03 Jan 2021 05:03:28
Looking at the league table got me wondering on why goal difference is seen as the vital factor in defining the final positions when teams have equal no. of points.

Wouldn't it make more sense that the league positions are based on the winning percentage of teams (equal on points) which would also reflect on the teams consistency in getting results. At the end of the day what matters is getting a result and not how many goals one scores or concedes in a match.

Goal difference should only be considered when teams are equal on points as well as the no. of matches won.

What do you guys think?


1.) 03 Jan 2021
03 Jan 2021 08:49:10
Well, being level on points with a higher winning percentage also means losing more games. Why should a team that has lost more be above a team that has a lower number of losses?

The only argument worth discussing about differentiating teams level on points is whether to go with a Head to Head record or Goal Difference. Both have pros and cons in my view and I think if teams are level on points and have same good then H2H should come into play.


2.) 03 Jan 2021
03 Jan 2021 09:02:09
*same GD.


3.) 03 Jan 2021
03 Jan 2021 10:33:31
Wasn't good introduced in the 70s to encourage teams to score goals, otherwise you just have teams shutting up shop after going 1-0 up.


4.) 03 Jan 2021
03 Jan 2021 10:34:36
The theory is that making goal difference so important encourages attacking football. Not sure if that actually works though.


5.) 03 Jan 2021
03 Jan 2021 10:45:16
Play off?


6.) 03 Jan 2021
03 Jan 2021 11:04:30
Deependra, how does a higher winning percentage means losing more games? Don't understand what you are trying to say.

Grimsilves and RWWD, that does make sense. However, it also means that teams having a better good are just content with a point to go level on points and still maintain a higher position and anything else is just a bonus.

When winning becomes vital than good then teams would be under even more pressure to get a result and in this day and age defending a 1-0 lead is always going to be a challenge. I think it could make every team even more competitive and make for an exciting watch.


7.) 03 Jan 2021
03 Jan 2021 11:47:03
*good - Goal Difference. Filters seem to be converting "gd" to "good".


8.) 03 Jan 2021
03 Jan 2021 12:09:52
LetsPlay! United

You said "Wouldn't it make more sense that the league positions are based on the winning percentage of teams (equal on points) "

I replied : "Well, being level on points with a higher winning percentage also means losing more games"

I think its quite clear. For Example if you look at the current league table you will find that both us and Liverpool have 33 points. However our W/ L isn't the same:

Liverpool: P16 W9 D6 L1 GF37 GA20 GD17 POINTS 33
Man Utd: P16 W10 D3 L3 GF33 GA24 GD9 POINTS 33

So we have the same number of points as Liverpool, won more; hence, higher winning percentage and higher losing percentage.

You are just trying to come up with ways to overtake Liverpool in the table which we can easily do by beating them when we face them later this month. Mate you are clutching at straws.


9.) 03 Jan 2021
03 Jan 2021 12:39:15
Deependra, I am not referring to just the top of the table but across the table in general. And stop assuming that I have come up with this just because we are equal on points to Liverpool and want to find ways to overtake them.


10.) 03 Jan 2021
03 Jan 2021 12:50:21
Let’s run a fictional scenario.

In a league of 21 teams and 40 games per team (to keep the %’s simple) .

Team A wins 30 and loses 10. 90 points and a 75% win percentage.
Team B wins 29, draws 3 and loses 8. 90 points and a 72.5%.

As pointed out, Team A have both the highest win percentage and have lost more games (because you equal their points total whilst winning less requires a team to draw three more games than Team A for every extra win Team A have) .

In my opinion, goal difference is the way to go as it encourages attacking play over the course of an entire season.


11.) 03 Jan 2021
03 Jan 2021 14:04:43
Let's play the reason why its focused on is because that's the rules.

In other countries they go by the 2 head to head games if teams are level on points.

Nothing wrong with the goal diff rule imo. It makes sense.


12.) 03 Jan 2021
03 Jan 2021 14:21:28
LetsPlay! United
I never said you are suggesting your "Higher winning percentage" idea just for the top of the league.
Also you can't fault me for assuming you are coming up with ideas to overtake Liverpool in the table when you idea clearly achieves that. And you only realise that taking good into consideration to differentiate teams level on points isn't the best idea for you only after we go level on points with the scousers. CONVINIENT THAT isn't it? Or maybe a coincidence.


13.) 03 Jan 2021
03 Jan 2021 15:28:26
Well Deependra, if that's the way you feel then so be it. It's just amusing sometimes that people judge others intent based on their own opinions and misinterpret what the actual post was meant to be.

Anyhow if I wanted to suggest that United should be on top based on winning percentage rather than goal difference, I would have said so.


14.) 03 Jan 2021
03 Jan 2021 15:59:09
LetsPlay! United

The timing of your post is bound to make anyone misjudge your intention which were actually for the greater good and not at all United related.

Honestly I am just happy that we can either intentionally or not come up with ways to be top of the league. Just 2 months ago we were around 15th in the league.


15.) 03 Jan 2021
03 Jan 2021 20:39:22
This thread is one of the strangest I’ve seen for a while haha.