Adam Smith
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Data Editor at Sky Sports. Features, data sourcing, sorting, visualisation, innovation & graphics
Articles by Adam Smith
Liverpool's unwanted record against Arsenal shows creativity problem under Andoni Iraola - Between the Lines
Liverpool set an unwanted record against Arsenal as they failed to register a shot on target for the first time in 442 Premier League home games, dating back to when records began in 2003. The ignominious statistic was confirmed by Opta, who initially credited Ronald Araujo and Alexis Mac Allister with shots on target but later ruled them as a blocked shot and overhit pass. Liverpool's finishing was wayward. They were also incorrectly denied a penalty. But a lack of creativity was the bigger issue.
Michael Carrick is latest Man Utd manager under pressure but has poor recruitment made them a mid-table team? Between the Lines
Michael Carrick has been given a stay of execution by Manchester United after the club considered making a fourth managerial change in four years following their defeat by Bournemouth. Carrick, the club's eighth permanent boss since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, came under major scrutiny after their poor start to the season continued with the 3-0 loss at Old Trafford.
Ballon d'Or 2026: Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal in race for men's award - stats and pundits' opinions
Harry Kane is the odds-on favourite to win the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, which could be one of the tightest results in recent history. England captain and Bayern Munich striker Kane is the bookmakers' favourite to become the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.
Arsenal were set-piece kings last season, so why have they stopped scoring from set-pieces? Between the Lines explains
Arsenal scored a Premier League-high 25 non-penalty set-piece goals on their way to winning the title last season. But have 'Set-piece FC' lost their not-so-secret edge? Seven games into the new campaign, the Gunners are one of only four sides, along with Liverpool, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, yet to score a non-penalty set-piece goal.
Premier League squad depth rankings: Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and all 20 clubs compared
In a Premier League season increasingly shaped by injuries, rotation and congested schedules, what happens when the first choices are unavailable can be incredibly important. How much quality is available beyond each club's established starting XI? How much is retained when starters are replaced? Where are squads strongest and weakest, and how often do managers actually use their alternatives?
Max Dowman shines again for Arsenal and JJ Gabriel wants Man Utd exit, so which clubs have most valuable teens? Between the Lines
The Premier League's teenage sensations are making headlines after Max Dowman's starring display for Arsenal and JJ Gabriel's revelation that he wants to leave Manchester United. Dowman, 16, scored twice in Arsenal's Carabao Cup win over Ipswich, only hours after 15-year-old Gabriel had stunned Manchester United with his request to cancel his registration at the club.
Man Utd have highest transfer net spend since 2022 but Champions League return will test depth - Between the Lines
Michael Carrick transformed Manchester United's fortunes after his appointment in January, steering the side from seventh to third and clinching their return to the Champions League. But, after a disappointing start to the new campaign, how will they handle the challenge of juggling three games per week? And has their rebuild neglected one key part of their squad?
Chelsea? Liverpool? Aston Villa? Best and worst buyers and sellers of the summer transfer window - Between the Lines
Premier League spending totalled £3.4bn in a record-breaking summer transfer window - but how well did your club actually buy and sell? Across the league, clubs paid around a third above Transfermarkt valuations for players in the scramble to strengthen their squads. So, to make fairer comparisons, we've adjusted those valuations for this summer's transfer inflation, and then measured which clubs bought below that benchmark and sold above it.
Premier League managers 2026/27: Record new bosses, manager changes and tenure
There's a sense of unpredictability surrounding the new Premier League campaign. And perhaps with good reason: nine of the 20 clubs will start the season with a manager appointed since the end of 2025/26 - the biggest summer reset of the Premier League era. According to Opta, nine managers taking charge of their first league game for a club on the opening weekend is the most in an English top-flight season since 1946/47 - the first campaign after World War II.
Is Enzo Fernandez worth two Rodris? Transfer valuations explained as Chelsea and Man City midfielders linked with moves - Between the Lines
Speculation is swirling around two of the Premier League's leading midfielders. As Barcelona push to sign Rodri, Manchester City are being linked with a move for Enzo Fernandez. But why does the Chelsea player have a much higher transfer value? Rodri is a four-time Premier League title winner who was named player of the tournament at the World Cup with Spain. And yet Barcelona are hoping to land him for a fee in the region of £60m, while Chelsea are demanding twice as much for Fernandez.
