Sunday, December 19, 2010

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18-12-2010 22:00 Real Sociedad - Valencia

Still Learning

Real Sociedad’s aim when they entered the Primera Division from the Segunda last summer was simply to re-establish themselves as a top flight club. As the halfway point in the campaign approaches, Martin Lasarte’s side can be pleased they’ve started along the right lines to do just that. With a weekend fixture against Valencia approaching, the Basques can even consider cementing themselves in the top half of the standings.

Though la Real have struggled a little when forced to play on their travels, they’ve been excellent at home. Of their seven fixtures at Anoeta, they’ve won an impressive five, amassing 15 of their 22 points at the venue.

Given their poor record on the road, and given the relative naivety of the side to top flight football after a rare hiatus in the second tier, it was little surprise to see the Txuri-urdin go down 5-0 against all-conquering Barcelona.

“At the moment, we are learning a lot,” Lasarte told the media after that reverse. “Real Sociedad still lack some competitiveness, but that will come.”

Such has been the comparative excellence of la Real’s start to the campaign, they have given themselves plenty of opportunity to learn lessons against the best. Boasting a massive nine point cushion to the relegation zone, there appears to be little danger of the San Sebastian side slipping back into the dogfight.


Not About To Fall Apart

It’s been a very frustrating season for Valencia so far. Los Che appeared ready to at least appear somewhere in the region of Barcelona and Real Madrid when they earned five wins from their opening six matches, but a loss at home to Barca has trigged an extremely fallow period by their lofty standards.

Over the course of their last nine domestic matches, Unai Emery has watched his side win only twice, allowing pressure to build on his shoulders by the demanding Mestalla crowd. Last weekend los Che were involved in an entertaining encounter against Osasuna, but the result was not the one desired as a 3-3 draw only served to stunt their dreams of the Champions League.

Twice Valencia enjoyed a two goal lead in that encounter only to be pegged back by their dogged rivals, leading to media suggestions that Emery has lost the dressing room. Aritz Aduriz denied such rumours, while David Albelda has indicated that the current slump is simply a natural blip.

“It is not a very good result, but the situation is reversible, and the team will not fall apart due to this,” he told the press. “All teams go through good and bad times.”

With the pressure building, this is a fixture Valencia could really do with impressing in, even if they cannot win it.

TEAM NEWS

Real Sociedad

Claudio Bravo is looking very likely to play the weekend’s fixture against los Che after previously being a doubt due to an ankle complaint. Martin Lasarte has no other issues.

Valencia

Ever Banega is out with an ankle problem. The Argentine sustained the problem during Thursday’s training session. Alejandro Dominguez, Mehmet Topal, Tino Costa, David Albelda and Miguel Angel Moya have all been battling injury issues this week.

Manuel Fernandes continues to train with Valencia until January 3, despite his immediate future being with Besiktas.

Prediction
After making a lightning quick start to the season, Valencia’s form has faded into the mediocre. Still capable of pulling off a big result, los Che look almost equally capable of losing to anyone. Even though Real Sociedad are going well at home, this could be their first split decision of the season.

Real Sociedad 1-1 Valencia

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18-12-2010 20:45 Milan - Roma

Ending On A High

Milan have had a brilliant second half of 2010 as they have been sensational in the first-half of the 2010-11 season. The Rossoneri are flying high in Serie A and are also through to the second round of the Champions League where they will confront Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

Currently perched on pole position with 36 points from 16 matches, Massimiliano Allegri's side are six points ahead of their nearest rivals in the Scudetto race and are bookmakers' favourites to win the championship.

With reigning Italian champions Inter struggling and already 13 points off the pace (albeit with a game of hand), only Juventus are credible title-challengers, meaning that the Rossoneri do have a very good chance of conquering Italy for the first time since 2004.

However, the Diavolo will aspire to wrap up the year with a victory over Roma. The Lupi have almost relinquished championship hopes but they do have the ability to hurt Milan. Conceding a defeat just before the Christmas break could be detrimental to Allegri's team's psyche and would also break their seven-game unbeaten run in the league as well.

