Friday, December 16, 2011

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17.12. (Sat) 22:00 Sevilla - Real

Fazio, Caceres, Coke, Kanoute, Navas, Sevilla
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

SEVILLA


Varas
Coke, Spahic, Fazio, Navarro

Medel

Navas, Rakitic, Trochowski, Manu
Negredo
 REAL MADRID 
Casillas
Diarra, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo
Khedira, Sahin
Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo
Higuain


Jose Mourinho's side quietly got back on track after the Clasico defeat to Barcelona by professionally dispatching Segunda B side Ponferradina in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday, but it is back to La Liga duties as they face Sevilla.

The only Madrid player ruled out of the match is Ricardo Carvalho, who is still sidelined with a back injury. Eight first-team players were left out of the squad for the cup match, but the likes of Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso, and Iker Casillas will all return for league duty.


Sevilla are still sweating over the fitness of Argentine winger Diego Perotti, who is still sidelined with the hamstring injury he suffered in the 3-0 victory over Getafe at the start of December.


Marcelino looks set to name an unchanged side from the last Liga match, in which he saw his side go down to fourth placed Levante.
DID YOU KNOW?
  • The last match between Sevilla and Real Madrid was a thrilling encounter in which Jose Mourinho's side emerged with a 6-2 victory in Andalucia.
  • Sevilla have scored 16 goals in La Liga so far this season, well under half of the 50 goals Madrid have notched.
  • However, Marcelino's men have conceded just 11 goals so far, two less than Real Madrid. This is the second best record in the league, behind Barcelona.
  • Real Madrid's last defeat against Sevilla was back in 2009, when they lost 2-1 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more goals in the league this season than the entire Sevilla squad.
  • Madrid's Clasico defeat to Barcelona was the first time since the start of the 2009-10 campaign that they have lost after taking the lead in a La Liga match.
Prediction
Real Madrid will be looking to take full advantage of their game in hand over Barcelona and go three points clear in La Liga. However, Sevilla will be stern opposition as Marcelino's side have conceded the second-lowest amount of goals in the league. Expect a tough midfield battle with the home side perhaps grabbing a goal, but Jose Mourinho's men should earn a comfortable victory in the end.
Editor's Prediction
Sevilla 1-3 Real Madrid

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17.12. (Sat) 20:45 Milan - Siena

Alexandre Pato - Milan (Getty Images)
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

AC MILAN

Amelia
Abate, Thiago Silva, Mexes, AntoniniNocerino, Van Bommel, Seedorf
Boateng
Pato, Ibrahimovic
SIENA

Brkic
Vitiello, Terzi, Rossettini, Rossi
Brienza, Gazzzi,
D'Agostino, Mannini
Calaio, Destro


For the home side, Philippe Mexes is set to start his first league game for the Rossoneri since signing from Roma in the summer, with Alessandro Nesta and Mario Yepes both ruled out through injury. The champions should also welcome back Antonio Nocerino after the former Palermo midfielder returned to full training following a thigh injury.

However, Cristian Abbiati is unlikely to feature, with the 34-year-old still nursing the shoulder injury that has seen him miss Milan's last four fixtures, while Gianluca Zambrotta is also a doubt.

The visitors will travel to Milan without veteran midfielder Simone Vergassola, with the former Sampdoria man still suffering from the muscle strain that has seen him out of action since late October. Cristian Del Grosso and Nicolas Belmonte are also unlikely to feature for the visitors.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Milan are now unbeaten in their last nine league games.
  • Only second-placed Udinese have won more games than Milan this season.
  • The Rossoneri are still undefeated on home soil this season.
  • Siena have failed to win any of their last five league games, with the Bianconeri suffering defeat in four of those clashes.
  • The visitors have both scored and conceded 14 goals so far this season.
  • Only two sides in Serie A have scored fewer goals than Siena in the 2011-12 campaign.

