Thursday, February 23, 2012

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24.02. (Fri) 20:30 Borussia MG - Hamburger SV

Bundesliga: Hamburger SV - Borussia Moenchengladbach, Marco Reus, Robert Tesche
Stuart Franklin


PROBABLE LINEUPS

MONCHENGLADBACH



Ter Stegen
Jantschke, Stranzl, Dante, Daems
Reus, Nordveit, Neustadter, Arango
De Camargo, Hanke

HAMBURG


Drobny

Diekmeier, Westermann, Rajkovic, Aogo
Sala, Rincon, Jarolim, Jansen
Petric, Guerrero

Lucien Favre is set to make adjustments to his side after right-winger Patrick Herrmann fractured his clavicle last weekend. Marco Reus will likely drop into his role out wide, leaving Igor de Camargo and fit-again striker Mike Hanke in the centre of attack. Otherwise, Gladbach will have the same line-up that featured in last weekend's 2-1 win over Kaiserslautern.

Thorsten Fink is expected to retain the core XI that lost 3-1 in last week's derby against Werder Bremen, with Jacopo Sala standing in for the injured Gokhan Tore on the right wing. Slobodan Rajkovic is tipped to retain his role in central defence, but Jeffrey Bruma remains an option.


DID YOU KNOW?


  • Monchengladbach have Europe's best goals-against record, having conceded just 13 times: a rate of 0.59 per game.
  • Marco Reus has scored or provided an assist in four of his first five Bundesliga games during the 2012 calendar year.
  • Lucien Favre's side have won four of their five games since the winter break.
  • Hamburg have earned twice as many wins away from home (four) as at the HSH Nordbank Arena this season.
  • Striking duo Mladen Petric and Jose Paolo Guerrero have combined for four goals and two assists in 2012. Hamburg have scored six times during this time.
  • HSV have won their last two away games: 1-0 in Koln and 2-1 in Berlin.
Prediction
Gladbach are in remarkable form and have dropped points at home just twice this season: against a notoriously leaky Hamburg defence, they not only are likely to win, but have a good chance to run up the score.
Editor's Prediction
Mönchengladbach 2-0 HSV

La Liga Opta Facts - 25-26 Feb


Atlético de Madrid - Barcelona
Atlético have lost their last three league meetings with Barcelona.
The rojiblancos have won four of their last six league matches at home to Barça (L2).
The Vicente Calderón is the only stadium where Barcelona have lost more than once (2) under Pep Guardiola.
Barcelona are the team to have scored the most goals against Atlético in Primera (294), 25 more than Real Madrid (269).
There have been 50 goals scored (36 by Barça, 14 by Atlético) in the last 10 league meetings between the sides.
Barcelona's 6-0 win at the Vicente Calderón in 2006/07 was Atlético's biggest-ever defeat at home in the top flight.
Atlético have lost six of their last seven league meetings with Catalan sides (D1), conceding an average of 3.1 goals per game in these.
Atlético are still unbeaten under Simeone in the league (W3 D4), their longest unbeaten run since 2008/09 (nine games).
Barcelona are without a win in their last two away league games (D1 L1): they have not lost back-to-back matches on the road in La Liga since Frank Rijkaard's last season (07/08).
Falcao has failed to score in his last four league appearances, his worst run at Atlético.
Messi has scored 14 goals against Atlético in the league, four more than against any other side in Primera (Racing, Sevilla and Valencia 10 each).
Barcelona have scored the highest proportion of their goals in the opening 15 minutes of league games (21%, 14), while Atlético have scored the fewest in this period (6%, 2).

Espanyol - Levante
Espanyol are unbeaten at home to Levante in Primera (W4 D2).
The periquitos have won five of their last 10 top-flight meetings with Levante (D3 L2).
Levante have lost on 12 of their 14 visits to Catalonia in the top-flight (D2, both against Espanyol).
Espanyol are without a win in their last eight league meetings with sides from Valencia (D3 L5).
Espanyol are without a win in their last three games in Liga BBVA (D2 L1).
The pericos have kept a clean sheet in six of their nine wins in the league this season.
Espanyol have never failed to score at home to Levante in Primera.
Levante are without a win in eight straight league games (D3 L5) and have lost their last six on the road.
Espanyol have conceded the most goals from penalties in the league this season (5, level with Athletic and Osasuna).
The granotas have shipped 12 goals in the last four matchdays, more than any other side.