Scudetto Chimera

With 26 points from 16 matches, Roma have virtually given up their slim hopes of a Scudetto challenge. On Saturday evening the Lupi will almost certainly lose sight of Milan if they lose at San Siro.

However, Roma will head to Milan with confidence after defeating Bari 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico and having drawn Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in the second round of the Champions League, Claudio Ranieri's men will be confident of further progress in Europe.

To win in Milan, though, the Giallorossi will have to put in extra effort as they have won just once away from Rome all season in the league. Roma's defence too has looked susceptible as they have conceded 15 goals in eight away matches.

TEAM NEWS

Milan

Pato, Inzaghi, Oduamadi, Flamini, Thiago Silva and Zambrotta are injured and will miss the visit of Roma.

Roma

Vucinic and Lobont are injured and will miss the trip to Milan.

Prediction
Milan have proved themselves to be hugely strong at home and will be confident of crafting a win against Roma at San Siro. It could eventually prove to be a crucial match in the Scudetto race in the long run and one suspects that Allegri will tactically outwit Ranieri and gain maximum points.

Milan 2-1 Roma

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18-12-2010 20:00 Espanyol - Barcelona

Not Afraid

A cracking match is in store at the Cornella-El Prat on Saturday evening, where Espanyol host near neighbours Barcelona in what is sure to be a highly competitive fixture. While la Blaugrana boast a perfect seven wins from seven matches on their travels, los Periquitos can point to a perfect home record.

The very mention of Barca’s name can send fear running through sides, with Real Madrid proving earlier this season that they are not immune to such problems. But Espanyol are aiming to go toe-to-toe with Barcelona in front of their home fans.

“We are not afraid of Barcelona, but we know we have to go to war,” Pablo Osvaldo has explained this week. “We are going to play football, but we know that we are facing the best team in the world, and we need to use our own weapons.

“We must be a united group, and if we are not it will be become difficult for us to win. We will try to give joy to the people. We must be calm, and feeling the support of the fans will give us strength.”

Raul Baena echoed these comments, stating: “When we play them we must do so without fear, put pressure on them and play in our own style, as we did last year. We all know what they can do, but we also know that we have seven wins from seven at the Cornella-El Prat, and we want to make it eight.”

Espanyol have a history of thwarting their great neighbours, particularly at home, perhaps typified best by last season’s 0-0 draw just as Pep Guardiola’s men were trying to accelerate towards the title. Another such result will be considered possible by the hosts.

At The Pinnacle

Barcelona are a side that need no introduction, and they will be dead set on picking up three points on Saturday to ensure they finish 2010 as La Liga’s top club. Not only would that be one in the eye for Real Madrid, it would also be a bloody nose to local rivals Espanyol, who have taken much pleasure from frustrating Barca in recent times.

There has been no stopping Pep Guardiola’s men domestically in recent months. Eyebrows were raised in the early part of the season when questionable results were attained at home against Hercules and Mallorca, but since then they’ve completely found their stride, with the 5-0 Clasico victory over Real Madrid a match to be remembered throughout the generations.

But since defeating los Blancos in such style, Barca haven’t taken their eye from the ball and have maintained their intensity. Osasuna were dispatched 3-0 in Pamplona immediately after their Monday night success, while an awkward home fixture against Real Sociedad was brilliantly negotiated 5-0, with Lionel Messi typically starring.

Much has been made this week of Barca’s record breaking new advertising deal, but once again Guardiola will want his side to do their talking on the pitch. As fluent and as effective as ever – perhaps more so – Barcelona could round off 2010 in La Primera in fine style if they can pick up a 10th successive win.

TEAM NEWS

Espanyol

Manu Molina and Javi Lopez aren’t expected to feature after training at a lower level than their team-mates in the lead up to the derby. Javi Lopez is also touch and go.

Raul Rodriguez and David Lopez have hamstring issues, while coach Mauricio Pochettino has been suffering with flu.

Barcelona

Pep Guardiola almost has a full squad to select from. Gabriel Milito and Jeffren Suarez are the only two players injured.

