Premier League Opta Facts - 5-6 February

Stoke City v Sunderland

* In the five Premier League meetings between Stoke and Sunderland, no goals have been scored by the away team.
* Stoke have won their last three home games against Sunderland by a one-goal margin.
* Stoke have lost their last two league games by two goals to nil.
* Stoke have won their last two Premier League home games by two goals to nil.
* Sunderland have won their last two Premier League away games, they have not won three in succession since October 1999.
* Stoke have scored just six first half goals all season, fewer than any other side.
* Sunderland average only 0.63 points per game in February, the worst record of any side with more than one season in the Premier League.

Aston Villa v Fulham

* Fulham have only won three of the 19 Premier League meetings with Aston Villa.
* Aston Villa have won six and lost none of the nine home games against Fulham in the Premier League era.
* Gabriel Agbonlahor has scored three goals in his last two appearances against Fulham.
* Villa have kept only clean sheet in their last 15 Premier League games.
* If the Premier League had started on Boxing Day, Fulham would be sixth, level on points with Chelsea.
* Fulham have won every other game in their last seven games, if this run continues then they will fail to win this match.

Everton v Blackpool

* Only one of the last nine league meetings between Everton and Blackpool has ended as a home win.
* Everton have failed to score in their last four home league matches against Blackpool.
* There has only been one goal scored in the last four league matches between Everton and Blackpool at Goodison Park.
* Only West Brom have picked up fewer points than Everton since Boxing Day.
* Blackpool have scored as many away goals as Manchester United this season, 17.
* Only Wigan and Birmingham have scored fewer home goals than Everton (14) this season.
* Blackpool have conceded 11 goals in their last four Premier League games.

Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion

* West Brom didn't manage a single shot on target in their match against Man City at the Hawthorns in November, while City scored twice form just three attempts on target.
* There have been three red cards in the last four Premier League games between West Brom and Man City.
* City and West Brom have met twice this season, with the Baggies winning in the League Cup and the Citizens in the Premier League.
* City have won only one of their last four league games.
* Aleksandar Kolarov has been booked in his last two Premier League games.
* West Brom (6) and Manchester City (5) have collected 11 Premier League red cards between them this season.
* West Brom have averaged only 0.71 points per game in the Premier League in February, the third lowest total of any regular club.

Newcastle United v Arsenal

* Robin van Persie has opened the scoring in the 13th minute of each of Arsenal's last two away games which the Gunners have gone on to win 3-0.
* This is the third meeting between Newcastle and Arsenal this season, with the Gunners winning 4-0 away in the League Cup and the Magpies 1-0 away in the Premier League.
* Newcastle have won just two of the last 19 matches against Arsenal in all competitions.
* The Gunners have won only two of their last 10 visits to the three north east clubs in the Premier League.
* Newcastle have only scored five goals in their last 12 Premier League games against Arsenal, but those goals have earned them eight points.
* Newcastle have conceded exactly one goal in their last three league games.
* Arsenal have won five and drawn two of their last seven league games.
* The Gunners have leaked only one goal in five league games.

Tottenham Hotspur v Bolton Wanderers

* Bolton scored four goals from just six shots on target in their 4-2 win over Spurs at the Reebok back in November.
* Kevin Davies has scored six goals in his last five Premier League games against Tottenham.
* 14 players have scored for Bolton this season, more than any other Premier League side.
* Tottenham have kept clean sheets in their last three Premier League games at White Hart Lane; they have not kept four in a row since February 6 last year.
* Bolton have scored a total of only three goals in their last six league games.
* Wanderers have lost their last five Premier League away games in succession, their worst run since December 1995.
* Spurs have averaged seven corners per game this season, the highest rate in the league.

