here.
Turns out you can’t predict football.
Just before the start of this season, BT Sport challenged some of the leading names in football data and analysis to script the 19/20 season, before a ball had even been kicked, as part of our #Unscripted campaign.
The result was a 70-page document which described, in meticulous detail, the ins and outs of the Premier League: the top goal scorers, relegation candidates and other notable storylines.
As the season draws to a close, we felt the time was right to acknowledge what was obvious to many fans, pundits and players from the start: data and science cannot predict the beautiful game. Football cannot be scripted.
If the Premier League were to finish as it stands today (24 July), the script would have correctly predicted the final positions of just 2 teams (Brighton and Chelsea), while 12 sides look set to finish three or more places away from their data-driven projection.
We at BT Sport readily admit that football cannot be scripted. Instead, the game’s beauty lies in its unpredictability. But where did the data get it wrong?
30 Years of Hurt
Liverpool took the league by storm, ended their 30-year wait for a league title in clinical fashion. The Reds did not lose a league game until the end of February. Manchester City were predicted to finish the season 6 points clear at the top of the table. With one game remaining, Jürgen Klopp’s side find themselves 18 points behind the Champions.
Wilder Things
Predicted to finish rock bottom of the Premier League, Sheffield United were supposed to spend just one week outside the bottom 5. As it happens, they have spent just one among the basement clubs. An incredible achievement as Chris Wilder’s men find themselves with a guaranteed top half finish.
White Smoke Over Turf Moor
Burnley’s defence has recorded an incredible 15 clean sheets so far this season despite the script pegging them for a relegation dog fight. Nick Pope finds himself joint top of the Golden Glove standings heading into the final day.
Jamie Vardy is Still Having a Party
With one game to go, Jamie Vardy tops the scoring charts. He was predicted to score just 10 goals but has scored more than double that amount as, at the age of 33, he looks to become the oldest recipient of the Golden Boot.
North London’s Struggles
This season will mark the first time both North London clubs have finished outside the Top 4 since 1996. Predicted to finish 3rd and 5th respectively, Spurs and Arsenal have had seasons racked by upheaval and will hope that a sensible summer transfer window can get them back among the Champions League places
Just before the start of this season, BT Sport challenged some of the leading names in football data and analysis to script the 19/20 season, before a ball had even been kicked, as part of our #Unscripted campaign.
The result was a 70-page document which described, in meticulous detail, the ins and outs of the Premier League: the top goal scorers, relegation candidates and other notable storylines.
As the season draws to a close, we felt the time was right to acknowledge what was obvious to many fans, pundits and players from the start: data and science cannot predict the beautiful game. Football cannot be scripted.
If the Premier League were to finish as it stands today (24 July), the script would have correctly predicted the final positions of just 2 teams (Brighton and Chelsea), while 12 sides look set to finish three or more places away from their data-driven projection.
We at BT Sport readily admit that football cannot be scripted. Instead, the game’s beauty lies in its unpredictability. But where did the data get it wrong?
30 Years of Hurt
Liverpool took the league by storm, ended their 30-year wait for a league title in clinical fashion. The Reds did not lose a league game until the end of February. Manchester City were predicted to finish the season 6 points clear at the top of the table. With one game remaining, Jürgen Klopp’s side find themselves 18 points behind the Champions.
Wilder Things
Predicted to finish rock bottom of the Premier League, Sheffield United were supposed to spend just one week outside the bottom 5. As it happens, they have spent just one among the basement clubs. An incredible achievement as Chris Wilder’s men find themselves with a guaranteed top half finish.
White Smoke Over Turf Moor
Burnley’s defence has recorded an incredible 15 clean sheets so far this season despite the script pegging them for a relegation dog fight. Nick Pope finds himself joint top of the Golden Glove standings heading into the final day.
Jamie Vardy is Still Having a Party
With one game to go, Jamie Vardy tops the scoring charts. He was predicted to score just 10 goals but has scored more than double that amount as, at the age of 33, he looks to become the oldest recipient of the Golden Boot.
North London’s Struggles
This season will mark the first time both North London clubs have finished outside the Top 4 since 1996. Predicted to finish 3rd and 5th respectively, Spurs and Arsenal have had seasons racked by upheaval and will hope that a sensible summer transfer window can get them back among the Champions League places
|
Golden Mo? Mo Salah was touted to bring home the Golden Boot for a third consecutive season. Despite another great season for the Egyptian, he was outscored by Jamie Vardy, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and former teammate, Danny Ings. |
|
|
It was thought Raheem Sterling would be propelling his team to another title with 13 assists. Instead, his teammate finds himself with The Playmaker Award all but wrapped up, needing just one more assist to equal Thierry Henry’s record of 20. Check out how the rest of the report fared at btsport.com/unscripted |
Leicester City FC
BT No agreement
