29.08. (Mon) 21:00 Barcelona - Villarreal

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Barcelona (4-1-2-3):
Valdes; Montoya, Mascherano, Fontas, Abidal; Busquets; Fabregas, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Villa

Pep Guardiola faces the prospect of beginning la Liga without first-choice defenders Gerard Pique (calf), Dani Alves (suspended) and club captain Carles Puyol (knee). Furthermore, the Catalans are without experienced back-ups Maxwell and Adriano and could therefore draft in Martin Montoya at right-back and 21-year-old Andreu Fontas alongside Javier Mascherano in the centre.

Having played in Monaco on Friday, Guardiola may have hoped to rotate his squad but, despite playing at Camp Nou, Villarreal will pose a danger to Barcelona and as such their usual front three of Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa are likely to start on Monday night.

However, Guardiola may opt for Busquets and Fabregas to provide fresh impetus in midfield, replacing Seydou Keita and Xavi respectively who started in Barca’s Super Cup victory over Porto.

Ibrahim Afellay is still unavailable having failed to recover from a muscular strain in time for Monday night’s match.

Villarreal (4-3-1-2):
Diego Lopez; Mario, Musacchio, Zapata, Oriol; Bruno, Marchena, Cani; Valero; Nilmar, Rossi

The Yellow Submarine will travel to Camp Nou without captain Gonzalo Rodriquez, who is not expected back until early October due to a fractured fibula, with summer signing Cristian Zapata expected to make his La Liga debut alongside Mateo Musacchio in central defence.

Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi looks set to remain at Villarreal after a summer of speculation linking him to Italy was quelled when Rossi’s agent said: “Villarreal have taken him off the market after the sale of Santi Cazorla brought in the money the club needed.”

Barcelona were another club that Rossi had been linked to at one stage over the summer, but the move never materialised, giving Villarreal’s top scorer from last season the chance to show Barca what he is capable of.

DID YOU KNOW?

Guardiola has now led Barcelona to 12 trophies in just over three years at the club, a feat that takes him past Johan Cruyff’s 11 in eight seasons.

In this fixture last season Barcelona ran out 3-1 winners. After Nilmar had cancelled out David Villa’s early strike, a Lionel Messi brace in the second half proved too much for the Yellow Submarine.

Barcelona failed to score at Camp Nou just twice throughout the entirety of la Liga 2010-11; in a 0-0 draw against Deportivo la Coruna, and a 2-0 defeat to Hercules.

This fixture last brought a goalless draw back in 2003-04 season, so you can expect goals galore – although that match was played at the Camp Nou.

Villarreal last won at Camp Nou in the 2007-08 season, with a 2-1 triumph. Marcos Senna and Jon-Dahl Tomasson scored either side of a Xavi strike to give the Yellow Submarine all three points.

In the last 24 matches between these two sides there have been more than three goals scored on 13 occasions.

The Yellow Submarine secured a place in the Champions League proper after a 3-1 aggregate win over Danish club Odense. Garrido’s men have been drawn against Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Napoli in the group touted as the “Group of Death”.

Villarreal had the worst away record of the ‘Top Five’ last season; the Yellow Submarinemanaged just five wins, scoring 21 goals – failing to score on seven occasions.

Prediction

Guardiola's side will be on a high from their Super Cup triumph and although tiredness may creep in being this early in the season they should have enough to see off the challenge of the Yellow Submarines.

Editor's Prediction

Barcelona 2-1 Villarreal

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27.08. (Sat) 16:00 Liverpool - Bolton Wanderers

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Liverpool (4-4-2): 
Reina; Kelly, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; Henderson, Lucas, Adam, Downing; Suarez, Carroll

Steven Gerrard remains sidelined due to a groin injury and is expected to return to action in September. He is joined by fellow midfielder Raul Meireles in the treatment room, as the former Porto man injured his collarbone during the game against Exeter City and is out for at least two weeks.

Glen Johnson is on the road to recovery from the thigh injury he sustained during a pre-season game against Valencia, but remains a doubt for this clash.

Bolton Wanderers (4-4-2): 
Jaaskelainen; Wheater, Cahill, Knight, Robinson; Eagles, Muamba, Reo-Coker, Petrov; K Davies, Klasnic

For Owen Coyle, Lee Chung-Yong is a long-term absentee due to a broken leg, while Stuart Holden (knee) also remains on the sidelines for this fixture. Tyrone Mears (broken leg) and Sam Ricketts (Achilles) are also out.

