Europa League Opta Facts - 1st-2nd December

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.


Manchester City v Red Bull Salzburg

• Manchester City's only previous match against an Austrian side came earlier this season when they defeated Red Bull Salzburg 2-0 away.
• English sides are unbeaten in their last 15 games against Austrian opposition in Europe (excl. qualifiers).
• City's 3-1 defeat to Lech Poznan in their previous match in this competition ended a six game-unbeaten run in Europe.
• Salzburg are without a win in six European games (inc. qualifiers), drawing three and suffering three defeats.
• They have also not won in six away matches (inc. qualifiers) - again, three draws and three defeats.
• Red Bull Salzburg have only scored one goal in the Europa League group stages this season; a joint-competition low.

Steaua Bucharest v Liverpool

• The Reds defeated Steaua earlier this season at Anfield; 4-1, with David N'gog grabbing a brace.
• They last met in Bucharest in November 2003, in a UEFA Cup tie that ended 1-1.
• Steaua have not lost in three Group K games since their trip to Anfield, picking up a win and two draws.
• Six of Liverpool's seven group stage goals have been scored in the second half, with five of them coming after the 76th minute.
• Steaua's Eric Bicfalvi has committed a foul every 19.3 mins on average in the Europa League this season; the third worst rate.

Read More

30-11-2010 20:45 West Ham Utd. - Manchester Utd.

Memories Of Pompey

Hammers boss Avram Grant finds himself in an all too familiar situation, as West Ham are currently at the rock bottom of the table. This was the position that he found himself in at Portsmouth last season. And to his credit, Pompey went on a fantastic run in a domestic cup competition by reaching the final of the FA Cup.

Should the home side emerge victorious on the day, comparisons may be inevitable. But unlike the south coast outfit – that were relegated last season - the problems that the Israeli boss faces are more to do with troubles on the pitch than off it.

And with the recently 3-1 victory over Wigan Athletic, the east London club will likely look towards this game as a source to build on the confidence received from the win over the weekend.

If nothing else, this game provides the fans with a breath of fresh air, as opposed to the difficulties in the league that their players face week-in week-out.

But with Grant at the helm, the supporters may fancy their chances against their more illustrious visitors, who are currently defending their hold over the League Cup.

Flying High

Manchester United have been doing very well for themselves this season, and are the only team in the top-flight not to have lost a game so far.

And as we slowly approach the halfway point in the season, manager Sir Alex Ferguson will likely fancy some more silverware to add to the club’s brimming trophy cabinet. But he will know that his side will have to get past Grant’s men in order make their way into the semi-finals of the tournament.

But with some of his players having exerted themselves in the roaring 7-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers, a few could be left out in favour of youngsters of fringe players.

However, any side that Ferguson fields on the day will likely be able to match, if not better their opponents in terms of quality. But without home advantage - as United have drawn several away games in the league - Upton Park may prove to be a challenge nonetheless.

But all said and done, the boss will want to keep the undefeated momentum going for as long as possible. And the current game should prove to be another obstacle in the path to adding to the club’s long list of achievements in recent years.

TEAM NEWS

West Ham United

Avram Grant will be without long term casualties Manuel da Costa (ankle), Jack Collison (knee), Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh), Anthony Edgar and Peter Kurucz (both knee).

Scott Parker returned from a virus during the recent victory over Wigan Athletic, while Valon Behrami recovered from a thigh injury in time to play a part as well.

Possible starting XI: Stech; Spector, Gabbidon, Upson, Ilunga; Behrami, Kovac, Parker, Stanislas; Cole, McCarthy.

Manchester United

Paul Scholes remains a doubt due to a groin problem, while Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves (both hamstring) are still some way from fitness. Antonio Valencia (knee & ankle) is out until February.

Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans could slot in as centre-backs, as manager Sir Alex Ferguson could ring in the changes for this one.

Possible starting XI: Amos; Brown, Smalling, Evans, Evra; Nani, Anderson, Gibson, Giggs, Park; Rooney.

Prediction

West Ham may have been given a confidence boost over the weekend, but the undefeated visitors may be a little too much for them at this point in their recovery process.

West Ham 1-3 Man Utd.

Read More

29-11-2010 21:00 Barcelona - Real

Burning Desire

Even in the great history of El Clasico, this is a match anticipated like no other. Barcelona, still considered by many to be the greatest club side on the planet, pit themselves against Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, expensively assembled and the pretenders to Barca’s throne both domestically and in the eyes of the planet-wide public.

La Blaugrana have tried to step out of the whirlwind of publicity before Monday evening’s match, the timing of which has caused a great deal of controversy. Coach Pep Guardiola will certainly be happy with the talking his players have done on the field, with last weekend’s quite remarkable 8-0 victory over hapless Almeria a warning shot to their Castilian rivals.

Not taking their eye from the ball for a second, Barca produced a performance of almost equal power when they defeated Panathinaikos 3-0 in Athens on Champions League duty on Wednesday evening, serenely booking themselves a place in the last 16 with an utterly dominant performance.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s match, Xavi explained to the media: “In this game Barcelona are favourites. We play at home, we are in very good shape and we have a burning desire to win.”

These sentiments were echoed by Dani Alves, who stated: “Monday will be a tough match, a very intense match, so hopefully we can keep up our form because our opponent is motivated, but we know our own level and we will strive to meet our objective.”

Defeat would leave Barcelona trailing their great rivals by four points and heavily second favourites in the race for the Primera Division.

Great Potential

Barcelona may have been performing almost flawlessly of late, but so too have Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid. Fears that a flair-packed side could be reduced to a ruthlessly efficient unit have proven to be unfounded as los Blancos have out-scored every Primera Division side this term aside from Barca, whose 33 goals they are the equal of.

