Primer – How do Elo models work?

Short answer: with a lot of time spent in Excel and Google Sheets.
Long answer: It depends on what you want to do.
I introduced the Elo rating system in a previous primer. Now it’s time to put it to work.
I think most sport’s fans would agree with the following definitions of form and class –
- Form – Short term performance, related to luck, match fitness, weather
- Class – Long term performance, related the structural competence of the team in question
Something like “Form wins games, class wins premierships” seems appropriate.