Málaga - Real Zaragoza
Málaga have won just one of their last 10 league meetings with Real Zaragoza (D4 L5).
The maños have alternated a win with another result in each of their last 11 league clashes with Málaga (they drew earlier this season).
The boquerones have only lost one of their last seven league games at home (W4 D2: they lost 1-4 to Barcelona).
The side from Aragon have won just one of their last 16 league games, although this was in their last away match (2-0 at Espanyol).
Real Zaragoza are the only side in La Liga yet to score from outside the box this season.
Málaga have scored the most goals from direct free kicks in the league this season (3), though none since September.
Málaga (7) are, along with Granada (6), one of only two teams to have won every league game in which they have opened the scoring this season.
Málaga's last eight league goals have been scored by foreign players, six of them by South Americans.
None of the six league meetings between Pellegrini and Jiménez as managers have ended as draws (two wins for Pellegrini, four defeats).

Osasuna - Granada
Osasuna have won all three matches at home to Granada in the top flight.
The Navarre side have only once failed to score against Granada in Primera, when they lost 0-1 in December 1958.
Osasuna have not lost two consecutive league games this season (they lost to Sevilla last time out).
Granada have scored nine goals in their last four Liga BBVA matches, having scored just 12 in 19 games before this.
The Andalucians have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last 10 league games.
Osasuna have scored the joint-fewest goals from substitutes in the league this season (1, with Mallorca).
Granada are, along with Betis, the only side yet to draw on the road in La Liga this season.
Osasuna have conceded the most goals to opposition substitutes in the league this season (10).
Osasuna have scored the highest proportion of their goals in the first half in La Liga this season (62%).
Granada have only won one of the 10 league games this season in which one of Ighalo or Iñigo López has been missing.

Racing - Sporting de Gijón
Racing are without a win in their last three league meetings with Sporting (D2 L1).
Sporting have won on none of their last eight league visits to El Sardinero (D3 L5).
Racing were relegated on four of the seven occasions that they had under 23 points after 23 games in Primera (assuming three points for a win).
Assuming three points for a win, Sporting have been relegated on the two previous occasions that they had 20 points at this stage of a season (53/54 and 58/59).
Racing have scored the joint-fewest goals at home in La Liga this season (8), but have conceded the fourth-fewest (nine).
Racing are without a win in their last five league games (D3 L2), but have only lost one of their last six on home turf (W2 D3).
All three of the cántabros' home wins in the league this season have been by the same scoreline (1-0).
Sporting have lost their last four league away games, conceding 14 goals in the process.
Racing are, along with Real Sociedad, the side who have scored the fewest first-half goals in LigaBBVA this season (seven).

Rayo Vallecano - Real Madrid
Real Madrid have won their last seven league meetings with Rayo, scoring at least three in six of these.
The side from Chamartín have won their last 13 league meetings with other sides from Madrid, averaging 3.2 goals per game.
José Mourinho's men have won 18 of their last 19 league games (L1).
Real Madrid are on a run of eight straight league wins on the road, keeping five clean sheets.
Rayo have won their last three league games, their best run in the top-flight since 2001/02 (five).
Madrid are the top-scoring away side in the league this season (30) and have picked up 10 more points (28) than any other side on the road (Rayo, 18).
If only home games counted in the league this season, Rayo would be in the relegation zone (W4 D1 L6).
Real Madrid have seen the joint-most opposition players sent off in the league this season (eight).
Diego Costa has scored four goals, three headed, in his first three league games with Rayo.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo (11) and Fernando Llorente (7) have scored more away goals in the league this season than Gonzalo Higuaín (6).

Real Betis - Getafe
Getafe have scored exactly twice on all but one of their five top-flight visits to Betis.
The azulones have lost just one of their last five league away games (W3 D1).
Getafe have conceded in all but three of their last 28 league matches on the road: all three games where they kept a clean sheet ended 0-0.
Previously, every time the verdiblancos have won in the league this season, it has been part of a winning streak of at least three games: they have won their last two.
On all four occasions that Betis have been winning at half-time in the league this season, they have gone on to win.
Nelson has won both matches in which he has played in the league, with Betis scoring twice each time.
The Madrid side are, along with Osasuna, the team who have conceded the most goals to substitutes on the road in the league this season (7), while Betis have conceded the most at home (3).
Getafe are the only side in Primera yet to score in the opening 15 minutes of a match this season.
Iriney and Tomás Pina have committed the joint-most fouls in the league this season (54).
Muñiz Fernández has sent off more players at home in La Liga this season than any other referee.

