Startup says it can predict soccer results By Alanna Petroff @AlannaPetroff July 12, 2013: 11:49 AM ET Email Print Brazil soccer fans may go crazy over a start-up, Betegy, that uses statistics and technology to predict the outcomes of matches. LONDON (CNNMoney) What if you could predict 9 out of 10 soccer matches? You might be tempted to bet big. A new startup says it can do precisely that by using a complex algorithm that considers everything from the weather to a coach's birthday. "We do your homework for you," said Alex Kornilov, the Ukrainian founder and CEO of Betegy. "We take all the data, put it in our algorithm and we get a result." Betegy, based in Warsaw, Poland, provides forecasts for the outcomes of soccer matches in 21 leagues around the world, and will soon expand coverage to 25 leagues. The company is also developing a system to predict outcomes for tennis matches and basketball games. Kornilov says the average accuracy of its soccer predictions is 76%, a rate that rises or falls depending on the league. For example, the English Premier League is easier to predict -- with an average 90% accuracy rate -- while other leagues may be closer to 50%. But given the fact that there are three outcomes for each game -- win, lose or draw -- Betegy's odds look pretty good, since picking at random would only give you a success rate of 33%. Related: LeBron will never be an endorsement star like Jordan If the technology proves a success, the commercial applications seem endless. Betegy said it's about to reveal a deal with a major U.S. broadcaster, and is in talks with providing predictions to a large European mobile player. Sports fanatics and gamblers can also pay for one-off tips or get a subscription providing unlimited tips and predictions. Each prediction includes a level of confidence indicator to helps clients know the quality of each tip. Kornilov says his system uses two layers of data to predict outcomes, first looking at basic statistics like a team's past performance and average number of goals. The second layer of data includes information related to the weather and life events that may affect players' motivation. "We've started investing more in the second set of factors," he said, explaining that the system is constantly improving as it collects more data with every match. But don't expect up-to-the-minute predictions for betting during a match. The system still involves some manual data input, though Betegy's nine-person team is working on making the system fully automated.
I dont think you can predict the outcome of football matches or influence the result unless there is foul play involved. The variables are just too great to control without 3 or 4 corrupt assistance.
Utter bollocks. How can a system predict football results? I'll bet if anyone who keeps up with the leagues took a pot stab, they'd get a similar % right.
Oh, I agree. But found the proclamations amusing. Especially the one where he said he could predict 90% of the Premier League results. As a degenerate gambler, this is fun stuff to read. All tongue in cheek, but I will admit to curiosity. Might have to check back with him later and see how he did.
With a title like that I thought you were going to say you were a Nigerian prince who needs £500 to unfreeze his assets...
Ha, not much going on here at the moment. The wife is a tiny bit "hormonal" and I'm getting in trouble with every step. Just thought I'd stir the pot a little while I try and survive the day. She's actually the one who sent me the link, thought I'd get a kick out of it.
You'll enjoy the argus prediction league on here mate, everyone should keep tabs on their own % rate, see how we fair
Cheers...did it for a few years and then quit last year. Time to join in again. Never did well mind, but, did win once!
I missed the start, i was gutted, still put my predictions in for the crack but felt well left out Really looking forward to it this year, plus we are going to have a dreamteam league aswell, should be good
Yeah, love playing Fantasy/Dreamteam stuff. I'm in a league with about 20 other players for some decent money (on the Premiers site). Call ourselves The Big Plonkers. We have a hell of a time and take it quite serious. About half the players are Brits, the other half Yanks. Not for the timid or weak of heart, the **** talking is relentless. Took 2nd last year, and made out ok. Want revenge this year tho!
Now I think this is a load of bollox too but I know someone who devised a similar thing with horse racing. He was good at maths and did it all via statistics. Lets just say he does not have to work anymore. There was another guy in the US who did it with playing cards and made quite a lot of money, then realisd he could do the same thing with the stock market and is now a billionaire. The thing is non of these people are going to "SELL" you a way to do it because if it worked they would just use it to make a fortune themselves and keep quiet about it so the bookies/athourities don't change the system.
