In-game stats

What are in-game stats?

In-game stats, short for in-game statistics, are data points collected during a live football match that show how players and teams are performing. These stats provide a detailed breakdown of key events and actions as the game happens. Unlike pre-match predictions or post-match summaries, in-game stats offer a dynamic view of the game’s flow in real-time.

These stats are useful for coaches to make tactical decisions, for commentators to give better analysis, and for fans to understand the game and players’ contributions.

Sportmonks’ in-game stats include basic metrics (like goals, shots, and fouls) and advanced analytics (like expected goals and player ratings). Our API provides both real-time and post-match data, including live scores, substitutions, and detailed performance stats for both players and teams. For a complete list of in-game statistics available through our API, visit our statistics documentation.

How in-game stats are collected and used

The collection of in-game stats has become more advanced with new technology. Here’s how the data is gathered during a match:

– Manual data entry: In the past, trained analysts would manually record events using specific coding systems. This method is still used but is now combined with technology for more accuracy.
– Optical tracking systems: Many professional leagues use cameras that track the ball and players in real time. This data helps create advanced stats like distance covered, speed, and heatmaps showing player positions.
– Event data providers: Companies like Sportmonks employ analysts who watch matches live (or on video) and log events like passes, tackles, shots, and fouls.
– Sensor technology: Sensors in the ball or players’ clothing can provide detailed data, such as ball speed, acceleration, and heart rate.

Once collected, these in-game stats are used in many ways:

– Live commentary and analysis: Broadcasters use real-time stats to add context to the game, like “70% possession for the home side” or “passing accuracy has dropped in the second half.”
– Tactical adjustments: Coaches receive live data that helps them make decisions about substitutions, formations, or tactical changes during the game.
– Post-match analysis: After the game, in-game stats are reviewed to understand what influenced the result. Coaches and analysts can spot trends, strengths, and weaknesses.
– Player performance evaluation: Stats provide a clear picture of a player’s contributions beyond just goals and assists. Metrics like successful tackles, key passes, and distance covered give a fuller view of their impact.
– Fan engagement: Fans can follow live stats on websites and apps, giving them a deeper understanding of the game.
– Betting and fantasy football: Detailed in-game stats have boosted sports betting and fantasy football leagues, where player performance directly affects points and results.

Available in-game statistics on Sportmonks

Below is a categorised list of key in-game statistics offered through Sportmonks’ Football API, which covers over 2,500 leagues globally. These stats, available in real-time and post-match, support analysts, coaches, and developers in tracking performance, building apps, or enhancing fan engagement. Specific availability varies by subscription plan. For detailed access instructions, see our statistics docs.

Attacking statistics

Attacking statistics measure a player’s or team’s offensive actions during a football match. These stats focus on goal-scoring chances, creative actions, and overall attacking performance. Sportmonks’ API provides detailed data on these stats, helping users analyse both individual and team effectiveness in the attacking phase. Below are key attacking statistics with definitions and their importance:

– Goals: The number of times a player or team scores by getting the ball into the opponent’s net. Goals are the main measure of attacking success and are tracked in real-time.
– Assists: A pass or action by a player that directly leads to a teammate scoring a goal.
– Shots: The total number of attempts made to score, including shots on target, off target, and blocked shots.
– Shots on target: Shots that would result in a goal if not saved by the goalkeeper or blocked by a defender.
– Expected goals (xG): A stat that measures the likelihood of a shot turning into a goal, based on factors like the shot’s location, type, and defensive pressure. xG gives a deeper view of attacking performance beyond just goals scored.
– Key passes: Passes that create a clear goal-scoring opportunity for a teammate.
– Dribbles: Instances where a player successfully gets past an opponent while keeping the ball.
– Offsides: When an attacking player is closer to the opponent’s goal than the ball and the second-last defender when the ball is played, leading to a stoppage.

These attacking stats, available through Sportmonks’ API, help users analyse offensive strategies, compare player performances, and create data-driven tools like match visualisations or fantasy football platforms. 

Defensive statistics

Defensive statistics measure a player’s or team’s ability to stop the opposition from creating scoring chances or advancing play. These stats focus on actions that disrupt attacks, regain possession, or protect the goal.

– Tackles: A defensive action where a player tries to take the ball away from an opponent using their foot or body, without committing a foul.
– Interceptions: When a player anticipates and captures a pass meant for an opponent, stopping the attack.
– Clearances: A defensive action where a player clears the ball from a dangerous area, usually near their own goal, to stop a scoring chance.
– Blocks: When a player uses their body to stop a shot or pass, preventing it from reaching its target.
– Duels won: The number of one-on-one contests (either aerial or on the ground) a player wins against an opponent.
– Fouls committed: Instances where a player illegally challenges or obstructs an opponent, resulting in a free kick or penalty.
– Recoveries: When a player regains possession of a loose ball without a direct challenge.

Possession and passing statistics

Possession and passing statistics measure a player’s or team’s ability to maintain control of the ball and distribute it effectively during a match. These stats highlight technical skill, playmaking, and strategies for retaining possession.

– Possession percentage: The amount of time a team controls the ball during a match, shown as a percentage.Passes: The total number of passes attempted by a player or team, including short, long, and lateral passes.
– Pass accuracy: The percentage of passes that successfully reach a teammate.
– Through passes: Passes that break through the opposition’s defence, sending the ball directly into a dangerous attacking position.
– Accurate crosses: Crosses from the wings that successfully reach a teammate in the penalty area.
– Long balls: Passes that cover a significant distance (usually over 30 metres) to bypass opposition lines.
– Touches: The total number of times a player makes contact with the ball, including passes, dribbles, and receptions.
– Dispossessed: Instances when a player loses possession of the ball due to an opponent’s action or poor control. 