Prediction
The visitors are really struggling at the minute and sit just two points above the drop zone, and with Milan having the added incentive of claiming top spot in Serie A, a comfortable home victory seems a likely outcome.
Editor's Prediction
Milan 3-0 Siena

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17.12. (Sat) 18:30 Wigan - Chelsea


PROBABLE LINEUPS

WIGAN ATHLETIC

 Al-Habsi
Stam, Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa
Diame, McCarthy, Jones
Moses, Sammon, Gomez


  CHELSEA
 
Cech
Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole
Ramires, Romeu, Lampard
Sturridge, Drogba, Mata


Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has Chris Kirkland unavailable due to a back injury, while young defender Patrick van Aanholt, on loan from Chelsea, cannot participate due to Premier League rules.

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas misses long-term absentee Michael Essien, who is out with an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament. Josh McEachran also remains on the sidelines due to an ankle injury he picked up against Liverpool. Meanwhile, Henrique Hilario is a doubt due to an illness.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Wigan Athletic have conceded 15 goals at the DW Stadium this season in the Premier League. Only bottom placed Bolton Wanderers have shipped in more on home soil.
  • Roberto Martinez's men are also on a dubious run of five games without a win at their home ground.
  • The Latics would have been outside the relegation zone in 17th place if all matches ended at half-time.
  • Chelsea have lost to these opponents only once in their 12 meetings in the Premier League.
  • The last three games between the two sides has seen the Blues scoring 15 goals without reply.
  • Didier Drogba (pictured right) has scored five goals in 10 appearances against Wigan.
Prediction
Editor's Prediction
Wigan Athletic 0-3 Chelsea

Opta Facts Week 16 - Serie A 2011/12


Catania - Palermo

This will be the 15th Sicilian derby between these two sides: Catania lead by five wins to four, with five draws so far.
Catania's five wins against Palermo have come in the last eight meetings.
At home, Catania have lost only once in seven meetings against the Rosanero, and have won the last four meetings.
In five of these seven games the Etnei have kept a clean sheet.
Catania have won just one of their last five games, losing three, including the last two at home.
The last time they lost three Serie A games in a row at home was between January and February 2009.
Palermo have failed to score in three of their last four games, and are yet to score their first goal on the road this term.
Fabrizio Miccoli has netted just one goal in his six games for Palermo against Catania in Serie A, scoring in his first Sicilian derby back in April 2008.

Cesena - Inter

Inter are unbeaten against Cesena in 18 Serie A games, winning 12 and drawing six.
The Nerazzurri have scored in each of their last 14 league meetings against Cesena.
At home, Cesena have never beaten Inter (seven defeats and four draws for them so far).
Inter have already scored 42 goals against Cesena, more than any other team in Serie A.
Inter are also the Serie A club to have scored the most goals at the Manuzzi so far (23).
Against Inter, Cesena suffered their worst home defeat in Serie A, a 1-5 hammering in December 1990.
After a run of 10 winless games, Cesena have won three of their last four Serie A fixtures.
In these three wins, Cesena have not conceded a single goal.
Four of Cesena's seven total goals this season have been scored by Adrian Mutu, who has already netted a goal in Serie A against Inter.
Daniele Arrigoni has picked up just one point from his five previous meetings against Inter in the top-flight.

Chievo - Cagliari

These two sides have met 12 times in the top-flight: Chievo lead by four wins to three, five draws complete the record.
Chievo are unbeaten at the Bentegodi against the Sardinians in their six meetings (two wins for the hosts and four draws).
In these six games the guests have never scored more than a single goal in a game.
Chievo are winless in their last three league games (a draw and two defeats), in which they have scored just one goal in total.
At home, Domenico Di Carlo's side have lost just once in this campaign, three wins and as many draws complete their record in Verona.
Chievo have conceded just two goals in their last six home games in Serie A.
Cagliari have used only 19 players this term - a Serie A-low.
Chievo's Davide Moscardelli is the only Serie A player to have already hit the woodwork three times this season.
Andrea Cossu has created the most goal scoring chances in this competition (36), though none of his passes has been converted by his teammates.
Di Carlo has lost just one of his seven Serie A games against Cagliari in his managerial career.