Real Sociedad - Mallorca
Real Sociedad have won five of their last six league games at home to Mallorca, including the last four in a row.
Joaquín Caparrós' men have scored in nine of their last 10 league visits to Anoeta.
The donostiarra have won their last two league home games, while Mallorca have lost their last two on the road.
Last time out Mallorca scored four goals in a league match for the first time this season.
Until their recent win over Villarreal, all six of Mallorca's league goals this season had been by a single-goal margin.
Real Sociedad have scored the lowest proportion of their league goals in the first half this season (27%, 7/26).
Joaquín Caparrós' men have dropped 20 points after scoring the opening goal in La Liga this season, more than any other side.
Philippe Montanier's side have won all four league games in which they have opened the scoring at Anoeta this season.
Seven of Mallorca's last 10 league goals have been headed: they have eight in total this season.
Agirretxe has failed to score in his last 10 league appearances, his poorest-ever run at Real Sociedad.

Valencia - Sevilla
By beating Osasuna, Sevilla ended their poorest winless run since returning to the top flight (D2 L6).
Sevilla have won their last four league meetings with Valencia.
Valencia have only lost two of their last 17 league games at home to Andalucian sides, both of them against Sevilla.
19 of Los Che's last 22 league goals against Sevilla have been scored by Spanish players, the other three were by Aimar.
Only Real Madrid (21) have scored in more league games than Valencia (20) this season, though one of these was against Sevilla.
Three of Sevilla's last four league goals have been netted by players who had never scored in La Liga before (the other was an own goal).
Valencia have not lost when both Banega and Miguel have started in the league this season (W3 D3).
Valencia are the only Liga BBVA side who are yet to concede in the 15 minutes before the break this season.
Spahic, along with Tomás Pina, has picked up the most yellow cards (11) without being sent off in La Liga this season.
The first meeting between the sides this season saw three red cards, a league joint-most this season with Mallorca-Betis.

Villarreal - Athletic
Villarreal have won their last seven league games against Athletic at El Madrigal, scoring an average of 2.6 goals per game.
Villarreal have only lost one of their last 14 top-flight meetings with Athletic (W11 D2).
The Yellow Submarine have lost just once at home in the league this season (0-3 vs Levante), and have drawn the second-most home games (five).
Bielsa's men have hit exactly three goals in three of their last four league games.
Only Real Madrid (21) have scored in more league games than Athletic (20) this season.
Athletic are, along with Valencia, the team who have dropped the most points in the final five minutes of league games this season (nine).
Cani has been subbed off on the most occasions this season in Liga BBVA (16).
Only Cristiano Ronaldo (11) has scored more away goals in Primera this season than Fernando Llorente (seven).
Marco Ruben has scored in six of the last seven league games in which Villarreal have managed to find the net

Serie A Opta Facts - 25th-26th February


Atalanta v Roma
Atalanta have scored 102 goals against Roma in Serie A, only against Lazio (103) have they netted more.
Roma have won six of their last seven games against Atalanta, losing the other.
Over the last six meetings in Bergamo between these two sides, they have alternated a win each.
Roma have scored in 19 of their last 20 league games against Atalanta.
Atalanta have not conceded in their last three games (two goalless draws and a 1-0 win with Genoa).
At home, Stefano Colantuono's side have scored just one goal in their last four league games (Marilungo's winner against Genoa).
Roma have not repeated the same result for two consecutive games over the last seven match-days of this competition.
Luis Enrique's side have picked up just one point from their last three games on the road in Serie A.

Bologna v Udinese
Udinese have scored in each of their last seven league games against Bologna, notching up three wins and two draws in the process.
Bologna have come out on top in the last two games at home to Udinese, with the same score line (2-1); Marco Di Vaio scored in both games.
Bologna's captain has netted three goals in his last four Serie A appearances, and is currently his side's top scorer on eight goals.
Bologna are, with Juventus, the only Serie A side still unbeaten in 2012 (three wins and four draws).
The Felsinei have not conceded in their last three league games. In their last three at home they have recorded two wins and a draw, without conceding.
Bologna have scored four goals before half time in their last two games; they had netted just five in the first half of their 21 previous league games.
Udinese have won just one of their last five games in the league.
Away from home, Francesco Guidolin's side have lost three games in a row, and won just one of their last 10 games.
Antonio Di Natale will miss this game injured: Udinese have won just one of the last seven Serie A games played without him, losing four.
Udinese have failed to score in five of these last seven games without Di Natale.

Cagliari v Lecce
Cagliari are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Lecce (three wins and a draw).
At home the Sardinians are still unbeaten against Lecce in the top-flight (five wins and two draws).
Cagliari have already kept four clean sheets at home against Lecce in Serie A.
Cagliari have alternated a home win with an away draw in the last four match-days; should this trend continue, the Sardinians would beat Lecce.
Cagliari have scored six goals in their last two home games, as many as they had scored in their previous 10 games at the Sant'Elia.
Lecce are unbeaten for three games for the second time in this campaign; the last time they went four consecutive games without losing in Serie A was in February 2011.
Lecce have picked up more points on the road (12) than at home (nine) so far this term.
The goalless draw at Atalanta's ground ended a series of seven consecutive away games in which Lecce had always scored.

