09.04. (Sat) 22:00 Mallorca - Sevilla

DID YOU KNOW?

* Sevilla have scored only eight points out of a possible 24 on road. Even more surprisingly, despite scoring only six points out of last 15, they have the 6th best away record in last five away games. This shows that La Liga teams play best at their homes.

* Los nervionenses have won their last two league games: they have not managed three wins in a row this season.

* Since returning to the top flight, Sevilla are unbeaten in their last 9 visits to Mallorca. They have managed five wins and four draws in this time.

* The Andalucians tend to lose focus in the second half as the statistics show. They have conceded 64% of their goals in second half, with 25% coming in last 15 minutes of the games.

* After an indifferent start to their season, the Andalucians are in driver’s seat for the European spots, with a very good chance to make it to Champions league. Although, with Kanoute out with an injury, their task has become slightly more difficult.

* Mallorca are slow starters and tend to lose steam quickly. They have scored the joint-fewest goals in the last 15 minutes of league games this season (five, along with Hercules) and have scored only 4 goals in the first 15 minutes.

* The islanders have failed to score in 12 games this season.

* Their top scoring Cameroonian striker Webo, who has found the back of the net 7 times this season, is suspended along with midfielder Michael Perriera.

* However Michael Laudrup's troops are unbeaten without Webo this season, winning one and drawing two league games in his absence.

LAST MEETING

November 21, 2010: Sevilla 1-2 Mallorca

Last time, Pierre Webo had struck a last-minute winner to help Real Mallorca consign former coach Gregorio Manzano and his Sevilla side to a 2-1 defeat at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Sevilla looked to have salvaged a point when Luis Fabiano netted in the 88th, but Webo scored in the 90th minute to snatch all 3 points for the islanders.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Mallorca: Aouate;Ramis, Nunes, Kevin, Pablo Lopez,Marti; Tejera,Ienaga,De Guzman; Gonzalo Castro,Nsue.

Sevilla: Varas; Escudé, Fazio,Alexis, Caceres; Navas, Rakitic, Medel, Perotti; Negredo, Kone.

Prediction

Sevilla are definitely the in-form side at moment and they have picked up some valuable points against Barcelona and Valencia. Traditionally, they have always done well at Mallorca's home and are yet to be defeated at Iberostar Estadi. The only worrisome aspect is their strikers' profligacy in front of goal. This has to be rectified, if their slim hopes of Champions league are to be kept alive.

Mallorca 1-1 Sevilla

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09.04. (Sat) 20:45 Udinese - Roma

DID YOU KNOW?

* Udinese are placed fourth in the league standings with 56 points from 31 matches.

* The Bianconeri lost their first Serie A match of 2011 last weekend when they went down 2-0 to Lecce.

* Francesco Guidolin’s side conceded their first goals in eight league matches in the loss last weekend.

* At this stage last season, the Zebrette were fourth from bottom with 32 points.

* Roma are currently sixth in Serie A with 50 points from 31 matches, six points off the fourth and final Champions League slot.

* The Lupi lost their first league match under coach Vincenzo Montella last weekend, as they went down 2-0 to Juventus.

* The former Italian champions have won their last two Serie A encounters with Udinese by a two-goal margin.

* Roma legend Francesco Totti has scored ten times against Udinese in the league in his career.

LAST MEETING

November 20, 2010: Roma 2-0 Udinese

Jeremy Menez gave the Giallorossi the lead after 24 minutes and in the second half Marco Borriello doubled the advantage. Nicolas Burdisso was sent off for Roma with nine minutes of normal time remaining but the hosts held on for an important 2-0 victory.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Udinese: Handanovic; Benatia, Zapata, Domizzi; Isla, Abdi, Pinzi, Asamoah, Armero; Di Natale, Denis

Roma: Doni; Cassetti, N. Burdisso, Juan, Riise; Taddei, Pizarro, De Rossi, Vucinic; Totti, Borriello

Prediction

Udinese lost their first league game at home at the weekend as they went down 2-0 to Lecce. It will be interesting to see how the Bianconeri bounce back but against a Roma side, who are themselves not in the best of health, they should garner the points.

