Bets of the week 19.-20. 03.2011.

19.03. (Sat) 16:00 Brentford - Leyton Orient

Leyton Orient set a club record midweek when a victory at Hartlepool made it 14 games without losing. The Londoners are in great form at the moment and as a result they have found themselves steadily climbing up the table. They are in seventh place currently and just five points off the play off places having failed to concede in the last four games.

Brentford have won just one of their last four home games. They have kept just four home clean sheets and generally look like a team that has nothing to play for as they seem to be safe from relegation. Russell Slade's side has a decent chance to win but as you cannot rule out the draw back the O's on the asian handicap.

Match Odds: Brentford 2.50, Draw 3.20, Leyton Orient 2.80

Tip: Leyton Orient level asian handicap @ 2.10 

19.03. (Sat) 19:00 Lorient - Saint Etienne

The Stade du Moustoir is traditionally a difficult place to visit for any team. Lorient are undefeated at home since September 18th and host a Saint- Etienne side who have dipped recently in their performances losing four of their last five.

Lorient will be kicking themselves last time out as they let a 1-3 lead slip away at Arles drawing 3-3 in the end. They are much stronger at home were they have won 10 out of the last 13 in all competitions. They are generously priced at just over evens to win and with striking starlet Kevin Gameiro in their ranks, they are more than capable of a victory. In March last year, they defeated Saint-Etienne 4-0 in the same fixture, although a repeat of that scoreline is unlikely, I will back them to win.

Match Odds: Lorient 2.05, Draw 3.10, St Etienne 4.0

Tip: Lorient to win @ 2.05

19.03. (Sat) 19:45 Heracles - Heerenveen

If you haven’t seen Frankfurt goal that ruined my tip last week, you should really look for it. Eintracht managed to score their first goal in 2011 in the most bizarre way possible, and Manuel Neuer will remember it for the rest of his career. Frankfurt failing to score this Saturday, at home to St Pauli, can’t be seriously recommended, since the visitors conceded on each of their trips outside Hamburg. However, opportunists should notice the odds are generous either, at 3.50.

Heracles win over Heerenveen is a very solid bet. The team from Almelo won eight of their 13 home games, losing just once (to Ajax). They are in superb form, winning last three league games and scoring no less than 16 goals in the process. The visitors are heading in the opposite direction. They somehow managed to gift rock-bottom Willem II their second win of the season, and then allowed Feyenoord to record their first away win. With just a single point from their last 4 fixtures, chances of Heerenveen losing in Almelo are much better that even-money.

Match Odds: Heracles 1.91, Draw 3.50, Heerenveen 3.50

Tip: Heracles to win @ 1.91

20.03. (Sun) 15:00 Udinese - Catania

Udinese top the form table in Serie A going into the weekend and are unbeaten in 12 games. The ‘entertainers’ of Italy's top flight, usually have goals in them with club captain Antonio Di Natale and Chilean Alexis Sanchez the star duo up front.

A keener look at their highlights demonstrates just how good they have been at the back recently too. The Udine side have not conceded in their last six games and have secured victories to nil in six of their last seven games. Francesco Guidolin's opponents are Catania who score well under a goal a game on average. Catania are poor away from the Stadio Angelo Massimino losing six of their last seven away games to nil and have not won away from home all season.

Match Odds: Udinese 1.50, Draw 4.0, Catania 7.0

Tip: Udinese to win to nil @ 2.37

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19.03. (Sat) 20:45 Palermo - Milan

DID YOU KNOW?

* Palermo have slipped to ninth in the Serie A table with 40 points from 29 matches and are nine points off the final Europa League slot.

* The Rosanero have lost five league matches in a row, conceding 15 goals in the process.

* Serse Cosmi’s side last scored on February 13 in their 4-2 home defeat to Fiorentina under Delio Rossi. Since then they have not scored in four matches.

* The Aquile would be placed ninth in the table based on home form and 10th on their away record.

* Palermo have scored 25 league goals at home and have conceded 21.

* Milan are the current leaders of Serie A with 62 points from 29 matches, five ahead of second-placed Inter.

* The Rossoneri have not won in their last couple of fixtures, having recorded a goalless draw with Tottenham Hotspur in London in the Champions League and then being held to a 1-1 draw by Bari at home last weekend.

* Massimiliano Allegri’s side have the best defensive record in the Italian top flight this season, having shipped just 21 goals in 29 matches.

* The Diavolo have the best away record in the championship, having collected 31 points in 14 matches on the road, losing just once.

* Milan will be without striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is suspended.

LAST MEETING

November 10, 2010: Milan 3-1 Palermo

Milan conjured up a good 3-1 victory over Palermo at home in the reverse fixture. Alexandre Pato opened the scoring after 19 minutes but Armin Bacinovic restored parity just three minutes after the hour-mark. However, Zlatan Ibrahimovic put the Rossoneri back ahead on 77 minutes from the penalty spot and six minutes later Robinho scored to wrap up the points.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Palermo: Sirigu; Munoz, Goian, Migliaccio; Darmian, Bacinovic, Nocerino, Balzaretti; Pastore; Pinilla, Miccoli

Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Gattuso, Van Bommel, Flamini; Boateng; Pato, Cassano

Prediction

Palermo are in a wretched run of form while Milan too seem to have had their confidence fractured after their exit from the Champions League. This could prove to be a cagey and somewhat awkward affair, although it also has the potential to be a thriller. Expected a scored draw.

Palermo 1-1 AC Milan

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19.03. (Sat) 20:00 Barcelona - Getafe

DID YOU KNOW?

* Barcelona lead La Liga, with five points separating them from second placed Real Madrid, meaning that they will remain at the top of the table regardless of the result of this match.

* Los Cules have won all but one of their last five games, an away meeting with Sevilla last weekend, which finished 1-1.

* Barcelona have not gone without a win in two consecutive matches since May 2009.

* The Blaugrana have lost just one league game this season, a shock 2-0 home defeat to Hercules back in September 2010, their second game of the season.

* Interestingly, the only time Getafe have beaten Barcelona in the league in 13 meetings came under similar circumstances, by a 2-0 scoreline at the Camp Nou.

* If Barcelona fail to hit the back of the net, it will be the first time in 27 games.

* Lionel Messi has not scored in either of Barcelona's last two league games, but has scored in every one of his last four meetings with Getafe.

* Getafe sit in 11th place, with eight points in either direction seperating them from either relegation or Europa League qualification. Depending on the result of this match and others this weekend, Getafe could find themselves anywhere between ninth place and 14th.

* If the Azulones are able to pick up a win at the Camp Nou, it will be only their second victory in 2011 and their first away victory of the year.

* So far this season, Getafe have been dangerous from the most unlikely of set-pieces, scoring five goals from throw-ins, two more than any other side in La Liga.

