17.-18.12.2010. Bets of the week

18.12.2010. (Saturday)

13:00 Augsburg - Hertha 

  On paper it's a clash between the leaders of 2.Bundesliga, level on points at the top, but in reality the momentum of the sides couldn’t be more contrasting. Augsburg, the Bavarian outfit that lost out on the historic promotion in the playoffs last season, are on song, with 7 wins and a draw in their last 8 games.

  Their home record is outstanding, and they slaughter quality sides with ease, like a 4-0 dismantling of Cottbus two weeks ago. Nando Rafael, who left Hertha disappointed four years ago, is flaming with seven goals in his last seven games, including a hat-trick versus Cottbus.

  He would dearly love to thrash his former club who happen to be in a terrible state. Hertha, relegated last May, started strongly, but took just three points from their last four games. They lost three away fixtures in a row and failed to score in any of them. Given their current form, the odds on Augsburg look extraordinarily good.

Tip: Augsburg to win @ 2.40

Match Odds: Augsburg 2.40, Draw 3.30, Hertha Berlin 2.90

16:00 Arsenal - Stoke City

  I'm still not sure that Arsenal deserved their all too brief stay at the top of the table, mainly due to their three home defeats. But with Chelsea facing Man United on Sunday, they have an early chance to return to the top.

  On Saturday they face a visit from Stoke who have been defeated on their last eight visits to Arsenal's grounds. Arsenal have won by two clear goals in six out of 11 home matches against sides like Stoke, while Stoke have lost by two or more goals in seven of eight away games against the so called big four teams.

  Arsenal are the only side in the Premiership not to have drawn at home this season, I don’t see that record being halted by Stoke.

Tips: Back Arsenal -1 goal on the handicap @ 1.75/ Back over 3.5 goals @ 2.65

Match Odds: Arsenal 1.25, Draw 5.0, Stoke 10.0

16:00 Walsall - Southampton

  Southampton had been installed as pre-season favorites to win League One but a slow start has had the Saints playing catch up. They've gained ground in recent weeks and will fancy their chances of a play-off spot. After a defeat to Brentford they will want to get their promotion hopes back on track against Walsall.     Opponents Walsall last beat Southampton in 1955! Last year's meetings ended with Southampton doing the double over their opponents with 3-1 and 5-1 and this year it doesn’t look that it will get any better for the Saddlers either as they are struggling to score goals and keep clean sheets. An away win looks on the cards so consider handicapping for even more favourable odds.

Tip: Southampton to win @ 1.85 Bet Now

Match Odds: Walsall 3.75, Draw 3.40, Southampton 1.85

19:45 NAC Breda - Vitesse 

  NAC Breda entertain Vitesse Arnhem this weekend and will be looking to continue their excellent recent form.They play their home matches at the Rat Verlegh stadium and yes, it is a venue as uncomfortable as the name suggests.

  NAC Breda have a fanatical home support who have helped them see off champions FC Twente and PSV Eindhoven this season and they will be confident of adding Arnhem to their list of wins. They have won an extraordinary nine out of their last ten home matches.

  Vitesse Arnhem are near the foot of the Eredivisie in 15th place and won't relish this trip to Breda. The odds on a home victory are pretty generous and it is a bet I will be steaming into.

Tip: NAC Breda to win at 1.80

Match Odds: NAC Breda 1.80, Draw 3.40, Vitesse 4.0

19.12.2010. (Sunday)

17:00 Chelsea - Manchester United

  The match with the biggest draw bias this week is Chelsea - Man United.

  Record of teams of Chelsea's grade when playing at home to teams of Man United's grade reads H8 D4 A5. Chelsea's recent home record against teams of Man United's grading is W4 D0 L1. Man United's recent away record against teams of Chelsea's grading is W2 D1 L2

  Head to Head recent record at Chelsea reads Chelsea 2 Draw 2 Man United 1. Chelsea have drawn 1 of their last 5 home matches. Man United have drawn four of their last five away matches.

Tip: Chelsea - Man United draw match @ 3.20 Bet Now

The other draws I will be backing this weekend are Wigan - Aston Villa (3.20) and Birmingham - Newcastle (3.20)

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18-12-2010 16:00 Arsenal - Stoke City

Wenger Aims To Cool Bad Blood

The last meeting between Arsenal and Stoke City is of course remembered for reasons ultimately far removed from the result, as it was at the Britannia Stadium in February where prodigal midfielder Aaron Ramsey suffered a severe double leg break under a challenge from Ryan Shawcross, from which he has only just recovered.

No doubt the home fans at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday will greet every Shawcross touch of the ball with jeers, but Wenger has insisted his players at least will not be trying to reciprocate Ramsey's injury, stating his squad will merely treat the game like any other.

And it is a crucial one for Arsenal to win following their 1-0 defeat against Manchester United on Monday, which saw the Gunners relinquish their lead at the top of the table to Sir Alex Ferguson's side thanks to a lone Ji-Sung Park goal.

Looking To Bounce Back

Stoke, meanwhile, are on a decent run of form which has only been halted by an arguably surprising 1-0 defeat at the Britannia Stadium to new boys Blackpool - their first loss in an impressive six games.

