With La Liga, the Premier League, and Serie A all set to return over the next 10 days, each will have been keeping a close eye on the Bundesliga to glean information on the ins and outs of resuming the campaign. Below, we outline some of the key takeaways those three leagues will have learned from watching the action in Germany.
Does home-field advantage still matter?
The most significant on-pitch takeaway from the Bundesliga’s return has been the startling lack of success home sides have enjoyed. It turns out that home-field advantage is more than just an overused cliche.
A total of 224 games had been played this season when Germany’s top flight was shut down. Home teams won 97 of those – away sides picked up 78 wins, and there were 49 draws – which works out to a 43.3% winning percentage. That figure has been slashed dramatically since the restart, as hosts have picked up a measly 10 victories from 46 contests, good enough for a winning rate of just over 21%.
It makes you wonder why Premier League clubs, especially those mired in the relegation scrap, lobbied so hard against completing the season …read more