FanPick Blog
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Feature Engineering for Football Prediction Models — The Inputs That Actually Matter
Learn how to engineer features for football prediction models. Time-decay form, strength-of-schedule, Elo ratings, and the 10 features every model needs to beat the market.
26 de junho de 2026
World Cup 2026 Round of 32 — Match-by-Match Breakdown With Predictions
All 16 Round of 32 matches broken down with tactical analysis, key players, win probabilities, and predictions for the 2026 World Cup knockout stage.
26 de junho de 2026
The 1958 World Cup — When Brazil Changed Football Forever
On June 29, 1958, a weeping 17-year-old collapsed on the Råsunda Stadium pitch after scoring twice in a World Cup Final. Pelé’s tears were the release of a nation’s eight-year trauma.
26 de junho de 2026
The Away Goals Rule Explained — How a 1960s Tiebreaker Shaped Football for 55 Years
For 55 years, the away goals rule decided Champions League ties. Learn how it worked, why UEFA abolished it in 2021, and what changed after.
25 de junho de 2026
FanPick’s Community Vote — 251,000 Fans Predict the World Cup 2026 Winner. Can the Crowd Be Trusted?
Over 251,000 fans voted on FanPick’s Community Vote. Brazil leads at 9.5%. Learn the science behind crowd predictions and how to use them for your bracket.
25 de junho de 2026
The Greatest World Cup Rivalries — When History, Politics, and Football Collide
From Maradona’s Hand of God to the Mineirazo, explore six World Cup rivalries where football became a battlefield for national pride, war memories, and political revenge.
24 de junho de 2026
Expected Threat (xT) — The Football Analytics Metric That Values Every Touch
Expected goals only values shots. Expected Threat (xT) values every pass, dribble, and carry on the pitch. Learn how this Markov chain model predicts football better than xG alone.
24 de junho de 2026
World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage — How the Best Teams Prepare for Do-or-Die Football
From 10-second substitution clocks to the Round of 32’s tactical gauntlet, learn how elite managers prepare for the knockout phase of the 2026 World Cup.
24 de junho de 2026
The Five-Substitution Rule Explained — How It Changed Football Tactics at the World Cup 2026
29% of World Cup 2026 goals come after the 75th minute. Learn how the five-substitution rule transformed tactics, the 10-second exit clock, and what it means for predictions.
24 de junho de 2026
World Cup Winning Managers — The Tactics, Records, and Legacies Behind 22 Tournaments
From Vittorio Pozzo’s back-to-back titles to Deschamps’ player-to-manager journey: every World Cup-winning coach, their tactics, and the records they set.
23 de junho de 2026
How to Run a FanPick Group That Actually Stays Active — Engagement Playbook for World Cup 2026
Most prediction groups die after Matchday 1. Learn how to keep your FanPick pool engaged for all 39 days of World Cup 2026 with proven admin strategies.
23 de junho de 2026
World Cup 2026 Matchday 3 — What Each Team Needs in the Final Group Games
Matchday 3 starts June 24. Nine teams have perfect records, six are already out, and 33 are still alive. Here’s every group’s storyline.
23 de junho de 2026