Friday, March 30, 2012

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31.03. (Sat) 22:00 Barcelona - Athletic Bilbao

Dani Alves - Barcelona
Dani Alves - Barcelona

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BARCELONA

Valdes
Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Puyol
Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta
Fabregas, Messi, Pedro
ATHLETIC BILBAO

Iraizoz
Iraola, Martinez, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe
De Marcos, Iturraspe, Herrera

 Susaeta, Llorente, Muniain

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola could rest some of his stars with an eye on Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final decider against AC Milan when Athletic Bilbao visit Camp Nou on Saturday.

Adriano is still sidelined with a muscle injury for the Catalans, although fellow Brazilian Dani Alves is back from domestic suspension.

Thiago is available after the Spanish Football Federation overturned the second yellow card received by the midfielder against Mallorca, while long-term absentee Ibrahim Afellay has returned to training and has a chance of making the bench.

Mikel San Jose is back from suspension for Athletic Bilbao, who have a full squad to choose from for the trip to the Catalan capital.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Barcelona are on a seven-game winning streak in La Liga, outscoring their opponents 21-6 in those matches.
  • The Catalans are unbeaten in their last 32 home matches in La Liga and in their last 51 at Camp Nou in all competitions.
  • Lionel Messi (pictured right) has netted 18 goals in his last nine games for Barca.
  • Athletic Bilbao are on a four-game winless run in La Liga (D1, L3).
  • Los Leones have won just two of their last 11 Liga matches away from home.
  • Athletic's last victory at Camp Nou was a 2-1 success way back in November 2001.
Prediction
After being frustrated in Italy, Barcelona will be keen to produce a response against Athletic and go in to Tuesday’s return leg against Milan on the back of a positive result. Fatigue, rather than Barca’s star-studded attack, could be the biggest enemy of the visitors, who come in to this match barely 48 hours after overcoming Schalke in the Europa League.
Editor's Prediction
Barcelona 2-0 Bilbao

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31.03. (Sat) 21:00 Nancy Lorraine - Paris Saint Germain

Ligue 1 : Carlo Ancelotti (Paris SG)
Panoramic


PROBABLE LINEUPS

AS NANCY LORRAINE
N'Dy AssembeLoties, Andre Luiz, Puygrenier, HaidaraSaneKaraboue, Traore, Mollo
Bakar, Niculae
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN


Sirigu
Jallet, Alex, Sakho, Maxwell
Motta, Sissoko
Menez, Pastore, Nene
Hoarau

Nancy boss Jean Fernandez has no standing injury problems to mull over ahead of Saturday's visit of the title challengers to Stade Marcel Picot. With two consecutive wins, and a four match unbeaten run under ASNL's belts, including victories over Ligue 1 leaders Montpellier and Lyon, the hosts are expected to line-up with more or less the same team that has featured recently with Lossemy Karaboue expected to regain his place back in the side after sitting out the win over Brest.
Paris Saint-Germain meanwhile are beginning to show the symptoms of a side in disarray. After two late draws against Caen and Bordeaux in Ligue 1, either side of a Coupe de France defeat to Lyon.
Reports surfaced this week of Carlo Ancelotti embarking on a vicious rant at his players after recent lacklustre performances with captain Mamadou Sakho holding a team meeting to discuss the situation, on top of a training ground bust-up involving Mohamed Sissoko and Kevin Gameiro.
Nevertheless, PSG, who sit seond in the table - trailing Montpellier on goal difference - have no pressing worries either. Guillaume Hoarau is set to continue upfront in a 4-2-3-1 formation, as Ancelotti continues to place faith in Christophe Jallet, who looks set to continue in the problematic right-back role.
DID YOU KNOW?


  • Nancy sit 13th in the table following their 1-0 win over Brest which boosted their survival hopes.
  • Jean Fernandez's men have not lost to PSG since March 2009, even inflicting les Parisien's first home defeat of the season back in September, courtesy of Jean Calve's winner. 
  • The hosts, who are on their best run for five months, have collected the most points in March in the entire division.
  • PSG slipped to second in the table, following a 1-1 draw with Bordeaux last weekend.
  • Ancelotti's men are still unbeaten in 14 games in the league.
  • Les Parisiens, who have collected as much points as the whole of last season have scored 19 goals in the last 15 minute period of matches this season.
Prediction
The hosts are on a good run of late, and coupled with PSG's stuttering recent form, it is hard to see the capital club, who are in a state of disarray to come back with three points. Draw looking most likely.
Editor's Prediction
Nancy 1-1 PSG

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31.03. (Sat) 20:45 Parma - Lazio

Giovinco & Floccari - Parma (Getty Images)
Getty Images


PROBABLE LINEUPS

PARMA

Mirante Santacroce, Paletta, Lucarelli
Valdes, Musacci, Galloppa
 Biabiany, Gobbi
Floccari, Giovinco
LAZIO


Marchetti
Konko, Diakite, Biava, Radu
 Gonzalez, Ledesma, Brocchi
Mauri, Rocchi, Hernanes

Roberto Donadoni will not be able to rely on the services of McDonald Mariga and Raffaele Palladino who are injured. Sebastian Giovinco is expected to lead the attack while Sergio Floccari is expected to partner him in the final third.

The biggest absentee for Lazio is Germany international and club topscorer Miroslav Klose, who sustained a thigh injury last Thursday and could be set for a long spell on the sidelines. Senad Lulic is also unavailable with a knock, and he will join Marius Stankevicius and Luca Crescenzi out injured.