Tony Pulis' side are always billed to be keen to ruffle the feathers of Wenger's free-flowing, expressive charges, but despite their reputation of being somewhat of a 'bogey' team for Saturday's opponents, the Potters have beaten them just once in their four Premier League meetings, on the Gunners' first visit to the Britannia in 2008.

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal

Wojciech Szczesny looks set to continue in goal as Lukasz Fabianski and Manuel Almunia continue to recover from injury.

Abou Diaby is nearing a return but will not feature on Saturday, while Nicklas Bendtner's wife is in labour so he is unlikely to feature.

Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie are both available but may continue on the bench as they near full fitness.

Possible starting XI: Szczesny; Sagna, Squillaci, Koscielny, Clichy; Walcott, Song, Wilshere, Nasri; Arshavin, Chamakh.

Stoke

Salif Diao could return for Tony Pulis's men following a calf injury, but may not be fit enough to force his way into the manager's thinking for this game.

Striker Mamady Sidibe is expected to recover from a long term leg problem in January but not before, and so Stoke may be unchanged from the side that lost to Blackpool last week.

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

Prediction

Arsenal should be able to get the better of a difficult Stoke side to secure their fourth consecutive league win against the visitors, even if it doesn't always make for comfortable viewing.

Arsenal 2-1 Stoke

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Premier League Opta Facts - 18-20 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.

Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers

• Bolton have failed to score in their last three Premier League games against Sunderland.
• Darren Bent scored four goals in the two games against Bolton last season and has nine in 10 Premier League games against the Trotters overall.
• It is 15 games since Bolton last kept a Premier League clean sheet away from home.
• Sunderland have lost just one of the last 18 matches at the Stadium of Light.
• Steve Bruce's side have kept four clean sheets in their last five Premier League games at the Stadium of Light.
• Sunderland have only failed to score in two of their last 14 Premier League home matches, being shut out both times by Manchester United.
• Bolton have only won one of their last seven Premier League away games.

Arsenal v Stoke City

• Ricardo Fuller has scored four goals in four starts in all competitions for Stoke against Arsenal.
• In the five meetings in all competitions since Stoke were promoted in 2009, both sides have picked up a total of four yellow cards and one red.
• Arsenal have won the last eight home matches in all competitions against Stoke.
• There have been four penalties in the last three Premier League matches between Arsenal and Stoke City, with the Gunners winning one in each of the last three.
• Stoke have made 11 Premier League visits to London, winning three, drawing none and losing eight.
• Arsenal have lost three home matches already, dropping nine points. No title-winning side has dropped more than 10 points at home in a whole season since Arsenal in 2001-02.
• Samir Nasri has scored six goals in his last six Premier League matches at the Emirates.

Birmingham City v Newcastle United

• Birmingham have had exactly two players booked in each of the last five Premier League matches against Newcastle.
• The Blues have won just one of the 10 Premier League matches with Newcastle and none of the five at St Andrews.
• The last five games in all competitions between Newcastle and Birmingham at St Andrews have ended as draws.
• Birmingham have only lost one of their last 23 Premier League home matches.
• Birmingham have scored 27 goals in their last 27 Premier League home matches, but never more than twice in a game in that run.
• Alex McLeish's side have conceded 32 goals in 39 Premier League home games since his arrival at St Andrews, but never more than two in a single game.
• Newcastle have conceded more penalties than any other team (5).

Blackburn Rovers v West Ham United

• The last three Premier League games between Blackburn and West Ham have all ended as draws, with the last two being goalless.
• Blackburn have failed to beat West Ham in their last nine meetings in all competitions.
• West Ham have won none of their last 26 Premier League away games, only one team has ever had a longer consecutive run in the Premier League, Fulham 33 between September 2006 and March 2008).
• The Hammers have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 16 Premier League away games.
• Avram Grant's side have failed to score in three of their last four away games in the Premier League and have scored fewer goals (4) on the road than any other team this season.
• Chelsea and Arsenal are the only two teams to win away at Ewood Park so far this season.

Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa

• Only one of the 10 Premier League games between Villa and Wigan has ended as a home win and none of the last eight.
• Gabriel Agbonlahor has scored in two of his last three games at the DW Stadium.
• Villa have won on their last three trips to the DW Stadium.
• The Latics have only won two of their last 10 Premier League home matches, but are unbeaten in the last five.
• Villa have won just one and lost seven of their last nine Premier League away matches.
• Gerard Houlier's side have failed to score in three of their last four away matches in the Premier League.
• Ciaran Clark has been booked in each of his last four Premier League appearances.

Liverpool v Fulham

• Fulham have failed to score in five of their last six Premier League games against Liverpool.
• The Whites have failed to score in seven of their nine Premier League visits to Anfield, including the last four.
• Four of the nine Premier League games at Anfield between these two sides have ended as goalless draws, including the last two.
• Fulham have won none of their last 26 Premier League away games, only one team has ever had a longer consecutive run in the Premier League (Fulham in May 2006-March 2008).
• Liverpool have won their last four Premier League games at Anfield and kept clean sheets in the last three.
• Fernando Torres has hit 44 goals in 48 Premier League appearances at Anfield.
• 65% of the goals Fulham have conceded have been scored in the first half, the highest proportion before the break of any top division club.

