Citation

Sánchez PA, García-Calvo T, Leo FM, Pollard R, Gómez MA. Percept. Mot. Skills 2009; 108(3): 789-797.

Affiliation

Faculty of Sports Science, University of Extremadura, Avda de la Universidad, S/N, C.P/ 10071, Cáceres, Spain. Pedroantonio.sanchez@juntaextremadura.net

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.2466/PMS.108.3.789-797

PMID

19725315

Abstract

This study examines the effect of the points system on home advantage in the two top Spanish professional football [soccer] divisions between the 1980-1981 and 2006-2007 seasons. From 1980-81, teams were awarded 2 points for a win. This was increased to 3 points starting in 1995-1996. Lower home advantage was expected with the 3-point system as a consequence of encouraging more attacking play from away teams. The results of an analysis of 20,992 games showed no significant differences in home advantage values between the First Division (66.3% before and 62.1% after the 3-point system) and the Second Division (65.6% before and 59.5% after). Nevertheless, there was a significant decrease in home advantage in both the First and Second Divisions after the introduction of the 3-point system. The results were compared with two similar studies of professional football in England.

Language: en