Wigan Athletic v Blackburn Rovers

* Six of the last seven matches between Wigan and Blackburn have ended as home wins.
* Roque Santa Cruz has scored five goals in four Premier League games against Wigan.
* Wigan have gone seven Premier League games without a win, their worst run since February last year.
* Blackburn have conceded a total of 19 goals in their last six Premier League away games, an average of 3.2 per game.
* Wigan have averaged only 4.0 corners per game this season, the lowest rate in the division.
* Blackburn would be fourth if only the first half of Premier League games counted.
* Wigan have scored only 13 second half goals this season, fewer than any other side.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United

* Four of the five Premier League meetings between Man Utd and Wolves have been won by a single-goal margin.
* Four of the last five league games between Wolves and United at Molineux have been won by a 1-0 scoreline and the other game finished 1-1.
* Park Ji-Sung has scored three goals in two games against Wolves this season.
* Wolves have scored three equalising goals in the two games against Man Utd this season, but lost to a 90th minute winner in both matches.
* Man Utd have won 10 and lost just one of the last 12 matches against Wolves in all competitions.
* Wolves' only previous Premier League win against Manchester United came when they were bottom and United were top (January 2004).
* United can set a new club Premier League record of 30 games without losing if they avoid defeat in this game.
* Manchester United have conceded only five goals before half-time this season.


West Ham United v Birmingham City

* Birmingham have only won one of the last eight Premier League matches against West Ham.
* West Ham have used 31 different players this season, the joint-most along with Aston Villa.
* Birmingham have hit only 78 shots on target this season, fewer than any other side.
* Birmingham have won only 10 out of 50 Premier League games they've played on a Sunday.
* The Hammers have exactly the same record as they did after 25 league games last season: W5 D9 L11.
* At this point last season Birmingham had 10 more points than they do currently (24).
* West Ham have conceded more corners than any other side, 187.
* Robbie Keane has scored six goals in 11 games against the Blues in the Premier League.

Chelsea v Liverpool

* Fernando Torres scored seven goals in eight appearances against Chelsea for Liverpool.
* The last four Premier League games between Chelsea and Liverpool have all ended 2-0.
* Both sides have scored in only one of the last nine Premier League meetings.
* Liverpool have only scored seven goals in 18 Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge, failed to score in 12 of them and the only goal they have scored in the last six visits was an own goal by Bosingwa.
* Bruno Cheyrou was the last Liverpool player to score at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League in 2004; the Reds have gone nine hours and 57 minutes without one of their players scoring since.
* Raul Meireles has scored three goals in his last four Premier League games.
* Liverpool have not won four league games in succession since September 2009, a run that ended with an away defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Read More

Championship Opta Facts - 4-6 February

Reading v QPR

* QPR have lost on four of their last five trips to Reading, drawing the other.
* Despite picking up six points from their last three meetings with the Royals, QPR have seen a man sent off on each occasion.
* Reading are unbeaten in eight home league games, picking up three wins and five draws.
* The R's have failed to score in each of their last three away games, picking up two 0-0 draws and one defeat.

Burnley v Norwich

* Norwich have lost their last four matches at Turf Moor in a row, scoring a total of just one goal.
* In fact, only two of the last 15 fixtures in all competitions between the Clarets and the Canaries have been won by the side playing away.
* The Clarets have only won one of their last five, drawing two and losing two.
* Paul Lambert's side have only lost one of their last 15 in the league and are unbeaten in seven away league games.

Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough

* Boro have only lost one of the last eight clashes between the sides, winning five and drawing two.
* Middlesbrough have only won two of their last 11 trips to Selhurst Park; both came by a scoreline of 1-0.
* Palace have kept six consecutive clean sheets at Selhurst Park, although they have failed to score themselves in three of these games.
* Middlesbrough are now unbeaten in six in the league, winning three and drawing three.

Ipswich v Sheffield United

* Ipswich's 2-1 win at Bramall Lane in November is their only win in nine against United.
* Three of the last four meetings between the sides at Portman Road have ended 1-1, with the Blades winning the other clash (3-0 last season).
* Ipswich have only kept one clean sheet in the last 13 league games.
* The Blades are winless in seven Championship games; their longest barren run of the season.

Leeds v Coventry

* Leeds have won six consecutive games against the Sky Blues at Elland Road.
* Coventry haven't kept a clean sheet at Elland Road since a 0-0 draw in February 1982; a run of 14 consecutive matches.
* Leeds have only won one of their last seven; a 4-0 drubbing of Scunthorpe at Elland Road.
* The Sky Blues have not won for nine league games and have lost their last three on the road.

Leicester v Barnsley

* Leicester have won eight of the last nine meetings between the sides, keeping a clean sheet in each victory.
* In these nine games, the Foxes have netted a total of 12 goals and only conceded one.
* The Foxes have won four of their last five, drawing the other.
* Barnsley have lost three of their last five away games, only picking up one win.

