Thursday, May 5, 2011

Premier League Opta Facts - 7-9 May


Aston Villa v Wigan Athletic
The Latics are unbeaten at Villa Park in the Premier League, winning three and drawing two of their five previous visits.
Aston Villa have only netted one home goal against Wigan in the five previous Premier League meetings in Birmingham combined.
Wigan Athletic have earned 99 away points in the Premier League.
Aston Villa have only kept two clean sheets in their last 25 league games.
The Villains have now lost 26 points from winning positions this season, three more than any other side.
The Latics have only kept one clean sheet in their last 15 away league games.

Bolton Wanderers v Sunderland
Matt Taylor has netted four goals in eight Premier League appearances against the Black Cats.
Sunderland have won their last three games against Bolton in a row, keeping a clean sheet each time.
The Trotters have won five consecutive Premier League home games for the first time ever.
Daniel Sturridge has netted five goals in his last five games at the Reebok Stadium.
Sunderland have conceded a total of 28 goals in their last 11 games and at least two in 10 of them.
Bolton have won more points (nine) from goals scored in the final five minutes than any other Premier League side.

Everton v Manchester City
The Toffees have won six of their last seven encounters with City, losing the other.
David Moyes' side have only failed to score in one of their last 14 Premier League meetings with the Citizens, but have never netted more than twice in a game in this run.
Tim Cahill has opened the scoring in three of the last four games he has started against Manchester City.
Everton scored two goals from just two shots on target when they beat Manchester City 2-1 in December.
Only Manchester United (27) have taken more points from North West derbies than Manchester City (23) and Everton (18) this term.
Everton have let in just five goals in the 75-90 minute period of Premier League game this term; only Fulham (2) have conceded fewer.

Newcastle United v Birmingham City
The Magpies have only lost one of 11 Premier League meetings with Birmingham, winning six and drawing four.
Newcastle have only taken six points out of the last 24 available.
The Blues haven't managed more than two goals in any of their last 58 Premier League matches.
Newcastle have won just one of their last six games at St James Park.
The Magpies have been shown more yellow cards (74) than any other side.
Cheik Tiote has been shown 13 yellow cards in the league this season. The last player to receive more than 13 in a single campaign was Robbie Savage in 2001/02 (14).

West Ham United v Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn have only won one of their last 14 Premier League meetings with the Hammers, although the last four have all ended in draws.
At Upton Park, West Ham are unbeaten in 15 meetings with Rovers in all competitions, and haven't lost at home to Blackburn since April 1994 (1-2 in the Premiership).
West Ham have lost five consecutive league games for the first time since March 2010, when they lost six in a row.
Rovers have gone seven games away from Ewood Park since their last away victory.
Only one of the Hammers' last 10 home league games has ended in a draw.
Alongside West Brom, the Hammers have conceded a league-high 10 goals in the opening 15 minutes of Premier League games this season.

Tottenham Hotspur v Blackpool
Blackpool netted three goals from just four shots on target when these sides met in February.
Spurs have only won one of their last eight in the Premier League, losing two and drawing five.
The last four Premier League games involving Tottenham have seen a total of 18 goals scored, an average of 4.5 a game.
Blackpool have only won one of their last 15 league games, losing 10 of them.
At White Hart Lane, three of Spurs' last four league games have ended in draws.
Spurs have hit more penalties off target (three) and more direct free kicks off target (15) than any other Premier League side.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Bromwich Albion
Wolves have only won one of their last 10 meetings with their Midlands rivals in all competitions, losing six and drawing three.
West Brom have now gone a Premier League record 33 games without a clean sheet.
In this season's reverse fixture, West Brom had eight shots on target compared to Wolves' one, but the game finished 1-1.
Roy Hodgson's men have gone four consecutive away games without defeat in the Premier League for the first time in their history.
Peter Odemwingie has now scored five goals in his last six league games.
If Premier League games ended at half-time this season, West Brom would be bottom with 30 points.

Stoke City v Arsenal
In two previous appearances against the Potters combined, Robin van Persie scored twice and was sent off once.
Stoke have won four of their last five home league meetings with the Gunners, and also knocked Arsene Wenger's side out of the FA Cup at the Britannia Stadium last season.
Arsenal have taken more points away from home (30) than any other team this season.
Arsenal have netted the most goals in the opening 15 minutes of Premier League games this season (15) whilst the Potters have scored the fewest (one).
The Potters have scored a greater proportion of their goals from set pieces than any other side (48.8%) whilst Arsenal have scored relatively less than any other team (19.1%).

Manchester United v Chelsea
The Blues have won their last three Premier League games against United. Only Liverpool (between December 2000 and January 2002) have ever won four consecutive PL games against the Red Devils.
Chelsea have only kept one clean sheet in their last 15 league trips to Old Trafford.
Chelsea have won their last five league games, but did suffer defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League during this run.
No side in the Premier League has scored more goals than Manchester United or Chelsea in the final 15 minutes this season (both 19).
Howard Webb has awarded penalties to Man Utd in three of the last four competitive games he has officiated at Old Trafford.
Manchester United have won the last seven Premier League matches at Old Trafford that Howard Webb has officiated.

