Friday, January 21, 2011

21.-23. 01. 2011. Bundesliga Weekend Preview


Hamburg – Eintracht Frankfurt

The second half of the season began well for Hamburg, who edged Schalke to earn three points in Gelsenkirchen. The Rothosen are a bit short of personnel, especially in central defence, but will take confidence into Round 19. As he makes his preparations, coach Armin Veh will have to manage without David Jarolim (suspended), Heung-Min Son (international duty), Joris Mathijsen, Marcell Jansen, Dennis Diekmeier, Collin Benjamin, Romeo Castelen and Miroslav Stepanek (all injured).

Frankfurt had a false start to their spring campaign as the Adler took a 3-0 pummeling at home against Hannover. Michael Skibbe’s men will hope to rebound, but have a tough task on the horizon in Hamburg. Ahead of the match, Skibbe has ruled out suspended midfielder Pirmin Schwegler, as well as casualties Chris, Maik Franz, Marco Russ, Aleksandr Vasoski, Zlatan Bajramovic, Georgios Tzavellas and Kevin Kraus.

Freiburg – Nuernberg

Freiburg equalized twice to earn a 2-2 draw with St Pauli in a match the southwestern club will be disappointed not to have won. They face a difficult spell now that Bundesliga scoring leader Papiss Cisse has sustained an injury that will keep him out for two to three weeks. To make matters worse, Heiko Butscher, Kisho Yano, Yacine Abdessadki, Nicolas Hoefer, Jonathan Jaeger, Stefan Reisinger, Oemer Toprak, Simon Pouplin, Pavel Krmas, Tommy Bechmann, Julian Schuster and Daniel Williams have also been ruled out of the match and will have to watch from the stands.

Nuernberg slumped to a disappointing loss to Gladbach in their most recent match, in which the Bavarians were completely dominant, but struggled to put efforts on goal and had a penalty saved. Just six points ahead of the drop, they will look to rebound against Freiburg, but will have to manage without Per Nilsson, Mike Frantz, Ikay Guendogan and Albert Bunjaku.

Bayern Munich – Kaiserslautern

Bayern missed out on several chances to lock up three points, and conceded a late equaliser to Wolfsburg in their first match of the spring. The Bavarians have given up on first place, but will aim for as many wins in the remaining 16 games as possible. Franck Ribery will join injured team-mates Ivica Olic and Toni Kroos in the stands, but Arjen Robben is fit once more, and could play for the full 90 minutes is necessary.

Kaiserslautern came back from a goal behind while a man down, and managed to earn a 1-1 draw with Koeln in Round 19. The Red Devils are still just six points clear of the relegation zone, and will be keen to hold onto at least a point against Bayern Srdjan Lakic is suspended following his sending off last week, and Jan Simunek, Stiven Rivic and Iliyan Mitsanski are also ruled out of Saturday’s match with injuries.

Mainz – Wolfsburg

Mainz played well in their Rueckrunde opener, but failed to score and were undone by ruthlessly efficient Stuttgart substitute Martin Harnik. The Oh Fives have now slipped to third in the Bundesliga table, and are in danger of missing out on a European berth. Lewis Holtby has recovered from the concussion he sustained last week, but Bo Svensson (knee) will miss out on Saturday’s match.

Wolfsburg put up a spirited fight against Bayern in their recent match, and managed to reverse an early deficit at the death as Sascha Riether levelled. Die Woelfe have drawn seven consecutive matches and will hope to earn their fifth win of the season as they head to Mainz. Makoto Hasebe remains away on international duty, and Makoto Hasebe (international duty) and Caiuby (suspended) will have to miss out on the match.

Borussia Dortmund – Stuttgart

Dortmund took a huge step towards the Bundesliga title with Friday’s 3-1 win away to Leverkusen. The Ruhr side did not even slightly appear to miss Shinji Kagawa, who is on international duty with Japan. It appears to be full steam ahead for BVB, who will have a nearly full first team squad, with the exceptions of Kagawa, as well as injured duo Sven Bender, Patrick Owomoyela and Sebastian Kehl.

Stuttgart kicked off their spring campaign with a win that saw the Swabians edge closer to the safety of 15th place. Their next opponents will be a step up from Mainz, their last, but Bruno Labbadia will attempt to steer his side to at least a draw against the league leaders. Stuttgart will be missing Cacau, Ciprian Marica, Khalid Boulahrouz, Stefano Celozzi, Johan Audel and Mamadou Bah, who are unfit.

Hannover – Schalke

Hannover extended their incredible run of form with a 3-0 win away to Frankfurt last Saturday, a result that saw the Roten move second in the Bundesliga table. His team having all but mathematically secured a spot in the 2011-12 Bundesliga campaign, coach Mirko Slomka has even targeted a Champions League berth. Their match against Schalke will be a tough one, and will be made all the more difficult in the absence of Sergio Pinto, DaMarcus Beasley, Carlitos, Leon Andreasen and Markus Miller.

Felix Magath had hoped for a strong start to Schalke’s spring campaign, but the coach was disappointed to see his side struggle in attack and lose 1-0 to Hamburg in their opener. The Champions League hopefuls remain in mid-table, and will need to improve drastically in order to quality for a spot in Europe. Atsuto Uchida will miss out on the action due to his participation in the Asian Cup, and Tim Hoogland, and Levan Kenia have been ruled out due to injuries.

