The Double Pivot: Soccer analysis, analytics, and commentary

The Double Pivot: Soccer analysis, analytics, and commentary

Author: Mike Goodman and Michael Caley Language: English Episodes: 100
The Double Pivot: Soccer analysis, analytics, and commentary is where hosts Mike Goodman and Michael Caley break down the beautiful game with a blend of sharp tactical observation and a deep respect for the numbers. This isn't just a recap of who won; it's a conversation about how and why. Each episode digs into the mechanisms of modern soccer, from the strategic choices that define a manager's philosophy to the underlying data that reveals what the naked eye might miss. You'll hear thoughtful discussions on team shape, pressing triggers, and the value of different chance creation methods, all grounded in the hosts' analytical expertise. Goodman and Caley have a knack for making complex concepts accessible, whether they're examining a top-tier Premier League clash or highlighting intriguing patterns in a less-heralded league. Their commentary avoids easy narratives, instead offering a more nuanced and evidence-informed perspective on the week's biggest stories and most compelling matches. For anyone who wants to move beyond the standard punditry and understand the deeper layers of strategy and performance, this podcast provides a consistently engaging and insightful listen. Tune in for a smarter take on the global game.
Episodes
PSG and Bayern Play a Good Football Match [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:05
That was great. We discuss what made the game so exciting, why it was not a game with enormous expected goals totals, and what that tells us about the tactical approach and quality of play. Plus a Vincent Kompany apology…
Manchester City vs Arsenal Match Recap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:16
Somehow, here in 2026, a major title race clash in the Premier League lived up to the billing. We discuss how Arsenal's aggressive defensive approach created an open and exciting match for a long stretch, how City's peri…
Say Something Challenge Completed (including Arsenal) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:20
There are just a few Premier League teams left in the Say Something Challenge and one of them is Arsenal. Why they're obviously the title favorites and why, seriously asking why are they playing football like this? Plus…
The Origins of the Set Piece Revolution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:53
Caley wrote a newsletter about the origins of the set piece revolution, whether it's all Mikel Arteta's fault, how teams actually score off throw-ins, and why set pieces didn't take over the game earlier. This pod talks…
Poker, Analytics, and the Optimized Online World with Sam Greenwood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:40
We are joined by Sam Greenwood, high-stakes poker player and the writer and publisher of the Punt of the Day newsletter (to which Mike Goodman also contributes), to talk about poker and some questions we've been thinking…
Say Something Challenge, Premier League, Part I [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:32
We take up a challenge from the discord to say something about even the least interesting teams. This podcast series will take us through the international break and begins with Fulham, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Evert…
Analytics, Linguistics and LLMs with Leif Weatherby [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:04
We are joined by Leif Weatherby, author of Language Machines: Cultural AI and the End of Remainder Humanism, to talk about artificial intelligence: what these new technologies do, but more than that how the fact of their…
Champions League Round of 16: Second Legs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:44
Why the "Premier League disaster" narrative doesn't really make sense, plus some capsule summaries of the eight matches and why there was not that much to learn from the second legs. City-Real and Chelsea-PSG matches wer…
Champions League Round of 16 First Leg, Part I [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:20
There is so much football to discuss that this podcast could not contain it all and part two will be a subscriber episode. Here we get to the acknowledgement of Tottenham and a much more in-depth discussion of both PSG -…
Champions League and Paul the Apostle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:10
We discuss the Round of 16 and why it seems like there are fewer and fewer new matchups in the Champions League knockouts and what might have to be done to address this. And then, it's time for the return of Bible Histor…