Just as one would expect from a side marshalled by the great Portuguese coach, they have proven to be immensely mentally resilient, holding out defensively when required but also showing an appetite to gamble and really make things happen on the rare occasions they have been in tricky positions. A Pedro Leon equaliser deep in stoppage time saved them from defeat in Milan and as yet Mourinho, who was once on the staff of Bobby Robson's Barca, is unbeaten in the Bernabeu hot-seat.

Mirroring their great Catalan adversaries, los Blancos have attained two terrific results over the course of the last week. A potential banana skin in the form of Athletic Bilbao was smashed clear with a very proficient 5-1 win at the Bernabeu, and then Ajax were hammered 4-0 in a match that will be best remembered for the controversial red cards of Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos.

Alonso, under scrutiny from UEFA because of the manner of his dismissal in the Netherlands, is nevertheless confident that his side have the tools to best Barca. “This team has great potential in attack, with great scoring ability. If we play well, and are strong in attack and defence, that is the recipe to win at the Camp Nou,” he explained to the media.

“This Barcelona team are very good, and are still very good. In recent years they have won many titles, and we will fight hard to beat us because it will be crucial. The two matches, both at the Camp Nou and the return will be very important.”

Mourinho’s presence will add extra spice to the affair as it was his tactical masterplan as Inter coach last season that thwarted Barcelona’s attempts to reclaim the Champions League. Relations between the Portuguese and Guardiola are frosty, so expect fireworks on and off the field.

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

Gabriel Milito is the only first team regular missing for Barca approaching Monday's big clash.

Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho has a few more concerns approaching the match, but Ricardo Carvalho, Sami Khedira and Gonzalo Higuain have all overcome problems to be named in the squad.

Kaka and Fernando Gago miss out because of injury.

Prediction

Jose Mourinho hasn’t suffered defeat as Real Madrid coach as yet, but Monday’s match is his greatest test to date. Both Barcelona and los Blancos are in magnificent form. It’s the Catalans who have been more impressive in recent weeks, but it’s Madrid who have been stronger overall. Opinions will vary widely, but Barca should be considered favourites to snatch the most anticipated match of the season to date.

Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid

Read More

28-11-2010 20:45 Palermo - Roma

Ambition Remains Intact

Ambitious Italian side Palermo continue to keep their dreams intact despite enduring a roller-coaster season that has seen them have spells of high and spells of dry. At the moment the Sicilians are in robust health as they are very much within touching distance of a European place.

Last weekend's narrow 2-1 defeat of Cesena on the road was Palermo's second in a row in the league and third in four matches and stationed them on 20 points from 13 matches, level with Italian and European champions Inter, who are sixth, and just three points behind fourth-placed Juventus.

Palermo's home form too has improved and they will be confident of giving it a go against in-form Roma at the Stadio Renzo Barbera. However, the Rosanero haven't fared very well against Serie A's big boys so far this campaign as they lost to Inter, Lazio and Milan but won against Juventus. Yet with Javier Pastore and Josip Ilicic in defiant form and Fabrizio Miccoli back from injury and scoring the goals, Delio Rossi's side will have all the confidence in the world to register a win on Sunday afternoon.

Living Life In Thrilling Style

Over the past four or five seasons Roma have been arguably the most entertaining Italian side to watch and on Tuesday evening they exhibited once again just why. 2-0 down to Bayern Munich at the Stadio Olimpico in the Champions League, Claudio Ranieri's scored thrice in the space of ? minutes to register arguably the best victory in Europe this season.

The win was their second in a row in Europe's premier club competition and also extended the Lupi's unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches. Last weekend Roma overcame Udinese 2-0 in Rome to rise up to fifth in the league with 22 points 13 matches, just a point off a Champions League place and seven behind league leaders Milan. Talks of a Scudetto challenge are beginning to become louder as Roma continue to play entertaining football and get the results too.

Winning against Palermo in Sicily on Sunday night, though, is not going to be very easy as Roma have a less than impressive record on the road in the league. The Giallorossi have won just once in six attempts away from Rome and have conceded a whooping ten goals.

TEAM NEWS

Palermo

Liverani, Hernandez, Pinilla and Darmian are injured and will miss the visit of Roma. Delio Rossi will deploy a 4-3-2-1 system that will have Miccoli as the lone striker upfront with Pastore and Ilicic as the two playmakers behind him.

Roma

Okaka, Taddei and Perrotta are out because of injuries while Burdisso is suspended. Ranieri's 4-3-1-2 formation will have Menez deployed as the playmaker behind Totti and Borriello.

Prediction

This promises to be a very entertaining game and one can expect a few goals. Both Palermo and Roma are committed to attacking football and are defensively susceptible. This is a tough one to call and it could well end in a draw.

Palermo 2-2 Roma

Read More

28-11-2010 17:30 Koln - Wolfsburg

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

It has been a rather difficult but eventful season for the supporters for FC Koeln, a club who continually attract gates of around 50,000 despite no top-half finish in the Bundesliga in almost twenty years. The club has lurched from one crisis to another with Lukas Podolski criticising the club's defensive style of play, Faryd Mondragon being sent home from the team hotel, coach Zvonimir Soldo being sacked and most recently a management crisis involving president Wolfgang Overath and general manager Michael Meier.

However, all that was forgotten when Koeln gave their best performance of the season last week to stun a resurgent Stuttgart and record a 1-0 victory in the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Caretaker coach Frank Schaefer was anxious to stress the recent positive development of his team.

"Of course it's going a bit better for us now after our win in Stuttgart. It's also true that we can only maximise the true worth of our win against Stuttgart if we are successful again this Sunday. If we succeed, then we will be able to make great strides forward," he told the pre-game press conference.

"For me it is important that the team are fully aware why they won in Stuttgart. The team can now understand that it is possible to play successful football, even when the team is going through a tough period."