Udinese 2-0 Roma

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09.04. (Sat) 20:00 Barcelona - Almeria

DID YOU KNOW?

* Barcelona's form this season has been remarkable, and at present it seems that Pep Guardiola will threaten the 100 point mark. They've dropped only nine points this season.

* On 16 occasions in league play this season, the Blaugrana have registered at least three goals, but they've dried up in front of goal somewhat of late, failing to make that mark in all of their last five matches.

* Barca's 8-0 victory over Almeria is their biggest victory of the season - and their biggest league win under Guardiola.

* Goalless in four club games, Lionel Messi is in his longest drought since last April, when he went five matches without scoring after striking the decisive goal in the Clasico.

* Since losing to Mallorca on May 17, 2009, the Catalans have only been defeated in two Primera Division matches.

* Almeria find themselves at the foot of the Primera Division table having recorded only five wins all season - two fewer than any other side in the league.

* They've been particularly poor in the second half of matches, earning fewer points - they would have 31 for the season if only the second 45 minutes was considered - than any other team in the league after the break with the exception of Hercules.

* Roberto Olabe becomes the club's third head coach of the season after Jose Luis Oltra departed earlier this week. The former Tenerife boss took over from Juan Manuel Lillo following the 8-0 home drubbing by Barca.

* Away from home, Almeria have been sturdy defensively. Aside from the top three, only Real Zaragoza have conceded fewer goals than their tally of 21, though only 11 strikes have been mustered.

LAST MEETING

November 20, 2010: Almeria 0-8 Barcelona

Barcelona fired a Clasico warning shot to Real Madrid with a crushing 8-0 victory against hapless Almeria, whose defending was dreadful in a performance that ultimately accounted for coach Juan Manuel Lillo. Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta would both score in the opening 20 minutes before an own goal from Acasiete put the hosts in greater trouble. Further efforts arrived from Pedro and Messi made it 4-0 by the break. There was little relent after the break, when Messi would complete his hat-trick and lay on two goals for Bojan Krkic.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Busquets, Adriano; Xavi, Mascherano, Iniesta; Villa, Messi, Pedro

Almeria: Diego Alves; Michel, Silva, Acasiete, Luna; M’Bami, Bernardello, Ortiz, Piatti, Crusat; Ulloa

Prediction

It’s impossible to predict anything other than a convincing Barcelona victory. A success of the magnitude of five months ago is extremely unlikely, but it would be one of the shocks of the season if they bottom club were to steal anything from Camp Nou.

Barcelona 4-0 Almeria

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09.04. (Sat) 18:00 Inter - Chievo Verona

DID YOU KNOW?

* Inter have scored four goals in each of their last three games against Chievo at the Giuseppe Meazza.

* The Nerazzurri are currently riding a nine-game Serie A winning streak at San Siro.

* The Beneamata have scored 15 goals in their last five home games.

* Cristian Chivu will miss the match through suspension.

* Inter have conceded seven goals in their past five home matches.

* Chievo's 2-1 win earlier in the season snapped a 12-game winless run against the Nerazzurri.

* The Flying Donkeys' only Serie A win against Inter at San Siro came in December of 2001.

* Sergio Pellissier leads the team in scoring with ten league goals.

* Chievo have collected seven points from their last five games on the road.

* Chievo have been held scoreless in 14 Serie A matches this season.


LAST MEETING

November 21, 2010: Chievo 2-1 Inter

The Flying Donkeys soared to an unlikely victory as they punctured the Inter defence twice in Verona. Sergio Pellissier opened the scoring in the 29th minute before Davide Moscardelli doubled the home side's advantage in the second half.

Samuel Eto'o scored a late goal but many will remember the game for the Cameroon striker's headbutt on Chievo defender Bostjan Cesar.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Inter: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Ranocchia, Lucio, Nagatomo; Zanetti, Thiago Motta; Cambiasso; Sneijder, Milito, Eto'o

Chievo: Sorrentino; Sardo, Andreolli, Mandelli, Montovani; Fernandes, Rigoni, Constant; Bogliacino; Pellissier, Moscardelli

Prediction

Inter are reeling right now after heavy losses to Milan in Serie A and Schalke in the Champions League. The Nerazurri are vulnerable at the moment but should be able to stop the bleeding with a slim win over Chievo at San Siro.