Millwall v Doncaster

* Rovers have won their last two meetings with the Lions and have only lost one in five.
* Millwall´s last win at home to Rovers came in 1985, although the sides have only met twice since that victory (one draw, one away win).
* Millwall have won their last five league games at the New Den, conceding a total of just one goal in the process.
* Donny have lost three of their last four away games, drawing the other.

Nottingham Forest v Watford

* The Hornets are unbeaten in four meetings with Forest, winning two and drawing two.
* Watford have only lost one of their last seven trips to the City Ground, winning four and drawing two.
* Forest have won their last five consecutive league games, all by a single goal.
* Watford's 2-4 defeat at Cardiff in their last away game is the Hornets' only defeat in 10 Championship outings.

Portsmouth v Derby

* Pompey have won their last two meetings with the Rams at Fratton Park, netting nine goals in the process.
* The South Coast side have won three of the last five clashes between the sides, only losing once.
* Despite scoring in 10 consecutive home games, Pompey have failed to win any of their last six league games at Fratton Park, drawing three and losing three.
* The Rams have lost eight of their last 10 league games, only managing one win.

Preston v Bristol City

* Three of the last four meetings between the sides have ended as draws, with the Robins winning the other.
* The Robins haven't won at Deepdale, however, since 1996, losing three and drawing two of their last five trips.
* PNE have now gone six league games without a win.
* Bristol City have failed to score in their last four Championship games, losing three and drawing the other.

Scunthorpe v Hull

* Only one of the last 16 clashes between these two rivals has ended in a draw.
* The Tigers have won three of the last four meetings, although they were beaten in this season's reverse fixture at the KC Stadium.
* This could be the 11th time Hull´s Andy Dawson has played in this fixture (four for the Tigers, five for Scunthorpe). He is currently the only player remaining with the Tigers who played with them in the fourth tier.
* The Iron have only taken three points from the last available 30 at Glanford Park.
* The Tigers are unbeaten in nine away league games, winning three and drawing six.

Swansea v Cardiff

* The Swans are unbeaten in five home games against their Welsh rivals in all competitons, winning three and drawing two.
* In total, Cardiff have only won one of their last 10 meetings with Swansea, losing five and drawing four.
* The Swans have won their last three home league games without conceding a goal.
* The eight goals Swansea have scored in their last five games combined have all come from either Darren Pratley or Scott Sinclair.
* Cardiff have lost four of their last five away league games, drawing the other.

Read More

La Liga Opta Facts - 5-6 February

Almería v Espanyol

* Almería have failed to score in their last four league meetings with Espanyol, losing each time.
* José Luis Oltra´s men ended a run of nine home games without a win in the league this season in their last match at the Estádio del Mediterráneo.
* Almería have not kept a clean sheet in the league since September.
* Espanyol have won their last two league games on the road.
* José Leonardo Ulloa has scored eight goals in just six starts at the Estádio del Mediterráneo in all competitions.
* Only Pedro (six goals, one assist) has been involved in more Liga BBVA goals in 2011 than Luis Garcia (two goals, four assists).

Athletic Bilbao v Sporting de Gijón

* Athletic Bilbao are without a win in their last four league meetings with the rojiblancos.
* Despite this, the Basque side have lost only one of their last 17 clashes with Sporting.
* Athletic Bilbao have lost only one of their last seven league games and have won the last three in a row.
* Los leones have not won four league games in a row since December 1997.
* Sporting Gijón are also on a run of three straight league wins: the last time they won four in a row was in November 2008.
* Diego Castro has scored in Sporting´s last three league away games.
* Athletic Bilbao have only failed to score in one league match this season.

Getafe v Deportivo la Coruña

* Getafe have managed only one win in their last eight league meetings with Depor.
* Deportivo have lost just one of their six top-flight matches at the Coliseum.
* Getafe have taken only one point from the last 15 available in the league.
* This includes three consecutive defeats at home in the league, in which they have conceded a total of 10 goals.
* Depor have failed to score in five of their last six league away games.
* Against Sevilla, Deportivo netted three goals from open play: they had only scored four in the entire season before this.
* Deportivo are the only side in Liga BBVA yet to concede a goal to a penalty this season.