Schaefer went on to explain what he saw against Stuttgart and what he expects once more against Wolfsburg - team unity, compactness on the field of play in defence as well as in attack and a high level of discipline. The latter will be particularly important given that Wolfsburg have what Schaefer describes as "the best strike-partnership in the Bundesliga.". And even if Grafite doesn't make it, don't bet on an easy ride for the Koeln defence.

How To Solve A Problem Like Diego

Wolfsburg had been expected by many to challenge at the very least for a Europa League place and most probably the top three given the significant sums of money with which Dieter Hoeness parted in the summer. Of the close season acquisitions, Diego was the most expensive and most high-profile. A proven performer in German football, the ideal replacement for and perhaps maybe an upgrade on, Zvjezdan Misimovic. He has perhaps not lived up to the hype but he has nevertheless contributed three goals and four assists in twelve games. However, his suspension will leave a gaping hole in the Wolfsburg line-up as they look to haul themselves up the table and emerge from a poor run of form. Last time out, they laboured to a 1-1 draw at home to relegation candidates St Pauli and only intermittently looked like a team playing to their potential. Coach Steve McClaren is as yet unsure how to alter his side in the absence of the Brazilian playmaker.

"On Sunday I will know exactly how the team will shape up. I will make a decision after I have seen the training session on Saturday, " he told the pre-match press conference.

There is feverish speculation that the Englishman will hand a debut to young 18-year old midfielder Tolga Cigerci, which McClaren played with a straight bat, offering a perfect example to England's under-pressure batsmen in the Ashes.

"I have come across many young prospects like Tolga in my coaching career. They were all of course capable of playing football but we only know how they will cope on the big stage of the Premier League or Bundesliga once they actually take to the field. Tolga has trained very well and is close to the team. We will give him a chance soon. We are not sure exactly yet when though."

McClaren then turned his attentions to his underperforming team and acknowledged that it will be no easy task to turn the season around but he remained nonetheless upbeat.

"It is important to have expectations and feel perssure but it is equally important to know how to win football matches. To do that, the performance is just as important as the result. There are no easy games here and everyone can beat everyone else. It becomes even more difficult away from home."

"If we do the right things then we can take a victory away from Koeln. It's a case of how we play because lately we have been conceding far too many goals. However, we will soon find a solution for it."

TEAM NEWS

FC Koeln

Die Geissboecke are without Martin Lanig who is suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card, the outcast Adil Chihi and Manasseh Ishiaku who is undergoing rehabilitation work. Adam Matuschyk is the most likely candidate to deputise for Lanig while Lukas Podolski should take up a more central role, freeing up a space on the left flank for Mato Jajalo.

Probable Starting XI: Mondragon - Brecko, Geromel, Mohamad, Ehret - Petit, Pezzoni - Matuschyk, Jajalo - Podolski, Novakovic

VfL Wolfsburg

Die Woelfe are still of course missing Arne Friedrich with Fabian Johnson and Ashkan Dejagah also joining the German international in the physio's room. Most crucially, stellar playmaker Diego is suspended after picking up five bookings and Thomas Kahlenberg will attempt to fill his shoes. Grafite is still doubtful with Mario Mandzukic on standby and young midfielder Tolga Cigerci could make his Bundesliga debut tomorrow.

Probable Starting XI: Benaglio - Pekarik, Kjaer, Barzagli, Schaefer - Josue, Riether, Cigerci - Kahlenberg - Dzeko, Grafite

Prediction

I expect Koeln to continue their improved form they showed in Stuttgart last week but Wolfsburg's individual quality, even without Diego, should earn them a point in the Rhein-Energie Arena.

FC Köln 1-1 VfL Wolfsburg

Read More

28-11-2010 17:00 Mallorca - Malaga

Confident

Mallorca may have been expected to flag after a difficult summer, but they are instead thriving in La Primera Division and find themselves eighth. On the other hand, hopes were high that Malaga could achieve a strong finish this term, but that doesn’t look at all likely after a dreadful start to the campaign. Having experienced contrasting seasons to date, the two sides face-off on Sunday.

This campaign has already had some highs for Michael Laudrup’s side, drawing against both Real Madrid and Barcelona, but arguably their best result to date was their 2-1 victory in Sevilla last weekend. Michael Pereira put els Barralets ahead at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, though the three points seemed to have been squandered when Luis Fabiano struck an 88th minute leveller. Pierre Webo was on hand to strike a dramatic late winner for the Islanders, however.

“We were convinced we could win, and we did. It was an important game and we responded, so we are happy and satisfied,” the Cameroonian frontman explained to Diario de Mallorca. “We did not lose our cool. We knew that we could build our strategy. We had patience and got a positive result.”

While the Balearic side have undoubtedly made strides with regards to their away form, they haven’t been quite as strong as they were last season at the Iberostar Estadio. Nevertheless, they’ve only slipped to one reverse in front of their home support this term and will be confident of earning another positive result on Sunday afternoon.

Cut Out The Errors

If former Real Madrid and Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini expected that he could step into the Malaga dugout and immediately change the fortunes of the Andalucian club he has been proven wrong. A 1-0 win at home against fellow strugglers Levante was certainly cause for optimism, but last weekend’s heavy loss away to Deportivo La Coruna was a stark reminder of the deficiencies of his squad.

Pellegrini will have been especially concerned at the state of his side’s defending from set-pieces following the loss at the Riazor. An early penalty was conceded for a needless tug in the box from a corner, and then the Galicians’ second goal, which arrived on the half hour mark, was a header into the net from an identical situation. Malaga have to get the basics right before they can start moving up the table.

“The defeat is just, but what was amazing was to lose 3-0,” Pellegrini lamented after the fixture. “For the first and the second goals there were big errors that unbalanced the game because until then we had chances.”

Travelling had appeared to be a strong suit of Malaga in the early weeks of the season under Jesualdo Ferreira, but after starting so positively on the road, the Boquerones’ poor form has seeped into this aspect of their play too. Presently on a run of three successive away day losses, the Andalucians make the weekend’s journey simply trying to break that run.