Fiorentina - Atalanta

Between 2005 and 2009 Fiorentina remained unbeaten against Atalanta in eight consecutive meetings (four wins for the Viola and as many draws); this run came to an end in April 2010 (the last meeting between the sides) when Atalanta beat the Tuscans 2-1.
Neither side has managed to score more than two goals in this fixture in the last seven occasions they have met in Serie A.
Atalanta's last win in Florence was back in 1993; since then, the hosts have won six times, four draws complete the record.
Since 1978, only once have Atalanta managed to score more than a single goal at Fiorentina's ground (a 2-2 draw in September 2007).
Fiorentina have won just one of their last five league games, and two of their last 11.
Fiorentina have failed to score in four of the last five Serie A match-days.
However, the Viola haven't conceded a goal in their last three games at home (two wins and a draw).
Atalanta are on a run of four consecutive draws in the league.
In their last away game, Atalanta kept their first clean sheet on the road since February 2010.

Genoa - Bologna

Since these two sides returned to the top-flight, the record of their meetings is perfectly even: two wins each and two draws.
At home, Genoa won their last game against Bologna; prior to that, the Grifoni had failed to beat Bologna in four consecutive games at the Ferraris since 1990.
Genoa have shared 27 draws against Bologna; only against AC Milan (31) and Napoli (29) have they drawn more Serie A fixtures.
Bologna have won just one of their last five Serie A games, though are unbeaten in the last three.
Bologna have taken more points away (eight) than at home (seven) this season.
After failing to score from open play for 18 games in a row between April and November, Marco Di Vaio has found the net from open play in each of his last three Serie A appearances.
Bologna have used the most different players as subs so far this season (19).
Diego Perez will be suspended for this game: he is the only Serie A player to have already picked up eight yellow cards.
Teammate Gaston Ramírez has won the most fouls so far in this competition (43).

Juventus - Novara

Novara have beaten Juventus only twice in Serie A in 24 meetings, with 13 wins for the Old Lady and nine draws.
Their last two meetings, back in 1955/56, both ended as draws.
Juventus are unbeaten at home against Novara (seven wins and five draws).
Novara have won just two games so far in this Serie A campaign, both at home against Inter and Parma.
Away from home, Attilio Tesser's side have picked up just two points, as a result of draws at Chievo and Lecce.
Only Lecce (26) have conceded more goals than Novara (25) so far this season.
Novara have scored just one goal in their last four games on the road, and are yet to keep a clean sheet away from home this term.
After their 1-1 draw against Roma at the Olimpico, Juve remain the only side still unbeaten amongst the top-5 European leagues.
Juve's last home defeat was back in May against AC Milan; since then, the Bianconeri have notched up seven wins and five draws in Turin.
Andrea Pirlo is the only Serie A player to have attempted more than 1,000 passes this season: the schemer has made 1,088 so far, completing 81%.

Lazio - Udinese

The record in the last three Serie A campaigns between these two sides is perfectly even: two wins each and two draws.
Over their last seven meetings, both sides have always scored.
Lazio have won the last two meetings against Udinese at home, while the guests had won the previous two at the Olimpico.
After losing to Juventus, Lazio have won the ensuing two games against Novara and Lecce, scoring a total of six goals.
The defeat against Juve was Lazio's only defeat over their last 12 Serie A fixtures.
The Biancocelesti have kept four clean sheets in their last six league games.
Should they beat Udinese, Lazio would record two consecutive home wins for the first time this season.
Udinese have won five of their last six games, including the last three in Serie A.
This is Udinese's best ever start to a Serie A campaign: in fact they have never before collected 30 points from the first 14 fixtures.
Udinese have the best defence of this competition (only seven goals conceded and nine clean sheets).
Lazio have recouped 12 points from trailing situations - a league-high.
Miroslav Klose has already scored eight goals for Lazio, twice as many as he netted in his last two Bundesliga seasons in 45 appearances for Bayern Munich.