Gretar Steinsson contracted a foot injury during the defeat to Manchester City last week, but could return in time for this game. Ricardo Gardner was reported to be a doubt for City's trip to the Reebok, and he continues to remain a doubt for trip to Anfield.

DID YOU KNOW?

Liverpool have won nine out of the last 10 Premier League meetings between the two sides, and this will be their 10th consecutive victory if they should take three points from Bolton.

Kenny Dalglish's men have lost only one league game in their last 10 outings at Anfield. That defeat came towards the end of last season, when Tottenham managed to carve out a 2-0 victory.

The two teams have faced each other 58 times in league games at the Reds' home ground. The hosts have won 32, the opposition 10, while the remaining 16 ended in a draw.

The last time that Bolton beat the Reds was in 2006, courtesy of goals from Gary Speed and Ivan Campo. At the time, it was the third consecutive away defeat for the Merseyside club, but eventually went on to finish in third place that season.

The Trotters won only two league games away from home last campaign, which was a joint low with Birmingham City and West Ham United - both relegated at the end of the season.

The 4-0 victory over QPR was Bolton's first away win in their last 13 games.

Prediction

Editor's Prediction 
Liverpool 3-1 Bolton

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27.08. (Sat) 16:00 Chelsea - Norwich City

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Chelsea (4-3-3): 
Hilario; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Mikel, Lampard; Anelka, Torres, Malouda

New signing Juan Mata could be drafted in with Fernando Torres perhaps preferred to Didier Drogba if this is the case. Florent Malouda is likely to be restored after his productive cameo against West Brom, with the ineffectual Salomon Kalou the most likely casualty. At the back, Alex's slip-up proved costly against the Baggies, so David Luiz may be drafted in straight away after recovering from his injury, with the robust Branislav Ivanovic set to recapture his slot at right-back.

Norwich City (4-4-2): 
Ruddy;R. Martin, Whitbread, De Laet, Tierney; Pilkington, Crofts, Johnson, Surman; Holt, Morison

It's likely that the majority of the players who featured in the 4-0 tonking by MK Dons will be relegated to the bench for this one, though the likes of Russell Martin and Andrew Surman will be hoping to survive a cull. Paul Lambert will want the physical threat of both Grant Holt and Steve Morison up front in order to pose some problems to John Terry, with the combative Andrew Crofts also in to help rattle some cages.

DID YOU KNOW?

Norwich have failed to register in five of the last seven games against Chelsea.

Of all the teams in the Premier League, Norwich have utilised their squad the most, playing a total of 19 players in their two games so far.

In their last eight home games Chelsea have picked up 22 points, dropping just two.

Norwich’s away record isn’t too bad either though, having lost only one of their previous nine away games in league competition.

Grant Holt has proved himself a handful so far in his maiden Premier League campaign, being the most fouled player in the division, winning 11 free kicks.

Chelsea’s goal-scoring record in the month of August is the most impressive of all the Premier League clubs, with the Blues netting 1.9 goals on average per game.

The last two times Norwich have visited Stamford Bridge, they’ve run out 4-0 losers.

Prediction

Editor's Prediction 
Chelsea 3-0 Norwich City

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La Liga Preview - Round One

Saturday
Sporting Gijon - Real Sociedad (18:00 CET)
Valencia - Racing Santander (20:00 CET)
Granada - Real Betis (22:00 CET)
Sunday
Atletico Madrid - Osasuna (12:00 CET)
Athletic Bilbao - Rayo Vallecano (16:00 CET)
Getafe - Levante (18:00 CET)
Mallorca - Espanyol (18:00 CET)
Sevilla - Malaga (22:00 CET)

 

Saturday August 27

Sporting Gijon – Real Sociedad

(1800 CET)

• Sporting Gijon flirted with the idea of relegation for much of last season, occupying the last three positions in the league on numerous occasions before a host of late-season wins saw them climb to 10th in the table.
• Sporting's home record was admirable, with only four losses at the El Molinon, six draws and nine wins.
• Real Sociedad finished in 15th place last season, and despite ending up near the drop zone were the only team to finish in the bottom half of the table not to occupy 18th, 19th or 20th at any point during the entire campaign.
• Sociedad triumphed just three times on the road last season, one of which was a 3-1 victory against Sporting.

Team News

Sporting Gijon have a full squad to choose from, including latest signing Andre Castro who could make his debut for the Rojiblancos.

Philippe Montanier’s Real Sociedad travel to Gijon with just Ifrane Diego missing after he failed to recover from a leg injury in time.

