Stats - offsides

Offside statistics in football are highly random, and predicting the exact number of offsides in a match requires a great deal of luck.

Offsides in Football - Analyzing the Statistics

Although correctly predicting offside statistics in football is challenging, careful analysis can help. It’s useful to consider how high the opponent’s defense is positioned and whether they frequently attempt to catch the opponent in an offside trap. The offside statistics table on our site shows the average number of offsides for each team in Europe’s top leagues.

When Were Offsides Introduced in Football?

Offsides have existed since the beginning of football, although the rule has changed multiple times over the years.

• 1907 - The offside rule no longer applied on a team’s own half,
• 1920 - Offsides were eliminated on throw-ins,
• 1925 - To avoid an offside position, a player needed two opponents in front instead of three.

Every football fan should also know the rules and understand in which situations a player in an offside position may be penalized for it:

• Plays the ball while being in an offside position at the moment of a teammate’s pass,
• Interferes with play, blocks the opponent’s view, or influences the opponent while attempting to play the ball,
• Plays the ball after it has rebounded off the goal frame or an opponent.

Offside Statistics in Football

When analyzing offside statistics, it’s useful to consider the number of offsides in recent matches for both teams. Some coaches, like Hansi Flick or Ange Postecoglou, are known for using a high defensive line, making overs on offsides a reasonable bet in matches involving their teams.