Inter Milan 1-0 Chievo

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09.04. (Sat) 18:00 Athletic Bilbao - Real

DID YOU KNOW?

* With only three draws all season, Athletic Bilbao have split points on fewer occasions than virtually any other Primera Division club. Espanyol and Real Sociedad are the only teams to have tied on fewer occasions.

* None of these draws have come at San Mames, where they've won 10 of their 15 matches.

* The Basques look good for a place in the Europa League, lying in fifth, but they have little hope of catching Villarreal, who are nine points clear of them.

* After keeping three successive clean sheets at the end of January, Athletic have only shut-out their opponents once in the last eight games.

* Against teams in the top half of the table, they've won five of their 15 matches, losing all of their other 10 games.

* Real Madrid had enjoyed a run of eight matches undefeated in the league prior to last weekend's surprising reverse against Sporting Gijon.

* That loss was los Blancos' first failure to win at home all season, and Jose Mourinho's first home defeat in 151 matches - a run stretching back nine years.

* The Portuguese has made Madrid a formidable defensive unit this term, and only on three occasions have they conceded more than one goal in a solitary league game.

* In 30 Primera Division matches to date, on 15 occasions los Merengues' games have produced fewer than three goals, and three times they've been held to scoreless draws.

* Exactly half the time, Mourinho's men have led at the interval, and in all of these matches they've picked up three points. The only other team to have such a record is Osasuna, who have won all of the six matches they've held the upper hand in at the interval.

* Indeed, whenever los Blancos have gone ahead this season, they've always scooped maximum points.

LAST MEETING

November 20, 2010: Real Madrid 5-1 Athletic Bilbao

In the week before the campaign’s first Clasico, Real Madrid were expected to be severely tested at the Bernabeu by Athletic, but Jose Mourinho’s men made short work of the Basques. First half goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo were tempered by a 40th minute effort from Fernando Llorente, though the hosts pulled away after the break. Sergio Ramos converted a penalty before Ronaldo completed his hat-trick by scoring a brace in the last half hour.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz; Iraola, San Jose, Ekiza, Castillo; Lopez, Martinez, Orbaiz, Gabilondo; Llorente, Toquero

Real Madrid: Casillas; Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho, Arbeloa; Khedira, Alonso; Ronaldo, Oezil, Di Maria; Adebayor

Prediction

San Mames is a really tough venue to visit, and an easy success over Athletic earlier this season will count for little come Saturday night. Real Madrid simply have to win to keep their title hopes alive, but having slipped on six of 15 road trips this season, keeping La Liga competitive going into the Clasico is by no means certain. Los Leones’ recent form has been poor, and that may just edge this fixture in favour of the guests.

Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Real Madrid

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09.04. (Sat) 16:00 Tottenham Hotspur - Stoke City

DID YOU KNOW?

* The last four times Stoke have played Spurs, they have scored one goal and one goal only.

* Comeback kings Tottenham have recouped more points (21) from losing positions than any other Premier League side.

* They have only lost one of their last nine league games but Spurs have drawn the last three on the bounce.

* Spurs have failed to capitalise on their relatively easy run of Premeir League games, the last four being against the bottom four and recording three draws and a loss.

* Spurs have gone four games, in all competitions, without netting.

* Harry Redknapp's side have only lost one of their last 25 Premier League home games.

* Stoke are on a terrible away game run, failing to score in the last five and losing the last six.

* Tony Pulis' side have never drawn in London in the Premier League, winning three and losing 11 of their 14 trips.

* Stoke's 76 per cent of second-half goals is the highest in the league.

* Stoke have just 10 away points this season, the second worse in the league

LAST MEETING

August 21, 2010: Stoke 1-2 Tottenham

An entertaining first half saw a Ricardo Fuller goal sandwiched in the middle of a Gareth Bale brace, earning the visiting side all three points.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Tottenham: Gomes; Corluka, Gallas, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Huddlestone, Modric, Bale; Van der Vaart; Defoe.