TEAM NEWS

Mallorca

Gonzalo ‘Chori’ Castro is doubtful due to an adductor injury. Sergi Enrich is absent because of a hamstring problem. He will miss around 10 days of action.

Tuni, Enrique Corrales and Marti are out.

Malaga

Patrick Mtiliga is los Boquerones freshest injury concern. He is toiling with a hamstring problem in his right leg and is rated as a doubt. Edinho has been suffering from gastroenteritis but should feature.

Apono faces three weeks on the sidelines with adductor problems, but there is some good news as Ruden Martinez and Jose Rondon have both returned to training.

Sandro Silva is suspended.

Prediction

Malaga certainly won’t get any worse under the charge of Manuel Pellegrini, but it’s a tough assignment to go to Mallorca and earn a positive result. Nevertheless, a draw’s not out of the question for the visitors due to the home side’s slightly more erratic performances at the Iberostar Estadio.

Mallorca 2-1 Malaga

Read More

28-11-2010 17:00 Tottenham Hotspur - Liverpool

Title Challengers?

Tottenham will be expected to showcase their title credentials following last week’s 3-2 derby day victory against Arsenal.

With the Premier League as unpredictable as ever, manager Harry Redknapp believes that Spurs have as good a chance as anybody to claim the ultimate prize, and given Chelsea and Manchester United’s far from convincing form of late, who could argue with him?

Up until last Saturday’s victory at the Emirates, their first win at Arsenal in 17 years, Spurs had notoriously failed to achieve a result against any of the traditional top four away from home, but the result against their North London neighbours is a perfect example of how Harry Redknapp’s team has progressed under his guidance.

The destruction of European Champions Inter at White Hart Lane in the Champions League, just two weeks prior to that derby day victory, pinpoints the fact that this Tottenham team have to be taken seriously as the season enters its crucial stage.

Road To Recovery

Liverpool have embarked on a small road to recovery in recent games following a dismal start to the season under Roy Hodgson.

The highlight of their campaign thus far was a recent victory over Chelsea at Anfield. However, they then dropped four points on their travels to Wigan and Stoke City, before a convincing victory over West Ham United at home provided three much needed points.

Consequently, they are now just six points off fourth place, and victory over Spurs could inspire the kind off run that is needed if the team are to live up to the expectations of their supporters, who have endured a torrid 18 months. The key, clearly, is to improve their hitherto tepid away form.

TEAM NEWS

Tottenham

Rafael van der Vaart is rated at 50-50 in his bid to regain match fitness in time to face Liverpool on Sunday afternoon. The Dutch international, who has arguably been the signing of the season so far since his £8 million switch from Real Madrid, did not play on Wednesday night as Spurs eased their way into the last 16 of the Champions League.

Fellow midfielder Jermaine Jenas is considered a major doubt for Harry Redknapp’s high flyers after limping off in the 3-0 victory over Werder Bremen.

Jermain Defoe is vying for a return to the team after impressing as a second half substitute in the remarkable comeback win against fierce rivals Arsenal at the Emirates.

Harry Redknapp also welcomes back Michael Dawson but is still without long term injury victims Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Jamie O’Hara.

Probable starting XI: Gomes; Hutton, Kaboul, Gallas, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Palacios, Modric, Bale; Defoe, Crouch.

Liverpool

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is contemplating whether to reinstate Joe Cole into his starting line-up. The former Chelsea man has missed the last five games for the gradually improving Reds.

Captain Steven Gerrard is still injured after damaging his hamstring during England’s defeat by France last week, but Fabio Aurelio is back and Brazilian midfielder Lucas returns to the fold after serving his suspension.

Jamie Carragher will make his 450th appearance in the Premier League when he captains Liverpool in Gerrard’s absence.

Probable starting XI: Reina; Konchesky, Carragher, Skrtl, Johnson; Maxi, Meireles, Poulsen, Cole, Kuyt; Torres.

Prediction

Tottenham haven’t always demonstrated the ability to play well after midweek Champions League games. Liverpool have improved of late and will do enough to get a hard earned point at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham 1-1 Liverpool

Read More

28-11-2010 15:00 Udinese - Napoli

Going From Strength To Strength

Udinese are an inspired side this campaign as far from struggling at the lower end in Serie A, the Bianconeri are actually floating in mid-table with relative comfort. Last weekend the Udine-based side may have lost 2-0 to Roma in Rome but that mustn't darken what has been a very good and encouraging season so far.

Prior to last weekend's defeat at the Stadio Olimpico Udinese had gone unbeaten in nine competitive matches and after Week 13 are placed in 11th place with 17 points, six better off than third-from-bottom Brescia and just three behind Italian and European champions Inter, who are sixth.

In midweek Udinese progressed to the fifth round of the Coppa Italia with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Lecce and returned to winning ways after last weekend's defeat. Francesco Guidolin's side have an encouraging record in the league at home as well as they have won three of the six fixtures at the Stadio Friuli.

Maintaining Top Four Position

A combination of several factors has stationed Napoli right in the middle of realising their dreams of finishing in the top four and returning to Champions League football, and the Neapolitans will be looking forward to carrying on the momentum this week too.

Last weekend Napoli bounced back from their comprehensive 2-0 defeat to Lazio in style as they destroyed Bologna 4-1 at San Paolo. Marek Hamsik, who has looked good on intermittent times this campaign but has once again shown bouts of inconsistency, was on target twice to help the Partenopei remain third in the league standings on 24 points, two behind second-placed Lazio and five that of leaders Milan.

The former Italian champions have every reason to believe that they can pull off a victory in Udine on Sunday as they have a remarkable away record, having won four games on the road and have conceded just six times. The defeat to Lazio in Roma was Walter Mazzarri's side first loss away from home, which exhibits just how good they have been in the league.

