Martin Lames (2018) observed in a recent paper, Chance involvement in goal scoring in football – an empirical approach:
If one accepts the selected chance variables as indicators of uncontrollable or not planned aspects of scoring, the results of this study can be taken as empirical proof for the existence and widespread prevalence of chance involvement in goal scoring in football with many interesting consequences.
Martin looked at goals scored in the Bundesliga (n=875) and the Premier League (n=1056) in the 2011-2012 season. Martin defined chance in goal scoring “as goals involving uncontrollable or not planned aspects”. His analysis led him to identify six ‘chance variables’ (and their frequency):
- defence involvement (22.5%)
- long distance shots (13.1%)
- rebound (9.5%)
- post/bar (5.2%)
- deflection (4.8%)
- goalkeeper involvement (2.5%)
Martin undertook a lapsed-time analysis of each goal scored from video recordings of the goals in the two leagues in the 2011-2012 season.
The analysis was contextualised:
In order to study possible influences on the rate of chance goals, additional variables that are frequently cited as influencing match performance were collected per goal. The game situation was classified in both open play and set plays such as corner, free kick and penalty. Time of the match was characterized with the six 15 min intervals and stoppage-time. Standings were recorded from the perspective of the scoring team and with the number of goals scored so far. The location of a match (home or away) was registered, as well as the ranking of the goal scoring and receiving teams in the season’s final table.
Martin noted that “the global chance score for the Bundesliga was 46.9% and for the Premier League 47.2%“.
In his conclusion, Martin noted “chance is associated with neither time-line nor home advantage”.
He adds:
The involvement of chance in constitutive aspects of the game, creating chances and scoring, may be assumed to be typical for the game rather than exceptional. (My emphasis)
This quote took me back to Charles Reep and Bernard Benjamin’s (1968: 585) conclusion:
An excess of shots by one team does not mean that, by chance, the other side will not get more goals and thus win the match. All this is so far removed from current soccer beliefs and tactics that general acceptance of the random element has been inhibited (though one of us, C. R., has shown that a successful style of play can be built upon it). It seems, however, that chance does dominate the game and probably most similar ball games. (My emphasis)
Martin includes Charles and Bernard’s paper in his literature review as a ‘classic study’. Amongst other references, Martin cites his own early work in this area (1999) and the follow up to the 1968 paper by Charles Reep, Richard Pollard and Bernard Benjamin (1971). In that latter paper, the authors note “since the chance of a goal being scored is not constant throughout a match, but is affected by prior scoring and other factors …” (1971: 624)
I D Hill (1974) also looked at chance in association football. He observed in his introduction:
I find it difficult to imagine that anyone, who had ever watched a football match, could reach the conclusion that the game was either all skill or all chance. That both skill and chance are involved seems too obvious. (1974: 203)
He concludes “using the classical significance test approach an inference can be made that skill does play some part in football”. (1974: 204) (See also, M J Maher’s (1982) analysis of a season.)
I am delighted that Martin has refocused discussions about chance in association football. There is a rich literature to explore that invites us to consider within game and between game ‘chance variables’ as they apply to individual teams as well as leagues as a whole.
Photo Credits
Strafraumszene (Mightymightymaze, CC BY-NC 2.0)
Malouda (Ben Sutherland, CC BY 2.0)
