Early-season data suggests a shift in playing style across the Scottish Premiership, with teams adopting a more technical and possession-based approach. The average number of passes per game has increased to 886, up by 58 from the previous season and 91 from five years ago.
Passing accuracy has also seen a notable rise, reaching 81% this season compared to 73% in 2023-24. This change is attributed to a greater emphasis on short passing, with the percentage of long passes across the league now at 13%, its lowest level in the past five years.
Clubs like Motherwell and Falkirk demonstrated last season that a progressive style could be successful on a modest budget. Dundee United, under Jim Goodwin, has increased its average possession from 42% last term to 50% this season, with accurate passes per match rising from 219 to 320.
Despite goals per game currently being at their lowest since 2021-22 (2.5), fans are seeing more shots per match (28.6) than in any of the past five campaigns. However, strikes from outside the box are projected to drop to a new low, reflecting a trend towards creating higher-quality chances.