Catania v Novara
Novara are still unbeaten against Catania in Serie A: two draws (including the 3-3 in the reverse fixture) and a win back in March 1955.
The only previous meeting in Sicily between these two sides was a 0-0 in October 1954.
At home, Vincenzo Montella's side are unbeaten in their last four games: wins against Genoa and Palermo, draws with Parma and Roma (both 1-1).
Catania have failed to score just once in their last 10 home games (0-1 with Cagliari back in December).
Novara have collected five points from their last three games, as many as they had picked up in their previous 10 Serie A fixtures.
Emiliano Mondonico's side have not conceded in any of their last three games; previously, they had not kept a clean sheet in the first 21 fixtures of this competition.
However, Novara have scored just three goals in the eight games played since start of 2012.
Novara's last eight goals have all been scored in the second half.
Catania have scored 29 goals so far this season: 16 by Argentine players, 13 by Italians.

Chievo v Cesena
One win each and a draw in the three previous meetings between these two sides in Serie A.
The only meeting in Verona saw the hosts win 2-1.
On that occasion a last-gasp goal from French striker Théréau (his first goal in Serie A) gave the win to Chievo.
Since then, Théréau has scored six more goals in Serie A, including the last two for Chievo against Parma and Genoa.
Three wins, three losses and a draw for Chievo in their last seven league games.
However, Domenico Di Carlo's side have lost their last two games at home against Lazio and Parma.
The last time Chievo lost three home games in a row in Serie A was between October and November 2008.
Cesena have picked up just one point from their last five games, thanks to their 0-0 at the San Paolo against Napoli.
In light of this negative run, Daniele Arrigoni has been sacked and replaced by Mario Beretta.
Away from home, Cesena have taken just one point from their last five games in this competition.

Genoa v Parma
In recent years the meetings between Genoa and Parma have been perfectly balanced: both sides have recorded two wins since 2008, with two draws completing the record.
Over their last five meetings, both sides have always scored in this fixture.
The last four meetings in Genoa have alternated between a draw and a home win; following this trend, the next meetings should end in a draw.
Genoa have lost their last three league games without scoring a single goal.
The last time the Grifoni lost four Serie A games in a row was in May 2008.
Prior to their 1-0 defeat against Chievo, Genoa had won four consecutive games at home.
Last Sunday's defeat against Roma was the first for Parma under Roberto Donadoni, after two wins and four draws.
Away from home, Parma have won just one of their last nine games, failing to score in four of the last six.

Lazio v Fiorentina
Lazio are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Fiorentina in Serie A: two draws in the 2009/10 season, followed by three wins in a row for the Biancocelesti.
Fiorentina have never scored more than a single goal in their last 14 Serie A meetings against Lazio.
The Viola have scored just four goals in their last 11 visits to Lazio in Serie A.
Lazio are unbeaten in their last six games at home, and have won their last three fixtures at the Olimpico in the league.
However, last Sunday Lazio lost their game away to Palermo conceding five goals for the first time since April 2008.
In Palermo, the Biancocelesti conceded five goals from the first five shots on target they faced against the Sicilians.
Fiorentina have lost back-to-back games conceding five goals overall without scoring.
The Tuscans have shipped eight goals in total over their last four league games.
Lazio's striker Kozák has scored two goals in his last two Serie A appearances; he scored his first goal in this competition against Fiorentina back in September 2010.

AC Milan v Juventus
This will be the 154th meeting between AC Milan and Juventus in Serie A: the Bianconeri lead by 53 wins to 47, with 53 draws completing the record.
AC Milan lead by three wins to two against Juve over the last three seasons, however the Old Lady came out on top in the reverse fixture in Turin (2-0).
Juventus also won the last meeting at the San Siro in October 2010 (2-1).
AC Milan have shared the points 32 times at home against Juve, more than against any other side in Serie A.
The Rossoneri have won their last two games against Udinese (2-1) and Cesena (3-1); however, they have won just one of the last three at home.
Lazio are the only side to have scored more than a single goal at AC Milan's ground this season, in the opening match-day back in September.
By beating Catania last Saturday, Juventus extended their unbeaten run to 23 games (13 wins, 10 draws): they are the only team still unbeaten amongst the top-five European leagues this season.
Juventus have not conceded a single goal in their last four league games on the road.
Antonio Conte's side have drawn the most games away from home in this Serie A campaign (six).
AC Milan and Juventus are the two sides with the most clean sheets in this competition (12).
This meetings will see the best attack in Serie A (AC Milan, 48 goals scored) playing the best defence (Juventus, only 14 goals conceded).
Against Catania last Saturday Andrea Pirlo scored his first goal for Juventus, and made two assists.
Pirlo and teammate Giorgio Chiellini are the only Serie A players with more than 2,000 touches in this Serie A campaign.

