Championship Opta Facts 10-11 September

Barnsley v Leicester

Leicester have won nine of the last 10 meetings between these sides, losing the other.
Andy King netted three goals in two games against the Tykes last term.
The Foxes have conceded more goals from set pieces (five) than any other side in the second tier this season.
Barnsley are the only team in the second tier to have lost a home game from a winning position this season.
The Tykes haven't lost three consecutive league games at Oakwell since August 2009.
The away side has scored at least two goals in each of the last six games in all competitions involving Leicester.

Blackpool v Ipswich

The last three meetings these sides have seen three red cards shown in total - all to Blackpool players.
Ipswich have only lost one of their last seven clashes with the Tangerines in all competitions.
Ipswich have already conceded 13 goals from open play this season, the most in the division.
The Blues have conceded four goals in the final 15 minutes of games this term, the most of all sides.
Blackpool have only kept one clean sheet in their last 23 home league games.
On the other hand, the Tangerines have only failed to net twice in their last 42 league games at Bloomfield Road.

Bristol City v Brighton

Bristol City have won each of the last three meetings between these sides (in all competitions), keeping a clean sheet on each occasion.
The last six meetings between the Robins and the Seagulls at Ashton Gate (in all competitions) have seen a total of just six goals scored, with at least one side keeping a clean sheet on each occasion.
Brighton have received more yellow cards than any other team in the division so far this term (13).
Bristol City have only won three of their last 12 league games.
The Robins have failed to score in three of their last five league games at Ashton Gate.
Brighton have won six and drawn one of their seven games in all competitions this term.

Burnley v Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough have only lost one of their last five meetings with Burnley, winning three of the last four.
All three goals ‘Boro scored against the Clarets last term came in the 79th minute or later.
Middlesbrough are one of two teams (along with Brighton) to have been in front in all five of their games this season.
‘Boro are the only Championship team to have a won a game from behind on the road this season.
The home team has found the net in each of the last 17 games involving Burnley in all competitions.
Charlie Austin has scored five goals in six games in all competitions this term.

Cardiff v Doncaster

Cardiff have scored three injury time goals in their last three meetings with Doncaster combined.
The Bluebirds have only lost one of their last nine meetings with Rovers, winning three of the last four.
Doncaster are the only Championship side yet to pick up a single point on the road this season.
Cardiff have scored in all seven games in all competitions this term, but have only kept one clean sheet.
The winning team has netted three goals in each of Cardiff's last four league games at the Cardiff City Stadium (including playoffs), but the Bluebirds have lost three times in that run.
Rovers have now gone 17 league games without tasting victory.

Leeds v Crystal Palace

The last five meetings between these sides (in all competitions) have all been won by the home team.
None of the last seven clashes between Leeds and Palace (in all competitions) at Elland Road have been draws, with the last time the teams shared the spoils coming back in April 1993.
Leeds have been shown three red cards already this season in the league, the most in the division.
There have been four red cards shown in total in the last four league games involving Leeds.
Palace ended a run of 18 away league games without a win in their last away game by beating Leeds' rivals Hull City 1-0 at the KC Stadium.
The Eagles have netted exactly one goal in six of their last seven away league games.

Peterborough v Hull

There have been 17 goals scored in the last four meetings between these sides combined.
Hull have only won once in the league at London Road since March 1963, but that victory came in their last trip there (3-2 in September 2004).
Grant McCann has attempted more shots than any other player in the division (20).
Peterborough have gained more points from losing positions (seven) than any other Championship side this season.
Hull have only won two of their last nine league games, with both victories ending 1-0.
Still, the Tigers have only lost two of their last 20 away league games.

Reading v Watford

Three of the last four clashes between these side, including both meetings last year, have ended 1-1.
Watford have only one of their last 10 trips to Reading in the league; a 2-0 Premier League victory in May 2007.
Reading have lost their last three consecutive league games for the first time since January 2010.
The Royals have only won one of their last five home league games.
Watford have now won just one of their last 14 league matches.
Away from home, the Hornets haven't won in the league since March 2011.