Prediction
Winning may be beyond Espanyol, but upsetting Barcelona to earn a low scoring draw is a possibility that shouldn’t be discounted given the recent record between the two sides at the homes of los Periquitos. Pep Guardiola’s side appear in irrepressible for at present, however. Barca should be favourites for the win once again.

Espanyol 1-3 Barcelona

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18-12-2010 18:00 Villarreal - Mallorca

Must Keep Going

After the distraction of the Europa League in midweek, Villarreal return to domestic action against Mallorca on Saturday afternoon. Both teams are exceeding expectations towards their performance in La Liga at present, though it will be the Yellow Submarine who start this match as firm favourites to claim three points.

In midweek they made the trip to Club Brugge and picked up a useful 2-1 victory, fielding a relatively strong side given that qualification was already assured. Giuseppe Rossi levelled the score for the visiting side after Dorge Kouemaha had given the Belgians the advantage, and the Italian international soon put his side ahead from the penalty spot.

“We may have already qualified, but it was a confidence boost to win. We were the first Spanish team to qualify for the knockout stage, and this is an accomplishment,” Juan Carlos Garrido explained to the media after the match.

Rossi echoed his coach’s comments about a boost to the self-belief of the side, but he was keen to stress that they wish to stay on their present path. “I'm happy for the goals, but we have to continue like this because we haven't achieved anything for now,” he explained.

Winning every game is clearly an important objective for Villarreal at present, and with that in mind they’ll certain go after their guests at the weekend with some gusto.

Two Slips

Mallorca coach Michael Laudrup has been trying to temper enthusiasm over the club’s strong start to the campaign with reality, but there has been little better medicine to do that than the two defeats els Barralets have suffered over the last fortnight.

There was genuine optimism over the side’s chances when they went to Getafe a fortnight ago, but they were forced to retreat from the capital in an embarrassed state, having been convincingly defeated 3-0. Last weekend the Islanders suffered another poor reverse, this time going down 1-0 at home against Racing Santander.

The Iberostar Estadi has been something of a stronghold for Mallorca over the course of the last 18 months, but now that their aura of invincibility at that venue is fading, they are at least going relatively well on their travels. Wins over Sevilla and Valencia have caught the eye, but it is arguably a draw against Barcelona at Camp Nou that represents their greatest triumph this season.

Villarreal are one of the few sides in Spain who can argue that their home is even more intimidating than Barca’s. Since Juan Carlos Garrido took charge of the Yellow Submarine, they’ve only failed to win at El Madrigal on two occasions in league play, going down against la Blaugrana last term and drawing against Valencia this.

Els Barralets will have to be at their absolute peak to take anything from this encounter.

TEAM NEWS

Villarreal

Carlos Marchena is suspended, though a hamstring injury will see him out for a month. Mateo Musacchio has had a yellow card quashed and will be able to play after putting off a suspension.

Mallorca

Azoye and Sergio Tejera are both missing from Brian Laudrup’s squad due to injury complaints. The Dane has no other worries, aside from Gonzalo Castro, who didn’t finish Thursday’s training session.

Prediction
Form dictates that Villarreal have to be considered favourites for this match. Even though Mallorca have undoubtedly improved on their travels, they don’t have the ability to live with a Villarreal side who are simply a winning machine when playing in front of their own fans.

Villarreal 2-1 Mallorca

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18-12-2010 15:30 Eintracht Frankfurt - Borussia D.

Skibbe's Men Looking To End 2010 On The Ultimate High

As half-term looms it's report card time in the Bundesliga. Launische Diva have been their usual inconsistent selves, beating the likes of Wolfsburg one week before slipping to defeat versus Koeln the next. Seven wins and seven losses have left Michael Skibbe's men in eighth position at the half-way mark; a respectable start with room still there for improvement. Surely deserving of a B+.

Frankfurt's final game of 2010 could very well prove to be their toughest test. The visit of Bundesliga runaway leaders Dortmund is highly anticipated in Hesse. However, die Adler will be without several key players including captain Chris who is likely to be replaced by the versatile American Ricardo Clark, who is rated highly by his boss.