Disciplinary statistics

Disciplinary statistics track actions that lead to rule violations and penalties during a match, showing a player’s or team’s discipline and physicality. These stats are important for understanding tactical strategies, player behaviour, and the flow of the match.

– Fouls committed: When a player illegally obstructs, challenges, or impedes an opponent, resulting in a free kick or penalty.
– Yellow cards: A warning given by the referee for offences like reckless tackles, dissent, or time-wasting.
– Red cards: A dismissal from the match for serious offences, such as violent conduct, denying a goal-scoring opportunity, or getting two yellow cards.
– Penalties conceded: When a team commits a foul inside their own penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick for the opponent.

Goalkeeping statistics

Goalkeeping statistics measure a goalkeeper’s performance in preventing goals and contributing to the team’s defensive efforts during a football match. These metrics highlight shot-stopping ability, distribution, and overall reliability. 

– Saves: Instances where a goalkeeper prevents a shot on target from resulting in a goal, either by catching, parrying, or deflecting the ball.
– Clean sheets: A match in which a goalkeeper prevents the opposing team from scoring any goals.
– Goals conceded: The number of goals a goalkeeper allows during a match.
– Punches: When a goalkeeper uses their fists to clear the ball, typically during set pieces or crosses.
– High claims: Instances where a goalkeeper successfully catches or collects a high ball, such as from a cross or corner.
– Distribution accuracy: The percentage of a goalkeeper’s passes or throws that successfully reach a teammate.
– Penalties saved: When a goalkeeper prevents a penalty kick from resulting in a goal. 

Set-piece statistics

Set-piece statistics track events and outcomes during restarts of play, such as corners, free kicks, and throw-ins. These moments are key for creating or defending scoring opportunities in a match. These stats highlight how effective a team or player is in structured situations.

– Corners: A restart given when the ball crosses the goal line (but not into the goal) after last touching a defending player.
– Free kicks: Restarts awarded after a foul, taken from the spot of the infraction, excluding penalties.
– Throw-ins: A restart where a player throws the ball back into play after it crosses the sideline.Goals from set pieces: Goals scored directly or indirectly from a set-piece event, such as a corner, free kick, or throw-in.
– Accurate deliveries from set pieces: Passes or crosses from set pieces (like corners or free kicks) that successfully reach a teammate in a dangerous position.
– Defensive clearances from set pieces: Instances where a defender clears the ball from a dangerous area during an opponent’s set piece. 

Advanced analytics

Advanced analytics provide deeper insights into player and team performance by using complex statistical models and derived metrics. These stats give a more detailed understanding of in-game contributions, often considering the context and quality of actions. Sportmonks’ API includes advanced metrics, like expected goals and player ratings, to support detailed analysis for uses like scouting, betting, or tactical planning.

– Expected goals (xG): A metric that estimates the chance of a shot becoming a goal, based on factors like shot location, type (e.g., header, volley), and defensive pressure.
– Expected assists (xA): A measure of the likelihood that a pass or action will lead to a goal, based on the quality of the chance created. While Sportmonks doesn’t track this stat yet, it helps evaluate a player’s creative impact and playmaking ability.
– Player ratings: A composite score that reflects a player’s overall performance, calculated from several individual stats (e.g., passes, tackles, shots). Sportmonks provides player ratings to give a complete view of a player’s contributions across all aspects of the game.
– Match momentum: A metric that shows which team is controlling the game at any given moment, based on actions like shots, possession, and territorial advantage.
– Expected goals against (xGA): The total of xG values for shots faced by a team or goalkeeper, showing the quality of chances conceded. Sportmonks tracks xGA to assess defensive strength and goalkeeper performance.
– Progressive passes: Passes that significantly move the ball towards the opponent’s goal, often breaking defensive lines.

Team performance metrics

Team performance metrics assess a team’s overall effectiveness, consistency, and strategic results across matches, focusing on collective outcomes rather than individual actions. These stats offer insights into a team’s standing, past performance, and dominance during games.

– Average points per game (PPG): The average number of points a team earns per match, calculated by dividing total points (3 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss) by the number of matches played.
– Head-to-head (H2H) results: The historical outcomes of matches between two specific teams, including wins, draws, losses, and goals scored. Sportmonks tracks H2H data to analyse rivalries and predict future match results.
– Goal difference: The difference between goals scored and goals conceded over a series of matches.
– Win percentage: The percentage of matches a team has won.
– Form guide: A summary of a team’s recent results (e.g., wins, draws, losses) over a set period, typically the last 5–6 games.
– Standings rank: A team’s position in a league or tournament table, based on points, goal difference, or other tiebreakers.

Real-time match events

Real-time match events are live updates and data points captured during a football match, offering immediate insights into the game’s progress and key moments. These events are essential for applications like live scoreboards, betting platforms, and fan engagement tools.

– Live scores: The current score of the match, updated instantly as goals are scored.
– Substitutions: When a player is replaced by a substitute during the match.
– Injuries: When a player is unable to continue due to a physical issue, potentially affecting the team’s strategy.
– VAR decisions: Reviews by the Video Assistant Referee that result in overturned or confirmed calls, such as goals, penalties, or red cards.
– Time events: Key moments tied to the match clock, like stoppage time or halftime/full-time whistles.
– Match status: The current state of the match, such as “in progress,” “halftime,” “postponed,” or “finished.” Sportmonks updates match status to help users follow the game’s progression.

Explore Sportmonks’ in-game stats today

Power your football experience with the Sportmonks football API’s in-game statistics. From live goals and xG to tackles and possession, access real-time and post-match data across over 2,500 leagues worldwide. Whether you’re a developer building a live scoreboard, a coach analyzing tactics, or a fan tracking player performance, our comprehensive stats bring every match to life. Sign up for a free trial and start exploring our extensive in-game stats library today.