Valencia – Racing Santander

(2000 CET)

• Valencia finished third in last season’s Primera Division behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.
• Los Che were the third-best team in every sense last season, apart from goals. Unai Emery’s side had the third-most wins, draws, third-least losses and third-best goal difference.
• Racing Santander finished a respectable 12th place last season, without ever threatening the European places they never looked a side that could face the drop either; this season they could be in trouble after their Indian businessmen – Syed Ali – has led the club into administration.
• Taking only away games into consideration, Racing would have finished ninth overall, three places higher than their final league position.

Team News

Valencia will have to cope with loss of winger Juan Mata, who completed his move to Chelsea earlier this week. Unai Emery has near to a full squad choose from, with Paco Alcacer continuing to recover following the death of his father, and Aritz Aduriz out injured. New loan signing Sergio Canales could start for his new club following a successful medical confirming his move from Real Madrid.

Hector Cuper has a near-full squad to choose from ahead of Racing’s opening fixture against Valencia with long-term absentee Oscar Serrano continuing his recovery from knee ligament damage in an otherwise healthy group.

Granada – Real Betis

(2000 CET)

• Granada secured promotion to Spain’s top division following a successful Segunda campaign; El Graná finished fifth before coming through the play-offs, and back-to-back promotions, to return to the top flight after 35 years away.
• In last year’s fixtures between these two in Segunda B, the home team were victorious on both occasions.
• Real Betis finished as champions of the Segunda Division last season, returning to the top flight after two years away.
• Betis failed to score on four occasions away from home last season, once when they travelled to the Los Cármenes.

Team News

Alex Geijo and goalkeeper Juan Jose are both set to miss Granada’s first Liga match in 35 years, through shoulder and back injuries respectively. New signing Julio Ceasar, who completed his signing from Benfica earlier this week, could deputise for the injured Jose, while fellow summer signing Hassan Yebda could make his debut for Granda too.

Jonathan Pereira is doubtful for Betis after picking up a groin injury in pre-season, while Sergio Rodriquez picked up a knock in training this week. Meanwhile, Nelson has returned to training after a brief spell on the sidelines but is still short of full fitness.

Sunday 28th August

Atletico Madrid - Osasuna(1200 CET)

• Atletico Madrid topped the table after their first game of last season, a 4-0 win over Sporting Gijon.
• Los Rojiblancos failed to score on three occasions at home last season.
• Osasuna managed 11 clean sheets at home last term, including one against eventual Liga runners-up, Real Madrid.
• Osasuna failed to score in 58% of their away games last season.

Team News

Gregorio Manzano has no injury worries ahead of Atletico Madrid’s match against Osasuna but with Diego Forlan’s pending departure, if not already finalised, the Madrid coach will have to decide whether to play the Uruguayan before he is transferred, possibly to Inter Milan. It is unlikely that Wolfsburg’s Diego will complete his move to Spain before Sunday’s tie.

Raul Garcia picked up an injury to his ankle in training which will push back his second debut for Osasuna after returning to the Reyno de Navarra on loan from Athletico Madrid during the summer. Coach Jose Luis Mendilibar has a full squad at his disposal and will hope the loss of star full-back Nacho Monreal won’t hinder his team’s standing this season.

Athletic Bilbao vs. Rayo
(1600 CET)

• Athletic Bilbao register very few draws last season (4), with only Real Sociedad (3) tying less games.
• Athletic scored the least goals at home (32) out of the ‘Top 8’ teams in La Liga last season.
• Rayo Vallecano have returned to la Liga for the first time following their relegation in 2002-03. Rayo were then relegated to the Segunda B in the 2003/04 before regaining their place in Spain’s second tier in 2007-08 after winning the Segunda B.
• Rayo last played at San Mames in La Liga back in 2002-03. On that occasion Bilbao were the winners by a two goals to one scoreline.

Team News

There are no injury worries in the Athletic Bilbao camp after Andoni Iraola completed his recovery this week.

Jose Ramon Sandoval has a full squad at his disposal before Rayo Vallecano travel to Bilbao on Sunday, with further arrivals suggested by the media. Manchester City’s Roque Santa Cruz and Sevilla’s Arouna Kone have been linked with the club, whilst Rayo have confirmed the signing of Dani Pacheco from Liverpool to add to their striking options.

