Friday, December 3, 2010

Premier League Opta Facts - 4th-6th December


Arsenal v Fulham

  • Robin van Persie has scored four goals in six Premier League starts against Fulham.
  • Fulham have never won away at Arsenal in any competition in 24 matches, losing 21.
  • Fulham have failed to score in four of the last five Premier League games against Arsenal.
  • Fulham have won just three of their 43 Premier League London derbies away from home and none of the last 32.
  • Arsenal have lost three of their last five Premier League matches at the Emirates.
  • The Gunners have not lost three home league games in succession since March 1977.
  • Fulham have won none of their last 25 Premier League away games, only one team has ever had a longer consecutive run in the Premier League (Fulham May 2006-March 2008).
  • Samir Nasri has scored six goals in his last 10 Premier League appearances for Arsenal.


Birmingham City v Tottenham Hotspur

  • There has been a 90th minute goal in five of the last six Premier League games between Birmingham and Tottenham, including each of the last four.
  • Spurs have only failed to score in one of their 12 Premier League games against Birmingham.
  • Birmingham have only lost one of their 11 home Premier League games against London sides since the arrival of Alex McLeish.
  • Tottenham have only won one game outside London this season in all competitions.
  • St Andrews has seen just 12 goals this season, the joint-fewest of any stadium.
  • Tottenham have recouped 16 points from losing positions, more than any other team and 11 more than they won from behind last season.
  • Spurs have gone 14 matches without a clean sheet in the Premier League.


Blackburn Rovers v Wolverhampton Wanderers


  • There have been 16 goals scored in the four Premier League games between Rovers and Wolves.
  • Wolves have scored exactly one goal in each of their last eight top flight matches against Blackburn.
  • Wolves have won none of their last 10 Premier League away games, losing the last six in a row.
  • Mick McCarthy's team have kept just one clean sheet in their last 18 away trips in the Premier League.
  • Wolves are the only Premier League team yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
  • Blackburn have kept only two clean sheets in their last 14 Premier League matches.



Chelsea v Everton

  • Five of the last seven Premier League meetings between Chelsea and Everton have ended as draws with one win apiece.
  • Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League home games against Everton but the last four in a row have ended as draws.
  • Didier Drogba has scored six goals in nine Premier League appearances against Everton.
  • Louis Saha has scored three goals in the last two Premier League games between Everton and Chelsea and seven against the Londoners in 12 Premier League matches overall.
  • Last season's win at Goodison Park ended a run of 18 Premier League games and 24 in all competitions without a win against Chelsea for Everton.
  • Chelsea's defeat to Sunderland was only their second loss in the last 37 Premier League home games and ended a run of 11 straight wins at Stamford Bridge.
  • The Londoners haven't lost two consecutive Premier League home games since May 2002.
  • Everton have drawn four of their last five Premier League away games and the last three in a row.


Manchester City v Bolton Wanderers

  • Carlos Tevez has scored five goals in eight Premier League games against Bolton and three in two for Man City.
  • Bolton have only won one of the last eight games in all competitions against City.
  • Bolton are unbeaten in their last five Premier League away games.
  • It is 14 games since Bolton last kept a Premier League clean sheet away from home.
  • Man City have failed to score in their last three home matches and it's now four hours and 45 minutes without a goal at home for the Citizens.
  • The City of Manchester Stadium has seen just 12 goals this season, the joint-fewest of any stadium.
  • Manchester City have collected just two wins in their last seven league games.
  • Bolton substitutes have scored more than any other team's replacements, five.


Wigan Athletic v Stoke City

  • Three of the four Premier League games between Wigan and Stoke have ended as draws.
  • Tuncay scored in both games for Stoke against Wigan last season.
  • Wigan have won none of the last three home games against the Potters.
  • Wigan haven't scored a first half goal at the DW Stadium this season, while Stoke haven't scored a first half goal away from home.
  • Wigan have scored fewer goals at home than any other team in the Premier League, six.
  • The Latics have only lost one of their last six Premier League home matches.
  • Stoke have drawn none of their last 10 Premier League away games.
  • Wigan have scored 82% of their goals after the break while Stoke have scored 89% after half-time, the two highest such percentages in the Premier League.


Blackpool v Manchester United

  • The last time Blackpool and Manchester United were both in the top flight the two encounters ended 1-1.
  • United are unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League away games, but have drawn six of the last seven.
  • Blackpool haven't kept a Premier League clean sheet at home, but only Blackburn have stopped them from scoring twice at Bloomfield Road.
  • Nani leads the league in terms of goal assists with eight to his name so far.
  • 88% of the goals Manchester United have conceded have been netted after the break, the highest percentage in the Premier League.