Milan - Siena

AC Milan and Siena have met 14 times in Serie A, with the Tuscans winning just once (2-1 at home in April 2005); the Rossoneri have won 11, including each of the last five meetings.
AC Milan have failed to score against Siena just once in Serie A (a goalless draw back in October 2006).
That was the only game AC Milan have failed to win at home against Siena; six wins for the Rossoneri complete the record.
Siena have never scored more than a single goal at AC Milan's ground.
Last Sunday's 2-2 draw in Bologna extended AC Milan's unbeaten run to nine games (seven wins and two draws).
At home, Massimiliano Allegri's side remain unbeaten in 2011 (17 games), and have won their last five at the San Siro conceding overall just one goal.
AC Milan have scored exactly four goals in each of their last three home games.
The Rossoneri boast the best attack of this competition (31 goals).
This season AC Milan have won just one of the six games in which Alexandre Pato has played (17%), but have won seven of the eight in which the Brazilian hasn't featured (88%).
Siena have lost their last three league games without scoring a single goal.
Away from home, their last win was back in February (a run of 13 games).

Napoli - Roma

Napoli won last season's two meetings against Roma 2-0.
Prior to that, the Giallorossi had remained unbeaten against Napoli for 10 meetings in Serie A (six wins and four draws).
Napoli have shared 47 draws against Roma in Serie A, only against Torino (50) have they drawn more games.
Against Roma, Napoli suffered their worst defeat in Serie A: 8-0 at the Olimpico in March 1959.
Napoli have won just one of their last six league games, but they have drawn four times in the process.
Over the last six at home, Napoli have won just twice, drawing three and losing one.
Roma are winless in their last three games, and have managed just two wins in their last seven Serie A games.
Daniele De Rossi's strike against Juve is Roma's only goal in their last three league games.
Away from home, Luis Enrique's side have lost four of their last five games, failing to score in the last two.
Francesco Totti has had more shots without scoring (17) than any other Serie A player so far this term.

Parma - Lecce

Between September 1993 and September 2010, Parma remained unbeaten against Lecce for 17 games.
This trend came to an end in the last meeting between these two sides, won by Lecce at the Tardini back in February.
That was Lecce's first win at Parma's ground, after six wins for the hosts and three draws.
Lecce have never scored more than a single goal at the Tardini in Serie A, however the Ducali have kept only three clean sheets when they have faced Lecce in the top-flight.
Parma have drawn their last two games 0-0 against Palermo and Cagliari.
At home, the Ducali have picked up seven points from their last three games, as a result of wins against Cesena and Udinese and the goalless draw with Palermo.
Over these last three home games, Parma have not conceded a single goal.
Despite changing their manager, Lecce recently lost their fourth consecutive Serie A game.
Lecce's only two wins of this campaign have both come away from home (at Bologna and Cesena).
Bottom of the table Lecce have the worst defence of this competition (26 goals conceded).
Parma have won just two of the 11 Serie A games in which Sebastian Giovinco hasn't featured in the starting XI.

17-12-2011 Nesuglasice u Šturmu DEJAN STANKOVIĆ, TRENER U AUSTRIJI

Premier League Opta Facts – December 17th-18th


Blackburn Rovers v West Bromwich Albion

West Brom have won only one of their last 11 games in league competition against Blackburn (W1 D5 L5).

The Baggies have failed to score in their last three Premier League visits to Ewood Park.

West Brom have lost five and won none of their last eight visits to Ewood Park in all competitions.

Roy Hodgson was manager of Blackburn from 1997 to 1998, winning 35% of his games. He won 34% at Fulham, 35% at Liverpool and has won 32% so far at West Brom.

Since beating West Brom 2-0 at Ewood Park in January, Steve Kean's side have won just three of 14 Premier League home games (W3 D4 L7).

Blackburn have kept just two clean sheets in their last 14 games at Ewood Park and none in the last eight.

Since drawing 0-0 with Blackburn at Ewood Park in May 2009, West Brom have kept just one clean sheet in their last 26 Premier League away games.

West Brom have conceded a penalty in five of their last seven Premier League games.

Only Blackburn (12) have dropped more points from winning positions than West Brom (11).

West Brom have scored the highest percentage of first half goals of any team in the top flight (71%).

Everton v Norwich City

Norwich City have won just one of their last 37 games away from home in the Premier League (W1 D11 L25).

Everton have won the last five successive matches against Norwich in all competitions, though the two sides have not met since February 2005.

Everton have lost and failed to score in three of their last four Premier League matches at Goodison Park.

Everton have not kept a clean sheet in any of their 10 home games this season in all competitions.