West Bromwich Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Wolves have failed to score in six of their last eight games against West Brom and in each of the last three.
• Wolves have won none of their last eight trips to the Hawthorns losing five and drawing three.
• Wolves have won none of their last 11 Premier League away games, losing the last seven in a row.
• In those 11 matches, Wolves have scored only six goals and never more than once in a game.
• Mick McCarthy's team have kept just one clean sheet in their last 19 away trips in the Premier League.
• West Brom have only kept two clean sheets in their last 16 Premier League home games.
• It is 15 Premier League games since the Baggies last kept a clean sheet.

Blackpool v Tottenham Hotspur

• Spurs are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with Blackpool dating back to October 1966.
• Tottenham have only won one game outside London this season in all competitions.
• Blackpool haven't kept a Premier League clean sheet at home, but only Blackburn have stopped them from scoring twice at Bloomfield Road.
• Spurs have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 Premier League away games.
• Tottenham have recouped 16 points from losing positions, more than any other Premier League side.
• Tottenham are unbeaten in their last six Premier League matches, the joint-longest run without a defeat in the Harry Redknapp era. That run ended after a match against Chelsea in April 2009.

Chelsea v Manchester United

• Chelsea have now won 50 points in the Premier League against Manchester United, more than any other side.
• Sir Alex Ferguson has won only one and lost five (excluding Community Shield) of his six meetings with Carlo Ancelotti.
• Didier Drogba has only scored one goal in nine Premier League games against Man Utd.
• There has been an average of seven cards shown in the last four Premier League games between Man Utd and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with a low of six (2009-10) and a high of eight (2008-09).
• Chelsea have already dropped five points at home in the Premier League this season; as many as in the whole of last season.
• United are unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League away games, but have drawn six of the last seven.
• The Blues have only failed to score in one of their last 29 Premier League games at Stamford Bridge.
• Chelsea have the best home defence in the Premier League conceding just four goals, but those all came in their last two games at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester City v Everton

• Everton have won five of the last six Premier League games against Man City and the Citizens have failed to score in those five defeats.
• The Toffees have won their last three visits to the City of Manchester Stadium.
• Four of the last five games between City and Everton have ended as away wins.
• Man City have failed to score in three of their last four Premier League home matches and kept three clean sheets in those games too.
• David Moyes' side are unbeaten in their last six Premier League away games, but have drawn five of those and the last four in a row.
• Carlos Tevez has scored 31 goals in his last 38 Premier League appearances.
• Everton have won just one, but drawn six of their last nine Premier League matches.

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La Liga Opta Facts - 18-20 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.

Almeria v Getafe

• The record in La Liga between these two side is perfectly even, with two wins each and
• two draws.
• After losing the first top-flight league meeting at home against Getafe, Almeria have won their successive two games against the Azulones at the Estadio del Mediterraneo.
• Almeria's 3-1 win over Sevilla last time out ended a run of nine league games without a win.
• Almeria are yet to win at the Estadio de Mediterraneo in Liga BBVA this season, though have drawn five of their seven games there.
• Getafe are on a run of three straight league wins, a run that has seen them rise up the table from 12^th to 7^th.
• The Azulones have never won four matches on the spin in the Spanish top flight.
• Getafe are the only side apart from Barcelona to currently be unbeaten in more than two straight matches in Liga BBVA (four).
• Getafe have scored 10 goals from set pieces this season, the most in Liga BBVA.

Deportivo La Coruña v Sporting Gijon

• Deportivo have picked up only one point from their last four meetings with Sporting in la Liga.
• The Galician side have won only one of their last four at home to Sporting, back in January 1998 (2-1).
• However the win in October 2008 is Sporting Gijón's only victory in 16 top-flight matches at the Riazor.
• Diego Castro has scored three goals in his four top-flight appearances against Deportivo, more than against any other side.
• Depor are on a run of three straight wins at home in the league, last time they managed four was December 2008.
• No visiting player has scored at the Riazor in the league since Kaly Uche back in September: 431 minutes of football have elapsed since then.
• Sporting have scored the joint-fewest away goals in Liga BBVA this season (3).
• Depor have conceded only three goals from set piece situations in La Liga this season, the joint-fewest.
• However just three of their 12 league goals this season have come in open play.

Espanyol v Barcelona

• Only one goal was scored in the two derbies played last season between Espanyol and Barcelona, when the Blaugrana won 1-0 at the Camp Nou.
• Espanyol have had the better of Barca only once in their last seven meetings in La Liga - four draws and two wins for the Blaugrana complete the record.
• The last time Barcelona managed to score more than two goals against Espanyol was in 2003/04.
• 11 of the meetings between the sides in the Spanish top flight have ended goalless: Barcelona have only drawn as many games 0-0 against Sevilla.
• Barcelona are yet to drop a point on the road this season, while Espanyol are yet to drop a single point at home.
• The last time Espanyol won their opening eight top-flight league games at home was in 1976.
• Leo Messi has scored eight goals in Barcelona's last four league away games.
• These are the only teams alongside Osasuna to have conceded at least half of their goals to set pieces in Liga BBVA this season.
• Xavi has averaged 113 passes per 90 minutes in the league this season, at least 25 more than any other player.
• Lionel Messi has either scored or assisted each of Barcelona's last seven league goals on the road.