Osasuna v Mallorca

* Mallorca have won their last three top-flight meetings with Osasuna.
* Last season, the islanders managed their first-ever win at Osasuna in the top-flight, on their 18th attempt.
* The victory over Real Madrid ended a run of eight consecutive league games without a win for los rojillos.
* Osasuna have kept six clean sheets in their last seven league games at home.
* Only Real Madrid and Barcelona have kept more clean sheets in the league this season than Osasuna (eight).
* Mallorca are on a run of four straight defeats away from home in the league, scoring only once in this run.
* Osasuna have opened the scoring in only five league matches this season.
* Los Rojillos have dropped only two points from winning positions in the league this season.

Real Zaragoza v Racing

* Real Zaragoza are unbeaten in their last 10 league matches at home to Racing.
* However the last four games between the sides at La Romareda have ended in a draw.
* Real Zaragoza have won four of their last five league matches, rising from 20th to 15th in the competition.
* This includes a run of three wins at la Romareda: they haven´t won four in a row there since October 2007.
* Racing are without a win in six league games, though they have drawn four of these.
* Giovani dos Santos has failed to score in his last 26 appearances at club level.
* Los montañeses are yet to score in open play in the league in 2011 (one goal from a corner, two from free kicks).

Villarreal v Levante

* Villarreal have never lost to Levante in the Spanish top flight, winning six of their seven encounters.
* The Yellow Submarine has only ever lost two games (of 15) at home to other sides from the Comunitat Valenciana in the Spanish top flight.
* Aside from Real Madrid and Barcelona, Villarreal are the first side to take at least 31 points from their first 11 matches of a season at home since Compostela in 1995/96. They won just two of their remaining 10.
* A win in their last league match ended a run of five straight league defeats for Levante.
* Levante´s top scorer (Felipe Caicedo - 8) has netted only one goal away from home this season (at Sporting Gijón).
* Los granotas have taken only one point from the last 21 available on the road.
* Giuseppe Rossi´s last three league goals have been set up by Santiago Cazorla.

Barcelona v Atlético Madrid

* Atlético Madrid have beaten Barcelona on more occasions in the last seven seasons than any other side in the Spanish league (six).
* No side has scored more goals at Barcelona´s ground in the Spanish top flight than the colchoneros (96).
* However the Blaugrana have won their last three league matches at home to Atlético, netting 14 goals in the process.
* The last six league meetings between the sides have averaged 5.5 goals per game.
* Lionel Messi has scored eight goals in eight league appearances against Atlético.
* Sergio Agüero has scored five goals in his last six league appearances against Barcelona.
* A win in this match would see Barcelona set a new record for consecutive wins in the Spanish top flight (16).
* Atlético have lost six of their last eight away matches in Liga BBVA.
* The Blaugrana have scored 67 league goals this season, at least 16 more than any other side in Europe´s top five leagues (Man Utd, 51).

Sevilla v Málaga

* Sevilla have lost just one of their last seven top flight clashes with Málaga.
* However at home, they have won only one of their last eight meetings in the top flight, failing to score in six.
* Málaga have won none of their last 11 league matches against other sides from Andalucía.
* After losing five straight league matches, Sevilla have won three and drawn one of their last five.
* Málaga have lost seven of their last eight away matches in the league.
* Six of Málaga´s eight league goals in 2011 have come from set pieces.
* Los boquerones have both scored (six) and conceded (six) the most goals from indirect free kicks this season.

Real Madrid v Real Sociedad

* Real Madrid are unbeaten in seven league meetings with Real Sociedad, wining five.
* However they have won only two of their last five league games at home to the Txuri-urdin.
* Los merengues´ last three league matches have produced only four goals in total.
* Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to score in his last three league appearances. He has not gone four in a row without scoring since January 2009 with Manchester United.
* On each of the last three occasions that Real Madrid have won their opening 11 league games at home, they have failed to win their 12th (1990, 2004, 2008).
* Real Sociedad have not drawn in the league since their second game of the season.
* José Mourinho´s side is the only team not to have conceded a goal from outside the box in Liga BBVA this season.
* Just two of Real Madrid´s goals in the league this season have been scored by Spaniards, fewer than any other side´s.

