23-02-2011 20:45 Arsenal - Stoke City

Time To Focus On The League

It must be difficult sometimes for Arsenal's players to remember what competition they are playing in next.

They are in the middle of a run which has and will see them play four consecutive games in four different competitions.

The phrase 'take each game as it comes' might be an old cliche but it is vitally important for Arsenal as they turn their attention to the Premier League.

Arsene Wenger's side have a vital opportunity to close the gap on Manchester United to one point - albeit by playing a game extra.

With it being over a week until Arsenal's next league game because of cup commitments, it is vital they are fully focused and pick up all three points, otherwise by the time Sunderland visit north London on March 5 the league could have slipped away from them.

A Case For Discipline

Stoke have been looking forward to this fixture with the Gunners ever since Arsene Wenger accused Tony Pulis' side of playing 'rugby' on a football pitch.

The comments infuriated everyone associated with Stoke and they will not need anymore firing up before stepping onto the field.

It might be worth Pulis pointing out to his Arsenal counterpart that maybe he should look a bit closer to home when complaining about rough house tactics.

The north London side are no saints themselves and have a worse disciplinary record this season than Stoke.

Wenger's team have picked up 44 yellow and six red cards in Premier League matches so far while Stoke have 46 yellows and two red cards to their name.

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger will ring the changes once again and recall many of the senior players who missed out on the FA Cup tie against Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road.

Johan Djourou could return to the squad after missing the last match with a back problem. The defender has made good progress and is set to partner Laurent Koscielny at the heart of Arsenal's defence.

Abou Diaby is still out injured with a calf injury and he also serves the final game of his three-match suspension.

Defender Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) and goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) are still sidelined.

Possible starting XI: Szczesny; Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy; Fabregas, Song, Wilshere; Walcott, Van Persie, Nasri.

Stoke

Tony Pulis could be without winger Matthew Etherington, who picked up a knock to his back in the FA Cup win over Brighton. He will be assessed and a late call will be made over his fitness.

Pulis will also have to decide between goalkeepers Thomas Sorensen and Asmir Begovic for the trip to north London.

Sorensen started the game against Brighton but Begovic is likely to reclaim the starting spot at the Emirates stadium.
Mamady Sidibe (Achilles) is still out of action and will not be available for the remainder of the season.

Possible starting XI: Begovic; Huth, Wilson, Shawcross, Pugh; Pennant, Whitehead, Delap, Walters; Jones, Carew.

Arsenal

Stoke City

2

Ranking

10

Last 8 matches

12 Feb	Arsenal - Wolverhampto.	2 - 0		1 - 0	Birmingham C. - Stoke City	12 Feb
5 Feb	Newcastle Ut. - Arsenal	4 - 4		3 - 2	Stoke City - Sunderland	5 Feb
1 Feb	Arsenal - Everton	2 - 1		2 - 0	Liverpool - Stoke City	2 Feb
22 Jan	Arsenal - Wigan Athlet.	3 - 0		2 - 0	Fulham - Stoke City	22 Jan
15 Jan	West Ham Utd - Arsenal	0 - 3		2 - 0	Stoke City - Bolton	15 Jan
5 Jan	Arsenal - Manchester C.	0 - 0		2 - 1	Manchester U. - Stoke City	4 Jan
1 Jan	Birmingham C. - Arsenal	0 - 3		2 - 0	Stoke City - Everton	1 Jan
29 Dec	Wigan Athlet. - Arsenal	2 - 2		0 - 2	Stoke City - Fulham	28 Dec

Last 4 matches (Home)

Last 4 matches (Away)

12 Feb	Arsenal - Wolverhampto.	2 - 0		1 - 0	Birmingham C. - Stoke City	12 Feb
1 Feb	Arsenal - Everton	2 - 1		2 - 0	Liverpool - Stoke City	2 Feb
22 Jan	Arsenal - Wigan Athlet.	3 - 0		2 - 0	Fulham - Stoke City	22 Jan
5 Jan	Arsenal - Manchester C.	0 - 0		2 - 1	Manchester U. - Stoke City	4 Jan

Prediction

Stoke will try and get under the skin of the Arsenal players by getting into their faces and getting stuck in, but the match is at the Emirates and not the Britannia Stadium.