Koeln – Werder Bremen

Koeln saw an early, and somewhat fortunate, lead evaporate last week as they eventually were held to a draw by Kaiserslautern. The Geissboecke are still in 16th place, but could exit the relegation zone with a win against Bremen. Youssef Mohamed, Mato Jajalo, Wilifred Sanou, Adi Chihi, Christopher Schorch, Petit and Tomoaki Makino have been ruled out of Saturday’s match due to injuries.

Torsten Frings’ last-minute screamer saw Bremen beat Hoffenheim in Round 19, a result that snapped a two-game losing skid. A new-look Hanseaten side will look to revitalise their campaign in the upcoming weeks, but will face stiff opposition in Koeln on Saturday. Wesley, Naldo, and Sebastian Boenisch remain unfit, and will be joined by Janiel Jensen, Tim Borowski (both injured) and Sebastian Proedl (suspended) in the stands.

Borussia Moenchengladbach – Bayer Leverkusen

Revamped with a new-look central defence, Gladbach kept a rare clean sheet en route to victory over Nuernberg last week. The Fohlen remain dead last in the Bundesliga table, but with a few more wins, they could yet avoid relegation. As he prepares for Leverkusen’s challenge, coach Michael Frontzeck is making plans without Roel Brouwers (injured), Raul Bobadilla (suspended), and unselected trio Logan Bailly, Christian Dorda and Marcel Meeuwis.

Leverkusen saw their last glimmer of hope for a title all but evaporate on Friday as they lost 3-1 at home to leaders Dortmund. Die Werkself are 13 points off the pace of the leaders, but could still qualify directly for the Champions League with a second placed finish in May. As they face off against Gladbach, Jupp Heynckes’ men will be short of Manuel Friedrich (suspended), as well as Lars Bender, Tranquillo Barnetta and Benedikt Fernandez, who are injured.

Hoffenheim – St Pauli

Hoffenheim  were denied a point at the death last week as they lost 2-1 to Bremen. Sinsheim outfit will have to have a bit more potency in attack as they host St Pauli. Demba Ba (in England), Chinedu Obasi and Manuel Gulde (both injured)  have been ruled out.

St Pauli nearly beat Freiburg last week, but twice saw their lead vanish. The Hamburg-based club will need to pull off some upsets this spring in order to avoid relegation, but could yet manage a point or more against an inconsistent Hoffenheim. Holger Stanislawski has ruled out Marius Ebbers, Fabio Morena and Florian Lechner.

Premier League OPTA facts - 22-24 January

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.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool
  • There have only been six goals scored in five Premier League meetings between Wolves and Liverpool, with the Reds failing to score in the last two.
  • Liverpool have dropped the joint-most points from winning positions in the Premier League this season (14).
  • Only Wolves (4) have picked up fewer points away from home this season than Liverpool (5).
  • If Liverpool lose this match it will be six away defeats in a row, their worst sequence on the road in Premier League history & the first time since 1954 when they lost 20 in succession.
  • Liverpool have only won two of their last 20 Premier League away games since the beginning of January 2010.
  • Liverpool have scored only eight goals in their last 12 Premier League away games and not more than once in any of those fixtures.


Arsenal v Wigan Athletic
  • Arsenal have dropped five points from winning positions in their last two Premier League games against Wigan.
  • Andrey Arshavin has scored in each of his two league appearances against Wigan.
  • There have been five goals scored in the 89th minute or later in the last four Premier League meetings between Wigan and Arsenal.
  • Wigan have won just one and lost eight of their 11 Premier League games against Arsenal.
  • Arsenal have won all eight home matches in all competitions against Wigan.
  • The Latics have failed to score in their last five matches at the Emirates.
  • No title-winning side has dropped more than 10 points at home in a whole season since Arsenal in 2001-02. The Gunners have dropped 11 already at the Emirates.


Blackpool v Sunderland
  • Sunderland mustered 31 attempts including 11 on target but lost 0-2 when they met Blackpool on the 29th December.
  • DJ Campbell has scored five goals in his last six Premier League matches.
  • Blackpool haven't kept a clean sheet at home in the Premier League, but no visiting side has stopped them from scoring.
  • Only six different players have scored for Sunderland this season, fewer than any other team.
  • Sunderland have kept the joint-most clean sheets along with Manchester City (11).
  • Blackpool's games have averaged 3.19 goals per match, a Premier League high, while Sunderland's have averaged 2.13, a divisional low.


