SPL Opta Facts 24-25 March 2012

Aberdeen v Inverness CT

None of the last 12 SPL meetings between the Dons and Caley Thistle have ended in draws (eight Aberdeen wins, four for Inverness).

Aberdeen have won four of their last six at home to Inverness in the top-flight.

The Dons are unbeaten in their last seven at home in the SPL, drawing five of these and keeping five clean sheets.

Aberdeen's last eight league matches have produced just eight goals in total.

Inverness are without a win in six in the SPL (D3 L3), their poorest run this season.

Inverness are the joint-lowest-scoring side in the first half of SPL games this season (10).

Dunfermline v St Mirren

There have been just four goals scored in the last five SPL meetings between Dunfermline and the Saints (two each).

The last two SPL games between the Pars and St Mirren at Dunfermline have ended goalless.

Dunfermline are unbeaten in their last four at home to St Mirren in all competitions.

The Pars are without a win in their last 15 at home in the SPL (including one game from 06/07).

Only two sides (Dundee United 17 up to November 2000, Hamilton 18 to April 2011) have ever gone longer without a win at home in the SPL than Dunfermline.

St Mirren have scored just one goal in their last seven league games combined.

The Buddies have won only one of their last 15 SPL games.

73% of St Mirren's league goals this season have come in the first half, the highest % in the SPL.

Hibernian v Dundee United

United have scored exactly three goals in their last three SPL meetings with Hibs.

Hibs have won only one of their last 12 league meetings with United (D4 L7) and just two of the last 18 (D9 L7).

Both sides have found the net in each of the last 11 SPL clashes between Hibs and Dundee United at Easter Road (43 goals total).

The Terrors are unbeaten on their last five league visits to Hibernian (D3 W2).

Jon Daly has scored five goals (including two braces) in United's last three league games against Hibernian.

Hibernian have failed to score in their last three league games at home, drawing two 0-0.

United are on a run of four straight league wins and are unbeaten in seven.

Kilmarnock v Motherwell

The last three league meetings between Killie and Motherwell have ended in a draw.

Killie are unbeaten in their last five in the SPL against the Steelmen (W2 D3).

Kilmarnock are the only non-Old Firm SPL side unbeaten against Motherwell this season (D2).

Motherwell have won six of their last eight league matches (D1 L1).

Kilmarnock have scored just five goals in their last nine league games combined, and never more than once in any of these.

Killie are without a win in their last four at home in the SPL (D2 L2).

Kilmarnock have dropped the most points after opening the scoring in the SPL this season (19).

St Johnstone v Hearts

St Johnstone have won their last two league games against Hearts.

The Saints are unbeaten in four in the SPL (W2 D2).

Just one of St Johnstone's last 18 SPL games at home has ended in a draw (W6 L11).

The Jambos have won back-to-back SPL matches: they have not won three in a row since January 2011.

Hearts' away games have seen just 24 goals in the SPL this season, seven fewer than any other side's.

Just 10% of the goals Hearts have conceded in the SPL this season have come from outside the box (3/29), the lowest proportion in the competition.

St Johnstone are the only team to boast a 100% record after opening the scoring in the SPL this season (11 wins).

Rangers v Celtic

Rangers have failed to score in four of their last five league meetings with Celtic.

The Bhoys have only won on one of their last six league visits to Ibrox (D1 L4).

However Celtic have won three of the last five SPL meetings with Rangers.

If Motherwell fail to win on Saturday, a win for Celtic would ensure them the SPL title.

Gary Hooper has scored four and assisted one of Celtic's nine SPL goals against Rangers since joining the club.

There has only been one red card in the last six league Old Firm derbies, although there have been seven in the last five cup meetings between the sides.

Rangers have lost three of their last four league matches: they have never before lost four of five in the SPL.

The Gers have lost back-to-back SPL games at home for only the third time: back in April 2001 they lost a third game against Celtic after losing two in a row.

Celtic are unbeaten in 21 league games (W18 D3).

The Bhoys have conceded only one goal in their last eight SPL matches on the road.

Rangers have scored the fewest goals from outside the box in the SPL this season (four) while Celtic have scored the most (16).