Levante v Athletic Bilbao

• Levante have picked up only one point from their last five meetings against Athletic in the top-flight.
• The side from Valencia have scored only one goal in their last four meetings with Athletic in La Liga.
• Athletic came out on top in their last visit to Levante's ground in September 2007 - prior to that, the hosts had managed two wins and two draws in four games at the Ciutat de València.
• Levante have won three of their last four league games on home soil.
• Felipe Caicedo has bagged four goals in this run.
• Athletic Bilbao may have won their last five league games at home, but they have lost their last five on the road.
• The Leones have conceded more goals on the road than any side this season in Liga BBVA (19).
• Only Lionel Messi has opened the scoring in as many Liga BBVA matches as Fernando Llorente this season (seven).
• Athletic Bilbao have scored the most headers in the league this season (nine, six of which by Fernando Llorente).

Malaga v Atletico Madrid

• Last season Malaga overcame Atletico in both fixtures, without conceding a goal (3-0 at home and 2-0 away).
• The club from Andalusia have won four of their last six league games at home against Atletico, losing one and sharing the points once.
• Málaga have won their last two league matches at home and have not failed to score on their own turf in Liga BBVA this season.
• In their last eight league games, either Sergio Aguero has scored for the Colchoneros or they have failed to find the net (three times).
• Sergio Aguero has netted 12 goals for Atlético in his last 12 appearances for them in all competitions.
• Atlético have won only one of their last six away games in Liga BBVA, and have lost four of the last five.
• Luis Perea is the only player to have played every minute of Liga BBVA this season but not had a shot.
• David de Gea has made more saves per 90 minutes than any player in the Spanish top-flight this season (4.8).

Osasuna v Real Zaragoza

• Osasuna are on a run of three consecutive wins against Real Zaragoza in the top-flight, a run that has seen them keep a clean sheet in each match.
• Osasuna are unbeaten in Pamplona in their last five meetings with Real Zaragoza (two wins and three draws).
• Real Zaragoza have managed only one win at Osasuna's ground in the last 17 games in the league.
• The Rojillos' run of three straight league wins at home came to an end in their last match at the Reyno de Navarra as they lost 3-0 to Barcelona.
• However they have kept four clean sheets in seven league games at home this season.
• Five of the last six teams to have accrued under 10 points after 15 matches in Primera have been relegated.
• Real Zaragoza have drawn their last three matches on the road 1-1.
• Nicolas Bertolo has been tackled every 10.5 minutes in Liga BBVA this season, more often than any other player.

Racing Santander v Hercules

• These two sides have not shared the points in their last 12 meetings in the top-flight (six wins each).
• Hercules won their last top-flight game in Santander, back in 1997 - prior to that, the hosts had notched up three wins in a row at El Sardinero in La Liga against the team from Alicante.
• Racing are unbeaten in their last four league matches at home, conceding only one goal in this run.
• Hercules have scored just one goal in their six league away games since the 2-0 win at Barcelona.
• All three of Hercules' league away goals this season have been scored by Nelson Valdez.
• Only Mesut Ozil of Real Madrid has created more goalscoring chances per 90 minutes than Pedro Munitis in Liga BBVA this season.
• 31% of Racing's goals in the league this season have come from outside the box, the highest proportion in the top flight.
• Despite playing 1075 minutes of league football this season, David Trezeguet has set up just two shots for his team-mates, while having 34 himself.

Real Madrid v Sevilla

• Over the last eight meetings, Real and Sevilla have alternated between a win and a defeat each. Should this run continue, the visitors would win this match.
• The last 15 league clashes between the sides have averaged 4.5 goals per game.
• Since 1985, Real Madrid and Sevilla have shared only one draw at the Bernabeu in the league (0-0 in December 1993), 19 wins for the hosts and three for the guests in the process.
• Real have hit three or more goals in each of their last five games against Sevilla at home.
• Renato has scored in his last three appearances against Real Madrid in Liga BBVA.
• Sevilla are on a run of four straight league defeats and could, in this match, become the first side to lose five in a row in Liga BBVA this season.
• The Merengues have won 25 of their 26 league games at home since the start of last season.
• Cristiano Ronaldo has already scored 12 goals at the Bernabeú in the league this season.
• Sevilla have not lost five straight league matches since the 1999/00 season when they were relegated.
• The Nervionenses have made 52 changes to their starting XI from one match to another in the league this season, more than any other side.
• Real Madrid have won all four league matches in which they have named an unchanged starting XI from the previous game this season.

Real Sociedad v Valencia

• Real Sociedad have managed only one win in their last 21 meetings against Valencia in the top-flight (2-0 in November 2001).
• Valencia have taken all three points on their last two trips to San Sebastián in 2006 and 2007.
• Real Sociedad have won the five matches when they have kept a clean sheet at home this season, but lost the two when they have conceded.
• Los Che have won only one of their last four league fixtures, and are without a win in their last four matches on the road.
• 12 of Valencia's last 15 league goals have been netted in the first half.
• Valencia have hit six goals in the opening 15 minutes of games this season, the most in the Spanish top flight.
• Xabi Prieto has been involved in (goal or assist) 47% of his side's league goals this season, the most for any player aside from Messi or Ronaldo.