Everton v West Ham United
  • West Ham didn't manage a single shot on target in the reverse fixture against Everton last month, their goal being an own goal scored by Tony Hibbert.
  • West Ham have won none of the last six meetings with Everton in the Premier League.
  • Louis Saha has scored five goals in four Premier League appearances for Everton against West Ham.
  • The Toffees have beaten West Ham 16 times in the Premier League, more victories than against any other opponent.
  • West Ham have won only one of their last 14 trips to Goodison Park.
  • West Ham have conceded more corners (165) than any other team this season.
  • The Toffees have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 Premier League matches.
  • The Hammers have kept just two clean sheets in their last 17 Premier League matches.
Fulham v Stoke City
  • Fulham scored two goals from just three shots on target when they beat Stoke 2-0 around four weeks ago.
  • There have been two games between Stoke and Fulham this season and both have ended with a 2-0 scoreline with one win apiece.
  • Five of the last eight league meetings between Stoke and Fulham have ended as 1-0 wins, including the last three league meetings at Craven Cottage.
  • Fulham have earned just 24 yellow cards and no red, the fewest cards of any team in the top flight.
  • 79% of the goals Stoke have scored have been netted in the second half, the highest proportion in the Premier League.
  • Only 36% of the goals Fulham have conceded have come in the second half, the lowest proportion in the Premier League.
  • Stoke City have drawn the joint-fewest matches (3) while Fulham have drawn the joint-most (11).
Manchester United v Birmingham City
  • There have been only seven goals scored in the last five Premier League meetings between Manchester United and Birmingham City.
  • Wayne Rooney has scored in four of his last seven Premier League games against Birmingham.
  • Man Utd are unbeaten in their last 24 matches in all competitions against Birmingham since losing 5-1 at St Andrews in November 1978.
  • Man Utd have won the last nine home games against Birmingham City with the Blues failing to score in any of those matches.
  • Man Utd have scored with 18% of their shots, the highest conversion rate in the Premier League.
  • The Blues have dropped 10 points from winning positions away from home this season, the joint-most with Aston Villa.
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
  • Spurs have scored exactly one goal in nine of the last 12 Premier League matches against Newcastle.
  • None of the last 21 Premier League meetings between Newcastle and Tottenham has ended as a draw.
  • Newcastle have won the last four Premier League meetings against Tottenham at St James Park.
  • In the last 17 meetings, Newcastle have won all 10 matches where they have scored and lost all seven where they failed to find the net.
  • Newcastle haven't kept a clean sheet against Spurs in their last 12 Premier League meetings.
  • Spurs have recouped more points (16) than any other team in the Premier League from losing positions this season.
  • Tottenham have won more corners (160) than any other Premier League side.
Aston Villa v Manchester City
  • Man City scored four goals from just six shots on target against Villa when they met in December.
  • Villa have only won two of their last 16 Premier League games against Man City.
  • Villa have conceded five penalties in their last five Premier League games against the Citizens.
  • Man City have won six penalties this season, more than any other team.
  • Aston Villa have dropped the joint-most points from winning positions in the Premier League this season (14).
  • Manchester City have kept the join-most clean sheets along with Sunderland (11).
  • Since Carlos Tevez joined Manchester City, no player has scored more goals than the 37 the Argentinean has netted joint-most with Didier Drogba.
Blackburn Rovers v West Bromwich Albion
  • Rovers scored three goals from just four shots on target in their 3-1 win at the Hawthorns last month.
  • Blackburn have had a player sent off in the last three Premier League games against West Brom.
  • West Brom have only won one of the nine Premier League meetings with Blackburn.
  • Blackburn are the only team in the Premier League not to recover any points from losing positions this season.
  • West Brom have gone 20 matches without keeping a clean sheet in the Premier League.
  • Blackburn have conceded 12 goals in the 15 minutes just after half-time, more than any other team in this period.
  • West Brom have won one and lost five of their last eight Premier League away games.
Bolton Wanderers v Chelsea
  • Bolton failed to score in three matches against Chelsea last season, twice in the league and once in the Carling Cup and also last month in the Premier League.
  • Chelsea are unbeaten against Bolton in their last 15 meetings in all competitions.
  • Frank Lampard has scored seven goals in his last 11 Premier League appearances against Bolton.
  • Bolton haven't kept a clean sheet against Chelsea in their last 20 Premier League meetings.
  • Bolton have failed to score in their last seven home games against Chelsea, making it the longest run of any host team without a goal against an opponent in Premier League history.
  • Chelsea have scored in each of the last 20 Premier League games against Bolton.
  • Bolton have committed 316 fouls, more than any other team in the Premier League.
  • Chelsea have won none and lost four of their last six Premier League away games.

Championship Opta facts - January 22-23rd

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.

Derby County v Nott'm Forest
  • Derby have won four and drawn four of their last eight home meetings with Forest and were last beaten at home by their East Midlands rivals in Derby in 1994.
  • Forest strikers Robert Earnshaw and Marcus Tudgay, who both used to play for Derby, each netted a brace in this season's reverse fixture (which Forest won 5-2).
  • The Rams have won just one of their last eight league games, losing six of them.
  • Forest have lost just one of their last 10 league games and are unbeaten in five.



Barnsley v Swansea City
  • The Swans are unbeaten in nine against Barnsley, winning five and drawing four.
  • Barnsley haven't beaten Swansea at Oakwell since 1983, although two of the last three meetings in South Yorkshire have ended in draws.
  • The Tykes have won just one of their last five in the league, losing three and drawing one.
  • The Swans have lost their last three league away games, scoring just once in total.



Cardiff City v Watford
  • Each of the last nine clashes between these sides has produced at least three goals.
  • Bluebirds' midfielder Peter Whittingham has netted four times in his last three meetings with the Hornets.
  • Cardiff have kept one clean sheet in their last 13 games in the Championship.
  • Watford have won just won seven consecutive games in all competitions for the first time since 2000. If they win in Cardiff, they will win eight straight games for the first time since 1903/4.
  • Hornets striker Danny Graham has scored in each of his last seven league games; the last player to achieve this feat for Watford was Frank McPherson in 1929.



Crystal Palace v Bristol City
  • The Robins have won three of the last four meetings with Palace, each by a scoreline of 1-0.
  • Palace have won four of the last five regular league clashes between the sides at Selhurst Park, although they were defeated at home by the Robins in the 2008 Championship playoffs.
  • Palace have kept four straight clean sheets at Selhurst Park in the league.
  • The Robins have lost three and drawn one of their last four league away games.