Stoke: Begovic; Wilson, Shawcross, Huth, Pugh; Pennant, Whelan, Delap, Etherington; Jones, Walters.

Prediction

Stoke's away form is certainly cause for concern but I think Spurs will still be dazed and confused from their midweek tonking. Both teams are finding scoring goals a problem and though I think the home side will see it as two points lost, they may have to be happy with a hard earned draw.

Tottenham 1-1 Stoke

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09.04. (Sat) 16:00 Sunderland - West Bromwich Albion

DID YOU KNOW?

* Sunderland have not won in the Premier League in seven games, with their last victory being a 2-1 win over Blackpool on January 22.

* The Black Cats have not scored in 440 minutes of football since Asamoah Gyan scored against Tottenham back in February.

* Sunderland have kept 12 clean sheets this season, which is a joint third with Manchester United.

* Sunderland and West Brom have had trouble conceding early goals, as both teams have shipped in eight each in the first 15 minutes of their matches.

* Steve Bruce’s side have scored only 18 goals at home this season. Only Birmingham (16) have scored fewer.

* West Brom are currently unbeaten in six Premier League games.

* The Baggies' last clean sheet in the Premier League came against Sunderland on August 21, 2010, in a 1-0 victory at the Hawthorns. Since then Roy Hodgson's charges have had the dubious distinction of going 29 league games without keeping a clean sheet.

* Chris Brunt has 11 assists this season. Only Manchester United's Nani (16) has more in the top flight.

* West Brom have received six red cards this season, and are level with Arsenal when concerning sendings off's. No other side has been shows as many reds this term.

* Hodgson’s men have gone 14 games without winning consecutive games.

LAST MEETING

August 21, 2010: West Brom 1-0 Sunderland

Peter Odemwingie scored the only goal of the game on his debut, and the Baggies got their first points of the season.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Sunderland: Mignolet; Onouha, Mensah, Turner, Bardsley; Henderson, Muntari, Cattermole, Sessegnon; Welbeck, Gyan.

West Bromwich Albion: Carson; Reid, Meite, Olsson, Shorey; Brunt, Scharner, Mulumbu, Thomas; Odemwingie, Cox.

Prediction

Sunderland have been poor of late, having won only one game in their last 10 in all competitions. But with pressure on and a faltering home record guiding their steady decline, the Black Cats should bounce back to to beat the Baggies. However, it will not be as convincing as the 4-0 scoreline of 2008.

Sunderland 2-1 West Bromwich

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09.04. (Sat) 16:00 Manchester United - Fulham

DID YOU KNOW?

* In 71 meetings in all competitions, Manchester United have won 42 to Fulham's meager 13, with 16 draws also registered.

* The aggregrate scores between the teams in the last 10 meetings in all competitions is United 24-9 Fulham.

* Manchester United have dropped just two points at Old Trafford in the Premier League this season from 15 games.

* Fulham have not gained a point at Old Trafford since their 3-1 Premier League victory on October 25, 2003.

* Fulham sit in 10th place in the Premier League table but would sink to 15th if just away results were considered.

* Fulham sit top of the Premier League disciplinary table and are the only team in the division not to have a player sent off this season.

* While Wayne Rooney is suspended, 20-goal stand-in Dimitar Berbatov is the Premier League's top scorer this season.

* United have won 70 per cent of their Premier League games with Wayne Rooney in the starting line-up, compared to just 45 per cent when he has been missing or on the substitute's bench.

* Clint Dempsey's 10 Premier League strikes for Fulham has put him in behind only Newcastle United's Kevin Nolan in the race to be the Premier League's top scoring midfielder this season.

* Fulham's 38 points from 31 games has given them the same tally as last season.

LAST MEETING

August 22, 2010: Fulham 2-2 Manchester United

Fulham defender Brede Hangeland scored for both teams as Nani's late missed penalty was punished to see the spoils shared at Craven Cottage.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Manchester United: Kuszczak; O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Nani; Hernandez, Berbatov.

Fulham: Schwarzer; Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Salcido; Dempsey, Murphy, Etuhu, Duff; Zamora, Dembele.