Southampton v Nott'm Forest

Forest won both the two previous meetings between these sides, and haven't lost to the Saints since April 1997.
Despite this, Forest have scored in each of their last 15 meetings with Southampton in all competitions.
Forest have conceded more goals from corners than any other team in the Championship this term (three).
Southampton have scored seven goals in the opening half hour of games this season, more than any second tier club.
Southampton have won six and lost one of seven fixtures in all competitions this term.
Forest have only mustered one win from their opening five league games under Steve McLaren.

West Ham v Portsmouth

The last 10 meetings between these sides have all been played in the Premier League.
The Hammers have only won one of their last five home meetings with Pompey, losing three and drawing one.
West Ham have scored four goals from corners in the league already this term, the most of all sides in the division.
Pompey and West Ham are two of just six sides yet to concede a headed goal this season in the Championship.
West Ham are yet to conceded a first half goal this season.
Portsmouth have managed just two goals in total in their last five games in all competitions.

Coventry v Derby

Both sides have found the net in 11 of the last 12 meetings between these sides.
The last five victories in this fixture have all been by the odd goal, with four of them finishing 2-1.
Seven of Derby's eight goals this season have come from set pieces.
Coventry have won none of their last 10 competitive fixtures in all competitions.
The Rams have won both their away games 1-0 this season.
Derby are the only team in the division yet to concede a goal on their travels this term.

Birmingham v Millwall

The last time these sides met in league competition was in the 2001/02 second tier playoff semi-finals. The sides draw 1-1 in the Second City before Birmingham triumphed 1-0 at the New Den to progress to the final.
Birmingham are unbeaten in eight clashes with Millwall, and haven't lost to the Lions in any competition since April 1996.
Despite having a game in hand on most teams in the division, Birmingham have already lost a league-high eight points from winning positions this season.
Millwall have only won one of their last seven league games.
The Lions have only managed two clean sheets from their last 12 away Championship fixtures.
Birmingham have only won one of their last 10 league games; a 1-0 home win over Midlands rivals Coventry in August.

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SPL Opta Facts - 10-11 September

Dundee United v Rangers

Nikica Jelavic has scored in Rangers' last three SPL games against United.
The Gers have scored at least twice in 14 of their last 15 league meetings with the Terrors.
Only Celtic (23) have beaten the Gers more often than Dundee United in the SPL (7).
However United are without a win in their last seven games at home to Rangers in the league, losing four of the last five.
The Terrors have bagged just one goal in their last five SPL matches at home to the Gers.
United have come from behind to draw in three of their six SPL matches this season.
Rangers have scored the most headed goals in the SPL this season (three).
United have shipped the most goals to shots from outside the area (five).
United are the top-scoring side from set pieces in the SPL this season (five).
However the Terrors have also conceded the most goals by this route (six).

Celtic v Motherwell

Celtic have won six of their last seven league meetings with the Steelmen.
Patrick McCourt has scored in Celtic's last two SPL games at home to Motherwell.
Motherwell have scored just six goals in 23 visits to Celtic Park in the SPL, only Hamilton (0.2) and Gretna (0) have averaged fewer there.
The Bhoys have conceded only one league goal in their last six at home to the Steelmen combined.
Celtic are the top-scoring side in the opening 15 minutes of SPL matches this season (four).
Motherwell are the top-scoring side from open play in SPL matches this season (seven goals).
Defeat in their last match at home ended a run of 11 straight league wins for Celtic at Parkhead.
Motherwell have kept four clean sheets in six league games this season.

Inverness CT v Hearts

Caley Thistle are without a win in their last eight SPL clashes with Hearts, losing six.
Inverness have won only one of their nine matches at home to the Jambos in the SPL.
Inverness have scored fewer goals per game at home to Hearts (0.56) than any other SPL side.
Four of Caley Thistle's six league goals this season have come in the final 15 minutes of games, making them top scorers in this period in the SPL.
Inverness have conceded first in five of their six league games this season.
Caley Thistle have conceded the most goals in the SPL this season (12).
Inverness have won five of their last eight league games at home.
The Jambos have kept a clean sheet in their last three league games.
Hearts have won none of their last 10 league matches on the road since February.

