Monday, January 21, 2013

22.01. 2012. SPL Opta Facts - Celtic v Dundee Utd


Celtic are unbeaten in the SPL at home to Dundee United (W20 D6).
Dundee United are unbeaten in their last two games against Celtic, however. They scored two goals in the final two minutes to draw 2-2 earlier this season, and defeated the Hoops 1-0 in May 2012.
Celtic have won seven of their last eight SPL matches (L1) and can stretch their lead at the top of the SPL to 12 points should they win this match.
Dundee United have recorded just one win in their last six SPL games (L2 D3), but this victory came at the weekend against Kilmarnock (3-2).
Gary Hooper has scored eight goals in Celtic's last eight SPL matches.
The last seven SPL games involving Dundee United have averaged 4.6 goals a game (32 goals in total).

21.-22. 01. 2012. League Cup Opta Facts - semi-final second legs


Aston Villa v Bradford City 
Villa's defeat away at Bradford in the first leg was their first-ever League Cup defeat to a side from the fourth tier (W23, D4). In the first leg Villa racked up 11 shots on target, more than they have managed in any other game (in all competitions this season) but could only score one goal (Bradford had eight on target and bagged three). The Bantams have a fine record in penalty shootouts in recent cup and knock-out competitions, winning their last nine shootouts, notably defeating Arsenal and Wigan in this year's Capital One Cup. If Bradford can progress to the final, they will be the first fourth-tier side to defeat three top-flight teams in the same League Cup competition. Villa have one victory in five home games in all competitions (L3 D1). The Bantams are without a win in five away games, losing three and drawing two. Only Theo Walcott has scored more goals in the League Cup this season than the in form Bradford striker Nahki Wells (three goals), he also has 13 in League Two this season. Should Bradford progress it will be their first major cup final since 1911, when they managed to win the FA Cup beating Newcastle 1-0 when the final was replayed after a 0-0 draw. Villa last reached the League Cup final in 2010, eventually losing 2-1 to Manchester United. It was the eighth time the Villans have made it to the final. Villa have never been knocked out at this stage by lower league opposition, winning all three previous ties against lower league sides.

Swansea City v Chelsea 
Swansea's 2-0 victory in the first leg ended a run of five games without a win over the Blues in all competitions. It was also Swansea's first clean sheet in the League Cup away from home since 1993/94, a run of 19 games. Should Swansea reach the final it will be the first time in their history. Before this season, the Swans had never progressed past the fourth round. The last time Chelsea trailed by two goals going into the second leg of a League Cup semi-final was against Sheffield Wednesday in 1991 (lost 2-0) and they were eliminated 5-1 on aggregate. The Blues have scored three or more goals in five of their last eight away games in all competitions. Chelsea have a great history in this competition, reaching the final on six occasions, winning four times, two of which triumphs have come since 2007. Juan Mata has scored two goals and assisted four more in just five League Cup appearances for Chelsea.

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22.01. (Tue) 20:45 Aston Villa - Bradford City

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ASTON VILLA
 Guzan Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett Holman, Westwood, Bannan, N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor, Benteke

BRADFORD CITY
 Duke Darby, McArdle, McHugh, Good Hines, Jones, Doyle, Atkinson Hanson, Wells

 Aston Villa need goals, so Brett Holman could return in a more attacking line-up than the one that featured at the Hawthorns on Saturday, with Gabriel Agbonlahor continuing to partner Christian Benteke up front. Fabian Delph (knock) is a doubt for Villa after going off injured against West Brom, with Barry Bannan waiting in the wings should the former Leeds midfielder fail to regain match fitness. Nathan Baker (leg) was also replaced against the Baggies and is likely to miss out, while Andreas Weimann will hope to recover from the illness that kept him on the sidelines at the weekend. Phil Parkinson made wholesale changes for last Tuesday's Football League Trophy defeat against Crewe, and those rested for that fixture should return to the line-up for this Capital One Cup semi-final second leg. New signing Michael Nelson could feature in defence for Bradford, while recent addition Andy Gray is ineligible after appearing for Leeds earlier in the competition. Top goalscorer James Hanson should return after missing the last two games with a broken toe, while Stephen Darby (foot), Will Atkinson (stomach) and Garry Thompson (knee) are also all in contention.

