Thursday, January 24, 2013

FA Cup 4th Round Opta Facts


Millwall v Aston Villa 
Millwall and Aston Villa have met five times previously in the FA Cup, with Millwall progressing twice (both after replays) and Villa going through on three occasions.
They were last drawn together in the fourth round in 1986, with Millwall progressing after a replay following a 1-1 draw at Villa Park.
The Lions have only lost two of their last 17 FA Cup games on home soil (W10 D5).
Villa were eliminated in the fourth round last year, when they faced Arsenal at the Emirates losing 3-2.
Millwall have only won two of their last seven games (L3 D2), with both victories coming at the New Den.
Aston Villa have now progressed through each of their last 10 FA Cup ties against lower ranked sides.
Darren Bent has scored in four of his last five matches in the FA Cup.

Stoke v Man City
Stoke and Man City have been drawn together seven time before in the FA Cup, with the Citizens progressing (or winning the final) four times and the Potters progressing on three occasions.
The most memorable of these meetings was the 2011 final, where Man City secured the trophy with a 1-0 win, courtesy of a Yaya Toure goal.
When drawn at the Britannia, the Potters are unbeaten in nine FA Cup games, winning seven and drawing two.
The last time City travelled to the Britannia in the FA Cup, they were eliminated, losing 3-1 in a replay back in February 2010.
The Citizens are enjoying a five game winning streak, netting 14 goals and shipping just three in the process.
City have won just two of their last eight on the road in the FA Cup, drawing three and losing three.
Man City are unbeaten in seven against the Potters in all competitions (three home wins, one neutral win and three away 1-1 draws).

Bolton v Everton 
Bolton have not lost to Everton in the FA Cup since 1908, winning all three ties since then including in the semi-final back in 1953.
Overall, these North West rivals have been drawn together six times before, with Bolton progressing four times and Everton twice, both following a replay.
The Toffees are unbeaten in their last six away games in the FA Cup (W4 D2).
Everton have only kept three clean sheets in their last 14 FA Cup games, and only one on the road since 2009.
The Trotters are unbeaten in four games now (1W 3D), their second-longest run without defeat this season (six games in November).
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard netted on the last occasion these sides met, though Bolton still won 2-1 at Goodison Park.
There have been three red cards in the last five clashes between the Trotters and the Toffees in all competitions.

Brighton v Arsenal 
This will be only the fourth time the clubs have met in the FA Cup and the third time in the fourth round. Arsenal have won all three previous ties without needing a replay.
Their last meeting came in the fourth round in 1988, with The Gunners claiming a 2-1 victory.
Brighton have won their last two home FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition.
Arsenal are unbeaten in 33 games against lower ranked sides in the FA Cup, not losing since a 0-1 defeat at Sheffield United in 1996.
The Gunners have won none of their last three games on the road, losing one (v Chelsea) and drawing two (v Swansea in the FA Cup and v Southampton).
Brighton and Hove Albion defeated Newcastle United in the third round of the 1983 competition as they did earlier this campaign; they went on to reach the final 30 years ago.
The Gunners have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven away FA Cup games, shipping 12 in total in this away run.

Derby v Blackburn
The two sides have been played each on 10 previous occasions in the FA Cup, with both sides progressing five times apiece.
The last meeting between these Championship rivals came back in 2001 at this stage, when Blackburn won 5-2 away in a replay after a 0-0 draw at Ewood Park.
Blackburn have lost their last four away games in the FA Cup.
The Rams have won five and lost none of their last six home FA Cup matches against teams from the same division.
Overall, the Rams have suffered just one defeat in their last five games, winning two and drawing two.
Blackburn have won two and lost just one of their last four trips to the home of the Rams, drawing the other 1-1 earlier this season.

Huddersfield v Leicester 
Huddersfield and Leicester have never met in the FA Cup.
The Terriers have won four out of their last five home games in the cup (1L).
The Foxes have struggled of late on the road in the FA Cup, winning only once in nine games (D1 L7).
Jermaine Beckford has scored seven goals in his last five FA Cup appearances and 16 in 19 overall.
Simon Grayson’s Huddersfield side have won just one of their last 13 games (1-0 v Charlton in FA Cup), losing six and drawing six.
Leicester have won each of their last five games, netting 14 goals and conceding just one goal in the process, with that goal against coming in their 6-1 thrashing of Huddersfield on January 1st.

Hull v Barnsley 
The two sides met in the third round in 1958, with the tie going to a replay after finishing 1-1. The Tigers eventually progressed to the fourth round after securing a 2-0 victory.
The Tigers have reached the fourth round 23 times, progressing 12 times, including in three of their last four at this stage.
The Tykes have won just one of their last eight fourth round games on the road outright; though they have drawn five of these and gone on to win the replay on each occasion.
Barnsley are enjoying a three game unbeaten streak (W2 D1), their longest run without defeat this season.
On home soil, Hull have enjoyed just one win in their last four games, drawing two and losing one.
The last four clashes between these Championship rivals have all ended in home wins, while only one of the last eight has been won by the away side.

Macclesfield v Wigan
This is the first time in Macclesfield’s history that they’ve reached the fourth round.
The Latics and the Silkmen have never met in the FA Cup before.
Wigan haven’t advanced through the fourth round since 1987, where they claimed a 1-0 victory against Norwich City.
The Silkmen have never defeated top flight opposition in the FA Cup.
Despite enduring another difficult season, Wigan are unbeaten in their last three games on the road, winning two and drawing one.
Matthew Barnes-Homer has scored six goals in his last five appearances in all competitions for the Silkmen.
Wigan have won both previous competitive meetings with Macclesfield, beating them 1-0 away and 2-0 at home in the 1998/99 division two.

