Thursday, October 28, 2010

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29-10-2010 20:30 Bayern Munchen - Freiburg

Bayern Face Another 'Do-Or-Die' Situation

It took just over a minute for Bayern to concede the opening goal in Tuesday’s DFB Pokal clash with Werder Bremen. However, after a somewhat fortunate equaliser, the reigning champions earned a 2-1 victory through a tremendous, 30-yard strike from Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The result was received as a stroke of luck. Bremen defender Sebastian Proedl had a seemingly legitimate goal called back, and the Hanseaten failed to convert on a half-dozen other opportunities. Nonetheless, Bayern were winners on the day, and advanced to the next round of the Pokal.

Heading into this weekend, Bayern will hope to build some momentum and ease the burden posed by an ever-steepening gap between their table position and the leaders. On Wednesday, vice-captain Philipp Lahm revealed that their league standing has weighed heavily upon the shoulders of his team-mates.

“The mental effort is destroying us, because the distance to make up is 12 points,” he told Sport-Bild.

Ahead of Friday’s encounter, coach Louis van Gaal demanded that that his team concentrate for the full 90 minutes, and not just in phases.

” The match is another 'do-or-die' situation," he said.

Injury-Hit Freiburg Favour Odds

With 15 points from nine matches, Freiburg have enjoyed a very impressive start to their Bundesliga campaign. Considered relegation candidates before the start of the season, they are nearly halfway to the near-certain safety of 40 points. In fact, the team from Germany’s southwestern corner currently stands just a point behind a top three standing, even though their goal difference is a mediocre zero.

Freiburg’s success has come as quite a surprise, but can be explained by the absolutely scintillating form of striker Papiss Cisse. The Senegalese striker has netted eight of his team’s 14 Bundesliga goals; Freiburg’s next highest scorer, Jan Rosenthal, has scored just three times.

Cisse’s league-leading tally may have nearly led Freiburg out of the woods already, but there remains plenty to be done if the Breisgau-based side are to avoid the drop. Their 2-1 loss to second division side Energie Cottbus on Tuesday was more than a little suggestive of Freiburg’s shortcomings.

In that match, Cisse equalised midway through the second half, but even he couldn’t win the game; Emil Jula netted a late winner, and Cottbus advanced.

Heading into Friday’s clash, Freiburg are facing a bit of an injury crisis. Cedric Makiadi and Kisho Yano are questionable after sustaining midweek knocks, and there are more than half a dozen other players missing from Robin Dutt’s squad. However, the coach has not been discouraged by his shortage of personnel, and reckons his side have a chance:

“Bayern are missing a few really important players, so it is a duel of equals.”

TEAM NEWS

Bayern Munich

Daniel van Buyten is expected to return to the starting line-up, meaning that either Andreas Ottl or Anatoliy Tymoshchuk will be sacrificed. Miroslav Klose injured his hamstring on Wednesday, and is expected to be out for three weeks. Diego Contento and Franck Ribery, meanwhile, are approaching full fitness but will need at least another week to recover. Long-term casualties Breno and Arjen Robben are still well short of match fitness.

Probable Starting XI: Butt – Lahm, Van Buyten, Badstuber, Pranjic – Ottl, Schweinsteiger – Altintop, Kroos, Mueller – Gomez

Freiburg

As mentioned above, Cedric Makiadi and Kisho Yano are questionable, but may well play on Friday. Jonathan Jaeger, Johannes Flum, Simon Pouplin, Heiko Butscher, Jan Rosenthal, Pavel Krmas, and Tommy Bechmann, on the other hand, are definite absentees.

Probable Starting XI: Baumann – Mujdza, Barth, Toprak, Bastians – Schuster – Nicu, Makiadi, Caligiuri, Abdessadki – Cisse


Prediction
Given his form, Cisse can be expected to score at some point. This means that in order to win, Bayern will need to score two or more goals, which has become a rarity. Schweinsteiger was heroic in midweek, but the Bavarians’ lack of a reliable striker continues to be a huge problem. A goal may come, but it would be ill-advised to expect more.

Bayern Munich 1-1 SC Freiburg

29.-31.10.2010. BOJAN JORGAČEVIĆ, GOLMAN GENTA (BELGIJA 1)

Eupen jeste poslednji, ali na svom stadionu mogao bi da savlada Lirs, doskorašnjeg rivala iz Druge lige.
EUPEN - LIRS 1

Ipak, sigurniji sam u trijumf Beršota, jer Sent Truden u gostima retko uspeva da stigne do bodova.
BERŠOT – ST. TRUDEN 1

29.-31.10. 2010. BOJAN ISAILOVIĆ (ZAGLEBJE, POLJSKA)

Legija je gostovala u prethodna dva kola, a izgleda da je “proradila”, pošto je osvojila svih šest bodova. Čeka je bunker koji će da postavi Gornjik, ali uveren sam da će domaćin da ga probije.
LEGIJA – GORNJIK Z. 1

Ruh je, takođe, dvaput zaredom gostovao, vratio se sa četiri boda, pa sada ima lepu priliku da protiv prosečne Arke nastavi uspešnu seriju.
RUH – ARKA 1

30.10.-01.11. 2010. ZORAN MANOVIĆ (ŠVEDSKA)