Everton lost just five Premier League games at Goodison Park between 2009/10 and 2010/11, but have already lost four this term.

Norwich inflicted Everton's second worst home defeat in Premier League history. The Canaries won 5-1 at Goodison Park in September 1993.

Norwich have scored more headed goals than any other Premier League side (10).

Everton haven't managed a single shot on target for 192 minutes in the Premier League since Apostolos Vellios scored away at Bolton Wanderers.

53% of the goals that Everton have scored have been netted in the final 15 minutes, a divisional high.

Steve Morison has scored in five of his last six Premier League appearances.

Fulham v Bolton Wanderers

Fulham have only won two of their last nine Premier League games at Craven Cottage (W2 D4 L3), though they did win last time out against Liverpool.

Both Fulham and Bolton have failed to score in three of their last four meetings in all competitions.

Fulham have won four and lost none of the last eight Premier League games against Bolton.

Fulham have won eight and lost none of their 10 Premier League home matches against Bolton.

Ivan Klasnic has scored Bolton's last two goals at Craven Cottage, one in the Premier League and one in the FA Cup.

Klasnic has scored seven goals in 10 Premier League starts this season.

Bolton have lost 16 of their last 19 Premier League away games (W2 D1 L16).

The Trotters have kept just one clean sheet in their last 33 Premier League road trips.

Bolton have lost 17 of their last 20 Premier League matches (W3 D0 L17), a run which started with a 0-3 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Bolton have lost 12 of their opening 15 matches, the joint-most defeats after 15 games in a Premier League season along with Sunderland in 2005-06.

Newcastle United v Swansea City

Defeat against Chelsea ended a run of 10 matches without defeat at home for Newcastle (W6 D4).

Swansea have the worst away record in the Premier League, with just two points on the road to date.

Newcastle have won four and lost none of the last five games against Swansea in all competitions.

The Swans have failed to score in their last three visits to Tyneside, losing all three games.

Michel Vorm has kept more clean sheets than any other Premier League goalkeeper (7) this season.

58% of the goals Newcastle have conceded have come from set pieces, a Premier League high.

Swansea have failed to score in more matches this season than any other team in the top flight (7).

Demba Ba has scored 18 goals in just 22 Premier League starts.

Danny Graham has scored five goals in his last eight Premier League appearances.

Newcastle have taken just one point from the last 12 available.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Stoke City

Stoke have lost just one of the last eight matches in all competitions against Wolves (W3 D4 L1).

Kenwyne Jones has scored four goals in four Premier League appearances against Wolves; more than against any other side in the competition.

Wolves have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 Premier League games at Molineux.

Wolves have won their last two league games at Molineux - they've never won three home games on the trot in the Premier League.

Stoke City have never won back to back away games in the Premier League.

Stoke have failed to score in 10 of their last 16 Premier League away games and only netted more than once in one of the other six games.

Stoke haven't won an away game where the opposition has scored since September 2010. Since then, they have won four, drawn four and lost 15 of their road trips.

Stephen Fletcher has scored more headed goals (9) since the start of last season than any other player.

Fletcher has netted five goals in his last five league appearances of 45 minutes or more.

14 points after 15 Premier League matches is Wolves' biggest points haul in the Premier League in their four campaigns.

Wigan Athletic v Chelsea

Wigan have won just one and lost 10 of the 12 Premier League meetings with Chelsea.

The Londoners have scored 15 goals without reply in the last three matches against the Latics.

Nicolas Anelka has scored six goals in 10 Premier League games against Wigan, Didier Drogba five in 10 and Frank Lampard five in 11 appearances.

Chelsea had been on a run of one clean sheet in just 10 away games, before keeping shut outs in their last two road trips.

Wigan have taken just one point from the last 15 available at the DW Stadium.

Wigan have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 Premier League games.

Wigan have scored the joint-fewest headed goals (1 along with Fulham).

43% of the goals Wigan have scored have been netted from outside the box in open play, the highest proportion in the top flight.

Jordi Gómez has scored in three of his last four Premier League appearances.

No side have conceded a higher proportion of goals in the opening 15 minutes of Premier League games this season than Chelsea (22%).