"Ricardo has good technique and fierceness. He is also a little more agile compared to Kraus who is much larger. That could be an advantage against the swift and versatile Dortmund players," Skibbe told the club's website during the week.

The ex-Dortmund coach certainly has confidence in Clark and the rest of his squad and is looking forward to the crunch tie with Jurgen Klopp's men.

"With Borussia we will host the top Bundesliga team who are miles ahead, it is the last league game of the year in front of a sell out home crowd – we want to show a good performance."

Records On The Line For Wounded Dortmund

There is no doubt about it, Dortmund have had a phenomenal first half to this Bundesliga campaign. Die Schwarzegelben are 11 points clear at the top, winning an incredible 14 games from 16. Victory over Frankfurt would give Borussia 46 points, a record tally at the winter break.

So what's all this talk about Jurgen Klopp's men having to pick themselves up? Wednesday night saw the club exit European competition for this season when a 2-2 away draw to Sevilla condoned BVB to third place in the group.

To make matters worse, the manner in which Sevilla conducted themselves during the game infuriated Klopp and his men.

"There is a bitter aftertaste to this defeat. If experience in Europe means wasting time, then I don't want my team to learn something like that," Klopp told the media post-match.

"It was an embarrassing display from Sevilla. For such a great team to resort to such tactics is an embarrassment."

BVB will be hoping to turn their frustration from Wednesday's events into a record breaking victory over Frankfurt. A win will be the club's eighth in a row in the league, another club record.

If Dortmund are to earn yet another away win they could really do with star striker Lucas Barrios firing on all cylinders. The Argentinian-born hitman has only recently returned from injury and is still looking to find the form shown earlier on in the season. Against Frankfurt he has the perfect opportunity to deliver early Christmas presents to all Dortmund supporters.

TEAM NEWS

Eintracht Frankfurt

The home side will be looking to bounce back from last weekend's defeat to Koelen but will have to do so without several key names. Marco Russ misses the game through suspension with Oka Nikolov also missing out with a foot injury. Chris continues his spell on the sidelines with a back problem so Ricardo Clark is likely to deputise. Other absentees include Maik Franz (Adominal surgery), Zlatan Bajramovic (hamstring), Sebastian Rode and Marcel Titsch-Rivero (both in light training).

Probable Starting XI: Faehrmann - Jung, Vasoski, Clark, Tzavellas - Ochs, Schwegler, Meier, Koehler, Altintop - Gekas

Borussia Dortmund

The Bundesliga leaders only have two players out for their visit to Frankfurt. Captain Sebastian Kehl will return to action in early 2011 after missing the last three months with a tendon tear. Patrick Owomoyela will also miss Dortmund's final game of 2010 with an injury to his achilles. Die Borussen are likely to make only one change from the side who drew 2-2 with Sevilla on Wednesday night. Kevin Grosskreutz is expected to replace Jakub Blaszczykowski on the wing.

Probable Starting XI: Weidenfeller - Piszczek, Hummels, Subotic, Schmelzer - Sahin, Bender - Goetze, Kagawa, Blaszczykowski - Barrios

Prediction
Expect Dortmund to bounce back from their midweek Europa League disappointment to win this and break yet another record. BVB's dynamic attack will surely be too much for Frankfurt's makeshift centre-back partnership. However, the home side have looked good in front of goal this season so expect them to get on the scoresheet, perhaps a 14th Bundesliga goal for Gekas.

Eintracht 1-2 Borussia

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19-12-2010 21:00 Real - Sevilla

Cats And Dogs? It’s Raining Goals

Real Madrid are likely to find themselves four points behind Barcelona by the time they kick-off against Sevilla at the Bernabeu, adding a little more pressure to a match that shouldn’t be viewed as entirely straightforward for los Blancos.

Jose Mourinho will certainly not want his side to treat los Nervionenses with any disdain, though in strong form the capital side have no reason to fear anyone. Since losing to Barcelona three weeks ago, Madrid have bounced back imperiously, defeating Valencia and Zaragoza with a margin to spare.

