Friday, September 23, 2011

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24.09. (Sat) 22:00 Barcelona - Atletico Madrid

UEFA Champions League: FC Barcelona
Getty


PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Barcelona (4-1-2-3): Valdes; Alves, Mascerano, Puyol, Abidal; Xavi, Busquets, Thiago; Messi, Fabregas, Villa


Barca centre-back Gerard Pique is back in full training following his calf injury and after the defensive frailties against Valencia, it is touch and go as to whether the Spaniard will make the starting XI. Alexis Sanchez and Andres Iniesta are still sidelined with hamstring injuries. Meanwhile, Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Afellay damaged his cruciate knee ligament in training and will miss an estimated six months of the season.


Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Coutois; Silva, Perea, Dominguez, Filipe; Koke, Assuncao, Gabi, Turan; Salvio, Falcao


Atletico Madrid are still sweating over the fitness of Diego, who completed light training on Thursday but it is unsure whether the Brazilian will feature against the champions. However, the Madrid outfit have been boosted by the return of Diego Godin, who has recovered from his injury and is expected to make the squad against Barcelona.


DID YOU KNOW?

  • In their last four meetings at Camp Nou in La Liga, Barcelona have scored 17 times against Atletico Madrid, conceding just three in reply.
  • Cesc Fabregas has already had more assists in this season (four) than Andres Iniesta accumulated in the whole of 2010-2011 (three).
  • Expect goals in this encounter, as both Barca and Atletico netted over 2.5 goals in 24 of their 38 league games last season, a 63 per cent success rate.
  • Atletico Madrid's last victory at Camp Nou was in December 2006, where they emerged as 3-1 victors.
  • Atletico have won their last two league games 4-0 at home, against Racing and Sporting Gijon, with Radamel Falcao netting five times.
  • Indeed, this match showcases La Liga's two leading goalscorers, Falcao and Lionel Messi, who along with Roberto Soldado have netted five goals in four matches.
Prediction
Given Atletico's recent misfortunes at Camp Nou, it is difficult to see them grabbing a sensational result, but Barca's recent defensive frailties suggest the encounter might be closer than previous victories for the hosts.
Editor's Prediction
Barcelona 3-1 Atletico Madrid

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24.09. (Sat) 20:45 Milan - Cesena

Stephan El Shaarawy - Milan-Udinese - Serie A (Getty Images)
Getty Images


PROBABLE LINE-UPS
AC Milan (4-3-1-2): Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta; Nocerino, van Bommel, Seedorf; Aquilani; El Shaarawy, Cassano


The injury list at Milan keeps on growing by the day as Alexandre Pato has been ruled out for a month after picking up a thigh injury against Udinese on Wednesday. Defenders Luca Antonini, Philippe Mexes and Daniele Bonera are not fit to feature against Cesena while midfielders Mathieu Flamini, Gennaro Gattuso, Massimo Ambrosini and Kevin-Prince Boateng will also miss out. Attackers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho are sidelined but Pippo Inzaghi may see some action off the bench on Saturday.


Cesena (4-3-3): Ravaglia; Ceccarelli, Von Bergen, Rossi, Lauro; Parolo, Colucci, Guana; Eder, Mutu, Candreva


Cesena coach Marco Giampaolo almost has a full squad at his disposal but will be unable to call on Francesco Antonioli and Vincenzo Rennella who are out due to injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Milan are winless in the first three games of the new campaign.
  • The players currently on the treatment table for the Rossoneri accounted for 50 Serie A goals last season.
  • Massimiliano Allegri's men were held to four draws at home last term but have already picked up two in two matches at San Siro this season.
  • The Serie A champions conceded 12 goals in their own backyard last year.
  • Cesena beat Milan 2-0 in the second game of the 2010-11 campaign.
  • The Seahorses suffered 10 defeats on their travels last season.
  • Cesena lost 10 games by a one-goal margin last term.
  • Marco Giampaolo's men conceded 29 goals away from home during the last campaign.
Prediction
The injuries for Milan keep piling up but the Serie A champions should still have enough firepower to squeak past Cesena at San Siro.
Editor's Prediction
AC Milan 1-0 Cesena

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24.09. (Sat) 20:00 Real - Rayo Vallecano

Liga BBVA: Levante-Real Madrid: Gonzalo Higuain
Getty


PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Ramos, Carvalho, Varane, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Khedira; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema


Sami Khedira returns for Jose Mourinho's side after serving a one-game suspension and is expected to replace Lassana Diarra in centre midfield. Sergio Ramos is also likely to return to the starting line-up in place of Alvaro Arbeloa at right-back.