LAST MEETING

November 7, 2010: Getafe 1-3 Barcelona

Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro put Barcelona 3-0 up, before Gerard Pique received his marching orders for a second bookable offence, a handball inside the box. Manu netted the resulting penalty to grant his side just a glimmer of hope, before Derek Boateng earned himself an early bath for his second yellow card, reducing both sides to just 10 players.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Barcelona: Valdes; Adriano, Pique, Fontas, Alves; Iniesta, Busquets, Xavi; Villa, Messi, Bojan

Getafe: Codina; Sanchez, Marcano, Diaz, Torres; Boateng, Casquero; Manu, Albin, Sardinero; Arizmendi

Prediction

Barcelona have looked surprisingly vulnerable of late with the absence of influential captain Carles Puyol, and with the injuries beginning to pile up, it would be brave to predict a huge win for them. Getafe have been in poor form since the turn of the year however, which should be enough to see the Blaugrana pick up all three points.

Barcelona 2-1 Getafe

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19.03. (Sat) 18:30 Everton - Fulham

DID YOU KNOW?

* Everton have a 100 per cent home record against Fulham in the Premier League, beating them on all nine meetings between the clubs at Goodison.

* The Toffees have the historical upper hand over Fulham, winning 28 of their 52 meetings. The west London side are trailing with 18.

* The hosts are the only side in the league not to have been awarded a penalty so far this term.

* Of the eight on target headers from Tim Cahill this season, six of them have found the net.

* Similarly, five of the six on target headers from Clint Dempsey have been goals.

* Fulham have the best disciplinary record in the league, with only 35 yellows and no reds so far this season.

* Based on second-half performances alone, Fulham are the fourth best team in the Premier League.

* Mark Hughes’ side are unbeaten on the road since January 26.

* Clint Dempsey has scored the final goal of a game more often than any other player in the league with five.

* The visitors are on a terrible run of form on the road, with only one win in 32 fixtures away from Craven Cottage.



LAST MEETING

September 25, 2010: Fulham 0-0 Everton

The Toffees left Craven Cottage at the bottom of the table having been unable to break down a Mark Hughes side that had started the season in fine fashion.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Everton: Howard; Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Coleman, Heitinga, Rodwell, Osman; Saha, Beckford.

Fulham: Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Salcido; Duff, Etuhu, Murphy, Dempsey; Johnson, Zamora.

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19.03. (Sat) 18:30 Borussia D. - Mainz 05

DID YOU KNOW?

* Borussia Dortmund are yet to lose at home to Mainz, with one win and three draws for Juergen Klopp's men.

* Since defeating Thomas Tuchel's men earlier in the season, Der BVB have always been ahead of Mainz in the standings.

* Current Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp was coach of Mainz from 2001 to 2008, achieving promotion to the Bundesliga with the Rheinhessen for the first time in their history. As a player he spent 11 years with Mainz, playing in 325 second division games.

* Borussia Dortmund have conceded three goals at home in their last 11 games at the Signal-Iduna Park, with none coming in their last three games.

* Mohamed Zidan, currently on the books of Borussia Dortmund, is the leading goalscorer for Mainz in a single season.

* Mainz have achieved nine away wins so far - more than in their last three seasons combined. The Oh Fives had never won more than three away games in a Bundesliga season.

* The Rheinhessen have taken the same amount of points out of their away games as Borussia Dortmund have won at home. They have even outscored Der BVB by four goals, but have conceded 14 goals more.

* Both Mainz and Borussia Dortmund have had their best season in the Bundesliga in their history so far.

* Current Rheinhessen coach Thomas Tuchel celebrated winning the 2009 German A-Youth Championship with Mainz with a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund.

* Andre Schuerrle is one goal away from Borussia Dortmund's Mohamed Zidan's record of 13 goals in a season for Mainz.

LAST MEETING

October 31, 2010: Mainz 0-2 Borussia Dortmund

Mario Goetze and Lucas Barrios were on target as Borussia Dortmund leapfrogged high-flying Mainz to claim first spot, which they have not surrendered so far. Roman Weidenfeller was one of the heroes for Der BVB as he denied Eugen Polanski from the spot in the first half, preserving Juergen Klopp's men advantage before the restart.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer; Bender, Sahin; Goetze, Lewandowski Grosskreutz; Barrios.

Mainz: Wetklo; Bungert, Svensson, Noveski, Fuchs; Polanski, Fathi, Soto; Ivanschitz; Risse, Schuerrle.

Prediction

Juergen Klopp's men will be looking to bounce back from their loss against Hoffenheim last week and so will Mainz. Thomas Tuchel's men rise to the occasion on their travels and will put up one hell of a fight, but Der BVB are likely to edge this one.

Borussia 2-1 Mainz

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19.03. (Sat) 18:00 Lazio - Cesena

DID YOU KNOW?

* Lazio’s 2-0 defeat to Roma last weekend saw them slip to fifth in Serie A with 51 points from 29 matches, two points off the final Champions League position.

* The Aquile’s defeat to their arch-rivals was their fifth successive loss in the Rome derby, a run that also includes a defeat in the Coppa Italia earlier this year.

* Along with Inter, Edy Reja’s side have mustered the highest number of victories at home in Serie A this season (10).

* In the reverse fixture the Biancocelesti lost 1-0 in Cesena. That came after defeat to Roma and victory over Palermo. Heading into Saturday’s match, the Roman side have defeated the Sicilians and lost to the Lupi in their last two matches.

* Lazio will be without the services of Stefan Radu, Cristian Ledesma and Stephan Lichtsteiner, all of whom are suspended.

* Cesena are currently placed one spot above the bottom three in 17th with 29 points from as many matches, a point above the relegation zone.

* The Seahorses are unbeaten in their last four Serie A fixtures, having defeated Chievo and Sampdoria and drawn with Parma and Juventus in this period.

* Massimo Ficcadenti’s side have won just twice on the road in the league this season but their last away match ended in a 3-2 victory over Sampdoria in Genoa.

* The Emilia-Romagna club have conceded 40 goals in the league this campaign, out of which 23 have been shipped in 14 away encounters.

* Cesena will be without the services of Emanuele Giaccherini against Lazio as he is suspended.

LAST MEETING

November 10, 2010: Cesena 1-0 Lazio

Marco Parolo scored for the Seahorses five minutes from normal time to give his side a 1-0 victory over Lazio, which saw the Aquile lose their grasp on pole position in the table. His shot from outside the penalty area proved to be the difference between the two teams.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Lazio: Muslera; Scaloni, Biava, Dias, Garrido; Brocchi, Matuzalem; Mauri, Hernanes, Zarate; Kozak

Cesena: Antonioli; Ceccarelli, Pellegrino, Von Bergen, Lauro; Caserta, Colucci, Parolo; Jimenez; Bogdani, Malonga

Prediction

Lazio will aim to return to winning ways after their loss to Roma last weekend. It will be interesting to see whether the Aquile have recovered psychologically, but against lowly placed Cesena they should be confident of mustering the points.

Lazio 2-0 Cesena

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19.03. (Sat) 18:00 Mallorca - Zaragoza

DID YOU KNOW?

* Mallorca sit right in the middle of the table going into this fixture, in 10th place. Dependent on the results this weekend, they could find themselves anywhere between ninth and 13th place by Monday.

* Los Bermellones have picked up just one win in their last five games, and lost three.

* However, they have won their last four home matches against Zaragoza.

* This season is the first since 2006-07 in which Mallorca have suffered back-to-back home defeats.