Prošlogodišnji šampion AIK je još ugrožen, a domaćin je jakom Elfsborgu. Zanimljivo je da Gefle, jedan od konkurenata u borbi za očuvanje prvoligaškog statusa, dočekuje Đurgarden, ekipu koja se ni malo ne voli sa AIK-om. Ne bi trebalo da iznenadi ukoliko fudbaleri Đurgardena sa nešto manje “žara” uđu u ovu utakmicu.
AIK – Elfsborg 1X
Gefle – Đurgarden 1X

31.10.2010. NIKOLA ĐURĐIĆ (HAUGESUND, NORVEŠKA 1)

Stadion mog Haugesunda ovog vikenda biće ispunjen do poslednjeg mesta. Svi očekuju našu pobedu nad Moldeom, koji je obezbedio opstanak i nema takmičarski motiv. Nama bi ova tri boda mnogo značila, jer imamo šanse da se plasiramo u Ligu Evrope, ukoliko konkurent Tromso kiksne u preostala dva kola.
HAUGESUND – MOLDE 1

O formi i nameštenim nišanskim spravama napadača Valerenge, ne treba trošiti reči. Siguran sam da će, kao i veći deo prvenstva, odigrati na visokom nivou i upisati pobedu na gostovanju slabom Honefošu.
HONEFOŠ – VALERENGA 2

Championship Opta Facts - October 30-31

Statistics and facts to help your football betting are available every week at Sta Sam Ti Reko courtesy of Opta Sportsdata, Europe's leading provider of sports performance statistics.

Cardiff v Norwich
  • Only one of the last 11 meetings between these two sides has ended level.
  • Norwich have netted exactly two goals in their last three meetings with Cardiff City.
  • Cardiff City have dropped just two points in their last six league games.
  • The Canaries have kept three clean sheets in their last four league games.


Crystal Palace v Swansea
  • There was just one goal scored between these two teams last season.
  • Swansea have won just once in their last five games against the Eagles, but this came in their last meeting.
  • Palace have won only one of their last seven league games.
  • Scott Sinclair has netted 10 goals in his last 10 appearances for the Swans.



Derby v Watford
  • Derby won both Championship meetings against Watford last term, with Chris Porter finding the net both home and away.
  • Watford have won only once in their last nine trips to Derby County.
  • Derby have won their last three home games in the league, scoring 11 goals and conceding just once.
  • Watford have won 13 of a possible 18 points on the road in the Championship so far this term.



Ipswich v Millwall
  • Ipswich have defeated Millwall this season already; with a 2-1 victory at the New Den in the League Cup.
  • Millwall have defeated Ipswich only once in their last seven trips to Portman Road.
  • Ipswich have lost three successive league games, conceding exactly two goals on each occasion.
  • The last five league games involving the Lions have seen only six goals scored.



Leicester v Preston
  • Preston have won three of their last four games against the Foxes.
  • Leicester have lost five successive home games against Preston North End in all competitions.
  • The Foxes haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 11 league games.
  • The last five league games involving Preston have witnessed an average of 5.4 goals.



Middlesbrough v Bristol City
  • Three of the last five matches between Middlesbrough and Bristol City in all competitions have ended in a draw.
  • At least three goals have been netted in five of the last six matches between these two teams.
  • Middlesbrough have won just one point from their last six league games, fewer than any other side over the same period.
  • City have won just five points from their six away games in the league this season so far.



Portsmouth v Nottingham Forest
  • Portsmouth have won their last five successive matches against Forest.
  • Only four of the previous 37 meetings between Pompey and Nottingham Forest have ended in a draw.
  • No side have won more points from their last six league games than Portsmouth (16).
  • Lewis McGugan has scored seven goals in his last eight appearances for Forest and has netted in three successive games now.



QPR v Burnley
  • Burnley are unbeaten in their last five games against QPR, winning four of these.
  • Just one of the last 23 league meetings between these two sides has ended in a draw.
  • QPR have drawn four of their last five league games, three of these ended 0-0.
  • Burnley conceded four goals in their last league game, as many as they had conceded in their previous six put together.
  • The Clarets are one of three sides yet to win on the road this season.



Reading v Doncaster
  • Reading have won six of their last seven games against Doncaster, drawing the other 0-0.
  • Doncaster have scored only two goals in their last seven games against the Royals.
  • Doncaster have won just one of their last five away games in the Championship.
  • The Royals have conceded just three goals in their last six league matches.



Scunthorpe v Leeds United
  • Leeds have won five and drawn one of their last six games against the Iron in all competitions.
  • Scunthorpe's last league win against Leeds came back in February 1962, a run of six games without a victory.
  • The Iron have won two successive league games for the first time since March.
  • Leeds have the opportunity to win back to back away games in the league for the first time since April.



Sheffield United v Coventry
  • Only one of the last nine matches between these two have ended level.
  • The Blades are unbeaten in their last seven games against Coventry at home.
  • Sheffield United have won just one of their last six league matches.
  • Gary McSheffrey has scored in three of his last four appearances for Coventry in the Championship.



Barnsley v Hull
  • The winning side has netted exactly three goals in the last four meetings between these two teams.
  • Barnsley have won just two of their last nine home games against the Tigers.
  • The Tykes have failed to score in four of their last six league games.
  • No side has scored fewer goals in the Championship than Hull so far this term (9).