Valencia v Hércules

* Valencia have won their last four league matches at home to Hércules.
* Hércules have only ever won one of their 19 trips to Valencia in the Spanish top flight.
* Los Che have won only one of their last five league games at home to other sides from the Comunitat Valenciana.
* Hércules have failed to score in their last seven league games away from home.
* In their last eight league games, they have either failed to score (six times) or scored four times (twice).
* Valencia´s five-match league winning streak came to an end in their last match: a 1-1 draw at Racing.
* Unai Emery´s men have scored in the last 15 minutes of each of their last six league games.
* No side has scored fewer second-half goals than Hércules this season (nine).

Read More

Bundesliga Opta Facts - 4-6 February

Dortmund v Schalke

* Dortmund have won just three of their last 24 Bundesliga games against Schalke (10 defeats, 11 draws). Dortmund have won just one of the last 11 home games against Schalke (six defeats, four draws).
* Schalke have won two successive BL away games for the first time since September/October 2009.
* BVB have scored 46 goals and conceded just 12 - both the best-such records in the league. 12 goals conceded after 20 games is also a club record for them.
* Schalke have kept seven clean sheets this season - only Dortmund have kept more (nine).
* Overall, though, each side has won 27 times against the other, with 23 draws.

Köln v Bayern

* Köln are the only Bundesliga team that Bayern haven't managed to beat in any of the last four BL encounters (1 win, 3 draws).
* Köln's last home win over FCB came back almost 16 years ago - on 1 April 1995 the West Germans prevailed 3-1.
* Record champions Bayern have won seven of their last eight competitive matches (1 draw).
* Köln have picked up seven points from the past three home matches, conceding just one goal in the process. Moreover, the Rhinelanders haven't allowed a goal at home in the last three hours and nine minutes.
* Mario Gomez (15) and Thomas Müller (6) alone have accounted for nearly as many goals as coach Schaefer's entire squad (22, the worst attacking record in the league).
* Köln are one of only two Bundesliga teams that Louis van Gaal has yet to defeat. His record against Köln is the same as against Leverkusen: three draws in three BL clashes.

Mainz v Bremen

* Mainz have lost all of the last three home games against Bremen.
* Bremen have not won any of their last five away games (one draw, four defeats) and have an aggregate
* score of 0-15.
* Mainz have lost five of their last six home games (one win) & they only found the net in the one victory during this period.
* Bremen have conceded more goals (42) this season compared to the whole of last season (40). Mainz have only conceded 21 goals.
* Only Mainz and Schalke have won every match that they have taken the lead in. Bremen have only gained one point from a losing position.
* Pizarro has managed his best goals per game ratio against Mainz. He has scored seven goals in seven matches against them.

Hoffenheim v Kaiserslautern

* Kaiserslautern have won three away matches this season. In their last Bundesliga season in 2005/06 they have also won three away games.
* Kaiserslautern have conceded at least one goal in each of their away games since February 2006.
* Kaiserslautern and Frankfurt are the only teams in the Bundesliga, who have not yet won a match in 2011.
* Hoffenheim have won both 2. Bundesliga matches against Kaiserslautern without conceding a goal.
* The only previous match in the Bundesliga between Hoffenheim and Kaiserslautern ended 2-2 in September 2010.
* Hoffenheim (10 goals) and Kaiserslautern (9 goals) are the best teams in the Bundesliga in terms of scoring from the outside the box.

Nürnberg v Leverkusen

* Nuremberg are one of just three Bundesliga teams (Bayern and Bremen), who are unbeaten against Bayer Leverkusen for two matches.
* Leverkusen have lost only three of their 30 games in this season (17 wins, 10 draws).
* None of the last 14 Nuremberg home matches have ended in a draw (8 wins for Nuremberg, six wins for their opponents)
* Leverkusen are the only team who have scored in each of their last 11 Bundesliga games.
* Nuremberg have conceded 10 headed goals, while Leverkusen have scored eight headed goals.

Hannover v Wolfsburg

* Wolfsburg have won each of the last six games against Hannover.
* Hannover have not won any of their last five home matches against Wolfsburg (two draws, three defeats).
* Hannover have won three of their last four home games in the Bundesliga (one defeat).
* Wolfsburg have won only one of their last 10 games (7 draws, 2 defeats).
* Wolfsburg's Diego made his debut in the Bundesliga against Hannover. Diego has not scored more goals against any other Bundesliga team than against Hannover (4 goals).