Villarreal v Mallorca

• Mallorca's 1-0 win last February ended a run of 12 unbeaten games for the Yellow Submarine in this fixture.
• However, Villarreal are still unbeaten in their last six meetings against Mallorca at the Madrigal (four wins and two draws).
• No side has conceded fewer goals at home this season than Villarreal (two).
• At least one of either Nilmar or Giuseppe Rossi has scored in each of Villarreal's home games in the league this season.
• Juan Carlos Garrido has named an unchanged starting XI five times this season, the joint-most in Liga BBVA.
• Villarreal are unbeaten in their first seven home games for the first time ever in the Spanish top flight.
• One more away win for Mallorca would equal their total away victories from last season in the top flight (three).
• Mallorca have already given away six penalties in Liga BBVA this season, more than any other side.

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Italian Serie A Opta Facts - 18-20 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.

Bari - Palermo

• In terms of head to head meetings in Serie A, these sides are balanced, winning five each, with four games drawn.
• Bari haven't lost against Palermo in the top flight in their last six meetings, with six wins and six draws.
• Bari have only ever lost once at home against the Sicilian side in the top flight.
• Bari haven't won any of their last 11 league games and have scored just one goal in the last six.
• At home, Giampiero Ventura's team have picked up just one point in the last five games, a 1-1 draw against Cesena which came after four straight defeats.
• Palermo have won four of their last five league matches.
• The Rosanero are without a draw in their last 11 league games.
• Delio Rossi's men have lost three of their last four league matches away from home.
• Palermo have scored the most goals from open play, 27.
• Giampiero Ventura has played against Delio Rossi's teams three times in Serie A and won all three.

Catania - Brescia

• The only previous top flight encounter between these two sides was in 1965/66, Brescia won at home and drew away.
• Catania have won just once in the last five league games.
• Catania have failed to score more than once in any of their last 12 Serie A fixtures.
• Their defeat against Juventus interrupted an unbeaten run of 18 home league games for Catania.
• In his first game in charge, Mario Beretta led Brescia to their first win in 12 games.
• Brescia have collected just one point in their last six away fixtures and have netted just two goals in the last five.
• Brescia have scored just two second half goals, a league-low.

Cesena - Cagliari

• Cesena have never lost to Cagliari in Serie A.
• These two sides have drawn eight of the 12 top-flight meetings, with five of those games ending goalless.
• Cagliari haven't scored in any of their last four meetings with Cesena in the top division.
• Cesena have lost nine of their last 12 league games, winning just once.
• Cagliari have won three of their four games since Roberto Donadoni took over as manager.
• The team from Sardinia have won just once in their last 18 Serie A games away from home (v Brescia).
• Cagliari have netted the most headed goals, six.
• Cesena have scored the fewest goals so far, just 10 and have also posted the lowest shooting accuracy, 36%.

Chievo - Juventus

• Chievo have won just one of their 14 games played in the top flight against Juventus with that victory coming when these two sides met back in January.
• That game was the first time Juventus failed to score a goal against Chievo in Serie A.
• Chievo have never scored more than once at home against the Bianconeri.
• Chievo have won only once in the last eight league games.
• At home, Stefano Pioli's team are unbeaten in five games, with two wins and three draws.
• The Old Lady are unbeaten in the last 12 league matches, with seven wins and five draws.
• After losing against Bari on the opening day of the season, the Bianconeri have yet to lose away from home again.
• Juventus have scored the most goals this season, 31.
• Four of these goals have been own-goals, a Serie A high.

Lazio - Udinese

• Lazio lead Udinese 25 wins to 20 in Serie A head to head meetings, with 17 draws.
• The Biancolcelesti have won just once in their last six Serie A meetings with Udinese, 3-1 last May at the Olimpico.
• Reja's team have won just one of their last four league matches.
• Zarate & Co. have lost just once in their last nine home fixtures, in the Rome derby.
• Antonio Di Natale has already scored eight league goals against the Biancocelesti in Serie A. Only against Roma has he netted more often (nine).
• Di Natale has scored eight goals in the last six league matches.
• Alexis Sanchez has completed the most dribbles so far, 44.

Milan - Roma

• Milan have beaten Roma more often than they have beaten any other side in Serie A, 69 times in 150 meetings.
• However, in the last eight league meetings between the two sides, the Rossoneri have won just once, 2-1 at home in October 2009.
• Prior to that game, Milan had lost three consecutive league games against the Giallorossi.
• Milan have won six of their last seven league matches and drawn once, away at Sampdoria.
• Roma have lost once in the last 10 Serie A matches, picking up six wins and three draws.
• Away from home, Claudio Ranieri's men have won just once so far this season, in the Rome derby.
• Milan have conceded the fewest goals, 12.
• These two sides, together with Sampdoria, have kept the most clean sheets, seven.
• Each of Milan's last 11 goals have been scored by last summer's signings, Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Prince Boateng.
• Allegri's team have scored the most first half goals this season, 19.
• Claudio Ranieri's sides have beaten Milan just three times out of 17 meetings in the Italian top flight.