DID YOU KNOW?
Aston Villa have not played a Capital One Cup match on home soil since August's opening tie against Tranmere, when they won 3-0. Only Arsenal and Liverpool can match the Villans' 14 appearances in Capital One Cup semi-finals. Gabriel Agbonlahor  missed the first leg through injury, but has scored five goals in seven matches in this year's competition. Paul Lambert's men have only won one of their last eight games, while the visitors have just two wins in their last nine. Villa have conceded the second-highest amount of set-piece goals in the Premier League,with all three of Bradford's strikes in the first leg a result of dead ball situations. Bradford are aiming to become the first fourth-tier to reach the final of this competition although QPR and Swindon, then of the third tier, have won the trophy in the past. The visitors lost 2-0 when they last visited Villa Park 12 years ago - a result that would see the hosts through to the final on this occasion. If the Bantams progress against Aston Villa, they will be the first fourth-tier team to knock out three Premier League teams in the same year.

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22.01. (Tue) 20:45 Juventus - Lazio

PROBABLE LINEUPS

JUVENTUS
 Storari Barzagli, Marrone, Peluso Isla, Pogba, Pirlo, G'ini, De Ceglie Matri, Vucinic

LAZIO
 Marchetti Konko, Biava, Dias, Lulic Candreva, G'lez, Ledesma, Hernanes, Mauri Floccari 


Silverware is in sight for both Juventus and Lazio as they clash in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final on Tuesday night. The Bianconeri go into the game on the back of a resounding 4-0 win over Udinese on Saturday, while the Biancocelesti played out a battling 2-2 draw with Palermo in their last encounter. With just five points separating the two sides in Serie A, the winner of this cup contest could also strike a telling mental blow in the title race and that fact will not be lost on either Antonio Conte or Vladimir Petkovic. Juve will be without several key men, with Giorgio Chiellini (calf), Simone Pepe (hamstring), Nicklas Bendtner (abductor tear) and Marchisio all missing, while Miroslav Klose, Ederson and Abdoulay Konko are absent for Lazio.

DID YOU KNOW?
Juventus may be without Claudio Marchisio, but Paul Pogba (pictured, right) put forward a compelling case for a regular starting birth with two goals in the 4-0 win over Udinese on Saturday. The Bianconeri have lifted the Coppa Italia nine times. Sebastian Giovinco and Fabio Quagliarella are the club's joint-top scorers this season, with six goals each. The absence of Miroslav Klose could hit Lazio hard, as he has struck 10 times already this term. Vladimir Petkovic's side saw off Catania 3-0 in the quarter-finals to seal their semi-final date with Juventus. The two teams played out a 0-0 draw in their last meeting back in November.


Prediction
After playing out a cagey 0-0 draw earlier this season, another tight affair is to be expected and though the home side will be desperate to strike a first-leg blow, Lazio will have enough to take a draw back to Stadio Olimpico.
Editor's Prediction 
Juventus 1-1 Lazio

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22.01. (Tue) 19:00 Tunisia - Algeria

PROBABLE LINEUPS

TUNISIA
Mathlouthi Gharbi, Alheishri, Abdennour, Boussaidi Mouelhi, Saihi, Hammami, Msakni Jemaa, Khelifa

ALGERIA
M'Bolhi Mesbah, Bougherra, Belkalem, Medjani Lacen, Kadir, Feghouli, Boudebouz Soudani, Slimani

Algeria will face a familiar foe on Tuesday night during their Africa Cup of Nations opener against Tunisia. The two sides have met each other 47 times and the North African giants form part of what has been termed the 'group of death', with Togo and Cote d'Ivoire completing the roster in Group D. Algeria has been developed into a potent unit by coach Valid Halilhodzic, who has led a resurgent side since their disappointing 2010 World Cup campaign. Halilhodzic has seen his side climb to second in Africa in the rankings, with an impressive win record in 2012. Valencia’s Sofiane Feghouli is Algeria’s trump card in the midfield, with the player showing class both in attack and defence. The Liga star will use bring his experience of playing in one of the most competitive leagues in the world as an advantage on Tuesday night. Tunisia since their 2004 Africa Cup of Nations victory have not been prolific and coach Sami Trabelsi is under pressure to at least secure a semi-final berth for his side. However, they will face a tough task in overcoming their opponents in Group D and if their stuttering qualification campaign is anything to go by, Tunisia should be considered as outsiders against rivals Algeria. The form of youngster Youssef Msakni will be relied upon by the Tunisians, as the 22-year-old’s attacking midfield role is vital to the side’s chances during the tournament. Leading scorer Issam Jemaa, who has scored 34 times for Tunisia, will also be a leading figure for the side and has been in hot form in the build-up to the Afcon after scoring four goals against Ghana and Iraq. Neither side has experienced any injury qualms during preparations for the tournament, with both teams relying on their strength in depth in the midfield, which should be the most important area of the pitch during the match. The two North African giants have a solid knowledge of each other’s style of football, while Tunisia’s goalkeeping coach Mohamed Nacer believes that his side will know how to combat every team in Group D. "In football, there is no such thing as a difficult group. If you want to win the cup you have be prepared to play against all teams. For us, we are familiar with Ivory Coast, Togo and Algeria. We know them because we played against them in the past. I think the first game is going to be very important for everyone," Nacer told reporters. "Algeria and Tunisia know each other very well. The game against them is very important since it is the first in this group, and every team looks forward to winning the first match," he said. Both sides will see the opening fixture as a vital beginning to their Africa Cup of Nations campaign, as Group D does not get any easier for either side as the tournament progresses.