Queens Park Rangers v Manchester United

Manchester United have won eight and lost none of the last 11 meetings with QPR in all competitions.

United have also won four and lost none of their last seven trips to Loftus Road in all competitions.

QPR have won just one of their seven Premier League home matches this season - the joint-fewest in the division.

Man Utd are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League away games (W5 D3), but two of their last three away defeats in the Premier League have been in London.

Man Utd have won just six of their last 21 Premier League away games in London (W6 D7 L8).

Manchester United have lost just one of their last 18 Premier League matches (W13 D4 L1) and won five of the last six (W5 D1).

The champions have scored exactly one goal in each of their last five Premier League away games, winning the last three 1-0.

QPR have won one and lost four of their last six Premier League matches.

Heidar Helguson has scored six goals in his last seven Premier League appearances.

79% of the goals Man Utd have conceded have come in the second half, the highest proportion in the top flight.

Aston Villa v Liverpool

Stewart Downing scored the winning goal in this fixture last season while playing for Villa. This was the last goal that Downing scored in the Premier League.

Steven Gerrard has scored more goals against Aston Villa than versus any other opponents (9).

There have been just five goals scored in the last five Premier League meetings between Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park.

Villa have scored just four goals in their last 12 Premier League home games against Liverpool. Since a 2-4 defeat in November 1998, Aston Villa have failed to score in two games, then netted once before repeating that same run three more times.

Villa have won just one of the last 13 Premier League games at home against Liverpool.

Darren Bent has scored three goals in his last four Premier League games against Liverpool, including one for Sunderland that deflected into the net off a beach ball.

Liverpool have drawn just one of their last 20 Premier League away matches.

Liverpool have hit the woodwork more times than any other team in 2011-12 (15) & three more than the whole of last season.

Aston Villa have conceded the highest % of goals from corners of any team in the Premier League (32%).

Liverpool have converted the lowest percentage of shots into goals this season (9%).

Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland

Sunderland have won just one of their last seven Premier League away matches.

Tottenham have won their last five Premier League games at White Hart Lane.

Three of the last four penalties in this fixtures have been saved - all taken by Sunderland & Darren Bent.

Spurs have won eight and lost just one of the 10 Premier League home matches against Sunderland.

Seb Larsson has scored three goals direct from free kicks this season; more than any other player in the Premier League.

Sunderland's last three games have all ended 2-1 with the side scoring first going on to lose.

Tottenham have fired in more shots on target that any other team in the Premier League (105).

Tottenham have scored the joint-most goals in the first 15 minutes of games (6) while Sunderland have conceded the highest percentage of goals (22%) in this opening period.

This is Tottenham's best ever start to a Premier League season, having accrued five points more after 14 games than 2009-10 and 1999-2000.

Martin O'Neill has won seven and lost just three of 16 matches as a Premier League coach against Tottenham. However, he won just one and lost nine of 16 games as a Premier League boss against Harry Redknapp.

Manchester City v Arsenal

The home team has failed to score in the last four matches in all competitions between City and Arsenal.

Man City have lost at home to Arsenal 10 times in the Premier League and 20 times overall (both a joint-league high with Chelsea).

There were three red cards shown across the two Premier League meetings between Arsenal and City last season.

Arsenal have failed to score in four of their last last five games against City in all competitions, while the Citizens have failed to score in four of the last five league encounters.

Robin van Persie has scored 18 goals in his last 16 Premier League away appearances.

The Dutchman has now netted 33 goals in 32 Premier League games in 2011, only Alan Shearer 36 in 1995 and Thierry Henry 34 in 2004 have outscored him in a calendar year in the Premier League era.

Arsenal have scored in the 88th minute in three of their last four Premier League trips to the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City scored from their only shot on target when they won 1-0 against Arsenal at the Emirates in the Carling Cup last month.

Manchester City have taken 49 from a possible 51 points in their last 16 games at the Etihad Stadium and won the last 12 in a row.

Arsenal have drawn 199 games in Premier League history.

