Italian Serie A Opta Facts - 27-28 November

Statistics and facts to help your football betting are available every week at Sta Sam Ti Reko courtesy of Opta Sportsdata, Europe's leading provider of sports performance statistics.

Bari v Cesena

• These two sides have met only four times in the top-flight (between 1989 and 1991): Bari lead in the head-to-head by two wins to one, with just one draw.
• Bari have won their previous two meetings at home against Cesena, without conceding a single goal.
• Bari have taken only one point from their last eight Serie A fixtures (a goalless draw against Chievo), and have failed to score in each of their last three games.
• Bari have lost their last four games at home in Serie A, scoring only two goals.
• Cesena have not won any of their last 20 Serie A games away from home.
• Cesena have managed only one win from the last 10 match-days of this competition, losing eight times in the process.
• Bari and Cesena have scored the joint-fewest goals in the current Serie A (nine each).

Bologna v Chievo

• Chievo are unbeaten in their last five Serie A meetings against Bologna (two wins and three draws).
• Chievo have won at the Dall'Ara only once in six previous meetings against Bologna, in their last trip there in September 2009 (2-0).
• Bologna are unbeaten at home in their last eight league games (four wins and as many draws), and have kept a clean sheet in each of the last three.
• In last Sunday's win over Inter (2-1), Chievo scored their first two goals after four consecutive fixtures without scoring in the league.
• Away from home though, Chievo are without a win in their last four games (two draws and as many defeats), and have not scored in their last three games on the road.
• Bologna have scored only two goals before the break so far this season, a league-low.
• Chievo have picked up the most yellow cards this season in Serie A (33).

Brescia v Genoa

• Brescia and Genoa have met 16 times in the top-flight: the Grifoni lead in the head-to-head by eight wins to five, with three draws.
• In recent years, Genoa are unbeaten in four league meetings against Brescia (two wins and as many draws); Brescia's last win in this fixture was in February 1947 (5-1).
• Overall, Brescia have won four of their last eight games at home against Genoa in Serie A, losing twice.
• Brescia are without a win in their last nine league games (two draws and seven defeats).
• At home, the Rondinelle have picked up only one point from their last four games.
• Genoa have not shared the points in any of their last nine games in the league (four wins and five defeats).
• Brescia have scored the fewest goals in the second half in this Serie A (only two).
• Domenico Criscito (Genoa) has won the most tackles in this campaign (41).

Cagliari v Lecce

• Cagliari and Lecce have met 12 times in Serie A: the record between the two sides is perfectly even, with five wins each and two draws.
• However, the Sardinians are unbeaten at home against Lecce (four wins and two draws).
• Lecce have managed to score only two goals at Cagliari's ground in Serie A.
• Cagliari have lost three of the last four games played in this competition - all by a score of 1-0.
• Lecce have picked up only one point from their last five league games (1-1 against Inter).
• Lecce have failed to win in their last 15 games on the road in Serie A (13 defeats and two draws).
• Lecce are on a run of four consecutive defeats away from home, in which they have not scored a single goal, and conceded 12.
• Lecce have already conceded 25 goals in the first 13 match-days of Serie A - the worst defence this season.
• Andrea Cossu has already assisted eight goals this season - a league-high.

Inter v Parma

• Inter are unbeaten in their last six meetings against Parma in Serie A: five wins, prior to the 1-1 draw in the last meeting in February at the Tardini.
• Inter have beaten Parma in their last four meetings at the San Siro, scoring at least two or more goals each time.
• Parma's last win at Inter's ground was in May 1999 (3-1); since then, the hosts have notched up seven wins and three draws at the San Siro.
• Inter are without a win in the last four match-days of Serie A: this is their longest run without a victory since November 2004.
• Inter have lost back-to-back games against AC Milan and Chievo in the last two rounds of Serie A; this is the first time they have lost back-to-back games in the league since February 2006.
• The derby loss was Inter's first home defeat after 46 games unbeaten in Serie A.
• The Nerazzurri still have the best defence in this competition (only nine goals conceded).
• Parma have lost only one of their last seven games in the league, winning two and sharing the points four times.
• However, away from home the Ducali have won only once in their last six games, against Bari two weeks ago.
• Parma's manager, Pasquale Marino, has never beaten Inter in eight previous meetings (two draws and six defeats).