Kilmarnock v Dunfermline

Killie have never lost at home to Dunfermline in the SPL, winning eight and drawing six.
This includes a run of six wins in their last six against the Pars at Rugby Park.
Partick Thistle (four defeats) and Gretna (two draws) are the only other sides to have played at Kilmarnock in the SPL but never won.
Kilmarnock have scored 13 goals in their last four matches at home to Dunfermline in the top flight.
Killie are the top-scoring side from outside the box in the SPL this season (four goals).
Kilmarnock have picked up just one win from their last 13 league games, and just one of their last eight at home.
Both of Dunfermline's wins in the league this season have been on the road.

St Mirren v St Johnstone

The last two SPL meetings between the sides have ended goalless.
St Mirren have won only one of their 12 SPL clashes with St Johnstone.
The Buddies only have a lower win % against Celtic (5.3%) and Rangers (5.6%) than they do against St Johnstone (8.3%) in the SPL.
St Mirren have scored just one goal in their last five league matches at home combined.
St Johnstone are unbeaten in their last five league away games.
St Johnstone have kept a clean sheet in four consecutive SPL away matches, Hearts in March 2007 are the only non-Old Firm side to have not conceded a goal in five straight away matches in the competition.

Hibernian v Aberdeen

Only Rangers and Celtic have beaten Hibs more often in the SPL than Aberdeen (20 times).
Derek Riordan scored in both matches at home to Aberdeen in the league last season.
Hibs have won just one of their last five games against the Dons in the SPL.
Hibernian have only won two of their last 12 games at home to Aberdeen in the league.
Aberdeen are the lowest scoring side in the top flight this season with just two goals.
The Dons have failed to score in five of their six matches in the league so far this season.
Hibs have lost eight of their last nine SPL matches.
This includes defeats in each of their last four at home.
Hibs are on a run of seven matches without a win at home in the SPL: only once before have they gone eight without a victory (February 2002).
Away from home, Aberdeen have conceded 16 goals in their last eight SPL games, failing to keep a clean sheet in this run.
Aberdeen have failed to score in five of their last six league games.

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10.- 11.09. - Peto kolo Francuske "Ligue 1" tipuje Željko Čorlija

Ajačio – Valansjen 2
Pokušao bih sa malim iznenađenjem. Valansjen je na poslednjem mestu, ali ne igra loše, dok kod Ajačija nisam video ništa posebno. Gosti bi mogli do pobede.

DIŽON – LION 2
Dižon je sve, pa i mene, iznenadio plasmanom u sredinu tabele nakon uvodnih kola. Svi su očekivali da će biti na samom dnu. Lion je ipak prejak.

BORDO – EVIAN 1
U Bordou su neka previranja. Rukovodstvo čak optužuje igrače da se ne bore dovoljno i da bojkotuju. Ipak, ne verujem da domaći fudbaleri smeju da se brukaju.

MONPELJE – NICA 1
Monpelje je apsolutni favorit. Nica će pokušati sa defanzivnom postavkom, ali ne verujem da će odoleti napadima raspoloženih domaćina.

PSŽ – BREST 1
Jaki Pari Sen Žermen je kupio i Pastorea iz Palerma za rekordnu sumu u ovom prelaznom roku. Brest nema čemu da se nada.

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09.09. - 11.09. Bundesliga Preview - Round 5

Friday (20:30 CET)
Augsburg - Bayer Leverkusen

Saturday (15:30 CET)
Bayern Munich - Freiburg (click here to read full preview)
Dortmund - Hertha BSC (click here to read full preview)
Stuttgart - Hannover
Monchengladbach - Kaiserslautern
Mainz - Hoffenheim
Werder Bremen - Hamburg (18:30 CET)

Sunday
Koln - Nurnberg (15:30 CET) 
Wolfsburg - Schalke (17:30 CET)


 

  Augsburg - Bayer Leverkusen

• Friday's match is Leverkusen's last test before visiting Chelsea in the Champions League, which will be their first fixture in Europe's greatest competition since 2004.