West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United

  • Five players have scored braces (two goals) in the last seven meetings between West Brom and Newcastle in all competitions.
  • Newcastle have won six and lost none of the eight Premier League meetings with West Brom.
  • West Brom have gone three hours and 50 minutes of Premier League football at the Hawthorns without scoring.
  • Newcastle have picked up 33 yellow cards, while West Brom have earned five red cards, both divisional highs.
  • Cheik Tioté has been booked in six of his last seven Premier League appearances.
  • Andy Carroll has scored four goals in Newcastle's last five Premier League games, but no other Magpie has found the net in those matches.
  • West Brom have only kept two clean sheets in their last 15 Premier League home games.


Sunderland v West Ham United

  • Sunderland have failed to score in seven of their last 11 Premier League meetings with West Ham.
  • The Black Cats have won only one of their last 11 Premier League games against the Hammers.
  • West Ham have already won at the Stadium of Light this season, when they beat Sunderland 2-1 in the Carling Cup.
  • West Ham have won none of their last 25 Premier League away games, only one team has ever had a longer consecutive run in the Premier League (Fulham May 2006-March 2008).
  • The Hammers have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 15 Premier League away games.
  • Sunderland have lost just one of the last 17 matches at the Stadium of Light.
  • After going 13 games without scoring for Sunderland in all competitions, Danny Welbeck has now scored in three successive matches.
  • Darren Bent has scored 16 goals in his last 23 Premier League appearances for Sunderland.


Liverpool v Aston Villa

  • Only one of the last seven meetings between Aston Villa and Liverpool has ended as a home win.
  • Steven Gerrard has scored nine goals against Villa, more than he has mustered versus any other team in the Premier League.
  • Villa have only won one of their last 17 Premier League matches against Liverpool, but that came last time out at Anfield.
  • Villa have only won one of their last eight Premier League away matches.
  • Aston Villa have dropped 12 points from winning positions this season, more than any other team in the Premier League.
  • 53% of the goals Aston Villa have scored have come in the first half, the highest proportion in the top division.
  • Liverpool have only scored one goal in the last 15 minutes of matches, fewer than any other team.
  • Fernando Torres has hit 44 goals in 48 Premier League appearances at Anfield.

Championship Opta Facts 4th-5th December


Ipswich v Swansea

  • Three of the last four meetings between these two sides have ended in a draw, including both games last season.
  • The Swans have managed just one win in their last seven visits to Portman Road (in all competitions).
  • The Tractor Boys are now without a win in four league games, netting a total of just two goals in those four games.
  • Six of the Swans' last eight league goals have come in the last 20 minutes of games, the other two came in the first six.



Cardiff v Preston

  • There has only been one away win in the last 11 clashes between the two sides.
  • Indeed, the away side has failed to score in any of the last four meetings between the Cardiff and Preston.
  • Jon Parkin has netted a total of three goals in the last three games between the two sides.
  • The Bluebirds have managed just one win in their last five Championship fixtures and have lost their last two games. However, they are yet to go three games without a win this season.



Coventry v Middlesbrough

  • Three of the last four clashes between the two sides have ended with the game all square.
  • The Sky Blues have managed just one win in their last five meetings with 'Boro at Highfield Road (in all competitions).
  • Coventry have either kept a clean sheet or conceded two or more goals in their last eight Championship matches.
  • 'Boro have only bagged four league goals on the road this season, a league-low.



Derby v Norwich

  • Derby have won their last three clashes with the Canaries.
  • Norwich have managed just one win (albeit 4-0, in Dec 2003) in their last eight visits to Pride Park in all competitions.
  • The Rams have netted a league-high 23 home goals this season.
  • Grant Holt has now netted four in his last three league games for Norwich after managing just one in the previous nine.



Doncaster v Barnsley

  • The last three meetings between the two sides have ended in 1-0 wins for the away side (two for Barnsley, one for Rovers).
  • James Hayter has netted five goals in Rovers' last six league games.
  • The Tykes are unbeaten in their last four league games, shipping a total of just two goals in those games.
  • Roves have only failed to score in one home game in the league this season.



Hull v QPR

  • There hasn't been an away win in a league clash between these two sides in the last 12 meetings, with the last away win coming for QPR in 1970 (2-1).
  • The Tigers are now unbeaten in four league games, their best run of the season so far.
  • Rangers remain unbeaten in the league this season, although they have drawn six of their last nine league games, including the last four on the road.
  • Adel Taarabt has bagged a total of three goals in his last two games.




Leeds United v Crystal Palace

  • Leeds have won five of their last seven meetings with Palace in all competitions.
  • There has only been one draw in the last 12 meetings between the two sides in all competitions.
  • United have drawn three of their last four league matches.
  • The Eagles are the division's worst performers on the road this season, picking up a joint-low four points from away league games and losing seven out of nine on the road.



Millwall v Scunthorpe

  • Scunthorpe have won their last five games against Millwall in all competitions.
    Millwall have won just one of their previous home games in the league against the Iron.
    Only three sides have won more points away from home than Scunthorpe (15) in the Championship so far this season.
  • There have been just two goals scored in the Lions' last three league matches.