Gladbach v Stuttgart

* Gladbach have only achieved just one victory over Stuttgart in 25 Bundesliga matches since 1995.
* Gladbach have lost six of the last seven league fixtures against VfB (one draw).
* Gladbach are the only club without a single home victory this season. They have lost all of their last four home games.
* Stuttgart are the only club without a single away victory this season. They have only won three points in nine away games.
* Stuttgart haven't been held to a goalless draw in 42 games, Gladbach haven't registered a stalemate in 35. These are the two longest-such runs in the Bundesliga.
* Michael Frontzeck hasn't won any of his eight matches against Stuttgart (as a manager). On the other hand, he has never lost a match against Bruno Labbadia (three wins, one draw).

Hamburg v St. Pauli

* St. Pauli haven't beaten HSV in a competitive match for over 33 years.
* Since their most recent win over their Hamburg rivals in September 1977 (2-0) St. Pauli have lost eight and drawn six of the last 14 BL games against HSV.
* St. Pauli have only won one point from their last five away games, scoring only two and conceding 13 goals in the process.
* Hamburg have won four of their last six BL home games (one draw, one defeat).
* Hamburg have won nine points from their last four games - only Bayern have picked up more points during that period (10).
* St. Pauli have hit the back of the opposing net at least twice in each of their last four BL games - the last time they netted two or more in four consecutive BL games was back in 1977.

Freiburg v Frankfurt

* This will be the 18th meeting between Freiburg and Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. All of the previous 17 clashes have had a winner (Frankfurt have won nine games, Freiburg have won eight).
* On average, Frankfurt have won more points against Freiburg (1.59 per game) than against any other club.
* SC Freiburg haven't lost any of their last six games (three wins, three draws), something they haven't achieved in almost a decade (March through April 2001). They are currently undefeated for longer than any other club in the league.
* Eintracht Frankfurt are the only team that haven't won any points or scored any goals since the winter break. They haven't suffered three consecutive defeats without scoring since fall 2005.
* Nine of Freiburg 10 wins this season in the Bundesliga have been by one goal.
* Freiburg are the only side to have scored at least one goal in every single home game this season.

Read More

Ligue 1 Opta Facts - 5-6 February

Auxerre - Lille

* Auxerre have won more league games against Lille than versus any other side (30).
* Lille have lost 20 of their 27 trips to Auxerre in Ligue 1.
* Auxerre have failed to win their last eight league fixtures.
* Lille are unbeaten in their last 11 league matches, their best run in the top flight since 2001.
* Lille have won their last three Ligue 1 matches, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
* Lille have now scored in 18 consecutive league games, their longest run in a single season since 1949/50.
* Auxerre have kept a league-low two clean sheets this season.
* A league-high seven Lille goals have come from substitutes this season.
* 11 of the last 12 Lille goals in Ligue 1 have come after the half-time break.
* Ireneusz Jelen has scored four goals in his three home starts against Lille in the top flight.

Brest - Nancy

* Both sides have lost all of their league games since the turn of the year.
* Brest are without a win in their last six league games, drawing three and losing three.
* Brest are unbeaten in their last five competitive encounters against Nancy, winning three and drawing two.
* Nancy have lost just one of their eight trips to Brest in the top flight, winning three and drawing four.
* The last three league goals netted by Brest at home have come from Bruno Grougi.
* Nancy have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 15 competitive away games.
* Youssouf Hadji has scored four of the last five Nancy goals in Ligue 1.

Caen - Lorient

* Out of the 30 different clubs Lorient have faced in their Ligue 1 history, Caen are the only team they have yet to beat (four draws and one defeat).
* Caen are unbeaten in their last 10 competitive encounters against Lorient, winning five and drawing five.
* None of their five Ligue 1 meetings have seen a team score more than one goal.
* Caen have won three of their last four league matches.
* Caen have kept a clean sheet in their last three home games in Ligue 1.
* Lorient have lost their last four away games in Ligue 1, their worst run on the road since 2008.
* Lorient have kept just one clean sheet on the road this season in the top flight.
* Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro is the club's all-time top scorer in Ligue 1 with 38 goals; the French international has scored braces in his last two competitive outings.