• Augsburg are in the Bundesliga for the first time, having finished runners up in the second division last season

TEAM NEWS:
Augsburg
Paul Verhaegh, Torsten Oehrl, and Marcel de Jong are all sidelined with knee ailments, while Marcel Ndjeng will miss out on the action due to an ankle problem. Ex-2. Bundesliga top scorer Michael Thurk has made himself available as well, though he revealed earlier this week that he is no longer in Jos Luhukay's plans.
Leverkusen
Michal Kadlec is suspended following his red card against Dortmund, and is likely to be replaced by Gonzalo Castro at left-back, with Daniel Schwaab filling in on the right. Long-term absentees Rene Adler and Bastian Oczipka remain injured, and Fabian Giefer, Tranquillo Barnetta, and newcomer Michael Ortega are also sidelined with knocks.

Warm-up | Leverkusen prepare for Tuesday's clash with Chelsea as they visit Augsburg

 Stuttgart - Hannover

• Stuttgart have earned just four points in as many matches, but have the joint fourth-best defensive record in the Bundesliga, having conceded just three times.

• The last four fixtures between Stuttgart and Hannover have been won by the host team.

• Hannover are the only remaining undefeated team in the Bundesliga.

TEAM NEWS:

Stuttgart
Bruno Labbadia will have the majority of his first-choice starting line-up available, but nonetheless has a lengthy list of casualties. Johan Audel, Julian Schieber, Mahamadou Bah, Ermin Bikakcic, Matthieu Delpierre, Georg Niedermeier, and Patrick Bauer ar all either sidelined with injuries or in the midst of rehabilitation.
Hannover

Reserve goalkeeper Markus Miller has been allowed to leave the Stuttgart side as he recovers from mental exhaustion. Also unavailable for Mirko Slomka are long-term casualties Leon Andreasen and Carlitos, as well as newcomer Artur Sobiech.

Monchengladbach - Kaiserslautern

• Kaiserslautern's Kevin Trapp is currently the starting goalkeeper for Germany's U21 side; Gladbach No. 1 Marc-Andre Ter Stegen plies his trade for the U19s.

• After gaining promotion to the first tier in the spring of 2010, Kaiserslautern won both their fixtures against Gladbach.

  Mainz - Hoffenheim

• Mainz have been hit-or-miss at home since being promoted to the Bundesliga in 2009. Their record stands at 18 wins, 10 losses, and eight draws.

• Hoffe top scorer Sejad Salihovic has found the net three times this year, but will miss out on the action after sustaining a knee injury whilst on international duty.

Rivalry resumes | The famous Nordderby between Bremen and HSV kicks off late on Saturday

Werder Bremen - Hamburg

 

• Bremen have a slight lead over HSV in the Nordderby, having won 50 matches to their opponents' 48. The two have drawn in 41 matches as well.

• Werder's 6-0 rout of Hamburg in 2004 was the greatest margin of victory in the teams' rivalry, but HSV won the most recent fixture by a 4-0 margin.

TEAM NEWS:
Werder Bremen
After making a brief outing in a friendly match over last weekend, Tim Borowski has returned to the injured list for Bremen, and will join Denni Avdic, Sebastian Boenisch, Mikael Silvestre, and Onur Ayik among the absentees. Lukas Schmitz is expected to recover from a knock in time to play, but should he fail to fully recover, Aleksandar Ignjovski will deputise at left-back.
Hamburg
With his side having taken just one point from the first four Bundesliga matches of the season, Michael Oenning is expected to make many changes to his team, particularly in midfield. Jacopo Sala, Tolgay-Ali Arslan and Miroslav Stepanek are all back in training but not yet fit enough to play. Also absent on Saturday will be suspended newcomer Ivo Ilicevic, and injured duo Dennis Diekmeier and Heung-Min Son.

Koln - Nurnberg

• Koln have failed to finish in the top half of the Bundesliga since they placed fourth in 1992.

• The last four head-to-head matches have been split by the two teams, with Koln having a slight 5-4 advantage on aggregate.
  

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06.09. (Tue) Euro 2012 Qualifiers Group Preview

Group A

1700 CET: Azerbaijan – Kazakhstan

Azerbaijan’s hopes of making the tournament in Poland & Ukraine is hanging by the thinnest of threads. They cannot afford anything less than maximum points from their remaining Group A matches, but they are the only team in the group not to pick up all three points against Kazakhstan, going down 2-1 in June.