Middlesbrough v Aldershot
Boro and Aldershot will meet for the first time in the competition in this clash.
The Shots have scored eight goals in three FA Cup games so far this season, though they are yet to face a team from a higher division.
Aldershot have not won away from home against a side from a higher division since 1983, when they won 3-1 at Portsmouth.
‘Boro have won 11 of their last 15 home FA Cup ties against sides from lower divisions than them (D3 L1).
At the Riverside, ‘Boro have lost just one of their last six games, winning the other five.
Aldershot’s Danny Hylton has only scored one league goal in 19 games all season, but has netted seven times in three FA Cup appearances for the Shots.
Aldershot Town have made the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1987, when they lost to Barnsley.

Norwich v Luton 
This will be the fourth meeting between the Canaries and the Hatters in the FA Cup; the Hatters the first two, including the1959 semi, before Norwich won the most recent clash.
The last clash between these sides in the cup also came in the fourth round and Norwich won 2-0 (1976).
It’s the first time since 2007 that Luton have made it to the fourth round. That year, they were eliminated by Blackburn Rovers.
Luton haven’t beaten a Premier League side since 1993/94, when they defeated West Ham 3-2 in sixth round replay.
Chris Hughton’s Canaries have managed just one win in their last seven games (3-0 v Peterborough in the FA Cup), losing five and drawing one.
The Canaries have won their last three against Luton in all competitions, winning both meetings in 2006/07 3-2.

QPR v MK Dons 
The R’s and the Dons met for the first time in any competition in the FA Cup last season, where they drew the original fixture 1-1 before QPR won 1-0 at Loftus Road, courtesy of a Danny Gabbidon strike.
The R’s have not won an FA Cup tie without the use of a replay since January 1997, when they beat Barnsley 3-2 at this stage in 1997.
MK Dons have scored 10 goals in their last four FA Cup games and they have never helped them reach the fourth round for the first time.
The Hoops have been improving under Harry Redknapp and remain unbeaten in 2013, winning two, drawing three, scoring four and shipping just two in the process.
The Dons have won two and drawn two of their last four games, shipping a total of just two goals in those four fixtures.
Milton Keynes eliminated a higher ranked side for the first time in their history in the third round of this season, beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 in a replay.

Reading v Sheffield United
Reading’s only previous encounter against the Blades was back in 1998 and ended in a 1-0 home victory for the Sheffield side.
Reading have kept only two clean sheets in 15 home cup ties.
The Blades have only won once in their last 18 away FA Cup games to higher level opposition, drawing three and losing 14.
The Royals have won their last three games in a row, the first time they’ve managed consecutive wins this season, with Adam Le Fondre netting five goals in total in those games.
Reading have won five of their last six FA Cup games against sides from lower leagues, though they did lose their last one at home (0-1 v Stevenage last season).
The Blades are unbeaten in five against Reading in all competitions, winning four.
United have also won their last three at the Madejski Stadium, not tasting defeat there since the 2006/07 Premier League.

Man United v Fulham
The two clubs have met nine times before in the FA Cup, with United progressing through the last seven after elimination in the first two (1905 and 1908).
The last time they played each other in the fourth round was in 1979, when the Red Devils won 1-0 in a home replay after drawing 1-1 in London.
United have only lost twice in their last 18 FA Cup games at home, winning 14.
Fulham have won 10 out of their last 11 FA Cup fourth round ties, though they were eliminated at this stage last season (to Everton).
Robin Van Persie has scored in each of his last six games for United (seven goals in total) and has bagged 11 in his last 11 appearances.
Martin Jol’s Whites have registered just two wins in their last nine games, losing four and drawing three.
The Red Devils have won their last 10 at home to Fulham in all competitions, not even sharing the spoils with the Whites since a 1-3 defeat in October 2003.

Brentford v Chelsea
The only time the West London clubs have met in the FA Cup was in 1950, where Chelsea won 1-0 at Griffin Park.
The Blues have won 15 of their last 16 FA Cup fourth round ties, losing the other on penalties to Everton.
Chelsea have only lost one of their last 35 FA Cup games outright; 0-1 v Barnsley in March 2008 (W29 D5 L1).
The Blues have shipped just nine goals in their last 13 away FA Cup games combined, and never more than once in single match in this run.
The Bees have won just one of their last 13 FA Cup games against Premier League sides; beating Sunderland at this stage in 2006 (W1 D3 L9).
Juan Mata has now scored four goals and assisted five in just eight FA Cup appearances for Chelsea.
Frank Lampard has been involved in 10 goals in his last nine FA Cup appearances; scoring six and assisted four.

Leeds v Tottenham
The two clubs have faced each other five times in the FA Cup before, with Leeds winning just one tie (sixth round in 1972).
The most recent meeting came back in 2010, in the fourth round, when the original tie ended 2-2. The replay saw Spurs win 3-1 at Elland Road, courtesy of a Jermain Defoe hat-trick.
Spurs have kept three clean sheets in their last four away FA Cup games, but have failed to score in three of the four themselves.
Leeds have been eliminated by North London clubs in each of the last three FA Cups, losing to Tottenham in 2010 and Arsenal in 2011 and 2012.
At Elland Road, Leeds have lost just one of their last eight games (W6 D1), although that defeat came against another Premier League side, Chelsea, 5-1 in the Capital One Cup.
AVB’s Tottenham side are now unbeaten in eight games, winning five and drawing three.
After no goals in his first 13 games in the competition, Gareth Bale has scored in three successive FA Cup games.

Oldham v Liverpool
The two clubs met last year in the third round, in a one-sided match dominated by Liverpool who won 5-1.
Oldham have lost all four matches against Liverpool in the FA Cup.
The Reds have won five and lost just two of their last nine away games in the FA Cup (D2).
Oldham have won two of their last four FA Cup games against Premier League sides, including a win against Merseysiders Everton in 2008.
The Latics have lost each of their last four games at Boundary Park, conceding exactly two goals in each of those defeats.
Brendan Rodgers’ Reds are enjoying a good run of form, winning four of their last five (losing the other one), with Luis Suarez netting six goals in total in those games.
The Reds have won their last three against Oldham in all competitions, but did lose 2-3 at Boundary Park in the Premier League back in May 1993.

