Sunday, April 17, 2011

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17.04. (Sun) 21:00 Espanyol - Atletico Madrid

DID YOU KNOW?

* Espanyol have collected just seven points out of last 33 possible points. Despite this, they can still qualify for Europe, if they manage to win the rest of their games.
* Mauricio Pochettino's men have been struggling since the beginning of the new year owing to the sale of several key players without replacements.
* The 'Catalans' have a very tough run in for the season end, as matches with Barcelona, Sevilla, Valencia and Bilbao are yet to come.
* 'Los Periquitos' are missing de la Pena, Sergio Garcia, David Garcia and Raul Baena through injuries, but have midfielder Javi Marquez available after a long layoff.
* Atletico de Madrid are on a good run with just one defeat in last five matches, that too against Real Madrid.
* They are level on points with the Basque side Bilbao for the sixth spot. However, their inferior head to head record pushes them into the seventh place.
* 'The mattress makers' are in a prime positon to finish on a high note as they have negotiated all their 'tough' fixtures and all their remaining matches are with the sides below them in the league table
* Quique Flores is without Diego Forlan for this match.
* Matches between the two sides in the last few years have tended to be even, with Atletico winning five and Espanyol winning four.

LAST MEETING

A bridge too far??
January 7, 2011: Espanyol 1-1 Atletico Madrid

Last time around these sides met in Copa Del Rey's second leg which saw Atletico Madrid advance to the next round on a 2-1 aggregate win.
Espanyol were down 1-0 at half time due to Aguero strike and a 92nd minute goal by Luis Garcia only proved to a consolation goal as the match was already over when Aguero struck. That strike meant that Espanyol needed three goals to advance which was always going to be a bridge too far.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Espanyol: Kameni; Raúl Rodríguez, Amat, Francisco Torres, Galán; Verdú, Javí López, Pablo Osvaldo, Iván Alonso, Callejón; Luis Garcia;

Atletico de Madrid: De Gea; Godín, Perea, Kasmirski ,Ujfalusi; Mario Suárez, Tiago, Koke, Reyes; Diego Costa, Agüero;

Prediction
The two teams have always had close matches irrespective of their form. However, Atletico seemed to have re-discovered their joy of winning whereas Espanyol are to discover theirs. Atletico are yet to win at Espanyols' home this season but this could be the time when can actually do it.

Espanyol 1-2 Atletico Madrid

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17.04. (Sun) 20:45 Napoli - Udinese

DID YOU KNOW?

* Napoli are currently riding a four-game winning streak.

* Walter Mazzarri's men haven't lost at home since last October.

* Napoli have held their opponents scoreless 16 times this season.

* Edinson Cavani is second in the Serie A scoring race with 25 goals.

* Napoli have scored 11 goals in their last four games.

* Udinese are unbeaten in their last five Serie A matches against Napoli.

* The Zebrette will be without dynamic duo Antonio Di Natale and Alexis Sanchez who are both injured.

* Udinese have scored 32 goals on the road in the 2010-11 campaign.

* Udinese have won five of their past six matches away from home.

LAST MEETING

November 28, 2010: Udinese 3-1 Napoli

Di Natale was the hero as his hat-trick fired the hosts to an impressive victory over Napoli. The veteran striker made no mistake from the spot in the 15th minute before scoring two more goals in the second half to give Udinese a commanding lead they would not relinquish.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Napoli: De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Ruiz; Maggio, Pazienza, Yebda, Dossena; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Cavani

Udinese: Handanovic; Benatia, Zapata, Domizzi, Pasquale; Isla, Pinzi, Inler, Asamoah, Armero; Denis

Prediction
Udinese will enter the San Paolo cauldron without their dynamic duo and will be immediately put on the back foot by a Napoli side who will come sprinting out of the starting blocks. Hamsik, Lavezzi and Cavani will all get on the scoresheet as the Azzurri send Milan a message with an emphatic win in Naples.
Napoli 3-0 Udinese

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17.04. (Sun) 17:30 Borussia D. - Freiburg

DID YOU KNOW?

* Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten in 13 Bundesliga home matches (nine wins, four draws).

* BVB have won their last three home games against SCF, keeping a clean sheet in each of them.

* Dortmund haven't conceded more than one goal in a game since their Bundesliga season opener.

* The league leaders have conceded just 18 goals in 29 matches. Ruhr rivals Schalke have the Bundesliga's second-best defensive record, but have allowed 33 goals.

* The Schwarz-Gelben have won just one of their last four matches.

* Freiburg have only won one of their 11 Bundesliga away games at Dortmund (eight defeats, two draws).

* SCF have won only one of their last eight away matches (three draws, four losses), and have only picked up one point from their last four games on the road.

* Striker Papiss Demba Cisse is currently the league's top goal-scorer with 20 goals, one more than Bayern's Mario Gomez.