With Pepe and Fabio Coentrao out injured, Raphael Varane will continue at centre-half while Angel Di Maria may regain his place in the team, with Jose Callejon dropping to the bench.


Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1): Gimenez; Tito, Labaka, Figueras, Raul Bravo; Fuego, Movilla; Trashorras, Pacheco, Michu; Piti


The newly-promoted side will be without on-loan Arsenal winger Pedro Botelho, who was sent-off in their 2-1 defeat to Levante on Wednesday. Dani Pacheco, another loanee, is likely to come in for the Brazilian.

Mikel Labaka is expected to continue in defence, leaving Alejando Arribas on the bench while Piti will lead the frontline, despite failing to score this season.


DID YOU KNOW?

  • Real Madrid have scored 10 goals in four Liga games so far this season, despite failing to find the net in their last two matches.
  • When the two sides last met in the league, Madrid ran out 3-1 winners at the Bernabeu in April 2003.
  • Jose Mourinho has one of the youngest squads in La Liga, with Madrid's squad age averaging 24.5 years old.
  • Ricardo Carvalho has already accrued three yellow cards in La Liga this season, despite the new campaign only being a month old.
  • Rayo Vallecano were promoted to the Primera Division last season, ending an eight-year absence from Spain's top-flight.
  • The club are based in the Madrid neighbourhood of Vallecas and are one of Jose Mourinho's men's local rivals.
  • Rayo have met Madrid on 14 occasions, winning two, drawing one and losing the remaining 11 encounters.
  • Like Madrid, the side's only defeat of the season has come against Levante with Jose Ramon Sandoval's side currently sitting in 10th place.
Prediction
After two disappointing results on the road, it is difficult to imagine Jose Mourinho's men not returning to winning ways at the Bernabeu. Rayo have made a bright start to their first La Liga campaign in eight years but a trip to their more illustrious neighbours will be a different proposition altogether.
Editor's Prediction
Real Madrid 4-0 Rayo Vallecano

Ligue 1 - Round 8 Preview


Saturday 24th SEPTEMBERKoSunday 25th SEPTEMBERKO
Evian - Caen1900Auxerre - Sochaux1700
Lille - Lorient1900
Brest - Ajaccio1700
Olympique Lyon - Bordeaux1900
Stade Rennes - Saint Etienne2100
 Nice - Dijon1900


Toulouse - Nancy1900
Valenciennes - Marseille1900
Montpellier - PSG 2100
 all kick-offs in CET 

EvianvsCaen

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

    Evian Thonon Gaillard
  Andersen
Djedje, Cambon, Angoula, Mensah
Leroy, Tie Bi, Sorlin, Govou
Adnane, Sagbo

 

  
Thebaux
Vandam, Leca, Herteaux, Raineau
Seube, Proment
Hamouma, Fajr, Bulut
Frau
TEAM NEWS
  • Evian were defeated 2-0 by struggling Marseille in midweek.
  • Bernard Casoni's men are winless in five league games.
  • Fabrice Ehret and Christian Poulsen are on the sidelines for the promoted side, with Guillaume Rippert suspended.
 
  • Caen recorded a shock 1-0 victory over Lyon on matchday seven.
  • Les Malherbes have won their last two league matches against promoted teams.
  • Goalscorer Benjamin Nivet is suspended after his red card on Wednesday.

