Inferring Team Strengths Using a Discrete Markov Random Field
Machine Learning
2013-05-10 v1
Abstract
We propose an original model for inferring team strengths using a Markov Random Field, which can be used to generate historical estimates of the offensive and defensive strengths of a team over time. This model was designed to be applied to sports such as soccer or hockey, in which contest outcomes take value in a limited discrete space. We perform inference using a combination of Expectation Maximization and Loopy Belief Propagation. The challenges of working with a non-convex optimization problem and a high-dimensional parameter space are discussed. The performance of the model is demonstrated on professional soccer data from the English Premier League.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1305.1998,
title = {Inferring Team Strengths Using a Discrete Markov Random Field},
author = {John Zech and Frank Wood},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1305.1998},
year = {2013}
}