With their 2-1 defeat to Turkey on Friday, Kazakhstan have been eliminated from qualifying for Euro 2012. Pride appears to be their only remaining motivation, and a win on Tuesday will see them leapfrog Azerbaijan and belatedly rise from the foot of the table.

2030 CET: Austria – Turkey

With seven points from seven games, Tuesday’s game against Turkey is crucial for the joint host nation of Euro 2008. Quite simply, they cannot afford to lose, since defeat will put them too far behind on points to catch Turkey for the runners up spot.

Arda Turan’s last-gasp heroics in Turkey’s 2-1 win against Kazakhstan on Friday means that Guus Hiddink’s men can put one foot in the qualification playoffs with victory against Austria. A win will see them move four points clear of Belgium for second place in Group A with two games remaining.

Group B

2000 CET: Macedonia – Andorra

Tuesday’s encounter in the Phillip II Arena is essentially a dead rubber match given that both teams have no chance of making the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Macedonia will be hoping for a win to mathematically avoid finishing last in Group B, while Andorra will look to pick up their first points in qualifying.

2015 CET: Slovakia – Armenia

After surrendering first place in Group B to the Russians on Friday, Slovakia will be aiming to add to their 14 point haul so far. With Ireland also level on points in second place and Armenia themselves only three points behind, Vladimir Weiss will know that there can be no mistakes from his team.

Following their comfortable 3-0 victory over Group B whipping boys Andorra, Armenia are back in with a shout of progressing to the finals. If they defeat Slovakia and Ireland lose to group leaders Russia, Armenia will find themselves second in the group on goal difference with two games to go.

Group C

2030 CET: Serbia – Faroe Islands

Serbia sit third in Group C on 11 points, level with Slovenia but with a crucial game in hand. These two teams face each other in the final group game on October 11 that may end up deciding second place, so Vladimir Petrovic’s men will want to ensure that there are no slip ups until then.

The Faroe Island’s interest in Euro 2012 has already ended after their 1-0 loss to Italy on Friday. The tiny Scandinavian nation have collected only four points so far and have the second-worst defensive record among all teams in qualifying with 23 goals conceded. After falling to Serbia 3-0 at home one year ago, few will expect anything different this time around.

2030 CET: Estonia – Northern Ireland

With only two points separating second from fifth in Group C, every point is crucial in the remaining games. Estonia are still in the thick of the qualification race, sitting fourth with 10 points. Tuesday’s game against Northern Ireland is the first of two, with the return match coming one month later in Belfast.

Northern Ireland may occupy fifth place in the group with nine points, but they hold a game in hand, and a victory against Estonia will lift them above their opponents by two points. Nigel Worthington will be looking for his team to make the most of their double header against the Baltic nation, since their final qualifier is a tough trip to runaway Group C leaders Italy.

GROUP D

2015 CET: Bosnia – Belarus

In a reversal of Friday’s fixture Bosnia, who leapfrogged their opponents with a win in Minsk into second spot, will look to cement their place in Group D; ending Belarus’ hopes of qualifying for the finals next year.

Bosnia cannot guarantee qualification against Belarus, as Romania could still catch them, but a victory would leave the Golden Lilies needing two points from their final two matches against Luxembourg and France.

Belarus, meanwhile, can keep their dreams alive with a win on Tuesday which would see them reclaim second place in the group, but their fate will be out of their control as Bosnia have a game in hand; although that match is against the group leaders, France.

2030 CET: Romania - France

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GROUP E

1900 CET: Finland - Netherlands

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1945 CET: Moldova – Hungary

Moldova saw their feint hopes of qualifying for Euro 2012 extinguished on Friday because of their poor head-to-head record against Sweden, who currently occupy second spot in Group E.

The home side do, however, have a major part to play in who is to qualify along with the Netherlands – who can confirm their place in the finals on Tuesday. Should Moldova deny Hungary of victory then Sandor Egervari’s side will see their campaign come to end as they would not be able to catch the Dutch or Sweden.

A win for Hungary, who overcame the challenge of the Swedes with an injury time winner on Friday to make qualification a possibility, would put the pressure on Erik Hamren’s side; who would need to win two of their remaining three matches to be certain of qualifying.