LillevsLorient

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

 Lille
Landreau
Debuchy, Rozehnal, Basa, Bonnart
Balmont, Mavuba, Pedretti,
Hazard, Sow, Cole

 

FC Lorient
Lecomte
Baca, Bourillon, Manga, Mareque
Gouffran, Romao, Mvuemba, Autrel
Emeghera, Aliadiere

TEAM NEWS
  • Lille were held to a 1-1 draw with Bordeaux on Tuesday evening.
  • Les Dogues are yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
  • Mathieu Debuchy and Ludovic Obraniak return after suspensions.
 
  • Lorient played out a 1-1 draw with Auxerre on matchday seven.
  • Les Merlus are unbeaten in eight of their last nine games at Lille.
  • Christian Gourcuff's men are however yet to win away to a Ligue 1 title-winning side.
 
Lyon vsBordeaux

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

  
Vercoutre
Cissokho, Kone, Lovren, Revelliere,
Bastos, Gonalons, Grenier, Kallstrom, Briand,
Gomis

 

    
Keita
Sane, Henrique, Ciani, Marange
N'Guemo
Plasil, Jussie, Sertic
Modeste, Diabate

TEAM NEWS
  • Lyon were beaten 1-0 by Caen in midweek, ending their unbeaten run this season.
  • Les Gones are unbeaten in their last 18 home games in the league.
  • Remi Garde is still without Yoann Gourcuff or Lisandro amongst others. Hugo Lloris is suspended.
 
  • Bordeaux held to a 1-1 home draw by Lille on matchday seven, despite Cheick Diabate's late penalty miss.
  • Les Girondins are unbeaten in their last five encounters against Lyon
  • Francis Gillot's men have only prevailed in one of their last nine away games.

NicevsDijon

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

  OGC Nice
Ospina,
Clerc, Pecjinovic, Mabiala, Diakite
Fae, Digard, Abriel
Mouloungoui, Pentecote, Mounier

 

  Dijon FCO
Reynet,
Bamba, Zarour, Paulle, Souprayen
Querbet, Sangare, Altama, Corgnet, Bautheac,
Jovial

TEAM NEWS
  • Nice succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against PSG in their last league game.
  • Les Aiglons have scored all of their Ligue 1 goals from setpieces so far this season.
  • Eric Roy's men are yet to score with one of their strikers.
 
  • Promoted Dijon picked up their third win of the campaign with a 1-0 victory over Brest.
  • Patrice Carteron's men are the only side yet to achieve a draw in the league.
  • Dijon have amassed nine points out of a possible 21 so far this season.


ToulousevsNancy

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

  Toulouse FC
Ahamada
Ninkov, Congre, Abdennour, M'Bengue
Capoue
Machado, Devaux, Sissoko, Tabanou
Bulut
 

      
Gregorini
Sane, Sami, Loties, Hadara
Andre Luis
M'Bile, Karaboue, Traore, Bakar
Niculae


TEAM NEWS
  • Toulouse were held to a 1-1 draw against Saint Etienne on matchday seven.
  • Le Tefece are fifth with a total of 14 points this season.
  • Toulouse have scored in each of their last nine league games.
 
  • Nancy drew for the third successive time in midweek against Valenciennes (1-1).
  • Jean Fernandez's men have failed to score a goal in their last seven games against Saturday's opponents.
  • ASNL have failed to win any of their last 19 encounters in the Pink City.

ValenciennesvsOlympique de Marseille

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

  
Penneteau
Ducourtioux, Mirin, Benjamin, Bong
Kader, Nam, Cohade,
Pujol, Samassa, Danic

 

 Marseille
Mandanda
Traore, Fanni, Diawara, Azpilicueta
Cheyrou, Diarra, Lucho Gonzalez
Valbuena, Remy, Ayew

TEAM NEWS
  • Valenciennes stuttered to a 1-1 draw with Nancy in midweek.
  • Gregory Pujol has scored three goals in three home games against L'OM.
  • An average of five goals a game has been recorded in this fixture.
 
  • Marseille recorded their first league win of the season with a 2-0 home win over Evian on Wednesday.
  • Didier Deschamps' men are winless in their last six away league games.
  • L'OM have tasted two 3-2 defeats at Valenciennes in the last two seasons. 