Juventus v Fiorentina

• Juventus and Fiorentina have met 142 times in Serie A so far: the Old Lady leads by 65 wins to 31 in the head-to-head, with 46 draws.
• Juventus are the team that has scored the most goals against Fiorentina in the top-flight (231).
• Fiorentina's worst-ever defeat in the league came against Juventus (8-0 in Turin in February 1953).
• However, Juventus have won only one of their last four games at home against the Viola, losing one and sharing the points twice.
• Juventus are unbeaten in their last nine Serie A games (five wins and four draws) - currently the longest streak in the top-flight.
• Juventus boast the best attack in the competition (25 goals); nine of these goals were assisted by crosses.
• Fiorentina are without a win away from home in their last 11 games in the league (eight defeats and three draws).
• Fiorentina have recorded the best shooting accuracy this season (50.4%) while Juve have the best conversion ratio (14.7%).

Lazio v Catania

• Lazio have won eight of their 22 previous meetings against Catania in Serie A, with the Sicilians coming out on top seven times.
• Catania have managed only one win at the Olimpico against Lazio, in the last meeting between the two sides in February 2010.
• Lazio have netted only one goal in their last three meetings with Catania in the league (two 1-0 defeats and a 1-1 draw).
• Lazio have won only one of their last four games in this campaign (two defeats and a draw in the process).
• However, at home the Biancocelesti have won three of the last four, losing just the derby against Roma (0-2).
• Catania have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five Serie A fixtures.
• The Sicilians have never scored more than a single goal in the last nine match-days of this competition.
• Lazio have always won after taking the lead in games this season (eight times so far).

Palermo v Roma

• Roma have won 505 of their games against Palermo in Serie A (22 out of 44); 11 wins for the Sicilians and as many draws complete the record.
• Palermo have won only one of their last nine meetings with the Giallorossi in Serie A.
• However, the Rosanero have scored six goals in the last two meetings with Roma at the Barbera (a 3-1 win before last season's 3-3 draw).
• Palermo have not shared the points in any of the last eight match-days of this competition (five wins and three defeats).
• Delio Rossi's side have won three of their last four games on home soil.
• Roma are unbeaten in the last seven match-days of Serie A (five wins and two draws).
• Roma have won only one game away from home this season, losing three and sharing the points twice.
• Delio Rossi is on target for his first win against Claudio Ranieri in Serie A after five meetings (two draws and three wins for the current Roma manager).

Sampdoria v AC Milan

• Sampdoria and AC Milan have met 122 times in the top-flight: the Rossoneri have come out on top in 60 of these: 29 wins for the Blucerchiati and 33 draws in the process.
• These two sides have not shared the points in their last seven league meetings: three wins for Sampdoria, four for the Rossoneri.
• Samp have prevailed in their last two meetings with AC Milan at home, both by a score of 2-1.
• Last Sunday's 3-2 win against Lecce ended a run of three games without a goal for Sampdoria.
• Giampaolo Pazzini has scored each of Sampdoria's last four goals in this campaign.
• Domenico Di Carlo's side have drawn 0-0 in three of their last four league games at home.
• AC Milan have won their last four league games - currently the longest run in Serie A.Massimiliano Allegri's side have won eight of their last nine games, losing 2-1 against Juventus in the process.
• AC Milan have also won their last four games away from home.
• Sampdoria have managed the joint-most clean sheets in this campaign (six, alongside Roma).
• Samp have conceded only two goals before half-time so far.
• Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored in five of AC Milan's last six league fixtures.

