In todays modern world of stats and averages and the love our sky panel has for them I thought I'd see if they can predict a score result and the winning margin.

In SL both Wire and Wigan have played 13 games.

- Wigan = 283pts for & 284pts against. This averages out that per game, Wigan score 22pts for (21.76 rounded up) and let in 22pts against (21.84 rounded up).

- Wire = 242pts for & 307pts against. This averages out that per game, Wire score 19pts for (18.61 rounded up) and let in 24pts against (23.61 rounded up).


Looking at that we have:

- Wire Avereage points for + Wigan's average points conceded / 2 = 20 (19.5 rounded)

- Wigan Avereage points for + Wire's average points conceded / 2 = 22


So, the stats tell us that Wigan shall beat Warrington 22 - 20 or 22-19. All we have to do now it wait.

Phil Clarke used to do this on sky, people used to hate it, or him, i forget which.

I started an insanely detailed statistical analysis of Super League back in 2008 based on the opta style stats the RFL site had. Something similar to the Sabermetrics style of VORP etc used in the NFL. It was getting dangerously close to a full time job after 6 months of data input and I was still no nearer to learning anything.

I'd love to kick that off again.

nice one

I could see that being a full time job and understand that it could all become perhaps a bit too involved, almost obsessive, but, here's a serious question, if you were no where nearer to learning anything, why would you?

Lies, damn lies and statistics.

If only it were that simple.

Bring back the Margin Meter.

A bit of both, stats are good for analysis, if they were good at predicting sport there would no Intrigue and so there wouldn't be any point watching it. Phil Clark in general is a decent pundit but too many things he says/ does make him borderline unbearable.

Only 2 and 4 points off for the respective sides...

The one stat that I thought highlighted the fact that stats can be hugely misleading, was the fact we have the least missed tackles in the league.

this was in evidence today because Matty Russell didn't miss a single tackle, he was however, rinsed every time wigan went down that side.

There simply isn't a stat for being a defensive liability and largely having not a single clue where you should stand on a rugby Paddock.....

but hey top of the league for least missed tackles...!!!

Surely line breaks conceded, or, in the modern game, quick PTB conceded (or even something simple like metres conceded, or heaven forbid, tries or points) is a better measure of defensive prowess though? If a player's running sideways and you miss him half a dozen times, it doesn't really matter.

As with any stats, you use with caution: clearly missed tackles cannot measure a player's positioning ability (or lack of!). Russell's a strong lad-I imagine he doesn't 'miss' many as when he gets hold it will usually stick. Shame the can't be said about the ball when it comes his way...