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In hindsight, relegation often seems inevitable. If you had asked the pundits, Blackpool's demotion to the Championship last year was all but a done deal in August. But do the data agree? And what can they tell us about the inevitability and predictability of relegation ahead of time, rather than after the fact?

By Laban Scott Libby
In a world of unrelenting pressure for results, the January transfer window offers the tempting opportunity for the quick fix. For clubs contending for the championship or Europe, it encourages the hunt for that one piece of the puzzle that will make the club complete; and for clubs fighting relegation, that one special player may seem like the difference between another year among the world's top or a long year of away games at Barnsley and Peterborough.

By Benjamin Leinwand and Chris Anderson
When it comes to pay, not all positions are created equal. In fact, we have long known that strikers command a premium for their services. So it should come as no surprise that Major League Soccer is no exception. In 2011, average earnings were distinctly tilted toward the offensive side of the pitch.

By Benjamin Leinwand and Chris Anderson
Prior to the start of the 2011 season, Major League Soccer teamed up with the Castrol Index to deliver a more statistically advanced version of the match day player ratings. According to the creators, "the Castrol Index objectively analyses player performance, tracking every move on the field and assessing whether it has a positive or negative impact on a team's ability to score or concede a goal.

Now that the January transfer window is closed, clubs are gearing up to be ready for the rest of the season. For promoted clubs in particular, the Premiership adventure has entered the second - and possibly last - half of the season. Whether they will be able to continue their adventure is anyone's guess, but judging from the league table, Norwich and Swansea look to be in a good position to stay up.