Celtic are one of only two teams yet to score from the penalty spot in the SPL this season (with Inverness).

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Championship Opta Facts – Mar 24 - 25

Barnsley v Peterborough

The last five clashes between these sides have seen a total of 22 goals scored, an average of 4.4 per game.

The Posh were 0-3 down in this season's reverse fixture at London Road, brought it back to 3-3 but then conceded and eventually lost 3-4.

The Tykes are without a goal in their last four games, the longest current goalless run in the division.

Peterborough's Tyrone Barnett has netted in each of his side's last three games.

Barnsley have gained just one point from losing positions this season, a league-low figure.

The Posh have conceded a league-high 52% of their goals against in the first half.

Burnley v West Ham

Both sides have scored in each of the last four clashes between Burnley and West Ham in all competitions, with 20 goals being scored across those four games in total.

The Hammers have only lost one of their last five trips to Turf Moor in all competitions, but that was their last visit in the 2009/10 Premier League season.

Jay Rodriguez has bagged eight of the Clarets' last 11 league goals.

Each of the Hammers' last four games have ended in a 1-1 scoreline.

On the road, West Ham have lost a joint-league-low two points from leading positions this season.

Burnley are without a win in their last six league games, their worst run of the season so far.

Coventry v Portsmouth

Only two of the 19 previous league meetings between Coventry and Portsmouth have been draws, with the Sky Blues winning 10 and losing seven.

There have been three penalties scored in the last two encounters between Coventry and Pompey.

The Sky Blues' last four games have all ended in draws.

Pompey have only found the net in two of their last eight games, although they did put four past Birmingham in their last game.

City have thrown away 15 points from leading positions at home this season, more than any other side on home soil.

Portsmouth have netted a league-high 74% of their goals after the break this season.

Derby v Crystal Palace

There has been a goal scored inside the opening 15 minutes in each of the last five clashes between Derby and Palace.

The Rams are unbeaten in five against the Eagles and have won their last two against them at Pride Park without conceding a goal.

72% of the goals the Eagles have conceded this season have come after the break, a league-high figure.

Derby have lost three of their last five home games.

Palace are unbeaten in 10 league games, drawing seven of those fixtures, their best run of form this season.

Derby have only scored a total of two goals in the last 15 minutes of their games, fewer than any other side.

Leicester v Hull

Robert Koren has scored in two of his last three appearances against the Foxes for Hull.

The Tigers are unbeaten in three trips to the Walkers Stadium and have only lost one of their last five at the home of the Foxes.

The Foxes' last four games have produced a total of 19 goals (for and against combined).

The Tigers have failed to score in five of their last eight games.

Leicester have lost just one of their last 10 home games.

Hull have bagged just three headed goals this season, fewer than any other side.

Middlesbrough v Bristol City

The last three clashes between 'Boro and the Robins have all been won by the away team.

The Robins have only won two of their last eight league meetings with Boro, losing four and drawing two.

'Boro have only netted a total of one goal in their last three games.

City have enjoyed just one win in their last 11 games, conceding two or more goals in nine of those games.

In his last three appearances for Middlesbrough (26 minutes of action in total), Bartholomew Ogbeche has bagged two goals, at a rate of one every 13 minutes.

City remain the division's lowest scorers, with just 32 goals so far.

Millwall v Leeds United

Millwall have won their last four home meetings with Leeds.

Excluding playoffs, none of the last 11 meetings between the Lions and the Whites have ended in draws.

The Lions' last eight games have produced a total of 30 goals, an average of 3.75 per game.

Leeds have kept clean sheets in each of their last three away league games.

The south Londoners have come from behind to win just one point from losing positions at home this season, the joint-lowest total on home soil.

Luciano Becchio has scored a goal in each of Leeds' last three games.

Nottingham Forest v Brighton

There have only been three goals scored in the last three meetings between Forest and Brighton combined.

Three of the last five clashes between the Tricky Trees and the Seagulls have seen one of the sides reduced to 10 men.

Garath McCleary has netted in every other one of his last nine games, bagging a total of eight in the process (with four coming last time out against Leeds).