Nottingham Forest v Bristol City

  • Five of the last six meetings between the two sides have ended in draws, with both games last season ending 1-1.
  • Forest remain one of just two sides still unbeaten at home in the Championship (along with QPR).
  • The Robins have lost just one of their last eight league games.
  • Brett Pitman has bagged three in his last two games for City, including two from the penalty spot against Sheffield United in City's last game.



Portsmouth v Burnley

  • Pompey have won each of their last five meetings (in all competitions) with Burnley and are now unbeaten in the last 11 games against the Clarets.
  • Burnley are the only side in the Championship yet to win on the road this season.
  • However, overall Burnley have lost just one of their last six league fixtures.
  • Portsmouth have managed just one victory in their last five league fixtures.



Sheffield United v Reading

  • The Blades have won each of their last three meetings with Reading, netting three goals in both victories last season.
  • Four of the last six meetings between the two sides have ended in wins for the away side.
  • United have enjoyed just one win in their last five league games at Bramall Lane.
  • Irish striker Noel Hunt has netted three in his last four games for the Royals.



Watford v Leicester

  • The last four games between these two sides have produced a total of 17 goals.
  • The Hornets have managed just one victory against The Foxes in their last 10 meetings at Vicarage Road.
  • Watford are without a win in their last seven league games.
  • The Foxes have lost just one of their last five Championship fixtures.

La liga Opta Facts - 4-6th December


Almeria v Real Zaragoza
  • Almeria and Real Zaragoza have both won three of their eight meetings in La Liga, drawing twice.
  • However Almeria have won three of the four clashes at the Estadio del Mediterráneo.
  • Only twice in the previous eight meetings between the sides have either Almeria or Real Zaragoza managed to score more than once.
  • Almeria are the only side in La Liga yet to win at home this season, though Zaragoza are one of only four yet to pick up all three points on the road.
  • Only Almeria (6) and Barcelona (3) have conceded fewer goals away from home in La Liga this season than Los Blanquillos (7).
  • Nicolás Bertolo has scored in three of Real Zaragoza's last four league matches.


Deportivo La Coruña v Hercules
  • Deportivo have won their last four meetings against Hercules in La Liga, conceding only one goal in the process.
  • Overall, these two sides have never shared the points in the top league: with seven wins for the Galicians, three for Hercules.
  • Deportivo have come out on top in each of their five league games against Hercules at the Riazor.
  • Deportivo have won their last two league games at home by a score of 3-0.
  • Hercules by contrast have lost their last two away games by a score of 0-3.
  • Between them, Nelson Valdez (six) and David Trezeguet (seven) have scored 13 of Hercules' 14 league goals this season.
  • Trezeguet is yet to score away from home though.
  • Hercules are the only Spanish top-flight side yet to score in the final 15 minutes of matches this season.


Espanyol v Sporting Gijon
  • Espanyol have beaten Sporting Gijon only once in their last eight meetings (3-0 in April 2009), losing five times and sharing the points twice in this period.
  • The Catalonians have failed to score in four of their last five meetings against Sporting Gijon in La Liga.
  • Sporting are unbeaten in their last seven visits to Espanyol (four draws and three wins).
  • Every single one of Espanyol's league matches this season has been won by the side that has opened the scoring.
  • Espanyol have won their last seven league matches at home, only Real Madrid (nine) are on a longer such run in La Liga.
  • Sporting Gijon are without a win in the league since September, a run of nine games.

Levante v Atletico Madrid
  • Levante have picked up only one point from their last five league meetings against Atletico Madrid.
  • Levante have failed to score in each of these five fixtures against the Colchoneros.
  • Levante have netted only one goal in their last nine encounters with Atletico in the top-flight.
  • The record at Levante's ground is three wins for the visitors (including the last two fixtures) and two for the hosts.
  • Atlético have won only two of their last 16 away matches in the league, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of these games.
  • Levante have lost five of their last six Liga BBVA clashes.

  Getafe v Mallorca
  • These two sides have met 12 times in the top-flight: Mallorca lead in the head-to-head by six wins to three, with three draws.
  • However Getafe are unbeaten in their last five meetings at home to Mallorca (three wins and two draws), with the guests having the better only on their first visit to the Coliseum.
  • Last Saturday's win over Sevilla (3-1) ended a run of three defeats and a draw for the Azulones in La Liga.
  • Mallorca have won two of their last three games on the road (against Valencia and Sevilla); a defeat at Real Zaragoza completes their record.
  • Getafe have only lost one of their last four league games at home, against Barcelona.
  • El Geta have seen five opponents sent off in La Liga this season, only Barcelona (six) have seen more.
  • Mallorca have given away the most penalties in Liga BBVA this season (six).