Ipswich v Doncaster
  • Doncaster are unbeaten in six against Ipswich and were last beaten by the Tractor Boys in 1957.
  • Ipswich have won two and drawn one of the four previous meetings between the sides in Suffolk.
  • Town have taken just four points from their last 10 games; fewer than any other side.
  • Donny have only won one of their last six away games in the Championship.




Leicester v Millwall
  • Three of the last four clashes between these sides have been won 1-0 by the away side.
  • The Foxes have won five of the last seven meetings between these sides in the East Midlands, drawing one and losing the other.
  • The Foxes are unbeaten in nine at the Walkers Stadium, winning six and drawing three.
  • Millwall have drawn their last four away games in the Championship.



Middlesbrough v Preston
  • Boro have won three and drawn one of their last four meetings with North End in all competitions.
  • The Lilywhites last won at Middlesbrough in the league in 1971.
  • Boro have netted four goals in their last four home league games combined, the same amount they netted in their last away game at Bristol City.
  • Preston have won just one of their last 12 league games.

Portsmouth v Leeds
  • Pompey have won their last three meetings with Leeds at Fratton Park. Their last defeat was a 5-1 hammering in the 1999 FA Cup.
  • Leeds defender Andy O'Brien scored two own goals in this season's reverse fixture, as Portsmouth came from 1-3 down to draw 3-3.
  • Portsmouth have lost their last three league games, conceding eight goals in the process.
  • Leeds have now won only one of their last five league games, drawing three of them.



Reading v Hull
  • Four of the last six meetings between these sides have ended 1-1, with Reading winning the other two.
  • The Tigers have scored exactly one goal in each of their last six meetings with the Royals.
  • Reading have only lost one of their last 11 league games.
  • Hull are unbeaten in eight league games away from the KC Stadium.



Sheff Utd v Norwich
  • The last six meetings between these sides have all ended in a home win.
  • Canaries midfielder Wes Hoolahan netted a hat-trick in this season's reverse fixture, including a brace of penalties.
  • The Blades have only lost one of their last four league games at Bramall Lane, drawing one and winning two.
  • Canaries striker Grant Holt has netted three times in his last two Championship away games.




Scunthorpe v Burnley
  • Each of the last three clashes between the sides has ended in a 2-0 scoreline
  • The Iron have scored exactly two goals in three of their last four meetings with Burnley.
  • Scunthorpe have the worst home record in the Championship, taking just five points from their 11 games at Glanford park.
  • Eddie Howe's side kept their first clean sheet in 13 in a 0-0 draw at home to QPR last weekend.



QPR v Coventry
  • QPR have won none of their last five meetings with the Sky Blues at Loftus Road, losing three and drawing two of them.
  • The R's last three victories over Coventry have all come away from home.
  • QPR midfielder Adel Taaarbt has scored eight goals in his last seven home league games.
  • Coventry have now not won for seven games in the league.

SPL Opta facts - 22nd January

Celtic v Aberdeen
  • Celtic recorded the biggest-ever SPL win earlier this season when they beat the Dons 9-0 at home.
  • The Bhoys have scored at least three goals in each of their last five league meetings with Aberdeen.
  • Anthony Stokes has scored in his last three appearances against Aberdeen, netting six goals in total.
  • Celtic have won only five of their 10 league games since the 9-0 win against the Dons.
  • Gary Hooper has 10 goals in 11 league appearances with Celtic this season.


Hearts v Rangers
  • Hearts have recorded more victories against the "Old Firm" than any other SPL side (15).
  • However they have taken just one point from the last 18 available against Rangers.
  • The Jambos have won nine of their last 10 SPL games, shipping just three goals in this run.
  • Had the SPL started the game after Rangers´ 2-1 win over Hearts, the Jambos would be six points clear of Celtic at the top of the table, and eight above Rangers.
  • Hearts are unbeaten when they have conceded one goal or fewer this season, but have lost all four when they have conceded two or more.
  • Rangers have the best away record in the SPL this season, with eight wins and one draw.



Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Hamilton Academical
  • Hamilton have scored exactly once in all four of their trips to Inverness in the league.
  • However the Accies have never lost at the Caledonian Stadium in the SPL, winning two games 1-0 and drawing the other two 1-1.
  • Caley Thistle have lost four of their last five league matches.
  • The highlanders are without a goal in the last 289 minutes of league football.
  • Hamilton have found the net just twice in their last nine league matches.



Kilmarnock v Dundee United
  • United are unbeaten on their last three trips to Rugby Park in the league.
  • Conor Sammon has scored in both meetings with the Terrors this season.
  • The Irishman has hit six goals in his last six league appearances at Rugby Park.
  • Kilmarnock have lost just two of their last 12 league matches.
  • Only Killie (19) have scored in more consecutive league games than United (12).



Motherwell v Hibernian
  • Hibs have won both meetings with Motherwell this season.
  • Motherwell are without a goal in their last four league games.
  • The now-departed Nick Blackman has accounted for 10 of the Steelmen´s 24 league goals this season.
  • Motherwell are without a win in their last eight league games, losing five.
  • They have also failed to score in their last four.
  • Hibs have lost five of their last seven league games.



St Johnstone v St Mirren
  • St Johnstone are unbeaten in their last 11 meetings with the Buddies in all competitions.
  • Sam Parkin has scored in both of St Johnstone´s meetings with St Mirren this season.
  • St Johnstone have lost only one of their last six league games.
  • St Mirren have lost their last three league matches 0-2.
  • No side has kept fewer clean sheets than St Mirren this season (two).