Fulham v Liverpool
The Cottagers have failed to score in six of their last seven meetings with Liverpool.
Fulham have won six of their last seven at Craven Cottage, drawing the other.
During this run of seven games, only Blackburn have managed to breach the Cottagers' defence.
Liverpool have scored in 10 consecutive away games, the joint-longest run of its kind in the Premier League all season.
On average, Fulham concede their first goal after 31 minutes, quicker than any other Premier League side.
Only counting games in May, Fulham have won more points per game (1.68) than Liverpool (1.65).
If only the second half of Premier League matches counted, Fulham would be third behind Chelsea and Arsenal with 59 points.

Championship Opta Facts - 7 May


Barnsley v Millwall
The away side has netted exactly one goal in seven of the last eight clashes between these sides.
Only one of the last 10 meetings between the Tykes and the Lions has ended as a draw.
Barnsley have now gone 10 league games without a clean sheet.
Only Reading and Norwich (23) have taken more points from their last 10 games than the Lions (20).

Bristol City v Hull
Jay Simpson has already netted a brace against the Robins this season, doing so in Hull's 2-0 home win over City in December.
The Tigers have lost their last 11 league trips to Ashton Gate, and haven't won at Bristol City in the league since January 1965.
The Robins are now winless in six league games, their joint most barren run of the campaign.
The Tigers are now unbeaten in 17 away games, and haven't been beaten on the road since September (0-4 at Burnley).

Burnley v Cardiff
Burnley have only won one of their last 10 meetings with the Bluebirds, although three of the last four have been draws.
Jay Bothroyd has scored in two of his last three appearances against the Clarets.
The Clarets have gone 11 games in the league without a clean sheet.
Cardiff, who lost out on automatic promotion on Monday, have won their last three away games, conceding just once.

Crystal Palace v Nott'm Forest
The Eagles have only won one of their last six clashes with Forest at Selhurst Park, losing two and drawing three.
Palace have alternated between winning and failing to win in their last seven home games. For this to continue, they must fail to beat Forest.
The last eight games involving Forest have seen a total of 38 goals scored.
Kris Boyd has netted a brace in each of his last two league appearances.

Leicester v Ipswich
Only two of the last 17 clashes between these sides have been won by the away team.
Ipswich striker Jason Scotland netted a brace against the Foxes when these sides met in December.
The Foxes have scored and conceded in six of their last seven league games.
Yakubu has scored three goals in his last two games for Leicester.
Ipswich have scored in each of their last eight league games, but conceded in six of the last seven.

Middlesbrough v Doncaster
Middlesbrough have won all eight previous home league meetings with Doncaster, conceding just four goals in total and none in the last four.
The last two meetings between the sides have each seen a goal scored in second half injury time.
Tony Mowbray's side have only lost one of their last 11 league games.
Doncaster, on the other hand, are winless in 11 games, the longest current run in the Championship.

Norwich v Coventry
Coventry have only won one of their last 13 league visits to Norwich, although this came in their last trip in February 2009.
The Sky Blues have, however, won three of the last four encounters overall.
Norwich have sealed promotion to the Premier League with four successive wins, but have yet to win five on the bounce this season.
Coventry have conceded 54% of their goals in the first half this season, Nottingham Forest (52%) are the only other team to have conceded more before the break than after it.

Preston v Watford
None of the last eight clashes between these sides have been won by the away team.
North End are now unbeaten in 12 home meetings with the Hornets, who haven't won at Deepdale since December 1979.
PNE have only won 45% of the games they've opened the scoring in, the lowest ratio in the Championship.
Watford have only collected one point from the last 12 available on the road.

QPR v Leeds
Leeds have won five and drawn three of their last eight meetings with Rangers, and haven't lost to the R's since a 1-3 home Premiership defeat in September 1995.
The last three meetings between these two sides at Loftus Road have seen a total of four goals scored in the 80th minute or later, as well as three red cards.
The R's have only conceded five goals in the final 15 minutes of play this season, the fewest in the league.
Only Norwich (81) have scored more goals than Leeds this season in the league (79), but only the league's bottom four sides have conceded more than the Whites (69).

Reading v Derby
In his last four meetings with the Rams, Shane Long has netted a total of four goals but also been shown a red card.
The Royals have won their last four home meetings with Derby, netting 13 goals and conceding just one.
Playoff contenders Reading ended a run of 13 games without defeat with a shock 2-3 loss against Sheffield United in their last home game.
The Rams have lost all 11 of the away games they've fallen behind in this campaign.

Scunthorpe v Portsmouth
After a run of nine clashes in which the home side failed to record a victory, the home side has won the last four games involving these two sides.
The Iron were victorious when these sides last met in Scunthorpe, but the win came over 30 years ago (1-0 in January 1980).
The Iron have only held the lead in 15 games this season, but no side has won a higher proportion of the games they've been ahead in (80%) than Scunthorpe.
Pompey have scored the fewest first half goals in the Championship (15) but only six teams have netted more second half strikes than the South Coast side (37).

Swansea v Sheffield Utd
The last two meetings between these sides in Wales have seen a total of three red cards.
None of the last 12 league meetings between the Swans and the Blades have been won by the away side.
The Swans have only fallen behind in three home games this campaign, but are the only second flight side to have not claimed a point from a losing position in their own stadium.
The Blades have conceded at least two goals in each of their last seven games.