Malaga v Racing
  • Racing have won two of their last three league games at the Rosaleda.
  • A win over Levante in their last match ended a run of six straight league defeats for Malaga at home this season.
  • Malaga have the worst defence in La Liga this season (27 goals conceded).
  • Manuel Pellegrini's side have failed to score in three of their last four fixtures.
  • Racing's last win away from home was last March (3-1 in Pamplona vs Osasuna); since then, they have picked up only three draws on the road, losing eight fixtures between this and last season.
  • Racing would be joint-bottom of this competition if only away games counted.
  • However if only home form counted, Malaga would be bottom.

Osasuna v Barcelona
  • Barcelona have won on only one of their last five trips to Osasuna in the league.
  • Moreover, the Blaugrana have been unable to find the net before the 73rd minute in any of their last three league meetings with Osasuna.
  • However Los Rojillos have failed to find the net in eight of their last 12 league meetings with Barcelona.
  • Osasuna are one of only four sides still unbeaten at home in La Liga.
  • José Antonio Camacho's men have kept a clean sheet in their last three matches at the Reyno de Navarra.
  • Barcelona have scored at least three times in each of their last five league matches, hitting a total of 24 goals.
  • The game vs Real Madrid was only the third time Lionel Messi had failed to score in a league match this season (11 appearances) and the first in which he failed to get a shot on target.


Real Madrid v Valencia
  • Real Madrid were the only side to beat Valencia both home and away in La Liga last season.
  • Los Merengues have found the net in all but one of their last 25 league meetings at home to Valencia.
  • José Mourinho's side are on a run of nine consecutive wins at home in LigaBBVA, longer than any other side.
  • Real have kept only two clean sheets in their last eight league fixtures.
  • The game against Atlético Madrid was the only time that Cristiano Ronaldo had failed to score or assist a goal in a league match at home this season.
  • After taking just one point from four league games, Valencia have taken seven from the last nine available.
  • Real have won every game in which they have taken the lead this season in the league.


Real Sociedad v Athletic Bilbao
  • Bilbao have scored in each of their last 10 trips to Anoeta in the Spanish top flight.
  • Athletic have only lost on one of their last five league visits to Real Sociedad.
  • Both home and away, La Real can claim only one win in their last nine league meetings with Bilbao.
  • Real Sociedad have not drawn a league match since the second matchday of the season, winning five and losing six since.
  • For their part, Bilbao have not drawn since the third match of the campaign.
  • Bilbao are the only side to have scored in every Liga BBVA match this season.
  • Bilbao have conceded at least four goals in their last three matches away from home in the league this season.

Villarreal v Sevilla
  • Villarreal's 3-0 win over Sevilla at El Madrigal in March ended a run of four straight league defeats against the Rojiblancos.
  • Despite this, the Yellow Submarine have lost only one of their last eight league games at home to Sevilla.
  • Juan Carlos Garrido has won 55% of his top-flight league games in charge of Villarreal, more than any other boss at the club.
  • During his tenure, the Yellow Submarine have been defeated just once at home in the league (1-4 vs Barcelona in May), winning 12 of 14 games.
  • Villarreal's run of six straight league wins at the Madrigal came to an end in their last match there (1-1 draw with Valencia).
  • Sevilla have failed to score in three of their last four away matches in the league.
  • Villarreal have claimed nine points from losing positions in La Liga this season, more than any other side.

Italian Serie A Opta Facts - 4th-5th December


Catania - Juventus
  • In the top flight Juventus have won 12 of their 24 encounters against the Sicilian side, seven draws and five defeats complete the record.
  • In the last six league games between these two teams though, the Bianconeri have won just once and have shared the points four times (all 1-1).
  • The last time Catania won this fixture at home in Serie A was back in 1964, 3-1, since then there have been three draws and three away wins.
  • Marco Giampaolo's men have lost only once in their last six league games, the derby game against Palermo, and have won twice.
  • The Bianconeri are unbeaten in their last 10 league matches.
  • Catania are unbeaten at home in the league in 2010, 11 wins and seven draws, at the moment the longest home unbeaten run in the league.
  • Following their defeat in their first away game of the season at Bari, Juventus have won three times and drawn as many games on the road.
  • In these six away matches, the Bianconeri have conceded just two goals.


Cesena - Bologna
  • Half of the top flight matches between these two sides have ended in a draw (five goalless), five wins for the newly promoted team and three for Bologna along the way.
  • At home Cesena have never lost a Serie A game against Bologna, four wins and four draws.
  • Cesena have won only once in their last 11 league fixtures and lost eight times.
  • Bologna have not won in their last 13 league away fixtures, eight defeats and five draws.
  • Cesena, together with Bari and Genoa, have scored the fewest goals this season, just 10.
  • The highest number of goals Cesena have scored in a single Serie A game is four and it has happened five times in their history, once against Bologna (4-1 in 1981/82).


