VERTIZESPORTS

Soccer Analysis and Explainers

How the competitions work and what the numbers say — promotion, European places, tiebreakers and the formats behind every league we cover.

The Supporters' Shield Winner and MLS Cup: 8 Doubles in 30 Seasons

The Supporters' Shield winner has won MLS Cup 8 times in 30 seasons, and only 4 times since 2003. How every Shield winner's run ended, and the 2026 race.

Promoted to the Premier League: Just Over Half Stay Up

Since 1995-96, 49 of 92 clubs promoted to the Premier League stayed up: 53 percent. Champions fare best, play-off winners worst, and the points gap has widened.

How Many Points Does It Take to Win the Premier League?

Premier League champions have averaged 87.5 points since 1995-96, from 75 to 100. How often 90 was needed, the top-four line and the 2026-27 title odds.

Does the Team Top of the Premier League at Christmas Win the Title?

The Premier League leader on Christmas Day won the title in 16 of 31 seasons since 1995-96. How big a lead is safe, and how often the bottom club goes down.

How Many Points Does It Take to Stay Up in the Premier League?

Over 31 Premier League seasons the 18th-placed team averaged 34.7 points, and 40 was enough in 28 of them. Plus the 2026-27 safety line and relegation odds.

Goals, Draws and How Close a League Finishes

The Bundesliga produced 3.24 goals a game last season and Serie A 2.43, a third fewer. Sixteen leagues counted from their final tables, goals, draws and all.

Going Up: What Promotion Costs in Europe's Second Tiers

Ninety-one points in the Championship, 73 in Serie B, 77 in LaLiga 2, 70 in Ligue 2. Six seasons counted, and the gap between going up and the play-offs.

How the MLS Playoffs Work, and What It Takes to Get In

Eighteen of thirty teams qualify, the Wild Card is one game and the line has sat around 43 points. The MLS playoff format, and what it costs to reach it.

Everything soccer on Vertize Sports

Twenty soccer competitions on Vertize Sports: full season fixtures, live league tables, and a simulator that lets you play out every match still to come.