Premier League Opta Facts - 30 Oct -1 Nov

Statistics and facts to help your football betting are available every week at Sta Sam Ti Reko courtesy of Opta Sportsdata, Europe's leading provider of sports performance statistics.

Arsenal v West Ham United
  • West Ham have failed to score in five of their last six Premier League matches with Arsenal.
  • There have been red cards in three of the last four Premier League matches between West Ham and Arsenal.
  • West Ham are one of only six teams to win an away league match at the Emirates.
  • Carlton Cole has scored more Premier League goals than any other player (38) without ever hitting more than one in a match.
  • Manchester City are the only Premier League away team to keep a clean sheet at the Emirates Stadium in 2010.
  • West Ham have scored exactly one goal in each of their last six Premier League games.
  • Arsenal have won more penalties (4) and seen more opponents sent off (4) than any other side in the Premier League.


Blackburn Rovers v Chelsea
  • Blackburn have scored just one goal in total in their last eight Premier League games against Chelsea.
  • Nicolas Anelka has scored 10 goals in 14 Premier League appearances against Blackburn, more than against any other side.
  • Didier Drogba has scored five goals in six Premier League appearances against Blackburn.
  • Rovers have only won one of the last 11 matches against Chelsea in all competitions and that was on penalties in last season's Carling Cup.
  • Florent Malouda has scored seven goals in his last eight Premier League starts for Chelsea.
  • Rovers have won only one of their last eight Premier League games.
  • Chelsea have gone 301 minutes without conceding a Premier League goal.


Everton v Stoke City
  • Everton are unbeaten in their last 11 matches against Stoke in all competitions.
  • The Toffees have won only three of their last seven Premier League games at home.
  • Chelsea are the only team to have managed a clean sheet against Stoke in the Premier League this season.
  • Everton are the only side not to have conceded a goal in the closing 15 minutes of games this season.
  • Only Blackpool have conceded as many first half goals as Stoke (10) this season.
  • 90% of Stoke's goals this season have come in the second half.


Fulham v Wigan Athletic
  • There has only been a total of 14 goals in 10 Premier League meetings between Fulham and Wigan.
  • Fulham are unbeaten in their last seven league games against Wigan, though five of the games have been draws.
  • The Whites have kept only two clean sheets in their last 13 Premier League games.
  • Fulham's last three goals have come in the first 33 minutes of games.
  • Fulham's four home games this season have seen a total of 52 corners, an average of 13 per game.
  • Wigan games have averaged only 8.2 corners per game this season, fewer than any other side.
  • But Wigan's only previous trip to London this season saw their game at White Hart Lane produce a season-high 23 corners.


Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
  • Spurs have won none of their last 67 matches away from home against the Premier League's "Big Four" since August 1993 - Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.
  • Wayne Rooney has scored five goals in six Premier League appearances for Manchester United against Spurs.
  • Manchester United have won 18 and lost none of their last 22 matches in the league against Tottenham.
  • Manchester United have won three penalties in their last two Premier League home matches against Spurs.
  • United have conceded two or more goals in five of their nine league games this season.
  • United have scored in 58 of their last 60 Premier League home games.
  • Spurs' last league win at Old Trafford came in December 1989 (1-0).


Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City
  • Carlos Tevez scored twice in this fixture last season.
  • Wolves are the only Premier League team not to have kept a clean sheet this season.
  • Wolves have not won since the opening day and have lost five of their last six games.
  • City have gone three games without keeping a clean sheet.
  • Manchester City have not won three successive Premier League away games since April 2007.
  • No team has scored fewer second half goals than Wanderers this season, two.
  • Christophe Berra has picked up three yellows and one red card in his last six Premier League appearances.


Aston Villa v Birmingham City
  • Birmingham were unbeaten in the first six Premier League derbies with Villa, but have lost the last six in a row.
  • Gabriel Agbonlahor has scored in three of the last four derbies with Birmingham, each time in the last 15 minutes of games.
  • The Blues have scored in five of their six Premier League games at Villa Park.
  • Villa have gone 254 minutes without a Premier League goal.
  • City have won only three of their last 19 Premier League games.
  • Birmingham have won more Premier League midlands derbies away from home (7) than they have at St Andrews (5).
  • All three of Lee Bowyer's Premier League bookings this season have come in away games.


Bolton Wanderers v Liverpool
  • Liverpool have won the last seven Premier League meetings with Bolton.
  • Ryan Babel has scored in two of his three Premier League appearances against Bolton.
  • Steven Gerrard has scored seven goals against Bolton (only against Villa has he been more prolific) including in each of his last two visits to the Reebok Stadium.
  • Liverpool have not scored a league goal that wasn't either scored or assisted by Gerrard or Torres since the opening day of the season.
  • Eight of the Reds' nine Premier League goals this season have come in the second half.
  • All five of Johan Elmander's goals in the Premier League this season have come away from home.
  • Liverpool have won just one of their last 13 Premier League away matches.


Newcastle United v Sunderland
  • Newcastle have won 49 league matches against Sunderland.
  • Shola Ameobi has scored four goals in his last three Premier League appearances against Sunderland.
  • Sunderland have only won one of the last 11 Premier League matches against Newcastle.
  • Sunderland are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games, their best run in the top flight since the 1999/00 campaign.
  • Newcastle have lost only six of the 42 north east derbies they've played in the Premier League.
  • Sunderland have seen more opponents yellow carded (23) than any other side this season.
  • Sunderland have won only nine of their 55 Premier League games on a Sunday.


