Opta is a sports data company that offers precise real time statistics and is a reliable information source for broadcasting and other media as well as sports betting companies.
What is Opta used for?
Opta is used by bet365 to gather real-time statistics for soccer games. These are used to ensure our customers' bets are settled quickly and accurately.
The below soccer markets are settled using data from Opta. Click on one of these markets for more information:
Passes
The attempted delivery of the ball from one player to another player on the same team. A player can use any part of their body (permitted in the laws of the game) to execute a pass.
Tackles
A tackle is defined when a player connects with the ball in a legal, ground level challenge and successfully takes the ball away from the opposition player. The tackled player must be in controlled possession of the ball to be tackled by an opposition player.
Offsides
An offside offense is recorded against the player judged to be in an offside position at the time the ball is played.
If two or more players are in an offside position when the ball is played, the player considered to be most actively involved is given offside.
Assists
An assist is the final touch from a teammate which leads to the recipient of the ball scoring a Goal. If the assist is deflected by an opposition player, it must be deemed as traveling to the goal-scorer, irrespective of the deflection.
In the event of an own Goal, direct free kick Goal or direct corner Goal, an assist will not be awarded. This same rule applies to penalties, unless the penalty taker chooses to pass the ball for another player to score.
Shots on Target
A deliberate attempt to score that is on target. Includes all Goals being scored and shots on target saved by the Goalkeeper.
It also includes shots on target that are Blocked by a last line defending player, preventing the ball from entering the Goal.
Please see the below list outlining what is considered a shot on target.
Shot Type | Shot on Target |
|---|
A cross that is heading for goal but is caught or sent out of play by the goalkeeper. | No |
Deflected shots heading for goal that are saved by the goalkeeper. | Yes |
Blocked shots that are not saved but rather collected by the goalkeeper due to lack of power. | No |
Deflected or blocked shots that hit the woodwork. | No |
A goal that hits the woodwork going in. | Yes |
Saved shots that were heading off target. | No |
A corner heading into the goal that is saved by the goalkeeper. | No |
A goal scored directly from a corner. | Yes |
A cleared off the line by the defender, who is the last line of defense. | Yes |
A shot that is cleared by a defender and hits an attacking player back towards the goal, before being saved by the goalkeeper. | No |
A shot that hits the post and the keeper but is deflected out. | No |
A shot that hits the post and is cleared by a defender off the line. | No |
A headed/non-headed flick from a corner/free kick which is saved by the goalkeeper. | No |
Please note: This table is intended only as a guide.
Shots
Shots include all Shots on Target, all Shots off Target and all Blocked Shots.
A Shot off Target is a deliberate attempt to score that misses the target, without contact from a player diverting the ball from on target to off target. This includes shots which hit the woodwork which do not subsequently enter the net.
A Blocked Shot is an attempt to score including:
-
An attempt on target Blocked by an outfield player, where other defenders or a Goalkeeper are behind the Blocker.
-
Incorporates shots Blocked unintentionally by the shooter’s own teammate.
-
Clearances off the line by an opposition player (last line Blocks) are classified as Shots on Target and not as a Blocked Shot.
Fouls Conceded/Committed
A foul is defined as any infringement penalized as foul play by a referee that results in a free-kick or penalty event. This is either conceded or committed by any players in each team.
Saves
When a goalkeeper prevents the ball from entering the goal using any part of his body after an intentional attempt from an opposing player. This includes accidental or misplaced efforts on target from the goalkeeper's teammates, but does not include routine ball collection.
Do bet365 use Opta to settle all soccer markets?
Where Opta is not used to settle bets, statistics will be provided by the Press Association (PA). Where PA statistics are not provided or there is significant evidence that the PA statistics are incorrect, we will use independent evidence to support wager settlement. Below you will find some examples of markets not settled using Opta:
-
Goalscorer (To score)
-
Player to be Booked
Pre-game bets on players that do not start the match will be deemed no action.
Only players on the pitch count. Cards shown to non-players (e.g., managers, substitutes or substituted players who play no subsequent part in the game) do not count.
Both yellow and red cards count for this market.
-
Corner markets
Corners awarded but not taken do not count.
Do Opta ever adjust their stats?
There may be times Opta correct or adjust stats on their site after a match ends. Any reversals or amendments from Opta will be reviewed by our trading team.