* Last week's comeback win over Hoffenheim was Freiburg's first victory in six matches.

* Freiburg have won and drawn 12 games each, but have conceded three goals more than they have scored.

LAST MEETING

November 20, 2010: Freiburg 1-2 Borussia Dortmund

When these teams last met, Mats Hummels scored a rare own goal early to hand Freiburg the lead. Dortmund fought hard for the equaliser and finally earned it through substitute Robert Lewandowski, who nodded in a cross 15 minutes from full time. Der BVB competed their comeback three minutes later under fortuitous circumstances as Mensur Mujdza turned the ball into his own net.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer; Sahin, Bender; Blaszczykowski, Gotze, Grosskreutz; Lewandowski

Freiburg: Baumann; Mujdza, Barth, Toprak, Butscher; Schuster; Caligiuri, Flum, Makiadi, Putsila; Cisse

Prediction
Neither team enters the game in particularly great form, and this one will likely be decided based on the form of lone strikers Papiss Cisse and Robert Lewandowski. The Freiburg man has been the more dangerous hit-man, but the latter can expect to have better service. With all things considered, the hosts should take three points.

Borussia 3-1 SC Freiburg

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17.04. (Sun) 17:00 Arsenal - Liverpool

DID YOU KNOW?

* Arsenal are unbeaten against this opposition in the past seven league meetings, but five of those matches have ended in a draw.

* The games between these two sides have produced more hat-tricks than any other in the history of the Premier League.

* The Gunners' forward Robin van Persie has managed to hit the back of the net 20 times in his last 21 starts for the club.

* Barring Manchester United (42), Arsenal have scored more goals (32) at home than any other team in the league.

* However, the north London outfit have lost the most number of home games among the current top six.

* Liverpool have lost 10 league games on the road this season, which is more than any other team in the top ten.

* The Reds have also conceded the most number of goals away from home in the top ten (26), with the exception of West Brom (33).

* Kenny Dalglish’s men have performed well against top opposition in recent times, as three of their last four victories were against top four opposition – Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City. They did, however, lose to West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United during this period.

* Each of the last 23 league matches between these two clubs has produced at least one goal; the last time they played out a goalless draw was in September 1999, at Highbury.

* Andy Carroll recently opened his goalscoring account for Liverpool with a brace against Manchester City, and is currently the fourth highest scorer in the Premier League. But a majority (11) of those goals came during his time at Newcastle United.

LAST MEETING

August 14, 2010: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

A rare error from Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reinasaw the Gunners somehow salvage a point at Anfield, as new signing Joe Cole was sent off for the first time in his career.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Arsenal: Szczesny; Eboue, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy; Song, Wilshere; Nasri, Fabregas, Walcott; Van Persie.

Liverpool: Reina; Flanagan, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio; Meireles, Lucas, Spearing; Kuyt, Carroll, Suarez.

Prediction
Liverpool have been galvanised under the guidance of Kenny Dalglish, whereas the hosts have not been particularly successful against top six opposition this season.

There has also been no lack of goals in this fixture in recent years. And with Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez in good form, an away victory should be on the cards.

Arsenal 2-3 Liverpool

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17.04. (Sun) 17:00 Bolton Wand. - Stoke City

DID YOU KNOW?

* Bolton and Stoke have played each other four times in England's oldest cup competition. The Potters have come out on top in three of the four meetings.

* Bolton have an excellent defensive record in the FA Cup, keeping six clean sheets in their last nine FA Cup matches.

* The Trotters have won six of their last nine matches in all competitions.

* Bolton have managed to stay in the top half of the Premier League all season.

* Wanderers have already had a taste of Wembley after manager Owen Coyle organised a secret trip to the empty stadium for his players.

* This will be Stoke's first appearance in an FA Cup semi-final since 1972.

* The Potters' six matches in the capital this season have all ended in defeat.

* Stoke have scored nine goals in five matches in their run to the semi-finals.

* Tony Pulis' side have only kept one clean sheet, a 4-0 win at home to Newcastle, in their last seven matches.

* John Carew, who played for Aston Villa before joining Stoke, has scored eight goals in his last nine FA Cup matches, according to Opta.

LAST MEETING

Saturday 15 January, 2011: Stoke City 2-0 Bolton Wanderers

Stoke produced a clinical performance to beat Bolton 2-0 at the Britannia Stadium thanks to goals from Danny Higginbotham and Matthew Etherington. It condemned the Trotters to five successive Premier League defeats away from home.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen; Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Alonso; Lee, Taylor, Muamba, Petrov; Klasnic, Davies.

Stoke City: Sorensen; Wilson, Huth, Shawcross, Wilkinson; Pennant, Delap, Whelan, Etherington; Jones, Walters.