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25.01. (Fri) 20:30 Borussia D. - Nurnberg

PROBABLE LINEUPS
DORTMUND
Weidenfeller
Piszczek, Santana, Hummels, Schmelzer
Bender, Gundogan
Kuba, Gotze, Reus
Lewandowski
NURNBERG
Schafer
Chandler, Nilsson, Klose, Pinola
Balitsch, Simons
Feulner, Kiyotake, Gebhart
Pekhart

Despite receiving encouraging news on the injury of Neven Subotic, Borussia Dortmund will name virtually the same line-up that thrashed Werder Bremen last week, with one possible change coming in midfield, where Sven Bender could replace Sebastian Kehl.
Nuri Sahin is expected to keep his place on the bench, but is likely to have more playing time than he did at the Weserstadion - a brief cameo at the end of the match. Patrick Owomoyela remains sidelined.
Meanwhile, Nurnberg expected to make a host of changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Hamburg last week. Per Nilsson is set to step back into the heart of defence, leading Timmy Simons to make the shift forward into midfield, with Almog Cohen dropping out.
Markus Feulner will replace Robert Mak on the right-hand side of midfield, with Hiroshi Kiyotake replacing Alexander Esswein in the hole behind lone striker Tomas Pekhart.

DID YOU KNOW?
Borussia Dortmund's 5-0 win over Werder Bremen last week was their joint-biggest victory this season, along with the thrashing of Borussia Monchengladbach at home.
The champions have lost twice at home this season - more times than they did in the whole of their 2011-12 campaign.
Nuri Sahin is set to make his first appearance at Signal Iduna Park since leaving BVB for Real Madrid in the summer of 2011.
Nurnberg, despite sitting in 15th place in the Bundesliga, have the same defensive record as second-placed Bayer Leverkusen.
However, only fellow Bavarian outfits Augsburg and Greuther Furth have scored fewer goals than der Club.
Tomas Pekhart's equaliser against Hamburg last Sunday was his first goal since his side held BVB to a 1-1 draw at home on matchday 2 - way back in August.

Prediction
Borussia Dortmund finally look to be hitting their stride after a season dogged by inconsistent form. Nurnberg, meanwhile, have stagnated badly since the beginning of the campaign and the loss of Dieter Hecking will hit them hard. Accordingly, a home win is the obvious conclusion.
Editor's Prediction
Dortmund 3-0 FC Nürnberg

Ligue 1 Opta Facts - 25-27 January


Valenciennes - Lyon
Lyon have won none of their last four trips to Valenciennes in Ligue 1 (D1, L3).
10 goals have been scored in the last two league fixtures between Valenciennes and Lyon.
Valenciennes have won only one of their last six games in Ligue 1 (W1, D2, L3).
Lyon have kept only three clean sheets in their last 20 away league games.
Lyon have lost only three games (21 games played) in the top-flight this season, best tally with Bordeaux and Paris SG.
Bafetimbi Gomis has scored five goals in his seven starts against Valenciennes in Ligue 1.

Rennes - Marseille
Marseile are unbeaten in their last four trips to Rennes in Ligue 1 (W2, D2).
Marseille have scored 20 goals in their last 10 away games against Rennes in the top-flight.
Rennes have won 10 of their last 15 league games (W10, D1, L4).
Rennes have won only one of their last four home game in Ligue 1 (W1, D1, L2).
Marseille have scored in nine of their 11 away games this season in Ligue 1.
The Ayew brothers have scored 12 of Marseille's 28 league goals this season (43%) and four of the last five.
The quartet of Julien Féret, Romain Alessandrini, Mevlut Erding and Jonathan Pitroipa (currently away on ACN duty) has scored 94% of Rennes' league goals this season (29 out of 31).

Evian TG - Ajaccio
Ajaccio have scored the opening goal in their five fixtures against Evian TG in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.
Johan Cavalli is involved in three of Ajaccio's four goals against Evian TG in Ligue 1 (1 goal, 2 assists).
Evian TG have won only two of their last 12 home league games (W2, D4, L6).
Evian TG are winless in their last four league games (D1, L3)
Ajaccio have won only two of their last 14 games in the top-flight (W2, D6, L6).
Ajaccio have won six of their last 47 away games in Ligue 1 (12.8%)
Adrian Mutu has scored four of the last eight goals for Ajaccio in Ligue 1.

Montpellier - Sochaux
Montpellier have won six of their last seven games against Sochaux in Ligue 1, drawing the other one.
Sochaux have lost their last three league trips to Montpellier, conceding two goals in each game.
Montpellier have won 21 home games since 2011/12, best tally in the league alongside Lyon.
Montpellier are unbeaten in their last six home league games (W5, D1), winning the last four without conceding a goal.
Montpellier have scored in 19 of their 21 league games this season (90%).
Sochaux have won four of their last 27 away games in Ligue 1 (W4, D6, L17).
Gaëtan Charbonnier has scored three goals in his last two competitive games at La Mosson.

Nancy - Lorient
Lorient have won only one of their seven league trips to Nancy (W1, D2, L4).
Lorient are unbeaten in their last four games against Nancy in Ligue 1 (W2, D2).
Nancy have drawn their last four home league games.
Nancy are winless in their last 20 league games, longest current drought in the top-flight (D9, L11).
Nancy have scored in each of their last 11 Ligue 1 games, longest current run.
Nancy have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 20 league games, longest current run.
Lorient have won six of their last nine league games (W6, D1, L2).
Nancy's Paul Alo'o Efoulou has scored three goals in three competitive games with Nancy in 2013
Lorient's Enzo Reale has been involved in three of Lorient's last six league goals (one goal, two assists).