Captain Tommaso Rocchi is set to deputise for the injured Klose, with Stefano Mauri and Hernanes supporting him in the final third.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Parma have won only twice since coach Roberto Donadoni took over the team in January.
  • The Gialloblu have the joint-third worst defensive record in Serie A this season.
  • Parma's leading goalscorer in Italy's top flight in the current campaign is Sebastian Giovinco. The former Juventus man has 10 goals to his name.
  • Lazio last drew a match back in December 2011.
  • Miroslav Klose, who is set to miss Saturday's match against Parma, has had a hand in more than 45 per cent of the team's goals.
  • Lazio last lost to the Gialloblu on September 23, 2009.
Prediction
Eduardo Reja's men are yet to feel the absence of Miroslav Klose, but it is only a matter of time before the team is affected. Parma will fight with tooth and nail for a point, so expect a tight affair.
Editor's Prediction
Parma 0-0 Lazio

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31.03. (Sat) 20:00 Osasuna - Real

Cristiano Ronaldo - Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo - Real Madrid

PROBABLE LINEUPS

OSASUNA

Fernandez
Raitala, Roversio, Flano, Damia
Punal, Nekounam
Cejudo, Garcia, Lamah
Nino
REAL MADRID

Casillas
Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo
Khedira, Alonso
Ozil, Kaka, Ronaldo
Benzema

Marc Bertran will sit out the visit of Real Madrid after limping out of Osasuna's 2-0 win at Levante on Sunday.

Kike Sola and Masoud Shojaei are both sidelined through injury, but Javad Nekounam is available again after serving a one-match ban.

Real Madrid will be without Jose Callejon (ankle), Ricardo Carvalho (thigh) and Lassana Diarra (hamstring), but winger Angel Di Maria, who has been out of action since February with a thigh problem, is likely to be involved.

Mesut Ozil returns from suspension along with boss Jose Mourinho, who served a touchline ban in Saturday's 5-1 win over Real Sociedad after being sent-off in the stormy 1-1 draw at Villarreal.

Raphael Varane is set to continue at centre-back in the absence of Pepe, who serves the second of his two-game ban.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Sixth-placed Osasuna are on a six-match unbeaten run in La Liga (W3, D3).
  • The Pamplona outfit have suffered just two home defeats in the league this season - against Racing Santander and Atletico Madrid.
  • Osasuna, along with Racing, have drawn the most games in the Primera Division this season (13).
  • Real Madrid have lost on two of their last three visits to Osasuna. Their last victory at the Reyno de Navarra came in May 2008.
  • Averaging 3.3 goals per game, the Castilian club boast the best attack in the Primera Division.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo's (pictured right) double in the 5-1 thrashing of Real Sociedad made him the fastest player to reach 100 goals in La Liga history (101 in 92 games).
Prediction
Mourinho will be relieved with his team's late scoring spree in Cyprus, as he will not have to rest players for the Osasuna clash with Wednesday's second leg in mind. That said, the home side's direct, in-your-face approach in a raucous Reyno de Navarra can unsettle the league leaders, whose patchy away performances of late is a cause for concern with trips to Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao due in the coming weeks.
Editor's Prediction
Osasuna 1-1 Real Madrid

Ligue 1 Opta Facts - 31 March - 1 April

Auxerre - Valenciennes
Valenciennes have not won any of their eight previous Ligue 1 trips to Auxerre.
Auxerre have not won any of their last 12 Ligue 1 matches (six defeats and six draws) thus equalling the worst ever run in the club's top flight history.
Auxerre are the only team yet to win a Ligue 1 match in 2012.
Auxerre have managed the fewest victories this term in Ligue 1 (four).
Valenciennes have failed to keep a single clean sheet in their 15 away games in Ligue 1 this season.
Valenciennes have only managed one win in their last 18 away matches in Ligue 1.

Bordeaux - Dijon
Bordeaux have not won any of their last five Ligue 1 matches against promoted sides, registering three draws and two defeats.
Dijon have won both of their two competitive encounters against Bordeaux.
Dijon have scored at least one goal in each of their last 12 Ligue 1 matches, currently the best sequence.
Dijon have conceded a league-high 29 goals on the road this season.
Bordeaux have only lost one of their last 14 Ligue 1 matches at their Chaban-Delmas stadium.
Dijon have only kept one clean sheet in their 14 away games in the top flight.

Caen - Ajaccio
The three previous Ligue 1 encounters between Caen and Ajaccio have all ended as 2-2 draws.
Caen have won just one of their last nine home fixtures in all competitions.
Caen have failed to score in four of their last five Ligue 1 matches.
There has only been one away win in the 16 previous competitive encounters between these sides.
Mehdi Mostefa has picked up more yellow cards than any other player in Ligue 1 this term (12).
Ajaccio's last two away goals in Ligue 1 have both been scored by veteran defender Yoann Poulard.

Lille - Toulouse
Lille are unbeaten in their last eight Ligue 1 matches against Toulouse, registering three wins and five draws.
This weekend could see Toulouse become the first team to manage four consecutive away wins in Ligue 1 this season.
Lille are the first team this season in Ligue 1 to register two consecutive victories by at least three goal margins (4-0 against Valenciennes and 3-0 at Evian TG).
Toulouse have collected 16 points out of a possible in their last six league matches.
Toulouse have registered the most victories by a one-goal margin in Ligue 1 this term (nine).
Toulouse have kept more clean sheets than any other team across the top five European leagues this term (16).
Eden Hazard has scored at least one goal in all of his last six Ligue 1 appearances at Lille's Stadium Nord.
None of Toulouse's players have scored more than four goals this season in Ligue 1, a lower tally than any other club's top scorers(s).

Lorient - Évian TG
If the Ligue 1 season had kicked-off on the 1st of January 2012, Lorient would be 19th.
Lorient have only won one of their last 14 league matches (a 2-1 victory over Brest).
Lorient have failed to score more than two goals in any of their last 23 league matches.
Lorient have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 Ligue 1 matches, currently the worst such sequence in the league.
After not winning any of their first 13 away matches in Ligue 1, ETG have just registered two consecutive league wins on the road (2-0 at St Etienne and Auxerre).
ETG have scored at least one goal in each of their last 11 away matches in Ligue 1, the best such sequence this season.
Between them, Lorient and Evian TG have had 28 different goalscorers this season.
Jacques-Alaixys Romao conceded a penalty after only 27 seconds of play in the reverse fixture, a league record this season.

