Huang Kongyun, Zhou Changjing, Gong Bo, Yang Xudong, Buldú Javier M, Ruano Miguel Ángel Gómez
School of Physical Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China.
School of Elite Sport, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China.
Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 2;15(1):23199. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-04507-1.
This study investigated the impact of situational factors (team quality, match outcomes, and match location) on pitch-passing networks in the English Premier League. We analysed 295,901 possessions across 380 matches using a 7 × 7 grid system. For each pitch-passing network we calculated the degree centrality, the closeness centrality, and the betweenness centrality. A Mann-Whitney U test was employed to examine differences in these centrality measures across situational factors. Results indicated that strong teams demonstrated significantly higher degree centrality in midfield and centre-to-forward zones, and maintained superior closeness centrality across the pitch, particularly in central zones, while weak teams showed higher betweenness centrality on pitch flanks. Winning teams exhibited small differences in degree and closeness centrality across multiple zones, with notably medium differences in forward areas, and stronger closeness centrality throughout the pitch. At the same time, home teams demonstrated dominance in forward areas through degree centrality, while away teams showed higher activity in defensive baseline zones. Consequently, these findings demonstrate the systematic influences of situational factors on spatial passing patterns, providing empirical evidence for tactical adaptation. Coaches can leverage these insights to optimise passing strategies in critical areas such as midfield and forward zones to enhance offensive efficiency.
本研究调查了情境因素（球队质量、比赛结果和比赛地点）对英超联赛中球场传球网络的影响。我们使用7×7网格系统分析了380场比赛中的295,901次控球情况。对于每个球场传球网络，我们计算了度中心性、接近中心性和中介中心性。采用曼-惠特尼U检验来检验这些中心性指标在不同情境因素下的差异。结果表明，强队在中场和中前场区域表现出显著更高的度中心性，并且在整个球场上保持着更高的接近中心性，尤其是在中间区域，而弱队在球场侧翼表现出更高的中介中心性。获胜球队在多个区域的度中心性和接近中心性差异较小，在前场区域差异显著中等，并且在整个球场上具有更强的接近中心性。同时，主队通过度中心性在前场区域占据主导地位，而客队在防守底线区域表现出更高的活跃度。因此，这些发现证明了情境因素对空间传球模式的系统性影响，为战术调整提供了实证依据。教练可以利用这些见解来优化中场和前场等关键区域的传球策略，以提高进攻效率。