Sky Sports supercomputer predicts 2026/27 Premier League table as Arsenal retain title and Liverpool jump back above Man Utd - Between the Lines
Will Arsenal retain the title? What's in store for Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea under their new managers? And which teams are going to be relegated? As the new Premier League season draws closer, featuring 215 games to be shown live on Sky Sports, we've fired up the Sky Sports supercomputer to predict the final table.
Premier League transfers: Are Big Six clubs raiding their rivals?
What do Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers and Sandro Tonali have in common? All three made moves for £100m or more this summer - but they also follow a growing trend where 'Big Six' clubs - defined as Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs - sign players from their non-Big Six Premier League rivals.
How the Premier League transfer market has exploded: Are £100m-plus fees for players the new normal?
The average cost of a top-end signing in the Premier League has exploded. The £100m-plus player is no longer an outlier, but becoming increasingly commonplace. A trend started by Jack Grealish's £100m move from Aston Villa to Manchester City in 2021 has, in effect, snowballed, establishing a new benchmark for elite Premier League talent that continues to send records tumbling.
England vs Argentina tactics: How Thomas Tuchel’s side can stop Lionel Messi and Co and reach the World Cup final
Here we go. England face Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday - a fixture loaded with history, jeopardy and one final obstacle between Thomas Tuchel’s side and the World Cup final. It may be the biggest England game of a generation, but where could it be won or lost? According to Opta, the outcome is almost a coin toss, with Tuchel's side given a 52.9 per cent chance of reaching the final.
Jude Bellingham leads World Cup 2026 England stats after scoring twice against Norway and Mexico ahead of Argentina semi-final
Jude Bellingham fever grips the nation after the Real Madrid midfielder scored two goals - for the second game running - in England's 2-1 win over Norway. Gary Neville says Bellingham's performances have given him goosebumps and have been "game-changing", carrying England into the semi-finals "almost single-handedly with the support of Harry Kane".
Norway vs England tactical dossier: How Thomas Tuchel’s side can stop Erling Haaland and reach the World Cup semi-finals
What tactical nuances could decide Norway vs England in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final in Miami? Our tactical dossier breaks down the key head-to-head clashes, threats and advantages facing Thomas Tuchel’s side. Both teams overcame adversity in different ways in the round of 16. Norway, underdogs against five-time world champions Brazil, won 2-1 on Sunday to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
Man City transfer spending explained: Elliot Anderson move smashes British record transfer fee
Manchester City’s transfer spending has hit £824m in three years after signing Elliot Anderson in a British-record £116m deal. Anderson becomes the club's most expensive signing, eclipsing the £100m fee paid for Jack Grealish, and ranks as the third-most expensive signing in Premier League history. Image: Elliot Anderson becomes the most expensive British transfer in history Transfer Centre LIVE! | Latest Man City news and gossip Got Sky? Watch now on the Sky Sports app📱 Not got Sky?
Lionel Messi better than ever at 39? Argentina great still thriving and setting World Cup records - Between the Lines
Lionel Messi celebrates his 39th birthday on Wednesday having made an astonishing start to the World Cup. After the hat-trick against Algeria that took him level with Miroslav Klose's goal record, he scored twice against Austria to go two clear. He only needs two more to match his total for the whole of the 2022 edition in Qatar, where he inspired Argentina to the trophy.
World Cup 2026: Who has coped best with conditions? Michael Olise stands out for France as England benefit from air conditioning - Between the Lines
After the conclusion of the first round of World Cup group games, Between the Lines reveals the numbers behind how teams and players have handled the hot conditions so far. How did Michael Olise beat the heat in France's 3-1 win over Senegal? Can England maintain the intensity of their 4-2 win over Croatia in tournament venues without air conditioning? And which players have clocked the highest top speeds?
