In football, the data suggests that the more a team spends on wages, the better they will perform on the pitch.
According to economist Stefan Szymanski, there is a ‘significant relationship between wages and league standing’ - something that has been evident in the Premier League again this season.
However, because of sport’s unpredictability, there have also been a few outliers to the theory this season.
Eddie Howe’s side secured an 11th place finish in the league this season – but how does that compare to their standing in the Premier League’s wage table?
Here, courtesy of data provided by football finance expert Kieran Maguire, we take a look at how the Premier League wage table looks based on the latest figures available and how each club performed against it this season.
5. Arsenal (£238,000,000)
Spending on wages = £238 million — position in Premier League table = 5th — position in wage table = 5th — difference = 0 Photo: Stuart MacFarlane
6. Tottenham Hotspur (£205,000,000)
Spending on wages = £205 million — position in Premier League table = 4th — position in wage table = 6th — difference = +2 Photo: David Rogers
7. Leicester City (£192,000,000)
Spending on wages = £192 million — position in Premier League table = 8th — position in wage table = 7th — difference = -1 Photo: Naomi Baker
8. Everton (£183,000,000)
Spending on wages = £183 million — position in Premier League table = 16th — position in wage table = 8th — difference = -8 Photo: Stuart MacFarlane