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Articles by Devs Someoddpilot
Why Have Newcastle Signed Sandro Tonali?
Newcastle United have completed the signing of Sandro Tonali, so we’ve analysed why the Premier League club were willing to take the reported £60 million (€70m) plunge to bring in the former AC Milan star. When Newcastle United were taken over by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in 2021, there was talk that the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi could soon be strutting their stuff at St James’ Park.
All-Time Top Scorers at the Women’s World Cup
Who has scored the most goals at the FIFA Women’s World Cup? We look over the top scorers in women’s World Cup history, since the first edition in 1991. 17 Goals Marta No player scored as many goals at the Women’s World Cup as Brazilian striker Marta, who found the net 17 times in just 20 appearances across an impressive five tournaments.
André Onana Could Be a Gamechanger For Man Utd
With David de Gea’s Manchester United future looking murkier by the day, we investigate why André Onana appears to be the favourite to replace him at Old Trafford. For years, decades even, the role and importance of the goalkeeper was hugely undervalued. You could potentially even say they were misunderstood and underutilised. They were there to stop the ball going in the goal, and that was pretty much it. So, when maverick goalkeepers occasionally came along, that made them even more memorable.
Why Are Newcastle Targeting Milan's Sandro Tonali?
With Newcastle United seemingly on the verge of landing AC Milan star Sandro Tonali, we’ve analysed why the Premier League club are willing to take the reported £68.5 million (€80m) plunge and make him the most expensive Italian player in history. When Newcastle United were taken over by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in 2021, there was talk that the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi could soon be strutting their stuff at St James’ Park.
Who Has Taken the Most Ashes Wickets in History?
With 195 wickets, Shane Warne holds the record for the most Ashes wickets in history. But who else makes up the top 10? If the 2023 Ashes started as they mean to go on, then we’re in for a rollercoaster of a series. Australia claimed a two-wicket victory over England at Edgbaston in an opening Test for the ages. Pat Cummins played a captain’s innings, while it has been suggested that his counterpart Ben Stokes perhaps went too hard, too early. But… Bazball is gonna Bazball.
Will He Achieve Immortality in His Quest for .400?
After the Minnesota Twins and the Miami Marlins agreed to the offseason trade that saw Pablo Lopez go to the twin cities and Luis Arráez to South Beach, most folks saw the AL Central contenders as the winners of the transaction. This sentiment became even stronger after Lopez’s brilliant start in the 2023 campaign. No one, however, said the Marlins got robbed because they saw a very solid contact hitter in Arráez. Arráez, after all, was fresh off an All-Star appearance and AL batting title.
Kovacic Will Need Guardiola to Work His Magic to Thrive at City
Much like people wondered when Pep Guardiola reached the pinnacle of European football in 2009 with Barcelona, where do Manchester City go from here? The circumstances are different of course, but there lies a rather peculiar parallel between the two moments in time – a player who specifically helped underpin Pep’s collective functionality is on the way out after winning a treble. What was Samuel Eto’o is now Ilkay Gündoğan.
Opta Player Radars: Answering Five Big Questions
Following the release of our Opta Player Radars, we used the tool to answer some (mostly) transfer-related questions… With the European transfer window open, most clubs are already plotting for next season as they hope to make the marginal gains that take them to the next level – or even higher. Football waits for no team; in this day and age, standing still is to fall behind, whoever you are.
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Man Utd Aren't Making the Most of Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes was back to his best during the 2022-23 season, but if Manchester United are to challenge for the title again, they need to collectively get to his level. Few at Manchester United excelled during the ultimately miserable 2021-22 season, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer first paying the price for their underachievement on the pitch and Ralf Rangnick unable to do much better.
Does the Bradley Beal Trade Make the Suns Title Contenders?
It hasn’t even been a week since the Denver Nuggets became NBA champions, and yet somehow, we already have our first massive move of the offseason. After eleven seasons in the nation’s capital, Bradley Beal is now a member of the Phoenix Suns. So did the Suns make the right call? How does this deal address the problems that led to their demise in the Western Conference semifinals? And should we be considering Phoenix as the favorite to win the NBA title next season?
Opta Numbers Behind Saka's First Career Hat-Trick Original
Bukayo Saka scored three times for England in Monday’s 7-0 rout of North Macedonia, so we looked at the Opta numbers that highlight the significance of his achievement. Bukayo Saka almost looked shocked as he held up three fingers to the crowd at Old Trafford on Monday. After racing on to a perfectly weighted Harry Kane through ball, the winger kept his cool to score for the third time that night. North Macedonia may not be the most illustrious of opponents, but Saka won’t have cared even remotely.
Under-21 European Championship: Players to Watch
The UEFA Under-21 European Championship begins on Wednesday, and we’ve identified five players worth keeping an eye on. After the conclusion of a long club season, many football fans might be keen for a break themselves, but those eager to catch a glimpse of ‘The Next Big Thing’ should hold out for another few weeks.
