Serie A Round 4 - Preview

Tuesday SEPTEMBER 20	KO	Wednesday SEPTEMBER 21	KO
Novara - Inter	2045	Palermo - Cagliari	2045
		AC Milan - Udinese	2045
		Lecce - Atalanta	2045
		Juventus - Bologna	2045
		Genoa - Catania	2045
		Fiorentina - Parma	2045
		Chievo - Napoli	2045
		Cesena - Lazio	2045
		Thursday SEPTEMBER 22	KO
all times in CET		Roma - Siena	2045

Novara

vs

Inter

Tuesday's encounter in Piedmont sees both sides still on the lookout for their first victories of the new campaign. The pressure remains firmly with the visitors' coach Gian Piero Gasperini, whose tactical uncertainty has affected Inter's start to the new season. However, opposing tactician Atilio Tesser will also be scrutinised, as he seeks an elusive Serie A win at the 14th attempt. A full preview of this fixture can be found here.

 

Palermo

vs

Cagliari

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Tzorvas, Pisano, Silvestre, Migliaccio, Balzaretti Ilicic, Barreto, Della Rocca, Zahavi Hernandez, Miccoli		Agazzi  Pisano, Canini, Astori, Agostini  Biondini, Conti, Nainggolan Cossu  Nene, Thiago Ribeiro
TEAM NEWS
Edgar Alvarez is ruled out, but Mauro Cetto and Luca Di Matteo could feature. Palermo are unbeaten against Cagliari in four matches The Sicilians have not shared the spoils in their last eight Serie A games		Sebastian Eriksson will remain out until February/March, whilst Mostafa El Kabir is doubtful. Cagliari have won their first two games for the first time since the 1970-71 campaign. The Sardinians have failed to score in only one of their past seven away matches in Serie A.

AC Milan

vs

Udinese

The Serie A champions are yet to taste victory this season in the league and will want to bag the three points on Wednesday night in order to prevent themselves from falling further behind so early in the campaign. However, their predicament is in stark contrast to Udinese, who will be fired up from the offset with a 100 per cent record to maintain. A full preview of this fixture can be found here.

Lecce

vs

Atalanta

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Julio Sergio Cuadrado, Tomovic, Esposito, Mesbah Piatti, Obodo Giacomazzi, Grossmuller, Di Michele Pasquato		Consigli Masiello, Capelli, Manfredini, Peluso Schelotto, Cigarini, Padoin, Bonaventura Moralez Denis
TEAM NEWS
Moris Carrozzieri and Ruben Oliveira are injured and cannot take part. They have recorded three draws in four of the most recent meetings with Atalanta Atalanta are one of only two teams Lecce have netted five goals against in Serie A, along with Lazio.		Stefano Lucchini and Leonardo Pettinari are both doubts, and Ferreira Pinto and Nadir Minotti are both out. Atalanta have already collected eight yellow cards after just two games, more than any other Serie A side. Atalanta have scored twice in five of their last seven Serie A clashes with Lecce.

 

Juventus

vs

Bologna

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Buffon L'steiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie Krasic, Vidal, Pirlo, Pepe Vucinic, Matri		Gillet Pulzetti, Portanova, Antonsson, Morleo Perez, Mudingayi, Kone Diamanti, Ramirez Di Vaio
TEAM NEWS
Vincenzo Iaquinta remains the only main injury doubt for the Old Lady. Prior to their 2-0 loss in February, Juventus were unbeaten against Bologna in 18 Serie A matches. Juventus will be looking to maintain a 100 per cent start, which includes wins over Parma and Siena.		Henry Gimenez, Andrea Raggi, Simone Loria, Gianluca Cherubin and Saphir Taider all continue to nurse injuries. Bologna have not won a league game in 11 attempts, while scoring just once in nine. Marco Di Vaio has not scored a goal in his last nine Serie A matches; his last coming in April against Brescia.

