Season Preview 2025/26

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Let’s “Kick” the season off with a “Shot” Stat.

We’re not talking about a shot of Jager or Schnapps - but shots on goal - often times, you get just “One Shot” on target, best to make the most of it.

Did you know….

The 2024/25 season saw the fewest percentage of shots from outside the box since the data has been recorded - just 31.7% of shots came outside of the box. That’s roughly 8 shots out of 24 per game. Here are some other Shot Stats that stood out.

• The 2023/24 season produced the lowest goals ever scored in a season from outside the box at 11.5% and this came from a season that saw set the most goals record at 1,246 total goals.

• Last season Wolves had the longest average distance for a shot at 16.1 meters.

• Brentford the shortest at 13.6 meters.

• The penalty spot is at 12 yards, in 98 shots City’s Haaland averaged 11.2 yards per shot.

• Wolverhampton’s Cunha averaged 19.4 yards per shot.

• Chelsea’s Cole Palmer had taken 51 shots outside the box (as of late March), all with his left foot.

• If you are interested in A LOT more detail on shot analysis - check out OptaAnalyst.

Just a little insight into what you might be reviewing as part of a scouting report as a defender.

Speaking of “Shots”, did you know the first Tom Cruise Jack Reacher movie was based on Lee Childs book titled “One Shot”.

And with that as the back drop…..

This is the annual “30,000 ft” analysis and CS predictions for the season.

How do you predict outcomes when players are still moving, injuries happen and financial fair play rulings could take away points? You run all of those possibilities into the mental algorithm - which is 99% as accurate as a weather report - and make the call.

• Marathon. 38 matches, Europe Comps, International duty, transfer windows - a lot can happen over a 10-month season.

• Gaffers Matter. Maybe more than any other sport, the right fit and quality of the manager in the EPL can make a big difference.

• Ownership. Some clubs “outkick their coverage”, others underwhelm, but there are reasons why clubs with smaller stadiums and revenue continue to outperform other clubs with more resources.

• Club Culture. While culture changes over time, you can’t deny what clubs are riding a “winning” culture and which are not.

• Goals Matter. Not just scoring them, but the Goal of the team. Yes, winning is the priority, but it’s not the only priority. Is it to just stay up, to play for the future, to collect a big payday by selling your best player, to win a Europe Cup. The goal of each Club goes way beyond just trying to win today - know the goal and you have a better understanding of the decisions that will be made throughout the season.

• Infractions. Financial Fair Play has added an entirely new variable, and it is not yet clear how it all works and is applied. We will see how the PL handles this year’s reviews.

• Talent. Pretty self-explanatory.

• Depth. Important.

• Intangibles. One great scorer can elevate a club. Home pitch atmosphere matters. Momentum can carry a team for that one extra win that matters.

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