Monday, December 12, 2011

13-12-2011SPL Opta Facts - St Johnstone v Aberdeen


St Johnstone have lost just one of their last eight games against Aberdeen, winning four and drawing three in the process.
However in their last eight at home against Aberdeen, Saints have won just once, a 1-0 victory in March 2010.
The Dons have won just one of their last 14 away games in the SPL and are the only side in the league yet to register an away win this season.
Aberdeen have conceded at least two goals in each of their last six games, failing to win any of these matches.
Aberdeen have won just two points from the last 18 available in the league, they are the only side yet to notch up a win in their last six matches.
St Johnstone have failed to score in four of their last six matches in the league, netting just five in this run, only Hearts (3 goals) have been less prolific in this period.

| by

0

13.12. (Tue) 20:45 Genoa - Inter


PROBABLE LINEUPS

GENOA

Frey
Mesto, Dainelli, Kaladze, Moretti

Rossi, Veloso, Constant
Merkel

Zè Eduardo, Pratto
INTER

Julio Cesar
Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Nagatomo
Alvarez, Motta, Cambiasso, Faraoni
Milito, Pazzini

Genoa coach Alberto Malesani is forced to contend with numerous absences upon consideration of his starting XI against the Nerazzurri on Tuesday, as the trio of Valter Birsa, Juraj Kucka, Luca Antonelli have been ruled out, while talisman Rodrigo Palacio will be out of action until after the New Year. In addition, Cesare Bovo faces a late fitness test.

As a result, two changes are to be anticipated. Defender Kakha Kaladze should reclaim his place in central defence alongside Dario Dainelli, after the Georgian played out his one-match ban against Siena on Sunday. Also, Lucas Pratto is set to be given another chance to impress in attack, after so far struggling to impose himself since his arrival from Boca Juniors during the summer.

Meanwhile for the visitors Inter, they similarly have an growing list of treatment table attendees, which bar long-term victim Emiliano Viviano, Jonathan, Joel Obi, Dejan Stankovic and Wesley Sneijder, who should be back in the side in early 2012. Diego Forlan has been included after a long injury lay-off, but Andrea Ranocchia has picked up a knock in training and will play no part.

Regarding the expected XI to take to the field in Liguria, Ricky Alvarez looks to be the only incoming player, with Philippe Coutinho ready to miss out and settle for a place on the substitutes bench.

DID YOU KNOW
  • Genoa have not defeated Inter in Serie A action since the 1994-95 season.
  • The Rossoblu recently ended a run of two straight defeats with a 2-0 win against Siena on Sunday.
  • However, they have been unable to register back-to-back victories since matchdays three and four.
  • Inter are unbeaten in their last nine Serie A games against Genoa (W6 D3).
  • The Nerazzurri have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three visits to the Marassi against Genoa.
  • Contrastingly, in 21 competitive matches this season, Inter have not conceded only five times.
Prediction
The Nerazzurri have a good track record in this fixture recently and should take care of business with a slender victory at the Marassi, to begin to move back up the Serie A table.
Editor's Prediction
Genoa 1-2 Inter

13-12-2011 Serie A Opta Facts - Genoa v Inter Milan

Inter are unbeaten against Genoa since the 1994/95 campaign; since then the Nerazzurri have enjoyed six wins and three draws against the Grifoni.
Inter have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six league meetings against Genoa, and have won their last three games at the Ferraris.
Last Saturday against Siena, Genoa returned to winning ways after losing their two previous games without scoring.
In their last home game, against AC Milan, Genoa lost their first game at the Ferraris after a run of nine unbeaten games on home soil.
Inter have won three of their last four games, losing the other at home against Udinese.
Inter have scored in each of their last eight league games on the road.
Last Saturday against Fiorentina, Giampaolo Pazzini scored his first Serie A goal after going without a goal for eight consecutive match-days.
Rodrigo Palacio also bagged his first goal after a personal goal drought of six games in the league.
Alberto Malesani has never won a Serie A game against Claudio Ranieri: the current Inter manager has won once against Malesani, drawing the other three.

| by

0

13.12. (Tue) 20:00 Ponferradina - Real

Real Madrid, winner Copa del Rey 2010/'11 (PROSHOTS)
YV

PROBABLE LINEUPS

PONFERRADINA

Quintana
Malo, Alcaide, Samuel, Dani Carril
Acoran, Baro, Ruiz, Jonathan
Yuri, Mayor

REAL MADRID


Adan
Arbeloa, Albiol, Varane, Marcelo
Altintop, Sahin
Callejon, Kaka, Granero
Higuain

The Clasico match will certainly have been emotionally and physically taxing for the Real Madrid players on Saturday, so Jose Mourinho will likely give his fringe players a chance to impress in the Copa del Rey against Ponferradina, who compete in Spanish Segunda B Group 2.

Antonio Adan will be given a start for Madrid in goal, with Rafael Varane and Raul Albiol coming in at centre back. Arbeloa may be given a run out at right back after just returning from injury.

Hamit Altintop did not begin the Clasico so he will start in midfield and will likely be partnered by Nuri Sahin in the Madrid engine room. Jose Callejon will start on the right, with Kaka and Esteban Granero making up the attacking midfield three.

Gonzalo Higuain had to settle for a place on the bench against Barcelona so he will start up top in the lone striker role.

Ponferradina are the definite underdogs going into the match, but they will be looking to star player Yuri to help his side achieve an upset.

DID YOU KNOW

  • This is the first time in history that Ponferradina have played Real Madrid.
  • Ponferradina are currently second in Spanish Segunda B Group 2, with 31 points taken from 17 games.
  • Brazilian striker Yuri is Ponferradina's top goalscorer so far this season, with five goals.
  • This is Real Madrid's first Copa del Rey match since defeating Barcelona in the final last season. Ponferradina have already played three matches in the cup so far.
  • Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey in the 2010/2011 season, the first time they had achieved this since the 92/93 campaign, in which they defeated Real Zaragoza in the final.
  • Madrid's arch rivals Barcelona have won the Copa del Rey more times than anyone, with 25 titles.
Prediction
This is Ponferradina's Copa del Rey final as they welcome Jose Mourinho's 'galacticos' to El Toralin. The locals with surely be raring to go in this match and are sure to give everything against the might of Los Blancos. However, even a second string Real Madrid side has more than enough quality and class to dispatch the Segunda B side comfortably. Madrid's squad is arguably the best in the world and with fringe players eager to impress the Portuguese coach, it will be a long night for Ponferradina.
Editor's Prediction
Ponferradina 0-5 Real Madrid