Getafe vs. Levante
(1800)

• Although Getafe finished 16th, just two places above the drop zone, the Azulones only found themselves 18th or lower once throughout the entire season; although their fate was in the balance until Matchday 38 results were confirmed.
• Last season Getafe were convincing winners in this match with a 4-1 result.
• Levante last beat Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez back in 2001-02 when both clubs were in the Segunda Division.
• Levante finished a respectable 14th in la Liga last season; their first season back in the top flight after being relegated to the Segunda in the 2009-10 season.

Team News

Getafe have no injury worries ahead of their trip to El Sardinero, and they will hope to give Dani Guiza his debut following his move back to Spain from Turkish side Fenerbahce.

Levante face the prospect of including just one striker in their squad to face Getafe, Carlos Aranda. Injuries to Rafa Jorda (ankle) and Javier Farinos (foot) leave them both unavailable for the trip to Madrid.  New signing Asier del Horno pulled out early of a midweek training session, whilst Marc Mateu and Pedro Lopez are certain to miss the game through injury, with Juanlu remaining a doubt.

Mallorca vs. Espanyol
(1800)

• Despite narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Mallorca found themselves in the drop zone just once all season; on Matchday 2.
• Mallorca finished 12th in the home league table last term, after nine wins and four draws at the Iberostar Stadium.
• Espanyol scored in all but two home games last season, both 1-0 losses against Real Madrid and Villarreal.
• Espanyol finished in 8th place last term, challenging for a Europa League spot until the closing stages of the season when they lost ground on the teams above them.

Team News

Mallorca are without long-term absentee French winger Michael Pereira who picked up a knee injury in pre-season. Los Bermellones will also be without captain Nunes for the first two months of the season following a knee injury. Meanwhile, Jonathan de Guzman is expected to complete to his move to Villarreal so is unlikely to feature on Sunday.

Espanyol have no injuries to hinder their Starting XI but they may struggle throughout the season ahead following the loss of striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo to Italy.

Sevilla vs. Malaga
(2200)

• Sevilla finished the season in fifth place last year, conceding 61 goals throughout the season; the most out of any of the top 10 side in La Liga, and the fourth-most in the entire league.
• Sevilla failed to score in all but two home games last season, one of which was 0-0 against Malaga.
• Malaga won more away games last season than Villarreal, who finished 4th in La Liga.
• Malaga haven’t registered a win over Sevilla in their last seven meetings.

Team News

Sevilla’s Ivan Ratikic is expected to recover from a metatarsal injury ahead of Malaga’s visit to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Sevilla will still be able to boast the presence of Frederic Kanoute in their strikeforce despite the summer-long speculation regarding the forward's future.

Weligton is the sole absentee from Malaga’s squad to face Sevilla. The Brazilian defender is being treated for a knee injury and is expected to be out for around two more weeks. Weligton aside, Manuel Pellegrini has a full squad at his disposal.

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27.08. (Sat) 15:30 Kaiserslautern - Bayern Munchen

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Kaiserslautern (4-4-2)
Trapp; Dick, Amedick, Rodnei, Jessen; Kirch, Tiffert, Petsos, Ilicevic; Sukuta-Pasu, Shechter


Marco Kurz will have the core of his first-choice team fully fit to play against their rivals. Loanees Lucas and Dorge Kouemaha have been ruled out of the action, as have long-term casualties Gal Vermouth, Adam Nemec and Jan Simunek.

Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)
Neuer; Rafinha, Boateng, Badstuber, Lahm; Gustavo, Schweinsteiger; Muller, Kroos, Ribery; Gomez

Arjen Robben was forced to withdraw from Jupp Heynckes' squad on Friday due to an inflammation of the pubic bone. The coach is expected to welcome Rafinha back into his starting line-up after the Brazilian was rested in midweek, meaning that Jerome Boateng will slide into a central defensive role, replacing Daniel Van Buyten.

DID YOU KNOW?

Kaiserslautern have only lost one of their last eight competitive games (five wins, two draws).

Marco Kurz's side have lost more games (45) and conceded more goals (168) against Bayern than against any other BL team.

'Lautern have won only one of their last 16 meetings with Bayern, losing 11 (four draws).

Bayern Munich have only lost one of their last 12 BL games (nine wins, two draws).

The Bavarians' defeat to Kaiserslautern (0-2) in the first half of last season was the only one in all competitions against the Red Devils since April 1999.

The German record champions have scored 36 goals in their last 12 BL games, an average of three per game, and did not allow their opponents more than one goal in any of these games.