At times los Blancos were unsettled at La Romareda last weekend, but Mourinho’s men were always in control of the situation, particularly once Mesut Oezil slid them into the lead after 15 minutes. Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel di Maria simply nailed down the success, leaving Gabi’s responsive penalty as a mere irritant to the Portuguese boss.

“Whether you play with cats or dogs, it's the tactics that matter, not the players,” Mourinho rather bizarrely stated after last weekend’s match. “The dog is the usual system with two forwards and that has made us strong and aggressive. The cat is an alternate system with three central midfielders. I thought people were smarter and knew what I was talking about.”

While the coach continues to entertain and capture headlines from the dugout, his side are doing likewise on the field, scoring freely and largely wowing audiences.

This Is A Low

Sevilla went into this campaign bullishly speaking of competing with Spain’s ‘Big Two’, but los Nervionenses have fallen flat on their faces and face a big challenge to even reach the top four after a disastrous sequence of results.

Gregorio Manzano was supposed to be the man to take the Andalucians to greater heights, but instead they are plumbing new depths, having lost six of his 10 league matches in charge, the latest of which was a hugely embarrassing home reverse against local rivals Almeria last weekend.

“I am struggling to influence a group who are suffering from very low morale,” the former Mallorca coach starkly confessed last Saturday. “The reality is what it is.”

There was finally some better news for los Rojiblancos in midweek, when they earned a creditable 2-2 home draw against Borussia Dortmund to progress through to the knock-out stages of the Europa League.

“We needed this result to get out of our current slump,” Diego Perotti confessed to Diario de Sevilla. “This is the attitude that we must have in every match, and the image that we must convey. We must continue on this line of work, and maintain this intensity in every game.”

The once capped Argentine international was by no means defeatist with regards to the visit to the Bernabeu, stating: “Madrid will be a complicated match because they are playing at a high level, but we will try hard to achieve something positive.”

Sevilla have a talented squad competing with the best, but their recent form suggests this could turn into a damage limitation exercise.

TEAM NEWS

Real Madrid

Sami Khedira is expected to be ready for this match after returning to training without a problem. Jerzy Dudek, Sergio Canales, Sergio Ramos, Gonzalo Higuain, Kaka and Fernando Gago are all out, however.

Marcelo and Xabi Alonso are both suspended.

Sevilla

Diego Perotti sustained a midweek hamstring injury that will require two or three weeks to heal. Frederic Kanoute also picked up a problem and is doubtful, while a late decision will be made over Jesus Navas.

Arouna Kone, Tiberio Guarente and Ivica Dragutinovic remain injury problems.

Alexis is banned, which is a significant blow.

Prediction
Sevilla are a side who would expect to give Real Madrid a challenge, but in recent form that’s simply not possible. Jose Mourinho’s men should dispatch los Nervionenses with the kind of ease reserved for any mid-table hopeful at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid 3-0 Sevilla

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19-12-2010 21:00 Olympique Marseille - Olympique Lyonnais

Searching For Inspiration

Although recording a surprise 1-0 victory against Chelsea in the Champions’ League earlier this month, Olympique de Marseille’s Ligue 1 form has in recent weeks remained unconvincing. Lying fifth in the table, two points behind third-placed Lyon, their 1-1 draw with AJ Auxerre last week was the latest in a series of unspectacular performances, which has seen les Phocéens without a victory in their last three matches.

Nonetheless, Marseille remain positive, with captain Lucho Gonzalez telling the club website: “The team is going through a period without regularity in the results, but there is no frustration, football is like that, to win you must score goals.

“This will be a good match between two teams vying for the title. It will be important to win, but above all a real pleasure to play this kind of encounter.”

This week has seen the arrival of Rod Fanni from Rennes on a two and a half year contract, providing cause for optimism and a welcome boost to the Marseille defence.

In spite of their inability to find a decisive goal against Auxerre, Marseille were largely dominant, and unfortunate to concede a penalty and be reduced to ten men during the first-half. Regardless, this is certainly not the form of champions, and Marseille will be hoping that a victory against their title rivals could prove the catalyst for a domestic winning streak.