Napoli v Inter
Napoli's win in the reverse fixture ended a run of four consecutive games without a defeat for Inter against the Partenopei (two wins and two draws).
Over the last 11 meetings between these two sides the same result has never come up twice in a row.
Napoli are unbeaten in their last five home games against Inter, but were held to a draw in the last two.
Only five goals have been scored overall in the last five meetings played at the San Paolo between these two sides (four by Napoli, one by Inter).
Napoli are unbeaten in their last four games: after drawing with Cesena and AC Milan, the Partenopei won against Chievo and Fiorentina without conceding a single goal.
Inter have picked up just one point from their last five league games: this is their worst run since March 2004.
Inter haven't scored in any of their last three fixtures, conceding eight.
The last time Inter scored more than a single goal on the road was back in September: 3-1 in Bologna, on Claudio Ranieri's debut for the Nerazzurri.
Wesley Sneijder has the worst conversion rate of all players with at least 10 shots in this Serie A campaign (3%).
Napoli have scored the most goals from open play in this competition (31).
Napoli's last seven goals have all involved Edison Cavani (four goals) or Ezequiel Lavezzi (two goals and an assist).
Claudio Ranieri has never won a Serie A game against Walter Mazzarri in his managerial career (six draws and three wins for Mazzarri).
Giampaolo Pazzini has scored just one goal in his eight previous meetings against Napoli in Serie A, when he was playing for Sampdoria in May 2010.

Siena v Palermo
Against Siena in September 2004, Palermo played their first game in the top-flight after 31 years in the lower leagues: on that occasion the Sicilians won 1-0 at the Barbera.
Overall, these two sides have met 13 times in Serie A: Palermo lead by seven wins to three, three draws complete the record.
The Rosanero have come out on top in their last three meetings with the Tuscans, one of these at the Artemio Franchi.
Siena have beaten Palermo just once at home, 1-0 in May 2009.
Over the last six match-days of Serie A, Palermo have collected 13 points, a joint-most with AC Milan.
The Rosanero are still winless away from home: they have collected just four points on the road this season - a league-low.
Prior to last Wednesday's defeat against Catania, Siena had remained unbeaten in their previous four home games (two wins and two draws).
Over their last seven away games, the Sicilians have always alternated a loss with a draw: should they continue this trend, this game would finish in a draw.
Fabrizio Miccoli has scored five goals in his last three Serie A appearances.
Miccoli is also the player who has assisted the most goals in this competition (11).
In fact, the Rosanero captain is the first player to record double figures for goals scored (11) and assisted (11) this term in Serie A.

Premier League Opta Facts - 25th-26th February


Chelsea v Bolton Wanderers
Frank Lampard has scored more goals against Bolton than against any other team in the Premier League (11).
Only Robbie Fowler (12) has ever scored more PL goals vs the Trotters than Lampard (11).
Bolton have won none of their last 16 Premier League games against Chelsea (W0 D3 L13).
Bolton have drawn two and lost three of their last five league visits to Stamford Bridge but all three defeats were by just a one-goal margin.
The Blues have won just three of their last eight Premier League games at Stamford Bridge.
Bolton have kept just one clean sheet in their last 38 Premier League away games.
The last time Chelsea had fewer points after 25 games in the Premier League was season 2000-01 (37).
Bolton have kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 Premier League games.
Chelsea have kept just two clean sheets in their last 11 league fixtures.

Newcastle United v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Newcastle are unbeaten in their five Premier League games with Wolves (W2 D3).
Wolves have scored one goal in each of their five Premier League games against Newcastle.
Newcastle have won their last three home games in a row; they haven't won won four on the trot since October 2007.
Victory in their last away game ended a run of 10 on the road in the Premier League without a win for Wolves.
Wolves have recouped the most points from losing positions in the Premier League this season (13).
They've needed that resilience as they have trailed in 21 of their 25 league games, more than any other side.
Wolves are the only team in the Premier League without a goal from a shot outside the box.
In contrast, they have conceded the highest percentage of goals of goals from long range (27%).
Newcastle have conceded the joint-most penalties in the Premier League (8).
Wolves have gone 22 Premier League games without a clean sheet.