Reims - Toulouse
Toulouse are unbeaten in their last four competitive games against Reims (W3, D1).
Reims have failed to win any of their last 13 league games (D5, L8).
Reims have the worst attacking record in Ligue 1 this season (17 goals scored).
Four of the last six league games played in Reims have ended in a draw.
Toulouse have scored two goals in each of their last three league games.
Toulouse are winless in their last five away games in Ligue 1 (D1, L4).
Gaëtan Courtet is involved in seven of Reims' last league 12 goals (6 goals, 1 assist).
Franck Tabanou has scored three goals in his last two competitive games with Toulouse.

Troyes - Brest
Brest are unbeaten against promoted teams this season in Ligue 1 (W2, D1)
21 goals have been scored in the last five league games played in Troyes (avg. of 4.2 per game).
Brest have scored two goals in each of their last three away games in Ligue 1.
Troyes have scored in nine of their 11 home league games this season.
Troyes have conceded at least two goals in 14 of their 21 games in Ligue 1 this season.
Benjamin Nivet's seven league goals for Troyes this season have all been scored at home.

St Etienne - Bastia
St Etienne have won their last four league games against Bastia, winning the last three 3-0.
Bastia have lost 16 of their 21 trips to St Etienne in Ligue 1 (W3, D2, L16).
St Etienne have won none of their last five home competitive games (D3, L2).
Bastia have won 2 of their last 17 competitive games played outside their Furiani stadium (W2, D5, L10).
Bastia have conceded the most goals in Ligue 1 this season (44).
Yohan Mollo is involved in St Etienne's three league goals in 2013 (1 goal, 2 assists).

Nice - Bordeaux
Bordeaux have failed to win any of their last six away games in Nice in L1 (D3, L3).
Nice are unbeaten in their last three league games against Bordeaux (W2, D1).
Nice have won their last six home games in Ligue 1, best current run.
Nice have scored in each of their last 10 home games in Ligue 1, best current run.
76% of Nice's goals have been scored in the second half, highest ratio in L1 this season.
Dario Cvitanich has scored in Nice's last four home games in in all competitions, scoring two braces.
Five of Henri Saivet's six league goals for Bordeaux have been scored away from home.

Paris SG - Lille
Lille have failed to win any of their last 13 away games in Paris in Ligue 1 (D6, L7).
PSG are unbeaten in their last six Ligue 1 games (W5, D1), best current run.
Lille have only won once in their last 10 away games in Ligue 1 (D6, L3).
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored 47 goals in his last 50 league games (with AC Milan and PSG). However, only six of his 19 goals have been scored at home this season.
Salvatore Sirigu has not conceded a goal in Ligue 1 in his last 686 minutes of play.
Dimitri Payet is involved in 10 of Lille's last 14 goals in Ligue 1 (5 goals, 5 assists).

Bundesliga Opta Facts: Matchday 19


Borussia Dortmund v 1. FC Nürnberg
Dortmund haven't lost any of their last eight meetings with Nürnberg (W6 D2).
Nürnberg's last victory over Dortmund came in November 2007 (2-0). It has been their only win in their last 25 meetings (L15 D9).
Nürnberg's last away victory at Dortmund (2-0) came in November 1990; none of their last 13 away matches at Dortmund have resulted in victory (L10 D3). Nürnberg haven't scored at Dortmund a goal in 511 minutes (8.5 hours) with their last goal there coming from Marek Nikl in April 2006.
Dortmund have lost only one of their last 16 competitive matches (W11 D4) - 2-3 vs. Wolfsburg (MD 16).
However, Dortmund have won only five points from their last five BL home game and have never gained fewer points in five consecutive BL home games under coach Jürgen Klopp.
Nürnberg haven't won any of their last seven away matches - the team have won two of 21 points in this period (L5 D2).
Dortmund have scored at least once in all but one of their last 27 BL matches -a 0-0 draw at home to Stuttgart on MD 10.
Dortmund have scored 10 goals in their last two competitive matches (5-1 vs. Hannover in the German Cup; 5-0 at Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga).
In his last nine competitive games, Mario Götze has had a hand in 13 goals (eight goals, five assists) and has surpassed his previous best of seven goals in an entire campaign.
In 27 appearances this season, Robert Lewandowski has directly contributed to 24 goals (17 goals, 7 assists) - more than any other BL player. Collectively, Nürnberg players have scored just 20 goals in their 19 competitive outings this season.
In November 2005, Dortmund player Nuri Sahin became the youngest goal-scorer in BL history: He was 17 years and 82 days old when Dortmund won 2-0 vs. Nürnberg.
Nürnberg's Michael Wiesinger makes his away debut as a BL coach. As an active player, he won one of eight BL meetings with Dortmund (April 2000, a 1-0 away victory with Bayern).

Borussia Mönchengladbach v Fortuna Düsseldorf
Their meeting in the first half of the season was the first in more than 15 years. It resulted in a scoreless draw - for the first time in the history of this meeting which spans to 45 BL games.
These teams met in October in the German Cup when Düsseldorf won 1-0 in extra time.
Mönchengladbach have lost only one of their last 18 BL home games vs. Düsseldorf (W14 D3) - 0-2 in November 1984. It was the only time that Mönchengladbach failed to score in a home game vs. Düsseldorf.
Mönchengladbach have lost two of their last eight home games. Before that, they had lost only two of the 23 BL home games under coach Lucien Favre.
Mönchengladbach haven't lost any of their last eight competitive games (W4 D4). Their last defeat came on November 17th, when they lost 1-2 at home vs. Stuttgart. Only Bayern München have currently gone longer without defeat in the league (nine games) than Mönchengladbach (six games).
Düsseldorf haven't won any of their last five away matches, gaining only one point from a possible 15.
Düsseldorf won seven of their eight away points during their first three games on the road this season.
Mönchengladbach have won their last two BL home games with 2-0, Düsseldorf have lost their last two away games by scorelines of 2-0 (BL and German Cup).
Mönchengladbach have amounted 174 shots this season, Düsseldorf 153 - the two lowest figures in the German top flight. Bayern München alone have managed as many shots (327) as both teams combined.
Mönchenlgadbach keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved only 61% of shots during the first 13 matches of this season. During the last five games, he has saved 92% - more than any other BL keeper during this period (considering only those keepers to have played twice or more).
Among all BL keepers with at least 50 games, Marc-Andre ter Stegen is the one with the lowest conceded goals pergame average (0.88 goals per game).
Düsseldorf striker Stefan Reisinger has scored five goals in his last six BL matches having fired only nine shots in total.
Düsseldorf coach Norbert Meier has had a history with Mönchengladbach as an active player as well as a coach, whilst Levels, van den Bergh, Rafael, Voronin and Lambertz also have spent time as players with Mönchengladbach. Even Düsseldorf's director of sports Wolf Werner is a former Mönchengladbach coach.