* Zaragoza find themselves dangerously close to relegation, currently occupying 15th place, just four points away from the drop zone. This weekend could potentially see them climb to 12th, or drop to 17th.

* They have the joint lowest number of away wins this season, picking up all three points on the road on only one occasion, a narrow 2-1 victory over Malaga.

* Of Los Manos' last 11 goals, eight have come from set-pieces.

LAST MEETING

November 7, 2010: Zaragoza 3-2 Mallorca

Zaragoza came back from behind twice in the game, before a Gabi penalty in injury time handed them a vital three points.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Mallorca: Aouate; Ayoze, Nunes, Ramis, Cendros; Marti, De Guzman; Pereira, Tejera, Nsue; Webo

Zaragoza: Doblas; Paredes, Contini, Jarosik, Diogo; N'daw, Ponzio; Bertolo, Herrera, Lopez; Uche

Prediction

Zaragoza will be flying high after their 4-0 win over Valencia last weekend, but their away form has been nothing short of dreadful all season, which should be enough to see Mallorca pick up all three points.

Mallorca 2-1 Zaragoza

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19.03. (Sat) 16:00 Wigan Athletic - Birmingham City

DID YOU KNOW?

* Wigan are currently bottom of the Premier League table and have gone four games without a win, and have suffered three consecutive defeats against Manchester United, Manchester City and Bolton.

* Wigan’s last victory at home was a 4-3 thriller against Blackburn on February 5, however they have only won three games at home all season and the Rovers win is there only win at the DW Stadium since mid-November. One thing that will lift the Latics fans is that the other two victories at home have come against West Midlands teams, Wolves and West Brom.

* It will be the eighth meeting against Birmingham in the Premier League, and the Latics have only won one of those games. That came in April 2008 when they recorded a 2-0 at home thanks to a brace from Ryan Taylor.

* Wigan have not scored in their last three matches, so they will be hoping top scorer Hugo Rodallega rediscovers his goal scoring form having netted seven times this season.

* Manager Roberto Martinez only has one player struggling with injury, which is Emmerson Boyce, who picked up a hamstring injury three weeks ago.

* Birmingham are currently in 17th position in the table, and are only out of the relegation zone on goal difference. They have only won away from home twice this season, at Blackpool and West Ham, which will make their challenge much tougher.

* Birmingham won on their last visit to the DW Stadium, a 3-2 victory in December 2009, thanks to two goals from Seb Larsson and a winner from Christian Benitez. However, it is their only win at Wigan in the Premier League.

* Alex McLeish’s men have not won since their League Cup triumph against Arsenal, drawing once and losing twice. They are also on a run of three games without a win in the league.

* The Blues face a selection headache with a busy treatment room at St Andrew's. Alex McLeish has nine players on the sidelines at the moment, including influential midfielder Craig Gardner and captain Stephen Carr.

* Something of concern to all involved with the club is that they have scored the fewest number of goals in the Premier League this season. They have only managed 27 so far, and they average just one goal per away game.

LAST MEETING

September 25, 2010: Birmingham City 0-0 Wigan Athletic

Wigan’s trip to the West Midlands earlier this season ended in a goalless stalemate. In fact, the only real incidents came in the closing minutes of the match with Hugo Rodallega nearly snatching victory before Craig Gardner was sent off for a two-footed challenge on Franco di Santo in the 89th minute.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Wigan Athletic: Al Habsi; Gohouri, Alcaraz, G Caldwell, Figueroa; Moses, Thomas, McCarthy, Watson, N’Zogbia; Rodallega.

Birmingham City: Foster; Parnaby, Johnson, Jiranek, Ridgewell; Larsson, Ferguson, Mutch, Beausejour; Jerome, Martins.

Prediction

Both teams have struggled this season and are not in the form they would like to get them away from the bottom of the Premier League table, so this game will be nervy and extremely tense. It’s hard to pick a winner, but Birmingham’s poor away record might just give Wigan the edge they need to secure a crucial three points.

Wigan Athletic 2-1 Birmingham

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19.03. (Sat) 16:00 West Bromwich Albion - Arsenal

DID YOU KNOW?

* Injured Arsenal centre-back Johan Djourou has conceded a Premier League goal this season every 337 minutes.

* Replacement Sebastien Squillaci has conceded a league goal this season every 72 minutes.

* The partnership of Djourou and Laurent Koscielny has conceded a league goal this season every 405 minutes.

* The parternship of Squillaci and Koscielny has conceded a league goal this season every 83 minutes.

* Since the 3-2 home defeat to West Brom on September 25, Manuel Almunia has not made another league appearance.

* West Brom's goal difference of -15 is the joint second worst in the league along with Blackpool and Wolves.

* West Brom have drawn their last three home league games.

* The 3-1 victory at Birmingham City a fortnight ago was just West Brom's second league victory in 2011.

* West Brom's victory against Arsenal in September saw them rise to fifth in the table. The same result will see them rise to a maximum of 12th.

* West Brom's win in September broke a run of seven consecutive league losses to Arsenal that stretched back to a 1-1 draw at Highbury on November 20, 2004.

LAST MEETING

September 25: Arsenal 2-3 West Bromwich Albion

Goals from Peter Odemwingie, Gonzalo Jara and Jerome Thomas handed Arsenal a shock first league defeat of the season.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

West Brom: Carson; Reid, Olsson, Meite, Shorey; Brunt, Morrison, Mulumbu, Reid, Thomas; Odemwingie.

Arsenal: Almunia; Sagna, Squillaci, Koscielny, Clichy; Wilshere, Denilson, Ramsey; Nasri, Van Persie, Bendtner.

Prediction

With both sides desperate for the win and with doubts in defence, there should be goals galore at The Hawthorns. Arsenal's superior attack should see them edge a helter-skelter contest.

West Bromwich 2-3 Arsenal

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19.03. (Sat) 16:00 Manchester United - Bolton Wanderers

DID YOU KNOW?

* No team has had more than nine shots on target in a single Premier League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford since 2003.

* United have dropped just two points at home all season – versus West Brom in a 2-2 draw.

* Bolton have taken just one point from their last seven away games, and have won just twice on the road all season.

* United currently have 11 players out injured: Lindegaard, Rafael, O’Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evans, Hargreaves, Anderson, Fletcher, Park and Owen. However, Evans, Owen and Park could feature against Bolton.

* Bolton have scored six goals in their last two matches, beating Aston Villa 3-2 at home in the league and most recently a 3-2 win at Birmingham in the FA Cup.

* Ferguson will start his five-match touchline ban when Bolton visit, but United have only lost two of the 10 matches he has missed as a result of a ban. Those were 3-1 against Fulham in 2003 and 2-1 against West Ham in 2007.

* There have been 29 goals in the last 10 Premier League meetings between the two sides.

* Mexican striker Javier Hernandez has scored 10 goals from just 14 shots on target in the Premier League so far this season.

* Wanderers have only won one of their last 16 Premier League matches against United, with that match being a narrow 1-0 victory courtesy of a first-half Nicolas Anelka goal at the Reebok Stadium on November 24, 2007. United are currently seven matches unbeaten against Bolton since then.

* Bolton have only lost one of their last five Premier League matches.