Lens - Valenciennes

* Lens are unbeaten in their last 11 league encounters against Valenciennes; winning five and drawing six.
* Valenciennes have not won a league game at Lens since April 1981.
* Valenciennes are unbeaten against teams currently ranked in the bottom five positions this season in the league (three wins and two draws).
* Lens have lost just one of their last seven home games in Ligue 1.
* Valenciennes have lost their last four away games in the league.
* Valenciennes have drawn both of their two regional derbies this season in Ligue 1.
* Valenciennes have lost 12 points from winning positions this season in Ligue 1, a joint league-high.
* Gregory Pujol is completing his most prolific league season since joining Valenciennes (eight goals).

Lyon - Bordeaux

* Bordeaux are unbeaten in their last four league encounters against Lyon, winning three and drawing one.
* Lyon have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine league matches against Bordeaux.
* Lyon have scored in all of their last 14 league fixtures.
* Lyon have lost their last two competitive games.
* Bafetimbi Gomis has scored four goals in his last four league appearances at the Gerland stadium.
* Lyon have opened the scoring in nine of their 11 home matches this season in Ligue 1.
* Bordeaux have scored a league-high five goals after the 89th minute this season in Ligue 1.
* Jean Tigana has never lost when travelling to Lyon as a Ligue 1 manager, winning once and drawing on three occasions.

Marseille - Arles-Avignon

* Marseille are unbeaten in their last 10 competitive homes games, winning seven and drawing three.
* Arles-Avignon have won just one of their 23 competitive matches this season.
* Arles-Avignon have failed to score in any of their last six away league games, currently the longest run.
* The only three goals Arles-Avignon have scored away from home this season in Ligue 1 have all been headers.
* Arles-Avignon lost 4-0 in both of their away games against current Ligue 1 top-five sides this season.
* Faruk Hadzibegic's worst-ever defeat as a Ligue 1 manager came against a team coached by Didier Deschamps in May 2003, when Troyes suffered a 6-0 defeat at Monaco.

Montpellier - St Etienne

* St Etienne have won four of their last five top-flight meetings with Montpellier.
* None of the last 14 league encounters between these two sides have ended in a draw, Montpellier winning six and St Etienne eight.
* Montpellier have won their last two league games, coming back from losing positions in both matches.
* St Etienne have won just one of their last eight competitive away games.
* St Etienne have scored in each of their last 10 league matches.
* Montpellier have managed a league-high seven wins by a one-goal margin this season.
* Only one away team have managed o keep a clean sheet at the Mosson stadium this season in Ligue 1.
* St Etienne winger Bakary Sako has scored four goals in his last five league appearances.

Nice - Sochaux

* Sochaux are unbeaten in their last 12 league encounters against Nice, winning five and drawing seven.
* The last four Sochaux trips to Nice in Ligue 1 have all ended in draws.
* Only 4% of the total points earned by Sochaux this season have come on the road.
* Sochaux have scored more league goals this term (35) than during the whole of last season (28).
* Nice have failed to score in each of their last three league matches, currently the longest drought.
* Modibo Maiga has netted three goals in his two league appearances since the turn of the year.

Rennes - Paris SG

* PSG are without a win in their last eight league encounters against Rennes, scoring just two goals in the process.
* Frederic Antonetti has won six of his nine league encounters against Antoine Kombouare as a Ligue 1 manager.
* Rennes have won their last four home games in the league.
* PSG have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 league games, currently the longest run.
* This season Rennes have drawn all of their four league matches against sides currently ranked in the top five positions.
* PSG are completing their best league season since 2003/04 when they had 39 point after 21 match days.
* The five competitive games involving Rennes since the turn of the year have produced 26 goals.
* Rennes have conceded nine goals in their last two competitive games.

Toulouse - Monaco

* The last seven league matches between these two sides at Stadium have all ended in draws and the last three have been goalless.
* Toulouse have won their last three home games, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
* None of the last 10 league matches involving Toulouse have ended in a draw, currently the longest run.
* Monaco have drawn 12 of their 21 league matches this season, they have also drawn all of their last three competitive games.
* Monaco have won just one of their last 19 away games in the top flight.
* Monaco have drawn 0-0 a league-high six times this term.
* Franck Tabanou has netted Toulouse's two league goals since the turn of the year.
* Monaco signing Pascal Feindouno returns to Ligue 1 where he previously netted 50 goals in 262 appearances.