Blackpool v West Bromwich Albion
  • West Brom have scored three goals in each of the last three league games against Blackpool.
  • Both of last season's meetings in the Championship were won 3-2 with a penalty scored by Graeme Dorrans.
  • West Brom have scored a penalty in each of their last three league games against Blackpool, each time in the 78th minute or later.
  • West Brom have won only two of 17 Premier League games in November.
  • West Brom have won none of their 10 Premier League games on a Monday.
  • Blackpool's three Premier League home games have seen a total of 37 corners, an average of 12.3 per game.

SPL Opta Facts – October 30-31

Statistics and facts to help your football betting are available every week at Sta Sam Ti Reko courtesy of Opta Sportsdata, Europe's leading provider of sports performance statistics.

St Johnstone v Celtic
  • Last season Celtic won all three meetings with the Saints by a three-goal margin.
  • Georgios Samaras has scored in his last two matches against St Johnstone.
  • The Bhoys are on a run of nine straight wins against the Saints in the SPL.
  • Celtic have never scored more than twice on the road under Neil Lennon in the SPL.
  • No Celtic player has hit more than four goals in the SPL this season.
  • St Johnstone have never won three consecutive home SPL games.



Dundee United v Hibernian
  • The Terrors have won four of their last seven meetings with the Hibs, though lost the last encounter at Tannadice.
  • Colin Nish has scored four goals in his last three starts against Dundee United.
  • United have kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 league matches.
  • Hibs have taken all three points in just one of their last eight SPL matches.
  • David Goodwillie has scored in five consecutive matches for United in all competitions.


Motherwell v Hamilton
  • Motherwell have won all three of their SPL matches at home to Hamilton.
  • The Accies are yet to score at Fir Park in the SPL.
  • The Steelmen have claimed maximum points in   four of their last six league games.
  • The Accies' last four league wins have all come away from home.
  • Motherwell have conceded only one first-half goal this season.



Rangers v Inverness CT
  • Rangers have won only three of their eight matches at home to Caley Thistle in the SPL, losing twice.
  • Only Dundee United (three times) and Celtic (eight) have won more often at Ibrox in the SPL than Inverness.
  • The Gers' last six defeats at Ibrox have been by a 0-1 scoreline.
  • Rangers have won just three of the last seven matches after winning an Old Firm Derby in the SPL.
  • Caley Thistle are unbeaten in four SPL games, winning three.
  • Only Rangers (12) have picked up more points from their last four SPL games than Inverness (10).
  • 15 of Rangers' 27 points this season have come in matches in which they have been trailing.



St Mirren v Aberdeen
  • St Mirren have picked up just one win from their last 13 SPL clashes with Aberdeen.
  • The last five clashes between the sides at St Mirren have produced only six goals in total.
  • All three of Aberdeen's wins this season in the SPL have come in the four games that Sone Aluko has started.
  • Scott Vernon has hit seven goals in his last seven appearances for Aberdeen in all competitions.
  • St Mirren have lost just one of their four home games this season.
  • St Mirren are yet to score in the first half-hour of an SPL match this season.



Hearts v Kilmarnock
  • Hearts have won their last five league meetings with Kilmarnock.
  • Victory over St Mirren last time out ended a run of seven consecutive league matches without a win at home for Hearts.
  • Former Kilmarnock man Kevin Kyle has either scored or assisted four of Hearts' last seven SPL goals.
  • Six of Kilmarnock's nine games this season have ended 2-1, including their last three (all defeats).
  • The Jambos have hit four goals from outside the box, more than any other side in the SPL.

Spanish La Liga Opta Facts - 30-31 October

Statistics and facts to help your football betting are available every week at Sta Sam Ti Reko courtesy of Opta Sportsdata, Europe's leading provider of sports performance statistics.

Atletico Madrid v Almeria
  • This will be the 11th meeting between these two sides in the top-flight: Atletico lead by four wins to three, with three draws.
  • However, last season Almeria remained unbeaten, holding the Colchoneros to a 2-2 draw at the Calderon, before winning at home 1-0.
  • That 2-2 draw ended a run of four consecutive wins for Atletico at home against Almeria in La Liga.
  • Atletico have not shared the points in their last 19 games at home in the league (13 wins, including the last two, and six defeats).
  • Atletico have not conceded goals in three of their last four games at home, while Almeria have failed to score in three of their last four on the road.



Athletic Bilbao v Getafe
  • Getafe are unbeaten in their last four league meetings against Athletic (two wins and as many draws).
  • The record of previous meetings between these two sides at the San Mames is three wins for Athletic, two for Getafe and a draw (2-2 in the last meeting, back in March).
  • The Basques have lost three of their last four league games, while Getafe have won three in their last four without conceding a single goal.
  • Only Malaga (19) have conceded more goals than Athletic (14) so far in this campaign.
  • The Basque side have also scored the most goals in the last 15 minutes of play (six).
  • Getafe have conceded 70% of their goals (seven out of ten) after the break this season.



