Opposition research used to mean hours of video and manual scouting reports. Perplexity doesn't replace your video analysis — but it gives you a head start. In 5 minutes you'll have their recent results, tactical tendencies reported in the press, and key personnel changes. It's the briefing note before you sit down with the footage.
A retrieval tool, not a notes tool. The distinction matters.
This upgrades the Retrieval layer. The information about your next opponent exists — in match reports, press coverage, social media, league tables. But gathering it manually takes time you don't have. Perplexity searches the live web and synthesises what it finds into a structured briefing.
It removes the 'where do I even start' load when facing an unfamiliar opponent. Instead of 20 browser tabs and 45 minutes of reading, you get a structured starting point in one query.
Early in the week, before you watch any video. Run the Perplexity query Monday or Tuesday to get context, then use that context to focus your video sessions on what actually matters.
Three steps. Twelve minutes total.
- Step 01
InstallGo to perplexity.ai (free tier works). Use the opponent research prompt below. Replace the [PLACEHOLDERS] with your actual opponent and competition details. - Step 02
Use onceReview the output. Check the sources Perplexity cites — click through to any match reports that look relevant. Save the summary. - Step 03
StorePaste the summary into your pre-match folder alongside your video notes. Use it as the opening section of your opposition report — 'What we know before watching the tape.'
1 prompt, one unlocked.
Research [OPPONENT NAME] in [COMPETITION/LEAGUE] for me. I'm preparing for a match on [DATE]. Find: 1. Their last 5 results (scores, opponents, home/away) 2. Any reported tactical changes or formation shifts this season 3. Key players — who's scoring, who's been highlighted in press coverage 4. Any injury news or squad changes reported in the last 2 weeks 5. Their head coach's stated approach or philosophy (from interviews) Cite your sources. Focus on information from the last 3 months.