SPL Opta Facts - 7-8 May


Aberdeen v St Johnstone
Aberdeen have only won one of their last six league meetings with the Saints.
The Dons have scored just three goals in total in their last six league clashes with St Johnstone.
A win in their last match ended of eight without a victory in the SPL for Aberdeen.
Similarly a win for St Johnstone in their last game ended a run of 11 league games without a victory.
The Saints have scored in only two of their last 12 SPL games.
The Dons' last five league games at home have produced just four goals in total (two 1-0 wins, two 0-1 defeats and a 0-0 draw).

Dundee United v Motherwell
Motherwell have won on only two of their last 10 league trips to Dundee United.
United have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven SPL games at home to the Steelmen.
Motherwell have shipped eight goals in their last two league games combined.
The Steelmen have conceded exactly three goals in three of their last four league games on the road.
United have won six of their last seven league games at home.

Hamilton v Hibernian
Only one of the 10 SPL meetings between these two sides has ended in a draw.
The Accies have won two of their last three league games at home to Hibs.
Hamilton are unbeaten in three league games, their best run this season.
Half (two of four) of the Accies' league wins this season have come in their last three games.
However they are yet to win at home in the league this season.
Hibs have managed just one win in their last seven league games.
Hibernian have scored exactly once in their last five SPL matches, with the last four goals coming from Akpo Sodje.

Inverness CT v St Mirren
St Mirren have found the net in their last seven league meetings with Inverness.
Caley Thistle have only won one of their last four SPL clashes at home to the Buddies.
Inverness have lost only one of their last five league games.
St Mirren are the poorest away side in the SPL this season, picking up just 12 points.
Seven of St Mirren's last 11 league goals have been netted by Michael Higdon.

Kilmarnock v Celtic
Celtic have won on 14 of their last 15 league trips to Rugby Park.
Killie have only twice managed to score more than once at home to the Bhoys in the SPL.
Kilmarnock are without a win in five in the league, their joint-poorest run this season.
However they have lost just one of their last six on home turf (0-4 vs Celtic).
Celtic have dropped points in three of their last five away games in the league.
Kris Commons has scored five goals in Celtic's last four league games.

Rangers v Hearts
The Jambos have won on only one of their 26 trips to Ibrox in the SPL.
However Rangers have not scored more than twice in any of their last 13 league games at home to Hearts.
Rangers have conceded just one goal in their last seven league games combined.
The Gers have won only one of their last three SPL games on home turf.
Hearts have drawn their last five league games, no side has ever drawn six consecutive SPL games.
The Jambos have won only one of their last nine in the league.

La Liga Opta Facts - 7-8 May


Athletic Bilbao - Levante
Levante have never won on five trips to Athletic in the top flight (two draws, three defeats).
The Valencians have scored just twice on these five visits.
Ahtletic have won only two of their last five league games at home (three defeats).
Levante have only lost one of their last four league away games.
Five of Levante's last seven goals in Liga BBVA have come in the first half.
Athletic have scored the most headed goals in the league this season (17).
The Basque side have also scored the most goals from crosses (20).
Only Barcelona and Real Madrid have picked up more points than Levante in the second half of the season (28).
Fernando Llorente has netted nine headed goals this season, the most by a player in the Spanish top flight since Raúl in 2000/01.
Levante have won over twice as many league games with Caicedo playing (43%) as without him (20%).
Fernando Llorente has not scored at San Mamés since the end of February.

Atletico Madrid - Malaga
In 55 top-flight meetings between the sides, Atletico have won 30 times, vs 10 for Malaga and 15 draws.
Malaga have managed just two wins in their 27 trips to the Vicente Calderon in Primera, one of them coming last season (2-0).
Atletico are unbeaten in five league games, and have won four. They have not gone unbeaten in six straight league games this term.
Quique Sanchez Flores' men have lost just one of their last 11 league games. Taking 22 points from the 33 available.
The colchoneros have scored in their last 12 Liga BBVA matches.
With 17 goals, Sergio Aguero is Atletico's top league scorer this season. The Argentine is currently the only player to have scored in seven straight league appearances this season.
Pellegrini's men are on their best run of the season in the league: three straight wins.
Julio Baptista has scored five of Malaga's eight goals in this streak.
Malaga have lost just one of their last seven league games, taking 16 points from 21 and rising from 20th to 15th as a result.

Barcelona - Espanyol
The last six league meetings between Barcelona and Espanyol at the Camp Nou have seen only two home wins, with one away win and three draws.
Barcelona have won three of their last five meetings with Espanyol in the top flight.
Espanyol are on a run of six league games without a win on the road, failing to score in the last five.
Leo Messi has scored in five of Barcelona's last seven league games at home.
Barcelona have scored over twice as many goals as Espanyol (89-42) in the league this season.
Guardiola's men have scored the most goals from outside the area in La Liga this season (14), while their opponents today have scored the fewest (two).
Barcelona have opened the scoring in 30 league games this season, more than any other side.
Barcelona are unbeaten with Carlos Puyol on the pitch in the league this season.
There have been three red cards in the last five league meetings between these sides.
Just three teams (Almeria, Hercules and Getafe) have picked up fewer points in the second half of the season than Espanyol (14).

