La Liga Match Data

La Liga is by far one of the world’s most entertaining leagues. They have some of the best managers, players and fans! But, what makes it truly entertaining is the sheer unpredictability. There are 6 equally amazing teams with a different team lifting the trophy every season. Not only that, the league has also witnessed victories from teams outside of the top 6. So, let us analyze some of these instances.

So far, the implementation of statistics into soccer has been positive. Teams can easily gather information about their opponents and their tactics. This convenience allows managers to create well-thought out game plans that suit their team, maximize opponents' weaknesses, and increase their chances of winning.

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no offence has been committed by the team scoring the goal. If the goalkeeper throws the ball directly into the opponents' goal, a goal kick is awarded.

THE TIME OF SEASON/MOTIVATION: While a club battling for a league title is going to be hungry for a win, as is a side that is fighting to stay up, a club that has already won the title or has already been relegated is unlikely to work as hard, and often rest players as well.
THE REFEREE: Of course, when referee's send players off it make a massive impact on a match, but even if he is just awarding a yellow card then it can affect the outcome of the game as the player booked is less likely to go in as hard for the rest of the match.

SUBSTITUTES: The whole point of substitutes is for them to be able to come on and impact a match. Subs not only bring on a fresh pair of legs that are less tired than starters and more likely to track back and push forward, but can also play crucial roles in the formation of a team.

MIND GAMES/MANAGERS: Playing mind games has almost become a regular routine for top level managers, and rightly so. Just a simple mind game can do so much to impact a match, a good example coming from Sir Alex Ferguson.

Per his autobiography, when Manchester United were losing late on in a match at a certain point he would tap his watch and make sure to let the opposition know he is signalling this to his players. United's opposition already know that United have a tendency to come back from behind, and upon seeing this gesture they will think that United are going to come back. And because scientific studies prove that living creatures are more likely to accept things that have happened before than not - horses are more likely to lose to a horse they have already lost to in a race even if they are on an even playing field - they often succumb to a loss.

FORM/INJURIES/FIXTURES: A team on better form is more likely to win a match than if they have been on a poor run of form, while a team in the middle of a condensed run of fixtures is less likely to win than a well rested team.
These are just some of the things that affect matches - if you have any other just mention them in the comment section below and I'll try to add them in!