Udinese v Napoli

• This will be the 57th meeting between Udinese and Napoli in Serie A: the Partenopei lead in the head-to-head by 19 wins to 13, with 24 draws.
• Udinese's biggest win in Serie A was against Napoli (7-0 at the San Paolo in May 1958).
• However Napoli's biggest away win in the competition came at Udinese (5-0 in September 2007).
• Udinese have won only once in their last seven meetings with Napoli in the top-flight, on the last occasion these two sides faced each other, last February (3-1).
• Four of the last six meetings at the Friuli between Udinese and Napoli have ended as draws.
• Udinese have notched up three wins and a draw in their last four fixtures at home.
• Napoli have won four of their last five league fixtures, only losing against Lazio in the process.
• Napoli have collected 14 points from their seven games on the road - Walter Mazzarri's side would be top of the Serie A table taking if only away matches were included.
• Ezequiel Lavezzi has netted four goals against Udinese so far, more than against any other Serie A team.

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Bundesliga Opta Stats - 27-28 November

Statistics and facts to help your football betting are available every week at Sta Sam Ti Reko courtesy of Opta Sportsdata, Europe's leading provider of sports performance statistics.

Mainz v Nürnberg

• FCN have lost their last four competitive games at Mainz. The last game they won there was the first BuLi game between the teams on December 11, 2004 (1-0).
• Only five goals have been scored in the last four competitive games between these clubs. The away team has not scored at all in any of these games.
• Mainz have lost their last three Bundesliga home games - while this has happened four times before in their history, this is the first time they have lost three consecutive home games without scoring one goal.
• For the first time this season, Nürnberg have lost two consecutive BL games. They lost four consecutive games not too long ago (MD30 through 33 in 2009/10).
• Dieter Hecking has won three of his four clashes with Mainz - his only draw against them did, however, get him fired from Hannover 96 after the second game of the last season.
• FCN have conceded at least two goals in each of their last four away games.

Bayern v Frankfurt

• Bayern have won five of the last six home games against Frankfurt (one draw).
• Eintracht's last win in Munich was a 2-1 win in November 2000, when Felix Magath was their manager. This remains their only away win over Bayern in the last 34 years.
• 14 of Frankfurt's 20 goals have come away from home - only Dortmund have managed more.
• Bayern are yet to win a league game immediately after playing the Champions League this season (three draws, one defeat). In three of these four games, they have failed to score.
• Frankfurt have won 10 points from their last four away games. The only one they failed to win was a 0-0 draw in Bremen.
• Bayern have won their last three home games, scoring 10 goals in the process. They have the best home record in the league (14 points).

Hamburger SV v VfB Stuttgart

• Hamburg have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions.
• HSV have picked up 10 points from their last four Bundesliga home games.
• Stuttgart are the only Bundesliga team without an away win.
• HSV have scored the most headed goals in the league (seven) while VfB have shipped the most headed goals (nine).
• Ciprian Marica has provided the assist for six of Stuttgart's last nine goals as well as scoring on of the remaining three.
• Hamburg have won more than 54% of their duels, making them the strongest Bundesliga team in this ranking.

1899 Hoffenheim v Bayer 04 Leverkusen

• Leverkusen have won all four of their Bundesliga matches against Hoffenheim.
• Two of Hoffenheim's three highest home defeats in the Bundesliga came against Leverkusen (0-3, 1-4).
• Hoffenheim have failed to score in their last two matches against Leverkusen.
• Bayer have picked up 10 points from their last three games.
• Leverkusen are unbeaten on the road and have won five of their six away games.
• Hoffenheim have converted a league-high 18.3% of their non-blocked shots into goals.

Hannover 96 v SC Freiburg

• Freiburg have never won a Bundesliga match in Hanover (one draw, two defeats).
• Last season, Hanover did the double over Freiburg (5-2, 2-1).
• Freiburg have scored in each of their last 17 Bundesliga games, equaling their club record.
• Freiburg have celebrated all of their victories this season by a one-goal margin (seven in the league, one in the cup).
• Hanover have won only 47% of their duels, Freiburg only 44%, making them the two worst teams in that ranking.
• Hanover have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 16 home matches.

