Is this really the Premier League's 'Bermuda Triangle'?

♪ I've been waiting for you ♪

On social media, a joke emerged that became a recurring theme among supporters: Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford would form the Premier League's "Bermuda Triangle" - a kind of zone where big teams lose points without explanation.

A origin of the piada

The nickname was born from the observation of supporters on social networks: the three clubs in southern England Bournemouth and Brighton on the south coast, and Brentford in west London used to surprise opponents considered strong but especially outside home.

Para a torcida brasileira acostumada com o termo "zico area" aquela zona onde o time favorito tropeça or paralelo fé imediato: the "Triângulo das Bermudas" would be an English version of this logic. It's not as if there is no such thing, but it seems to me that we are all familiar with the term.

Or that a statistic really shows

Until now, there is no official survey or consolidated statistical consensus that understands the phenomenon as something other than coincidence.

What can be said, on the basis of no histórico recente, is that: a)

• Brighton and a retrospective consisting of positive results against teams from the so-called "Big Six" at home, no Amex Stadium;
• Brentford and He used to be a tough opponent in his own stadium, the Gtech Community Stadium.
• Bournemouth, no Vitality Stadium, has also scored points in recent seasons.

They are perceived patterns, but they vary from season to season and that's where the limit lies.

Or swarm of wasps: why esses times incomodam

A more plausible explanation for the fame is of a tactical and structural nature.

• Use of smaller stadiums, where the pressure of torsion is closest to that of the field; and, in particular:
• Models of modern management, with Brighton and Brentford being benchmarks in data analysis and recruitment of undervalued players;
• Times organized, which prioritize intensidade, pressão alta e transições rápidas the type of game that historically caused problems to teams who needed to dominate possession.

Somado a isso, o calendário inglês congestionado favors surprises: big games with rotation against smaller teams, and bumps in the road.

Where the discussion is now

The debate continues with each round that the three giant clubs play. With every victory of Brighton over a title contender or Brentford at home, there is even a rebirth in the networks.

Where are we ?

The "Bermuda Triangle" of the Premier League is, for now, more a phenomenon in English football's digital culture than an established statistical fact. There are real indications that Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford are harder opponents than their position on the table usually suggests, but collective perception still awaits robust data collection to be transformed into conclusion.