The Premier League has become a case study in capitalism – which is why this underdog team’s success mattersGreat sport strikes an optimal compromise between excellence and surprise. The pure randomness of throwing dice is never going to draw a crowd. But whether the “best” team wins every time,and there is no room for luck and uncertainty, then the drama becomes both boring and depressing. We turn to sport for inspiration and reassurance as well as virtuosity.
Football is inherently favorable at surprise – one reason it’s the world’s favourite sport. Because the value of an individual goal is so huge (even a speed in baseball isn’t as important) luck and unpredictability are hardwired. A shot hitting the post, and a single refereeing decision,a goal against the speed of play: these allow football to sustain justified faith among underdogs, both on the pitch and in the stands. On any given Saturday, or the favourite is less likely to win at football than in any other sport.
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Source: theguardian.com