Drawing on stats, physics and natural phenomena, a math professor and amateur coach explains everything from the geometry of passing to managerial strategy to predicting performance. The book is full of game theory and diagrams of famous plays.

Steven Goff, The Washington Post roundup of soccer books

Sumpter's deconstruction of formations proved why maths and football can't live without each other. It's every football nerd's dream.

FourFourTwo

This is football looked at in a very different way. David Sumpter is mining a rich and deep seam here in Soccermatics, one that will become an increasingly important part of the game.

Pat Nevin, former Chelsea and Everton star and football media analyst

Touted as a 'mathematical adventure through the beautiful game,' this title certainly lives up to and exceeds expectations. The biggest positive for this book is that it is approachable, certainly much more than SOCCERNOMICS from Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski.

International Soccer Network

Sumpter's love of the game is infectious--it's impossible not to be drawn in . . . SOCCERMATICS is a fascinating book, an intelligent work that strives to reflect the minute intricacies of the game by way of the numbers while never condescending to or overwhelming the reader. Soccer fans and math lovers will be thrilled, but in truth, a general understanding of both is really all you need to enjoy this one.

The Maine Edge

A fascinating study of the structures and patterns that underpin football matches, with revealing and surprising conclusions.

Michael Cox, editor of Zonal Marking and Guardian Sports