title: An analysis of home advantage in the top two Spanish professional football leagues.
abstract: This study examines the effect of the points system on home advantage in the two top Spanish professional football 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.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sports Science, University of Extremadura, Avda de la Universidad, S/N, C.P/ 10071, Cáceres, Spain. Pedroantonio.sanchez@juntaextremadura.net
authors.forename: Pedro A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: Tomás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: García-Calvo
authors.forename: Francisco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Leo
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pollard
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gómez
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012931:Social Environment; D012932:Social Facilitation; D012944:Social Support; D013030:Spain