Queens Park Rangers v Fulham
QPR have failed to score in their last five games against west London neighbours Fulham (in all competitions).
Rangers suffered their heaviest ever Premier League defeat when they lost 6-0 to Fulham earlier this season at Craven Cottage.
QPR have lost five of their last seven Premier League home games.
Fulham have won just one of their last 12 Premier League away games (W1 D5 L6).
QPR have dropped the most points from wining positions this season (15) and 13 of those have been relinquished on home soil.
Rangers have scored the highest percentage of first half goals in the top flight this season (56%).
QPR have gone 16 games without a clean sheet in the Premier League.
Mark Hughes' side have won just one of their last 13 Premier League games.
Fulham haven't kept a clean sheet in their last nine league games.
39% of the goals Fulham have conceded this season have been shipped in the final 15 minutes of games, the highest percentage in the top flight.

West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland
Nicklas Bendtner has scored three Premier League goals against West Bromwich Albion; his joint-highest tally against any club.
West Brom have lost five and won none of their last six Premier League games at the Hawthorns.
Nobody has picked up fewer points on home soil than the Baggies this season (8) and West Brom have also scored the fewest home goals (9).
Sunderland have won three of their last four Premier League away games (W3 L1)
The Black Cats have conceded the highest percentage of headed goals in the top flight this season (31%).
West Brom have kept just one clean sheet in their last 17 Premier League games.
Sunderland are the only team not to score from the penalty spot this season.
Sunderland have made more tackles (552) than any other Premier League side.
Seb Larsson has fired in more direct free kicks on target than any other player (8) and scored the most goals via this route (3).
West Brom have scored the joint-highest percentage of goals in the opening 15 minutes of games (21% along with Liverpool).

Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa
Villa's win earlier this season was the first time in 11 Premier League meetings that the home side had won this fixture.
Only against Everton (six goals) has Agbonlahor scored more often than against Wigan (5).
Aston Villa have lost just one of their last seven Premier League meetings with Wigan (W4 D2 L1).
Wigan have won none of their last 10 Premier League games at the DW Stadium (W0 D4 L6).
The Latics have scored only eight goals in total in their last 10 home Premier League games.
Aston Villa have lost just one of their last six Premier League away games (W3 D2 L1).
35% of Wigan's goals have come from shots outside the box, the highest percentage in the top flight.
Villa have only kept one clean sheet in their last 12 Premier League matches.
Wigan have only kept one clean sheet in their last 22 top flight games.
32% of the goals Aston Villa have conceded have come from corners, a higher percentage than any other team.

Manchester City v Blackburn Rovers
Manchester City have lost none of their last eight Premier League games against Blackburn (W5 D3 L0), winning four of the last five.
Manchester City have earned 64 points from the last 66 available on home soil and won the last 17 in a row at the Etihad Stadium.
The Citizens have kept four clean sheets in their last five Premier League home games.
Blackburn have won just two of their last 21 Premier League away games (W2 D8 L11).
Rovers have kept just one clean sheet in their last 31 matches on the road.
Yakubu has the best conversion rate of shots into goals of any regular player in the Premier League this season (38%).
79% of the goals Man City have conceded have come in the second half games, the highest percentage in the Premier League.
Joe Hart has the best saves to shots ratio of any regular goalkeeper this season, saving 79% of shots on target faced.
Paul Robinson has the worst saves to shots ratio of any regular goalkeeper this season, preventing just 52% of accurate attempts from beating him.
Man City have kept seven clean sheets in their last 10 Premier League matches.

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Rafael van der Vaart has scored four goals in total in three Premier League games against Arsenal.
Since Harry Redknapp joined Tottenham, Spurs have won three, drawn three and lost two of the eight meetings in all competitions against Arsenal.
Tottenham have kept just one clean sheet in their last 32 matches in all competitions against the Gunners.
In all three visits to the Emirates, Spurs under Harry Redknapp have found themselves two goals down at some stage, but have won one, drawn one and lost one of those games.
Spurs have lost just one of the last seven league games against the Gunners (W3 D3 L1) and won three of the last four (W3 D1 L0).
Robin van Persie has scored four goals in his last five starts against Tottenham in the Premier League.
Gareth Bale has netted three times against Arsenal, his joint-highest tally against any opponent in the Premier League (along with Wigan).
Arsenal have picked up the fewest points in the head to heads between the top seven teams in the Premier League this season (4).
The Gunners have scored 248 goals in London derbies under Arsene Wenger.
Spurs victory at the Emirates last season ended a run of 17 away league games against the Gunners without a win for the Lilywhites.
Only David Silva (12) has more assists than Emmanuel Adebayor (10) in the Premier League this season.