 

Genoa

vs

Catania

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Frey Mesto, Dainelli, Kaladze, Antonelli Seymour, Kucka, Veloso, Jorquera Palacio, Pratto		Andujar Potenza, Bellusci, Spolli, Alvarez Delvecchio, Biagianti, Ricchiuti Gomez, Maxi Lopez, Catellani
TEAM NEWS
Giandomenico Mesto, Alexander Merkel and Ze Eduardo are still a week away from returning to the fold, and Cesare Bovo is doubtful. In the last four Serie A meetings between these two sides, Genoa have always won. The Grifoni are unbeaten in five home league matches.		Nicola Legrottaglie, Cristian Llama, Mariano Izco and Sergio Almiron are all out of contention with injury. Catania have lost just one of their last seven Serie A games. Away from home, the Sicilians won just once last season: a 2-1 victory over Brescia in May.

Fiorentina

vs

Parma

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Boruc Cassani, Gamberini, Natali, Pasqual Behrami, Kharja, Vargas Cerci, Santiago Silva, Jovetic		Mirante Zaccardo, Paletta, Lucarelli, Rubin Valiani, Morrone, Galloppa, Modesto Floccari, Pelle
TEAM NEWS
Striker Alberto Gilardino faces up to six weeks out with a knee injury, whilst Per Kroldrup still has a further month before his comeback. Andrea Lazzari is also a doubt. Fiorentina have lost just one of their past six league meetings with Parma However, they have won only once in eight games without Alberto Gilardino in attack, since his arrival in 2008.		Goncalo Brandao is out of contention, while Sebastian Giovinco is suspended after picking up a red card last week. Parma have lost only once in their last eight Serie A fixtures. Hernan Crespo has scored eight goals against Fiorentina; his fourth highest tally in Italy.

 

Chievo

vs

Napoli

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Sorrentino Sardo, Andreolli, Cesar, Jokic Bradley, L.Rigoni, Hetemaj Cruzado Paloschi, Moscardelli		De Sanctis Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica Zuniga, Inler, Gargano, Dossena Hamsik, Pandev Cavani
TEAM NEWS
Sergio Pellissier and Luciano are both confirmed absentees, as Francesco Acerbi is a doubt. Chievo have won only one of their past five league games They have also won two of their past three meetings at the Bentegodi.		Miguel Britos remains sidelined for five more months, while Marco Donadel is ruled out for the encounter. The last time Napoli won their two opening games of a Serie A campaign they won the Scudetto in 1990. Walter Mazzarri is unbeaten in seven matches againbst Domenico Di Carlo, with six wins.

 

Cesena

vs

Lazio

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Ravaglia Ceccarelli, Von Bergen, Rossi, Lauro Parolo, Colucci, Candreva Eder, Mutu, Martinez		Marchetti Konko, Diakite, Dias, Lulic Matuzalem, Brocchi Sculli, Hernanes, Cisse Klose
TEAM NEWS
Vincenzo Rennella and Francesco Antonioli are long-term absentees with injury. Cesena are on a run of three consecutive defeats in Serie A Marco Giampaolo has won just one of his seven meetings with Lazio.		Stefano Mauri and Giuseppe Biava are ruled out of contention, while Stefan Radu faces a longer stay on the sidelines. Lazio have conceded two goals in each of their last five Serie A fixtures (two wins, two defeats and a draw). Edy Reja's side were unbeaten in 16 meetings with Cesena before last season.

 

Roma

vs

Siena

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Lobont Rosi, Kjaer, Burdisso, Jose Angel Gago, De Rossi, Pjanic Borriello, Totti, Bojan		Brkic Vitiello, Rossettini, Terzi, Del Grosso Mannini, Bolzoni, D'Agostino, Brienza Calaio, Larrondo
TEAM NEWS
Cicinho and Juan both remain injured for the forseeable future, but the length of Maarten Stekelenburg's lay-off is still uncertain, but Jose Angel returns from suspension. Roma have won their last four home meetings with Siena in Serie A, conceding just a solitary goal. However, they have experienced victory just once in their last five league matches.		Reginaldo is still a week away from making a comeback, while Gabrielle Angella has another two months on the sidelines. Siena, along with Bologna, are the only sides yet to score in Serie A this season, but have conceded just once so far, against Juventus last weekend. The Tuscans have won just four of their past 14 meetings in Serie A.

