xG said one thing. The result said another. @SPL's Jes Buster Madsen explains why that gap matters – and why analysts need to go beyond descriptive models to properly understand what happens in a match. #OptaForum2026

Up next in the #OptaForum2026 research competition. Billy Mulley introduces a new metric – 𝙻𝚘𝚠 𝙱𝚕𝚘𝚌𝚔 𝙳𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚅𝚊𝚕𝚞𝚎 (LBDV) – designed to identify players with the execution and bravery to break down low defensive blocks.

The research competition gets underway at #OptaForum2026. Jaime Oriol presents how off-ball runs can be grouped into player archetypes – and how they shape passing decisions under pressure.

Day two of #OptaForum2026 is underway, and we've shifted to a pro performance focus. Bence Kocsis opens with how the Hungarian FA are building a connected data ecosystem – strengthening player pathways, improving collaboration and supporting long-term development at every level.

📸 A look into the morning session of day two at #OptaForum2026. Watch back every panel, fireside chat and discussion from day one here ➡️ bit.ly/OptaForum26Sessions

Recruitment, tactical analysis and performance insight are evolving fast. Analysts and data scientists will gather at #OptaForum2026 in London to examine how #AI and advanced data are changing the way the game is understood. First speakers confirmed ➡️ bit.ly/4bqbV56

🎥 From the #OptaForum vault. Marisa Ewers shares insight into how @AVWFCOfficial use data to identify ways to generate higher quality chances in #BarclaysWSL play. Register your interest for this year's edition, taking place 24-25 March in London ➡️ bit.ly/OptaForum26

🚨 Last call to submit proposals for the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦. Analysts and data scientists have until Monday, 9 February, to send in initial proposals. 🔓 From the Opta Forum vault: @SimplyWink’s causal analysis of corner kicks shows. ➡️ bit.ly/4qsk3Y2

It's almost time for #TGGLive 2024. ⏰ Gijs Beenker is taking the stage on 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐎𝐧𝐞 to deliver his presentation, "Applying #AI Insights to Inform Recruitment Profiling." Learn more about the event kicking off on 9 September at St. George's Park ➡️ bit.ly/3WhoE1a

🗓 Gijs Beenker is taking the stage 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐎𝐧𝐞 of #TGGLive 2024 to deliver his presentation, "Applying #AI Insights to Inform Recruitment Profiling." Learn more about the event taking place on 9 & 10 September at St. George's Park ➡️ bit.ly/3WhoE1a

Unveiling the next phase of 𝙾𝚙𝚝𝚊 𝚅𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗. 🆕 Complete player tracking data from thousands of matches played worldwide – a 35% increase on last season 🆕 Active Runs metric, allowing analysts to review off-ball runs made Find out more ➡️ bit.ly/46IpiK1

🤝 @PAOK_FC has become the first Greek club to access 𝙾𝚙𝚝𝚊 𝚅𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗. The four-time Super League Greece champions will have access to computer vision-generated tracking data, aggregated fitness data, and AI-enriched predictive metrics. ➡️ bit.ly/4cjsCML

Breaking down 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲. 💡 Powered by xy data, the 𝙾𝚙𝚝𝚊 𝚅𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 metric evaluates the threat created by the defending team against a player possessing the ball. 🎥 Watch below for more insight into the model.