Spanish La Liga Opta Facts 22-24 January

Almeria v Osasuna
  • Almería have won all three of their matches at home to Osasuna in the Spanish top flight.
  • Los rojillos have bagged just one goal in total on their three league trips to the Estádio del Mediterráneo.
  • Osasuna are without a win in their last seven league games.
  • José Antonio Camacho´s men have the worst away record in Liga BBVA this season, picking up just two points from 10 away games.
  • José Leonardo Ulloa has netted six goals in just five competitive starts at the Estadio del Mediterraneo.
  • Only three teams have previously failed to win any of their opening 10 home games of a season in the Spanish top flight (as Almería could in this game).
  • Krisztián Vadócz (two) is the only player to have scored more than once for Osasuna in their last 11 league matches.
  • 29% of Almeria´s goals and 24% of Osasuna´s have come from corners, the 1st and 3rd highest proportions in Liga BBVA this season.


Athletic Bilbao v Hercules
  • Bilbao have won five of their last six meetings with Hercules in the top flight.
  • The Basque side has hit 24 goals in their last seven top flight clashes with Hércules at the San Mames.
  • Athletic Bilbao have won six of their last seven league home games.
  • None of the last 13 visiting sides to San Mamés in the league has managed to keep a clean sheet.
  • Javier Martínez has scored in three of the Lions´ last four league games.
  • Hercules have failed to score in their last six away matches in Liga BBVA.
  • Nelson Valdez has scored all three of Hércules´ away goals this season.
  • Athletic Bilbao have scored 14 goals from crosses this season, the most in the league.
  • Markel Susaeta has had more shots without scoring than any player in the Spanish top flight this season (34).


Barcelona v Racing Santander
  • Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 14 league meetings with Racing, winning 11.
  • Messi has scored six goals in his last five league appearances against los montañeses.
  • Racing have won just one of their last 34 league visits to Barcelona: 2-0 in February 1983.
  • Miguel Ángel Portugal´s side have only scored more than once in two league matches this season.
  • Racing have scored only two goals in their last seven trips to the Camp Nou in the league.
  • Racing have lost just one of their last five league games.
  • The Blaugrana are just one victory away from equalling their record of consecutive wins in the Spanish top flight (14).
  • Pedro Rodríguez has scored in four consecutive league matches for the first time in his career (six goals total).
  • Barcelona have not scored a single goal from a set piece at home in the league this season.
  • Both of Racing´s goals in the league in 2011 have come from free kicks.
  • Barcelona have made at least 630 passes in 15 of their 19 league matches this season, no other side has managed this even once.


Getafe v Espanyol
  • El Geta are without a win in their last four matches at home to Espanyol in the league.
  • Getafe are the only side against whom Osvaldo has scored more than twice in Liga BBVA (three goals in two appearances).
  • Míchel´s side are without a win in their last three league games (one draw, two defeats).
  • Espanyol have won their last two league matches.
  • The Catalonians have 34 points after 19 league games for only the third time in the Spanish top flight.
  • Luis Garcia has either scored (four) or assisted (four) eight of Espanyol´s last 14 league goals.
  • Nearly half (12/25) of the goals Espanyol have shipped in the league this season have come in the final 15 minutes of games.
  • Espanyol are also one of three sides in this competitions yet to concede their first goal in the opening 15 minutes of play.
  • Espanyol are the only Liga BBVA side to have lost every game in which they have gone behind this season (seven times).
  • Only once this season has a league match involving Espanyol seen the side scoring first failing to win (Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Espanyol).


Real Madrid v Mallorca
  • Mallorca failed to score in all three trips to Madrid in the league in 2010 (twice at Getafe, once at the Bernabeú).
  • Los merengues have won five of their last six league matches at home to Mallorca.
  • However Barcelona are the only other side apart from Mallorca to have been unbeaten in at least half of their league trips to the Bernabeu since 2000/01 (at least seven games).
  • Mallorca have conceded exactly three goals in their last three away matches in Liga BBVA.
  • Real Madrid have lost just one of the last eight league matches in which they have conceded the first goal, winning five.
  • José Mourinho´s men are the only side not to have dropped a single point from matches in which they have taken the lead this season.
  • A win in this match would be the third time in four seasons that Real have won their opening 10 league matches at home.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo has hit eight goals in the Merengues´ last four league matches at home.
  • Real Madrid have conceded the fewest goals from set pieces in the league this season (just three).


Real Zaragoza v Deportivo La Coruna
  • Real Zaragoza are unbeaten in their last five top-flight matches at home to Depor, though four have been draws.
  • Deportivo have won just one of their last 11 top-flight meetings with Real Zaragoza.
  • The last four top-flight clashes between the sides have seen just two goals in total, both scored by Real Zaragoza.
  • Real Zaragoza are two points better off (16), than they were after 19 games last season (14).
  • Two of Los maños´ three league wins this season have come in their last three matches.
  • Deportivo have failed to find the net in four of their last five league away matches.
  • This is only the second time in the last 13 seasons that Depor have had fewer than 22 points after 19 matches.
  • Miguel Ángel Lotina´s men have netted just four goals from open play in the league this season, fewer than any other side.
  • Real Zaragoza have scored the highest proportion of their goals from outside the box in Liga BBVA this season (24%).