 

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La Liga Round 4 - Preview

Tuesday SEPTEMBER 20	KO	Wednesday SEPTEMBER 21	KO
Osasuna - Sevilla	2000	Atletico Madrid - Sporting Gijon	2000
Real Sociedad - Granada	2000	Malaga - Athletic Bilbao	2000
Villarreal - Mallorca	2200	Racing Santander - Real Madrid	2000
		Rayo Vallecano - Levante	2000
		Valencia - Barcelona	2200
		Thursday SEPTEMBER 22	KO
		Espanyol - Getafe	2000
all kick-offs in CET		Betis - Zaragoza	2200

Osasuna

vs

Sevilla

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
FernandezRaitala, Roversio, Flano, Bertran Lama, Punal, Raul Garcia Cejudo, Sola, Nino		Varas Caceres, Escude, Alexis, Navarro Trochowski, Medel Navas, Rakitic, Perotti Negredo
KEY FACTS
Osasuna's 8-0 defeat to Barcelona on Saturday was their worst ever result against the Catalan club Coach Jose Luis Mendilibar claimed after the game that his side were already looking ahead to this match by half-time, when they were 5-0 down at Camp Nou Iranian midfielder Javad Nekounam could return from injury		Sevilla are currently fourth in the table, having picked up two wins and a draw in their first three games Frederic Kanoute, who scored the winner against Real Sociedad at the weekend, also celebrated his 100th Primera Division win Sevilla failed to land Giovani dos Santos in the summer, but could return for the Mexican in January

Real Sociedad

vs

Granada

DID YOU KNOW?
Bravo C. Martinez, I. Martinez, Demidov, Bella Illarramendi, Mariga Prieto, Zurutuza, Vela Agirretxe		Roberto Nyom, Diakhate, Mainz, Siqueira Abel, Yebda Jara, Carlos Martins, Dani Benitez Uche
KEY FACTS
Strikers Joseba Llorente and Carlos Vela return for Real Sociedad, but Xabi Prieto and David Zurutuza miss out through injury This is Real Sociedad's second season back in the top flight Young striker Imanol Agirretxe, who barely featured last term, has scored three of his side's four goals this season		Founded in 1931, Granada had spent 16 seasons in Spain's top flight prior to this one, including an eight-year stay between 1968 and 1976 Granada were promoted via the new play-off system last season, having finished in fifth place Granada beat Villarreal at the weekend with a goal from Uche, who is on loan from the Yellow Submarine

Villarreal

vs

Mallorca

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Cesar Zapata, Gonzalo, Musacchio, Joan Oriol Marchena, Bruno Camunas, Borja Valero, Cani Rossi		Aouate Zuiverloon, Chico, Ramis Caceres Victor, Pina Alfaro, Tejera, Nsue Tomer Hemed
KEY FACTS
Villarreal have finished in the top seven in each of the last seven seasons The Yellow Submarine have just one point from three games so far this term, however. Goalkeeper Diego Lopez said: "We have the ability to turn things around in the the next few games."		Mallorca began the season by beating Espanyol, but have since lost to Betis and Malaga All of those three league games have been decided by a single goal, with Mallorca scoring only once this term Coach Michael Laudrup is reported to be under threat, particularly if his side lose this match

Atletico Madrid

vs

Sporting Gijon

KEY FACTS
Courtois Silvio, Miranda, Dominguez, Luis Gabi, Tiago Reyes, Diego, Turan Falcao		Fernandez Lora, Botis, Soto, Canella Eguren, Alvarez Trojo, Castro, De Las Cuevas Barral
TEAM NEWS
Colombian striker Radamel Falcao was the league's most expensive summer signing, arriving from Porto at a cost of €40 million Falcao opened his Atletico account with a goal in the Europa League against Celtic and added a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Racing Santander In total, the club brought in 10 new players over the summer		Sporting are the only team in La Liga not to have picked up a single point so far this season Forward Nacho Novo picked up a knock in the weekend defeat at home to Valencia and is doubtful Sporting are in their fourth season back in the top flight in Spain, having spent the previous 10 campaigns in the Segunda Division