Nancy - Paris SG
Nancy are unbeaten in their last five Ligue 1 encounters with PSG, registering two wins and three draws.
Paris SG are without a win in three consecutive games in all competitions for the first time since Carlo Ancelotti was appointed as manager.
PSG have only won once on their last ten trips to Nancy in Ligue 1.
Nancy could become the first team this season in Ligue 1 to beat PSG both at home and away.
No Ligue 1 team have collected more points in March 2012 than Nancy (10).
Nancy have won their last two Ligue 1 matches, their best run of form since November 2011.
PSG are unbeaten in their last 14 Ligue 1 matches (eight wins and six draws), currently the longest run.
PSG have collected 60 points in this term, which is as much as over the whole of last season.
PSG have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six Ligue 1 matches.
PSG have scored a league-high 19 goals in the final 15 minutes of their matches this term.

Rennes - Lyon
Having won the reverse fixture earlier this season, Rennes have the opportunity of completing their first league « double » over Lyon since the 1965/66 season.
Four of the last six Ligue 1 encounters between Lyon and Rennes have finished as 1-1 draws. The other two ended with 2-1 score lines.
Rennes have only lost one of their last eight Ligue 1 matches against Lyon.
Lyon have won their last three Ligue 1 matches, currently the best sequence in the league.
Rennes have lost two consecutive league games for the first time this season.
Rennes are the only team to have scored more goals on the road (19) than at home (18) this term in Ligue 1.
Lyon have lost eight of their last 12 away matches in Ligue 1.
Lyon have drawn the fewest matches this term in Ligue 1 (four).
Bafetimbi Gomis has scored 22 goals for his club this season in all competitions; only Olivier Giroud has been as prolific amongst Ligue 1 players.

St Etienne - Nice
Nice have won their last three Ligue 1 matches at St Etienne's Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium. Nice have also not conceded a single goal in any of their last four trips to St Etienne.
Nice's last away victory by a two goal margin in Ligue 1 came at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in February 2011 (2-0).
Nice were shown a season-high three red cards in the reverse fixture this season.
St Etienne have failed to score in four of their last five Ligue 1 matches.
St Etienne have lost two consecutive home games in the league for the first time this season.
Nice have only won one of their last 20 away Ligue 1 games.
Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored in only one of his 20 league appearances at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium for St Etienne, bagging a hat trick in that solitary game.

Sochaux - Brest
Brest have lost their last three Ligue 1 matches, currently the worst run in the league.
Brest have not won any of their previous10 away trips to Sochaux in Ligue 1, suffering eight defeats in the process.
Brest have not won a single away match this term in Ligue 1, their last win on the road was back in May 2011 (1-0 at Auxerre).
Three penalties have been awarded in the last two league matches between Sochaux and Brest.
Sochaux have scored six goals in three Ligue 1 matches under new manager Eric Hély, which is as many as in the last 15 matches of Mecha Bazdarevic's reign.
Brest have only scored four goals in ten league matches since the turn of the year.
Brest have only scored one second half goal in their last 15 Ligue 1 matches.
Brest have never scored more than once in any of their last 13 Ligue 1 matches.
Bruno Grougi scored a goal from the penalty spot in both of his two Ligue 1 starts against Sochaux.

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31.03. (Sat) 18:00 Catania - Milan

Maxi Lopez - Ac Milan (Getty Images)
Getty

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CATANIA


Carrizo
Belluschi, Legrottaglie, SpolliBarrientos, Izco, Lodi, Almiron, Marchese
Bergessio, Gomez


AC MILAN


Abbiati
Zambrotta, Bonera, Mexes, Antonini
Aquilani, Ambrosini, Nocerino
Boateng
Ibrahimovic, El Shaarawy


In-form Catania have relatively few worries to consider ahead of their match against league leaders AC Milan.

Coach Vincenzo Montella will be without defender Alessandro Potenza and midfielder Marco Biagianti due to injury, but full-back Marco Motta is available for selection once again and could start despite Pablo Barrientos being favoured to be selected on the right of midfield.

Playmaker and set-piece specialist, Fracesco Lodi, should pull the strings in midfield behind pacy attacking duo Alejandro Gomez and Gonzalo Bergessio.

Conversely, coming off a spirited defensive performance that saw them hold Champions league holders Barcelona to a 0-0 draw, a fatigued Milan are dealing with several absences.

Midfielder Sulley Muntari and left-back Djamel Mesbah are serving suspensions. Mark van Bommel is available once again after being banned, but along with veteran defender Alessandro Nesta, is unlikely to be risked ahead of the second leg at Camp Nou on Tuesday night.

Star centre-back Thiago Silva's continued absence due to a knock he picked up in the 2-1 win over Roma means that Gianluca Zambrotta and Daniele Bonera should once again feature in the first XI despite the recent recovery of right-back Ignazio Abate from a muscle injury.

Meanwhile, striker Maxi Lopez could take on the team he left this winter to move to San Siro, but seems more likely to start from the bench with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Stephan El Shaarawy set to feature in attack.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Catania have only lost one of their last 10 matches, a 3-1 defeat to Juventus back on February 18 in Turin.
  • The Sicilians have only lost twice at Stadio Angelo Massimino this season and currently sit an impressive seventh place in Serie A.
  • Catania lost 4-0 to the Rossoneri in November at San Siro.
  • AC Milan have won their last four Serie A games, with Ibrahimovic scoring seven times during that span.
  • Massimiliano Allegri's men have 10 away victories in Serie A this season, more than any other side in the division.
  • A league-high total of 17 different players have scored for Milan this campaign.
Prediction
It will be no easy task for the Rossoneri to defeat Montella's high-flying side at the moment and coupled with their exertion from the clash with the Blaugrana, one could see the Sicilians causing a slight bump in the road and ending the champions' four-game winning run in Serie A.
Editor's Prediction
Catania 1-1 Milan