Napoli - Lecce

• Lecce have won just three times in the top flight against Napoli in 16 meetings.
• Napoli have won only one of their last six Serie A encounters with Lecce.
• In eight previous meetings at the San Paolo, Lecce have managed just one win.
• Napoli have won six and lost two of their last eight league games.
• At home, Napoli have won their last three league matches.
• The win against Chievo last Sunday was Lecce's first victory after seven league matches.
• Lecce have picked up only one point in eight away games in Serie A this season, failing to find the net in six of these matches.
• Three of the four Serie A meetings between Walter Mazzarri and Luigi De Canio have ended in a draw.

Parma - Bologna

• Bologna lead by seven wins to six in terms of head to head meeting in this Emilian derby, with seven games drawn in Serie A.
• Parma have won just one of their last four home league games against Bologna.
• Parma are unbeaten at the Tardini in five games, with two wins and three draws.
• Bologna have not drawn any of their last eight league games, with four wins and as many defeats.
• Before the win at Cesena, Bologna had not won on their travels in 13 attempts.
• At the end of the 2004/05 season, these two teams played in a play-off to stay in the top flight. Parma lost 1-0 at home but won at the Dall'Ara 2-0.

Sampdoria - Genoa

• There have been 70 derbies played so far in Genoa, with Sampdoria winning 24, Genoa 21 and 25 games drawn.
• Sampdoria won the last Genoa derby (1-0) but lost the previous three.
• The Blucerchiati are unbeaten in their last six league games at home.
• Sampdoria have lost only one of the last 36 league matches at home (Napoli are the only side to win at the Marassi) but have drawn three of the last four.
• Genoa have not scored in three of their last four Serie A matches.
• Luca Toni has attempted the most headed shots so far, 20.
• Sampdoria have won the most fouls in Serie A, 286, while their striker Giampaolo Pazzini is the most fouled player, 49.
• Genoa have won twice and drawn once in their last three away matches.

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Bundesliga Opta Stats - 17-19 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.

Gladbach-Hamburg

• In 42 home games against Hamburg, the West Germans have registered 20 wins (10 defeats).
• Each of the last three games has been won by Borussia (4-1, 3-2 and 1-0).
• Both teams have picked up only three points from their last five matches. Borussia have lost four in a row.
• HSV haven't kept a clean sheet in seven fixtures - only Nürnberg (12) have gone longer without shutting out the opposition.
• 45 goals conceded is the most Borussia have ever shipped in the first half of a Bundesliga season, eclipsing their previous record of 43 in the 1998/99 campaign.
• Gladbach are the only team that are yet to win at home, failing in 10 consecutive home matches - their worst-ever run in the Bundesliga.

Schalke-Köln

• Schalke are unbeaten in 17 years at home to Köln (seven wins, three draws).
• S04 have won their last four home games in all competitions, keeping four clean sheets in the process.
• Köln have the second-worst away record in the league having won only four points from their eight BL matches on the road this season.
• Schalke have won three of their last four league games (one defeat).
• Klaas-Jan Huntelaar hasn't found the back of the net in 375 minutes in the league - his longest goal drought so far in the Bundesliga.
• Only St. Pauli (14) have scored fewer goals than Köln (18) in the Bundesliga so far this season.

Bremen-Kaiserslautern

• Bremen have won four of the last six league meetings with Kaiserslautern (one draw, one defeat).
• Werder have the second-worst defence in the Bundesliga. Only Gladbach (45) have conceded more goals than the SVW (33) so far this season.
• Lautern have only won one of their last seven away games (six defeats) when they beat Nuremberg 3-1 on the road on the 13^th matchday.
• Bremen have only won of their last seven league games (four defeats, two draws) when they beat St. Pauli 3-0 on the 13^th day.
• Bremen have failed to score in five of their last six BL games.
• Lautern's Tiffert has assisted the most goals in the league (nine).

Wolfsburg-Hoffenheim

• Wolfsburg have won three of their four BL games against Hoffenheim losing only their first meeting with the TSG in November 2008 (3-2 away defeat).
• Hoffenheim have suffered 4-0 defeats on their last two visits to the Volkswagen-Arena.
• The Wolves have drawn their last five league matches - the longest run of its kind in the club's history.
• 1899 have only won one of their last six BL games (three draws, two defeats).
• Wolfsburg are without a win in six BL games (five draws, one defeat).
• Only leaders Dortmund (37 goals) and second placed Leverkusen (33 goals) have scored more goals than Hoffenheim (30 goals) this season

Frankfurt-Dortmund

• Borussia are only one point away from the best ever first leg in Bundesliga history (43 points already).
• BVB have won their last eight away games, equalling the Bundesliga record set by FC Bayern in 2005. Dortmund will set a new record if they win in Frankfurt.
• Dortmund have won each of their last seven games, equalling their own club record. They will set a new record with a victory in this game.
• BVB are undefeated in their last 15 games; the last time they managed such a run in a single season was between September 1995 and February 1996.
• Dortmund have defeated Eintract more times than any other side (35.)