Spanish winger Vicente has either scored or assisted each of the Seagulls' last five goals.

Forest have conceded a league-high 19 headed goals this season (33% of their total goals again, also a league-high).

Brighton have lost just one of their last 14 league games.

Reading v Blackpool

Reading are unbeaten in12 home league meetings with Blackpool, winning seven and drawing five; a run that stretches back to April 1980.

Blackpool have scored exactly once in 10 of their previous 17 away league games at Reading, but have never netted more than once at the home of the Royals.

The Royals have won nine and lost just one of their last 10 home games.

Kevin Phillips has bagged a total of four goals in his last two games for the Tangerines.

Ian Holloway's charges have come from behind to win a league-high 30 points from losing positions.

The Royals have lost just five points from leading positions this season, fewer than any other side in the Championship.

Southampton v Doncaster

Southampton have only won one of their last seven against Doncaster, losing four and drawing two.

All six goals scored in the three meetings between these sides since 1959 have come in the second-half.

Rickie Lambert has bagged a total of eight goals in the Saints' last six games (including two hat-tricks).

Donny have enjoyed just one win in their last 12 games.

Of the Saints' last four goals, two have been penalties and one has been an own-goal.

Rovers have conceded in each of their last nine league games, their worst defensive run this season.

Watford v Ipswich

Watford have won their last four against Ipswich and are unbeaten in 14 against them in all competitions.

The Tractor Boys have lost their last six in all competitions at Vicarage Road and are without a win there since September 2003.

The Hornets have lost just two of their last 13 games at Vicarage Road.

Ipswich have netted in 13 of their last 14 league games.

52% of Watford's goals have come in the first-half, a league-high proportion.

Ipswich have netted a league-high 18 headed goals this season.

Birmingham v Cardiff

Birmingham are unbeaten in 11 home meetings with Cardiff, and have only lost of their last 21.

Overall, the Bluebirds have only won two of their last 16 against the Blues, though one of those was this season's reverse fixture (1-0).

The Blues have won just one of their last six league games.

Three of Cardiff's last four goals have come from opposition own-goals.

The Bluebirds have thrown away a league-high 25 points from leading positions this season.

Chris Burke has provided 11 assists in the Championship this season, no player has more.

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24.03. (Sat) 15:30 Bayern Munchen - Hannover 96

Bongarts



PROBABLE LINEUPS

BAYERN MUNICH Neuer Lahm, Boateng, Badstuber, Alaba Luiz Gustavo, Kroos Robben, Muller, Ribery Gomez

HANNOVER Zieler Cherundolo, Eggimann, Haggui, Pander Stindl, Pinto, Rausch Schlaudraff Diouf, Abdellaoue

Jupp Heynckes looks set to use the same starting line-up that edged out Monchengladbach on penalties on Wednesday in the DFB-Pokal, with no injuries having been reported and Bastian Schweinsteiger still not 100 per cent fit. The midfielder appears prepared for a spectator's role as he recovers from an ankle problem, and will join the still-rehabilitating Breno and Daniel van Buyten in the stands.

Mirko Slomka will have a full squad available on Saturday, with the exception of long-term absentee Leon Andreasen. The trainer is expected to field a 4-3-1-2 formation, although his exact selection is somewhat uncertain. Either Christian Pander or the more defensive Christian Schulz will get the nod at left-back, while either Konstantin Rausch or Manuel Schmiedebach will feature in defensive midfield.

DID YOU KNOW

• Bayern Munich have lost two of their last three matches against Hannover - the other the Bavarians won.

• The German record champions have won all five of their home games in 2012, and have not dropped points at the Allianz Arena since November 19.

• Franck Ribery's 11 Bundesliga goals this season equals his best-ever tally for Bayern, set in 2007-08. With a goal he could set a new personal best.

• Hannover have scored just nine goals away form home this season. Only Kaiserslautern (eight) have a worse record.

• Mirko Slomka's side have, on the other hand, found the net eight times over the last two games, scoring four in each.
• When these teams last met, Jerome Boateng and Steven Cherundolo both saw red in what proved to be a feisty encounter.