Getafe - Almeria
Getafe have taken just 11 points from their last 10 league games at home.
The Madrid side are in the relegation zone for the first time this season. After matchday 18 they were 14 points clear of the bottom three.
Almeria have been in the bottom three since the first matchday of 2011.
Failure to win this game would see the Andalucians relegated to Segunda.
Michel's men have lost five of their last six league games.
Getafe are the poorest team in the second half of the season, taking just 10 points from 15 games.
Manu del Moral has bagged five of Getafe's last nine league goals.
Almeria have conceded the second-most goals in Liga BBVA this season (59), while Getafe are fourth in this (55).
Getafe are unbeaten in three top flight games at home to Almeria, drawing two.
Almeria have only won one league match after going behind this season.
Getafe are yet to record a win in the league this season after conceding the first goal at the Coliseum.

Hercules - Racing Santander
Hercules have won 12 of their 23 meetings with Racing in the top flight.
Only against Valencia (14) have the Herculanos managed more top flight wins than Racing.
Racing have managed just two wins in 11 top flight trips to Hercules' ground, though one of them was on their last visit in 1996 (1-0).
The meeting earlier this season was the first-ever goalless draw between the sides in La Liga.
Hercules have taken just seven points from the last 27 available.
Miroslav Djukic's five league games as Hercules' manager have seen them win two, lose two and draw one.
Rosenburg has scored in Hercules' last two league matches, though is yet to score in three in a row this season.
Marcelino's men have lost the most points thanks to goals conceded in the last 10 minutes of league matches this season (six).
Racing have scored the highest proportion of their goals from outside the area in Liga BBVA this season (26%).
Racing have managed to claw back just four points after conceding first in the league this season, a joint-low with Espanyol and Osasuna.

Mallorca - Villarreal
Villarreal have managed just one win in their last six away games in the league.
Mallorca have not had two consecutive results of the same type in the league in any of their last 10 games.
Mallorca have won just one of their last 14 league meetings with the Yellow Submarine, losing nine.
Last season Mallorca ended a run of eight meetings without a win at home against Villarreal in La Liga.
Paradas Romero has been referee for two league meetings between Mallorca and Villarreal, with one win for the islanders and one draw.
The only game that Aouate previously missed this season in the league saw Mallorca beat Osasuna 2-0.
The islanders are the lowest-scoring team in the last 15 minutes of Liga BBVA matches this season (five goals).
Since recovering from injury, Nilmar has played in 12 league matches, but scored just once.
Mallorca have made the fewest substitutions in La Liga this season (84), nine fewer than Atletico and Villarreal.

Real Zaragoza - Osasuna
Real Zaragoza are without a win in their last four league meetings with Osasuna (one draw, three defeats).
The manos have failed to score in all four of these games.
At home however Zaragoza have won four of their last six games against the side from Pamplona.
Zaragoza have won three of their last four league games.
Osasuna have only won one of their last five games in La Liga, losing their last two away games.
Zaragoza have lost the most games at home after conceding first this season in Liga BBVA (six).
The manos' midfielders have scored 24 league goals this season, more than any other side's in Primera.
Javier Aguirre's men have received the most red cards in Liga BBVA this season (nine).
Zaragoza have won their last four league games at home, and seven of the last nine.
Prior to this run, they had won just seven of their last 26 at la Romareda.

Sevilla - Real Madrid
Sevilla are unbeaten at home in the second half of the season (five wins and two draws).
Real Madrid are on a run of six games unbeaten on the road in the league, winning five.
These two sides have taken the most penalties in the league this season (23 between them) and scored the most (10 each).
Sevilla and Real Madrid have not drawn in the league since 2005, when a draw saw the merengues condemned to second place, as it could this time.
The whites have won on just one of their last seven league trips to Sevilla, losing five.
In the last seven seasons, Real Madrid have conceded an average of 2.6 goals per league game at the Sanchez Pizjuan.
Real Madrid have won all four league games in which at least one of Di María or Carvalho has been absent this season.
Karim Benzema has scored in six of his last seven league appearances (nine goals).
16 of Sevilla's last 20 goals at home against Real Madrid in Liga BBVA have come in the first half, 12 in the first 35 minutes.
Sevilla and Real Madrid have scored the most goals in the last 15 minutes of the first half in Liga BBVA this season (12, level with Barcelona).
Iker Casillas has conceded an average of 2.38 goals per game at the Sanchez Pizjuan in the league, more than at any other stadium.

Sporting Gijon - Deportivo La Coruna
Deportivo have won just one of their last six league encounters with Sporting at El Molinon.
Sporting have won three of their last five top flight clashes with Depor, drawing the other two.
Preciado's men are unbeaten at home in the league since defeat to Malaga on the 2nd January, bagging six wins and two draws since.
The Galicians have failed to score in seven of their last 10 league games.
Sporting are on a run of five league games without shipping a goal at home in the league, their best run in the top flight since 1989.
Sporting have scored the fewest left-footed goals in Liga BBVA this season (three).
Depor have scored the fewest goals in the competition in 2010/11 (27), as well as the fewest in the first half (nine).
Deportivo are the only side in Liga BBVA yet to concede a goal from a penalty this season.
Miguel de las Cuevas has scored four of Sporting's last eight league goals, having scored just once before this run.
Sporting remain the only side yet to win in Liga BBVA after conceding first this season.