On The Ascent

Like Marseille, Olympique Lyonnais have by no means reached their full potential this season, exhibiting particularly disappointing form in the Champions’ League of late. On the domestic front, conversely, les Gones sit only two points behind league leaders Lille, and are enjoying something of a renaissance.

After a disastrous start to the season, widespread calls amongst supporters for the dismissal of manager Claude Puel, and rumours of dressing room discontent, Lyon appear to have achieved a semblance of order, playing with confidence and picking up 24 points from a possible 30 in their previous ten Ligue 1 encounters.

Although lacking key players through injury, such as Yoann Gourcuff, last Sunday’s 2-0 victory against Toulouse was crisp and assured. Explaining their improvement since the start of the season, Lisandro Lopez emphasized that “there are still things to improve, but over time the team makes fewer mistakes and gets better. The reason is collective, not individual”.

With regard to the clash against Marseille, Lisandro suggested that “it will be important for morale, but not decisive in view of the title”.

And indeed, a positive result for Lyon is imperative in maintaining the optimistic atmosphere at the Rhône club, as well as ensuring that Marseille do not leapfrog them in the Ligue 1 table.

TEAM NEWS

Marseille

While Didier Deschamps will be handing Rod Fanni his Marseille debut this weekend, he will be concerned with absences in the remainder of his squad. Stephane Mbia is suspended following his red card against Auxerre, while Souleymane Diawara also begins his suspension. Brandao (ankle) is doubtful, and Cesar Azpilicueta, Edouard Cissé (thigh) and Hilton are sidelined through injury until January.

Lyon

It will be a severely depleted Lyon squad that travels to the Stade Vélodrome on Sunday. Claude Puel faces a lengthy injury list including key players Yoann Gourcuff (ankle) and Jérémy Toulalan (thigh), but a more pressing concern will be the heart of defence, where les Gones will be without both Cris (adductor) and Pape Diakhaté (thigh). Right-back Anthony Réveillère is also doubtful following a calf-strain picked up against Toulouse. Cesar Delgado, Ederson and Clément Grenier are also unavailable.

Prediction
Although plagued by injuries, Lyon have proved in recent weeks that they are capable of grinding out results even without their big names. Expect a resilient Lyon side to defeat Marseille in what is undoubtedly set to be a closely fought encounter.

Marseille 1-2 O. Lyon

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19-12-2010 20:45 Sampdoria - Genoa

Winning Without Cassano

On Thursday evening Sampdoria's protracted dispute with Antonio Cassano eventually came to an end as the tribunal ruled that the player must be reinstated into the team from February 1 and also levied punishment on him. Not that this affects the Blucerchiati's state of affairs as the club have been playing without the Italy international for almost two months and are gradually beginning to claw out of his shadows as well.

On Sunday evening, though, against their most fierce rivals Genoa it will be a test of character as well as resolve for the Samp players to register a win without their talisman. Samp have struggled for goals and have also lost their last two competitive matches, going down 1-0 to relegation-threatened Brescia last weekend in the league before losing the dead-rubber Europa League fixture 2-0 against Debrecen in Hungary.

At the moment Domenico Di Carlo's side have 23 points from 16 matches and are three points and two places behind sixth-placed Roma. Doria may have struggled to find the oppositions' net but they have made it tough for their opponents to breach their citadel - having conceded just 13 goals they boast themselves as the second best side in the first division defensively.

Leapfrogging Their Archrivals

While Sampdoria have been embroiled in off-pitch problems this campaign, Genoa have been facing trouble on the pitch. A disappointing start to the 2010-11 campaign married to inconsistency have eroded much of the Grifone dream to finish in the top six of the table.

However, a victory over their arch-rivals Sampdoria on Sunday evening will revive back those lofty ambitions for Genoa. Davide Ballardini's side are just two points behind Samp in 10th place and a win could see them close the gap on sixth-placed Roma.

Last season in the first Derby della Lanterna Genoa accomplished a comprehensive 3-0 victory and they will be keen to invoke those spirits. However, the Rossoblu are not in the best of form at the moment as they lost 1-0 to Napoli last weekend and have won just one of their last four league matches.