LAST MEETING

September 26, 2010: Bolton 2-2 Manchester United

Back in September, Michael Owen was the saviour for United as he scored a 73rd minute equaliser after a Nani screamer was sandwiched between goals from Zat Knight and Martin Petrov.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Fabio, Brown, Smalling, Evra; Valencia, Gibson, Carrick, Nani; Rooney, Hernandez.

Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen; Steinsson, Wheater, Cahill, Robinson; Lee, Holden, Muamba, Petrov; Sturridge, Elmander.

Prediction

This match generally has plenty of goals and with the form the United attack and defence are in, there is absolutely no reason why this match will be any different.
Bolton themselves have been hitting the back of the net recently and I can definitely see them scoring against the makeshift United back four, but I fully expect the hosts to have too much for the Trotters at Old Trafford with the partnership of Rooney and Hernandez looking devastating at the moment.

Man Utd. 3-1 Bolton

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19.03. (Sat) 16:00 Blackburn Rovers - Blackpool

DID YOU KNOW?

* Blackburn have not gained any points from losing positions this season and are the only team not to do so in the Premier League.

* Rovers haven’t won for eight games in all competitions since January 8.

* If Blackburn fail to score at Ewood Park on Saturday they would equal the record number of games not to have scored at home, three.

* Rovers have conceded 75 per cent of their goals in the second half this season.

* Steve Kean’s men have lost four of their last five games.

* Blackpool haven’t kept a clean sheet for 12 games, in that run they have conceded 29 goals.

* The Seasiders have managed not to score against two of their previous 16 opponents.

* Blackpool have conceded more goals in the last 15 minutes of games than any other Premier League team.

* The Tangerines have won only once in their last nine games.

* Blackpool have allowed more shots on target against them than any other team.

LAST MEETING

September 25, 2010: Blackpool 1-2 Blackburn

Brett Emerton scored in the third minute of added time to break the Seasiders' hearts after Matty Phillips had scored his first ever Premier League goal with five minutes left.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Blackburn Rovers: Robinson; Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Olsson; Hoilett, Jones, Nzonzi, Pedersen; Kalinic, Santa Cruz.

Blackpool: Kingson; Eardley, Evatt, Cathcart, Crainey; Puncheon, Adam, Vaughan, Varney; Beattie, Taylor-Fletcher.

Prediction

Both teams are desperate for points and I think the play will showcase that perfectly. With two dodgy defences on show there should be chances aplenty but whether either team has the fire power to score the goals remains to be seen.

Blackburn 1-1 Blackpool

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19.03. (Sat) 16:00 Aston Villa - Wolverhampton Wanderers

DID YOU KNOW?

* While they are flying going forward, Aston Villa have serious injury problems in defence. Gerard Houllier's team have only kept one clean sheet in their last 19 Premier League matches - something which will give Wolves fans travelling the short distance to Villa Park plenty of hope.

* Ashley Young, subject to plenty of controversy about his Villa future at the moment, has won five penalties this season - that's more than any other player in the Premier League.

* Remarkably, Villa have dropped 21 points from winning positions in this campaign, more than any other Premier League team.

* And only Blackburn Rovers have recovered fewer points from losing positions than Aston Villa - who have added just two points to their Premier League tally of 33 from a game in which they have fallen behind.

* They say 13 is unlucky for some and that is certainly the case for Villa - who have conceded 13 headed goals this season - another unwanted Premier League record.

* Concentration has clearly been a problem for Villa in recent weeks as they have conceded nine goals in the second half of their last nine games - with just four first half goals shipped in the same period.

* Wolves fans travelling to Villa Park on Saturday are likely to do so with low expectations. History is certainly in the home team's favour - Villa are unbeaten in their last 17 matches in all competitions against Wolves.

* Mick McCarthy's men have struggled on the road this season - winning just one of their last 17 Premier League away matches, a surprising 1-0 victory at Anfield in December.

* Like Saturday's opponents, Wolves struggle defensively - with McCarthy’s side having kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 league away matches.

* England hopeful Matt Jarvis has been crucial for Wolves this season, his impressive left wing-play often leading to goals. And Wolves' committment to getting the ball wide is shown in the stats - the Molineux men have made more crosses than any other side in the Premier League this season (686).


LAST MEETING

September 26, 2010: Wolves 1-2 Aston Villa

Emile Heskey rewarded Gerard Houllier's decision to hand him his first Premier League start in over six months when the England striker scored a late header to hand the Frenchman his first league win as Aston Villa manager.


PROBABLE LINE-UPS


Aston Villa: Friedel; Walker, Cuellar, Baker, Delph; Downing, Petrov, Makoun, Albrighton; A Young; Bent.

Wolves: Hennessey; Zubar, Berra, Stearman, Elokobi; Foley, Henry, Milijas, Jarvis; O'Hara; Doyle.

Prediction

Although they sit in 13th place in the Premier League, Aston Villa's position is far from comfortable. Defeat against Wolves, who are currently in 19th position, would see Villa just one point ahead of their Midlands rivals and in the thick of a congested relegation battle.
Wolves will be buoyed by recent results and the return of Jamie O'Hara, who missed their 3-3 draw with Tottenham due to loan regulations, but will struggle to cope with the pace and creativity Gerard Houllier has at his disposal.
Villa's terrible defensive injury woes will give the likes of Matt Jarvis and Kevin Doyle hope that they can cause problems with the likes of Ashley Young, Marc Albrighton and Stewart Downing behind the goal-poaching instincts of Darren Bent should prove too much for Wolves to handle - ensuring that their terrible run against Villa extends to 18 games.

Aston Villa 3-1 Wolves

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19.03. (Sat) 13:45 Tottenham Hotspur - West Ham United

DID YOU KNOW?

* On the nine occasions Tottenham have played in the Premier League after a Champions League match, they have won four, drawn two and lost three times.

* Since the turn of the year Tottenham have picked up 18 of a possible 27 points in the Premier League.

* Tottenham are unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions at White Hart Lane against West Ham.

* Harry Redknapp's side have only lost once at home in the league all season.

* Rafael van der Vaart has scored 10 goals in 19 appearances for Tottenham in the league.

* West Ham have scored 15 goals in their past five matches in all competitions.

* Demba Ba has scored four goals in four appearances for the Hammers since joining from Hoeffenheim in January.

* The Hammers have only won twice on the road in the Premier League this season. They have lost six times and drawn on six occasions.

* If West Ham win at White Hart Lane it will be their first league double over Tottenham since the 1998-99 season.

* Due to the early kick-off, a West Ham win would see them leap out of the relegation zone and up to 13th, if only for a few hours.

LAST MEETING

September 25, 2010: West Ham 1-0 Tottenham

West Ham moved off the bottom of the table with their first win over Tottenham since May 2006. Frederic Piquionne scored the only goal of the game as his powerful header gave the Hammers all three points.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Tottenham: Gomes; Corluka, Dawson, Gallas, Assou-Ekoto; Lennon, Modric, Sandro, Bale; Van der Vaart; Crouch.

West Ham: Green; Spector, Tomkins, Upson, Bridge; Parker, Noble, Hitzlsperger; Piquionne, Cole, Ba.

Prediction

There should be goals galore at White Hart Lane this weekend as two good attacking teams lock horns.