Valencia - Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad have won just one of their last 22 league meetings with Valencia (2-0 in 2001/02).
The Donostierras have won only two of their last 15 league matches at Valencia, both by a score of 1-0.
The last meeting between the sides at Valencia ended 3-3 and saw the txuri-urdin relegated for the first time in 40 seasons.
Emery's men have lost three of their last four league games at home.
Lasarte's men are on a run of seven straight league defeats away from home: no side has lost eight in a row in the competition this season.
Real Sociedad are the third poorest-side on the road in Liga BBVA this season (three wins and a draw) and have shipped 39 goals (the most).
Valencia have scored the highest proportion of their goals in the last 15 minutes of league games this season, while Real Sociedad have conceded the most in this period (17).
The Blanquiazules have conceded the most goals from direct free kicks this season (four), all of them coming from left-footed players.
Real Sociedad have lost the most matches after scoring first in the league this season (six), while Valencia have won the most after conceding first (six).

Italian Serie A Opta Facts - 7-9 May


Bologna v Parma
This will be the 24th derby of Emilia in Serie A: Bologna lead by eight wins to seven, with eight draws rounding off the record.
These two sides met in 2004/05, in the play-off to avoid relegation to Serie B: on that occasion both games were won by the away side, but Parma stayed up on goal difference.
Parma have won only one of their last nine Serie A meetings with Bologna.
At the Dall'Ara, Bologna are unbeaten with the Ducali in eight league meetings, winning six.
Bologna are on a run of five consecutive defeats in Serie A, and have failed to score in their last four.
Bologna's last home win was back in February against Palermo (1-0); since then, they have picked up only two points in five games at their own ground.
Parma have notched up three wins in a row, against Inter, Udinese and Palermo; the last time they managed four consecutive wins in Serie A was in March 2006.
Parma have not conceded in three of their last four games on the road in Serie A.

Brescia v Catania
The three previous meetings between Brescia and Catania in the top-flight have seen both teams winning once, and one draw.
The only previous meeting at the Rigamonti between these sides was won 4-1 by the hosts back in 1965.
Brescia have managed only one win in their last 11 Serie A fixtures, sharing the points six times in this period.
However the Rondinelle have suffered only one defeat (0-1 against AC Milan) in their last four home games.
Catania are the only Serie A side yet to win an away game this season; their last win on the road was in February 2010, at the Olimpico against Lazio (1-0).
Taking into account only the away games of this campaign, the Sicilians would be bottom of the Serie A table on six points.
Matias Silvestre has been the most prolific defender in Serie A this season (five goals).
Andrea Caracciolo has scored four of Brescia's last five goals in this campaign.
Brescia have netted only 12 goals after the break, the fewest in Serie A.

Cagliari v Cesena
Cesena are unbeaten in 13 meetings with Cagliari in Serie A (five wins and eight draws, five of which by 0-0).
Five of the six previous meetings played in Sardinia between these two sides have ended as draws (three of which were goalless).
Cagliari are winless in their last four league games (two draws, followed by two defeats): their worst run under Roberto Donandoni.
Prior to last Saturday's defeat against Inter, Cesena had remained unbeaten in four consecutive match-days (two draws, two wins).
Cesena have suffered only one defeat in their last five games on the road, in Rome against Lazio (0-1).
Cesena have conceded 15 goals in the last 10 minutes of play this season, more than any other Serie A side.
Their next defeat will be Cesena's 100th away from home in the top-flight.

Genoa v Sampdoria
This will be the 72nd derby of Genoa in Serie A: Sampdoria lead by 24 wins to 22, but the result that has accrued the most so far is the draw (25 times).
With Genoa as the home side, the derby is in perfect balance: 11 wins for both clubs and 13 draws.
Genoa have had the better in four of the last five derbies, Sampdoria won the other.
The Grifoni have lost only one of their last seven home games, winning five of these.
The goal scored by Nicola Pozzi in their last away game against Bari, ended Sampdoria's nine-game goalless run on the road in this competition.
Sampdoria scored three goals in their last game, one more than they had netted in their previous six Serie A fixtures.
Sampdoria have failed to score in 19 games this season, more than any other Serie A side.
Last Sunday, Argentine Fernando Tissone, was the second foreign player to score a goal for Sampdoria in this campaign, after Reto Ziegler back in October against Fiorentina.
Davide Ballardini is unbeaten against Sampdoria in Serie A as a manager (two wins and three draws so far).

Inter v Fiorentina
Inter are unbeaten in their last nine Serie A meetings with Fiorentina, and have won seven of these.
At the San Siro, the Nerazzurri have won their last eight games with the Viola, without conceding goals in the last three.
Leonardo's side have recorded four wins and two defeats in the last six match-days of this campaign.
Inter have recorded 11 consecutive wins at home, scoring on average 3.1 goals per game.
Fiorentina have suffered only one defeat in their last 10 Serie A games, at home against AC Milan.
Away from home, the Viola have alternated between a win and a draw in their last six games in the league.
Alessio Cerci has scored four goals and assisted one in the last two match-days of this campaign.
Fiorentina have already scored 12 goals from outside the box this term - a league-high.
Giampaolo Pazzini has bagged eight goals since joining Inter in January, all coming in the second half.