Chievo - Roma
  • Chievo have not beaten Roma in the league in their last 13 meetings, seven draws and six defeats in the process.
  • The team from Verona have not scored a single goal against the Giallorossi in their last four Serie A encounters.
  • At home Chievo have never won against Roma in the top flight, four defeats and as many draws.
  • Chievo have failed to score in four of their last five Serie A matches.
  • Chievo are unbeaten in their last four home league games, two wins and two draws.
  • The defeat at Palermo interrupted Roma's series of seven games without defeat (five wins and two draws).
  • Claudio Ranieri's team have won only once in seven away from home so far in the league and that was in Rome against Lazio.



Fiorentina - Cagliari
  • These two sides have met 60 times in the Italian top division, the Viola have won 25 times, Cagliari 17 and there have been 18 draws.
  • At home Fiorentina have won their last 15 Serie A meetings against Cagliari.
  • The last time the team from Sardinia won at the Franchi stadium was back in 1972, since then they have mustered three points in 22 league games played in Florence.
  • Fiorentina have won four of their last five league home games, including the last three.
  • Cagliari have won both games since Roberto Donadoni was appointed as manager, away at Brescia and at home against Lecce.
  • Before the win at Brescia, Cagliari had not won away in 16 games.


Lazio - Inter
  • Lazio have not won against Inter in their last 13 league meetings, eight defeats and five draws.
  • The Biancocelesti have lost their last four games against Inter without scoring a single goal.
  • The team from Rome have netted just one goal in their last five home meetings against Inter in Serie A.
  • Edy Reja's team have won only once in their last five league matches.
  • At home though the Biancocelesti have lost just once in their last seven league fixtures, unfortunately it was the derby game against Roma.
  • Rafa Benitez's men have not scored more than one goal in their last five league away games.
  • Edy Reja's team have won each of the last eight games when they took the lead.
  • Inter have earned the most points from losing positions this season, eight.


Lecce - Genoa

  • Lecce have won only once in their eight previous Serie A encounters with Genoa, losing five and drawing two.
  • Lecce have scored only one goal in their last six league meetings with Genoa in Serie A.
  • Lecce have collected just one point in the last six Serie A matchdays (1-1 v Inter).
  • Against the other team from Genoa, Sampdoria, Lecce lost their first home game of the season, prior to that game they had won three and drawn twice.
  • Genoa have won only once in their last six away Serie A fixtures.
  • The last seven league games involving Genoa have produced only seven goals.
  • Lecce have conceded the most goals this season, 28.


Milan - Brescia
  • Milan and Brescia have shared the points in eight of their last 11 Serie A encounters.
  • At the San Siro, Milan have not lost against Brescia in Serie A since March 1967, five wins and six draws in 11 games.
  • Milan are unbeaten in their last five league games, four wins and a draw away to Sampdoria last week.
  • Brescia have mustered just three points in their last 10 Serie A games, losing seven of them.
  • Milan have lost only once at home in 2010 in the league, against Juventus.
  • Brescia have collected just one point in their last five away league matches, again at the San Siro against Inter.


Napoli - Palermo

  • Napoli have won just twice against Palermo in their last 10 Serie A meetings.
  • At the San Paolo, Napoli have lost only once against the Sicilian side in Serie A, in December 1951 (1-2), since then they have won seven and drawn four.
  • The game in 1951 was the only time when Palermo scored more than one goal away at Napoli in the top flight.
  • Napoli have not shared the points in their last seven league games, Palermo in the last nine.
  • Delio Rossi's side have won four of their last five league games, including the last three.
  • Napoli have won three and lost one, against leaders Milan, of their last four home games.


Parma - Udinese
  • Parma have won only once in their last eight Serie A meetings with Udinese, losing four times.
  • Parma have won 10 of the 16 top division matches at home against Udinese and have lost four times.
  • Hernan Crespo has scored Parma's last three league goals.
  • The Argentinean striker has already netted 11 times in the Italian top flight against Udinese.
  • Parma have won just once in their last six home league fixtures, drawn four times and lost once.
  • Udinese have lost their last two away games, at Catania and Roma, without scoring a single goal.


Sampdoria - Bari
  • In the last four top flight games between these two sides, Sampdoria have won just once and Bari twice.
  • At Marassi, Bari have won just once in Serie A, 1-0 in 1947/48, since then there have been 16 games with 12 home wins and four draws.
  • The Blucerchiati have lost just once in their last 11 league matches but have shared the points seven times.
  • Samp have won just once in their last six home league games and have drawn the last three.
  • Bari have not won in their last nine league matches collecting just two points along the way.
  • Bari have not won away from home in the last 10 and only twice in the last 25.