Sevilla v Levante
  • Sevilla have won all five of their matches at home to Levante in the Spanish top flight.
  • Los nervionistas have averaged 3.14 goals per game in their last seven league meetings with Levante, winning each time.
  • Sevilla have lost four of their last five league matches at home, scoring exactly once in each.
  • Levante are without a win in their last five league matches, and have lost the last four in a row.
  • Los Granotes have picked up only one point from the last 21 available on the road in Liga BBVA.
  • This is Sevilla´s worst performance (26 points, -5 goal difference) after 19 league games since 2003/04.
  • Quique Flores´ men have conceded eight goals in the 15 minutes after the break in Liga BBVA this season, the most.
  • Levante have averaged just 42% possession in the league this season, the lowest proportion in the top flight.


Sporting Gijon v Atletico Madrid
  • Atlético de Madrid have won 13 of their last 14 league clashes with Sporting de Gijón, drawing the other.
  • Los colchoneros have scored 19 goals in their last six league meetings with Sporting.
  • Diego Forlán has scored in all four of his league appearances against Sporting Gijon, netting six goals in total.
  • Sporting´s win over Hércules in their last match ended a run of 11 league games without a victory.
  • Atlético have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five league games.
  • Quique Flores´ men have conceded at least twice in six of their last seven away matches in Primera.
  • Atlético de Madrid have not won an away match in the league in which Sergio Agüero wasn´t playing since April 2006 (1-0 at Alavés).
  • Since the start of 07/08, Atlético have won 55% of their league games when both Forlán and Aguero have started, compared to just 28% when at least one has been missing.
  • Atlético have seven points more at this stage of the season than they did after 19 games of the last campaign (23).


Valencia v Malaga
  • Málaga have only won once away to Valencia in the Spanish top flight in 29 meetings, 2-0 in January 1955.
  • Since then they have lost 17 and drawn eight of their visits to the Mestalla.
  • Valencia have won their last four league matches, all thanks to goals scored in the final 15 minutes of games.
  • Los Che have not won five consecutive league matches since April 2009.
  • Málaga have lost six of their last seven league matches on the road.
  • Manuel Pellegrini´s side are yet to score a goal from open play in the league in 2011 (one penalty, one from a corner, one direct and one indirect free kick).
  • On average, each of Valencia´s league goals this season have come after a sequence of 3.1 passes, only Barcelona´s (4.3) have come after a longer sequence.
  • Valencia have netted eight league goals from corners this season, more than any other Liga BBVA side.


Villarreal v Real Sociedad
  • The last three top-flight clashes between the sides have produced just four goals in total.
  • Real Sociedad have won just three of their last 23 top-flight matches in the Comunitat Valencia, though all three were against Villarreal.
  • Los Txuri-Urdin have only lost two of their eight matches at Villarreal in Primera.
  • Villarreal have picked up the most points at home in the league this season (28).
  • The Yellow Submarine´s last nine league goals at home have all been scored by a different player.
  • 11 of Real Sociedad´s last 18 league goals have been scored or assisted by Xabi Prieto.
  • Only Lionel Messi (13) has assisted more goals in Liga BBVA this season than Prieto (eight).
  • Victory in their last match ended a run of four straight league defeats for Real Sociedad.
  • Four of Villarreal´s last six league goals at El Madrigal have been headers (three assisted by Valero).
  • Villarreal´s Giuseppe Rossi (nine goals, five assists), and Real Sociedad´s Xabi Prieto (six goals, eight assists) have been involved in the most Liga BBVA goals this season for players outside Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Italian Serie A Opta Facts 22nd - 23rd January

Bari v Napoli
  • Bari have won only one of their last 21 matches with Napoli in the top-flight; the Partenopei have come out on top 13 times with seven draws in the process.
  • Bari have picked up only two points from their last six meetings with Napoli in Serie A.
  • Bari's derby win against Lecce (1-0) was their only victory in the last 15 match-days of Serie A.
  • At home, Bari have suffered five defeats in their last seven games, drawing the other two.
  • Napoli have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six league games.
  • However, away from home the Partenopei have lost three of their last four games.
  • Bari have won only three games in this campaign, fewer than any other side.
  • Napoli have already scored eight headed goals, more than any other side this season in Serie A.
  • Both Stefano Okaka and Gergely Rudolf scored a goal on their debuts for Bari.
  • Bari manager, Giampiero Ventura, has never won against Walter Mazzarri in Serie A in four meetings, with the current Napoli manager having had the better on three occasions.


Bologna v Lazio
  • Bologna have beaten Lazio 42 times in Serie A; only against Roma have they managed more wins in the top-flight (47).
  • However, Lazio are the Italian side against whom Bologna have scored the most goals in the league (163).
  • Bologna have picked up only one point in their last four league meetings against Lazio.
  • Lazio came out on top in both fixtures against Bologna last season, scoring exactly three goals on both occasions.
  • These two sides have not shared the points at the Dall'Ara in their last 12 meetings, winning six times apiece.
  • Bologna may have won only once in the last five match-days of Serie A (2-0 at Bari), but they have lost only one of their last 11 at home between.
  • Lazio have taken only two points from their last four games on the road.
  • The Biancocelesti have won each of the games in which they have taken the lead in this campaign (11).