 DID YOU KNOW? 
Tunisia only qualified for the tournament following a 2-2 aggregate win over minnows Sierra Leone. The Tunisians have been unable to repeat their success since their 2004 Afcon crown, only reaching the quarter-final stages of the tournament since they lifted the trophy. Both sides have lifted the Africa Cup of Nations trophy on one occasion, with Algeria winning the cup in 1990 and Tunisia in 2004. Algeria won the last meeting between the two sides, a 1-0 victory in a 2011 friendly. Head-to-head stats reveal that Algeria have the edge over their North African rivals with 20 wins as opposed to Tunisia's 14. There have been 13 drawn games between the two sides. Algeria's biggest win over Tunisia was in 1958, an 8-0 thrashing away from home.

Prediction
Algeria should be able to edge a victory against their North African rivals, due to their impressive form under Coach Halilhohdzic and their cohesive midfield play, but it will be a hard-fought victory as the sides match each other in almost every facet of the game.
Editor's Prediction
Tunisia 0-1 Algeria

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22.01. (Tue) 16:00 Ivory Coast - Togo

PROBABLE LINEUPS 

COTE D'IVOIRE
Copa Bamba, Toure, Tiene Toure, Zokora, Gradel, Tiote Drogba, Gervinho, Traore

TOGO
 Kossi Dare, Mamah, Sadate, Bossou Komlan, Segbefia, Alaixys, Dove Adebayor, Ayite



Cote d’Ivoire are now fully conscious of the fact that talent and experience alone will not put an end to their decade-long trophy drought. Although they finished the year 2012 at 14th position in the Fifa ranking ahead of Uruguay, Brazil and France, and they are considered the number one African team across the previous 12 months, they are not comfortable with being tipped as the favourite for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title. This is not the first time the golden generation is being favoured to clinch the title, which has remained elusive. They now prefer a low profile instead, with the logic of putting every other team on top as possible winners, perhaps relieving the pressure in the process. Could it be a strategy, characteristic modesty or pretence? Nobody can tell for sure at the moment, not even coach Sabri Lamouchi, who has earned some trust from officials and local fans since taking over from Francois Zahoui in May. The former Inter midfielder says Algeria and Tunisia are the teams to beat in Group D and that Togo are a tricky side that no coach would handle without caution. Togo have been absent from the continental scene for more than two years during which the football federation endured numerous internal crises which did not permit any meaningful progress in the country’s football. Coach Didier Six, who was appointed in November 2011, has been able to sustain the vision and objectives of the Sparrow Hawks in the midst of confusion, negligence and interference from the authorities and the FA. However, he has confessed his inability to solve the team’s many problems, such as issues relating to his captain Emmanuel Adebayor and goalkeeper Kossi Agassa. Opening against the continent’s best team will be a major challenge for the ambitious Frenchman, who, beside his bosses’ objective to qualify the team to the knockout phase, wants to prove that he is a great coach.

DID YOU KNOW? 
There are six English Premier League players in the Cote d'Ivoire 2013 Afcon squad and five French Ligue 1 players. Despite the star-studded Ivorian team, they still came with one home based player, Badra Ali Sangare, who is the outfit’s third choice goalkeeper. Didier Drogba has reiterated that this edition will be his last with the Elephants, although he said he would be playing in the 2014 World Cup if they happen to qualify. Togo are currently ranked 77 on the Fifa table after losing six points, but are still ahead of Angola and Senegal. Emmanuel Adebayor remains Togo's all-time top scorer with 26 goals. Togo had their worst defeat in 1979, losing 7-0 to Morocco, while they registered their greatest victory against Swaziland 6-0 in 2008.

Prediction
The Ivorians always begin Afcon competitions well, and they will be determined to continue the trend on Tuesday with a solid victory against Togo.
Editor's Prediction
Cote d'Ivoire 3-0 Togo