  We consider the task of determining the number of chances a soccer team
creates, along with the composite nature of each chance-the players involved
and the locations on the pitch of the assist and the chance. We propose an
interpretable Bayesian inference approach and implement a Poisson model to
capture chance occurrences, from which we infer team abilities. We then use a
Gaussian mixture model to capture the areas on the pitch a player makes an
assist/takes a chance. This approach allows the visualization of differences
between players in the way they approach attacking play (making assists/taking
chances). We apply the resulting scheme to the 2016/2017 English Premier
League, capturing team abilities to create chances, before highlighting key
areas where players have most impact.