Prediction

United have finally shown signs in recent weeks of clicking into the form expected of Premier League champions. With the euphoria from the mid-week Champions League victory against Chelsea coursing through them, expect another victory to keep them on course for domestic supremacy.

Man Utd. 2-0 Fulham

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09.04. (Sat) 16:00 Chelsea - Wigan Athletic

DID YOU KNOW?

* Chelsea have lost only once to Wigan Athletic in the Premier League era. This loss was in September 2009, when the Latics pulled off one of the shocks of that season by carving out a 3-1 victory over the Blues. Incidentally, that loss also ended their 100 per cent record – last season – and knocked them off the top of the table.

* But the defeat proved to act as nothing more than a minor pitfall, as the Londoners returned the ‘favour’ with interest. They went on to hand out an 8-0 thrashing to Roberto Martinez’s men at Stamford Bridge on the final day of the season. And that victory also saw them end Manchester United’s three-year reign as champions of England.

* When the two sides met earlier this season at the DW Stadium, the Latics fell to another heavy handed defeat as Carlo Ancelotti’s charges cruised to a 6-0 victory. This win means that the reigning champions have scored 14 goals without a reply in their last two games against the opposition.

* Nicolas Anelka has scored four goals in his last two games against Wigan, while Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou have hit the net on three occasions.

* The hosts have conceded 11 goals at Stamford Bridge, whereas the Latics have only scored 11 on their travels.

* But Wigan Athletic have made their away goals count, as they have drawn or won every game in which they have found the back of the net – barring the matches against Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United.

* However, their inability to turn draws into victories away from home sees the Latics having won only two on the road this term. But the competitive nature of the season sees only two teams outside the top six having won more than three games on the road. Even so, Martinez’s men are currently at the bottom of the Premier League.

* But if they manage to dole out another shock to their opponents reminiscent of their sensational win last season, then they could potentially leapfrog their way out of the relegation zone depending on other results. Mathematically speaking, the visitors (presently with 31 points) could even go as high as 15th by the end of this round of games. But for this to come to pass, a very unlikely set of results would have to be recorded. Wolves (32 points), West Ham (32), Blackpool (33) and Aston Villa (34) would have to lose their games, while there would have to be a winner in the match between Blackburn and Birmingham (both currently on 34 points). Meanwhile, Wigan would also have to somehow reduce their goal difference by 10 goals to go up to 15th position.

* This fixture – against Chelsea - has been an entertaining one over the years for the neutrals, as nine goals have been scored during or after the 90th minute in 11 league games between the two sides.

* Hugo Rodallega is Wigan’s top scorer in the league with seven goals to his name.


LAST MEETING

August 21, 2010: Wigan Athletic 0-6 Chelsea

The Latics were humiliated in their own backyard as Anelka and Kalou scored two each, while Florent Malouda and Yossi Benayoun added one each to continue a superb start to their campaign - which has since frittered away.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Essien, Lampard; Kalou, Anelka, Malouda.

Wigan Athletic: Al Habsi; Boyce, G Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa; Watson, Diame; N’Zogbia, McCarthy, Cleverley; Rodallega.

Prediction

Chelsea are certainly the superior side and will look to get back to winning ways after their recent loss to Manchester United in the Champions League. This could see their frustration being aimed at Wigan, which in turn could result in a relatively easy victory.

Chelsea 4-0 Wigan Athletic

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09.04. (Sat) 16:00 Bolton Wanderers - West Ham United

DID YOU KNOW?

* West Ham have taken eight points from the last 18 available.

* If Bolton score on Saturday it will be their 100th goal against West Ham.

* If Bolton win on Saturday it will be their 30th victory over West Ham. They have drawn eight and lost the other 16 of their 53 matches.

* West Ham have failed to score in 10 of their 31 Premier League games this season.

* Bolton have not kept a clean sheet away from home in the Premier League this season.

* On average, Bolton do not score their first goal until the 50th minute of the game this season.

* Both teams have only recorded two away wins in the Premier League this season.

* Johan Elmander is Bolton’s top scorer this season with 10 goals.

* Bolton are the only team in the Premier League with a goal difference of zero.