Barcelona v Sevilla
  • Barcelona have won their last four La Liga encounters against Sevilla, scoring 14 goals in the process.
  • Barcelona won 4-0 in their last two competitive home games against Sevilla (Super Cup and La Liga), with Lionel Messi scoring five goals in the process.
  • Sevilla have lost all of their last six trips to the Camp Nou in La Liga, conceding at least two goals in each of these defeats.
  • Sevilla have kept just one clean sheet this season in La Liga, only Málaga have managed as few.
  • The Blaugrana are on a run of five wins and a draw in the league, never conceding more than one goal per game in the process.
  • Lionel Messi has netted eight goals in eight La Liga appearances against Sevilla.
  • Sevilla have not registered a single draw on the road in La Liga since the 2008/09 season, a run of 24 away games (12 wins and as many defeats).



Deportivo La Coruña v Espanyol
  • Espanyol have won their last three league meetings against Deportivo.
  • However, prior to last September's 3-2 defeat, Deportivo had kept three consecutive clean sheets at home against Espanyol.
  • These two sides have shared the points only once in the last 12 league meetings at the Riazor (0-0 in January 2007).
  • Deportivo are still winless this season, in light of four draws and as many defeats in the first eight match-days of La Liga.
  • The Galician side have failed to score in four of their last five fixtures in La Liga, and currently have the competition's worst attack with three goals.
  • Espanyol have not shared the points in their last 13 league fixtures (seven wins, including the last two, and six defeats).
  • A 1-0 win at Mallorca's ground ended a run of five consecutive defeats on the road for the Catalans between this and last season, in which they had not scored a single goal.



Hércules v Real Madrid
  • Real Madrid have never lost an away match against Hércules: 15 wins and four draws in Alicante, it is currently their longest away run without ever losing against a single La Liga opponent.
  • Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last 14 away games in the league, their longest run since 1997.
  • Real Madrid are yet to fall behind during a league game this season, and have not conceded a single goal in the first half so far.
  • Real Madrid have scored the most goals (22) and conceded the fewest (four) this season in La Liga.
  • Real Madrid have scored four goals or more in their last three Liga games, the Merengues had not managed such a prolific run since 1989.
  • 88% of Hércules goals have been netted in the first half of games (seven out of eight), a La Liga record this season.



Malaga v Real Sociedad
  • These two sides have met 50 times so far in La Liga: the record is perfectly even, with both teams winning 18 times, and 14 draws.
  • Real Sociedad have won three of the last four meetings against Malaga at La Rosaleda, but the hosts had the better in the last one, in November 2005.
  • Malaga have picked up only one point from their last three league games (a 1-1 draw against Almeria), and are on a run of four consecutive defeats at home.
  • Real Sociedad have collected only one point on the road this season, and have lost their last three games away from home.
  • Malaga have the worst defence of this campaign (19 goals conceded so far).
  • Malaga have dropped the most points from leading situations in La Liga this season (eight).



Mallorca v Levante
  • Monday games have produced an average of four goals per match (24 goals in six games) this season in La Liga.
  • Mallorca are unbeaten in their last four encounters against Levante in La Liga, winning three and drawing one.
  • Mallorca have conceded just one goal at the Iberostar Estadi this season, only Villarreal have shipped fewer at home (0).
  • A Mallorca player has netted a brace in each of the last two La Liga meetings between these two sides (Daniel Güiza on 20th January 2008 and Ariel Ibagaza on 26th August 2007).
  • Levante have won just 11 of their 91 away games in La Liga history, one of these victories was at Mallorca (2-1 in 2005).



Racing Santander v Osasuna
  • Racing are unbeaten in their last 10 league meetings against Osasuna, and have kept a clean sheet in five of these games.
  • Racing are also unbeaten in the last seven at home against Osasuna, though they have been held to a 1-1 draw in the last two.
  • Racing have scored exactly one goal on each of their last four occasions they have hosted Osasuna at El Sardinero in La Liga.
  • The goalless draw in their last away game against Deportivo ended a run of 11 consecutive defeats on the road for Osasuna in La Liga.
  • The team from Pamplona have not scored a single goal in their last four games on the road in this competition.
  • Racing have conceded the most goals in the first 15 minutes of play this season in La Liga (six).



Sporting Gijon v Villarreal
  • This will be the fifth meeting between these two sides in La Liga: Villarreal have won three times, with Sporting having the better in the last meeting at El Molinon, last November.
  • Sporting have managed only two wins in their last 18 league fixtures, the last coming in their last game at home (2-0 against Sevilla).
  • After losing on the opening day of this campaign (1-0 against Real Sociedad), Villarreal have notched-up six wins and one draw in their ensuing seven games, enough to reach second spot in La Liga, one point behind Real Madrid.
  • This is currently Villarreal's best ever start to a top-flight campaign (19 points).
  • Villarreal have already scored 12 goals in the first half this season - a league-high.
  • Sporting have lost each of the four games in which they have fallen behind this term, while Villarreal have a 100% record in the six games in which they have taken the lead so far.



Valencia v Real Zaragoza
  • Real Zaragoza have not won any of their last 15 trips to the Mestalla in the top flight (10 defeats and five draws), a run that started in 1994.
  • Real Zaragoza have not won any of their last 10 La Liga games, losing six and drawing four, currently the longest winless run in the Spanish top flight.
  • Valencia and Athletic Bilbao are the only teams who have scored in all eight match days this season.
  • Zaragoza have had a player sent off in each of the last three match days.
  • Real Zaragoza have won just seven of their 32 La Liga games under manager José Aurelio Gay (11 draws and 14 defeats completed the record).
  • Valencia are the most prolific Liga team in the opening 15 minutes of games this season with five goals.