Prediction

Hannover have a favourable record against Bayern as of late, but it would be foolish to bet against a side so dominant at home. It will not be easy for the hosts, but their individual class should be enough to see them earn three points.

Editor's Prediction

Bayern 2-0 Hannover 96

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24.03. (Sat) 13:45 Chelsea - Tottenham

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

Chelsea CechIvanovic, Terry, Luiz, Cole Ramires, Lampard, Essien, Sturridge, Drogba, Mata

Tottenham FriedelWalker, King, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto Van der Vaart, Modric, Parker, Bale Saha, Adebayor

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo is likely to make a number of changes from the side that lost 2-1 at Manchester City earlier in the week. Club captain John Terry looks all set to overcome a knock which he picked up against Napoli in the Champions League to take his place at the heart of the Blues defence, with Gary Cahill the most likely to make way.

Daniel Sturridge and Michael Essien could well start after failing to make the starting line-up at the Etihad. Upfront, Didier Drogba may well replace Fernando Torres despite the Spaniard showing signs some of his old form as the Blues look for a vital win against their rivals for a top-four spot.

As for Spurs, Harry Redknapp is unlikely to tinker too much from team which grabbed a dramatic 1-1 draw at home to Stoke.

The only changes could well be to replace Niko Kranjcar with Emmanuel Adebayor who looks set to return from injury, though Ledley King could be a doubt to start after coming off in the closing stages against Stoke with a facial injury. If he does miss out, either Ryan Nelsen or William Gallas will deputise.

This would mean moving Rafael van der Vaart to the right of midfield but would give Redknapp the striking power to really trouble the home side with Adebayor partnering Louis Saha upfront. Long-term injury absentees Michael Dawson and Tom Huddlestone again miss out.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Only four Chelsea players have managed to score five or more goals in the league so far this season Frank Lampard (pictured right, 10), Daniel Sturridge (9), Juan Mata (5) and Didier Drogba (5).

• Chelsea have struggled to go on an unbeaten run so far this season - their longest streak without losing is six.

• The reverse fixture earlier in the season at White Hart Lane finished in a 1-1 draw. Emmanuel Adebayor’s early strike was cancelled out by a Daniel Sturridge effort.

• The Blues have managed to get on the scoresheet in all of their 14 home matches in the league so far.

• Tottenham have never beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League - a run stretching back 19 matches.

• Brad Friedel and Benoit Assou-Ekotto have started all of the north London club’s games this season.

• Tottenham had only lost four out of their first 25 Premier League matches this season before their recent slump, which has seen them lose three of their last four games.

• Harry Redknapp’s side have failed to win any of their last five league games away from home - losing three and drawing two.

Prediction

Both teams need a positive result as they look to secure a lucrative Champions League spot. With Arsenal in blistering form of late the two teams may well be left battling it out for fourth spot. Chelsea have shown signs of improvement since Roberto Di Matteo took over the reins from Andre Villas-Boas, while Spurs have struggled to get a win following a brilliant opening half to the season. There are likely to be plenty of chances and it could finish in an entertaining and high-scoring score draw.

Editor's Prediction

Chelsea 2-2 Tottenham

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Premier League Opta Facts - March 24th - 26th

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea and Tottenham have both won two and drawn four of the last eight meetings between the two sides in the Premier League.
Chelsea have lost just one of their last eight Premier League home games.
The west Londoners have won 16 and lost none of their last 24 matches against Spurs at Stamford Bridge in all competitions.
Harry Redknapp has lost his last eight visits to Stamford Bridge as a Premier League boss.
Spurs have managed a total of just six shots on target at Stamford Bridge spread across their last four league visits.
Chelsea have dropped the joint-most points from winning positions in the Premier League this season (15).
Chelsea have only won four of their last 14 Premier League matches (W4 D6 L4).
Tottenham have won just two of their last nine Premier League games and taken just one point from the last 12 available.
Tottenham have netted 10 goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches this season, a divisional high.
Juan Mata has created a scoring chance every 24.4 minutes this season, more often than any other player.