Prediction

The hosts will play defensively in a bid to frustrate their opponents, but unlike last year, Bayern can expect to contain their counter-attack. The Bavarians have not always ad the prettiest results this season, but have been effective. And, in all likelihood, they will be able to grind out another win in what will be a very hostile atmosphere.

Editor's Prediction

1. FCK 0-1 Bayern Munich

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Bundesliga preview - Round 4

Saturday (15:30 CET) 
Hamburg - Koln
Nurnberg - Augsburg
Freiburg - Wolfsburg
Kaiserslautern - Bayern Munich (Click here for full preview)
Hoffenheim - Werder Bremen
Bayer Leverkusen - Borussia Dortmund (18:30 CET) 
Sunday 
Hannover - Mainz (15:30 CET)
Schalke - Borussia Monchengladbach (17:30 CET)

  Hertha Berlin - Stuttgart

• Hertha Berlin's Markus Babbel concluded his illustrious playing career at Stuttgart, and started his coaching career with the Swabians.

• The Old Lady are yet to take the lead in a Bundesliga game this season.

• Stuttgart have fielded the exact same team in their last three games. This is set to change on Friday as Khalid Boulahrouz is suspended.

• Hertha Berlin have lost just four times in 27 home games against Stuttgart.

TEAM NEWS:

 
Hertha Berlin
Markus Babbel will have to do without the services of strikers Abu Bakarr Kargbo and Marko Djuricin, who have been ruled out with injuries. Midfielder Nico Schulz will also have to watch from the sidelines this Friday.
Stuttgart
Bruno Labbadia is likely to have some selection headaches as defenders Ermin Bicakcic, Georg Niedermeier, Patrick Bauer and captain Matthieu Delpierre are all injured. In addition, ex-Valenciennes man Johan Audel and striker Julian Schieber have also been ruled out of the game, while Khalid Boulahrouz is suspended after picking up a red card last Sunday in the game against Bayer Leverkusen.

 

Hamburg - Koln

• Hamburg's start to the season is third worst in the club's history.

• Michael Oenning currently has worse record than any other HSV coach. His only win in an official game came against Koln back in March this year.

• Koln have won just eight times in 42 visits to Hamburg.

• Mato Jajalo and Lukas Podolski were on target for the Billy Goats in their last game against HSV.

TEAM NEWS:
 
Hamburg
Jose Paolo Guerrero, Jacopo Sala, Kevin Ingreso, Tolgay Arslan, Marcus Berg and Mlade Petric are all unavailable for Hamburg, leaving Michael Oenning with plenty to think about before the game on Saturday. New signing Slobodan Rajkovic could make his debut in the game against Koln.

Koln
First-choice goalkeeper Michael Rensing has been ruled out with an injury, and will join veteran midfielder Petit and youngster Kevin Pezzoni on the sidelines. Strikers Sebastian Freis, Thiemo-Jerome Kialka and Alexandru Ionita are also set to miss the game, but are reportedly on their way to returning to full fitness. Lukas Podolski is short of fitness as he is suffering from fever, but could play a part on Saturday.

  Nurnberg - Augsburg

• Nurnberg have lost five times in their last six Bundesliga games.

• The Club eliminated Augsburg in the 2010 Bundesliga relegation play-off, securing their first division status after a 3-0 aggregate win.

• Sascha Molders, similarly to Nurnberg's Tomas Pekhart, has scored all of his team's goals in the league this season.

• Augsburg are yet to achieve their first win in the Bundesliga.

Top gun | Sascha Molders has been on fire for Augsburg

TEAM NEWS:

 
Nurnberg
First-choice goalkeeper Raphael Schafer picked an injury last week and will sit out the game against the defending Bundesliga champions. 18-year-old talent Patrick Rakovsky is set to deputise for the veteran, who will join defender Per Nilsson and midfielders Manuel Zeitz and Daniel Didavi on the list of absentees.

Augsburg
The Bundesliga newcomers will have to do without the services of Torsten Oehrl and Nando Rafael, who have been sidelined with injuries.

Freiburg - Wolfsburg

 

• Papiss Cisse is once again on the top of the goalscoring charts with four goals in three games.

• Freiburg have the best home record against Wolfsburg of all the teams currently in the Bundesliga.

• Wolsburg have gotten to their worst ever season start under Felix Magath.

• The Wolves purchased two players this week, signing Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Hrvoje Cale.

TEAM NEWS:

Freiburg
Jan Rosenthal is the only absentee for Marcus Sorg's men, who will be looking to maintain their good home record against the Wolves.