TEAM NEWS

Udinese

Zapata, Floro Flores, Basta and Ferronetti are out injured for the Bianconeri. Di Natale and Denis will be the two strikers upfront for Udinese.

Napoli

Cannavaro, Aronica, Lucarelli, Blasi, Dumitru, Sosa and Gianello are unavailable for the trip to Udine as they are injured. Hamsik and Cavani will play just behind lone-striker Lavezzi in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Prediction

Udinese do have the form to pull off an upset against Napoli in Udine but the visitors have the better team. A draw could just be the final outcome.

Udinese 1-1 Napoli

Read More

28-11-2010 15:00 Lazio - Catania

Keeping Milan In Sight

For a club like Lazio, a Scudetto triumph is always going to be a bonus but for the former Italian champions to continue to keep dreaming of a first championship since 2000 they will have to continue to bag points and keep league leaders Milan in sight.

Lazio are currently second in the table with 26 points from 13 matches and are three points off the pace. Last weekend Edy Reja's side were held to a 1-1 draw by relegation-threatened Parma away from home and it followed a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over Napoli in Rome. In the two previous league fixtures, though, the Aquile had suffered defeats and things have to be improve and become more steady.

However, the Biancocelesti have a good record at the Stadio Olimpico and have won four of the league matches there. Winning against Catania at home is not going to be easy especially as the Sicilians have looked good and are picking up points but Lazio will go into this match as favourites.

Mid-Table Security

Catania were considered relegation material at the start of the season but so far the Sicilians have combated that danger well. At the moment the Etnei are in tenth position with 17 points from 12 matches, a healthy six points above the relegation zone.

Last weekend Marco Giampaolo's side defeated rock-bottom Bari 1-0 in front of their own supporters and bounced back from the Sicilian derby defeat to Palermo the week before. Catania, though, have had a pretty good record in recent weeks as they have lost just once in their last six competitive games.

Nevertheless, Catania will have to put in loads of effort against Lazio if they plan to register a win at the Olimpico. The Rossazzurri have not registered a win on the road yet in the league and have lost four of the six matches. Bagging maximum points promises to be extremely tough; even a draw will have to be earned.

TEAM NEWS

Lazio

Meghni, Biava and Quadri are out injured injured. Edy Reja is likely to opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation that will have Zarate as the lone striker with Hernanes, Floccari and Mauri as the three attacking midfielders just behind him.

Catania

Capuano, Pesce, Bellusci, Carboni, Augustyn and Spolli are unavailable for the trip to Rome as they are nursing injuries. Maxi Lopez is suspended.

Prediction

A win for Lazio can be expected but they must take care not to concede an early goal to the Sicilians.

Lazio 2-0 Catania

Read More

28-11-2010 14:30 Newcastle United - Chelsea

Chelsea Need Points To Hold On To Top-Spot

With Manchester United and Arsenal both playing a day before Chelsea, it is likely that the Blues will be off the top for the first time in months by the start of this clash, and they are likely to need a win to regain their position as league leaders; defeat could see them crash to third. Having lost their last two Premier League games, a third would really be seen as a crisis at Stamford Bridge as they have not suffered three straight league defeats for eleven years.

Newcastle have been free scorers at home so far this season with fifteen goals from seven games, however this has only yielded two wins, and manager Chris Hughton will be desperate to improve their record at St. James’ Park. With a win and other results going their way, the Magpies could rise to seventh in the table, cementing their impressive return to the Premier League.

Unstoppable Force Meets Immovable Object

As mentioned, Newcastle have had no problem scoring goals at home this season, and when the two teams met at Stamford Bridge earlier this year in the Carling Cup, the Magpies scored four and eliminated Chelsea from the competition.

However, in their last six Premier League meetings, Newcastle have mustered only one goal, which will temper their optimism somewhat. One of these contrasting records will have to be reinforced, but it’s hard to say which one is more likely with the inconsistent form both teams are showing.

The absence of their regular central defenders may cause the Toon to embellish their unwanted records of conceding the most penalties so far this season (five), and receiving the most yellow cards (31).

TEAM NEWS

Newcastle

Newcastle are paying for some serious ill-discipline as they will be missing both first-choice central defenders - Fabricio Collocini and Mike Williamson - who are both serving three-match suspensions following misdemeanours against Bolton last weekend.

Joey Barton will be continuing his suspension for his assault on Morten Gamst Pedersen two weeks ago. Cheik Tiote, however, is back from his ban and is very likely to come back into the team.

It could well be Sol Campbell and Steven Taylor who come in at the back, both to make their first league starts of the season.

Newcastle’s long-term injuries continue in the form of Dan Gosling, Hatem Ben Arfa, Steve Harper and Ryan Taylor.

Probable starting XI: Krul; Simpson, Campbell, Taylor, Jose Enrique; Routledge, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez; Carroll, Ameobi.

Chelsea

Chelsea’s key long-term injuries continue to plague them as well as John Terry, Frank Lampard and Yossi Benayoun remain sidelined.

Yuri Zhirkov has joined them in the treatment room and is very unlikely to play, whilst influential midfielder Michael Essien remains suspended.

Alex is available now for the Blues though, which will give their defence a more recognisable structure.

Probable starting XI: Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Alex, Cole; Ramires, Mikel, Malouda; Kalou, Anelka, Drogba.

Prediction

It is likely to be an exciting game as Newcastle are not afraid to attack teams, especially at home, and against a team who they will see as susceptible and there for the taking following their defeats to Sunderland and Birmingham. 

The Magpies will really take the game to Chelsea, try and over-run them in midfield and expose their defence by battering them with the physicality of Carroll and Ameobi. 

However, whether the Newcastle defence will be able to deal with Drogba, Anelka, Kalou and Malouda, especially on the counter-attack, is quite doubtful.  I see some goals in this game and a fairly even one as well.

Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea

Read More

28-11-2010 12:30 Inter - Parma

Getting Out Of Crisis

Inter plunged into crisis last weekend when they lost 2-1 to Chievo in Verona in Serie A. It was their fifth competitive match without a win and pushed them to nine points behind league leaders and city-rivals Milan.

However, the Italian and European champions returned to winning ways on Wednesday evening as they defeated Twente 1-0 at San Siro to book their place in the first knockout stage of the Champions League. It has helped eased some pressure on coach Rafael Benitez but without the suspended Samuel Eto'o on Sunday the Beneamata will find it tough against Parma.

Inter are currently sixth in the league standings with 20 points from 13 matches and haven't won a league fixture since October. The Nerazzurri have a rather disappointing record at home too as they have emerged victorious in just two of the six league encounters at San Siro. Without Eto'o, Inter could struggle for goals given that they have found the opposition's net just 14 times.

Clawing Out Of Danger

Parma have been struggling unlike last season and are still very much in danger of getting sucked into the relegation zone. The Ducali are 14th in the standings with 15 points and are just four points above the relegation zone.

Last weekend Pasquale Marino's side accomplished an encouraging result as they held Scudetto challengers Lazio to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. It followed two successive 1-0 victories over Sampdoria and Bari that pulled them out of the ugly reaches of the relegation monster.

However, maintaining that momentum isn't going to be easy for Parma as their away record is less than modest given that they have won just once away from home. Even though the Gialloblu will fancy their chances against a crisis-ridden Inter, they will have to keep their feet on the ground.

TEAM NEWS

Inter

Benitez's injury problems continue as Coutinho, Chivu, Mariga, Julio Cesar, Milito, Maicon, Obi, Samuel, Suazo and Mancini are unavailable. To add to the misery Eto'o is suspended and this means that Inter will be without their two best forwards. Pandev will start as the lone striker upfront in a 4-2-3-1 formation that will have Biabiany, Sneijder and Stankovic as the three attacking midfielders.

Parma

Paloschi, Galloppa, Morrone and Marques will miss the trip to Milan as they are injured. In a likely 4-3-1-2 design, Crespo and Bojinov will be the two strikers.

Prediction

Inter defeated Twente in the Champions League in midweek and one suspects that they may have just turned the corner. However, the Benitez's side will have to be careful against a tricky Parma team.

Inter Milan 1-0 Parma

Read More

Tipovi za tiket 27-11-2010

Ovo su predlozi za tiket .

Kladite se samo novcem čiji gubitak možete sebi da dozvolite !!!

Stoke - Man City : Stoke (ah 0) @ 2.47  10bet
Fulham - Birmingham : Birmingham (ah +0.5) @ 1.83 10bet
West Ham - Wigan : Home Win @ 2.10 StanJames
Hannover - Freiburg : Draw @ 3.50 StanJames

Read More

27-11-2010 - 22:00 Atletico Madrid - Espanyol

Start Climbing

Though Atletico Madrid might have been expected to be in the running for the top four spots as the halfway stage of the campaign approaches, the same cannot necessarily be said of Espanyol, who are outperforming pre-season expectations approaching Saturday night’s big match in the Spanish capital.

For a period los Rojiblancos dropped off the pace of their rivals, suffering a disappointing three match winless period that included encounters against rivals Real Madrid and Villarreal. But they seem to have since come out of their slump, overcoming Osasuna at home and blasting Real Sociedad, a side who had previously been so good at home, 4-2.

“There is a great merit in what we have done, and I have a feeling we won creating less errors,” a contented Quique Sanchez Flores explained to the press after the emphatic win in the Basque Lands last weekend. “Now, we must quickly climb up and obtain a Champions League position.”

At present Atleti lie sixth, but victory on Saturday night could take them as high as fourth. With a busy period of the season approaching with Europa League and Copa del Rey commitments to consider, los Colchoneros will be eager to make as much early ground as possible, and in front of their passionate home support will certainly be aiming for maximum points.

Dark Horses

After seasons of relative mid-table mediocrity, Espanyol finally find themselves challenging for a European berth again. Not only are Mauricio Pochettino’s men on the fringes of the Champions League race, they are also in a strong position to claim a Europa League berth as the top seven in Spain’s top flight threaten to break away.

A fortnight ago a 0-0 draw against Racing Santander threatened to halt the momentum of the Barcelona club, but instead that seemed to inspire them last weekend against a dangerous Hercules side, who were swept to one side 3-0. Verdu opened the scoring after 15 minutes, but it required a couple of late penalties from Pablo Osvaldo and Luis Garcia to really add some gloss.

“It would be nice to say that the goal is Europe, because the first target are the 42 points of permanence,” Luis Garcia, a veteran of Espanyol’s UEFA Cup final appearance of 2007 explained to Marca. “It doesn’t bother me a lot that no-one talks about our club. We should give far greater importance for all people who follow us. The fans are happy.”

Espanyol may have been impressive at home over the course of the campaign, winning all six of their fixtures at the Cornella-El Prat, but on the road they have shown significant flaws, earning only four of their 24 points outside their Catalan home. Anything against Atleti should therefore be taken as a bonus.

TEAM NEWS

Atletico

Diego Godin continues his rehabilitation following a kidney operation, while Sergio Asenjo is still taking steps towards the first team after suffering a long-term injury last term.

Youngster Borja Gonzalez is involved again after picking up a serious injury in May, but he faces a challenge to become Atleti’s third striker ahead of Diego Castro.

Filipe has been tipped to start this game at left-back.

Espanyol

Victor Ruiz is very unlikely to feature, having failed to train at full pace all week. Aldo Duscher and David Garcia are both doubtful, but Ivan de la Pena, Ernesto Galan and Felipe Mattioni are all ruled out.

Prediction

Espanyol’s weaknesses this season have generally been exposed away from home, while it is at the Vicente Calderon that confident Atletico Madrid have most thrived. Quique Sanchez Flores’ side have to be the favourites for this match and will win by a couple of goals.