England's World Cup chances assessed as they are rated third favourites behind Spain and France - Between the Lines
The World Cup is finally upon us. Could it be England's year? Opta's supercomputer, which is based on 10,000 simulations and factors a wide range of data points, has Thomas Tuchel's side as third favourites, with a 10.9 per cent chance of lifting the trophy. European champions Spain are rated as favourites, with a 15.9 per cent chance of success, while France are second on 13.2 per cent. Holders Argentina, Portugal, Brazil and Germany complete the top seven.
Pep Guardiola will leave Man City having transformed English football from the top down - Between the Lines
Pep Guardiola is expected to leave Manchester City at the end of the season, calling time on a decade-long stay at the Etihad Stadium during which he made a transformative impact on English football. The 55-year-old will depart as the second-most decorated manager in Premier League history, his total of six titles, so far, putting him behind only former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Erling Haaland smashes 100th Premier League goal record in fastest ever time - with Alan Shearer's top goalscorer spot in his sights
The unstoppable Norway forward hammered home his landmark goal with a powerful strike 17 minutes into Man City's trip to Fulham on December 2. Haaland becomes the 35th player to achieve the feat and the first since Heung-Min Son in 2023, but by far the quickest - obliterating Alan Shearer's previous record which had stood for almost 30 years.
Liverpool's defeat to Man City raised questions of their physicality and intensity - Between the Lines
The Sky Sports punditry team highlighted their physical issues after the game. "City looked stronger, technically better and much better physically than Liverpool," said Roy Keane. "I thought Liverpool looked like a really weak team today." Gary Neville gave a similarly damning verdict, even before Manchester City's second and third goals. "Liverpool look leggy," he said on co-commentary.
Premier League: Can Man City or Liverpool realistically catch Arsenal in the title race and how many points are needed?
The Opta supercomputer has given Arsenal a 66-per-cent chance of winning the Premier League - and for good reason. Because opposition teams are really struggling to get close to them. Arsenal have pulled off eight wins in a row in all competitions - winning the last six without conceding a goal. The Gunners have only conceded twice since the September international break - while only Erling Haaland has managed to score from open play against this Arsenal defence all season.
Lack of English strikers a worry for England as Thomas Tuchel remains reliant on Harry Kane - Between the Lines
Harry Kane is Thomas Tuchel's only available out-and-out striker for England's World Cup qualifier against Latvia on Tuesday after Ollie Watkins was ruled out by the injury he suffered against Wales. Tuchel has an abundance of attacking talent out wide and at No 10 but England continue to be reliant on Kane up front, with Watkins the only alternative established at international level.
Erling Haaland projected to smash Alan Shearer's record with 389 Premier League goals - Between the Lines
Jamie Carragher described Haaland as English football's "greatest goalscorer" after the game. The player himself said he is in the form of his life. "I've never felt better than I do now," he told Sky Sports. So, is Haaland getting even better? His numbers make a compelling case. The Norway striker has 18 goals in 11 games for club and country this season, taking him to 37 for the calendar year.
Liverpool below Man Utd in the Sky Sports 'expected' table with set-pieces and Mohamed Salah's dip among issues - Between the Lines
Eddie Nketiah's 97th-minute strike at Selhurst Park condemned Arne Slot's side to their first loss of the season. Just three days later, Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen converted a match-winning penalty against Liverpool - with Alisson limping off and now ruled out of Saturday's clash against Chelsea, live on Sky Sports. The champions are still two points clear at the top of the Premier League table thanks to a succession of late goals in their previous fixtures. But had this blip been coming?
Premier League sides smash transfer record as spending passes £2.6bn but where is your club stronger or weaker?
Premier League clubs have set a new record for spending in a single transfer window this summer at over £2.6bn. Arsenal's signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace saw the previous record fall with a week of the window still to go. But how has the money been spent? Using net-spend figures, this week's Between the Lines looks at the positions in which clubs have strengthened this summer - and where they have got weaker. Nearly half of the £2.6bn spent this summer has gone on forwards.
Liverpool top? Man Utd 5th... or 12th? Opta vs Sky Sports as supercomputers predict Premier League table!