Nürnberg-Hannover

• Hannover and leaders Dortmund are the only teams in the Bundesliga who have won their last five league matches.
• 96 will have to do without their injured top-scorer Didier Ya Konan (nine goals).Hannover have lost all 10 BL games in which the Ivorian has not played since his arrival in summer 2009.
• Nürnberg have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 12 BL games. No team in the league has gone as long without a clean sheet.
• Hannover haven't lost a game in which they scored a goal since the end of March (13 wins, one draw).
• Nürnberg have lost four of their last five BL games by a margin of at least two goals.
• Mike Hanke hasn't played the full 90 minutes in a single game this season, but has already scored three goals this term, all of them as a substitute.

Pauli-Mainz

• Mainz played 10 matches at Pauli's stadium, Millerntor, in the 2 Bundesliga (two wins, six defeats, two draws).
• Mainz have lost six of their last eight competitive games, winning the other two.
• The last eight matches have seen Pauli gain just four points, the fewest of any Bundesliga team, dropping from sixth to 15th in the process.
• Mainz have scored only six goals before the halftime break this season; Pauli have scored just five during the first half. These are the two lowest figures in the entire Bundesliga.
• Having won just eight points from their last eight home games, there is only one team in the league that has a worse home record than St. Pauli.
• St. Pauli have managed to score only one goal over the last six  matchdays (Thorandt; 1-1 at Wolfsburg).
• Four of Mainz's six defeats this season have come at home; only two have taken place on the road. Mainz have lost two of their last three away games, but defeated Mönchengladbach 3-2.

Leverkusen-Freiburg

• Freiburg have won just one of the last eight BL games against Leverkusen (six defeats): 1-0 in the 2003/04 season.
• In Leverkusen, Bayer have won six, drawn two and lost three. The last win for Freiburg there came back in 2001, when they won 3-1. Michael Ballack was playing for Bayer.
• Leverkusen have won the last four meetings with Freiburg, scoring 15 and conceding three.
• Bayer are unbeaten in their last seven games (five wins, two draws). At the same point last season, they were still unbeaten for the season.
• Freiburg's win last weekend (3-0 over Mönchengladbach) was their ninth of the season and their first by more than one goal. They only managed nine wins in the whole of last season.
• Bayer have the highest-scoring midfield in the league, both in terms of goals (23) and percentage of total goals (70%).

Stuttgart-Bayern

• Bayern could enjoy their 50th BL victory over the Swabians - the only team in the league the reigning champions have beaten more often are Hamburg (52 times). Bayern have also picked up more BL away wins in Stuttgart than anywhere else (21).
• The FCB are without a win in their last five away games at Stuttgart (three draws, two defeats).
• Bayern have only won one of their seven BL away games this season. The last time they had such a poor away record was 17 years ago.
• The VfB (29 goals) have scored three goals more than the FCB (26 goals) so far this season, but have taken 14 points less than the reigning champions.
• Bayern have only lost one of their last 30 BL matches on a Sunday (19 wins, 10 draws).
• Bayern's Mario Gomez (five headed goals) and Stuttgart's Georg Niedermeier (four) have netted the most headed goals in the league.

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French Ligue 1 Opta Facts - 18-19 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.

Lens - Caen

• Caen are unbeaten in their last three trips to Lens in the top-flight.
• Caen have scored exactly one goal in each of their last four top-flight games against Lens.
• Lens have failed to win any of their last five Ligue 1 games, only Caen are experiencing a longer drought currently (11).
• Caen have lost their last three away league games.
• Caen have not scored in their last 275 minutes of league football, currently the longest run in the division.
• Caen striker Youssef El Arabi has scored 10 of Caen's 16 league goals this season.

Montpellier - Auxerre

• Auxerre have only won once in their 18 top-flight trips to Montpellier.
• There has been a red card in each of the last four top-flight encounters between Montpellier and Auxerre.
• Montpellier have never scored more than one goal in each of their last eight league games.
• Auxerre are unbeaten in their last five away league games, only PSG are currently on a longer run.
• Montpellier are winless in their last three league games, their worst drought this season.
• Auxerre defender Jean-Pascal Mignot has scored in three of his side's last four away league games.

Nice - Brest

• Only two of the 14 top-flight encounters between these two sides have ended in a draw. Their head-to-head record at Nice is perfectly balanced: three wins each and one draw.
• Their last competitive encounter dates back to January 2006 in the French Cup: Brest won 3-0 at home.
• Brest are the only side yet to draw an away game this season in Ligue 1.
• Brest have scored in each of their last seven away league games, currently the longest run in the division.
• None of Nice's last eight league games has seen more than two goals.
• Brest striker Nolan Roux has had the most shots in Ligue 1 this season, trying his luck 65 times (five goals).

Rennes - Valenciennes

• Since Valenciennes got promoted back to the top-flight in 2006, the head-to-head encounters between these two sides is perfectly balanced : three wins each and two draws.
• Valenciennes have kept a clean sheet in each of their last two league trips to Rennes' Route de Lorient stadium.
• There have been three red cards in the last three league encounters between Rennes and Valenciennes.
• Rennes striker Victor Montaño scored in his two league games against Valenciennes last season, when he was playing for Montpellier.
• Rennes have not conceded a goal in 274 minutes of league football, the longest current run in the division.
• Valenciennes have only won one of their last 15 away league games.