Serie A Opta Facts - 31 March - 1 April


Bologna - Palermo
The record between these two sides in Serie A is perfectly even: both sides have won 15 times, with 13 games drawn.
The last six meetings in the league have been won by the home side.
Palermo have beaten Bologna just once in 21 meetings at the Dall'Ara, with the hosts having the better of things only 14 times.
Only once Palermo have managed to score more than a single goal at Bologna's ground in 21 meetings.
Despite losing last Sunday away at Atalanta, Bologna would be 4th in the Serie A table if only games played in 2012 were included.
Palermo are winless in their last five games - three losses in a row, followed by two 1-1 draws.
The Sicilians have not kept a clean sheet in their last nine Serie A fixtures, conceding 19 goals in the process.
Palermo remain the only Serie A side yet to win away from home.
Josip Ilicic has scored in two of Palermo's last three meetings against Bologna; he is yet to score three against any Serie A opponent.
Fabrizio Miccoli has already assisted 12 goals - a league-high figure.
Diego Perez has picked up the most yellow cards in this campaign (12).

Cagliari - Atalanta
Atalanta lead by 14 wins to 13 in their meetings aganist Cagliari in the top-flight, with 10 draws completing the record.
These two sides have not shared a draw in their last six meetings, the Orobici lead by four wins to two in those games.
Atalanta have won just twice in 18 visits to Sardinia, both by a 1-0 scoreline (one in 1964/65 and one in February 2009).
Against Atalanta, Nenè scored his first Serie A brace back in November 2009, while Guido Marilungo bagged his first brace (and his first Serie A goals) against the Sardinians in April 2009.
Cagliari have lost four of their last five Serie A games.
10 of the 16 goals that Cagliari have scored at home this season have come in their last four league games.
Atalanta are unbeaten in their last eight games (three wins and five draws), conceding just two goals in the process.
Atalanta have recorded three goalless draws in their last three games on the road.
German Denis is Atalanta's leading goal scorer with 15 goals: this is already his most prolific Serie A campaign.

Catania - Milan
Catania have drawn 11 times against AC Milan - more than against any other Serie A opponent.
Catania have beaten AC Milan just twice in 29 previous meetings, with the Rossoneri having had the better of things 16 times.
AC Milan have scored in each of their last 13 games against Catania, netting six goals and conceding none in their last two meetings.
AC Milan have won 2-0 in each of their last three games at Catania's ground.
The Sicilians are unbeaten in seven games in the league (four wins and three draws).
Taking into account just the last 10 match-days, Catania would be 2nd in the Serie A table on 19 points, just behind the Rossoneri on 23.
Vincenzo Montella's side have won their last four home fixtures, and lost just twice at the Massimino this season.
AC Milan are unbeaten in their last eight fixtures, and have won their last four scoring 10 goals and conceding just one in the process.
AC Milan and Catania have recouped 12 and 11 points respectively from trailing situations - only Lazio (16) have gained more points this season after falling behind.
Catania and AC Milan are the two Serie A sides with the most goals scored from set-pieces this term, 22 and 21 respectively.
Since his return after a three-game suspension, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has netted seven goals in four games, reaching the top of the goal charts with 22 goals in total.
AC Milan have seen goals from 17 different players - a Serie A-joint-high this season.
One of those goal scorers is Robinho, who has found the net in his last two meetings against Catania; he is yet to score three against any side.

Fiorentina - Chievo
These two sides have shared just one draw in their 15 Serie A meetings, with the Viola leading by 10 wins to four.
The last three meetings between these two sides have produced a total of just three goals (three 1-0s).
Fiorentina have won just one of their last eight league games, losing five times in the process.
In their last game at the Franchi, the Viola suffered their worst home defeat in Serie A (0-5 against Juventus).
Chievo have suffered just one defeat in the last six match-days, however they are winless in their last four games (three draws and a loss).
Chievo have never scored more than two goals in a game this season.
Chievo have taken seven points from their last three games on the road, and lost just one of their last six games away from home.
Gennaro Sardo has already scored two goals against the Viola, more than he has managed against any other Italian side.
Stevan Jovetic is Fiorentina's leading goal scorer on 12 goals - this is already his most prolific Serie A campaign, he had only bagged nine goals over the course of his first two seasons.
Sergio Pellissier has made the most assists for Chievo (six), while Cyril Théréau has scored the most goals in this campaign (six).
Stefano Sorrentino has already saved three penalties - a league-high this term.

Inter - Genoa
This will be the 90th meetings between Inter and Genoa in Serie A: the Nerazzurri lead in the head-to-head by 45 wins to 17.
Genoa have managed just four wins in 44 games at Inter's ground, 31 wins for the hosts.
Inter are unbeaten in their last 10 meetings against Genoa, with the Grifoni able to score just four goals in the process.
Inter have won just one of their last 10 Serie A fixtures, losing on six occasions and failing to score seven times.
At home, Claudio Ranieri's side have failed to win their last five games (three draws and two losses).
Genoa are winless in their last eight games (four defeats and as many draws).
The Grifoni have lost six of their last seven games on the road, conceding on average 3.1 goals per game.
Yuto Nagatomo has already scored two goals against Genoa, the only side against whom he has bagged more than one in Serie A.
Diego Milito is Inter best scorer with 14 goals in 24 league appearances - he will face the worst defence of this competition (51 goals conceded by Genoa so far).
Lucio is the player with the most interceptions in this Serie A campaign (125).
Rodrigo Palacio has been involved in 51% of his side's 37 total goals, scoring 15 and providing four assists.
Five of his goals were assisted by Alberto Gilardino.