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Aston Villa have earned eight points in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium, more than any other away team.
Villa have won two and lost just one of their five Premier League visits to the Emirates after going 12 without a win at Highbury and losing the last eight in a row.
The two sides have already met at the Emirates in the FA Cup this season, with the Gunners coming from two down at half-time to win 3-2.
Arsenal have won three penalties in the two games against Villa this season, all converted by Robin van Persie.
Arsenal have won six league games in a row for the first time since March 2010. They haven't won seven on the bounce since October 2007.
Villa have conceded a higher percentage of goals from set pieces in the Premier League (46%).
The Gunners have scored the lowest percentage of goals from set plays (12%).
Laurent Koscielny has made more last-man saving tackles than any other player in the Premier League this season.
Stylian Petrov has made more interceptions than any other player in the top division (96).
Since defeat against Arsenal just before Christmas, Villa have lost just three of their 11 Premier League games (W3 D5 L3).

Bolton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn have drawn 99 games away from home in Premier League history.
Bolton mustered just two shots on target in their 2-1 win over Blackburn at Ewood Park earlier this season.
Bolton have won just two of the last 10 Premier League meetings with Blackburn, but those two victories have come within the last three encounters.
Defeat to Bolton in the last match between the two at the Reebok signalled the end of Sam Allardyce's era at Blackburn and the appointment of Steve Kean.
Victory over QPR in their last league game ended a run of four consecutive defeats for Bolton.
Blackburn took just 10 points from their first 17 Premier League matches, but since Christmas they have taken 18 points from 12 games.
Junior Hoilett has scored three goals in his last two Premier League outings.
Bolton have failed to score in four of their last six Premier League games.
David Wheater is the only player in the Premier League to be red carded twice in the Premier League this season.
Bolton have the joint-most red cards in the Premier League this season (5).

Liverpool v Wigan Athletic

Liverpool have won none of the last four league meetings with Wigan, with the last three in a row ending as draws.
Wigan have won just one of their last 14 Premier League matches (W1 D7 L6).
The Latics have only scored eight goals in 13 Premier League meetings with Liverpool.
Only Wigan (8.4%) have a lower chance conversion rate than Liverpool (9.1%) in the Premier League this season.
Luis Suarez has won more penalties than any other player this season in the PL (4).
Gary Caldwell has conceded more penalties than any other Premier League player this season (4).
Only Wigan (7) and Wolves (5) have picked up fewer points than Liverpool (8) in 2012.
The Reds have lost four of their last five Premier League matches.
Only Man City have lost fewer Premier League home games than Liverpool (1), but the Reds have drawn the most home games this season (8).
32% of the goals Wigan have scored have come from outside the box, the highest proportion in the top flight.

Norwich City v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Norwich fired in nine shots on target at Molineux against Wolves, their joint-most in a single Premier League game this season.
There have been 17 goals netted in the last three league matches between Norwich and Wolves.
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has scored five goals in the last three league games between Norwich and Wolves.
Norwich have only won one of the last 12 league meetings with Wolves (W1 D5 L6).
Wolves have won just one of their last 15 Premier League games and taken just one point from the last 15 available.
The Black Country outfit have gone 26 Premier League games without a clean sheet and have shipped 19 goals in the last five league matches.
Norwich have taken just one point from the last 12 available in the Premier League.
The Canaries have scored a higher percentage of headed goals than any other Premier League side (36%).
Norwich have won fewer penalties (1) than any other team in the Premier League.
Grant Holt has committed more fouls than any other player in the Premier League this season (70).

Sunderland v Queens Park Rangers

Sunderland are unbeaten in their last nine league games against QPR, winning six.
The Black Cats have won just one of their last five Premier League games (W1 D1 L3).
Sunderland have won five and lost just one of seven Premier League games at the Stadium of Light under Martin O'Neill.
QPR have earned just two points from the last 24 available in the Premier League away from home.
50% of the goals QPR have netted have been scored in the first half, the highest proportion in the top division.
QPR have used 35 different players in the Premier League this season, more than any other team.
Adel Taarabt has had the most shots of any player this season who hasn't scored a Premier League goal (64).
QPR have won just two of their last 17 Premier League games (W2 D4 L6).
Lee Cattermole has the worst disciplinary record in the top flight with eight yellows and one red this season in the league.
QPR have picked up the joint-most red cards in the top flight this season (5).