Everyone knows about Tottenham's attacking credentials, with the likes of Bale, Van der Vaart and Modric in the side but West Ham are no slouches going forward either.

Avram Grant's side have racked up 15 goals in five matches and look a rejuvenated side.

Tottenham will be full of confidence following their progression to the quarter-finals of the Champions League but West Ham will be hoping to capitalise on a European hang-over at the Lane.

Tottenham 2-2 West Ham

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Bundesliga Preview Round 27

Friday 
20:30 Moenchengladbach - Kaiserslautern

Saturday
15:30 Freiburg - Bayern Munich
15:30 Hannover - Hoffenheim
15:30 Eintracht Frankfurt - St Pauli
15:30 Hamburg - Koeln
15:30 Nuernberg - Werder Bremen
18:30 Borussia Dortmund - Mainz

Sunday
15:30 Bayer Leverkusen - Schalke
17:30 Stuttgart - Wolfsburg







Moenchengladbach - Kaiserslautern
The away side has not won any of the last 11 league games between these two teams and none of the last 22 encounters have finished up scoreless.
Gladbach have conceded 60 goals in their first 26 games. The last time this happened was in the 1987-88 season, when Schalke had shipped 67 goals at the same stage.
On the theme of conceding goals, Kaiserslautern are on the verge of conceding their 1500th goal in the Bundesliga, standing currently on 1499.
TEAM NEWS:
Moenchengladbach
Belgian striker Igor De Camargo joins Jens Wissing and Marc-Andre ter Stegen on the sidelines. Filip Daems is a doubt with flu and Sebastian Schachten is ready to deputise at left back. Havard Nordtveit is pushing for a midfield slot at Thorben Marx's expense.
Kaiserslautern
Chadli Amri and Jan Simunek are the only casualties for Marco Kurz's men. Srdjan Lakic makes his return to the starting XI with Adam Nemec and Erwin Hoffer vying for the second spot up front. Tobias Sippel is a slight doubt in goal with Kevin Trapp on standby.

Freiburg - Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich have won their last 10 games in the league against Freiburg, which is the best series of wins for der Rekordmeister against any side except Nuernberg. Der Club lost 12 in a row between March 1982 and November 1988.
Freiburg's last victory against Bayern came on March 9, 1996 when they won 3-1 at home.
These sides boast the Bundesliga's leading goalscorers - Mario Gomez tops the goalscoring charts with 18 goals for Bayern, one ahead of Freiburg's Papiss Demba Cisse on 17.
If Miroslav Klose takes to the field, it will be his 300th appearance in the Bundesliga. In that time, he has scored 121 goals for Bayern, Werder Bremen and Kaiserslautern.
TEAM NEWS:
Freiburg
Robin Dutt is unable to call upon Simon Pouplin, Tommy Bechmann, Daniel Williams and Jan Rosenthal. Heiko Butscher and Maximilian Nicu are pushing for starting places at the expense of Oliver Barth and Johannes Flum respectively.
Toni Kroos looks set to partner Bastian Schweinsteiger in midfield
Bayern Munich
Brazilian centre-half Breno is suspended after his red card in Hannover two games ago and he has returned home to Sao Paulo. The only other absentee for Louis van Gaal is Ivica Olic. The only selection quandry seems to be who will partner Bastian Schweinsteiger in midfield, with Toni Kroos the favourite.

Hannover - Hoffenheim
Surprise package Hannover have won six of their last seven home games in the AWD Arena, losing the other. They have the best home record in the league after Bayern.
Hoffenheim have conceded the most goals in the league from set-pieces (20/42 or 48%), a weakness Hannover will surely be looking to exploit.
Lars Stindl is on the verge of making his 50th Bundesliga appearance. He has 26 for current club Hannover and he made a further 23 for Karlsruhe.
Hoffenheim have given up the second highest amount of points from leading positions (20).
TEAM NEWS:
Hannover
Ron-Robert Zieler is still suffering from the shoulder problem he picked up last week, which means that Florian Fromlowitz is between the sticks. Didier Ya Konan looks to have shrugged off his knee injury and should start up front alongside Moa Abdellaoue.
Hoffenheim
Marco Pezzaiouli is without Andreas Ibertsberger, Tobias Weis and Chinedu Obasi. Ryan Babel may be dropped to the bench after a few disappointing performances and Gylfi Sigurdsson is pushing hard for a place in the starting line-up.

Eintracht Frankfurt - St Pauli
Die Adler have not endured as long a winless streak since 2001, when they went 10 games without a victory.
St Pauli have never won in seven away games against Frankfurt, drawing three times and losing the other four.
This encounter brings together the two most impotent attacks in the Bundesliga. Eintracht have scored a mere 25 goals (14 of which have come from Theofanis Gekas) and St Pauli 28.
TEAM NEWS:
Eintracht Frankfurt
Goalkeeping veteran Ola Nikolov is out injured, as are Chris and Zlatan Bajramovic. Maik Franz returns from suspension and both Benjamin Koehler and Patrick Ochs are fully fit. Gekas may yet only begin on the bench, with compatriot Ioannis Amanatidis also in contention for the lone striker's spot.
St Pauli
There are a whole host of defensive injuries for Holger Stanislawski at the moment with Carlos Zambrano, Bastian Oczipka, Fabio Morena and Carsten Rothenbach all on the sidelines. Mathias Lehmann comes back after suspension and he may be pushed further forward as Dennis Daube should play alongside Fabian Boll.

Hamburg - Koeln
The return game was Koeln coach Frank Schaefer's first in charge of die Geissboecke. Koeln managed a 3-2 win as Milivoje Novakovic helped himself to a hat-trick. At that point, Koeln were occupying last place.
Hamburg have only one win in the last five matches, with three defeats in that time. As a result, Armin Veh has been sacked, with Michael Oenning assuming the role of head coach. Oenning was fired as Nuernberg coach in 2009 after a 3-0 defeat to Koeln.
Die Rothosen's 6-0 defeat in Munich to Bayern last week was their heaviest since 2004, when they lost by the same scorelines to bitter rivals Werder Bremen in the Nordderby.
Only Arjen Robben with eight goals has been more prolific in the Bundesliga than Koeln skipper Lukas Podolski (seven) since the winter break.
TEAM NEWS:
Hamburg
The home side are without second-choice goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobny and Romeo Castelen. New coach Michael Oenning has stated that he wishes to give Ruud van Nistelrooy the chance to redeem himself, with Paolo Guerrero likely to make way. Dennis Diekmeier returns to the squad after a long absence through injury.
Koeln
Star defender Pedro Geromel is not yet fully fit, with possible replacement Kevin McKenna also out with back problems. Kevin Pezzoni will partner Youssef Mohamad in the heart of defence. Adil Chihi or Fabrice Ehret could take one of the offensive midfield places instead of Slawomir Peszko.
Michel Oenning has a deal with the club to be head coach until 2012.