2030 CET: San Marino – Sweden

San Marino’s disappointing qualifying campaign turned to an abysmal one on Friday night when they were thrashed 11-0 by the Dutch; with Arsenal’s Robin van Persie scoring four of the goals.

Europe’s 'whipping boys' have failed to pick up a single point during the campaign, conceding 44 goals and scoring none along the way, prompting many to question their participation in the qualifiers.

Sweden have a major chance of finishing as runner-up in the group. Whilst a win would prevent the Netherlands from joining Germany, who have qualified already, in the finals next year, there is still a match against the group leaders to come for the Swedes.

Erik Hamren’s side need two wins from their remaining three matches to secure second spot after Friday’s loss to Hungary kept Sandor Egervari’s side with a slim chance of ousting the Swedes as runners-up.

GROUP F

2000 CET: Croatia – Israel

Victory for Croatia would see them secure one of the top two spots in Group F along with Greece, ending Israel’s hopes of qualifying for Euro 2012.

Slaven Bilic’s side would then face the Greeks in Athens on October 7 in a match that would determine who would top the group and automatically qualify for the finals next year.

Greece’s win over Israel on Friday all but ended their hopes of qualifying as group winners but a victory, of two or more goals, against Croatia would reignite their chances of finishing as runners-up to the Greeks in place of Croatia. Slaven Bilic’s side, however, would still have a game in hand to wrestle second place back from Israel.

2030 CET: Latvia – Greece

Latvia can still, mathematically, qualify for Poland & Ukraine via the play-offs but they must win all their remaining games including a result against Croatia that betters the 3-0 scoreline that Slaven Bilic’s side inflicted on the Latvians, whilst Croatia must lose all of their matches still to come.

The Greeks, who currently top Group F, could improve their chances of qualifying as group winners with a win in Latvia which would remove the threat of Israel. The Euro 2004 champions would then have the chance to secure a place in the finals next year with a win over Croatia on October 7, no matter what happens in the other matches in the group.

Should Greece fail to win on Tuesday both Croatia and Israel could top the group; with the tie against Slaven Bilic’s side vital to either teams’ hopes of automatically qualifying for Euro 2012.

2030 CET: Malta – Georgia (2030 CET)

Malta have failed to qualify for the Euro finals for the 11th consecutive time; continuing their tradition of finishing bottom of the groups in the process.

The Mediterranean islanders had managed to reach double figures in goals scored for their 2004 qualifying campaign, but Michael Mifsud’s strike was their third in the competition.

Georgia, too, can no longer qualify for Poland & Ukraine, after losing their unbeaten home record against Latvia in a 1-0 defeat on Friday leaving the Georgians six points behind Croatia with a poorer head-to-head record.

GROUP G

2045 CET England - Wales

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GROUP H

2015 CET: Denmark – Norway

Following victories for both Norway and Portugal on Friday the Danes will see this as a must win if they are to have any chance of qualifying from Group H.

Denmark are three points off top spot, and after these two shared a 1-1 draw in Oslo, whoever manages to take all three points on Tuesday would become a favourite to finish as one of the top two.

With Portugal expected to beat Iceland on October 7, Denmark would need to win against both Norway and the Portuguese to finish as group winners; whilst also overturning a 3-1 defeat that they suffered earlier in the campaign against Paulo Bento’s side.

For Norway to automatically qualify from the group they must beat Denmark, before needing Morten Olsen’s men to beat Portugal in the final round of matches. Norway’s results against Portugal – both 1-0 wins to the home side - means that goal difference would be used to determine who the group winners; as it stands Portugal would automatically qualify for the finals.

2045 CET: Iceland – Cyprus

Neither Iceland nor Cyprus can qualify for the finals in Poland & Ukraine next year as between them they have managed to amass a total of three points

Cyprus contribute two of those points, after drawing against Iceland in the reverse fixture the islanders also participated in a thrilling 4-4 draw against current group leaders, Portugal.

A win for either team would be the first time that they have managed to pick up maximum points in the campaign with both looking to avoid the embarrassment of finishing rock bottom of the group.

GROUP I

2100 CET: Scotland – Lithuania

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2200 CET: Spain – Liechtenstein

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