What Advanced Metrics in Football Should You Pay Attention to?

In the world of football (soccer) betting, the term ‘metrics’ refers to KPIs (key performance indicators) that can be used to analyse betting performance, and just like expert odds tips and predictions you can now find on many trusted platforms, this crucial metric information can help sports bettors make more informed/strategic decisions and mitigate as much risk as possible. 

‘Advanced’ metrics take this up a notch and provide a far deeper understanding of an individual’s impact on a game. These metrics take into consideration various historical and real-time factors, which we will be revealing right here.

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Which advanced metrics should football bettors pay close attention to?

By analysing, understanding, and leveraging historical and real-time data and advanced metrics, sports bettors who like to place wagers on professional soccer matches can quickly identify valuable betting market patterns and trends. 

Advanced ‘offensive’ and ‘defensive’ metrics can provide even more valuable insights into the most likely outcome of a soccer match. The main ones that you should always consider analysing before placing bets on any upcoming matches are the following:

Goal scoring probability (also known as xG or Expected Goals)

xA (Expected Assists)

Contributions in defense

Aerial dominance

Playmaking efficiency

Injury updates

Weather conditions on the day

Player impact ratings

These are just a handful of useful metrics that go beyond the basic stats that many sports bettors typically use these days to help them place more strategic wagers. 

Which other metrics shouldn’t be overlooked?

It all depends on what type of bet you want to place because some advanced metrics are more relevant to specific betting markets than others. 

In soccer, some of the other key metrics that go beyond the basic states include various other offensive metrics, such as shot conversion rate, dribbles completed, and carries. 

When it comes to advanced defensive metrics, examples include passes allowed per defensive action (PPDA), defensive duels won, clearances, tackles, and interceptions.

You also have possession and sequence metrics to consider, such as pitch/field tilt, passing accuracy, sequences, and possession percentage. 

Other important metrics that you might also like to consider using include set-piece statistics, speed and intensity (of individual players), and distance covered. 

You might now be asking yourself, ‘Why do I have to analyse all of these advanced metrics?’ The answer is that you don’t need to analyse all of these advanced metrics. Most of them are mainly for coaching staff and managers to help them improve player performance.

It enables them to identify strengths and weaknesses and adapt their training regimes. However, many sports bettors have also found value in using advanced metrics to hone their betting strategies and place far more informed wagers. 

Final thoughts

Many of today’s safest sports betting sites and other useful football/soccer-focused websites provide most of these advanced metrics, meaning they aren’t difficult to find these days. 

However, besides gathering and analysing huge amounts of data and statistics before placing bets, you should also pay close attention to what the odds and implied probability rates are trying to tell you about what the most likely outcome will be for any given betting market. 

Understanding the odds and IPRs, leveraging as many relevant metrics as possible, and placing sensible, not reckless bets, will help you hold onto your bankroll for much longer periods and should see you turn those losing bets into winning bets. 

The important thing to remember is that arming yourself with as many stats as possible doesn’t mean that your bets are guaranteed to win, even when betting on the clear odds-on favourites. 

Just remember to gamble responsibly when betting on football and always use any safer gambling tools that your operator provides to ensure you remain well within your initial spending budget. 

I (AKA CatBurg) have a lifelong passion for sports, especially football and basketball. I enjoy the thrill and excitement of sports betting and everything in between. My teams are (Packers #GoPackGo) and who I am betting on!