1. FC Kaiserslautern v FC Schalke 04

• Schalke have won eight and lost just one of their last 11 league games against Kaiserslautern.
• FCK have won just one of their last five home games (two draws, two defeats).
• Schalke have lost just one of their last six games (two wins, three draws).
• FCK have scored three goals in each of their last two Bundesliga games.
• Schalke have conceded just three goals in total in their last five league games.
• FCK have already dropped a league-high 14 points from winning positions.

Borussia Dortmund v Borussia Mönchengladbach

• These clubs have a completely balanced record against each other, with each team winning 25 matches (26 draws).
• BVB have won four of the last five Bundesliga clashes with Gladbach; the other game ended in a draw. Mönchengladbach haven't won at Dortmund in over 12 years - the Fohlen won their last game at Dortmund on April 18, 1998 (2-1).
• With 34 points and a +23 goal difference after 13 matches, Dortmund have registered the best-ever Bundesliga performance by a team after the opening 13 games of a season.
• Gladbach have won only one of their last 11 Bundesliga matches (seven losses) and have been stuck in the relegation zone for five match days.
• The top division hasn't seen such ineffective defending since 1998/99, when Gladbach also conceded 36 goals. They finished 18th that season and were relegated.
• Michael Frontzeck hasn't won any of his seven Bundesliga matches against BVB (three draws, four losses). He was fired from Bielefeld after Arminia lost 6-0 at Dortmund in May 2009.

Werder Bremen v St.Pauli

• After seven Bundesliga trips to Bremen, St. Pauli have yet to return home victorious (two draws, five defeats).
• St. Pauli's lone Bundesliga victory over Werder came in their first BL clash on the 6th of August 1977 but was followed by nine straight defeats (four draws).
• Werder haven't won in the BL in four matches, St. Pauli in five - no other team has gone longer than two games without a win.
• Both teams have already failed to score in a league-high five games (same as Bayern and Hannover).
• With 13 goals scored, St. Pauli are the most goal-shy side in the top division.
• Werder have failed to score in three back-to-back BL matches for the first time since February/March 2003 and have conceded 10 goals in the process.

FC Köln v VfL Wolfsburg

• The FC have only won three of their last 14 league games against Wolfsburg (four draws, seven defeats).
• But Cologne have won the last two competitive matches against the Wolves, beating the VfL 3-2 in their last meeting in the league and in the German Cup.
• Since they regained their top-flight status in 2008, Cologne have only won nine of their 40 BL home games (12 draws, 19 defeats) and have scored less than one goal per game on average in the RheinEnerige Stadium (39 goals).
• Wolves have only won one of their last seven BL games (three draws, three defeats). Additionally the VfL have already lost four away games this season. Last season they only suffered their fourth defeat on the road in April.
• 19 of Wolfsburg's 21 BL goals this season have been scored by Edin Dzeko (nine goals), Grafite (seven goals) and Diego (three goals).

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French Ligue 1 Opta Facts - 27-28 November

Statistics and facts to help your football betting are available every week at Sta Sam Ti Reko courtesy of Opta Sportsdata, Europe's leading provider of sports performance statistics.

Bordeaux v Lille

• Bordeaux have won just one of their last nine encounters against Lille in the top flight, losing five and drawing three.
• Lille have won their last three league games, currently the longest run.
• Lille have opened the scoring in nine matches, a record this season in Ligue 1.
• Lille top the table for the first time since 2006/07 (Match Day 2).
• Jean Tigana is unbeaten in his last seven league encounters against Lille as a manager (five wins and two draws).
• Lille are the most prolific attack this season in the league (24 goals).
• Moussa Sow has scored five goals in his six away starts this season in Ligue 1.

Brest v Lens

• Brest have failed to win any of their last three league games, their worst form this season (two defeats and one draw).
• Brest are the only unbeaten team at home this season in Ligue 1, conceding just two goals.
• Alex Dupont has lost just one of his 25 home matches as a manager in Ligue 1.
• Lens have failed to score more than one goal in any of their away games this season in the top flight.
• Lens have won just one of their six away games this season in Ligue 1.
• 79% of Brest goals have come after half-time break (11 out of 14).