Italian Serie A Opta Facts - 30-31 October

Statistics and facts to help your football betting are available every week at Sta Sam Ti Reko courtesy of Opta Sportsdata, Europe's leading provider of sports performance statistics

Bari v Udinese
  • These two sides have met 22 times in the top-flight: Bari lead by 10 wins to five, with seven draws.
  • Bari are unbeaten against Udinese at home in 11 Serie A meetings (eight wins and three draws).
  • Giampiero Ventura's side are on a run of three consecutive defeats in the league, and have managed only one win from their last seven games.
  • However, at home Bari suffered only one defeat in their last six fixtures, winning four of these.
  • After losing five consecutive games between the end of last season and the beginning of this campaign, Udinese have picked up 10 points from their last four games.
  • Udinese won their last away game against Brescia - prior to that, they had lost three and drawn two on the road in the league.
  • Udinese's current manager, Francesco Guidolin, has won four of his six previous meetings against Giampiero Ventura in the top flight.



Brescia v Napoli
  • This is match number 35 between these two sides in Serie A: Napoli lead by 13 wins to eight, with also 13 draws.
  • Napoli have managed to beat Brescia only once in their last eight Serie A meetings, three wins for the Rondinelle and four draws in the process.
  • Brescia are on a run of four consecutive defeats in the league, and have lost six of their last nine in this competition.
  • However, at home Brescia have won three of their last four games; a defeat against Udinese in their last match at the Rigamonti completes the record.
  • Napoli are still unbeaten away from home this season in all competitions (three wins and as many draws).
  • Brescia have scored only one goal in the second half so far - a Serie A-low. Napoli have been the most prolific side after the break (10 goals).
  • In fact Napoli have gained the most points from losing situations so far (nine), but have also lost the most after having taken the lead in their previous eight games (seven).



Cagliari v Bologna
  • Cagliari are unbeaten in their last four meetings against Bologna in Serie A: three consecutive wins, prior to the draw on the closing match-day of the last campaign.
  • At home, the Sardinians have lost only one of their last 10 meetings with Bologna, winning three times and sharing the points on six occasions.
  • Cagliari are winless in their last six fixtures in the league (three draws and as many defeats), and have failed to score in four of these games.
  • Overall, the Sardinians have managed only one win from their last 22 Serie A games (5-1 against Roma on match-day 2 this season); 10 draws and 11 defeats in the process.
  • Bologna have won only one of their last 11 games, sharing the points on eight occasions.
  • Bologna have not won any of their last 10 games on the road (five draws and as many defeats).
  • Alessandro Matri has scored four of Cagliari's last five goals in this competition, while Marco Di Vaio netted six of Bologna's eight.



Catania v Fiorentina
  • Catania have won only three of their 26 meetings with Fiorentina in Serie A: the Viola have had the better 17 times, with only six draws so far.
  • Prior to Catania's win in the last meeting in March, Fiorentina had gone unbeaten in 15 consecutive games against the Sicilians in the league (12 wins and three draws).
  • Catania have scored only four goals in their last 16 meeetings with Fiorentina in the top-flight.
  • Marco Giampaolo's side are winless in the last four match-days of this campaign (two draws and as many defeats).
  • However, Catania have never conceded more than a single goal per game over the last seven match-days of Serie A.
  • At home, Catania are still unbeaten in 2010 (nine wins and six draws).
  • Fiorentina are winless in their last eight games on the road (six defeats and two draws), and have not managed to score more than a single goal in any of these fixtures.



Cesena v Sampdoria
  • Sampdoria are unbeaten in the last six Serie A meetings with Cesena (four wins for the Blucerchiati and two draws), and have conceded only one goal in the process.
  • Cesena have managed only one win in their last 12 meetings with Sampdoria in the top-flight, losing on seven occasions, four draws complete the record.
  • Cesena have picked up only one point from the last five match-days of this competition (1-1 at home against Parma).
  • Sampdoria have drawn four of their last five league fixtures, a last-gasp 2-1 win at home against Fiornetina completes the record.
  • Away from home, Sampdoria are unbeaten in their last seven league games, but have been held to a draw in the last five.
  • Sampdoria have scored 80% of their goals (eight out of 10) after the break - currently the highest ratio in Serie A.



Genoa v Inter
  • This will be the 87th meeting between these two sides in Serie A: Inter lead by 42 wins to 17, with 27 draws, including 0-0 in the last meeting back in March at the San Siro.
  • Genoa have picked up only three points from their last seven league meetings with Inter, in light of three draws; four Inter wins complete the record, including 5-0 in the last meeting at the Marassi in October 2009.
  • Genoa have not scored a single goal in their last four Serie A meetings with Inter (two goalless draws and two home defeats).
  • Genoa have managed to score more than a single goal only once in the last seven match-days of this campaign.
  • Inter currently boast the best defence in Serie A (only four goals conceded over the first eight match-days).
  • Away from home, the Italian champions have shipped only two goals in the last six fixtures between this season and last.
  • Samuel Eto'o has already scored 15 goals in 13 games in all competitions for Inter this season; the Cameroon player is currently Serie A's top-scorer on seven goals.