Bundesliga Opta Stats - 3rd-5th December


St.Pauli-Kaiserslautern

  • Kaiserslautern and St Pauli were both promoted last season. FCK finished top, ahead of the team from Hamburg while they also won both meetings between the two last season: 2-1 away and 3-0 at home. Kaiserslautern beat Schalke 5-0 last weekend. The last time they won by five goals in the Bundesliga was March 2003, when they beat Nürnberg 5-0 at home.
  • Srdjan Lakic and Ivo Ilicevic have netted more goals between them (14) than the entire St Pauli team (13). Lakic has also bagged the most goals from outside the area this season (four).
  • After trailing 3-0 to Stuttgart in the 12th game of the season, FCK have clicked into gear, scoring 11 goals since then and conceding just one (one draw and two wins).
  • The Croatian connection: Lakic, Ilicevic and Rivic have scored six of the last eight Kaiserslautern goals.
  • St Pauli have the worst record in the top division over the last six games, winning just one point.




Stuttgart-Hoffenheim

  • Hoffenheim have never beaten Stuttgart. 1899 have lost three of the four meetings with the VfB in the Bundesliga, drawing one.
  • Last season Stuttgart beat Hoffenheim 3-1 at home and drew 1-1 with the TSG in Sinsheim.
  • The Swabians are the only side in the Bundesliga who have lost every game in which they were trailing (nine defeats). Hoffenheim, on the contrary, have won nine points from the nine games in which they were behind.
  • Only Dortmund (35) have scored more goals than Hoffenheim (28) and Stuttgart (27) this season.
  • The VfB will have to do without the suspended Ciprian Marica. The Romanian was directly involved in eight of Stuttgart's last 12 league goals and is the VfB player with the most scorer points (three goals, six assists).
  • VfB striker Cacau has found the back of the net in three of the last four meetings between Stuttgart and Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.



Wolfsburg-Bremen

  • Wolfsburg have only won one of their last six home games against Werder, drawing two and losing three.
  • The Wolves are on a run of three consecutive draws and have only won one of their last eight Bundesliga games (four defeats, three defeats).
  • Steve McClaren's men have found the back of the net in each of their last 10 games, only Dortmund are enjoying a longer scoring run (13 games).
  • Werder have only won one of their last five Bundesliga games (three defeats), conceding 13 goals in the process.
  • Neither of these two sides have come from behind to win a match in which they trailed this season.
  • 19 of Wolfsburg's 22 goals have been scored by their trio of Edin Dzeko (nine goals), Grafite (seven goals) and Diego (three goals). The only other VfL players who have found the back of the net this season are Dejagah, Kahlenberg and Cicero (one goal each).



Frankfurt-Mainz

  • Frankfurt have only lost one of the 15 competitive matches against Mainz in the Bundesliga, Bundesliga 2 and the German Cup (10 draws, four defeats).
  • Eintracht are the only current Bundesliga team against whom Mainz have never won a game in the German top flight.
  • The match in Frankfurt will be the 75th away game for Mainz in the Bundesliga. The FSV have only won 16 of their 74 games on the road in the German top flight so far (19 draws, 29 defeats).
  • Frankfurt have only won seven of their 20 points this season at home.
  • Eintracht have only scored three of their last 12 BL goals at home.
  • Mainz have won five of their six away games this season. Their only defeat came in Freiburg where the FSV lost 1-0.




Gladbach-Hanover

  • Borussia have only lost three of their 20 home games against Hanover in the Bundesliga. These three defeats came in the last nine home games against 96, though.
  • The last four meeetings between these two sides have seen 26 goals in total, equalling an average of 6.5 goals per game.
  • Gladbach are the only team in the league who haven't won a single home game this season (three draws, four defeats), scoring only nine goals in the process. Borussia have conceded more goals than any other team in the league (40). Teams who have conceded 40 goals or more after 14 games have always been relegated at the end of the season.
  • Only Hanover have had more players (five) sent off than Gladbach this season (four).
  • Marco Reus has scored Borussia's last three goals. With five goals and five assists, the young German is the Gladbach player with the most direct goal involvements this season.



Freiburg-Hamburg

  • Freiburg have only won one of their last 18 Bundesliga games against Hamburg, drawing seven and losing ten.
  • Hamburg have lost their last four away games in all competitions, conceding 13 goals in the process.
  • Hamburg have won more points from games in which they trailed than any other team in the league (10). Freiburg are second best in that respect, accumulating nine points from games in which they were behind (like Mainz).
  • Freiburg have found the back of the net in 17 of their last 18 Bundesliga games.
  • SCF striker Papiss Cissé has failed to score in two consecutive league games for the first time this season.
  • Freiburg have won eight of their last 12 home games, drawing one and losing three.



Schalke-Bayern

  • Schalke's last home victory over FC Bayern dates back to March 13, 2005, when Lincoln's match-winning goal allowed Schalke to replace Bayern at the top of the table (week 25). Bayern still won the championship at the end of the season.
  • Since then, Schalke have won only one of 15 competitive games against Bayern Munich: their 1-0 victory at Munich on April 25, 2009 ended the reign of Jürgen Klinsmann.
  • Bayern Munich have won their last four competitive matches at Schalke (three league games, one cup game).
  • Schalke 04 have won their last three competitive home games with a 10-0 goal difference and haven't conceded a goal at Veltins-Arena for 295 minutes.
  • Bayern haven't won any of their last four away games in the Bundesliga. They have won only one of their six away games this season: at Hoffenheim (2-1).
  • FCBM were ahead in all of their last three competitive away games but didn't manage to win any of them (2-3 at Rome, 1-1 at Leverkusen, 3-3 at Gladbach).