TEAM NEWS

Sampdoria

Gastaldello, Zauri, Semioli and Obiang are out

Genoa

Sculli, Kaladze and Palacio will miss the Genoa derby as they are sidelined with injuries.

Prediction
Anything's possible in this game especially with the two sides just a couple of points off each other. Much will depend on which team turns up on the night but it could well end in a draw. However, expect a red card or two as well.

Sampdoria 2-2 Genoa

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19-12-2010 17:30 Stuttgart - Bayern Munchen

Stuttgart To Roll The Dice With Labbadia

Last Friday’s 2-1 loss to Hannover was the last straw for Stuttgart coach Jens Keller, who was sacked shortly after the match. Former Hamburg and Leverkusen coach Bruno Labbadia has been called in to serve as the Swabians’ third coach of the season following Keller and Christian Gross.

Having been dismissed from his previous two positions, Labbadia insists he is a changed man, and can learn from his previous mistakes. Known as a perfectionist who sometimes took discipline too far, the 44-year old now knows he “wanted too much, too quickly.”

Stuttgart president Erwin Staudt gave his vote of support this week: “We have talked at length about the reasons [for his previous problems]. He explained everything to us. It’s to his credit that he spoke about his mistakes unprompted and told us about situations he learned from.”

Labbadia inherits a team that has been impressive in the Europa League, but has failed to live up to its potential domestically. Through 16 matches, the 2007 Bundesliga champions have earned just 12 points, and are languishing second from bottom in the domestic table. On the plus side, Labbadia takes over at an opportune moment.

Sunday’s match is almost a “freebie,” and he will have a fresh, new campaign to prepare for after the winter break. Stuttgart are historically strong finishers, and could perhaps repeat their previous successes this spring. But for now, there is the Bayern match to focus upon.

Mario Gomez Relishing Reunion With Former Club

Bayern maintained their impressive home form last week, earning a 3-0 win against St Pauli. It is on the road, however, where the Bavarians are woefully underperforming, having taken just one victory thus far. The reigning Bundesliga champions now have a chance to redeem themselves somewhat as they take on a struggling Stuttgart side at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. The match will also double as a warm-up for next Wednesday’s DFB Pokal encounter.

Sunday’s clash will be extra special for striker Mario Gomez, who returns to the Mercedes-Benz Arena for just the second time since transferring to Bayern in the summer of 2009. The striker who scored 87 goals in 156 appearances for his former employers, failed to get his name on the scoresheet last year. However, he hopes to put his best foot forward in the first of two upcoming reunions against his former club.

“I still have a lot of friends in Stuttgart, and there are a number of players in the team who I spent years playing alongside. One of my best personal friends plays for them,” he said according to the official Bayern website.

“But at the end of the day, it’s about us taking the last three points on offer before the winter break.”

TEAM NEWS

Stuttgart

It always is somewhat difficult to predict a line-up when a new coach introduced, but word from Swabia is that Labbadia will use a 4-4-2 formation, with Pavel Pogrebnyak re-introduced in the starting XI. Ciprian Marica remains suspended, and Stefano Celozzi, Johan Audel and Daniel Didavi have all been ruled out with injuries.

Probable Starting XI: Ulreich – Degen, Tasci, Depierre, Molinaro – Gebhart, Traesch, Gentner, Boka – Pogrebnyak, Cacau

Bayern Munich

There was positive news from the Bayern camp this week as Arjen Robben was declared fit to return to training. On the flip side of the coin, Toni Kroos was ruled out until January with a foot injury. In addition to Robben and Kroos, Holger Badstuber, Ivica Olic, and Danijel Pranjic will miss out on this wekend’s match with inuries.

Probable Starting XI: Butt – Lahm, Tymoshchuk, Breno, Contento – Van Bommel, Schweinsteiger – Altintop, Mueller, Ribery – Gomez

Prediction
Based on overall form, this one should go to Bayern. However, the Bavarians have won just one away game, and thus cannot be considered favourites. Stuttgart have lost half of their home matches, but should be able to earn a draw if they play to their potential.