Norwich City v Manchester United
The last four games in all competitions between Norwich and Man Utd at Carrow Road have ended with a 2-0 scoreline, as did the meeting earlier this season at Old Trafford.
After not keeping a clean sheet all season, the Canaries have kept shut outs in their last two home games.
Norwich have lost just one of their last six home games in the Premier League (W3 D2 L1).
Manchester United have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League away games (W8 D4 L1).
Only Norwich City have scored more headed goals (14) than Manchester United (11) this season.
Five of Javier Hernandez's eight Premier League goals this season have been the opening goal of the game.
Manchester United have posted the best shooting accuracy figures in the Premier League this season (53%) and best conversion rate (20%).
The Red Devils have kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season (12) while only Blackburn (0) have kept fewer than Norwich (2).
Grant Holt has committed more fouls than any other player so far this season (60).
Norwich have scored more goals from crosses than any other Premier League side (20).

Stoke City v Swansea City
Swansea have won the last four games with Stoke in all competitions.
Stoke have won just two of their last eight Premier League home games (W2 D2 L4).
In their last eight away games, Swansea have either scored twice or not at all.
Tony Pulis' side have conceded the highest percentage of goals in the first half (55%).
Stoke have fired in fewer shots on target than any other team in the Premier League (64) and have the worst shooting accuracy (34%).
Stoke have been caught offside fewer times than any other team in the Premier League (34).
Stoke have conceded the most goals from the penalty spot this season (7).
Ryan Shawcross has made more defensive clearances than any other player in the top flight this term (318).
Stoke have won just one of their last nine Premier League games (W1 D3 L5).
Ashley Williams has blocked more shots than any other player this season (33).

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24.02. (Fri) 11:20 Japan - Iceland

Yasuhito Endo - Japan
Getty Images


PROBABLE LINEUPS

JAPAN
Japan
Hayashi
Inoha, Makino, Konno, Komano
Shibasaki, Masuda,
Okubo, Kashiwagi, Nakamura

Maeda
ICELAND
Iceland
Gunnleifsson
Jonsson, Adalsteinsson, Kristjansson, Jonasson
Danielsson, Bjarnason, Skulason
Smarason, Thorvaldsson,
Thorsteinsson

With both 30th-ranked Japan and 102nd-ranked Iceland sending out their B-teams for Friday's friendly, this match will be of less interest to casual fans and more interest to coaching staff, journalists and scouts.

Unable to summon his European stars for this non-Fifa match date, Japan manager Alberto Zaccheroni has called up a roster of J-League players that includes five newcomers who could potentially earn their first caps. Defenders Masahiko Inoha and Tomoaki Makino, both playing in Japan again after unsuccessful stints in Europe, will join mainstays such as Yasuyuki Konno and Yasuhito Endo.

The visitors' 18-man squad is light on big names overall; veteran goalkeeper Gunnleifur Gunnleifsson and defender Hallgrimur Jonasson are the only two players who started in Iceland's last international fixture, a 5-3 loss to Portugal in the final round of Euro 2012 qualifications. Manager Lars Lagerback will use his first match as a chance to try out unknown players and hopefully come away with some pride and even a draw from the reigning Asian champions.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • In their last meeting in a 2004 friendly, Japan beat Iceland 3-2 at Manchester City Stadium with two goals from Tatsuhiko Kubo and an eventual game-winner by Alex dos Santos.
  • This will be Japan's first match since their 1-0 loss to North Korea in Pyongyang last November.
  • At 18 years and two months, Yuya Kubo would unseat Hidetoshi Nakata to become the youngest Japanese player to score an international goal were he to find the net.
  • Iceland has yet to qualify for either the World Cup or European Championships.
  • Iceland manager Lars Lagerback coached the Sweden national team for nearly a decade, leading them to two Round of 16 appearances at the World Cup and three Euro appearances.
Prediction
Japan are undoubtedly the stronger of the two sides, but depending on substitutions it's not out of the question that Iceland can pull back a consolation goal or two.
Editor's Prediction
Japan 3-1 Iceland

SPL Opta Facts - 25-26 February


St Mirren v Aberdeen
St Mirren are unbeaten in their last four league meetings with Aberdeen, winning three and drawing one.
Aberdeen have lost on their last three league visits to St Mirren Park, and on four of the last five.
St Mirren have won more SPL matches at home to the Dons (6) than any other side (Kilmarnock 4).
The Saints have failed to score in their last four SPL matches.
St Mirren's last three league games have all ended goalless: no side has ever drawn four consecutive SPL games 0-0.
Aberdeen's last two league games have ended goalless, and there have been just three goals in their last five combined.
The Dons are unbeaten in seven league games: they have never before gone unbeaten in eight in a row in the SPL.
Aberdeen have shipped only two goals in their last seven league games combined.