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17.12. (Sat) 15:30 Bayer Leverkusen - Nurnberg

Bayer 04 Leverkusen v 1899 Hoffenheim - Bundesliga, Andre Schuerrle; Eren Derdiyok
Getty Images


PROBABLE LINEUPS

BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Leno
Castro, Friedrich, Toprak, Kadlec
Bender, Rolfes
Sam, Ballack, Schurrle
Derdiyok
NURNBERG
Nürnberg
Schafer
Maroh, Wollscheid, Klose, Simons
Cohen, Zeitz
Eigler, Didavi, Frantz
Esswein

While Omer Toprak could return to the Leverkusen squad following a back problem, Robin Dutt may name the same back four that kept a clean sheet against Hannover last weekend. Eren Derdiyok should maintain his place at the heart of the attack. Renato Augusto, Rene Adler and Tranquillo Barnetta remain sidelined with long-term injuries.

In addition to long-term absentees Per Nilsson, Javier Pinola, Mike Frantz and Markus Mendler, Juri Judt will be missing for Dieter Hecking, having pulled out of training with a foot injury. Meanwhile, there are serious question marks over Marvin Plattenhardt and Tomas Pekhart, who are suffering from muscle problems and flu respectively.

Jens Hegeler is unable to play against his parent club, while Timothy Chandler will be suspended following his red card against Hoffenheim.

DID YOU KNOW

  • Bayer Leverkusen have not lost at home to Nurnberg for nine years - since a 2-0 loss in December 2002.
  • Stefan Kiessling made 59 Bundesliga appearances for Nurnberg, scoring 13 goals in a four-year spell at the club which ended in 2006.
  • Eren Derdiyok has now matched his tally for last season with six league goals, including four of Leverkusen's last five league goals.
  • Nurnberg were able to keep clean sheets in both league meetings with Bayer Leverkusen last season.
  • Philipp Wollscheid will be playing against many of his former teammates, as he is set to join Leverkusen at the end of the season.
  • The Bavarians sit bottom of the Bundesliga form table, with just five points from their last 10 games.
Prediction
Despite stuttering against Hannover, Robin Dutt's side have been in excellent form of late, and they should  brush aside their injury-ravaged opponents with relative ease. Absentees have not aided Nurnberg's cause, but a series of abject performances have seen the Bavarians slip agonisingly down the table.
Editor's Prediction
Leverkusen 3-0 FC Nürnberg

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17.12. (Sat) 15:30 Freiburg - Borussia D.

SC Freiburg, Papiss Cisse
Getty Images


PROBABLE LINEUPS

FREIBURG

Baumann
Hinkel, Krmas, Butscher, Bastians
Flum
Schmid, Rosenthal, Makiadi, Putsila
Cisse
BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Weidenfeller
Piszczek, Santana, Hummels, Schmelzer
Gundogan, Kehl
Kuba, Kagawa, Grosskreutz
Lewandowski

Marcus Sorg is deprived of the services of defenders Oliver Barth and Mensur Mujdza, who are out with injuries. In addition, midfielder Christian Bickel is also recuperating from a knock, while Julian Schuster is serving a suspension for accumulating yellow cards.

Dortmund will have to do without star player Mario Gotze, who has been ruled out until January. He joins defenders Julian Koch, Neven Subotic, Sven Bender and Moritz Leitner on the sidelines as Jurgen Klopp faces a selection headache.

Polish attacker Kuba is expected to start on the right side of the attacking midfield trident, while Croatian Ivan Perisic is also in with a chance to make the starting XI on Saturday.

DID YOU KNOW

  • Freiburg boast the worst defensive record in the Bundesliga this season. Marcus Sorg's men have let in 35 goals in 16 games.
  • Half of Freiburg's home matches against BVB have ended in a draw.
  • The Breisgau-based outfit have not won their last game of a calendar year in their last 17 attempts.
  • Borussia Dortmund have picked up 24 out of possible 30 points in their last 10 matches.
  • BVB have lost just one of their last nine games against Freiburg.
  • Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski has scored 10 goals, and assisted a further three in 16 Bundesliga matches.
Prediction
Freiburg are in deep trouble, and do not seem to be able to get a win from anywhere just now. Dortmund dropped two points against Kaiserslautern last week, but lightning rarely strikes twice.
Editor's Prediction
SC Freiburg 1-3 Dortmund