AC Milan v Juventus
  • These two sides have met 150 times in Serie A so far: Juventus lead by 51 wins to 46, but the result that has accrued the most is the draw (53 times).
  • Last season the Rossoneri had the better in both fixtures against Juve, both by 3-0.
  • Ronaldinho scored a brace in each of those two games; Juventus are the Serie A side against whom Ronaldinho has scored the most goals so far (four).
  • Juventus have managed to beat AC Milan at the San Siro only once in their last 12 trips; four wins for the hosts and seven draws complete the record.
  • AC Milan are still unbeaten at home in 2010 (10 wins and five draws).
  • Juventus have won only one of their last 10 games on the road in Serie A, and have drawn the last two by 0-0.
  • Overall, Luigi Del Neri's side have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three league games.
  • Juventus boast the best attack of this competition so far (16 goals).



Palermo v Lazio
  • The record of previous meetings between these two sides sees Lazio leading by 16 wins to 15, with nine draws.
  • Palermo have had the better in the last two meetings against Lazio at the Barbera (2-0 in May 2009 and 3-1 in February 2010).
  • Palermo have collected only five points at home this season - only two sides have done worse so far.
  • Lazio have picked up the most points away from home (nine), in light of three wins against Fiorentina, Chievo and Bari.
  • The Biancocelesti are currently top of the Serie A table on 19 points after eight match-days: currently their best ever start to a top-flight campaign.
  • In 1999/2000, when they won the Scudetto, Lazio had 18 after the first eight games of the season.
  • Palermo have already conceded three goals in the first 15 minutes of play this season, while five of Lazio's six total goals have been conceded after the break.



Parma v Chievo
  • This will be the 15th meeting between Parma and Chievo in the top-flight: the record is perfectly even so far, with both winning five times, and four draws (including last March's 0-0).
  • Chievo have won at the Tardini only once so far (1-0 in November 2002); the hosts have had the better three times with as many draws completing the record.
  • Parma are winless since their opening fixture of this campaign (2-0 win against Brescia); since then the Ducali have drawn four times (including the last two fixtures), losing on three occasions.
  • Pasquale Marino's side have scored only one goal in their last three games, and share with Udinese and Cesena the joint-worst attack of this campaign (only six goals scored).
  • Chievo have scored seven goals away from home this season, only Napoli and Palermo have managed more this season (eight).
  • Chievo have conceded the most goals in the first half so far (seven out of the nine shipped in total in this competition).



Roma v Lecce
  • Lecce have won only one of their 26 previous meetings with Roma in Serie A (3-2 at the Olimpico in April 1986); 17 wins for Roma and eight draws complete the record.
  • Roma have won their last three meetings with Lecce, scoring always three goals per game.
  • Roma have won an average of 2.27 points per game against Lecce so far in Serie A, more than against any other opponent in this competition.
  • After drawing at the Olimpico against Cesena and Bologna, Claudio Ranieri's side have won the ensuing two games at home against Inter and Genoa.
  • Lecce have won only one of their 11 total points this season away from home ( a 2-2 draw at Palermo).
  • Lecce won their last league game at home, against Brescia last Sunday; the last time they managed two consecutive wins in Serie A was in 2006; since then they have gone 51 fixtures without back-to-back wins.
  • Lecce have failed to score in three of their four games on the road this season.
  • Francesco Totti is waiting for his first goal this season in Serie A; the Capitano has already netted 10 in 10 previous meetings against Lecce in Serie A.

French Ligue 1 Opta Facts - 30-31 October

Statistics and facts to help your football betting are available every week at Sta Sam Ti Reko courtesy of Opta Sportsdata, Europe's leading provider of sports performance statistics.

Auxerre - Nice
  • Auxerre have won none of their last seven home league games, drawing six and losing one, their longest-ever winless run at the Abbe-Deschamps stadium.
  • Auxerre won both of their matches against Nice last season, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
  • Nice have scored just one goal in their last five trips to Auxerre in the league.
  • Nice have failed to score in their last three away games in the league.
  • Auxerre have scored more first-half goals than any other team this season in Ligue 1 (nine).
  • Nice are one of two teams who have managed to win a game despite being on the losing time at half-time this season in Ligue 1.
  • No Nice player has scored more than two goals this season in Ligue 1.



Brest - St Etienne
  • Brest are one of two unbeaten teams at home this season in the league.
  • St Etienne are unbeaten in their last four Ligue 1 meetings against Brest, three wins and one draw.
  • St Etienne are the last team to defeat Brest at the Francis-le-Ble stadium in the top flight, on 10th May 1991.
  • St Etienne have failed to win their last three matches in the league, their longest winless run this season.
  • Brest have conceded the fewest goals this season in Ligue 1 (four), they have kept a clean sheet in the least seven match days, the longest run by any Ligue 1 team since 2002/03 (Guingamp).
  • The four Ligue 1 games played at the Francis-le-Ble stadium have produced a league-low three goals.
  • St Etienne have scored in nine league matches this term, only title-holders Marseille have scored in more games.