Juventus v Chievo
Juventus have won only one of their last four Serie A meetings with Chievo.
However, at home the Old Lady are unbeaten against Chievo in the top-flight, in light of six wins and a draw.
Juventus are unbeaten in their last seven games (four wins and three draws).
Juventus have already conceded 27 goals in 17 away games this season, more than any other side in this competition.
At home, Gigi Del Neri's side have kept only two clean sheets so far (against Lecce and Inter), less than any other club in this campaign.
In none of Chievo's last five Serie A fixtures have both sides scored; only six goals were scored overall in these games.
Away from home, Chievo have lost four of their last five league games, winning at Bari.
Chievo have conceded only 12 goals in the second half, fewer than any other side this term in Italy.

Lecce v Napoli
Napoli are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Lecce in Serie A.
However, Lecce have suffered only one defeat in the eight previous occasions they have hosted Napoli at the Via del Mare.
Lecce have picked up only one point from their last three Serie A games.
Napoli have won five of their last seven fixtures, losing the other two.
Away from home the Partenopei have not shared the points in 13 Serie A fixtures (six wins and seven defeats).
Napoli have won 10 games after being level at half time, more than any other side in this competition.
This game will see the team who have scored the most goals in the final 15 minutes (Napoli, 21) meet that that has conceded the most in the same period (Lecce, 17).
Napoli have netted 18 goals in the last 10 minutes of play, only one less than the total of those they have scored in the first half this season.

Palermo v Bari
Palermo's last win against Bari in the top-flight was back in February 1950 (2-1 in Sicily); since then these two sides have met seven times, with Bari having the better three times, four draws complete the record.
The last three meetings between these two sides at Palermo have ended as draws (two 1-1 and one 0-0).
Bari have never scored more than a single goal in their previous seven visits to Palermo in Serie A.
Palermo have kept only one clean sheet in their last 14 Serie A fixtures, at home against AC Milan back in March.
Relegated Bari have lost their last three consecutive games; overall they have lost 22 games in this campaign, more than any other side.
Bari have conceded exactly one goal in each of their last five games on the road.

Roma v AC Milan
AC Milan need one point at the Olimpico to secure their 18th Scudetto.
The Rossoneri have beaten Roma only once in the last five seasons; five wins for the Giallorossi and three draws in the process.
AC Milan have not scored in their last two meetings with Roma.
Three of the last four meetings at the Olimpico between these two sides have ended as draws.
Overall, AC Milan are unbeaten in their last four trips to Rome (two draws against the Giallorossi, one win and a draw against Lazio).
Massimiliano Allegri's side have kept a clean sheet in 18 of their 35 games this season, a record amongst the top-five European leagues this term.
With the brace scored against Bari on Sunday, Francesco Totti reached 206 goals in Serie A, overtaking Roberto Baggio as the fifth-highest goalscorer ever in this competition.
Roma have won only two of their last seven home games, while AC Milan have picked up 12 of the last 15 points available away from home.
AC Milan are the only Serie A side with three players to have scored at least 10 goals this season: 14 for Ibrahimovic and Pato, 12 for Robinho.

Udinese v Lazio
Udinese have won only one of their last six Serie A games against Lazio, the Biancocelesti have had the better in the last two.
The last three meetings at the Friuli between these two sides have ended as draws.
Udinese have suffered four defeats in their last five games, winning only their game at the San Paolo against Napoli.
Lazio have not shared the points in their last 11 Serie A games: six wins and five defeats, including those in the last two against Inter and Juventus.
Lazio have lost four of their last five games on the road, winning only at Catania (4-1).
Antonio Di Natale has already scored eight goals against Lazio in Serie A; only against Roma (10) has he scored more.
Lazio have had five players sent off in the last seven match-days of this competition.

Bundesliga Opta Facts - 7 May


Stuttgart v Hannover
Stuttgart have won their last three games.
Since Bruno Labbadia took over as Stuttgart coach, they have won more points (27) than Hannover (26).
With a loss in their last home game of the season, Stuttgart would equal their club record for the fewest points won at home in a single season (20).
With a win in Stuttgart, Hannover would set a new club record for the most points won away from home in a single season (26).
Hannover have won in Stuttgart only once in the last 40 years (12 losses, one draw) - in October 2007 they won 2-0.
Hannover have conceded only two goals in their last four games.

Wolfsburg v Kaiserslautern
Wolfsburg have won two consecutive Bundesliga matches for the first time since September 2010.
At home, the Wolves have won only two of their last 11 league games (three losses, six draws).
There has never been an away win when Wolfsburg have met Lautern (21 games).
Kaiserslautern are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Wolfsburg (one win, three draws).
The Red Devils have won their last three away games.
Lautern have won five of their last seven games (two losses).

Frankfurt v Köln
Since the winter break, Frankfurt have won only one of their 15 league games (nine losses, five draws).
Frankfurt have failed to score in 10 of their last 15 games.
Frankfurt manager Christoph Daum spent almost seven years as Köln manager, from 1986 to 1990 and again from 2006 to 2009.
Köln have lost none of the last five meetings with Frankfurt, winning the last two.
Köln have won none of their last nine away games (seven losses, two draws),
Köln have conceded 15 goals in their last three away games - all losses.