Atletico Madrid 2-0 Espanyol

Read More

27-11-2010 - 20:45 Juventus - Fiorentina

Rejuvenated And Resurrected

Juventus were on the verge of being in shambles at the start of the season and there were talks of yet another disappointing campaign. The arrival of Luigi Del Neri as the coach was hailed as a brilliant decision on the part of the Bianconeri board but initial results threatened to further wither the Old Lady.

However, Del Neri has repaired the damage and rejuvenated Juventus, who are currently perched on the fourth spot in the league standings and have mustered 23 points from 13 matches. Even more encouragingly perhaps, the Fidanzata d'Italia have not lost a competitive fixture since late September and defeated Genoa 2-0 last weekend.

With just six points separating them from league leaders Milan, Juventus have returned to the Scudetto race but they have to continue to improve. The Turin-based side are trying to temper talks of winning the Serie A title but they must be keen to launch a rally especially given that the likes of Inter and Lazio are dropping points while Roma are recovering from early season slow pace.

Resuming The Hate

Fiorentina love to hate Juventus and the Viola fans consider Italy's most successful club as their most fierce rivals. Interestingly, the Juve supporters do not reciprocate the same feelings of hate but that doesn't stop the Florentines to stop loathing them.

Indeed, on Saturday evening the Gigliati supporters will resume their hatred of Juve and will pass it on to their players. The match is massively important historically but is equally significant in terms of the current league standings. Sinisa Mihajlovic's side have recovered from a poor run of results in the beginning of the campaign and are now four points above the relegation zone in 13th place with 15 points.

Winning in Turin would be tough for the former Italian champions as they have yet to register an away victory in the league in 2010-11. Fiorentina have taken just two points from their six matches on the road and have also lost their last two on the trot away from the Artemio Franchi. But this is a game in which the players will be fired up and it could just click for the former European Cup finalists.

TEAM NEWS

Juventus

Buffon, Legrottaglie, Rinaudo, Grygera, De Ceglie, Martinez and Amauri are out of the fixture because of injuries. Del Neri will deploy his favoured 4-4-2 formation that will have Iaquinta and Quagliarella as the two strikers. Sissoko and Felipe Melo will be the two defensive midfielders in a double-pivot system.

Fiorentina

Frey, Montolivo, Jovetic, Zanetti, Mutu and Natali will miss the trip to Turin as they are injured while Kroldrup and Gulan are suspended. Gilardino will be the lone striker upfront in a 4-2-3-1 system.

Prediction

Juventus are unbeaten for weeks now and have also looked strong at home. Even though this will be a very fierce match, the Bianconeri will be the favourites as they have a superior squad. However, Juve have shown vulnerability at the back and are likely to concede a goal.

Juventus 3-1 Fiorentina

Read More

27-11-2010 - 18:00 Sampdoria - Milan

Back To Winning Ways

Sampdoria appeared to be struggling without talisman Antonio Cassano as they went four competitive matches without a win and failed to score in any one of them. Things appeared to be bleak for the Blucerchiati but last weekend they bounced back in enthralling style as they won 3-2 against Lecce at the Via del Mare.

Italy international striker Giampaolo Pazzini turned on the style in Lecce as he scored a brilliant hat-trick, finding the winner just two minutes from normal time. The win lifted Samp to eighth in the league standings on 19 points from 13 matches, just one behind Italian and European champions Inter, who are sixth.

However, Domenico Di Carlo's side will have to maintain that momentum if they want to enhance their chances of finishing in a European spot at the end of the season. On Saturday evening Samp welcome league leaders and in-form Milan and will have to be especially careful about how they approach the game. Samp have already lost at the Marassi in the league and have won just twice, so in no way will they head into this game as favourites.

Consolidating The Lead

Milan have been going from strength to strength in Serie A as they still lead the table. Last weekend's narrow 1-0 win against Fiorentina thanks to an ingenious goal from star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic coupled with results elsewhere saw the Rossoneri maintain pole position as they are three points clear of Lazio on 29 points from 13 matches.

The victory over the Viola at San Siro was the former Italian and European champions' fourth league win in a row and eighth in nine games. Massimiliano Allegri's side stretched their imperious league form to Europe too in midweek as they qualified for the first knockout stage of the Champions League with an easy 2-0 win against Auxerre in France, with Ibrahimovic and Ronaldinho etching their respective names on the scoresheet.

A win in Genoa for Milan is very much probable especially given that they have won four of their six league matches on the road. The Diavolo are also the joint second top scorer in the division and with Ibra in red-hot form and the defence too starting to look more compact, they will be confident of at least maintaining their three-point advantage at the top of the table.

TEAM NEWS

Sampdoria

Zauri, Semioli, Palombo, Padalino and Obiang are out injured for the home side. Pazzini and Marilungo will be the two strikers in a flat 4-4-2 formation.

Milan

Pato, Inzaghi, Oddo, Pirlo and Antonini are unavailable for the trip to Genoa because of injuries. Robinho could start alongside Ibrahimovic in attack in a 4-3-1-2 system that will see Ronaldinho relegated to the bench.

Prediction

Milan will be the favourites for this fixture as they are in red-hot form but Sampdoria will be fired up after their win last weekend. This promises to be an enthralling match but don't expect too many goals. A win for the Rossoneri is likely but one suspects that Samp may just craft a draw.

Sampdoria 1-1 Milan

Read More

27-11-2010 - 18:00 Zaragoza - Villarreal

Build From The Back

Javier Aguirre is searching for his first victory as Zaragoza coach, though it will not be easy to come by at La Romareda this weekend, when third placed Villarreal visit on Saturday.

The Mexican coach only took over as los Manos’ boss little over a week ago, and in his dugout debut for the Aragon club would have watched with a fair degree of content as his side held out for a 1-1 draw against Getafe, despite being depleted to 10 men because of Leo Ponzio’s dismissal. Nicolas Bertolo had Zaragoza ahead at half-time, but Adrian Colunga responded from the spot just after the restart.