Nuernberg - Werder Bremen
Dieter Hecking's men are the form team in the Bundesliga, boasting an unbeaten run that goes back eight games. They have won five of those, drawing the other three.
In sharp contrast, Werder have just a solitary win from their last eight games. That came earlier this month when die Gruen-Weissen won 3-1 in Freiburg.
Der Club have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four games, equalling the club record set back in September 1989.
Bremen have the second worst away record of any side in the top flight this term, with a mere 10 points away from the Weserstadion. Only Koeln (six) have fared worse.
TEAM NEWS:
Nuernberg
Dieter Hecking is sticking to the motto of never changing a winning team. For the record, he is without Julian Schieber, Juri Judt, Mike Frantz and Albert Bunjaku.
Werder Bremen
Central midfielder Philipp Bargfrede is suspended having picked up five yellow cards. Christian Vander, Naldo, Sebastian Boenisch and Daniel Jensen are all injured. Petri Pasanen comes back into the XI, with Clemens Fritz pushing forward into midfield. Wesley and Marko Marin are pushing for inclusion in the midfield diamond.

Borussia Dortmund - Mainz
The last meeting between these two sides was hugely significant. Dortmund won 2-0 in the Stadion am Bruchweg, took the top spot and they do not look like giving it up at all this season, with a nine-point lead over Leverkusen.
Die Schwarzgelben have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three games at the Signal Iduna Park and they have shipped just three goals in the last 11 home games.
Mainz have won nine games away from home this term, which is more than in the previous three Bundesliga seasons combined. Before this season, they had never won more than three away games.
Juergen Klopp was coach of Mainz for seven years from 2001 until 2008, when he was lured to the Ruhrgebiet. He also played for Mainz for 11 years, making 325 appearances in the 2.Bundesliga, scoring 52 goals.
Current Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel won the German youth league in 2009 after his youngsters defeated Dortmund 2-1. Andre Schuerrle and Mario Goetze both featured in that encounter.
TEAM NEWS:
Borussia Dortmund
Juergen Klopp has a full complement of players to choose from with the exceptions of Mohamed Zidan, Shinji Kagawa and Florian Kringe. Felipe Santana is back on the bench due to the comeback of Mats Hummels and Sven Bender is fit enough to take his place in midfield alongside Nuri Sahin.
Mainz
Adam Szalai is a long-term casualty for Thomas Tuchel's men and the young coach is also without midfield duo Miroslav Karhan and Marco Caligiuri. Sami Allagui may return upfront to partner Andre Schuerrle while Christian Wetklo looks likely to start in goal.

Bayer Leverkusen - Schalke
Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes will take to the bench against one of his many former clubs. He led Schalke to seventh spot in the 2003-04 season but was sacked not long into the following campaign.
Schalke have lost six and won just one of the last nine clashes in the Bundesliga against Leverkusen. Their last win came last March when Kevin Kuranyi scored both goals in a 2-0 win in the Bay Arena.
Bayer and Germany goalkeeper Rene Adler made his Bundesliga debut against Schalke on February 25, 2007. He kept a clean sheet as die Werkself won 1-0 in the Veltins Arena.
Schalke duo Hans Sarpei and Angelos Charisteas both used to ply their trade in Leverkusen, making 42 and 13 appearances respectively.
Die Koenigsblauen have spent the entire season in the lower half of the table. This last happened in the 1998-99 campaign when Schalke finished 10th.
Both these sides are well known for being forever the bridesmaid and never the bride. Between them, they have been Bundesliga runners-up six times since the turn of the century.
Former Leverkusen striker Angelos Charisteas was Schalke's hero last week.
TEAM NEWS:
Bayer Leverkusen
Jupp Heynckes has just one player absent - Manuel Friedrich. All the speculation regarding Leverkusen's starting line-up concerns the central midfield area. It looks as though Michael Ballack will get the nod alongside Simon Rolfes, leaving Lars Bender and Arturo Vidal to ponder their disappointment on the bench.
Schalke
In a difficult first game for interim coach Seppo Eichkorn, who is in charge until the end of the month, key winger Jefferson Farfan is absent due to suspension - Edu will come in on the right. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar may have to settle for a place on the bench after recovering from his knee problems and there is a choice to make on the left side of midfield between Jose Jurado and Julian Draxler.

Stuttgart - Wolfsburg
Although these sides have both lifted the Bundesliga shield in the last four years, this time it's a relegation battle royal with both sides in grave danger of falling into the next tier. Wolfsburg are second bottom and although Stuttgart are thirteenth, they are just two points better off.
Stuttgart are unbeaten in the last 10 games at the Mercedes-Benz Arena against Wolfsburg, boasting eight wins and two draws since their last defeat in April 2000.
Wolfsburg have lost six and won just one of their last seven games, scoring just four goals in that time. Only Frankfurt are more goalshy than die Woelfe.
Stuttgart midfielder Christian Gentner made 99 league appearances for Wolfsburg between 2007 and 2010, winning the Bundesliga in 2009 under Felix Magath. Diego Benaglio was at Stuttgart without appearing in the first-team.
Felix Magath spent two seasons at the VW-Arena from 2007-2009, leading Wolfsburg to fifth and European football in his first before an incredible title win in his second. His record against Stuttgart was two wins and two defeats.
Magath's second spell in charge with Wolfsburg begins against one of his many former clubs. He coached die Schwaben from February 2001 to June 2004, winning every one of his four matches against Wolfsburg.
TEAM NEWS:
Stuttgart
There are a whole host of absentees for Bruno Labbadia's men, most notably top goalscorer Martin Harnik, who is suspended. Also missing are captain Mathieu Delpierre, Cacau, Khalid Boulahrouz, Patrick Funk, Marc Ziegler, Arthur Boka and Johan Audel, whilst striker Ciprian Marica has once again been frozen out.
Wolfsburg
Diego Benaglio is a big miss for die Woelfe in goal and he joins Patrick Helmes and Tolga Cigerci on the treatment table. Koo Ja-Cheol may start on the left-hand side of midfield instead of Cicero and Dieumerci Mbokani is jostling with Mario Mandzukic for the lone striking role.

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Eredivisie Preview Round 28 18.-20. 03.2011.

Friday
AZ - Vitesse

Saturday
NAC - Groningen
Heracles - Heerenveen
VVV - Willem II
NEC - De Graafschap

Sunday
ADO Den Haag - Ajax
PSV - Utrecht
Roda - Feyenoord
Excelsior - Twente






AZ - Vitesse
AZ currently sit fourth in the table
The Alkmaarders recorded a 2-1 win over Roda last week
Vitesse are 15th in the league at the moment
They had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Heerenveen last weekend
Previous meeting: Vitesse 1-1 AZ

NAC - Groningen
NAC are the league's 13th-placed team with 33 points from 27 games
The Breda side were beaten 2-1 by Feyenoord last Sunday
Groningen sit sixth in the table
They were defeated 1-0 by Utrecht last week
Previous meeting: Groningen 2-1 NAC

Heracles - Heerenveen
The Almelo side have climbed to 10th spot in the standings
Heracles recorded a 4-1 win over Excelsior last week
Heerenveen are the Eredivisie's ninth-placed side
They held Vitesse to a 1-1 draw last weekend
Previous meeting: Heerenveen 3-2 Heracles

VVV - Willem II
VVV currently sit 17th in the league table
The Venlo side recorded a 2-1 loss against Twente last week
Willem II sit rock bottom in the Eredivisie
The Tilburgers were beaten 3-1 by Ajax last week
Previous meeting: Willem II 1-4 VVV