The Gunners also have a decent recent record against the Potters in the Premier League, winning their last three encounters.

If Arsenal move the ball quickly on the big pitch at the Emirates they will find plenty of space and time to play. With the players that the home side boast, they should have too much quality in attack for the Potters.

Arsenal 2-0 Stoke

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22-02-2011 20:45 Olympique Lyonnais - Real

Step Up A Level

Olympique Lyonnais are probably the side in world football with the best historical record when it comes to playing Real Madrid. On six occasions the sides have met, yet the Spaniards have never before come out on top, making les Gones their undoubted bete noire. Yet on Tuesday OL meet an entirely new beast when Jose Mourinho’s Blancos travel to the Stade Gerland.

The Rhone Valley side famously eliminate Madrid from this stage of the competition last season, having come into the game in seemingly innocuous league form. Claude Puel’s men approach the fixture in similarly middling style on this occasion, though a superb Friday night victory over Nancy should certainly be regarded as very real cause for optimism.

Lyon crushed the Lorraine side 4-0, though it did take them a period to finally breakaway. Once they were fully in their stride, the home side looked imperious, with Jimmy Briand’s superb overhead kick capping a memorable evening.

Having seen his team impress before only to fall flat in the following match, Puel is certainly not counting any chickens. “Real Madrid are a different calibre of opposition but it's good to have prepared for that game by taking the three points in this one,” he explained, according to the LFP’s official website.

It was a strong run to the Champions League semi-finals that allowed Puel to keep his job after a mediocre league campaign last term, and with pressure again on his shoulders, the former Lille boss will hope to ensure the Lyon’s hold over the their Spanish visitors is maintained as that would win him more valuable credit in the eyes of the home support.

Get Over The Jinx

Real Madrid continue to chase their illusive 10th European crown, but head coach Jose Mourinho is doubtless aware that his club need to take one step at a time, particularly since recent history portrays them as knock-out round flops in the Champions League. Historically Europe’s greatest club, they’ve been mediocre on the continent in recent years, falling at the last 16 stage every year since 2004, when French club Monaco eliminated them in the quarter-finals.

Each year they’ve come back seemingly stronger, but on this occasion they have really thrown everything at their European charge, reinforced by a new band of Galacticos, but perhaps most importantly the presence of habitual winner Mourinho, who has worked his magic previously with Porto and Inter.

With Barcelona continuing to dominate the Primera Division, many pundits see Europe as los Blancos’ best chance to end their lengthy trophy drought, but Real Madrid’s achievement of 60 points from 24 Primera Division matches should certainly not be overlooked. Three of those were garnered at the weekend, when Levante were beaten 2-0.

At home under Mourinho they’ve been flawless, but on their travels things have been a little more complicated for los Merengues. Defeats have by no means been commonplace, and with the mentally tough Portuguese at the helm, they certainly won’t go to the Stade Gerland with any fear. Indeed, Madrid’s dreadful record at the venue (three defeats in three visits) is only likely to serve as motivation to earn a positive result.

TEAM NEWS

Lyon

Lisandro Lopez is the big absentee, having hurt his hamstring at training last Thursday. Ederson is still recovering from a ruptured hamstring, but he’s closing in on action and could be ready to play early next month. Hugo Lloris has overcome illness to be named in the panel.

Real Madrid

Emmanuel Adebayor could feature in this encounter for los Blancos as he is eligible to play, while Iker Casillas will return from a domestic ban to keep his place in goal.

Jerzy Dudek and Gonzalo Higuain remain absent due to injuries.