Swansea City v Everton

Swansea have won the last three Premier League games in a row without conceding.
Swansea have lost just one of their last eight Premier League home games (W3 D4 L1).
Gylfi Sigurdsson has scored five goals in his last six Premier League appearances for the Swans, though he is yet to score at the Liberty Stadium.
Everton have committed more fouls than any other team in the Premier League (368).
Swansea have committed fewer fouls than any other team in the top flight (240).
68% of the goals Everton have scored have been netted in the second half of games, the highest proportion of any team in the Premier League this season.
Everton have had 16 different goalscorers this season, the joint-most in the Premier League along with Arsenal and Manchester United, but no Toffees player has scored more than three goals.
Royston Drenthe has won a foul every 25 minutes this season, a more regular rate than any other Premier League player.
Ashley Williams has blocked more opposition shots than any other player in the Premier League this season (35).
Everton have scored just 13 goals in their last 17 Premier League matches and only more than once in one of those games.

Stoke City v Manchester City

Stoke didn't manage a single shot on target in their visit to the Etihad Stadium just before Christmas.
City had 76% of possession against Stoke in their meeting earlier this season, second only in the whole Premier League to the 78% they enjoyed at home v Blackburn.
Man City have conceded a higher proportion of second half goals of any team in the top flight (81%).
The Potters have shipped a higher proportion of first half goals of any Premier League side this season (53%).
Stoke have fired in fewer shots on target than any other side in the top division (72: 31 fewer than any other side, Swansea 103).
Manchester City have mustered the joint-most shots on target in the Premier League this season (188).
Tony Pulis' side have scored a higher percentage of set piece goals than any other team in the top flight (60.7%, almost twice the league average of 31.4%).
Man City have won the last three games against Stoke in all competitions without conceding a goal.
The Citizens have not won in their last four trips to the Britannia Stadium in all competitions (W0 D2 L2).
The last goal Carlos Tevez scored for Manchester City was netted versus Stoke City; he netted two in the 3-0 win over the Potters at the Etihad Stadium last May.

West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United

Newcastle have picked up 999 points in the Premier League era.
Newcastle have given away more penalties than any other team in the Premier League (9).
There have been 35 goals scored in the last eight meetings in all competitions between West Brom and Newcastle and neither side has managed a clean sheet in that run.
West Brom have lost just one of their last five Premier League games (W3 D1 L1), while Newcastle have won just one of their last five (W1 D2 L2).
The Baggies have lost none of the last six games in all competitions against the Magpies (W3 D3 L0).
Newcastle have lost six of their last nine Premier League away games (W2 D1 L6).
Danny Simpson has cleared more shots off the line than any other Premier League player (6).
Demba Ba has scored four goals in two appearances against West Brom.
Peter Lovenkrands has scored in all four of his league appearances against West Brom, three in the Premier League and one in the Championship.
Some Tchoyi has scored four goals in two Premier League games against Newcastle, while Peter Odemwingie has netted three in two matches against the Tynesiders.

Manchester United v Fulham

Manchester United scored five goals from eight shots on target when they beat Fulham at Craven Cottage back in December.
Wayne Rooney has scored 16 goals in his last 16 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United.
Rooney has netted five goals in his last four appearances against Fulham at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have won nine penalties this season, more than any other team.
Man Utd have scored the joint-most headed goals (14) and nine different players have scored one for the 2010-11 champions this season.
Man Utd have won their last seven Premier League games at Old Trafford against Fulham, with the Londoners failing to score in their last four and their only goal in the previous match was an own goal by Rio Ferdinand.
Danny Murphy has scored more goals (5) against Manchester United than versus any other opponent apart from Newcastle (six).
Pavel Pogrebynak has scored five Premier League goals from five shots on target.
Only David Silva (12) has more goal assists than Antonio Valencia (11) in the top flight this season.
Martin Jol has never beaten Manchester United as a manager in the Premier League (D2 L5), losing his last five games against them.

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