Lorient v Rennes

• Rennes have won six of their last seven league meetings against Lorient (one draw).
• Lorient have a 0.58 points per game average against Rennes, lower than against any other opponent in the top flight.
• Lorient are unbeaten in their last four home games in Ligue 1, winning three and drawing one.
• All five goals netted by Lorient striker Lynel Kitambala this season in all competitions have come at the Moustoir stadium.
• Lorient have failed to score more than two goals in any of their last 22 league matches.
• Jires Kembo-Ekoko has scored a goal in each of the last three match days.

Monaco v Nice

• Monaco won both league meetings against Nice last season (3-1 away and 3-2 at home).
• The last five league meetings between these teams have produced five red cards.
• Monaco have failed to win any of their last five home matches in Ligue 1 (three draws and two defeats).
• Nice have failed to score in their last five away games in Ligue 1, their longest goalless streak on the road since 1995/96.
• Monaco have failed to score in five of their seven home games this season in Ligue 1.
• Adriano is the only player who has both scored for his team and the opposition this season in Ligue 1.

Nancy - St Etienne

• St Etienne have won their last two trips to the Marcel Picot stadium in Ligue 1.
• St Etienne are unbeaten in their last five Ligue 1 encounters against Nancy (three wins and two draws), keeping a clean sheet in the last three.
• St Etienne have failed to win any of their last six league fixtures (three draws and three defeats), their longest winless run this calendar year.
• The Marcel Picot stadium is the only Ligue 1 ground that has not witnessed a draw this season.
• Nancy have conceded the most second-half goals this season in Ligue 1 (17).
• Dimitri Payet (eight goals) has failed to score in his last 493 minutes of play in Ligue 1.

Valenciennes v Arles-Avignon

• Arles-Avignon have failed to score in any of their last three away games in Ligue 1, only Nice are currently on a longer run.
• Arles-Avignon have conceded 29 goals, no team had shipped as many at this stage of the competition since Strasbourg in 2000/01 (30).
• Valenciennes have lost just one of their last eight home games in the league.
• Arles-Avignon are one of two teams who have yet to win away from home this season in Ligue 1.
• Gregory Pujol has scored in his last two league appearances at home.

Marseille v Montpellier

• Montpellier have never managed to win at the Velodrome stadium in the top flight, losing on nine occasions and drawing six times.
• Marseille have scored in each of their last 16 league fixtures, currently the longest run in the top flight.
• Each Montpellier goal is worth on average 1.85 points, a record this season in Ligue 1.
• Montpellier have netted just four away goals, only two teams have scored fewer on the road.
• Montpellier have managed a league-high five wins by a one-goal margin this season, all by a 1-0 scoreline.

Auxerre v Toulouse

• Auxerre are unbeaten in their last three league meetings against Toulouse in Ligue 1, winning one and drawing two.
• Toulouse have failed to win any of their last eight trips to the Abbe-Deschamps stadium in Ligue 1 (six defeats and two draws).
• Toulouse have failed to score in their last three league matches, currently the longest run.
• Auxerre have scored a league-high 12 first-half goals this season.
• Auxerre are unbeaten in their last five league games (three wins and two draws), only Lyon currently enjoy a longer run without defeat.
• Toulouse have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last eight league matches, currently the longest run.

Caen v Sochaux

• Caen are unbeaten in their last four league encounters against Sochaux, winning three and drawing one.
• Francis Gillot has never managed to beat Caen as Ligue 1 manager (two draws and two defeats).
• Caen have lost their last four league matches, only Arles-Avignon have suffered a longer run of losses this season (eight).
• Youssef El Arabi has scored in five defeats, a record this season in Ligue 1.
• Sochaux have yet to win on the road this season in Ligue 1 (one draw and five defeats).
• 50% of Sochaux goals this season have been scored by the attacking duo formed by Ideye Brown (six goals) and Modibo Maiga (five).