Aguirre, however, was not entirely impressed with what he saw. “Getafe were superior,” he explained to the media after the game. “I think the point rescued by my players was only achieved with effort and great attitude. In football we could not elaborate. Getafe were superior in possession.

Indicating that he will “first try to organise [the team] from back to front” shows that the coach craves some kind of defensive stability from his men. Aguirre believes that 19 goals conceded after 12 matches is too great a tally, though better this ratio against a dangerous offensive side at the weekend will not be easy.

Zaragoza may have only achieved one win in league play to date all season, but the Yellow Submarine are a team vulnerable on the road, and Aguirre will be keen for his players to provide a good showing in his home debut.

Racing For Bronze

If Villarreal had any lingering pretensions that they could keep pace with Barcelona and Real Madrid over the course of the campaign, they have been obliterated over the last couple of matches, which have seen the Yellow Submarine earn just one point in six and watch the two superpowers of the Spanish game go almost three wins clear.

Juan Carlos Garrido’s side have come up against some of the best Spain has to offer over the last fortnight, but they fell short against Barcelona in Camp Nou and were forced to work hard to wrestle a home point from Valencia – only the second time under the charge of their present coach that they’ve failed to win at home.

“All we can do is keep going at our own pace and fight our own battle. We have to keep working towards our objective of a Champions League place,” Marcos Senna was quoted as saying on FIFA’s official website, clearly giving up hope of getting back onto the coattails of the big two.

At present, the club from El Madrigal are almost entirely reliant on their home form, which is a dangerous game to play over the course of the season. On the road, they’ve mustered only eight of their 24 points, so they will be on high alert on Saturday evening, when they have the opportunity to strike the first blow in the race for third spot.

With Garrido signing a new three-year deal this week, things are clearly in a stable state at El Madrigal.

TEAM NEWS

Zaragoza

Italian defender Maurizio Lanzaro and midfielder Ander Herrera won’t be aligned for this fixture due to injury problems. Angel Lafita should feature from the outset, however.

Leo Ponzio is suspended after last weekend’s dismissal.

Villarreal

Juan Capdevila will be missing for three weeks due to a sprained ankle. Joan Oriol will take his spot.

Borja Valero is suspended.

Prediction

Villarreal’s poor form away from home combined with the determination of Zaragoza to pick up a point in their first home match under Javier Aguirre adds up to a potential shock result. Winning the game may prove too much for the hosts, but it’s not out of the question that they could earn a draw.

Zaragoza 1-1 Villarreal

Read More

27-11-2010 - 16:00 Stoke City - Manchester City

On a positive run

Stoke City have hit a purple patch of form, and are currently on a run of three consecutive victories. The wins over Birmingham City, Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion mark their best run in the Premier League to date.

The positive form is all the more significant when one takes a look slightly further into the past, as the three victories come on the back of five consecutive defeats in all competitions.

The win over Birmingham came in an exciting manner for the neutrals, as the Potters surrendered a two-goal lead only for Dean Whitehead to score late on and secure the three points. Liverpool came to visit the Britannia Stadium on a solid unbeaten run of six games in all competitions, and fall they did to a 2-0 result.

And if that wasn’t enough, Tony Pulis’ men travelled away from home to the Hawthorns and heaped more woe on a West Bromwich Albion side that have failed to register a victory for some time now.

Add to all this the fact that Roberto Mancini’s men lost at the Britannia Stadium last month - in a League Cup encounter - and it’s easy to understand why confidence will not be a problem for the home side.

City looking for momentum

The Eastlands club haven’t lost any of their last four games, but have been subject to a fair amount of criticism of late.

A 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion was a comeback after having lost three games on the trot, which saw manager Roberto Mancini’s future become the subject of intense speculation. And it also gave rise to the notion that the club rely heavily on skipper Carlos Tevez, who has been at the forefront of the team’s rise in standing this term.

After beating the Baggies, City were unable to find the back of the net against arch-rivals Manchester United and Birmingham City, which led to former Inter boss taking further criticism; particularly for the tactics he employed during the game against Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges.

However, all that was needed was a trip to Craven Cottage and a thumping 4-1 victory to silence the critics’ tongues. But a similar style of free flowing attacking football – and perhaps a similar result - will have to be in the offing if City are to redeem themselves in the eyes of their naysayers.

But Stoke are no pushovers, particularly in their own backyard. That they have won four of their home games so far - with only Chelsea and United having won more - is evidence of the task that lies ahead for the visitors.

A faltering performance may see Mancini come under the scanner all over again, but the right result should see him breathe easily for the moment.

TEAM NEWS

Stoke City

Mamady Sidibe (calf) is sidelined for this encounter, while Salif Diao has been reported to be a doubt.

There appears to be some positive news for the Potters ahead of this fixture, as Jermaine Pennant (hamstring) has a chance of recovering in time. The former Liverpool midfielder sustained an injury during the recent 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion, as the club feared that he was set for a lengthy lay-off.

Tuncay is expected to be the replacement if Pennant doesn’t return to fitness in time.

Possible starting XI: Begovic; Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Collins; Pennant, Whitehead, Delap, Etherington; Jones, Fuller.

Manchester City

Jerome Boateng, Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards are expected to be fit for this encounter after falling prey to minor injuries during their international outings. But none of the three players will likely make the starting line-up.

Gareth Barry (ankle) is expected to miss out, while Pablo Zabaleta is suspended. However, Mario Balotelli returns after serving a three-match ban.

Possible starting XI: Hart; Boyata, K Toure, Kompany, Kolarov; Yaya Toure, De Jong, Milner; Silva, Balotelli, Tevez.

Prediction

Stoke are strong at home and are on a strong run, and it appears as though they could hold City to a stalemate.

Stoke 1-1 Man City

Read More