VfB Stuttgart 1-1 Bayern Munich

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19-12-2010 15:00 Napoli - Lecce

Form Of Their Lives

Napoli are on Cloud 9 as they are living an exquisite dream carved out of reality itself. The Neapolitans are going from strength to strength and are climbing further up the tree under coach Walter Mazzarri so much so that mathematically they are very much in the Scudetto race.

On Thursday Napoli progressed to the Round of 32 in the Europa League and became the only Italian side to do this season. The Partenopei are currently third in the league table with 30 points from 16 matches, level with Juventus and just six behind leaders Milan.

Last weekend the Azzurri defeated Genoa 1-0 on the road and that followed a similar margin victory over Palermo in Naples. Napoli have a strong record at home and have mustered five wins out of eight at the Stadio San Paolo, scoring 13 goals in the process.

Hope Remains Still

Prior to last weekend's match, Lecce had gone seven games without a win in Serie A and had fallen into the relegation zone. However, last weekend's morale-boosting 3-2 victory over Chievo at the Stadio Via del Mare saw them gain three valuable points as their strive to avoid the drop kickstarts.

Lecce remain third from bottom in Serie A and have 15 points from 16 matches, level on points with Brescia, who are a place above them. With Bari and Cesena failing to pick up wins and staying below them, Lecce know that they still have a chance to survive as Brescia are running thin as well.

However, the Lupi have an abysmal away form as they have yet to win on the road and have lost seven of their eight away matches. They have conceded 22 goals and have scored just four on their travels and also boast of having the worst defence statistically in the division as they have shipped in 33 goals.

TEAM NEWS

Napoli

Gianello, Lucarelli and Lavezzi are out injured. Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica and Pazienza are suspended.

Lecce

Munari, Giuliatto, Ferrario, Reginiussen, Giacomazzi and Di Michele are injured. Chevanton is suspended.

Prediction
It promises to be an easy win for Napoli. Lecce are in grave danger and have not won an away game all season in the league.

Napoli 3-0 Lecce

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19-12-2010 15:00 Chievo Verona - Juventus

Catching The Cold

With the fall of December, Chievo have gone cold as they have struggled this month in Serie A. Last month's 2-1 triumph over Italian and European champions Inter placed the Flying Donkeys within reach of a European place but a three-match winless run this month has dragged them to mid-table mediocrity.

Not that a mid-table slot is abominable to a club like Chievo for whom survival in the Italian top flight is the primary objective, but with 20 points from 16 matches, the Veronese side find themselves just five points above the relegation - a worrying sign if Ceo do not resume winning matches.

Last weekend Chievo lost 3-2 in Lecce and allowed the relegation-battlers to draw closer to them. This weekend a win against Juventus at home is unlikely as the Bianconeri are in a great run of form but the Flying Donkeys will aspire for at least a point against the former Italian champions.

Mission Scudetto

Juventus' European adventure came to a disappointing but potentially beneficial end on Thursday evening when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester City in Turin. It was, comically, their sixth draw in six matches in the group stage of the competition, but their fate in Europe was already sealed before the visit of the Premier League team.

This means that Luigi Del Neri's men will now be able to focus fully on their Scudetto challenge and indeed the Bianconeri have emerged as the most credible challenger to Milan in the title race.

With 30 points from 16 matches, Juve are six points adrift of the Rossoneri but having gone 17 matches unbeaten in all competition, they are in a great form and will aspire to wrap up 2010 with a victory in Verona.

The Old Lady's away form has been impressive so far this season as they have won four of their eight matches away from Turin in the league and have conceded just four goals - the best defensive record in the division. Winning against Chievo could take them closer to Milan since the Diavolo host ambitious Roma on Saturday evening and are likely to find it a tough encounter.

TEAM NEWS

Chievo

Thereau and Morero are unavailable because of injury. Rigoni is suspended.

Juventus

Buffon, Motta, Rinaudo, De Ceglie, Martinez and Amauri are nursing injuries and will sit out the match. Felipe Melo is suspended.

Prediction
Chievo are pushing for Europe and will make it tough for Juventus in Verona. However, the Turin-based side should have enough firepower to register a victory especially as they are on a great unbeaten run in the league.

Chievo 2-3 Juventus