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.
17. Watford (£96,000,000)
Spending on wages = £96 million — position in Premier League table = 19th — position in wage table = 17th — difference = -2 Photo: Luke Walker
18. Burnley (£86,000,000)
Spending on wages = £86 million — position in Premier League table = 18th — position in wage table = 18th — difference = 0 Photo: Gareth Copley
19. Norwich City (£67,000,000)*
Spending on wages (*based on 11th month figure) = £67 million — position in Premier League table = 20th — position in wage table = 19th — difference = -1 Photo: Pete Norton
20. Brentford (£41,000,000)
Spending on wages = £41 million — position in Premier League table = 13th — position in wage table = 20th — difference = +7 Photo: Alex Davidson