Malaga

vs

Athletic Bilbao

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Willy Gamez, Demichelis, Mathijsen, Eliseu Toulalan, Duda Cazorla, Joaquin Van Nistelrooy, Baptista		Iraizoz Iraola, Amorebieta, Ekiza, Marcos Gurpegi, Iturraspe Muniain, Martinez, Susaeta Llorente
KEY FACTS
Malaga have won two out of three of their opening games and move into the top six after the weekend win at Mallorca Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is still looking for his first goal after returning to Spain in the summer Malaga's first and only home game so far this term was a resounding 4-0 victory over Granada		Athletic Bilbao have picked up just one point from their three games, despite the arrival of respected coach Marcelo Bielsa in the summer Striker Fernando Llorente will play his 250th competitive game for Athletic against Malaga Llorente, a World Cup winner with Spain last summer, has scored 85 goals for the Basque outfit

Racing Santander

vs

Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho's side will look to return to winning ways in this match after Sunday's disappointing 1-0 defeat at Levante, in which midfielder Sami Khedira was sent off. A full preview of this fixture can be found here

Rayo Vallecano

vs

Levante

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Gimenez Tito, Arribas, Figueras, Casado Fuego, Movilla, Trashorras, Michu, Botelho Piti		Munua Javi Venta, Ballesteros, Nano, Juanfran X. Torres, Iborra Valdo, Barkero, Juanlu Kone
KEY FACTS
Rayo Vallecano have scored just twice so far this season in their return to the top flight, but have let in just one and are unbeaten with five points from their three games Rayo's promotion means there are four Madrid-based sides in Spain's top flight for the first time ever. Atletico, Real and Getafe are the others Summer signing Koke is fit again and could return for this match		Levante have also picked up a win and two draws, having shocked Real Madrid with a 1-0 success at the Ciutat de Valencia on Sunday Those five points have seen the Valencia-based side climb to seventh, which represents the club's best-ever start to a season in the top flight Summer signing Carlos Aranda made an impressive cameo appearance in that match and could feature more prominently in this match

Valencia

vs

Barcelona

Pep Guardiola's Barcelona returned to form with a stunning 8-0 win at home to Osasuna on Saturday night, but face a tough test against the league leaders at Mestalla. A full preview of this fixture can be found here

Espanyol

vs

Getafe

PROBABLE LINE-UP
Alvarez Galan, Moreno, Forlin, Didac Romaric, Marquez, Baena, Thievy Alvaro, Sergio Garcia		Moya Torres, Lopo, Diaz, Masilela Pedro Leon, J. Rodriguez, Lacen, Sarabia Guiza, Miku
TEAM NEWS
Espanyol won their first home game, 2-1 over Athletic Bilbao, but have lost their other two matches Midfielder Joan Verdu misses out through injury, while full-back Javi Lopez is suspended Espanyol's 2-1 defeat at Zaragoza at the weekend was made even more painful by the fact that both goals were scored by the Catalans' former player Luis Garcia		Getafe have picked up just one point from their first three matches this season and disappointly lost 1-0 at home to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday Coach Luis Garcia is unconcerned by his side's poor start. "He who laughs last, laughs louder," he said. Striker Adrian Colunga is unlikely to feature after storming off the bench and upsetting his coach in the loss to Rayo at the weekend

Betis

vs

Zaragoza

PROBABLE LINE-UP
Castro Chica, Amaya, Dorado, Perez Etxebarria, Iriney Vadillo, Sevilla, Montero Santa Cruz		Roberto Silva, Lanzaro, Meira Juarez, Pinter, Ponzio, Abraham Barrera, Lafita Postiga
TEAM NEWS
Betis have won their opening three matches and sit joint top of the Primera Division alongside Valencia Striker Ruben Castro, who scored the winners in his side's opening two games, could return after missing the win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday through injury With Betis second and Sevilla fourth, there are two teams from Seville in the top four at the moment		Zaragoza's 2-1 success at home to Espanyol at the weekend came thanks to a 91st-minute winner from Lui Garcia, who had missed a penatly moments earlier The Aragonese outfit has won just six of 42 games away to Betis Summer signing Helder Postiga has been unable to train ahead of this match, but looks set to feature in Andalucia