MontpelliervsPSG

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

  Montpellier HSC
Jourden
Bedimo, Hilton, Yanga-Mbiwa, Bocaly
Saihi, Estrada
Dernis, Utaka, Marveaux
Giroud

 

 PSG
Sirigu
Ceara, Lugano, Camara, Tiene
Matuidi, Bodmer
Menez, Pastore, Nene
Gameiro

TEAM NEWS
  • Leaders Montpellier consolidated their position at the top of the table with a 3-1 win over Ajaccio on matchday seven.
  • Abdelhamid El Kaoutari is suspended after his red card in midweek.
  • La Paillade are unbeaten in their last seven home games against the capital outfit.
 
  • PSG are joint-second in Ligue 1 with three other teams on 14 points after a 2-1 win over Nice.
  • PSG are winless in their last five games against Montpellier.
  • Indeed, Les Parisiens have only won one of their last seven away games in Ligue 1.  

AuxerrevsSochaux

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

 
Sorin
Dudka, Boly, Coulibaly, Berthod
Cisse, Ndinga
Chafni, Traore, Contout
Le Tallec

 

FC Sochaux
 Richert
Corchia, Perquis, Peybernes, Sauget
Anin,
Boudebouz, Martin, Mikari
Butin, Maiga
TEAM NEWS
  • Auxerre drew 1-1 with Lorient in midweek.
  • The Burgundy side are unbeaten in their last five league games.
  • Laurent Fournier's men have only lost once in their last 14 home league games.
 
  • Sochaux were dealt a heavy 6-2 defeat at home to Stade Rennes on Wednesday.
  • Sochaux have only won three of their last 25 Ligue 1 games away to Stade de l'Abbe Deschamps.
  • Mehmed Bazdrevic's men have the joint worst defensive record in the league.


Brest vsAjaccio

PROBABLE LINE-UPS


Elana
Coulibaly, Zebina, Ewolo, Makonda
Poyet, Grougi, Culma, Lesoimier
Roux, Baset
 
AC Ajaccio
Ochoa,
Lippini, Medjani, Poulard, Mendy,
Mostafa, Pierazzi,
Cavalli, Sammaritano,
Ilan, Socrier
TEAM NEWS
  • Injury ravaged Brest went down 1-0 to promoted Dijon in midweek.
  • Alex Dupont's men are one of two teams yet to win a match this season.
  • Brest have not won any of their last seven home games
 
  • Ajaccio were soundly beaten 3-1 by leaders Montpellier on Wednesday.
  • Ajaccio have won their last four matches away to Brest.
  • Olivier Pantaloni's men have only won once in their last 20 Ligue 1 away games.

Stade Rennes vsSaint Etienne

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

  Stade Rennais FC
Costil
Danze, Kana-Biyik, Mangane, Catherine
Pajol, M'Vila
Hadji, Feret, Pitroipa,
Montano
 

    AS Saint-Etienne
Ruffier,
Nery, Paulao, Mignot, Ghoulam,
Lemoine, Clement
Aubemayang, Battles, Sako
Saadi


TEAM NEWS
  • Rennes thrashed Sochaux 6-2 in the season's biggest win so far on Wednesday.
  • Les Rouge Et Noir are unbeaten in their last six league encounters against Saint Etienne.
  • Rennes have scored the highest number of goals this season in the league.
 
  • Saint Etienne drew 1-1 with Toulouse in midweek.
  • Les Verts are winless in their last five league games. Before that, they boasted a 100% record.
  • Christophe Galtier's men have failed to score in any of their last seven games away to Rennes.

Eredivisie - Round 7 Preview


Saturday SEPTEMBER 24KOSunday SEPTEMBER 25
KO
PSV - Roda1845AZ - Feyenoord1230
ADO Den Haag - VVV1945De Graafschap - Groningen1430
Heerenveen - Heracles1945RKC - NEC1430
NAC - Utrecht1945Excelsior - Vitesse1630
Ajax - Twente2045 

 
 

  all kick-offs in CET

PSVvsRoda

PROBABLE LINE-UP
  
Isaksson
Manolev, Derijck, Marcelo, Pieters
Wijnaldum, Strootman
Lens, Toivonen, Mertens
Matavz

