The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast No sweet home: Is 'home advantage' fading?
Jan 22, 2026
Michael Cox, a seasoned football tactics writer known for his deep analysis, joins Mark Carey, a data journalist specializing in football trends. They explore the fading concept of home advantage. The duo discusses how some teams perform better away, the impact of crowd noise, and lessons learned from the COVID season. They also dive into tactical shifts against big clubs, the role of familiar stadiums, and how new arenas can diminish home advantage initially. It’s a fascinating look at how the dynamics of home and away games are evolving.
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Home Advantage Varies Greatly
- Home advantage varies widely and can be exceptionally poor for some clubs, like Tottenham this season.
- Historical extremes show teams can win far fewer points at home than away, especially relegated or counter-attacking sides.
Home Skew Often Helps Scrappers
- A home-advantage ratio using goals and concession rates shows some mid-table or relegation-threat teams rely more on home form.
- High home skew often appears in teams that play counter-attacking or defensive styles suited to home turf.
Mourinho's Nine-Year Home Run
- Jose Mourinho went nine years unbeaten at home across Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid.
- That run highlights how a manager's methods can create a prolonged fortress effect.