St Etienne - Arles-Avignon

• St Etienne and Arles last met in March 1973, in the French Cup: les Verts won 7-0 on aggregate.
• St Etienne are the only side to have scored in each of their eight home league games this season.
• St Etienne have failed to win any of their last five league games at their Geoffroy-Guichard stadium.
• St Etienne have only kept one clean sheet in their last 10 league games.
• Arles-Avignon have failed to score in their last four away league games, their last goal on the road dating back to 25 September.
• Arles-Avignon striker Franck Dja-Djedje has been directly involved in all three of his side's away goals this season, scoring twice and delivering the assist for the third.

Toulouse - Lorient

• Lorient are unbeaten in their five top-flight trips to Toulouse, winning twice and drawing the other three.
• Toulouse have only won one of their 10 top-flight encounters with Lorient.
• None of the last eight Ligue 1 encounters between Toulouse and Lorient have seen more than two goals.
• Lorient have scored three goals in each of their last two top-flight games, their best goalscoring run this season.
• Toulouse have only had 167 shots, the lowest total in Ligue 1 this season.
• Toulouse have won 75% of league games this season when midfielder Fode Mansare has started (three wins and a draw), against 31% when he hasn't been in the starting eleven (four wins, two draws and seven defeats).

Paris SG - Monaco

• Monaco are unbeaten in their last five league encounters with PSG. They have beaten Paris SG the most times in the top-flight(39).
• Paris SG have failed to score in their last four league games against Monaco.
• Paris SG have won their last two league games, the first time they have won back-to-back games in 2010.
• Six of the nine league games at the Parc des Princes this season have seen PSG score at least two goals.
• Nenê has scored in each of PSG's last three league games.
• 80% of Monaco's goals have come in the second-half (12 out of 15), the highest ratio in Ligue 1 this season.

Lille - Nancy

• Nancy have lost their last three league encounters against Lille, conceding 10 goals.
• None of Nancy's last 21 league games has ended in a goalless draw, the longest current run in Ligue 1.
• Nancy have always won when they have opened the scoring in Ligue 1 this season: five games, five wins.
• Nancy are unbeaten in their last four league games, their longest unbeaten run since last January.
• Lille have scored in each of their last 14 league games, currently the longest run in Ligue 1.
• Lille striker Gervinho has scored five goals in as many league games against Nancy, his best total against a Ligue 1 side.

Sochaux - Bordeaux

• Bordeaux are unbeaten in their last seven league games
• Bordeaux's last three league outings have ended in draws.
• Sochaux are the most efficient side at home this season, picking up 20 points in nine league games at their Bonal stadium.
• Jean Tigana has won all five of his Ligue 1 encounters against Sochaux as a manager.
• Bordeaux have scored the most goals from corner kicks this season (5) while Sochaux have conceded the most from that particular set-piece (7).
• Sochaux striker Modibo Maïga has scored six league goals this season, all at home.
• Sochaux have lost six of their last seven league games against Bordeaux.

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17-12-2010 - ANĐELKO ĐURIČIĆ (LEIRIJA, PORTUGAL 1)

Portimonense polako gubi borbu za opstanak. Maritimo je jači i trebalo bi da slavi na ovom meču.
MARITIMO – PORTIMONENSE     1

Benfika ekipu Rio Avea mora da “otvori” još u prvom poluvremenu, dakle iz keca, a ne bi smelo da bude dileme ni na utakmici na kojoj Porto gostuje ekipi Fereire. Najrizičnija je jedinica na Bragu, kojoj u goste dolazi Akademika, čiji fudbaleri su totalno van forme.

 BENFIKA – RIO AVE     1-1

FEREIRA – PORTO     2

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17-12-2010 - NEBOJŠA GUDELJ (BREDA, HOLANDIJA 1)

Poslednje jesenje kolo trebalo bi da donese dobar fudbal, jer svi klubovi žele na najbolji način da završe prvi deo prvenstva. Tereni su dobri, nema snega, tako da su ispunjeni svi uslovi za atraktivnu i efikasnu rundu.
Siguran sam da će Tvente savladati Herakles, jer pred domaćim navijačima mora da se iskupi za katastrofu prošlog vikenda protiv Herenvena (2:6).

TVENTE - HERAKLES     1

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17-12-2010 MIHAILO UVALIN (CRVENA ZVEZDA) TIPUJE JADRANSKU LIGU

BUDUĆNOST – CIBONA 1
- Budućnost se vraća u pobednički ritam, u pravu formu. Dobila je dve teške utakmice, u NLB ligi i Evrokupu, a trenutno je kvalitetnija od Cibone, koja se osipa. Igra se Podgorici, pa Zagrepčani nemaju šta da traže.

PARTIZAN – KRKA 1
- Bez obzira na plasman i činjenicu da ima dobru i disciplinovanu ekipu, Krka nema nikakve šanse u „Pioniru“. Crno-beli će ih fizički „pojesti“.

HEMOFARM – ZADAR 1
- Siguran kec, uopšte nemam dilemu. Hemofarm dugo čeka pobedu na Jadranu. Istina je da Vrščani imaju pritisak da kod kuće moraju da dobiju, ali to ih neće poremetiti.

OLIMPIJA – CRVENA ZVEZDA minus poeni 
 - Nadamo se pobedi, ali ne bih prognozirao ishod, da ne bih posle bio kriv ako promašim, a neko me posluša. Očekujem meč sa malo koševa.

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