Celtic v Motherwell
The Bhoys have won eight of their last nine league meetings with Motherwell.
Celtic have won three of their last four league games at home to the Steelmen by the same scoreline: 4-0 (one 1-0).
In 24 visits, Motherwell have scored just six SPL goals at Celtic Park, and never more than once in a match.
Motherwell have hit at least three goals in four of their last five league games.
The Steelmen are unbeaten in six in the SPL, their best run this season.
Celtic are on a run of 16 consecutive league wins.
The Bhoys have kept a clean sheet in their last five SPL matches, and have conceded only twice in their last 13 combined.
Celtic have scored 16 SPL goals from outside the box this season, nine more than any other side.

Hearts v Dundee United
United have scored just three goals in their last eight visits to Tynecastle in the league combined.
A win at Hearts in July ended a run of seven league games without a win for the Terrors in this match in Edinburgh.
United have won both league meetings between the sides so far this season 1-0.
Dundee United have won their last four meetings with the Jambos in the SPL, and have lost only one of the last 10.
Hearts have failed to score in seven of their last 10 league meetings with United.
Hearts are without a win in four in the SPL (D1 L3), scoring just once in this run.
United are unbeaten in four in the league (W2 D2), they have not gone five without defeat all season.
These two sides (Hearts 10, Dundee United 13) have scored the most goals in the last 15 minutes of SPL games this season.

Kilmarnock v Hibernian
Hibernian have scored in their last 10 league meetings with Killie.
Kilmarnock have lost just one of their last 12 league games at home to Hibernian (W8 D3 L1).
Killie have lost only one of their last six in the league at Rugby Park.
Kilmarnock have hit only three goals in their last six league games combined.
Four of Killie's last seven league goals have come from outside the box.
Hibernian have shipped at least three goals in four of their last five league games.
Hibs have won only one of their last 15 league matches.

St Johnstone v Dunfermline
The 3-0 win on Christmas Eve was the first time St Johnstone had beaten Dunfermline in the SPL (D6 L6 previously).
St Johnstone have never beaten the Pars at home in the SPL, and have failed to score in the last four on their own patch.
None of the last 11 matches between the sides in all competitions has been won by the team playing at home.
The Saints have lost six of their last eight league games at home.
Dunfermline have won only one of their last 15 SPL matches.
The Pars have lost seven of their last eight league away games.

Inverness CT v Rangers
Both teams had a man sent off in the earlier meeting at Inverness this season.
Rangers have won their last three league meetings with Inverness CT.
Only Celtic (44%) have won a higher proportion of their SPL games against Rangers than Inverness (15%).
There have been just five goals scored in the last five league games involving Inverness.
Caley Thistle are unbeaten in three at home in the league (W2 D1).
Rangers have lost four of their last 12 SPL matches.
The Gers have lost three of their last six on the road in the league.
Rangers have scored the joint-fewest goals from outside the box in the SPL this season (four, level with Hibernian).

Poslednje kolo treće kvalifikacione runde za sp u Aziji iz ugla Slobodana Pavkovića

Najviše uzbuđenja u poslednjem kolu treće kvalifikacione runde u Aziji moglo bi da bude u Grupi E. Ukoliko Iran savlada Katar, Bahrein će protiv Indonezije da „juri“ gol-razliku, koja bi mogla da ga odvede u narednu fazu borbi za plasman na Svetsko prvenstvo 2014. godine u Brazilu.
Za dešavanja u azijskom fudbalu boljeg sagovornika od Slobodana Pavkovića, tehničkog direktora Fudbalskog saveza Singapura, nismo mogli da nađemo. Naš stručnjak na ovoj funkciji nalazi se već pet godina, a pre toga radio je u Omanu, bio selektor Kuvajta...

GRUPA A
KINA – JORDAN 12 – Pošto je u ovoj grupi sve rešeno, utakmice su na nivou prijateljskih. Selektori će možda da kombinuju sastave, da probaju neke igrače. Ne verujem da će neko preterano da taktizira, pa isključujem mogućnost remija.
IRAK – SINGAPUR 1 – Moja selekcija se za ovu utakmicu pripremala u Dubaiju. Međutim, šanse Singapura su izuzetno male, pa moram da kažem da je Irak apsolutni favorit.

GRUPA B
J. KOREJA – KUVAJT 1 – Velika je razlika u fudbalu koji se igra u Koreji i onog u Kuvajtu. Kvalitet je ubedljivo na strani domaćina. Ukoliko ne bude nekih nepredviđenih okolnosti, Kuvajt nema šta da traži na ovom gostovanju.
UAE – LIBAN 2 – Pravo je čudo kako Liban sa samo amaterskim fudbalom u svojoj zemlji beleži ovakve rezultate. Emirati nemaju nijedan bod, pa je dvojka realna.