Wolfsburg
Felix Magath will have a nearly full squad on hand, with only long-term absentees Arne Friedrich and Thomas Kahlenberg, as well as the dropped Diego, unavailable from his first-team squad. Ja-Cheol Koo is also injured after picking a knock in the match against Bayern Munich and will join new signing Patrick Ochs on the sidelines.
New signings Hrvoje Cale and Sotirios Kyrgiakos could make their debut in the game on Saturday.

Kaiserslautern - Bayern Munich

(Click here for full preview)

 
 

Hoffenheim - Werder Bremen

 

• Last weekend Hoffenheim won twice in a row for the first time in more than a year and a half.

• Neither as a player, nor as a coach has Holger Stanislawski ever been victorious against Werder Bremen.

• The River Islanders lost 1-4 to Hoffenheim in their opening game last season.
  
• Werder Bremen has gotten off to their best start to a season in five years, collection six points from three games.

TEAM NEWS:

Hoffenheim 

Holger Stanislawski will have to do without the services Manuel Gulde, Tobias Weis, Boris Vukcevic, Knowledge Musona and Vedad Ibisevic, who have been sidelined with injuries.
 

Werder Bremen
Thomas Schaaf can not rely on the services of defenders Naldo, Leon-Aderemi Balogun, Mikael Silvestre and Sebastian Boenisch, who have been deemed unfit. Midfielders Ozkan Yildirim and Tim Borowski as well as strikers Denni Avdic and Onur Ayik are also likely to miss the game with various injuries.

Bayer Leverkusen - Borussia Dortmund

 

• Leverkusen last lost at home to no other than Borussia Dortmund on January 14.

• The Aspirins have won just once in their last eight games against BVB.

• Dortmund's Sven Bender is set to face his twin brother Leverkusen's Lars Bender on Saturday.

• The reigning champions beat the Aspirins to the title last season by seven points.

Fraternal battle | Bender twins are set for a midfield duel on Saturday

TEAM NEWS:

Bayer Leverkusen
Long-term casualty Rene Adler is definitely out of the game, while his deputy Fabian Giefer has recovered from the knock he picked up in Leverkusen's opener against Mainz. He is unlikely, however, to replace Stuttgart-owned goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who has kept two clean sheets in his last two games. Bastian Oczipka and Tranquillo Barnetta have also been ruled out of the clash with injuries.

Borussia Dortmund
Jurgen Klopp will have to do without the services of first-choice striker Lucas Barrios, who will join defenders Patrick Owomoyela and Julian Koch as well as midfielder Marvin Bakalorz on the sidelines.

Hannover - Mainz

• The 96ers qualified for the group stage of the Europa League on Thursday, edging Sevilla 3-2 on aggregate.

• Hannover have better balance against Mainz than against any other team, but Freiburg.

• The Oh-Fives have conceded three goals from set-pieces last Sunday, while Mirko Slomka's men have scored just one of their five goals so far this season from open play.

• Nikolce Noveski have played in all of the ten games between the two clubs.

TEAM NEWS:

Hannover
Hannover will be able to field an almost full-strength team on Sunday, with only midfielders Carlitos and Leon Andreasen as well as striker Artur Sobiech out of the squad with injuries.

Mainz
Long-term casualty Adam Szalai and midfielder Florian Heller have been ruled out of the game together with defender Eugen Gopko as Thomas Tuchel's men aim to bounce back from their 2-4 loss to Schalke last Sunday.

Schalke - Borussia Monchengladbach

• Schalke have done very well so far in the league, and now sit in fourth place in the Bundesliga. This time last year the Royal Blues were second from bottom without any points.

• Last year Champions League semi-finalists' home balance against Borussia Monchengladbach stands at 16 wins, 7 draws, and 15 defeats. 

• The Foals now sit at the top of the league table, which is in stark contrast with their performance last season, when they barely escaped relegation to the second division of German football.

• Lucien Favre has won eight times in 15 games in charge of Gladbach, making him the only coach of the club to have won more than 50 per cent of his matches. 

TEAM NEWS:

SchalkeRalf Rangnick will have to do without the services of midfielders Peer Kluge and Levan Kenia, who have been deemed unfit to start the game on Sunday. Defenders Christoph Metzelder, Tim Hoogland and Sergio Escudero will also be forced to watch from the stands as they are still recuperating from knocks.

Borussia Monchengladbach

Injured defender Martin Stranzl is the only absentee for Lucien Favre's men, who will be looking to continue their superb start to the season on Sunday against Schalke.

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