The Premier League is back, with more games than ever live on Sky Sports, but what does the new campaign have in store? Liverpool are out to retain their crown. The champions are the Premier League's biggest spenders in this summer's transfer window as they look to build on the success of last season under Arne Slot. But will they see off the competition? Runners-up Arsenal have also strengthened. Manchester City have undergone a rebuild. Could Club World Cup winners Chelsea roar into contention?
Liverpool top? Man Utd 5th... or 12th? Opta vs Sky Sports as supercomputers predict Premier League table!
Are Liverpool destined to retain the title? Could Manchester United really finish in the bottom half of the table again? The Premier League is back, with more games than ever live on Sky Sports, but what does the new campaign have in store? Liverpool are out to retain their crown. The champions are the Premier League's biggest spenders in this summer's transfer window as they look to build on the success of last season under Arne Slot. But will they see off the competition?
Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich Premier League problems reflect broader struggles for promoted Championship sides
Is it getting harder for promoted teams to survive in the Premier League? Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich are on course for a raft of unwanted records... Leicester suffered their 10th defeat in 11 games, losing 2-0 at West Ham on Thursday with a whimper. The Saints have lost nine of their previous 10 games, while Ipswich have lost six of their previous seven.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Former Man Utd and Real Madrid legend's career numbers analysed as he turns 40
"Who's the best goalscorer in history? It's about numbers. Full stop," says Cristiano Ronaldo. The football icon turned 40 on Wednesday and has claimed he is "the most complete player to have existed". Speaking to Spanish outlet El Chiringuito after scoring twice in Al Nassr's 4-0 Asian Champions League win over Al Wasl, Ronaldo added: "Who's the player in history who's scored most goals with their head, their left foot, penalties, free-kicks?
Premier League transfers: Man City, Brighton and Man Utd biggest spenders
Premier League clubs have spent £346.8m on new signings during the winter transfer window. This article was last updated on February 3 at 11.30pm and will be updated when deal sheets are confirmed. The outlay represents a threefold increase from last year, when Premier League clubs spent only £116.2m after the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) slashed clubs' purchasing power.
Set-pieces: How do Premier League teams take corners and free-kicks? Arsenal and Aston Villa lead the way
How do Premier League teams take set-pieces? We take a look at each club's approach and success this season... Topics covered in this feature: Which teams have scored the most goals from set-pieces? Arsenal registered a league-topping 22 goals from set-pieces (excluding penalties) in the Premier League last season and once again top the chart this term with eight, level with Everton.
Set-pieces: How do Arsenal take corners and free-kicks?
Corners Goals from corners: 3 Most corners taken: Declan Rice (32) Most corners from the left: Declan Rice (29) Most corners from the right: Bukayo Saka (27) Most xG created from corners: Bukayo Saka (1.63) Prime target: Kai Havertz and Gabriel (13 each) Most attacking first contacts: Gabriel (9) Free-kicks in opposition half Goals from free-kicks and throw-ins: 2 Most free-kicks taken: Declan Rice (22) Most xG created from free-kicks: Declan Rice (0.42) Prime target: Kai Havertz and Thomas...
Set-pieces: How do Crystal Palace take corners and free-kicks?
Corners Goals from corners: 2 Most corners taken: Eberechi Eze (17) Most corners from the left: Eberechi Eze (12) Most corners from the right: Adam Wharton and Will Hughes (12 each) Most xG created from corners: Daichi Kamada (1.08) Prime target: Maxence Lacroix (7) Most attacking first contacts: Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Muñoz (3 each) Free-kicks in opposition half Goals from free-kicks and throw-ins: 2 Most free-kicks taken: Eberechi Eze (28) Most xG created from free-kicks: Eberechi Eze...
Set-pieces: How do Everton take corners and free-kicks?