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21.09. (Wed) 22:00 Valencia - Barcelona

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Valencia (4-2-3-1): Guaita; Bruno, Ruiz, Rami, Jordi Alba; Banega, Albelda; Canales, Jonas, Pablo; Soldado

Roberto Soldado was a slight doubt for this match after hobbling off with a foot injury in Valencia's weekend win over Sporting Gijon. However, it looks like the joint-leading goalscorer of La Liga will recover in time to attempt to continue his impressive form. Unai Emery likes to rotate but he may play the same side to continue their momentum against the champions.

Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes; Dani Alves, Puyol, Mascherano, Abidal; Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas; Thiago, Messi, Villa

Gerard Pique has returned to full training after recovering from the calf injury suffered in the Spanish Super Cup. However, the defender will not be match fit and it is unlikely that Guardiola will risk him in his starting XI. Meanwhile, Andres Iniesta and Alexis Sanchez are still shelved with hamstring injuries.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Valencia's last victory over Barcelona came in 2008 when Juan Mata scored a brace to send his side on their way to a 3-2 victory.

• Along with Barcelona and Real Madrid, Valencia are one of only three Spanish clubs to have won five or more continental titles.

• In 1919, the first Valencia president was decided by a coin toss.

• Barcelona are unbeaten against Valencia in eight games in La Liga.

• A second half strike by Lionel Messi was the difference between the sides in the corresponding fixture last season.

• Barcelona's David Villa scored 108 goals in 166 games for this week's opponents, Valencia, before making the move to Camp Nou.

Prediction

Valencia have won three games out of three and find themselves at the top of La Liga. However they have not faced a side anywhere near the calibre of Pep Guardiola's team and will certainly have their work cut out. Barcelona are coming of a sublime win against Osasuna but it will take a phenomenal performance to replicate any result of that sort against the hosts as clashes at the Mestalla between the sides tend to be tight affairs. Valencia pose a potent attacking threat and can certainly cause the Barca defence problems but expect the champions to take their chances and just get the narrow victory.

Editor's Prediction

Valencia 1-2 Barcelona

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20.09. (Tue) 20:45 Novara - Inter

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Novara (4-3-1-2): Ujkani; Morganella, Lisuzzo, Paci, Gemiti; Giorgi, Porcari, Rigoni; Pinardi; Morimoto, Granoche

Novara coach Attilio Tesser will have to make do without striker Riccardo Meggiorini and defender Paolo Dallafiore for the match on Tuesday.

Inter (3-4-1-2): Julio Cesar; Lucio, Samuel, Ranocchia; Nagatomo, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Obi; Sneijder; Forlan, Milito

Inter coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be without the services of Maicon, Emiliano Viviano and Ivan Cordoba, who are all sidelined with knee injuries. Thiago Motta is still unavailable while Dejan Stankovic will miss the match as well. Cristian Chivu could make the bench after recovering from a bothersome ankle knock.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Novara will play their first home game of the season after picking up one point in two away encounters.
  

• Attilio Tesser is still looking for his first coaching win in Serie A after failing in his first 14 attempts.

• Novara finished third in Serie B last term and won promotion via a play-off.

• Novara have scored 10 goals in their last five fixtures at home.

• Inter netted a league-high 69 goals last season but couldn't find the net against Roma on Saturday.
  

• Gian Piero Gasperini's men had their 13-game Serie A winning streak at San Siro snapped following the 0-0 draw with Roma at the weekend.

• The Nerazzurri picked up eight wins in 19 games on the road in the 2010-11 campaign.

• Inter have conceded 11 goals in their last five matches away from home.

Prediction

Inter should finally hit their stride and take the pressure off their beleagured coach Gian Piero Gasperini with a comfortable win over the Serie A newcomers.

Editor's Prediction

Novara 0-2 Inter Milan

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