Where Man Utd Must Improve
Manchester United finished Erik ten Hag’s maiden season in charge with a third-place finish and a trophy, but where can they improve in their quest to become realistic title challengers again? Erik ten Hag’s first season as Manchester United manager must generally be seen as a positive one.
The Future of Croatia's Midfield is Safe With Marcelo Brozović
This UEFA Nations League final could be Luka Modrić‘s last international game for Croatia. If you could pinpoint one achievement in retrospect, it’s hard to understate just what Modrić, along with Andrés Iniesta, represented for midfielders at Euro 2008. Modrić and Iniesta were a palpable divergence from the powerhouse goalscoring threats of Michael Ballack, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, redefining what’s tactically possible on a football pitch.
The Third Major: US Open Champions and All-Time Records
Golf Jun 14, 2023 The third of golf’s four major championships has never fallen short in terms of star power. From Bobby Jones to Byron Nelson to Ben Hogan to Arnold Palmer to Jack Nicklaus to Tiger Woods, some of the game’s biggest legends have been U.S. Open winners over the past 100-plus years of the tournament. The event has certainly come a long way since it was played for the first time on Oct.
The Ashes 2023: Series Preview
The 2023 Ashes begins this Friday at Edgbaston, so we’ve previewed the series, as England look to regain the urn for the first time since 2015. Eighteen months on from a capitulation down under, England are out for revenge as they host Australia in the latest instalment of the Ashes. Australia did not quite manage a whitewash in the 2021-22 series, winning four of the Tests and drawing one.
Flying Too Close to the Sun Again Cannot Be an Option for Everton
After battling relegation in successive seasons, Everton need to finally pull themselves together if their long stay in the top flight is to go on. Much must change at Everton. Financial mismanagement, poor recruitment and questionable managerial appointments have resulted in a club that was considered ‘the best of the rest’ not so long ago sinking into two relegation battles in as many seasons.
The Story of Galatasaray’s 2022-23 Turnaround
Galatasaray endured a miserable 2021-22 season, finishing 13th and setting a new club record for their lowest finish in the Turkish top flight. Enter, Okan Buruk. This is the story of how they wrapped up the 2022-23 Süper Lig title. Back-to-back Süper Lig titles in 2018 and 2019 saw Galatasaray return to the top of Turkish football after a three-season title drought.
Palace Star's Journey Back To England Contention
In 2021, Eberechi Eze suffered a serious Achilles injury on the day he was included in a provisional England squad. Now he’s back and could make his Three Lions debut on Friday. Tuesday, 18 May, 2021 was anything but a normal day at Crystal Palace’s Beckenham training ground. Roy Hodgson announced he was to leave his post at the end of the 2021-22 season, ushering in a new era, and it was also a momentous day for Eberechi Eze.
The Biggest Premier League Shocks of 2022-23
Of the 380 Premier League matches in 2022-23, 293 saw a winner and a loser – some of those more unlikely than others. We look back at the data behind the season’s six biggest Premier League shocks according to the Opta supercomputer.
How the Denver Nuggets’ Championship Dream Became a Reality
After one final grind-it-out win against the Miami Heat on Monday night, the Denver Nuggets are NBA champions for the first time in franchise history. The Nuggets never trailed in a playoff series at any time during the postseason, going 16-4 overall. How did they manage to steamroll the competition in such impressive fashion? Let’s take a look and find out.
What Went Wrong for Liverpool in 2022-23?
After a disappointing campaign, Liverpool will need to improve in several areas if they are to get back to challenging at the top of the Premier League. Following Liverpool’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid in May 2022, manager Jürgen Klopp was bullish. “I have a strong feeling we will come again. The boys are competitive. We will have an outstanding group next season,” he said. “Where is it [the final] next season? Istanbul?
Leeds Players Who Could Stay in the PL
Leeds United will play the 2023-24 season in the Championship, but which of their players are likely to stay in the Premier League by securing a transfer? With the 2022-23 football season now over for English clubs, attention is already turning towards the 2023-24 campaign and the preparations for it.
Leicester Players To Buy
It may seem somewhat vulture-like to look for bargains from relegated teams, but we’ve done it anyway. As part of our Relegated Transfer Targets series, we have analysed three players from Leicester City who should be targeted by current Premier League sides. It is one of the more discussed topics among fans once the season is over. Which players from the relegated teams could your side pinch for a potential bargain fee?
Man City vs Inter Milan Stats: UCL Final 2022-23
Manchester City sealed a historic treble with a 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League Final. We analyse the key stats from the encounter. Sergio Aguero, 93:20, 13 May 2012. Rodri, 67:31, 10 June 2023. The two most iconic goals in Manchester City’s history – the former securing their first Premier League title, the latter completing a feat only ever achieved once before by an English club. Man City are finally European champions.