Corners Goals from corners: 1 Most corners taken: Dwight McNeil (30) Most corners from the left: Dwight McNeil (10) Most corners from the right: Dwight McNeil (20) Most xG created from corners: Dwight McNeil (0.85) Prime target: Michael Keane (10) Most attacking first contacts: James Tarkowski (8) Free-kicks in opposition half Goals from free-kicks and throw-ins: 3 Most free-kicks taken: Dwight McNeil (25) Most xG created from free-kicks: Jesper Lindstrom (1.03) Prime target: James Tarkowski...
Set-pieces: How do West Ham take corners and free-kicks?
Corners Goals from corners: 0 Most corners taken: Jarrod Bowen (33) Most corners from the left: Jarrod Bowen (15) Most corners from the right: Jarrod Bowen (18) Most xG created from corners: Jarrod Bowen (0.87) Prime target: Max Kilman (14) Most attacking first contacts: Lucas Paqueta (4) Free-kicks in opposition half Goals from free-kicks and throw-ins: 1 Most free-kicks taken: Emerson (13) Most xG created from free-kicks: Lucas Paqueta (0.15) Prime target: Konstantinos Mavropanos and Tomas...
Set-pieces: How do Tottenham take corners and free-kicks?
Corners Goals from corners: 2 Most corners taken: Dejan Kulusevski (38) Most corners from the left: James Maddison (28) Most corners from the right: Dejan Kulusevski (38) Most xG created from corners: Lucas Bergvall (0.80) Prime target: Cristian Romero (15) Most attacking first contacts: Pedro Porro (7) Free-kicks in opposition half Goals from free-kicks and throw-ins: 1 Most free-kicks taken: James Maddison (21) Most xG created from free-kicks: James Maddison (0.72) Prime target: Dominic...
Set-pieces: How do Premier League teams take corners and free-kicks? Arsenal and Aston Villa lead the way
How do Premier League teams take set-pieces? We take a look at each club's approach and success this season... Topics covered in this feature: Which teams have scored the most goals from set-pieces? Arsenal registered a league-topping 22 goals from set-pieces (excluding penalties) in the Premier League last season and once again top the chart this term with five, level with Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
Set-pieces: How do Bournemouth take corners and free-kicks?
Corners Goals from corners: 2 Most corners taken: Lewis Cook (37) Most corners from the left: Lewis Cook (34) Most corners from the right: Marcus Tavernier (23) Most xG created from corners: Lewis Cook (0.75) Prime target: Evanilson (11) Most attacking first contacts: Justin Kluivert, Dango Ouattara and Marcos Senesi (3 each) Free-kicks in opposition half Goals from free-kicks and throw-ins: 2 Most free-kicks taken: Lewis Cook (22) Most xG created from free-kicks: Marcus Tavernier (0.54)...
Set-pieces: How do Aston Villa take corners and free-kicks?
Corners Goals from corners: 3 Most corners taken: Youri Tielemans (34) Most corners from the left: Youri Tielemans (33) Most corners from the right: Lucas Digne (15) Most xG created from corners: Lucas Digne (1.34) Prime target: Pau Torres (14) Most attacking first contacts: Amadou Onana, Pau Torres and Ollie Watkins (4 each) Free-kicks in opposition half Goals from free-kicks and throw-ins: 2 Most free-kicks taken: Youri Tielemans (26) Most xG created from free-kicks: Youri Tielemans (1.14)...
Set-pieces: How do Arsenal take corners and free-kicks?
Corners Goals from corners: 3 Most corners taken: Declan Rice (32) Most corners from the left: Declan Rice (29) Most corners from the right: Bukayo Saka (27) Most xG created from corners: Bukayo Saka (1.63) Prime target: Kai Havertz and Gabriel (13 each) Most attacking first contacts: Gabriel (9) Free-kicks in opposition half Goals from free-kicks and throw-ins: 2 Most free-kicks taken: Declan Rice (22) Most xG created from free-kicks: Declan Rice (0.42) Prime target: Kai Havertz and Thomas...
Set-pieces: How do Ipswich take corners and free-kicks?