Eintracht Frankfurt v 1899 Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim have lost only one of the seven BL meetings with Frankfurt (W4 D2 and a 0-4 home loss earlier this season).
Hoffenheim have never gained fewer points (13) from their first 18 BL games than this season and had won 23 points at this stage last season. 41 goals conceded is also a negative record for Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim's recent draw with Mönchengladbach ended a six-match losing streak. The team haven't won any of their last eight BL matches (L6 D2) and they have scored only two goals in their last four BL matches.
Frankfurt have kept a clean sheet twice this season (one of which was against Hoffenheim) - the lowest number of shut outs this season (together with Fürth and Bremen).
Frankfurt have scored in all of their nine home games 2012/13. They have scored 23 home goals (an average of 2.6 per game) and only Bayern München have scored more at home (26).
Hoffenheim have won fewer points on the road than any other team this season, gaining only four points in their eight away games.
No other team have scored more headers than Frankfurt (10) and no other team have conceded as many headers as Hoffenheim (13).
Frankfurt coach Armin Veh's has a strong record vs. Hoffenheim; winning four, drawing one and losing one (0-2 with Augsburg in third division in August 2004).
Armin Veh has already coached four different teams vs. Hoffenheim; Hamburg, Wolfsburg, Stuttgart and Augsburg. Frankfurt will be his fifth team.
Hoffenheim defender Chris has a long history as player with Frankfurt, he made 125 BL appearances for the club between 2003 and 2011, scoring nine goals. His teammate Patrick Ochs made 174 BL appearances for Frankfurt between 2004 and 2011, scoring 4 goals.
Frankfurt's Martin Lanig played for Hoffenheim between 2003 and 2006 in the German third division. He moved on to Fürth after Hoffenheim and narrowly missed out on promotion to Bundesliga 2. Lanig hasn't lost any of his seven BL meetings with Hoffenheim (W2 D5).

FC Augsburg v FC Schalke 04
Both teams have met in four competitive games of which Augsburg haven't won any (L3 D1).
Augsburg haven't won any of their last five home games (L3 D2). Their last home victory came in early October 2012 vs. Bremen (3-1), their only home victory in 2012/13.
Schalke have lost four consecutive away games in the BL. Their last away victory came at Dortmund in October 2012 (2-1).
Schalke haven't lost on matchday 19 for eight years (W5 D2). Their last defeat on MD 19 came on January 29 2005 at Kaiserslautern (0-2).
Schalke have suffered 49 BL away losses in the state of Bavaria and have won only one of their last seven matches in Bavaria (L4 D2) - 2-0 at Fürth on MD 3.
Schalke midfielder Lewis Holtby has directly contributed to more goals (14 in 26 competitive matches) than in his entire 2011/12 campaign (13 in 41 competitive matches).
Augsburg striker Sascha Mölders has scored six goals in eight BL appearances this season. He had scored only five BL goals in his entire 2011/12 campaign (29 appearances).
After Mölders (11 goals), Augsburg midfielder Ja-Cheol Koo is the top goal-scorer (8 goals) in the club's BL history. Seven of his eight BL goals have been scored in the first half of matches and this season, the South Korean scored all three of his goals either in 44th or 45th minute.
Schalke striker Jan-Klaas Huntelaar will return after a one-game ban vs. Hannover. He has netted in each of his three BL meetings with Augsburg (3 goals).
Jens Keller, who faces his first away game as Schalke boss, has never won an away match as a BL coach (L3 D2 with Stuttgart).

Hannover 96 v VfL Wolfsburg
There have been 21 BL meetings between Hannover and Wolfsburg of which Wolfsburg have won 12 and Hannover only six (D3). However, Hannover have won their last two BL encounters Wolfsburg and kept a clean sheet in both games.
Wolfsburg have won an average of 1.86 points per BL game vs. Hannover - a higher average than against any other side (considering only teams which they have played at least two times).
Wolfsburg's 5-0 victory at Hannover on MD 33 in the 2008/09 campaign (which resulted in the Championship for Wolfsburg) was Wolfsburg's biggest away victory in their BL history.
Hannover won 4-0 at Wolfsburg in the first half of the season, when Szabolcs Huszti assisted all four goals.
Hannover have lost three consecutive competitive games in which they conceded twelve goals. Before this run, they hadn't lost three consecutive games since February 2012 when they lost nine on the bounce.
In Hannover's BL games this season, an average of four goals have been netted (72 in 18 matches), the highest average this season.
Wolfsburg have gained 13 of their 22 points away from home and have already collected more points on their travels than in their entire 2011/12 campaign (12).
However, no other BL team has failed to score in five away games this season as Wolfsburg have done.
Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking has had a history with Hannover as an active player (1997 - 1999) as well as a coach (2006 - 2009). Only current Hannover coach Mirko Slomka has coached more BL games for the club (102) than Hecking (101).
Wolfsburg's Diego has had a hand in his side's last five BL goals (two goals and three assists). He has directly contributed to nine goals (five goals and four assists) in the 10 games since the dismissal of former head coach Felix Magath.
Hannover striker Mame Diouf has had a hand in 20 goals in 24 BL appearances (13 goals and seven assists).