Man City vs Inter Milan Stats: UCL Final Live
The home of our live coverage of the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League final, bringing you the best Man City vs Inter Milan stats across the night. The 31st UEFA Champions League final (68th including the European Cup) takes place on Saturday night in Turkey, with Manchester City versus Inter Milan at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul.
Premier League Team of the Season: OptaJoe's XI
Who makes the Premier League Team of the Season based on Opta Data? The 2022-23 season has come to an end, with Manchester City winning the Premier League title for the seventh time in the last 12 seasons – five of those coming in the last six campaigns.
The Most Rushing Yards in a Game by a Quarterback
NFL Jun 9, 2023 We’re in an age when the mobile, duel-threat quarterback is king. In recent seasons, Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray and Daniel Jones have given opposing defensive linemen and coordinators nightmares with their ability to extend plays with their elusiveness in the backfield.
Inside the Fall of the Toronto Blue Jays' Alek Manoah
The Toronto Blue Jays made a tough, but necessary decision on Wednesday in demoting ace Alek Manoah all the way down to the Florida Complex League. Things unraveled quickly for the right-hander after his third-place finish in last year’s AL Cy Young vote. On Tuesday, he conceded six earned runs while only recording a single out against the Houston Astros, and that was the last straw – at least for now. After the disastrous outing this week, his ERA for the season stands at 6.36 in 58 innings.
The Biggest Champions League Final Wins
Manchester City are firm favourites ahead of their date with Inter, but what are the biggest ever UEFA Champions League final wins? All eyes will be on Istanbul this weekend as the Turkish capital plays host to the UEFA Champions League final of Manchester City vs Inter Milan, a clash many are already predicting to be one-sided. As big a club as Inter are historically, it’s fair to say few expected them to get this far at the start of the season.
Nuggets vs. Heat Game 4 Prediction
After Denver bounced back in convincing fashion, we’re breaking down our Nuggets vs. Heat prediction and the keys for each side in this critical Game 4 matchup. After losing in Game 2, the Denver Nuggets regained home-court advantage in the NBA Finals with a 109-94 victory over the Miami Heat at the Kaseya Center. Some will look at Game 2 and point to Miami’s 31.4% shooting from 3 (11 of 35) as the main culprit for this outcome. But is that really the case?
Why Alexis Mac Allister Should Fit Liverpool
Liverpool have started their midfield rebuild by signing a World Cup winner, but that’s not the only reason why Alexis Mac Allister should suit Jürgen Klopp’s team. This article is an updated version of our May piece ‘Alexis Mac Allister: Is Brighton’s World Cup Winner Ready to Move?’, which you can read here. In July 2000, Liverpool raised some eyebrows when they signed 35-year-old midfielder Gary McAllister from Coventry City.
Man City vs Inter Milan Champions League Final Preview & Prediction
Only Inter Milan stand in Manchester City’s way as Pep Guardiola chases glory in the UEFA Champions League final to complete the treble. Here, we preview Saturday’s showpiece. Man City vs Inter: Quick Stats This will be the first ever competitive meeting between these two sides. It will also be the first time since the 2005 final (Liverpool vs AC Milan) that the first competitive meeting between two sides is a Champions League final.
Most Blocks in a Regular-Season, Playoff and NBA Finals Game
A trait usually associated with big men, good shot blocking is vital to any team hoping to dominate on the defensive end. And some of the league’s bests at the skill have dominated all the way to the most blocks in a regular-season or playoff game. The earliest example of this would be perennial All-Star Bill Russell leading the Boston Celtics to 11 rings in the late 1950s and ’60s on the back of his defense.
Fiorentina vs West Ham Stats: UECL Final LIVE
West Ham defeated Fiorentina in Prague in the 2022-23 UEFA Europa Conference League Final. Their 2-1 win saw them win a major European title for the first time since 1965 – here’s how they did it. 89:44. That will be forever etched in the minds of West Ham fans. European success doesn’t come often to West Ham United, with this just their second major European title after the 1965 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.
Most Steals in a Regular-Season, Playoff and NBA Finals Game
Stealing the ball is an art that a handful of players have mastered throughout NBA history. Those players are highlighted throughout the record books when it comes to the most steals in a game. The masters of steal have a great understanding of the game and anticipation when it comes to how the ball moves around on the court. An underrated aspect of a steal is the momentum swing it creates for the player, team and fans in attendance.
Goals & Cards Galore, Time Wasting – The Stats of 2022-23
With the top five European leagues finished for the 2022-23 season, we look back over the key stats trends from the campaign. With only Manchester City vs. Inter Milan in UEFA Champions League final still to go, the European football season is all but over. The top five leagues have concluded; champions were crowned and the hapless were relegated.