Chievo v Genoa
  • The record between these two sides in Serie A is even: two wins each and a draw so far.
  • Since beating Inter back in November, Chievo have remained winless in their ensuing seven fixtures (four draws and three defeats).
  • Sergio Pellissier's goal against Catania was the only one scored by Chievo in the last three match-days of Serie A.
  • Chievo have shared the points in their last three games at the Bentegodi, against Roma, Juventus and Palermo; the only time they drew four in a row at home was in March 2009.
  • Genoa are winless in their last four league fixtures, and have failed to score in three of these.
  • However, their record away from home has seen them win two and draw two of their last four games, conceding only one goal in the process.
  • No side has a greater disparity between goals conceded in the first half (16) and after the break (only six) than Chievo in Serie A this season.
  • Genoa have shipped the fewest goals away from home so far (six).


Fiorentina v Lecce
  • Lecce are unbeaten in their last three league meetings against Fiorentina in Serie A (two wins and a draw).
  • These two sides have not shared the points in their last seven meetings at the Artemio Franchi, with the hosts coming out on top five times.
  • Lecce have failed to score in seven of their last nine visits to Fiorentina in the league.
  • Sinisa Mihajlovic's side have suffered only one defeat in the last six match-days of this competition.
  • The Viola have also won their last five fixtures at home, keeping three clean sheets in the process.
  • 14 match-days have passed since Lecce last kept a clean sheet in Serie A.
  • Before beating Lazio at the Olimpico in their last match on the road (2-1), Lecce had failed to win away from home in 17 consecutive games in Serie A.


AC Milan v Cesena
  • Cesena's 2-0 win in the reverse fixture in September ended a run of four consecutive wins for AC Milan against Cesena.
  • Erjon Bogdani's and Emanuele Giaccherini's goals in that fixture ended a four-game goalscoring drought for Cesena against the Rossoneri in the league.
  • AC Milan are still unbeaten against Cesena at home, in light of seven wins and two draws.
  • The Rossoneri have not conceded goals in eight of these nine meetings against Cesena at the San Siro.
  • AC Milan have lost only one of their last 11 Serie A fixtures, though they have been held to a draw in their last two games against Udinese and Lecce.
  • Cesena have lost their last two league games, against Roma and Inter.
  • The Bianconeri have won only once in their last 23 away games in Serie A.
  • AC Milan are the only Serie A side yet to concede a goal in the opening 15 minutes of play this season.
  • Cesena have lost each of the 11 games in which they were trailing this season.
  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the Serie A player who has attempted the most shots on target so far this season (38, 11 of which have found the net).



Palermo v Brescia
  • The record in the head to head between Palermo and Brescia is perfectly even: both sides have won three times, with five draws.
  • 11 goals have been scored in the last two meetings between these two sides in Serie A.
  • Palermo have won only one of their last four league matches, a run that has seen them fall down the table form 5th to 7th.
  • However, the Sicilians have won their last five games at home, scoring exactly three goals in each of the last four.
  • Last Sunday's 2-0 win against Parma ended a run of three consecutive defeats for Brescia.
  • Brescia have picked up only one point from their last eight league games on the road.
  • Brescia have already scored three goals from direct free kicks (two by Nicolas Cordova, one by Alessandro Diamanti).
  • Javier Pastore is the Serie A player who has attempted the most passes in the opposition half so far this season (743).


Parma v Catania
  • Parma have managed to beat Catania only once in seven Serie A meetings so far.
  • However, the Ducali are still unbeaten at the home against Catania, in light of one win and two draws.
  • Parma have lost their last two games against Cagliari (at home) and Brescia (away).
  • Parma have won only one of their last four fixtures at the Tardini in the league.
  • Catania have won only once in the last seven match-days of this campaign, losing four and sharing the points twice.
  • Catania's last win away from home was in February (1-0 at the Olimpico against Lazio): since then, the Sicilians have lost nine and drawn seven times in the league.
  • Catania would be bottom of the Serie A table on only three points, taking into account only the away games of the season.
  • Marco Giampaolo's side have conceded seven goals in their last two games on the road.
  • Maxi Lopez has scored in three of Catania'a last four league fixtures.


Roma v Cagliari
  • Cagliari and Roma have shared the points 23 times in Serie A so far, only against Sampdoria (25) have the Sardinians drawn more times.
  • Cagliari's 5-1 win in the reverse fixture ended a run of six unbeaten games for Roma against the Sardinians.
  • At the Olimpico the Giallorossi are unbeaten on the last six occasions they have hosted Cagliari in Serie A.
  • Cagliari's last win at Roma was in November 1968 (4-1); since then the hosts have won 13 times, with as many draws.
  • Daniele Conti has scored more goals against Roma than against any other Serie A side, four, including one in the reverse fixture.
  • Claudio Ranieri's side have won four of their last five league games, losing only that against Sampdoria.
  • At home, the Giallorossi have won seven games on the spin in this competition.
  • Cagliari have won five of the eight games played under new manager, Roberto Donadoni.
  • The Sardinians would be 3rd in the Serie A table taking into account only the last eight match-days of this competition.
  • No Serie A player has been substituted more times than Jeremy Menez so far this season (14 times).




Sampdoria v Juventus
  • Five of the last seven matches between these two sides have ended as draws.
  • Prior to last season's 1-0 win, Sampdoria had not beaten Juventus at home in eight meetings in Serie A.
  • Sampdoria have lost three of their last four games in Serie A.
  • However, the Blucerchiati are unbeaten in their last seven games at home (three wins and four draws).
  • Juventus got back to winning ways last Sunday (2-1 against Bari), following a negative run of three games without a win in the league.
  • Sampdoria have conceded only five goals at home, fewer than any other Serie A side.
  • The Blucerchiati have already scored five goals from the penalty spot - a league-high.
  • Juventus have attempted the most headed shots so far in this campaign (55), converting six of them into goals.