Lyon v Paris SG

• PSG have won just one of their last 16 trips to the Gerland stadium in Ligue 1.
• These sides already met this season, in the last 16 of the League Cup, Paris won 2-1 at the Gerland stadium after extra-time.
• Paris SG opened the scoring in both league encounters against Lyon last season but failed to win these games (1-1 and 1-2).
• Lyon are unbeaten in their last seven league matches, winning five and drawing two, currently the longest run.
• Lisandro has scored four goals in his last four league appearances.
• Bafetimbi Gomis scored in both league games against Paris SG last season.

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24-11-2010 20:45 Valencia - Bursaspor

Never Smile At A Crocodile

Valencia are aiming to book their spot in the last 16 out of Group C by overcoming Turkish outfit Bursaspor, who have been the whipping boys of the pool in their first adventure amongst Europe’s elite sides.

Los Che, on the other hand, have their eyes set on a place in the knock-out stages and will still be involved in the competition come the spring assuming they pick up a draw at least at the Mestalla while Manchester United don’t lose to Rangers in a match played concurrently.

Judging by the manner in which Valencia bulldozed their way by Bursa in the group’s opening fixture, they should have little to worry about. Tino Costa started the rout with a strike of stunning quality, and his effort would be complimented by Aritz Aduriz just before the break. Pablo Hernandez tied the points up with the third before Roberto Soldado completed the scoring with more than 10 minutes remaining.

Life hasn’t always been so freewheeling for Unai Emery’s side. One win in six Primera Division matches has seen them drop to fifth in the standings, though there was evidence of an improvement at the weekend when they became just the second time in over eight months to avoid defeat away to Villarreal.

Defender Ricardo Costa certainly isn’t about to take this fixture for granted. “We have to win and give everything in order to be the better team,” he told the media. “If we do not score early, they might gain confidence. The Turkish team is good, even though they have failed to win or score. We must have respect but score early in order to stay in control of the game.”

After overcoming Rangers 3-0 in the last European match at home, Emery will be wanting more of the same from his side.

More Positive
 
Bursaspor’s first foray into the Champions League has proven to be something of a disaster. After four matches they only have the slightest chance of finishing even third, and to achieve that they will have to pick up a historic victory in Valencia. Ertugrul Saglam’s side have yet to earn a point or even score in the competition, having qualified via their historic league victory last season.

The Crocodiles’ poor form has been surprisingly reserved for Europe, as they are performing well in a competitive domestic league. An 11 match unbeaten streak was achieved at the start of the campaign, though that was ended a couple of weeks ago by Trabzonspor, who won 2-0 Bursa Ataturk Stadium. Still, they lie a commendable second, despite a profusion of draws steadying their rapid early season progress.

Champions League football has proven a massive test for a club who have previously only qualified for Europe twice before, the latest of which came in 1986-87. Valencia’s heavy win in Turkey has proven their nadir, but 1-0 losses against Rangers and Manchester United left them well out of the hunt before the Red Devils recorded a 3-0 success in Bursa, with all the goals arriving in the second half.

“I'm much more positive than before. We are getting better, and gathering experience by playing these world-class opponents,” upbeat coach Saglam told the media after the latest continental set-back. “We wanted to record a precious victory for our fans but they know the score. At 3-0 down they gave us a beautiful present by chanting for all of us.”

So Bursaspor will take their positive feelings to Spain and will continue their schooling against a side with significant ambitions.

TEAM NEWS

Valencia

David Navarro, Miguel and Jeremy Mathieu were all confirmed as absentees for the Wednesday game on Monday, while they were later joined by Mehmet Topal, Manuel Fernandes and Sofiane Feghouli. First choice goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez won’t be risked, but Juan Mata is set to play with a knee brace.

Bursaspor

Sercan Yildirim missed out at the weekend due to a calf problem, while Ali Tandogan is out until mid-December having previously fractured his skull.