Juventus - Napoli
Juventus lead by 58 wins to 28 against Napoli in Serie A, with 45 games drawn.
Napoli have scored 145 goals against Juve, more than against any other Serie A opponent.
Napoli have won just seven of their 65 games at Juve's ground, with the hosts winning 38 times.
However, Napoli are unbeaten in their last five games against the Old Lady (three wins and two draws).
Marek Hamsik has already scored five goals against Juventus (more than against any other side), including one of his four Serie A braces.
Napoli are Alessandro Matri's favourite opponents, with the striker netting five goals against against the Partenopei.
AC Milan were the last side to beat Juventus in Turin, 1-0 back in March 2011.
Juve have failed to score in just one of their last 19 home games (0-0 against Siena last February).
Juventus have alternated between a win and a draw over their last six home games in the league.
Napoli are unbeaten in the last nine match-days, but have drawn their last two games 2-2.
Walter Mazzarri's side have shipped seven goals over their last three league games.
Adinson Cavani is Napoli leading scorer on 19 goals, while Alessandro Matri is the only player to have recorded double figures in Juve's squad this season (10 goals).
Cavani is the only Serie A player to have missed three penalties in this campaign.

Lecce - Cesena
This will be the 10th meetings between these two sides in Serie A: Cesena lead by four wins to three.
Lecce are unbeaten against Cesena at the Via del Mare (two wins and two draws).
Neither side have scored more than a single goal in any of their last three Serie A meetings.
Lecce have drawn three of their last four league games while Cesena are winless in their last five, losing three.
At home, Lecce have notched two wins and four draws in their last six fixtures, however they have picked up just 11 points at home so far - a joint-league-low.
Cesena have lost seven of their last eight games on the road, and have collected just seven points away from home - only Palermo have an inferior away record in this campaign.
Lecce and Cesena have both conceded the joint-most goals from corners this season (nine).
Cesena have the worst goal difference in the division (-29).
Cuadrado (Lecce) is the Serie A player with the most dribbles completed this season (90).

Parma - Lazio
Lazio have scored 22 goals at the Tardini - only Roma have netted more at Parma's ground in Serie A so far.
Parma have won 10 of their 20 home meetings against Lazio in the league, with the visitors winning on five occasions.
Parma have won just one of their last 12 meetings against Lazio, at the Olimpico in September 2010 (2-1).
Lazio have failed to score just in one of their last 16 meetings against Parma, in May 2007 (0-0).
Parma are winless in their last eight Serie A fixtures (five draws and three losses).
Lazio have not been involved in a draw in their last 13 league games (seven wins and six losses), and haven't drawn any of the last eight games away from home.
Last season, Sergio Floccari scored a goal for Lazio in both games against his current team, Parma.
Hernanes has been substituted off 19 times this season - a Serie A-high.
Miroslav Klose has mustered 25 headed shots this season, a record in this competition; four of these attempts found the net, a joint-high shared with Palermo's Igor Budan.
Excluding goalkeepers, Cristian Ledesma has played more minutes than any other Serie A player this term (2552).

Roma - Novara
Novara has scored 34 goals against Roma (all prior to 1957) - more than against any other Serie A opponent so far.
In this clash, Roma lead by 12 wins to eight and the Giallorossi had the better in the reverse fixture at the Silvio Piola (2-0), their only meeting in recent years.
Novara's only win at Roma's ground came in December 1940 (3-1), with the hosts winning on nine occasions.
Roma have never scored more than a single goal in any of their last eight Serie A games.
Novara have kept three clean sheets in a row, and have not conceded in six of their last eight Serie A games.
Roma have scored in each of their home games in this Serie A campaign, while Novara have won just two games away from home (against Inter and Siena).
Novara have scored just four goals in the first half - at least six fewer than any other side before the break.
Roma are the most prolific side in the opening 15 minutes of play (11 goals); in the same period Novara are yet to score their first goal.
Takayuki Morimoto has already scored four goals against Roma (more than against any other side), including his only brace in Serie A.
Novara's Giuseppe Gemiti has attempted the most crosses this season (185).

Siena - Udinese
Udinese have won eight of their 15 meetings against Siena in the top-flight, with the Tuscans winning three times, while four draws complete the record.
In their seven previous meetings at the Franchi there is perfect balance: both sides have won twice, with three games drawn.
Udinese have scored in each of their last 13 league games against Siena (an average of two goals per game).
None of the last five games played at Siena's ground have ended in a draw: with three home wins and two victories for the guests.
After three consecutive wins between the end of February and the beginning of March, Siena have taken just one point in two games since top- scorer Emanuele Calaiò was injured.
Udinese have won just one of their last eight league games (3-1 at Bologna's ground), losing three times in the process.
That win against Bologna was one of only three away wins for Udinese in this campaign, the other two being against Lecce (2-0) and Inter (1-0).
Udinese have conceded the joint-fewest goals in the first half in this Serie A (just nine, alongside Juventus).

La Liga Opta Facts - 31 March - 2 April

Sporting de Gijón - Real Zaragoza
Seven of the last eight league meetings between the sides have ended in draws (one win for Sporting).
The maños are unbeaten in their last three trips to El Molinón in the top-flight (W1 D2).
Zaragoza are on their best run of the season in the league, taking seven points from their last three games and winning back-to-back matches for the first time.
Javier Clemente's side have managed just one win in their last 11 LigaBBVA matches, taking seven points from the last 33 available.
Zaragoza have scored the highest proportion of their goals in the last 15 minutes of games in Primera this season (44%).
Only Real Betis (9) have taken more points from goals scored in the last five minutes of league games this season than Zaragoza (seven).
Sporting have kept the fewest clean sheets in La Liga this season (three).
Real Zaragoza have conceded the most first half goals in La Liga this season (27), while Sporting have conceded the most in the second half (32).
With a league win % of 14.3%, Javier Clemente's record is poorer than his predecessor's at Sporting, Manolo Preciado (29%).
Apoño will play his 100th game in the Spanish top-flight in this match, should he score, he will equal his best-ever run of scoring in consecutive games in the competition (three in January 2009).