17-12-2011 Harts na kvalitet MIODRAG KRIVOKAPIĆ, TRENER U SELTIKU (ŠKOTSKA 1)

SPL Opta Facts - 17-18 December


Aberdeen v Hibernian

Hibs have scored on their last 10 trips to Pittodrie in all competitions.
The Dons ended a run of six league games without a win in their last match.
Aberdeen have not kept a clean sheet in the SPL since September (eight games since).
However, the Dons have scored in eight of their last nine league games.
Aberdeen's last 26 league wins at home have all come after they have opened the scoring: the last time they conceded first and won at Pittodrie was against Hibs in April 2008 (2-1).
Hibs have won only one of their last eight in the league.
Scott Vernon has netted three goals in four SPL appearances against Hibernian: his joint-most against any opponent.

Hearts v Dunfermline

Hearts have won seven of their last nine league meetings with the Pars, drawing the other two.
The Jambos have opened the scoring in their last seven league meetings with Dunfermline.
Hearts have won only one of their last seven league games (D1 L5).
The Jambos have failed to score in five of their last seven games in the SPL.
Hearts are unbeaten in the last 13 league games in which they have opened the scoring at home (12 wins, one draw).
The Pars have picked up just one win from their last 13 league games.
Dunfermline have scored in each of their last seven league games.
10 of Dunfermline's 14 points in the league this season have come on the road.
Only Rangers (8) have conceded fewer league goals than Hearts this season (14).

Kilmarnock v Dundee United

Killie are without a win in their last nine league clashes with Dundee United.
Both sides have found the net in the last six meetings between Kilmarnock and the Terrors in the SPL.
United have conceded 20 goals in their last eight league games on the road combined.
Kilmarnock have opened the scoring in their last five league games (W3 D1 L1).
Only Celtic and Rangers have picked up more points at home in the SPL this season than Kilmarnock (15).
Only Rangers (5) have scored more goals from penalties than Kilmarnock (3) in the SPL this season.
United have conceded the joint-most goals from indirect free kicks (5) and the most from corners (4) in the SPL this season.

Motherwell v St Mirren

Motherwell have won only three of their last nine league games at home to the Saints.
The last three league meetings between the sides have produced just four goals in total.
Motherwell have lost only one of their last nine in the SPL (six wins, two draws).
The Steelmen have won only one of their last six at home in the SPL (D2 L3): only five teams have picked up fewer points on their own turf this season.
St Mirren have taken only one point from the last nine available in the league.
The Buddies have won only one of their last six on the road in the SPL.
St Mirren have bagged just five second-half league goals this season: fewer than any other SPL side.

Rangers v Inverness CT

There have been only eight goals scored in the last five league meetings between Caley Thistle and Rangers combined.
The Gers have averaged just 1.6 points per game at home to Inverness in the SPL: fewer than against any other side.
Rangers have conceded just 10 goals in their last 28 league games combined.
The Gers are unbeaten in 13 in the league at Ibrox (W9 D4).
Excluding penalties, Inverness are one of two sides against whom Nikica Jelavic has played in the SPL, but not scored (with Dunfermline).
Jelavic has scored eight goals in his last eight league appearances for the Gers.
Caley Thistle are yet to keep a clean sheet in the SPL this term: Aberdeen hold the record for most SPL matches without a clean sheet at the start of a season (22 in 99/00).
Inverness have won two of their last three on the road in the league.
Caley Thistle have conceded the most goals from outside the box in the SPL this season (nine).

St Johnstone v Celtic

St Johnstone's win at Celtic earlier this season ended a run of 12 consecutive league defeats against the Bhoys.
Celtic have won on their last six league trips to St Johnstone.
Celtic are on a run of six straight league wins, they have not won seven in a row since October 2010.
The Bhoys have conceded only three goals in their last eight league matches combined.
St Johnstone have lost three of their last four league games at home.
Antony Stokes has scored five goals in Celtic's last four league games on the road.
Celtic are the only SPL side yet to concede a goal from outside the box in the SPL this season.
The Bhoys have scored twice as many goals from outside the box (10) as any other side in the SPL this season.