Leverkusen-Köln

  • Of the previous 50 BL clashes between these two sides, Bayer have won 18 and Köln 11 (21 draws).
  • Köln haven't defeated Bayer since 24 May 1997 (4-0 win at home). Of the 14 BL matches since, Leverkusen have won 10 (four draws).
  • Köln have netted just one goal in total in the past nine BL clashes with Bayer. It was scored by current Leverkusen player Patrick Helmes in September 2005.
  • Bayer are undefeated in five matches, picking up three wins followed by two draws. The only top-flight teams boasting a longer undefeated streak are Dortmund (13) and Bayern (7).
  • Both of Leverkusen's defeats this season have occurred at home: 6-3 against Gladbach and 1-0 against Mainz. Bayer have yet to lose on the road.
  • While Bayer are tied with Hoffenheim in terms of netting the most set-piece goals overall (14 each), Köln have averaged the most goals after set pieces: nine of FC's 15 goals this season (a league-high 60%) have come from dead-ball situations.



Nürnberg-Dortmund

  • Borussia have only lost one of their last 20 league clashes with Nürnberg. They were beaten 2-0 in Nürnberg in November 2007.
  • The last time that Nuremberg won a match against a team at the top of the table was in week 12 of the 2004/05 campaign, when they defeated VfL Wolfsburg 4-0.
  • BVB have more points now (38) than Nürnberg had at the end of last season (31).
  • Dortmund have won all of their seven away games this season, setting a new Bundesliga record. BVB only won six away games in the whole of last season.
  • Lucas Barrios, who scored his only hat-trick for Dortmund to date in his last away trip to Nuremberg, will miss this game with a knee injury. It is only the second Dortmund game he has missed on account of injury.
  • After three consecutive victories, Nürnberg have lost their last three league games, scoring one and conceding nine in the process.

French Ligue 1 Opta Facts - 4-5 December


Arles-Avignon - Nancy
  • Arles-Avignon have conceded 32 goals this term in Ligue 1, across the top five European leagues only Mönchengladbach have shipped more (40).
  • Nancy have yet to keep a clean sheet on the road this season in the league.
  • Arles-Avignon have opened the scoring in just three matches this season and have failed to win any of these games.
  • Marama Vahirua has scored with a direct free kick in his both of the last two match days.
  • Nancy are one of two Ligue 1 teams this season who have always won games in which they opened the scoring.



Lens - Auxerre
  • Auxerre have lost all of their last five trips to the Felix-Bollaert stadium in the league, failing to score in the last four.
  • Lens have conceded a league-high five goals in the opening 15 minutes of games.
  • Auxerre have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 13 trips to Lens in Ligue 1.
  • Auxerre have won just four of their 27 trips to Lens in Ligue 1.
  • Auxerre have used the fewest players this season in Ligue 1 (20).
  • Auxerre have drawn 1-1 in their last two away league games, despite opening the scoring in both matches.


Lille - Lorient
  • Lille have won their last seven league games played in December, scoring at least three goals in the last six.
  • Lorient are unbeaten in their last seven Ligue 1 matches against Lille, winning the last three.
  • Lille have dropped a league-high nine points after leading.
  • Lille have scored in their last 12 league matches, currently the longest run in Ligue 1.
  • However Lille have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine league games, the longest current run alongside Toulouse.
  • Lille have won more home games than any other Ligue 1 side since the start of the 2008/09 season (30).
  • Lorient have failed to score in five of their last six away games in Ligue 1.
  • Kevin Gameiro has scored in his last two appearances against Lille in Ligue 1.
  • Moussa Sow has netted three goals in his last three league appearances against Lorient.


Rennes - Monaco
  • Monaco have lost both of their last two trips to Rennes in Ligue 1.
  • Park Chu-Young has scored four goals in his last three league appearances. Monaco have never lost when he has scored in Ligue 1 (10 wins and six draws).
  • Monaco have scored the fewest first-half goals this season in Ligue 1 (three).
  • Rennes have conceded exactly one goal in each of their last five home fixtures in Ligue 1.
  • Rennes matches have produced the fewest goals this season in Ligue 1(27).