Prediction
With so much riding on this one-off match expect this semi-final to be a cagey affair. Both sides will be wary of leaving themselves too exposed so do not expect a goal fest on Sunday. The managers will have had their players practicing penalties in training and do not be surprised to see the tie decided by a shoot-out.

Bolton 1-1 Stoke

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17.04. (Sun) 15:30 Bayern Munchen - Bayer Leverkusen

DID YOU KNOW?

* Bayern Munich have picked up nine wins from their last 10 Bundesliga home games, losing only to Borussia Dortmund in February.

* Curiously, Bayer Leverkusen's Jupp Heynckes was the Bavarians' last coach to lose to Die Werkself in Munich. This happened more than 21 years ago in October 1989 with Die Rheinlaender winning 1-0 at the Olympiastadion.

* Since this defeat Die Rekordmeister have been on a 23-game unbeaten streak at home, winning 18 and drawing just five times against Bayer Leverkusen.

* Bayern Munich have not tasted defeat in their last 12 meetings with Die Werkself, picking up nine wins and three draws.

* The game is a special occasion to a number of players. Hans Jorg-Butt, Michael Ballack and Toni Kroos have played for both teams, while Jupp Heynckes is set to leave Die Rheinlaender at the end of the season to take over the reigns at Sabener Strasse.

* Bayer Leverkusen have won their last five Bundesliga games, conceding just once.

* Die Rheinlaender have the best chance conversion rate in the league with 18.3 per cent. Bayern Munich are second 18.1%.

* Bayer Leverkusen are just two goals behind Bundesliga's most potent team, namely their hosts on Sunday.

* Die Werkself have the second best away defensive record in the league. They have conceded just 13 times in 14 games.

* Bayer Leverkusen have lost just once away from BayArena this season. Die Rheinlaender have even picked up five more points away than at home.

LAST MEETING

November 20, 2010: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Bayern Munich

The game got off to a thunderous start as early as the second minute of the game when Bastian Schweinsteiger had a legitimate goal disallowed by the referee. Die Rekordmeister eventually took the lead shortly after the half-hour mark with Mario Gomez the goalscorer. In the very last minute of the half Sidney Sam won a penalty for Die Werkself with a shameful dive, and Arturo Vidal calmly converted the spot-kick. There were no more goals in the second half and the game ended 1-1.


PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Bayern Munich: Butt; Lahm, Breno, Luiz Gustavo, Pranjic; Tymoshchuk, Schweisteiger; Altintop, Mueller, Kroos; Gomez.

Bayer Leverkusen: Adler; Castro, Schwaab, Reinartz, Kadlec; Vidal, Rolfes; Ballack; Sam, Renato Augusto; Derdiyok.

Prediction
It would take a brave man to bet against Die Werkself on Sunday. History sides with Bayern Munich. Form sides with Bayer Leverkusen. Arjen Robben is out, Franck Ribery is out, Holger Badstuber is out, Bastian Schweinsteiger is highly doubtful. If there is universal justice, Bayern Munich would finally get lucky at the end of the most heartbreaking season in recent memory. If Hannover pick up a win on Saturday, players will play through injuries, even on crutches if need be, and with Allianz Arena thundering behind them they will play the game of their lives. They owe it to the fans, they owe it to the Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich 2-1 Leverkusen

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17.04. (Sun) 15:00 Fiorentina - Juventus

DID YOU KNOW?

* Fiorentina have picked up only one win in their last five games at the Artemio Franchi.

* The Viola have conceded six goals in their last three encounters.

* Cesare Natali and Mario Santana will miss the match due to injury.

* Alberto Gilardino leads the team in scoring with 11 goals.

* Juventus are currently riding a three-game winning streak.

* The Bianconeri have won 65 out of the 144 meetings with the Viola in Serie A.

* Juventus have scored nine goals in their past four matches.

* Alessandro Matri has four goals in his last four games.

* Juve have earned 10 points in their last five games.

LAST MEETING

November 27, 2010: Juventus 1-1 Fiorentina

Fiorentina jumped out to an early lead after Marco Motta's own goal and seemed destined to pick up all three points in Turin until Simone Pepe's free kick drifted over the head of Artur Boruc eight minutes from time.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Fiorentina: Boruc; Comotto, Gamberini, Camporese, Pasqual; Behrami, Montolivo, Vargas; Ljajic; Mutu, Gilardino

Juventus: Buffon; Motta, Bonucci, Barzagli, Grosso; Felipe Melo; Krasic, Marchisio, Aquilani, Pepe; Matri

Prediction
Juventus are on a roll and have won three straight games but this is one of Italy's most fiercest rivalries and the form book goes out the window for these rough and tumble affairs. Both teams will have to be content with sharing the spoils on Sunday.
Fiorentina 1-1 Juventus