Being able to predict and debate the outcome of sports is a big part of sports fandom. It unites fellow passionate sports fans and increases the sports fans’ engagement.
In addition, innovations like AI and machine learning are starting to influence sports. Fans can find AI-based tools that can assist them during predictions. So, can EA Sports FC, which is backed by AI and machine learning (ML), help fans predict a real-life match result?
Machine Learning for Sport Predictions
Machine learning utilises models and algorithms that can keep learning as they analyse complex datasets to perform the predetermined task, like predicting a sports match outcome. ML technologies have been used in sports for a while, especially to improve analytical processes.
When machine learning is used to predict a sports result, so far, it has provided multiple benefits to the industry:
- Predicting wins and losses: Regardless of the sport, there’s always a winning and a losing team or player. Be it rugby, tennis, or basketball, the match would determine a winner. ML models used to predict game results are usually built as binary classifiers trained on historical game statistics. For example, if they’re used for NHL Stanley Cup predictions, they’ll use the participating teams’ previous records to build a prediction model.
- Deeper analytics into players’ physical condition: Current analytics tools have always considered players’ physical conditions that may affect performance and final results. However, ML can go further by using EEG data that reflects players’ brain conditions. The result is a more accurate prediction of match outcomes.
- Diverse techniques: ML provides various predictive powers that can consider other factors that are rarely included in metrics. These include techniques like decision trees, logistic regression classifiers, SVMs, and XGBoost. The aim is to produce reasonable predictive power in competitions.
- Movement tracking: For fighting sports, particularly like boxing, ML can work together alongside computer vision principles to track the movements of the athlete in real time. That way, they can analyse the movement of the player to predict the outcome based on the match’s progression.
Disadvantages and Challenges
Although ML models can improve decision-making and offer deeper insights, the technology still has limitations. Most studies so far have pointed out that ML prediction accuracy isn’t always consistent.
The quality and the quantity of the data digested by machine learning can affect the result significantly. As sports events can be highly complex, ML may struggle to provide an accurate result due to unpredictable situations and intricate factors.
On the other hand, there are ethical and responsibility implications that come from the use of ML. There are also implications of sharing the prediction results publicly. It might steer the public’s opinion, including fans who are engaging in sports betting, which can be concerning.
Can EA Sports FC Predict Real Life Results?
EA Sports FC runs based on real-life data. It calculates team strategies and real-life player skills. It also considers stadium atmospheres and weather conditions to form the simulation. Combined wth sophisticated algorithms, the game can simulate football matches that play closely as real-life football games.
Machine Learning in EA Sports FC
The reason why EA Sports FC has the chance to predict real results is that it runs using advanced data analytics. It also uses ML and artificial intelligence to ensure its simulations are as immersive as real-life matches. They consider team strategies and individual player performance. It also studies unpredictable factors, such as form slumps and injuries, while simulating outcomes.
Machine learning works alongside EA Sports FC’s AI, so the simulations can improve to be more accurate. This is why the game had been showing the ability to predict real-life events in the past, despite its inconsistency. They can predict player performances in future tournaments, and show what would happen after a mid-season transfer.
When it simulates a certain match, fans can see the possibilities that may happen in the future. EA Sports FC can be accurate at times. Some bettors have used the simulation to aid their prediction. However, as EA Sports FC isn’t built to aid decision-making during predictions, fans can’t fully rely on the simulation. Still, it’s a good way to gain more insight regarding future possibilities of certain matches, players, or teams.