Sochaux - Valenciennes
  • Valenciennes are unbeaten in their last four league encounters against Sochaux, winning three and drawing one.
  • VAFC have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last seven trips to Sochaux in Ligue 1.
  • Sochaux have the best home record in Ligue 1 this season: 17 points.
  • Valenciennes have won just one of their last 14 away games in Ligue 1.
  • Sochaux already have scored 25 goals this season, they scored 28 overall last term.
  • All five goals scored by Modibo Maiga this season in Ligue 1 have been at the Bonal stadium.
  • Ideye Brown have scored in each of the last three match days.
  • Gael Danic has netted five goals, equalling his most prolific Ligue 1 season: 2006/07, when he netted five goals with Troyes.


Toulouse - Caen
  • Caen are unbeaten in their last six trips to Toulouse in the league, winning three and drawing three.
  • Caen have lost their last five Ligue 1 matches, only Arles-Avignon have suffered a longer run of defeats this season in Ligue 1.
  • For the first time in their Ligue 1 history, Caen have conceded at least two goals in five consecutive matches.
  • Toulouse have failed to win any of their last five home games in Ligue 1, their worst run since 2007/08.
  • All four goals netted by Daniel Braaten this season in Ligue 1 have come in the first half of games.


Montpellier - Lyon
  • Lyon have won both of their last two trips to Montpellier in the league, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
  • Lyon are unbeaten in their last eight Ligue 1 games (winning five and drawing three), currently the longest undefeated run.
  • Lyon have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 11 away games in Ligue 1.
  • Montpellier have always won after having opened the scoring this season in Ligue 1.
  • Only Nice (12) and Avignon (nine) have scored fewer goals than Montpellier this season in the league.
  • Lyon have received the joint-most red cards this season in Ligue (four).



Nice - Marseille
  • Nice have lost their lost their last five league encounters against Marseille.
  • Marseille are the last Ligue 1 team who managed to beat Nice at the Ray stadium by a two-goal differential (3rd December 2009).
  • Nice have conceded the join-most penalties this season in Ligue 1 (four).
  • Lucho Gonzalez has been directly involved in five of the last six Marseille goals against Nice in Ligue 1 (one goal and four assists).
  • Nice have won just one of their last 18 Ligue 1 matches played in December.


Paris SG - Brest
  • Brest have failed to win any of their last 10 league encounters against PSG, drawing four and losing six.
  • PSG have lost just one of their last 11 league games.
  • Brest have won just one of their Ligue 1 games at the Parc des Princes.
  • Brest have drawn none of their eight away games this season in Ligue 1 (four wins and four defeats).
  • Only five PSG players have scored this season, no Ligue 1 team has fewer goalscorers.
  • Guillaume Hoarau has scored three goals in his last four Ligue 1 appearances.


St Etienne - Bordeaux
  • Bordeaux have failed to win any of their last four trips to the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in all competitions (two draws and two defeats).
  • St Etienne have failed to win any of their last eight league fixtures, their worst winless run under Christophe Galtier's management. This is also their worst winless run since 1995/96.
  • St Etienne have scored in all of their home games this season in Ligue 1, only title-holders Marseille share this statistic.
  • St Etienne have drawn 1-1 in their last three league games.
  • Five of the six goals netted by Anthony Modeste this season in Ligue 1 have come away from home.


IVAN RADOVANOVIĆ (BOLONJA)

Prema igrama u dosadašnjem toku prvenstva, Milan se pokazao kao najobiljniji kandidat za osvajanje “skudeta”. Zbog toga nema pravo na kiks pred svojim navijačima protiv klubova iz donjeg dela tabele kao što je Breša, pa je kec na lidera fiks kola.
MILAN – BREŠA 1

Fiorentina je domaćin posle dva uzastopna gostovanja, Milanu i Juventusu, na kojima je pokazala da zaslužuje mnogo više od borbe za opstanak. U utorak je pobedila u Kupu Italije, pa mislim da će uspeti da savlada i Kaljari ovog vikenda
FIORENTINA – KALJARI 1

MARKO KEŠELJ, KOŠARKAŠ OLIMPIJAKOSA

Marko Kešelj, košarkaš Olimpijakosa, tipovao je mečeve narednog kola grčkog šampionata, u kojem crveno-beli iz Atine igraju derbi protiv solunskog PAOK-a. Naš internacionalac izdvojio je tri fiksa iz predstojeće runde.
IRAKLIS – PANATINAIKOS 2
– Dvojka „kao vrata“. Iraklis nema baš nikakve šanse da iznenadi šampiona.
MARUSI – PANELINIOS     1 
 – Derbi začelja, okršaj 12. i 13. na tabeli. Neka bude kec, samo zbog domaćeg terena.
IKAROS – ILISIAKOS 1
– I ovo je „čist“ kec, nemam dilemu. Gosti imaju skor 0-5, ne mogu ni da se „upišu“, dok Ikaros uopšte nije loša ekipa.
OLIMPIJAKOS – PAOK 1
– Derbi kola, u kojem slobodno možete da odigrate jedinicu. Poštujemo PAOK, ali tim iz Soluna nema šta da traži u Pireju. Uz to, protivnici u crno-belom me uvek dodatno motivišu.