Fiorentina vs West Ham Stats: UECL Final LIVE
Our home of the very best Fiorentina vs West Ham stats. We bring you live coverage of the 2022-23 UEFA Europa Conference League final at the Fortuna Arena, Prague in the Czech Republic. Italian team Fiorentina will play Premier League side West Ham United in the 2022-23 UEFA Europa Conference Final tonight, in what will be the first major European meeting between the two sides (no, the Anglo Italian Cup doesn’t count).
Is Jude Bellingham Ready for Real Madrid?
Jude Bellingham looks set to make a huge transfer to Real Madrid in the coming days, but is he good enough? You bet he is. It became customary for Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzić to wax lyrical over his midfield maestro in a variety of post-match press conferences, just like he did following his side’s 2-0 victory at Werder Bremen in February. “He’s the oldest 19-year-old player worldwide”, he added. And it really is easy to forget that Jude Bellingham is just 19 years old.
Who Has Scored a Champions League Final Hat Trick?
No one has yet scored a Champions League final hat trick, but ahead of Manchester City vs. Inter Milan, we look at the players who have scored the most goals in European Cup/UEFA Champions League finals. The final of the European Cup/UEFA Champions League is arguably the Super Bowl of European club football. On such a stage, as two heavyweights battle it out to be crowned the best on the continent, they can often be tense affairs in which players struggle to stand out.
Ligue 1 Team of the Season: Opta's XI of 2022-23
Who makes the Ligue 1 Team of the Season based on Opta Data? The Ligue 1 season has delivered its final verdict, with Paris Saint-Germain taking the crown as the most successful club in the league’s history by lifting their 11th title, with nine of them coming in the last 11 seasons.
Five Trends from the 2022-23 Champions League
A season like no other at long last concludes this Saturday night, as Manchester City face Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul. As it perennially does, Europe’s elite club competition has given us intriguing statistical nuggets aplenty in 2022-23. Here at Opta Analyst, we’ve dug up just a few as the curtain comes down on the 30th edition of football’s ultimate club competition. 1. A Unique Final Match Up Manchester City vs.
Why the Heat Might Not Need a Herro to Save Them
Tyler Herro, the Heat’s third-leading scorer at 20.1 per game during the regular season, still hasn’t been cleared for Game 3. Miami’s supporting cast, however, proved that in Game 2 that these upstarts don’t need him to take down the Nuggets. In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the Miami Heat offense was on life support.
Which Manager Has Won the Most European Titles?
José Mourinho was on the verge of history, but his Roma side lost the UEFA Europa League final against Sevilla. Here, we look at which managers have won the most European titles. José Mourinho had the chance to become the outright leader in the list of most European titles won by managers. But penalty shootouts are cruel. His Roma side lost the 2022-23 UEFA Europa League final on penalties to the kings of the competition, Sevilla.
How Many European Trophies Have English Clubs Won?
With Manchester City and West Ham targeting continental success this week, we look at how many European trophies won by English clubs. It’s a big week for English and Italian clubs in Europe. With the UEFA Champions League and Europa Conference League finals on the horizon, both countries have one representative in each game.
NBA Finals Game 3 Preview and Prediction
And just like that, we have ourselves a series. After the Denver Nuggets slayed the Cinderella Miami Heat in Game 1, we identified three massive factors that propelled them to victory. We examined Denver’s size advantage, the Nikola Jokić-Jamal Murray two-man game, and how the Nuggets packed the paint on the Heat without any ramifications. And you know what? Miami returned in Game 2 with a battle plan that included counters to all of these components. What exactly did the Heat do?
Fiorentina vs West Ham Prediction
Two teams that have just one European trophy each in their histories look to double that haul in the UEFA Europa Conference League final. Find out who’s the favourite with our Fiorentina vs West Ham prediction. Fiorentina vs West Ham United: Quick Stats Fiorentina are given a 47.6% chance of winning inside 90 minutes by Opta’s supercomputer. West Ham have forced the most high turnovers and attempted the most shots following high turnovers in the Europa Conference League this season.
Is He Really Erling Haaland 2.0?
To even be likened to Erling Haaland, you need to be truly special. But that is what is happening to 20-year-old Rasmus Hojlund. Manchester United are heavily linked with the young Dane and Erik ten Hag has made it clear that signing a centre-forward is a priority this summer. But how fair are comparisons between the two players? Haaland combines pace, power and physicality like few ever have in world football. He’s 6-foot-5 but explosively quick and deceptively delicate when he needs to be.
How Many Teams Have Won the Treble?
Manchester City have become only the second English team to win the league, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in one season. We look at how many teams have won the treble across Europe. They say three is a magic number. Well, Bob Dorough said so and then everyone else just went along with it. There’s been plenty of magic this season when it comes to Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s men have become just the second English team after United in the 1998-99 season to win the iconic treble.
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