SpVgg Greuther Fürth v 1. FSV Mainz 05
Fürth's first BL ever victory came against Mainz in the first half of the season (MD 2). Felix Klaus netted in a 1-0 victory to become Fürth's first ever goal-scorer in the BL.
There has never been a scoreless draw in 24 competitive games between these teams. On average, 3.25 goals were netted in these games.
Fürth have won nine points in 18 BL games. In BL history, there have been eight teams on nine points or less in their first 18 matches - all of whom were relegated.
Fürth haven't won any of their last 16 BL games (L10 D6) - the longest winless run of the season.
Only in 2010/11, when they eventually finished fifth, have Mainz gained more points in their first 18 BL games (33) than their current total (27).
Fürth have never won a home game in their BL history (L6 D3). Only four other teams hadn't won any of their first nine BL home games.
Fürth have scored four goals in nine home games - only one team have scored fewer in their first nine BL home games; Hertha Berlin in 1990/91 who netted three.
As a player, Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel met with Ulm in the third division in five games. He didn't won any of these (L2 D3), amd was sent off three times.
Fürth players Zoltan Stieber (2011/12) and Milorad Pekovic (2005 - 2010) used to play for Mainz.
Mainz players Marco Caligiuri (2007 - 20010) and Nicolai Müller (2007 - 2011) played for Fürth in the German second division.
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SC Freiburg v Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen have won seven of their last nine meetings with Freiburg (L1 D1). They have lost only one of their last 10 BL away games at Freiburg (W6 D3).
Freiburg have failed to score in their last three home games vs. Leverkusen. They have lost four consecutive home games vs. Leverkusen at an aggregate score of 1-10. They have previously lost five consecutive league games only to Bayern München (2001/02 - 2010/11).
Considering only the last seven BL match days, Leverkusen rank top of the table with 18 points. Freiburg are fourth in this form table with 14 points.
Freiburg have conceded as few as 18 BL goals this season, which is a club record after the first 18 games. Only Bayern München have conceded fewer goals this season (7). When Christian Streich debuted in BL as Freiburg head coach in January 2012, the team had conceded more goals than any other team in the league (39).
In the first half of the season, Freiburg lost all four games against the current top four BL teams.
Freiburg haven't lost a game since their 0-2 defeat vs. Bayern München on MD 14 (W3 D2). This loss vs. Bayern München has been their only one during their last 11 competitive games (W6 D4).
Leverkusen have scored in each of their last 15 BL games (an average of 2.2 goals per game, 33 altogether). Only Bayern München have currently scored in more consecutive BL games (21) than Leverkusen.
Leverkusen striker Stefan Kiessling is currently the top goal-scorer in German top flight with 13 goals. He has scored 11 in his last 12 BL appearances, making three assists in that time. He is currently on 99 BL goals.
Leverkusen haven't lost any of the last 13 games with Ömer Toprak (a former Freiburg defender) in the starting line-up (W10 D3), winning the last eight.
Former Freiburg player Daniel Schwaab has won all of his five of his BL matches against Freiburg.

Hamburger SV v Werder Bremen
There have been as many as 97 BL games between Hamburg and Bremen, making this the most contested fixture in BL history.
Bremen have won the last three contests with Hamburg.
Hamburg have won three consecutive home games - never have they had a longer winning streak at home since 2009/10 when they won four on the trot.
Bremen have won only two of their last 14 BL away games (L9 D3) and have conceded in each of their last 16 games on their travels.
Bremen have conceded 34 goals this season, only two teams have leaked more. They have conceded 15 goals in their last five games.
Bremen have conceded 23 goals in the second half of matches this season, a division-high and more than Hamburg have conceded this season (22).
In 2012/13, Hamburg haven't lost a game after taking the lead (W7 D3). However, they have lost every game after falling behind (L7).
Hamburg striker Artjoms Rudnevs has scored the team's last three goals and has had a hand in nine of Hamburg's last 13 goals (seven goals and two assists).
Former Hamburg player Eljero Elia) has failed to score in his last 36 BL games (2616 minutes).
Thomas Schaaf has won 14 matches against Hamburg as a BL coach, only against Hertha Berlin has he tasted more success (W15).

VfB Stuttgart v Bayern München
Bayern München have won seven consecutive competitive games against Stuttgart. They have lost only one of their last 13 matches against Stuttgart (W10 D2).
Bayern won this fixture 6-1 earlier this season when Stuttgart striker Vedad Ibisevic was shown a straight red.
Bayern München haven't lost any of their last 14 competitive games (W10 D4).
Bayern have lost only one competitive away game this season (1-3 at BATE Borisov in the Champions League). They have been the best guest team of the Bundesliga (W7 D1).
Bayern's 14 league victories this season have come with cushions of at least two goals.
Bayern have scored in all 28 competitive games in 2012/13 and have scored in 35 consecutive competitive games.
Bayern striker Mario Mandzukic has scored 14 competitive goals this season, while Stuttgart striker Vedad Ibisevic has 18, more than any other player in Germany.
Bayern player Philipp Lahm played 53 matches for Stuttgart between 2003 and 2005 on a prolonged loan. Mario Gomez scored 63 BL goals in 121 appearances for Stuttgart and won the Bundesliga with them in 2007. He was also elected player of the year in 2007.
Stuttgart coach Bruno Labbadia played for Bayern München and won the Bundesliga with them in 1994.
Labbadia made his debut as Stuttgart coach in a 3-5 loss vs. Bayern.
Stuttgart director of sports Fredi Bobic has never won a competitive game against Bayern - neither as an active player, nor in his current role (L20 D10).
As a player, Bayern executive Matthias Sammer won the Bundesliga with Stuttgart in 1992. As a coach, he led Stuttgart to a fifth place finish in 2004/2005.