Corners Goals from corners: 2 Most corners taken: Leif Davis (39) Most corners from the left: Kalvin Phillips (9) Most corners from the right: Leif Davis (32) Most xG created from corners: Leif Davis (0.80) Prime target: Dara O'Shea (13) Most attacking first contacts: Dara O'Shea (6) Free-kicks in opposition half Goals from free-kicks and throw-ins: 0 Most free-kicks taken: Leif Davis (18) Most xG created from free-kicks: Leif Davis (0.55) Prime target: Jacob Greaves (10) Most attacking first...
Set-pieces: How do Brentford take corners and free-kicks?
Corners Goals from corners: 2 Most corners taken: Bryan Mbeumo (22) Most corners from the left: Mikkel Damsgaard (14) Most corners from the right: Bryan Mbeumo (20) Most xG created from corners: Bryan Mbeumo (0.58) Prime target: Ethan Pinnock (9) Most attacking first contacts: Ethan Pinnock (6) Free-kicks in opposition half Goals from free-kicks and throw-ins: 2 Most free-kicks taken: Bryan Mbeumo (11) Most xG created from free-kicks: Bryan Mbeumo (0.39) Prime target: Ethan Pinnock (7) Most...
Set-pieces: How do Fulham take corners and free-kicks?
Corners Goals from corners: 0 Most corners taken: Andreas Pereira (52) Most corners from the left: Andreas Pereira (24) Most corners from the right: Andreas Pereira (28) Most xG created from corners: Andreas Pereira (1.80) Prime target: Joachim Andersen and Kenny Tete (11 each) Most attacking first contacts: Raúl Jiménez (7) Free-kicks in opposition half Goals from free-kicks and throw-ins: 0 Most free-kicks taken: Andreas Pereira (24) Most xG created from free-kicks: Andreas Pereira (0.25)...
Set-pieces: How do Leicester take corners and free-kicks?
Corners Goals from corners: 3 Most corners taken: Harry Winks (16) Most corners from the left: Harry Winks (12) Most corners from the right: FacundoBuonanotte (12) Most xG created from corners: Harry Winks (0.75) Prime target: Wout Faes (8) Most attacking first contacts: Wout Faes (4) Free-kicks in opposition half Goals from free-kicks and throw-ins: 1 Most free-kicks taken: Harry Winks (27) Most xG created from free-kicks: Bilal El Khannouss (0.33) Prime target: Wout Faes (20) Most attacking...
Set-pieces: How do Chelsea take corners and free-kicks?
Corners Goals from corners: 2 Most corners taken: Cole Palmer (30) Most corners from the left: Enzo Fernandes (13) Most corners from the right: Cole Palmer (26) Most xG created from corners: Cole Palmer (0.47) Prime target: Wesley Fofana (13) Most attacking first contacts: Levi Colwill and Cole Palmer (3 each) Free-kicks in opposition half Goals from free-kicks and throw-ins: 1 Most free-kicks taken: Cole Palmer (18) Most xG created from free-kicks: Cole Palmer (0.75) Prime target: Moisés...
Set-pieces: How do Newcastle take corners and free-kicks?
Corners Goals from corners: 0 Most corners taken: Anthony Gordon (21) Most corners from the left: Anthony Gordon (16) Most corners from the right: Lewis Hall (19) Most xG created from corners: Anthony Gordon (0.55) Prime target: Dan Burn (13) Most attacking first contacts: Joelinton (5) Free-kicks in opposition half Goals from free-kicks and throw-ins: 1 Most free-kicks taken: Bruno Guimaraes (18) Most xG created from free-kicks: Sandro Tonali (0.36) Prime target: Dan Burn (17) Most attacking...
Set-pieces: How do Man City take corners and free-kicks?
Corners Goals from corners: 4 Most corners taken: Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne (25 each) Most corners from the left: Ilkay Gundogan (21) Most corners from the right: Phil Foden (16) Most xG created from corners: Kevin De Bruyne (0.84) Prime target: Josko Gvardiol (19) Most attacking first contacts: Bernardo Silva (6) Free-kicks in opposition half Goals from free-kicks and throw-ins: 0 Most free-kicks taken: Bernardo Silva (10) Most xG created from free-kicks: Kevin De Bruyne (0.34)...
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