Prediction

Tuesday would appear to be likely when Lyon’s hold over Real Madrid is broken. Los Blancos are a totally different team under Jose Mourinho, and though the Spaniards would probably see a draw as a sufficient result, they should be expected to take a win back to the Bernabeu.

O. Lyon 0-2 Real Madrid

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Premier League OPTA Facts - February 22nd - 23rd

Blackpool v Tottenham Hotspur

• Spurs are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with Blackpool dating back to October 1966.
• Blackpool haven't beaten Spurs since September 1956 on home soil, losing seven and drawing six of the games in all competitions since.
• Tottenham have recouped 20 points from losing positions this season, more than any other team in the Premier League.
• Spurs' midfielders have contributed 65% of their goals, the highest proportion of any team's midfield in the top flight.
• 29% of the goals conceded by Spurs have been to opposition defenders, the highest percentage of any team in the Premier League this season.
• Blackpool have won just one of their last nine Premier League matches.
• Blackpool have scored in all 12 of their Premier League home games but never kept a clean sheet.

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 just four yellow cards and one red.
• The only card Stoke have earned in the last four games against Arsenal in all competitions was Ryan Shawcross' red card in last season's league game at the Britannia.
• 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 12 Premier League visits to London, winning three, drawing none and losing nine.
• Robin van Persie has scored 10 goals in his last seven Premier League appearances.
• The Gunners have scored two or more goals in 13 of their last 15 Premier League matches.
• Stoke have lost their last four Premier League away matches, the last three without scoring.

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Championship Opta Facts - 22 February

Cardiff v Leicester
None of the last seven matches between these two sides have ended in a draw.
Andy King has scored three goals in his last two appearances against Cardiff City.
The Foxes have won 22 of a possible 24 points in their last eight league games; a Championship-high.
Cardiff's defeat at Nottingham Forest at the weekend was their first loss in eight league games.

Coventry v Swansea

There have been just six goals scored in the last six matches between these two sides, although three of them came in their meeting earlier this season.
The Swans have won in just one of their last eight trips to Coventry City.
The Sky Blues have won just one of their last 11 league games, but this came in their last outing versus Crystal Palace.
Swansea have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight league games away from home.

Derby County v Hull City

Both sides have found the net in nine of the last 11 meetings between Derby and Hull.
Three of the last four meetings between these two sides in Derby have ended in a draw.
Derby have scored only two goals in their last seven Championship matches.
Hull have been defeated just once in their last 17 Championship games.

Leeds v Barnsley

There have been 16 goals scored in the last three meetings between Leeds and Barnsley.
Davide Somma has scored a goal every 84 minutes and 12 seconds in the Championship this season; a quicker rate than any player to have scored at least two goals.
Leeds have won four of their last six home games against Barnsley; losing just once against their Yorkshire rivals in this period.
The Tykes have won only once in their last seven away games in the Championship.
Barnsley have won 10 points against fellow Yorkshire sides in the Championship this season, more than any of the other four teams in the county (Hull, Doncaster, Leeds & Sheff Utd).

Norwich v Doncaster

Just one of the previous 11 meetings between these two sides has ended in a draw.
The away side have scored exactly one goal in six of the last seven games between Doncaster & Norwich City.
James Coppinger scored a hat-trick in the meeting between these two sides earlier this season; one of 11 players to have scored a treble in the Championship this season.
The Canaries have suffered only one defeat in their last 11 league games.
Doncaster have lost their last four league games without scoring, conceding 12 goals in the process.

Nottingham Forest v Preston

Forest have already beaten Preston by a scoreline of 2-1 twice this season, but both games came at Deepdale.
At home, Forest have won their last three against Preston. The Lilywhites have only won once at the City Ground since November 1972.
Forest are the only team to remain unbeaten at home in the Championship this season. Billy Davies' side have not lost at home since September 19th, 2009, a run of 35 consecutive league games (excl. playoffs).
Preston have gone 10 games without a league win, taking just four points from a possible 30.
The Lilywhites are now 11 points away from Championship safety.