* Avram Grant will have suffered relegation from the Premier League in two of his three seasons in the top flight if he fails to keep West Ham up this season.

LAST MEETING

August 21, 2010: West Ham United 1-2 Bolton Wanderers

The two sides last met back in August when a Matthew Upson own goal followed by two Johan Elmander strikes, either side of a second-half Mark Noble penalty, saw Bolton take three points from their trip to Upton Park.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Bolton: Jaaskelainen; Steinsson, Cahill, Wheater, Alonso; Elmander, Muamba, Cohen, Petrov; K Davies, Sturridge.

West Ham: Green; Jacobsen, Da Costa, Upson, Bridge; Noble, Parker, Hitzlsperger; O'Neil, Cole, Ba.

Prediction

After slipping back into the relegation zone the Hammers have everything to play for. Bolton, meanwhile, may have just lost a bit of momentum going into the final month of the season.
Bolton go into the game as favourites but West Ham are fighting for their lives and that could be just enough to see them secure a valuable victory at the Reebok.

Bolton 1-2 West Ham

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09.04. (Sat) 16:00 Blackburn Rovers - Birmingham City

DID YOU KNOW?

* A victory for Blackburn would result in a 10th win in a row for the home team in meetings between these two teams.

* Blackburn have had the joint highest amount 2-1 defeats at home with five.

* With 69 per cent of their conceded goals coming after half-time, Rovers have let in a higher percentage of second-half goals than any other team.

* Steve Kean’s side have only saved one point from a losing position this term, the lowest amount in the league.

* If Birmingham were to beat Steve Kean’s side, they would equal the two clubs' record against each other of 34 home victories and 7 away wins each.

* Over half of Birmingham's goals have come from set-pieces this season.

* The visitors haven’t picked up a league win at Ewood Park since 1968, when the clubs met in the old Division Two.

* Alex McLeish’s side have managed an average of just over four and a half shots on target per game so far this season.

* Cameron Jerome has averaged a goal a game against Blackburn in the league, hitting five in five. His best record against a single club.

* The Blues have secured only two clean sheets in their last 16 Premier League fixtures.

LAST MEETING

August 21, 2010: Birmingam City 2-1 Blackburn

Steven N'Zonzi's second-half strike was cancelled out by a Craig Gardner brace as Birmingham picked up their first win of the season at St Andrew's.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Blackburn: Robinson; Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Olsson; Emerton, N'Zonzi, J Jones, Pedersen, Hoilett; Santa Cruz.

Birmingham City: Foster; Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Ridgewell; Hleb, Gardner, Ferguson, Larsson; Phillips, Jerome.

Prediction

Steve Kean is overwhelming favourite to be the next man thrown off the ever-turbulent Premier League managerial merry-go-round and it's not difficult to see why; inexperienced owners coupled with a relegation dog-fight can make the finger on the trigger twitch a little more vigorously and as Birmingham travel to Ewood Park, I can't see the Scot's job looking any easier.

Birmingham have the quality and, arguably more importantly, the experience amongst the ranks to climb out of the mire in which they have found themselves in. Their dynamism, particularly in the middle of midfield, may well prove vital against a solid Rovers outfit and this energy could be enough to see them not only pick up three points on Saturday but in doing so, take a large step towards Premier League safety.

Blackburn 1-2 Birmingham

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09.04. (Sat) 15:30 Schalke 04 - Wolfsburg

DID YOU KNOW?

* Schalke's Raul has scored six of Schalke's last 11 goals in the Bundesliga. Ten of his 12 goals have been scored at the Veltins Arena.

* Schalke, Wolfsburg and Bremen are the only Bundesliga teams who haven't won a single game in which they trailed this season.

* Die Knappen have conceded 33 goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances; only Dortmund have a better defensive record.

* Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath plied his trade at Schalke until March 16, when he was sacked. He moved to Lower Saxony two days later.

* Die Woelfe have avoided defeat in their last eight games against Schalke (four wins, four draws).

* Grafite has scored eight goals in five games against Schalke - more than any other team in the Bundesliga.