Gladbach v Freiburg
For the first time since November 2009, Gladbach have won two league games in a row - and both against Champions League contenders.
For the first time since May 2009, Gladbach have gone two games without conceding a goal.
At home, Gladbach have won only one of their last five meetings with Freiburg (two draws, two losses).
Freiburg are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Gladbach, winning three.
Freiburg have won only one of their last six away games (four losses, one draw).
Freiburg have won only two of their last nine games (six losses, one draw).

Nürnberg v Hoffenheim
Nürnberg have won only one of their last six games (three losses, two draws).
Hoffenheim have also won only one of their last six games (four losses, one draw).
Nürnberg are winless in their last three home games (two draws, one loss).
Hoffenheim have lost their last five away games.
Nürnberg have scored only one goal in four competitive games against Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim are unbeaten in their four meetings with Nürnberg (two wins, two draws).

Leverkusen v Hamburg
Leverkusen have won their last six consecutive home games and scored at least two goals in each of them.
Leverkusen have won their last two games against Hamburg (both 4-2), having failed to win any of the previous seven games against them.
Leverkusen manager Jupp Heynckes has won all seven of his Bundesliga home games against HSV. The last time Heynckes lost a home match to them was in August 1986.
Hamburg haven't won an away game since Michael Oenning took over the team.
Hamburg have not found the back of the net in any their last three games - they have never failed to score in more than four consecutive matches.
Hamburg have failed to score and conceded nine goals in their last three away games.

St Pauli v Bayern
St. Pauli have have won just two of their 15 BL games against Bayern (nine defeats).
St. Pauli are in danger of being relegated for the fifth time: they are five points adrift of 16th and have a poor goal difference.
St. Pauli have not won in 10 BL games (nine defeats). Only once before have they gone longer without a win - in 1977/78 they went 11 consecutive games without a win.
Bayern are unbeaten in seven games (five wins) and have only conceded five goals in this period. They have conceded once in each of the last four games.
Bayern have only kept one clean sheet away from home this season (in Hamburg). Going back to last season it is just once in 26 games.
St. Pauli have recorded the least wins (eight) and the most defeats (19) this season. They have also scored the second-fewest goals (33) and conceded the third-most.

Schalke v Mainz
1. FSV Mainz 05 have visited Schalke for six competitive matches and are yet to return home with any points.
Schalke haven't lost any of their last five BL matches against Mainz (4 wins).
Mainz have been waiting for a Bundesliga goal against Schalke for almost nine hours (525 minutes).
Schalke have lost just one of their last five home games in the Bundesliga (3 wins, 1 draw).
FSV have lost just one of their last six BL fixtures (2 wins, 3 draws) and are undefeated in three matches having not conceded a single goal in the process.
Mainz haven't conceded a goal in three consecutive matches for the first time since January/February 2007.

Bremen v Dortmund
Werder have won 38 of their 85 BL matches against Dortmund, while BVB have only enjoyed 31 victories over Bremen (16 draws).
Only three of the 85 BL duels between the two sides have ended in goalless draws.
Borussia have only beaten SVW six times on the road in the league (29 defeats, seven draws), but are unbeaten in five BL games against Werder (three wins, two draws).
BVB have only conceded 19 goals this campaign and could break the BL record for the fewest goals conceded in one season, a record currently held by Bayern (21 goals in 2007/08).
Bremen by contrast have the third-worst defence in the league and have shipped more than three times as many goals as Dortmund (58).
Werder haven't won any of their last seven BL home games, equalling the club's longest winless run at the Weser Stadion.

French Ligue 1 Opta Facts - 7-8 May


Arles-Avignon - St Etienne
St Etienne have won only two of their five encounters with promoted sides in Ligue 1 this season.
Arles Avignon have failed to win any of their last 21 league games, their longest drought in the history of the top-flight of French football.
Arles-Avignon have conceded 63 goals this season, the worst tally at this stage of a season since Lorient in 2001/02.
Arles-Avignon have failed to score in their last six league games.
St Etienne have failed to win any of their last five away league games.
Dimitri Payet has scored St Etienne's last three league goals.

Auxerre - Montpellier
Montpellier have lost 12 of their 18 top-flight trips to Auxerre.
Auxerre are unbeaten in their last six league games, their longest run this season.
Auxerre have drawn 18 games this season in Ligue 1, 14 of which have ended in a 1-1 scoreline.
Montpellier have kept 15 clean sheets this season in Ligue 1, only Rennes have done better.
None of the 18 encounters between Auxerre and Montpellier at the Abbé-Deschamps stadium in Ligue 1 have ended goalless.
Montpellier have won only one of their last 10 competitive games.
Montpellier's Olivier Giroud has scored six of Montpellier's 11 away league goals this season.

Bordeaux - Sochaux
Sochaux have lost their last four league games in Bordeaux, conceding nine goals and scoring none.
Bordeaux are unbeaten in their last eight top-flight encounters with Sochaux.
Only Arles-Avignon have picked up fewer points away from home than Sochaux in Ligue 1 this season.
Bordeaux have drawn five of their last six league games.
Bordeaux haven't conceded a goal in their last 249 minutes of play at home.
Jussie has scored three goals against Sochaux in Ligue 1, only against Lyon and Valenciennes has he scored as many goals in the top-flight.