Udinese v Inter
  • Inter are on a run of five consecutive wins against Udinese in the league, and are unbeaten in the last 13.
  • Udinese have failed to score on four of their last five occasions they have hosted Inter at the Friuli.
  • Udinese have scored two or more goals in each of their last five league fixtures.
  • Udinese have notched-up six wins and a draw in their last seven games at home in Serie A.
  • Inter have won each of the five games played in all competitions under new manager, Leonardo.
  • Alexis Sanchez has scored a goal in each of Udinese's last four games in the league.
  • The Chilean is the player who has completed the most dribbles so far this season (58).
  • Antonio Di Natale scored his 14th goal of this campaign last Sunday against Genoa, enough to be the Serie A top-scorer.
  • Di Natale had netted three goals so far against Inter, two of which came in last season's two fixtures.

French Ligue 1 Opta facts - 22nd January

Lens v Caen

  • Lens have won just three of their eight home games against Caen in the top flight.
  • Youssef El Arabi has scored more away goals than any other player in Ligue 1 this term (eight).
  • Caen have won two consecutive league games for the first time since August 2010.
  • Seven of the eight Lens defeats this season in Ligue 1 have been by a two-goal margin or more.
  • Laszlo Bölöni has never beaten Caen as a Ligue 1 manager (three draws and one defeat).
  • Lens have yet to score three goals in a league game this season.
  • Caen have conceded a league-high five penalties this season.

21-01-2011 Fiksevi Aleksandra Simića iz Grčke

Olimpijakos i Panatinaikos nastavljaju trku. Iako obe ekipe u ovom kolu gostuju, uveren sam da njihovi domaćini, Asteras i Panionios, ostaju praznih ruku. Dvojka mi je posebno sigurna na meču Panionios – Panatinaikos, jer je domaćin, potpuno neočekivano, slavio u prošlom kolu na terenu daleko jačeg Arisa. Bojim se da taj trijumf ide u “paketu” sa porazom od Panatinaikosa, odnosno da su u Grčkoj počele “igrarije” oko šampionske titule, ali i opstanka.
ASTERAS – OLIMPIJAKOS     2
PANIONIOS – PANATINAIKOS     2 

21-01-2011 Fiksevi Nenada Džodića za Francuski kup

Najpre bih da vas podsetim da je u prethodnoj rundi Kupa Francuske ispalo čak 11 favorita, uglavnom prvoligaša. Mnogi će na teren u kombinovanim sastavima, što “malim”, nižerazrednim timovima povećava šanse. Ipak, mislim da će Lil, u kojoj god postavi zaigra, da savlada Vaskual u malom derbiju severa Francuske
VASKUAL – LIL     2

Iznenađenja ne očekujem ni kada su u pitanju Nant, Bulonj i Le Man
NANT – ROAN     1
BULONJ – DRANSI     1
ŠERBUR – LE MAN     2

21-01-2011 Fiksevi Bojana Jorgačevića iz Belgije

Anderleht je lider i apsolutni favorit za odbranu titule, a zbog čudnog sistema takmičenja veoma mu je stalo da osvoji što više bodova pre početka plej-ofa.Standard je ove sezone slab u gostima, pa mislim da ne može previše da namuči domaćina.
ANDERLEHT – STANDARD     1

Igrao bih i na Genk, koji maksimalno koristi prednost domaćeg terena, dok je Kortrijk van svog stadiona prilično ranjiv.
GENK – KORTRIJK     1

| by

0

21-01-2011 14:25 Japan - Qatar

Japan and Qatar face off in the first of the Asian Cup quarter-finals, with the hosts riding high after their dramatic turnaround during the group stages.

After losing their opening game 2-0 to the impressive Uzbekistan, Bruno Metsu's men seemed destined for a disastrous early exit from the competition.

Thanks to the brilliance of youngster Yusef Ahmed however, the hosts have been able to resurrect their campaign; the 22-year-old netted a wonderful double against China before the Qataris won their final group game against Kuwait and secured passage into the knockout stages.

Their preparation has been tarnished somewhat by the departure of Hussein Yasser from the squad after he missed training and displayed a poor attitude.

Metsu has held closed training sessions in the build-up to the Japan game, denying players interviews with media as he looks to keep focus on the task at hand.

StaReko understands that there's a good spirit emanating from the Qatar camp, while Japan head into this match on the back of a 5-0 thumping of a listless Saudi Arabia.

Shinji Okazaki got his first start of the tournament and rewarded manager Alberto Zaccheroni's faith with a hat-trick, while fellow forward Ryoichi Maeda scored a double.

First-choice goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima returns from suspension and Keisuke Honda is set to play after training yesterday, ruled out of the Saudi game with an ankle injury.

Right-back Atsuto Uhcida will sit the match out after picking up yellow cards against Syria and Saudi Arabia, with Masahiko Inoha set to take his spot.

Japan fans will be desperate to see Bundesliga star Shinji Kagawa fire after his underwhelming start to the campaign; the Borussia Dortmund man has failed to transfer his blistering club form onto the international arena and many have attributed this to his playing out of position and in an unfamiliar system with the Samurai Blue.

Prediction
Neither of these sides are in convincing form but Japan have the individual quality to edge this one nonetheless.

Japan 2-0 Qatar