Prediction

Valencia may have had their problems domestically and may not be in the kind of form that saw them blow Bursaspor away 4-0 earlier this season, but Unai Emery’s side still have plenty of class and should be good enough to overcome their opponents with a little to spare.

Valencia 3-1 Bursaspor

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24-11-2010 20:45 Schalke 04 - Olympique Lyonnais

Draw Confidence

Group B’s top two go head-to-head on Wednesday evening in a match that is of vital important to Schalke, while Olympique Lyonnais would doubtless settle for a point, which would leave them only needing to beat Hapoel Tel Aviv at home in a fortnight to secure top spot.

In hindsight, Matchday 4 is likely to be considered the pivotal evening in this pool. While OL were busy being mauled in Benfica (the 4-3 final score was flattering in the extreme to the French side),  die Koenigsblauen were wasting their chance to stake a real claim for top spot as they were held to a 0-0 draw against previously pointless Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Such is the top heavy nature of this group, even a victory over les Gones wouldn’t necessarily ensure Felix Magath’s side a place in the knock-out stages. Anything but a win, however, would leave the Germans in a very awkward position when travelling to Benfica in their final match.

It’s not been a simple campaign at all for the Gelsenkirchen outfit, who lie only one place outside the Bundesliga relegation spots. However, there will be plenty of confidence in the side after a terrific 4-0 victory over Werder Bremen at the weekend highlighted the potential that die Knappen possess in their ranks.

Worrying for OL, it was Champions League specialist Raul who most prominently flexed his muscles at the weekend, scoring a hat-trick, and with such a dangerous scorer in form, it would be foolhardy to write off Schalke’s challenge prematurely.

Mixed Messages
 
Olympique Lyonnais are a side who have come under a great deal of scrutiny in France, with the future of general manager Claude Puel apparently very short at one stage. After seven fixtures in Le Championnat, les Gones were sensationally second bottom, but not after 14 matches they are only two points from the summit.

Puel’s men have certainly been aided by the tight nature of the league and the inability of the big clubs to string a positive run of performances together after difficult summers, but there can be little doubt that OL are a side on the up.

On Sunday evening they produced a stirring second half display to shrug off the challenge of a Racing Club de Lens side themselves unbeaten. Lyon were poor in the first half but improved after the break with the introductions of Lisandro Lopez and Yoann Gourcuff, though it was Bafetimbi Gomis and Jean Makoun who were the chief protagonists during a 3-1 victory.

OL are now seven Ligue 1 matches unbeaten, though there are still clear deficiencies in the side. These were apparent in the first half at the weekend and for long periods of their defeat against Benfica three weeks ago. The Portuguese side picked huge holes in the Lyon back line and stormed to a 4-0 lead before losing their concentration and letting the Frenchmen close the gap to 4-3.

Not only does the late rally in Portugal mean the les Gones will finish above the Aguias if they earn just three more points, it shows the OL are a team of character and should not easily be written off. Equally, though, Lyon cannot forget their shortcomings against hungry opponents.

TEAM NEWS

Schalke

Schalke’s injury problems are clearing up, but perhaps not quick enough alter their unit for the midweek encounter. Junmin Hao, Tim Hoogland and Christian Pander are all back in training after various injuries, while Lukas Schmitz and Jermaine Jones have been given the all-clear.

Levan Kenia has been missing for over a year with an ankle issue.

Lyon

Both Ederson and Cesar Delgado have failed to turn out for the first XI since August, while Clement Grenier will be out for around a month because of a thigh problem.

Cris is expected to miss the game because of tendonitis and will be replaced by Dejan Lovren.

Prediction

Neither side is yet firing fully on all cylinders, but Schalke will certainly have received a boost by their fine weekend success. Lyon, on the other hand, are a side infused with great European experience and do tend to raise their game for the big occasion. If OL’s defence can stay tight, the French side could sneak a win, if it’s out of sync again, the Germans become favourites.

Schalke 04 1-1 O. Lyon

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