Málaga - Real Betis
Málaga are unbeaten in their last five league meetings with Real Betis (W2 D3).
Málaga have scored in all but one of their seven top-flight games at home to Betis.
Should they avoid defeat in this match, the boquerones will equal their second-best run of games unbeaten in La Liga (seven games), their best is nine from 2009/10.
Manuel Pellegrini's side have won their last five at home in the league, their best-ever run in the Spanish top-flight.
Real Betis are, along with Granada, the only side in Primera who are yet to draw away from home this season.
The verdiblancos' last six goals against Málaga in LigaBBVA have come in the first half.
14 of Málaga's last 15 goals have come in the second half (aside from Rondón's strike against Rayo).
Mario has received the joint-most red cards in La Liga this season (three, level with Lanzaro).
More different nationalities have found the net for Málaga this season than any other side in LigaBBVA (10).
Santi Cazorla has scored more goals from direct free kicks than any other player in Europe's top-five leagues this season (four).
Málaga have kept a clean sheet in both league games which Fernando Teixeira Vitienes has refereed this season, one of which was against Betis.

Atlético de Madrid - Getafe
Atlético have won only two of their last eight meetings with Getafe in the top-flight (D3 L3).
Four of the five draws between Atlético and Getafe in La Liga have been by the same scoreline: 1-1.
Atlético won their last derby in the top-flight (3-1 against Rayo): the last time they won two in a row was back in 77/78 and 78/79 (two wins vs Rayo).
Getafe have lost their last four league derbies on the road, shipping 12 goals and scoring just two.
Simeone's men have won only two of their last nine league games (D4 L3).
Manzanares' side are, along with Racing, the team who have drawn the most matches 0-0 this season in LigaBBVA (6).
Getafe's last six league goals have been scored by different players (including one own goal by Iñigo Martínez).
Atlético have picked up the joint-fewest points after conceding the first goal in LigaBBVA matches this season (1 from nine games).
Only Messi (2), Ronaldo (1.33) and Benzema (1.15) have averaged more goals per game at home in La Liga this season than Falcao (1.08).

Real Sociedad - Rayo Vallecano
Real Sociedad have only won one of their last five top-flight meetings with Rayo (D2 L2).
The txuri-urdin have won eight of their 12 matches at home to Rayo in the top-flight (D3 L1).
In 29 visits to the Basque country in Primera, Rayo have won just four times in total: two 1-0s and two 2-1s.
Real Sociedad are without a win in their last six matches at home to sides from Madrid in Primera (D2 L4), conceding 12 goals and scoring four in these games.
Montanier's men are on a run of three straight league defeats, they have not lost four in a row since April last year.
Rayo have lost their last two league games and four of the last six (W2).
None of the Madrid side's last 17 league games have finished in a draw (W7 L10).
Only Zaragoza (32) and Sporting (37) have conceded more goals on the road in La Liga than Rayo (31) this season, though only Valencia, Barcelona and Real Madrid have won more points away from home.

Villarreal - Espanyol
Villarreal are unbeaten in their last eight league meetings with Espanyol (W4 D4), without conceding a single goal in any of these matches (eight scored).
Eight consecutive clean sheets against one side is a record for any team against another in the Spanish top-flight.
Six of the last seven draws between Villarreal and Espanyol in the top flight have finished goalless.
Villarreal are without a win in their last three at El Madrigal in La Liga: they haven't gone four without a win at home since 2005/06.
Espanyol are without a win in five consecutive league matches on the road, though four of these have been draws.
The amarillos are without a win after conceding first in LigaBBVA games this season (D5 L10).
Espanyol have conceded the joint-most penalties in La Liga this season (six).
Pochettino has beaten Lotina in four of their five meetings in LigaBBVA (just one win for Lotina).

Sevilla - Mallorca
A win for Sevilla would mean they have won three consecutive league games for the first time within a single campaign since November 2009.
Sevilla have scored in their last 10 league meetings at home to Mallorca.
Manu del Moral has scored a brace in his last two league matches for the first time ever in Primera.
The islanders are the lowest-scoring side, along with Racing, in the last 15 minutes of league games this season (3 goals).
Mallorca are one of only two sides, along with Zaragoza, against whom Perotti has scored more than once in Liga BBVA (two goals).
José Antonio Reyes, yet to score in 13 league games for Sevilla this season, has had more shots without scoring than any other player in Primera this season.
The islanders are yet to score more than once in the first half of a La Liga game this season.
Joaquín Caparrós has conceded twice as many goals (9) at the Sánchez Pizjuán as his teams have scored there in Primera.
Manu del Moral's next goal will see him set a new personal record for most goals in a single season in La Liga (nine so far).
All but one of Mallorca's last 11 league goals have come in the second half, aside from Nunes' strike at El Molinón.
Pérez Lasa has already taken charge of a Sevilla-Mallorca match in the league, with Sevilla winning 3-1 in May 2009.

Racing - Granada
Failure to win this game will see Racing rack up 12 league games without a win (D5), their worst-ever run in the history of Primera.
Racing have only won once against Granada in the top-flight (D3 L3), this being the only time they had scored more than once against them.
The Andalucians have never won in Racing in Primera (D2 L1), scoring just one goal.
The verdinegros are on their worst run of the season at home in the league, going six games without a win.
Whenever Granada have taken as few points (31) after 29 games in Primera (assuming three pts/win), they have been relegated (60/61 and 66/67).
Stuani has scored six of Racing's 12 league goals in 2012.
Racing are the lowest scoring side in the last 15 minutes of the first half of league games this season (2).
Granada had 20 shots in their last match against Sevilla, their joint-most in a LigaBBVA game this season.
Ayza Gámez has blown up 103 times for offsides in La Liga this season, more than any other referee.