Nebojša Gudelj prognozira 20. kolo Holandske 1. lige

U prvom kolu u 2013. godini bilo je mnogo iznenađenja, pa kladioničarima savetujem oprez i ovog vikenda, posebno jer se igra nekoliko derbija. Alkmar je odigrao loše prvi deo sezone, ali je razbio Vitese proteklog vikenda. Pošto je Venlo jedan od najslabijih timova, mislim da će gosti ponovo da slave.
Utreht je ušao u top formu, što je dokazao lakom pobedom nad Fejenordom, pa očekujem jedinicu i na utakmici sa Viljemom. Vitese je silno oslabljen neigranjem Bonija, koji je na Kupu afričkih nacija, što bi prvotimci Ajaksa, popularni „kopljanici” morali da iskoriste.



MOJ TIP
VENLO - ALKMAR 2
Cvole - Herenven Dž
Den Hag - Roda 1
RKC - Breda Dž2
Herakles - PSV 2
Vitese - Ajaks 2
Fejenord - Tvente Dž
UTREHT - VILJEM 1
NEC - Groningen 1

Živojin Juškić prognozira 22. kolo Nemacke 3. lige

BILEFELD - OFENBAH 1 - Bilefeldu, jednostavno, pripada Druga liga. Ova ekipa će sve učiniti ne bi li se vratila u viši rang.

AHEN - SARBRIKEN x2 - Ahen sigurno ispada iz lige, jer je klub bankrotirao. Ko god je od igrača mogao da ode, otišao je. Ne dozvolite da vas zavara tabela, po kojoj domaćin ima šanse da se vadi.

VEHEN - BABELSBERG 1 - Vehen ima fenomenalan tim, kojem je u prvom delu nedostajalo sreće. Domaćin mora da „zaboravi” na ogroman broj remija i na svom terenu trijumfuje protiv Babelsberga.

ŠTUTGART ll - ERFURT 1 - Štutgart je jači i mislim da mora da savlada ekipu koja će se boriti za opstanak.

OSNABRIK - KARLSRUE 1x - Derbi. Prvi dočekuje drugog. Osnabrik igra žestoko kao domaćin, ali ni odlični Karlsrue nije naivan...

DARMŠTAT - HEMNICER 1 - Darmštat, koji sam trenirao i u njemu završio igračku karijeru, ponovo je menjao trenera. Napad na Hemnicer biće svim rapoloživim sredstvima, a moram da napomenem da u Darmštatu ima toliko snega, da ne verujem da će utakmica uopšte da se odigra.

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25.01. (Fri) 19:00 Burkina Faso - Ethiopia

PROBABLE LINEUPS
BURKINA FASO
Diakite
H.Traore, B.Kone, Koulibaly, Panandetiguiri
Pitroipa, Rouamba, Kabore, Koffi
A. Traore,
Dagano
ETHIOPIA
Tadelle
Hailu, Eliase, Tesfaye, Butako
Bekele, Megresa, Bekele, Said
Kebede, Girma

Minnows Ethiopia and Burkina Faso lock horns in a must win encounter for both teams on Friday as far as qualification to the quarter-finals of 2013 Africa Cup of Nations is concerned.
Following a clean bill of health by the medical team, both coaches are expected to retain squads that did duty in the first game, save for a forced change by the Walya Antelopes with Sefnet Bishaw expected to call upon the services of reserve custodian Zerihun Tadele in the absence of suspended Jemal Tessaw, following his red card.
Bishaw will be hoping his charges pick up from where they left off against Zambia's Chipolopolo in the opening game.
The east Africans earned several plaudits for a display that secured them a credible draw against the defending champions, despite playing for more than an hour with ten men.
On the other hand, Burkina Faso's Stallions will feel prepared for this duel, and take comfort in the encouraging display in the 1-1 stalemate against Nigeria's Super Eagles in their first game.
Both coaches seem satisfied with the results earned thus far and have promised to prepare their players to build on from that form.
"Playing Zambia in the opening game was a very difficult task. Our players now need to gather confidence and get into their stride immediately because our next achievement is to prevail against Burkina Faso," said Ethiopia coach Bishaw at a press conference.
"Ethiopia will not be easy. They are very confident and I believe they have produced the surprise result of the tournament so far. With accurate finishing, they would have beaten Zambia. We will be ready for them," declared Paul Put to reporters.
Alain Traore, who struck at the death to deny Nigeria maximum points, will be the key man once again for the Stallions alongside midfielder Jonathan Pitroipa, who caused a great deal of trouble during the match.
Pitroipa will likely be supporting captain Moumouni Dagano and Traore, and the pair have more than enough natural ability to test Zerihun Tadele and the defenders charged with protecting Ethiopia’s goal.
Ethiopia’s hopes will once again be pegged on Adane Girma, who secured the vital draw against Zambia in the opening contest.

DID YOU KNOW?
This will be the first meeting between the two nations in a competitive tournament.
Both teams have previously hosted the Africa Cup of Nations. The Walya Antelopes staged the event in 1962 while the Stallions hosted the competition 36 years later.
Burkina Faso are considered the weakest of the eight west African nations at the 2013 Afcon, despite gracing the tournament in eight of the last nine occasions.
Ethiopia are the lowest ranked team at the 2013 Afcon as they are positioned at 110, while Burundi are placed 92nd.
The Walya Antelopes are making a return to the competition after a 31-year absence.
Paul Put took over from Portuguese manager Paulo Duarte in March following the Stallions’ woeful return from the 2012 Nations Cup, where they lost all three of their games and crashed out in the group stage.
Captain Moumouni Dagano, who joined the national team in 1999 while playing for local side Etoile Filante, remains Burkina Faso’s all time top scorer with 31 goals.
Ethiopia will face Burkina Faso without the services of goalkeeper Jemal Tessaw, who was red carded for a professional foul during the opening match against defending champions Zambia.