NEC - De Graafschap
NEC are 12th in the Eredivisie at the moment
They recorded a 2-2 draw against PSV last weekend
De Graafschap sit 14th in the league table with 33 points from 27 games
They recorded a 1-0 win over ADO Den Haag last week
Previous meeting: De Graafschap 1-4 NEC

ADO Den Haag - Ajax
ADO Den Haag sit fifth in the Eredivisie table
They were beaten 1-0 by De Graafschap last week
Ajax are third in the league
The Amsterdam side beat Willem II 3-1 last Sunday
Previous meeting: Ajax 0-1 ADO Den Haag

PSV - Utrecht
PSV currently sit atop the table
The Eindhoven side were held to a 2-2 draw by NEC last week
Utrecht are the league's eighth-placed side
The Domstedelingen beat Groningen 1-0 last weekend
Previous meeting: Utrecht 1-2 PSV

Roda - Feyenoord
Roda are the Eredivisie's number seven with 41 points from 27 games
The Limburgers were beaten 2-1 by AZ last week
Feyenoord sit 11th in the league table
The Rotterdam outfit recorded a 2-1 win over NAC last Sunday
Previous meeting: Feyenoord 1-1 Roda

Excelsior - Twente
Excelsior are the Eredivisie's number 16 with 22 points from 27 games
The Rotterdam side were heavily beaten 4-1 by Heracles last week
Twente are the Eredivisie's number two with 57 points from 27 games
The reigning champions beat VVV 2-1 last weekend
Previous meeting: Twente 2-1 Excelsior

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Njukasl pada “iz auta” - NENAD MILIJAŠ (VOLVS, ENGLESKA PREMIJER LIGA)

Mančester je “odradio” posao protiv Marseja u Ligi šampiona, pa punu pažnju može da posveti prvenstvu. Zato Boltonu ne dajem šanse na “Old trafordu”.
MANČESTER J. - BOLTON     1


Uveren sam i u pobedu Stouka, na čijem je malom terenu izuzetno teško igrati, a imaju i odlične izvođače auta, iz kojih često stvaraju šanse. 
STOUK – NJUKASL     1


Hrabrijim kladioničarima predlažem keca na Blekburn, koji zbog borbe za opstanak mora da prekine seriju loših rezultata, a Arsenal je favorit protiv VBA.
BLEKBURN – BLEKPUL     1
VBA – ARSENAL     2

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“Teror“ Udinezea - IVAN RADOVANOVIĆ (BOLONJA, ITALIJA 1)

Najveći favorit u ovom kolu je Inter, posebno zbog podviga u Ligi šampiona i još važnijeg iskušenja koje ga čeka u narednom kolu – gostovanja velikom gradskom rivalu Milanu.
INTER – LEĆE     1


Udineze nastavlja da “teroriše” protivnike, pa ne vidim kako će Katanija da “preživi gostovanje u Udinama. 
UDINEZE – KATANIJA     1


Dodajem i keca na Napoli, koji je posle dva loša meča bio odličan u Parmi, za razliku od Kaljarija, koji je pretrpeo katastrofu sa Udinezeom.
NAPOLI – KALJARI     1

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Arapi “dižu” Malagu - NEBOJŠA MILIČIĆ, TRENER U REALU (ŠPANIJA 1)

Izostanak povređenog Mesija će da utiče na igru Barselone, ali pobeda protiv Hetafea ne sme da dođe u pitanje. Veliki teren “Nou kampa” je garancija da će Barsa imati dovoljno prostora da “raširi” goste.
BARSELONA – HETAFE     1


Drugi fiks je kec na Malagu, koja je “procvetala” dolaskom arapskih biznismena na čelo kluba. Stigla su pojačanja, organizacija je na vrhunskom nivou, a nedostaju još samo rezultati. Espanjol je slab na strani, pa bi Malaga lako mogla do preko potrebnih bodova.
MALAGA – ESPANJOL     1

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Premier League Opta Facts - March 19th - 20th

Aston Villa v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last 17 matches in all competitions against Wolves.
Villa have only kept one clean sheet in their last 19 Premier League matches.
Ashley Young has won five penalties, more than any other player in the Premier League this season.
Wolves have won just one of their last 17 Premier League away matches.
Mick McCarthy's side have kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 Premier League away matches.
Aston Villa have dropped more points (21) from winning positions than any other team in the Premier League.
Only Blackburn (0) have recovered fewer points from losing positions than Aston Villa (2).

Blackburn Rovers v Blackpool
Blackburn are the only team in the Premier League who have not recovered any points from a game where they have been trailing this season.
Blackburn have lost four and won none of their last five Premier League matches.
Rovers have failed to score in their last two Premier League games at Ewood Park and another blank would equal their worst home run without a goal in the Premier League.
Blackpool have won only one of their last nine Premier League matches.
Only two of Blackpool's last 16 Premier League opponents have stopped them from scoring.
Blackburn have conceded the most goals in the second half, both in total (36) and proportionately (72%) in the Premier League this term.
Ian Holloway's side have shipped 19 goals in the final 15 minutes of matches this season; more than any other side in the Premier League.

Everton v Fulham
Everton have not had any players booked in six of their last eight Premier League games against Fulham and only one in the each of the other two.
Everton have won their last 17 home league games against Fulham and all nine in the Premier League era.
Fulham have won only one of their last 32 Premier League away games.
The Londoners have only lost one of their last nine Premier League matches, but that came on Merseyside against Liverpool.
If the Premier League only counted the second half of games this season, Fulham would be fourth with 45 points.
Fulham have conceded a league-low proportion of their goals in the second half of Premier League games this term (39%).

Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers
Manchester United have not lost three Premier league games in a row since December 2001.
Javier Hernandez has scored 10 goals from just 14 shots on target in the Premier League this season.
Wayne Rooney has scored six goals in eight Premier League games for Manchester United against Bolton.
Bolton have won just one of their last 16 Premier League games against Man Utd.
Man Utd have only kept one clean sheet in their last seven Premier League matches.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side have not conceded a first half goal at Old Trafford in the Premier League since April 2010.
Bolton have lost only one of their last five Premier League matches.

Stoke City v Newcastle United
The Potters are the only team not to score a goal in the opening 15 minutes of a Premier League match this season.
Stoke have earned 10 points from a possible 12 at the Britannia Stadium in 2011.
Stoke have won just one of their last seven Premier League games.
The Potters have failed to score in five of those seven league matches.
Newcastle have won only one of their last eight Premier League games.
Stoke have won one and lost none of the three Premier League meetings with Newcastle.
Stoke have scored the highest proportion of goals in the second half of games this season in the Premier League (78%).

Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United
Demba Ba has scored four goals in his three Premier League starts for West Ham.
Tottenham have recouped more points (21) from losing positions than any other team in the top flight.
Jermain Defoe has scored in four of his last six Premier League games for Spurs against West Ham.
West Ham have won just one of their last nine Premier League London derbies away from home and lost six of the last seven.
Spurs have lost just one of their last 24 Premier League home matches.
Only one visiting team has scored more than once in a game in the last 29 Premier League matches at White Hart Lane.
The Hammers have lost just one of their last six Premier League games.
Avram Grant's men have conceded 12 goals in the 15 minutes before half time, the most by any side in this period.