* Only Frankfurt (six) have earned fewer points in 2011 than Wolfsburg (nine).

LAST MEETING

November 13, 2010: Wolfsburg 2-2 Schalke
Not for the first time, Wolfsburg saw a home lead cancelled out and had to settle for a draw. Grafite and Edin Dzeko netted a goal apiece within the opening 33 minutes, but Schalke pulled a goal back before half-time thanks to Edu. The visitors were better in the second half, but only managed to equalise under fortuitous circumstances as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar controlled a cross with his hand before netting to make it 2-2. Ashkan Dejagah was sent off shortly thereafter, but the hosts did just enough to hold onto their point until full time.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Schalke: Neuer; Uchida, Hoewedes, Metzelder, Sarpei; Farfan, Papadopoulos, Jurado, Baumjohann; Raul, Edu

Wolfsburg : Benaglio; Riether, Madlung, Kjaer, Schaefer; Cicero, Josue, Polak; Diego; Grafite, Helmes

Prediction

In this grudge match it's hard to see a winner. Schalke are a vastly improved team under Ralf Rangnick, but Magath's Wolfsburg have played very well lately in spite of their poor results. The hosts are the more likely side to take all three points, but heading into the match, a draw appears to be most appropriate.

Schalke 04 2-2 VfL Wolfsburg

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09.04. (Sat) 15:30 Nurnberg - Bayern Munchen

DID YOU KNOW?

* Nuernberg have not lost at home to Bayern Munich since 2005. Since then they have recorded one win and two draws.

* Der Club also have a positive goal difference against the Munich outfit at home, outscoring them 41 to 38.

* Nuernberg biggest win over Bayern dates back to December 2 1967 when Franz Brungs scored five in an emphatic 7-2 hammering.

* Saturday's encounter will be Dieter Hecking's 150th Bundesliga game as a coach.

* Nuernberg's Mehmet Ekici is playing for Der Club on loan from Bayern Munich. Breno and Andreas Ottl from Der Rekordmeister's current squad spent six months on loan with Nuernberg last season.

* Bayern Munich narrowly edge Nuernberg in their meetings in Franconia with 12 wins, 6 draws and 8 defeats. Overall, the Munich outfit comfortably lead with 32 wins, 10 draws and 11 defeats.

* Der Rekormeister have lost just once in their last 15 games against Nuernberg.

* Their last defeat coincided with Ottmar Hitzfeld's return to the Allianz Arena. 'The General' and his men were ousted 3-0 with goals from Ivan Saenko, Marcus Schroth and Robert Vittek.

* It took 18 penalties for Bayern Munich to emerge winners in DFB Pokal clash with Der Klub on October 23, 2003. 'The Titan' Oliver Kahn was the hero for Der Rekordmeister as he saved Mark Nikl's spot-kick to send his team to the next round.

* Bayern Munich met Nuernberg in the last ever game at the Olympiastadion. Der Rekordmeister won 6-3, but it was Der Klub's Samuel Slovak who netted the last two goals at the legendary venue.

LAST MEETING

November 14, 2010: Bayern Munich 3-0 Nuernberg

Mario Gomez was the star of the show when the two teams met earlier this season as he bagged a brace and won a penalty for his team as Van Gaal's men eased to a 3-0 victory. First he converted from close range to give Bayern Munich the lead and later won a spot-kick which Philipp Lahm converted. The striker put the icing on the cake with a diving header fifteen minutes from time to seal the three points for the hosts.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Nuernberg: Schaefer; Chandler, Wollscheid, Wolf, Pinola; Simons; Hegeler, Cohen, Guendogan, Ekici; Eigler.

Bayern Munich: Kraft; Lahm, Luiz Gustavo, Badstuber, Pranjic; Kroos, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Mueller, Ribery; Gomez.

Prediction

With Bayern Munich having an awful away record this season, Nuernberg could prove to be a tough nut to crack. Dieter Hecking's team were on a wonderful run before their slip-ups against Werder Bremen and Koeln, and will be looking for at least a point in their quest for a Europa League place. It will be a tight one, which can go either way, but will most probably end in a draw.

Nürnberg 2-2 Bayern Munich

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