Read More

FIXEVI IVANA RADOVANOVIĆA (BOLONJA, ITALIJA 1)

Napoli nije slučajno na drugoj poziciji. U pitanju je ozbiljan klub, pa Ćezeni najverovatnije sledi poraz.

NAPOLI – ĆEZENA     1

Lacio je, takođe, mnogo puta dokazao da je zasluženo pri vrhu tabele, a posebno u utorak, kada je remizirao na gostovanju Milanu. Kjevo je nezgodan rival, ali Lacio ima kvalitet da ga savlada.
Lacio – Kjevo     1

Read More

NENAD DŽODIĆ TIPUJE MEČEVE 22. KOLA FRANCUSKE PRVE LIGE

Arl je jesenas igrao dobro protiv Marseja, ali sada su mu minimalne šanse protiv lokalnog rivala. Marsej ne igra kako se očekuje, ali ne bi smeo da se muči sa Arlom.

MARSEJ – ARL     1

Izdvajam i jedinicu na Kaen, koji je došao sebi posle nekoliko dobrih rezultata u prethodnom periodu. Pošto se i dalje bori za opstanak, dajem mu veliku prednost protiv Loriena, ekipe koja je slaba u gostima.

KAEN – LORIEN     1

Read More

NENAD MIROSAVLJEVIĆ, NAPADAČ APOEL-a, TIPUJE MEČEVE 20. KOLA KIPARSKE LIGE

Najsigurniji sam u trijumf Omonije, koja nam je najbliži pratilac na tabeli, a zbog zaostatka od sedam bodova nema pravo na kiks. Igrao bih keca i na Anortozis, dok bi u gostima do bodova najpre mogao Alki, koji je nepredvidiva ekipa, ali igra bolje na strani, nego na svom stadionu.

OMONIJA – AEL     1

ANORTOZIS – ENOZIS     1

DOKSA – ALKI     2

Read More

03-02-2011 - 20:45 Bari - Inter

Doom And Gloom

Bari are virtually guaranteed of relegation from Serie A. With just 14 points from 22 matches, the Galletti are firmly stationed at the foot of the table in Serie A and have the worst scoring record in the division. Giampiero Ventura's side have lost their last five competitive matches and are on a free-fall to the bottom of the pit.

Last weekend Bari crashed to a 2-1 defeat to Cagliari in Sardinia in what was their fourth league loss in a row and 14th overall. The Biancorossi are in a wretched run of results and winning against Inter tonight isn't really looking a very promising prospect.

Coach Ventura knows that his team's future in the Itaian top flight isn't very rosy but remaining optimistic enthuses, "I think the team is improving even though results are not going our way.

"We are in a difficult position but if we were to win two games in a row, things would change.''

Recovering The Rhythm

Some would suggest that Inter coach Leonardo has been 'found out'. The Italian and European champions may have recovered from their defeat to Udinese with back-to-back wins against Napoli and Palermo in the Coppa Italia and Serie A respectively, but they haven't looked at all comfortable or convincing in their victories.

At the weekend the Nerazzurri went 2-0 behind Palermo at San Siro and had winter signing Giampaolo Pazzini to thank for the eventual 3-2 comeback win. With Milan failing to defeat Lazio on Tuesday, Inter are now 10 points behind the leaders with 38 points from 21 matches; a win tonight at Serie A's basement-dwellers Bari and a victory in their game in hand will place them just four points off the pace.

Leonardo, though, is keeping his wings under check and believes that Bari will not be easy pushovers. He told the press on Wednesday, "Bari are a team in construction and they have changed plenty compared to last year.

"This game will be motivating for them, but we cannot think our of league position or theirs. We have to be careful.

"They have two or three players who can give them that push, and so we have to play it right."

TEAM NEWS

Bari

Salvatore Masiello, Belmonte and Barreto are out injured. Bari will line up in a 4-3-1-2 formation that will have Okaka and Rudolf as the two strikers and Bentivoglio deployed just behind them.

Inter

Stankovic, Cordoba, Mariga, Lucio, Castellazzi and Samuel are injured and will miss the trip to Bari.

Sneijder is back in the squad but he is unlikely to start. Pazzini and Eto'o will start in attack as the two strikers with Pandev deployed just behind them.

Prediction

It should be a straightforward victory for Inter even though they have looked shaky in recent games.

Bari 0-2 Inter Milan

Read More