Osasuna - Real Madrid
Real Madrid have won 11 of their last 15 top-flight meetings with Osasuna (D2 L2).
Osasuna are on a run of six consecutive league games without a defeat, equalling their best run of the season (their best-ever run is 11 in 90/91).
Real Madrid are without a win in their last three league visits to Pamplona, scoring just once (D1 L2).
Osasuna are unbeaten in their last four league games at the Reyno de Navarra (W3 D1).
José Mourinho's team are the best away side in La Liga this season (W11 D2 L1), with six more points than Barcelona (29) on the road: their exact points difference in the table.
Osasuna have only had more points after 29 games than they do currently (43) in Primera on five occasions previously (assuming 3pts/win): on three of these they finished in the top five.
The only season when Real Madrid had taken 75 points from 29 games in Primera, they ended the season as Champions (60/61).
Only Real Madrid (one) and Barcelona (none) have lost fewer matches at home in La Liga this season than Osasuna (two).
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in seven of Real Madrid's last eight league games.
Muñiz Fernández was in charge of the last Osasuna-Real Madrid game in Pamplona, which ended in a 1-0 home win.

Barcelona - Athletic
Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 11 league meetings with Athletic (W8 D3).
At the Camp Nou, the blaugrana have won their last seven league meetings with the Lions.
Barça have scored in their last 28 league games against Athletic.
Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 20 league games at home to sides from the Basque Country, winning 18 and drawing just two.
Guardiola's men have won all but one of their home league games this season, averaging 4.1 goals per game and are unbeaten in 32 on their own turf (D3).
Athletic have dropped the most points in the last five minutes of league games this season (11).
Barcelona have kept the most clean sheets in the league this season (15).
Barcelona have received the fewest yellow cards at home of all sides in La Liga this season (25, including one red for two yellows).
Only Borja Valero (77) has won more fouls than Muniain in the league this season (74).
Messi has scored in six consecutive league games, beating his previous record by one game.
Messi has averaged two goals per game at home in the league this season, Málaga and Real Madrid are the only two teams who have averaged more.

Valencia - Levante
Valencia are unbeaten in their last five top-flight meetings with Levante (W3 D2).
Levante have never won at Mestalla in the league (D2 L4).
Levante have drawn their last two league games at Valencia (both 0-0).
Emery's men have lost their last two league games and have not lost three in a row since March/April 2008 (four defeats).
Valencia are without a win in three at home for the first time in the league this season (D1 L2).
JIM's side have won two of their last three on the road in the league (W2 L1).
Valencia are, along with Getafe, the side who have conceded the highest proportion of their goals in the last 15 minutes of La Liga games this season (33%).
Los Che have dropped the most points after opening the scoring in games in the league this season (23).
Levante are, along with Rayo Vallecano, the only LigaBBVA side yet to drop a point in the last 15 minutes of games this season.
Levante have seen more opposition players sent off (10) than any other side in La Liga this season.

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31.03. (Sat) 16:00 QPR - Arsenal

Mark Hughes
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS


QPR

Kenny
Young, Onuoha, Ferdinand, Taiwo
Barton, Derry, Diakite, Mackie
Wright-Phillips
Zamora
Arsenal

SzczesnySagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs
Arteta, Song
Walcott, Rosicky, Gervinho
Van Persie

QPR defenders Fitz Hall and Clint Hill are both doubts for this match due to injury, meaning Nedum Onuoha is likely to play alongside Anton Ferdinand at centre-back. Taye Taiwo will take the left-back slot with Armand Traore sidelined with a hamstring injury.

The Hoops could deploy Bobby Zamora in a lone striking role having lost striker Djibril Cisse to suspension last weekend, in addition to the injured Heidar Helguson and DJ Campbell.

The recently dropped Joey Barton and Shaun Wright-Phillips are in contention to return, and both could feature alongside the in-form Jamie Mackie .

Arsenal have fielded a settled side in recent weeks, with Kieran Gibbs having recovered from injury problems to take his place at left-back, alongside Bacary Sagna, Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny in defence behind Mikel Arteta and Alex Song in midfield.

Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky have played the last few matches for the Gunners in attack behind Robin van Persie, while Gervinho was last week preferred to Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the left flank.



DID YOU KNOW?

  • QPR are just one point below safety in 18th place, having dismissed manager Neil Warnock and replaced him with Mark Hughes in January.
  • The Hoops have won just one of their last eight Premier League matches, seeing Djibril Cisse sent off twice and Samba Diakite dismissed on his debut in the process.
  • Mark Hughes’ side have not kept a clean sheet for 21 Premier League games, their last occurring in October when they held nine-man Chelsea at home for a 1-0 win. They have now conceded seven goals in their last three games.
  • The London side have also struggled in attack despite several new arrivals in the transfer window, losing formerly ever-present midfielder Alejandro Faurlin along with eight-goal top-scorer Heider Helguson to injury in January.
  • The last game between the two finished 1-0 to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium, as Robin Van Persie scored his 35th league goal in 2011, one short of Alan Shearer’s record for most league goals in a calendar year.
  • A run of form has pushed the Gunners up to third place in the Premier League, three points ahead of rivals Tottenham, as they chase a Champions League spot.
  • Wenger’s side have scored two or more goals away from home in the league nine times this season, with top scorer Robin van Persie hitting 26 so far.
Prediction
Aside from an unlikely comeback victory from two goals down against Liverpool, Mark Hughes' side have been short of luck and short of form in recent matches, and will struggle to threaten the Gunners having lost January signing Djibril Cisse to suspension.
In contrast Arsene Wenger's side have won seven successive games having improved throughout the season and will likely have too much quality on the day for their opponents to handle.
Editor's Prediction
QPR 0-2 Arsenal

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31.03. (Sat) 16:00 Manchester City - Sunderland

EPL: Yaya Toure - Kolo Toure, Stoke City v Manchester City
Getty

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY

HartRichards, Kompany, K Toure, Clichy
Y Toure, Barry
Nasri, Aguero, Tevez
Dzeko
SUNDERLAND