Prediction
This match is a tough one to call, but the sides seem to be evenly matched in recent play. A draw seems to be a strong possibility, in a tournament where draws are the order of the day.
Editor's Prediction
Burkina Faso 1-1 Ethiopia

Africki kup nacija iz ugla Mice Sredojevica selektora reprezentacije Ruande

ZAMBIJA - NIGERIJA x2 - Branilac titule, tim Zambije, nije u formi. Kapiten tima igra loše, odbrana ne uliva sigurnost, pa prednost dajem Nigeriji, iako ni njen defanzivni red ne uliva mnogo poverenja.

BURKINA FASO - ETIOPIJA 1x2 - Burkina Faso ima dobru ekipu, ali Etiopiju bodri najviše navijača posle domaćina Južne Afrike, zbog čega reprezentativci ove zemlje daju maksimum na svakom meču. Potpuno neizvesna utakmica.

O. SLONOVAČE - TUNIS 1 - Drogba, prva zvezda „slonova” je van forme. Kolo Ture nije senka igrača kojeg poznajemo, ali stvar vadi Jaja Ture. Tunis ima sporu odbranu pa verujem u pobedu Obale Slonovače.

ALŽIR - TOGO 1 - Alžir nije imao sreće protiv Tunisa, a odigrao je odlično. Očekujem da selekcija koju sa klupe predvodi Vahid Halilhodžić pokaže karakter i pobedi.

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25.01. (Fri) 16:00 Zambia - Nigeria

PROBABLE LINEUPS
NIGERIA
Enyeama
Omeruo, Oboabona, Yobo, Elderson
Igiebor, Mikel, Ogude
Musa, Uche, Moses

ZAMBIA
Mweene
Kasonde, Sunzu, Himoonde, Musonda
Lungu, Chansa, Kalaba, Katongo
Mbesuma, Mayuka

Two bruised egos in the form of Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the defending champions Zambia will clash on Friday at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, and the likelihood is that whoever loses the match may be on the way out of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria had to share the spoils with the Burkina Faso as they surrendered their 1-0 lead very deep into added time in the second half, while the Zambians could not get one over a plucky 10-man Ethiopian team.
Stephen Keshi will be buoyed by the fact that his team almost always had the game against Burkina Faso under control until Ambrose Efe’s sending off while Herve Renard will have told his boys that they will have to up the ante to get a positive result against Nigeria.
The problem for Zambia is that they do not score many goals, and for Nigeria, chances created have to be taken.
Kenneth Omeruo will start at right back for the Eagles while Renaud may decide to use two strikers upfront with Collins Mbesuma and Emmanuel Mayuka the likely candidates.
The Super Eagles were the last team to beat the Chipolopolo in the Nations Cup, back in the 2010 edition, when Nigeria won on penalties in the quarter-finals. The Eagles also beat the Zambians in a friendly in 2011 as the Chipolopolo were preparing for the 2012 Nations Cup, which they eventually won.
So the die is cast and the team which can score two goals in this encounter will likely carry the day.

DID YOU KNOW?
David Chabala is the highest caps winner for Zambia with 108 appearances.
Nigeria was the last team to beat Zambia in the Nations Cup – in 2010.
Ike Uche will be hoping to score his 19th international goal for the Super Eagles against Zambia.
Christopher Katongo has scored 19 goals in 79 appearances for Zambia.
Nigeria is ranked 57th while Zambia is ranked 34th in the world.
In Afcon tournaments, Nigeria and Zambia have scored four goals against each other.
Joseph Yobo will win his 90th cap for the Super Eagles if he plays against Zambia

Prediction
The Super Eagles and Chipolopolo have both had problems finding the back of the net in recent times, and it is likely that they will thwart each other in defence. Perhaps a 1-1 draw is a believable result.
Editor's Prediction
Zambia 1-1 Nigeria

Prognoze na blic

HUSNIJA FAZLIĆ, SKAUT VERDERA (NEMAČKA 1)
DORTMUND - NIRNBERG 1
Menhengladbah - Dizeldorf 1
Ajntraht - Hofenhajm 1x2
Augsburg - Šalke 1x
Hanover - Volfsburg 12
Grojter - Majnc x
Frajburg - Leverkuzen 12
Hamburg - Verder x2
Štutgart - Bajern x2

BOJAN JORGAČEVIĆ (BRIŽ, BELGIJA 1)
STANDARD – KORTRIJK 1
Lokeren – Anderleht 2
Beršot – Mons 1x
Šarlroa – Serkl Briž 1x
Mehelen – Genk x2
Vasland Bev. – Oud Heverle 1
Varegem – Lirs 1
BRIŽ – GENT 1

ŽELJKO KALAJDŽIĆ (PLATANJAS, GRČKA)
Pantrakikos - Olimpijakos 2
Panionios - Levadijakos 12
AEK - OFI 1
Janjina - Verija 1
PAOK - KSANTI 1
Platanjas - Asteras 1x
Atromitos - Panatinaikos 1x, 0-2
Kerkira - Aris 1x

MARKO PETROVIĆ (ALST, BELGIJA 2)
Alst – Ostende x
Vize – Eupen 1
Desel – St. Truden 0-2, x
FK Brisel – Tubize 1-x
Hejst – Ruselar 1
Lomel – Vesterlo 1
Muskron – Antverpen 2+I
BOSU – ST. NIKLAS 1
Voluve – Oudenard 1-x

BRANISLAV BAJIĆ TIPUJE ŠPANIJU 2
Viljareal – Sabadel 1
Đirona – Gvadalahara 2-3
Lugo – Las Palmas x2
Mursija – Hihon x
Santander – Kordoba 1x
Elče – Herkules 1x
Alkorkon – Ponferadina 1
BARSELONA B – REAL B 1
Mirandes – Rekreativo 1
NUMANSIJA – HUESKA 1
Herez – Almerija x2