PREMIER LEAGUE — Teams that covered the most distance won only 48% of Premier League matches during the 2025-26 season, according to an analysis of the campaign's 309 games played so far. The team running furthest failed to win in 52% of matches, dropping points in more games than they won.

The data reveals that in 78 of 309 matches (25%), the team that covered the least distance won the match. A total of 84 matches ended in draws this season.

Several high-profile matches demonstrated how teams succeeded despite being outrun by their opponents. Everton covered 6 kilometres more distance than Chelsea in a 3-0 win, while Nottingham Forest beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 while covering almost 5 kilometres less distance than their opponents.

Chelsea have been outrun in every Premier League game this season and have the lowest total distance covered among Premier League teams. Liverpool and Aston Villa are also among the bottom five teams in distance covered this season, while Manchester City have the highest average distance covered per game and Leeds United are second-highest.

Aston Villa have achieved a win percentage of 52% in Premier League matches where they were outrun this season. Manager Unai Emery has employed tactics that focus less on running and more on maximising his players, using compact defensive blocks and fast attacks.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola addressed his team's high running statistics, saying: "I love [how much we run], last season we didn't have that. But it's not enough, we have to play better [so] we could run less."

The relationship between running distance and success has been debated by managers across different eras. Former Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp, who was known for an intense high-pressing style during his tenure at the German club, said: "It's not the most important stat but I love it when I read that we ran more than the opponent. You can get respect if you do this and you have more chance to be successful." Last season provided another example of success without leading distance statistics, as Liverpool ranked 16th in distance covered but won the Premier League title.