Caen - Nancy
  • Caen have failed to score in their last three home games in Ligue 1.
  • Nancy have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven away games in the top flight.
  • Nancy are unbeaten in their last five league encounters against Caen, winning two and drawing three.
  • Eight of the 11 points picked up by Nancy have been collected on the road, which amounts to 72%, the highest ratio in Ligue 1.
  • Nancy have not won a penalty in any of their last 32 Ligue 1 games, currently the longest run.
  • Youssef El Arabi has scored Caen's last four goals in the league.
  • Julien Feret has either scored or assisted 60% of Nancy's goals this season (three goals and three assists).


Lorient - Arles-Avignon
  • Lorient have won 2-1 their last two home games in Ligue 1.
  • Lorient have conceded exactly one goal in each of their last five Ligue 1 fixtures.
  • Arles-Avignon have drawn their last two league games (against Brest and Lyon).
  • Franck Dja Djedje has scored a record 75% of his team's goals this season in the league.
  • Arles-Avignon have yet to score more than one goal in a Ligue 1 game.
  • Arles-Avignon have scored the fewest goals his season in Ligue 1 (four) and conceded the most (21).
  • Faruk Hadzibegic has never won an away match as a Ligue 1 manager: four draws and 13 defeats.


Lyon - Sochaux
  • Sochaux have won just one of their last 15 league meetings against Lyon, however it happened in their last trip to the Gerland stadium, a 2-0 victory in 2009/10.
  • Sochaux are the only Ligue 1 side who have lost all of their away matches this season, they have conceded at least two goals in all four fixtures.
  • No visiting team has managed to score more than one goal at the Gerland stadium this calendar year in Ligue 1.
  • Michel Bastos has netted four goals against Sochaux in Ligue 1, more than versus any other club.
  • Jimmy Briand has either scored or assisted 55% of Lyon goals this season in the top flight (three goals and three assists).


Toulouse - Lens
  • Toulouse have failed to win their last three home games in Ligue 1, drawing one and losing two.
  • 10 of the 13 Toulouse goals this season in Ligue 1 have been netted in the last 30 minutes of their games.
  • Daniel Braaten is the only Toulouse player who has managed to score in the first half (three goals).
  • Lens have failed to win their last three away games in Ligue 1, drawing one and losing two.
  • Lens are the only Ligue 1 side who have yet to score a first-half goal.
  • Three Lens goals have been scored by substitutes (Issam Jemaa twice and David Pollet once), only Sochaux currently register as many.


Marseille - Rennes
  • Rennes top the league with just 19 points after 10 match days, no leader had registered such a low points-tally at this stage of the competition since Bastia in 2000.
  • Marseille have won 13 of their 16 home games in the league this calendar year and they scored in all 16.
  • Rennes have picked up only one point from their last nine trips to Marseille in Ligue 1.
  • Marseille have scored a league-high 18 goals this term.
  • Rennes are the only side who have yet to lose on the road this season in Ligue 1.
  • Marseille have scored 12 goals in their last four league encounters against Rennes.
  • Frederic Antonetti has lost seven of his nine trips to Marseille as a Ligue 1 manager.
  • Rennes have failed to win any of their three Ligue 1 games without striker Victor Montano.
  • Andre-Pierre Gignac is the Ligue 1 player with most matches played this season, without ever losing: eight.
  • 33% of the goals netted by Rennes have come from defenders (four out of 12), the highest ratio this season in Ligue 1.



Monaco - Bordeaux
  • Bordeaux are unbeaten in their last 12 league meetings against Monaco, winning eight and drawing four, keeping a clean sheet in the last three.
  • Monaco have scored just two goals at the Louis II stadium this season in the league, only Arles-Avignon have netted fewer goals at home.
  • Monaco have failed to score in the last three league games, currently the longest run without finding the net.
  • Jean Tigana has never lost against Guy Lacombe as a Ligue 1 manager (three wins and three draws).
  • Bordeaux striker Moussa Maazou has scored in each of his last three league appearances at the Louis II stadium, all three as a Monaco player.
  • All seven Monaco goals this season have been netted by foreign internationals.



Valenciennes - Lille
  • Valenciennes are unbeaten in their last seven home Northern derbies in the league, winning four and drawing two.
  • The away side has failed to score in the last six league meetings between these two sides.
  • Lille have failed to score in their last three trips to Valenciennes in Ligue 1, losing the last two.
  • Lille have conceded three goals in two consecutive Ligue 1 games for the first time since September 2006.
  • Valenciennes have yet to keep a clean sheet at home this season in the league.
  • Gregory Pujol has netted five goals this season in Ligue 1; his best-ever tally at this stage of the competition.
  • Strike partnership Gervinho (four goals) and Moussa Sow (five goals) have scored 69% of Lille goals this season in Ligue 1.


Montpellier - Paris SG
  • PSG have failed to win any of their last five competitive trips to the Mosson stadium, drawing three and losing two.
  • Paris SG have won two consecutive away league games for the first time since December 2007.
  • 78% of the goals conceded by PSG this season in Ligue 1 have come before the half-time break, the highest percentage in the league.
  • Nenê has scored six goals in his nine Ligue 1 appearances this season (0.7 per game); the Brazilian winger has netted more goals in October than any other month during his Ligue 1 career (seven).
  • Montpellier and Paris SG have both registered keep six clean sheets this season in the league, only Brest have managed more.