Mignolet
Meyler, Kyrgiakos, Turner, Bardsley

Larsson, Cattermole, Gardner, McClean
Sessegnon
Bendtner
  Carlos Tevez could be in line to start on Saturday after impressing in the reserve team’s 6-1 win over Morecambe, and could replace Mario Balotelli who has seen indifferent form lately. Sergio Aguero was a surprising omission from Roberto Mancini’s starting eleven in the 1-1 draw at Stoke last weekend with an ankle injury, but the Argentine forward will probably be fit to return.
Club captain Vincent Kompany looks to have recovered from a calf injury that has kept him out for three weeks, but the Etihad Stadium showdown will come too soon for Joleon Lescott who has a groin strain. Expect Micah Richards to shift back over the right-back at the expense of Pablo Zabaleta.
Sunderland will be without defender Wayne Bridge, who is ineligible to play against his parent club. John O’Shea is a doubt after a knee injury forced him off in the club’s 3-1 win over QPR last Saturday. Wes Brown, Titus Bramble, Kieran Richardson and Kieren Westwood are all unlikely to feature for Martin O’Neill’s men as they recover from injuries.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Manchester City have won every single home league game this season so far in a run of 20 consecutive home victories. Their only two losses at the Etihad Stadium this season has been against Manchester United and Liverpool in the FA Cup and League Cup respectively.
  • Although, the Blues are favourites to triumph on Saturday, the Blues team will not have forgotten their injury-time 1-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light on New Year's Day.
  • Nicklas Bendtner (pictured right) has scored three goals in his last four Premier League matches. He had scored three in 18 top flight matches for Sunderland prior to this run.
  • Should Carlos Tevez be named in the starting eleven it will be his first league start for the Citizens since September 10 at home to Wigan Athletic. Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick to down the Latics 3-0 on that day.
  • Having been knocked out of the FA Cup on Tuesday with a 2-0 loss at home to Everton in a quarter-final replay, the Black Cats look to have lost their final chance of Europa League football this season. Martin O’Neill’s side sit 10 points behind sixth placed Newcastle United with only eight games remaining.
  • David Silva has five goals and 14 assists to his name in the league this season, but his last seven top flight appearances have yielded just the solitary assist.
  • A win for Manchester City will put them top of the Premier League table on goal difference, although, Manchester United would retake the position with a win or a draw at Blackburn Rovers on Monday night.
  • Sunderland have not won away from the Stadium of Light in the top flight since a 1-0 win at Stoke City on February 4. They have not scored more than one goal on their travels in a league match since a 4-1 thrashing of Wigan in January.
Prediction
Having been humbled with a draw at Stoke City last weekend, Manchester City will be firing on all cylinders on Saturday. Sunderland have looked a more confident and less calamitous side since Martin O’Neill replaced Steve Bruce as manager in late 2011, but getting a result at the Etihad Stadium will be incredibly tough.
Editor's Prediction
Manchester City 4-1 Sunderland

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31.03. (Sat) 16:00 Aston Villa - Chelsea

EPL: Stephen Ireland, Chelsea v Aston Villa
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ASTON VILLA

Given
Lichaj, Cuellar, Collins, Warnock
Albrighton, Herd, Gardner, Ireland Agbonlahor, Heskey

CHELSEA


CechFerreira, Luiz, Terry, Cole
Mikel, MeirelesRamires, Mata, Kalou
Torres

Aston Villa's already-thin squad has been stretched further by injuries, with Charles N'Zogbia (knee) expected to miss out for the second match in a row and captain Stilyan Petrov doubtful with an illness. Alan Hutton, too, is unavailable with a calf problem, meaning that American youngster Eric Lichaj is in line for his first start of the season.

Darren Bent's long-term injury make it likely that Emile Heskey will escape Alex McLeish's axe up front despite a poor performance in Villa's 3-0 defeat by Arsenal last time out.

Roberto Di Matteo would surprise nobody by keeping faith with the XI that excelled in Lisbon on Tuesday. The goalscorer in that game, Salomon Kalou, would therefore remain rather than Chelsea turning back to the likes of Daniel Sturridge.

The Blues' only injury of note is that of right-back Branislav Ivanovic, still struggling with a muscle tear, with previously out-of-favour Paulo Ferreira the favourite to make another rare appearance on Saturday.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Aston Villa have scored just three goals in their last six matches, a streak which includes no instances of two or more in any given match and goes back to February 1.
  • Chelsea have played seven fixtures across all competitions under interim manager Roberto Di Matteo, winning five while drawing and losing only one apiece.
  • Gary Cahill (pictured), a January acquisition for Chelsea, played 30 games for Villa between 2005 and 2008, when he moved to Bolton.
  • The Blues have lost their last three away fixtures in the Premier League - to Everton (2-0), West Brom (1-0) and Manchester City (2-1).
  • The hosts are slow starters, having yet to score in the opening 10 minutes of any of their league matches this season.
  • Chelsea will be aiming to atone for their last meeting with the Villans, who stunned the Stamford Bridge crowd on December 31 with a 3-1 victory.
  • Aside from the injured Darren Bent, Villa's top goalscorer is Gabriel Agbonlahor with six for the season, but the forward has not found the net since the FA Cup clash with League Two outfit Bristol Rovers in January. The last time that Agbonlahor scored against a Premier League club was against Norwich City on November 5.
  • The Blues have only taken all three points on one of their last 12 visits to Villa Park, having drawn seven and lost four of their other matchups in the Midlands.
  • When away from home in the Premier League, Chelsea are most likely to score between the 50th and 60th minutes, having netted 30 per cent of their goals on the road during that period.
Prediction
Aston Villa have already lacked quality this season but now they lack numbers too, and it is very difficult to envisage their skeleton squad pulling off a second upset against the Blues of the season. They may defend determinedly for some time, but if Chelsea score once - and, with the likes of Fernando Torres seeming to be recovering rapidly in form, that seems more than likely - then the floodgates could open and it should really be a question of 'how many?' for the visitors.
Editor's Prediction
Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea