Listen to any football fan and they will tell you about the importance of home advantage. Take the FA Cup draw in England, for example. Millions of fans sat watching up and down the country will be eager for a home tie in the belief they will have a greater chance of progress. With more supporters inside the stadium and familiar surroundings, it is often said the chances of winning are greater at home than on the road.
However, is home advantage really true or just a myth that has developed over time? This article will take a closer look to assess whether playing at home is beneficial.
So, does Home Advantage Count?
Across all sports but particularly football, the home advantage phenomenon has long been debated. Having the majority of supporters in the arena backing the hosts will have huge benefits and certainly offer players a psychological boost which the visiting side won't experience.
That support together with familiar surroundings means players may feel more comfortable and at ease, helping them to form at the top level with supreme confidence. Not only that but home crowds may also influence referees who may be subconsciously biased towards the hosts.
Away teams may have to travel long distances meaning players may already be fatigued, both physically and mentally before taking to the field. Feeling outnumbered with only a small percentage of the vocal support at the ground can dampen a player's morale and make it feel like the team is up against it beyond what is happening out on the pitch.
Looking at stats and data since the formation of the Football League back in 1888, it's true that the home team often wins out and teams travelling on the road find victories harder to come by. In the Premier League, for instance, the overall percentage of home wins since 1992 is around 45%. So, for those looking at results and wondering about home advantage, it certainly counts.
Home advantage is often a key consideration when football enthusiasts are betting on matches. After fans have compared and assessed a range of sites via https://www.thelines.com/betting/ in order to find the platform that best suits their preferences and wagering style, many will look at home advantage when predicting the outcome of matches. Team news, form and insight gained from fellow supporters in online communities will often be considered too in order to make a smart and informed decision when betting on the result, for example.
Are there any Downsides to Playing at Home?
While playing in front of a home crowd can provide a massive boost, it can also have it's drawbacks. For instance, if a team is playing poorly or low on confidence, a frustrated or even hostile crowd, disappointed at the lack of quality on show can have a negative impact on morale. Instead of lifting players, the demands of the home support can actually weigh heavy on the shoulders of players and enhance the pressure.
The team can also become complacent when playing at home and underestimate opponents, thus losing momentum and finding it harder to control the game. While clubs want to make their own stadium a fortress where the opposition find it hard to play, it can have the opposite effect where teams are overly-reliant on home form and therefore struggle when away from their base.
What other Factors can Impact Football Matches?
Home advantage can certainly sway matches but there are a number of different factors at play when it comes to how a game is decided.
Quality Signings
The best teams often boast the best players and so of course the quality of individuals on the pitch will have an impact on performances and scorelines. Take legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, for instance, who played a major role in the respective success of Barcelona and Real Madrid during the 21st century.
Clubs who make smart additions to the line-up during the transfer window will likely see an upturn in results and a greater consistency which will see the side climb the league table.
New Manager Bounce
It's a strange occurrence but it does seem that a team suddenly improves when a new manager is appointed and again, it likely comes down to psychology and a boost in morale and confidence.
Struggling clubs will sack a coach and swiftly announce a replacement. The players who have been losing regularly suddenly get a chance of a fresh start and are keen to impress the new manager. This means the team tries harder and plays with more freedom which can sometimes translate to better displays and results.
Momentum Built on Good Form
Momentum is another key factor which can impact results. Winning games of football breeds confidence and this can prove infectious. During the 2015/16 campaign, Leicester forward Jamie Vardy was chasing a record for scoring in consecutive games. As the team pushed hard to give the striker the ball and Vardy delivered in front of goal, it brought the team together and gave the side belief when the run was complete. From there, the Foxes earned a number of impressive results and ended up lifting the Premier League title having previously been tipped for relegation at the start of the campaign.
Summing Up
Overall, home advantage does appear to count when looking at the data while players are boosted when playing in front of their own fans. However, there are a number of factors that ultimately decide the final result of a football match.