Portsmouth v Crystal Palace

Portsmouth are unbeaten in their last four clashes with the Eagles at Fratton Park, winning two and drawing two.
Palace loanee James Vaughan netted a hat-trick in this season's reverse fixture, which the Eagles won 4-1 in September.
After conceding at least two goals in seven consecutive Championship games, Pompey have only let in one goal in their last three combined.
The Eagles have only netted six goals in their last 12 league games combined but have managed one in each of their last four.

Scunthorpe v Sheffield United

The Iron have won four out of their last five clashes with Sheffield United, including the last three.
The Blades haven't won in Scunthorpe since March 1959, although they have only made six trips since that victory.
Scunthorpe have failed to score in eight of their last 12 league games.
The Iron have the worst home record in this season's Championship, picking up just 10 points from their 15 games at Glanford Park.
Nine games into his stint at Bramall Lane, Micky Adams is still looking for his first win. The former Leicester boss has seen his new side take just four points from a possible 27.

Watford v Bristol City

The last two meetings between the sides have finished 2-0 to the Hornets.
Watford have, in fact, netted exactly two goals in each of their last four meetings with the Robins.
Watford have failed to win any of their last six league games, drawing three and losing three.
Bristol City have lost four of their last five games in the Championship.
The Robins have found the net in just two of their last seven league matches.

QPR v Ipswich

Ipswich have won four of their last five clashes with the R's, although they were beaten 0-3 at home by Neil Warnock's side in this season's reverse fixture.
Before that match at Portman Road, Ipswich had won six and drawn two of their last eight meetings with QPR.
League leaders QPR are unbeaten in eight Championship games.
The R's have, however, drawn their last two games 1-1.
Paul Jewell's men are unbeaten in six league games, picking up four wins and two draws.

Reading v Millwall
The Royals have won three of the last four meetings with Millwall, drawing the other.
Reading have also won their last four home meetings with the Lions, scoring 10 goals and conceding just one.
Reading have conceded exactly one goal in nine of their last 12 Championship games, keeping just one clean sheet in this run.
Millwall have not won away for seven league games.

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SPL Opta Facts - 22-23 February

Aberdeen v Hamilton

• None of the last seven meetings between the sides at Pittodrie have ended in draws; the last time the teams shared the points in Aberdeen came in January 1989.
• The Dons have won both of their clashes with Hamilton this season without conceding a goal.
• Aberdeen midfielder Paul Hartley scored a hat-trick of penalties when the sides last met at Pittodrie in August.
• Aberdeen have won the last four games in which they kept a clean sheet and failed to win any of the last four in which they conceded (losing three and drawing one).
• It has now been 14 games since the Accies last won in the SPL.
• Hamilton have won more points away from home (nine) than they have at New Douglas Park (five) this campaign.

St Johnstone v Dundee United

• Dundee United have won the last three meetings between the sides by a scoreline of 1-0.
• The Terrors have won their last five league trips to St Johnstone.
• St Johnstone are unbeaten in four home league games, winning three and drawing two.
• The Saints have kept four consecutive league clean sheets at McDiarmid Park.
• Dundee United have drawn five of their last six away league games, losing the other 1-2 at Hearts.

Motherwell v St Mirren

• St Mirren are the only SPL side to have failed to net in the opening 15 minutes of a game this season.
• If the league had started on New Year's Day, St Mirren would be bottom with just three points from seven games.
• Saints' striker Gareth Wardlaw has already netted in both meetings with ‘Well this season.
• Motherwell are unbeaten in four SPL meetings with St Mirren, winning two and drawing two.
• Motherwell have just won two consecutive SPL games for only the third time this campaign. They are yet to manage three on the trot.
• St Mirren have now not won for eight league games, picking up just three points from a possible 24 in this run.

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