Analysing on the Relativity of Match Results according to Team Formations in English Premier League from 2022/2023 Season

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify relativity between teams using different formations in football matches. A total of 380 matches in the English Premier League (EPL) during 2022/2023 season was investigated. The type of formation and team quality were set as independent variables, and the results of the matches were set as dependent variables. There were a total of 19 formation types from 380 matches (760 teams). Among them, the most used formation was the 4-2-3-1 (34.3%) formation, followed by the 4-3-3 (29.2%) formation. 79.4% of the total formation was 4 backs, followed by 3 backs (17.6%) and 5 backs (3%). By team, Chelsea used the most diverse formation in one season (n=38 matches), with a total of 10 formation, while Arsenal, Fulham and Newcastle used only one formation in whole season. The 4-3-3 formation had the highest winning rate, and the 3-4-2-1 formation had the lowest winning rate. Considering the team quality, the winning rate of the strong team using 4 backs and 1 tops was the highest, and the winning rate of the weak team using 4 backs and 2 tops was the lowest. As a result of examining the relativity between formations, the team using the 4 backs and 3 tops had the highest winning rate against the team using the 4 backs and 1 top, while the team with the 4 backs and 1 top had the lowest winning rate against the 4 backs and 3 tops. This result is believed to be used as basic data for coaches who analyze the formation of the opposing team in applied world and academic areas that conduct formation research in the future.