  
Kieszek
Monteyne, Biemans, Wielaert, Hempte
Delorge, Donald, Vormer, Fledderus
Sutchuin
Junker
TEAM NEWS
  • Goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton is unavailable due to a concussion
  • Atiba Hutchinson is being plagued by a knee problem and won't feature on Saturday
  • Experienced defender Wilfred Bouma missed last week's league game and is doubtful
 
  • Bryan Roox and Kenneth Staelens are both doubtful due to injury

ADO Den HaagvsVVV

LAST WEEK'S LINE-UPS

Coutinho
Ammi, Horvath, Leeuwin, Luksik
Immers, Radosavljevic, Toornstra
Wesley Verhoek, John Verhoek, Vicento
 
  
Gentenaar
De Regt, Timisela, Yoshida, Emenike
Maguire, Molhoek, Cullen
Musa, Nwofor, Uchebo

HeerenveenvsHeracles

LAST WEEK'S LINE-UPS
  
Vandenbussche
Janmaat, Zomer, Gouweleeuw, El Akchaoui
Kums, Djuricic, Viktor Elm
Narsingh, Dost, Assaidi
 
  
Pasveer
Breukers, Rienstra, Van der Linden, Looms
Quansah, Overtoom, Duarte
Everton, Plet, Armenteros

NACvsUtrecht

LAST WEEK'S LINE-UPS
 
Ten Rouwelaar
Koenders, Botteghin, Luijckx, Gorter
Gudelj, Gilissen, Schilder
Bayram, Schalk, Lurling
 
  
Rob van Dijk
Bovenberg, Heerings, Nilsson, Zullo
Martensson, Asare, Sneijder
Gerndt, Mulenga, Oar

AjaxvsTwente

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Vermeer
vd Wiel, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Anita
Siem de Jong, Eriksen, Janssen
Sulejmani, Sigthorsson, Boerrigter
 
  
Mihaylov
Cornelisse, Douglas, Wisgerhof, Buysse
Willem Janssen, Brama, Fer
Rosales, Luuk de Jong, John
TEAM NEWS
  • Left-back Nicolai Boilesen is sidelined due to a hamstring injury
  • Bruno Silva is unavailable due to a shoulder problem
  • Miralem Sulejmani and Vurnon Anita are doubtful, but expected to feature
 
  • Nacer Chadli hasn't recovered from his knee injury yet and is still unavailable
  • Defender Rasmus Bengtsson is doubtful because of a groin problem
  • Sander Boschker is doubtful due to a calf injury

AZvsFeyenoord

LAST WEEK'S LINE-UPS
  
Esteban
Marcellis, Moisander, Viergever, Poulsen
Wernbloom, Maher, Rasmus Elm
Beerens, Altidore, Holman

 

Mulder
Leerdam, De Vrij, Vlaar, Ramsteijn
El Ahmadi, Clasie, Bakkal
Cabral, Guidetti, Schaken 


De GraafschapvsGroningen

LAST WEEK'S LINE-UPS

De Winter
Jansen, Van de Pavert, Wormgoor, Evers
Rose, De Leeuw, Meijer, Breinburg
El Hassnaoui, Poepon 

 

  
Van Loo
Hiariej, Kwakman, Van Dijk, Burnet
Kieftenbeld, Sparv
Bacuna, Andersson, Tadic
Texeira


RKCvsNEC

LAST WEEK'S LINE-UPS
  
Zoet
Bandjar, Henrico Drost, Ramos, Van Peppen
Sno, Auassar, Braber, Meijers
Castillion, Ten Voorde
 

Babos
Will, Nuytinck, Van Eijden, Amieux
Foor, Koolwijk, Vadocz
George, Platje, Schone

ExcelsiorvsVitesse

LAST WEEK'S LINE-UPS
  
De Ruiter
Nieveld, Smith, Van Steensel, Eekman
Vorthoren, Alberg, De Graaf, Broerse
Van Buren, Te Vrede
 
  
Velthuizen
Yasuda, Kashia, Kalas, Buttner
Van der Heijden, Annan, Propper
Chanturia, Van Ginkel, Davila