West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal
Arsenal have kept seven clean sheets in their last nine Premier League games.
Samir Nasri has scored three goals in three Premier League games against West Brom.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 11 Premier League games.
Arsenal have scored 11 goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches, more than any other team.
Arsenal are the only team not to concede in the opening 15 minutes of a games this season.
West Brom have shipped a joint-division high eight goals in the opening 15 minutes of games this season.
The Baggies have lost just one of their last six Premier League matches.
Arsenal have netted a league-high 12 goals in the 15 minute period after the half-time break this season.

Wigan Athletic v Birmingham City
Wigan have the worst conversion rate in the Premier League, scoring with just 10% of their shots.
Wigan have won just one of their last 11 Premier League matches.
It is 12 games since Wigan last kept a clean sheet in the Premier League.
Wigan were the last team that Birmingham City scored more than two goals against in a Premier League match, when they won 3-2 at the then JJB Stadium. Since then they have gone 51 games without doing so.
Birmingham have scored only 13 goals from open play this season in the Premier League; fewer than any other side.
Eight of the last 11 Premier League goals that Birmingham have scored have arrived in the second half of matches.

Chelsea v Manchester City
Carlos Tevez has scored six goals in his last five Premier League games against Chelsea.
After winning only two of the first 24 Premier League meetings with Chelsea, Man City have won the last three in a row.
Chelsea have only won three of their last seven Premier League games at Stamford Bridge and haven't won back to back league fixtures since November.
Chelsea and City have won a joint-high eight penalties each this season in the Premier League.
Argentine striker Tevez has scored the first goal of the game on eight occasions in the Premier League this term; more often than any other player.
Roberto Mancini's side have scored the lowest proportion of goals in the second half of Premier League games this term (44%).

Sunderland v Liverpool
Sunderland scored two goals from just three shots on target at Anfield earlier this season.
Sunderland have only scored three goals in their last nine Premier League games against Liverpool, but all were netted by the now departed Darren Bent.
No side has lost more points at home from leading positions than Sunderland (10) this season.
Steve Bruce's side have lost 13 points from goals scored in the 80th minute or later this season; more than any other side in the league.
Liverpool have lost all three of their Premier League away games directly following a Europa League matchday this season.
The Reds have won 17 points from their last eight Premier League matches, only Arsenal (18) have won more in this period.
Alongside Blackburn, Sunderland are the only side that have failed to win any of their last five Premier League matches.

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Championship Opta Facts - March 19

Sheffield United v Leeds
Leeds have scored just three goals in their last six Yorkshire derbies against the Blades.
Sheffield United have lost only once in their last eight meetings with Leeds United.
The Blades have conceded the first goal on 24 occasions this term, the most in the Championship.
Sheffield United have taken just four points from 18 available in Yorkshire derbies this season, whilst Leeds have taken 10 from the 21 on offer so far.
Leeds are the Championship top scorers with 69 goals scored so far.

Barnsley v Reading
Reading have won each of their last three matches against Barnsley.
None of the last 16 clashes between the sides at Oakwell have ended in draws, with the last one coming in December 1972 (0-0).
Barnsley have conceded 19 goals in the final 15 minutes of games, the most in the Championship.
Shane Long has netted five goals in his last four league appearances for the Royals, whilst Ian Harte has netted three in his last two.

Bristol City v Burnley
The Robins have only won one of their last eight clashes with Burnley, losing four and drawing three.
Graham Alexander has netted two in his last two appearances against Bristol City.
City have gone 10 games since they last drew a league game - a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace on January 25.
Burnley haven't conceded a first half goal in any of their last four Championship games.
Jay Rodriguez has scored four of Burnley's last six league goals.

Crystal Palace v Derby
Palace have won their last four meetings with Derby at Selhurst Park, keeping a clean sheet each time.
In fact, only one of the last 11 clashes between these sides has been won by the away side, with the home side victorious on eight occasions (two draws).
Palace have kept nine clean sheets in 10 at Selhurst Park.
Derby have only gained three points from losing positions this term, no side has won fewer.

Doncaster v QPR
Nine of the last 10 meetings between these sides in all competitions have been won by the home side, with the other ending in a 1-1 draw.
In seven of these nine wins, the home side has kept a clean sheet, whilst no away side has managed more than one goal in this fixture since February 1952.
No side has conceded more goals than Donny in this season's Championship (66 - joint with Scunthorpe).
The R's have netted five more penalties (12) than any other Championship side.

Hull v Norwich
Norwich have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last eight clashes with the Tigers, although Hull have only kept one shutout in seven.
Hull have lost just one of their last five home meetings with the Canaries, winning two and drawing two.
There have only been nine goals scored in Hull's last seven league games combined.
Norwich have scored and conceded in eight of their last nine league games.

Ipswich v Scunthorpe
Scunthorpe have only won one of the 13 previous encounters between the sides, losing eight and drawing four.
The Suffolk side have won all six home meetings with the Iron, netting 12 and conceding just three.
Ipswich have now lost three on the bounce at Portman Road, conceding eight goals and scoring just one.
The Iron have won all six of the away games they have held the lead in this campaign.

Leicester v Portsmouth
There have been 14 goals scored in the last three clashes between the Foxes and Pompey, including seven in this season's reverse fixture (which Portsmouth won 6-1).
Liam Lawrence has already netted three goals in two appearances against Leicester this term.
Leicester have scored in 14 consecutive home league games. If they net in this fixture, they will equal the record of scoring in 15 straight home games set earlier in the season by Pompey.
Pompey have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight matches.

Middlesbrough v Watford
The away side has scored exactly one goal in each of the last four meetings between the sides.
In their last five meetings with Boro combined, the Hornets have scored seven goals in the opening 26 minutes.
Watford have scored 12 goals in the opening 15 minutes of games, the most in the division.
Danny Graham has now scored in five consecutive league games for the Hornets, having netted in seven straight games earlier in the campaign.

Millwall v Cardiff
Four of the last six meetings between the sides have resulted in draws, with Cardiff winning once (2-1 earlier this campaign) and Millwall winning the other (1-0 in 2005).
There have been five red cards issued in the last four meetings combined, although four of them came in the 90th minute or later.
Only league leaders QPR (20) have kept more clean sheets than the Lions (17) this term.
Cardiff have netted the opening goal 22 times this campaign, the most in the second flight.

Preston v Coventry
PNE are unbeaten in six meetings with the Sky Blues, winning four and drawing two.
Preston have won seven of their last nine meetings with Coventry at Deepdale, drawing the other two.
Preston have now lost 30 points from winning positions, six more than any other side.
Coventry have drawn their last three away league games having lead at some stage in each.

Swansea v Nottingham Forest
Forest have won their last three meetings with Swansea in a row.
There have only been four goals scored in the last four clashes between these two sides in South Wales combined.
Swansea have only conceded one first half goal in their last six league games combined.
Nottingham Forest have won more points (20) after having conceded the first goal than any other Championship side.

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