Brest - Nice
Nice have failed to win any of their four top-flight games against promoted sides this season.
Only three of the 15 top-flight encounters between Brest and Nice have ended in a draw.
Nice have lost their last two top-flight trips to Brest, conceding seven goals in the process.
Nice have failed to win any of their last 10 top-flight games played in May.
Brest have drawn their last three top-flight games, currently the longest run.
Brest have won the most penalties in Ligue 1 this season (7).
Danijel Ljuboja hasn't scored in the top-flight since last December when he netted against Brest.

Caen - Lens
Lens are unbeaten in their last three top-flight encounters with Caen in Ligue 1.
Lens have won only one of their last 13 league games.
Since their return to the top-flight in 2009, Lens have won only five of their 35 away league games.
Caen have scored 17 goals in the last 15 minutes, only Lille have been as prolific during that period in Ligue 1 this season.
Toifilou Maoulida has scored in each of his last three appearances against Caen in Ligue 1.
Caen's Romain Hamouma has scored in each of his last four appearances in Ligue 1.

Lorient - Toulouse
None of the five encounters between these two sides on Lorient's home ground in the top-flight have seen more than two goals scored.
Lorient are unbeaten in their last 10 league games, currently the longest run in the top-flight.
Toulouse have won none of their last three top-flight trips to Lorient.
Toulouse have kept only one clean sheet in their last 13 away league games.
Lorient are unbeaten in their last 13 home league games.
80% of league goals scored by Lorient in 2011 have come either from Kevin Gameiro (12) or Morgan Amalfitano (4). Gameiro has netted four goals in his last three league games.
Lorient have the tightest defence at home in Ligue 1 this season, having conceded only nine goals in 16 games.

Monaco - Paris SG
Paris SG have never kept a clean sheet in their last 26 league trips to Monaco.
PSG have lost their last two away league games in Monaco.
Monaco are unbeaten in their last six league encounters with PSG.
Monaco have won their last two home league games, the first time they have won back-to-back games at Louis II this season.
None of the last 10 PSG goals in Ligue 1 have been scored by strikers.
PSG have won three of their last four league games.
Monaco's Louis II stadium has seen the fewest goals in Ligue 1 this season (27).

Nancy - Lille
Nancy have lost their last four league encounters with Lille, conceding 13 goals.
Lille are unbeaten in their last six league encounters with Nancy, collecting five wins.
Nancy are winless in their last five league games, their longest drought this season.
The last two league games at Nancy's Marcel-Picot stadium have ended goalless.
Nancy haven't conceded a single goal in their last three home league games.
Gervinho has scored seven goals in six appearances against Nancy, his favourite opponent in Ligue 1.
Lille have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six away league games.
Lille have scored more goals than any other side in Ligue 1 this season (59).

Valenciennes - Rennes
Rennes have won their last two league encounters with Valenciennes.
Rennes have failed to win any of their last seven league games, scoring only two goals during that period.
Valenciennes' last five home league games have all ended in a draw.
Valenciennes have lost the most points after having taken the lead in Ligue 1 this season (20).
Since he arrived at Rennes in 2008, Nicolas Douchez has kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in Ligue 1.
Valenciennes striker Grégory Pujol has scored in each of his last four league appearances.

Lyon - Marseille
Since 2007, Marseille have lost only one of their eight top flight encounters with Lyon.
The game between Lyon and Marseille at the Gerland stadium last season was the most prolific game of the 21st century in Ligue 1, witnessing 10 goals (5-5).
Marseille have won their last five away league games, the longest run this season.
Marseille are unbeaten in their last eight away league games.
Marseille have never failed to score in their last 12 league games, currently the longest run.
Nine of the 10 goals conceded by Lyon at home this season have come in the second-half.
Lyon striker Lisandro has scored three goals in three league appearances against Marseille.

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05.05. (Thu) 21:05 Sporting Braga - Benfica

DID YOU KNOW?

* Braga had conceded just two goals before the strikes from Jardel and Cardozo last Thursday.

* The Archbishops have scored just five goals in seven games since entering the competition.

* Braga's Silvio arrived at the club last summer from Benfica.

* Should the Archbishops win on Thursday, they will inflict on the Eagles their 100th loss in Europe.

* Benfica and Braga have played out 110 league duels, with Benfica recording 72 wins, 27 draws and 11 losses.

* The Eagles are on a seven-game unbeaten run in Europe since the turn of the year, winning five and drawing two.

* Benfica have scored 15 goals in the Europa League this season, but have conceded seven times in seven games.

* The Eagles have won 6 of ten Portuguese Cup matches, with Braga winning the other four.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Braga (4-3-3)
Artur; Rodriguez, Paulao, Garcia, Silvio; Hugo Viana, Vandinho, Salino; Meyong Ze, Alan, Lima.

Domingos Paciencia likes to tinker with his formation, especially in an attacking sense and occasionally switches from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3. Paulo Cesar was suspended for the first game, and has not been included in the squad for this match. Lima played in a withdrawn position last week, but with the Archbishops playing in front of their own fans and in need of a goal, Paciencia might push him up the field.

Braga will have to do without the services of Quim, who is still rehabilitating from injury, and Vinicius, who has a thigh problem.

Benfica (4-4-2)
Roberto; Pereira, Jardel, Luisao, Coentrao; Garcia, Martins, Peixoto, Gaitan; Saviola, Cardozo.

Jorge Jesus is likely to welcome Nicolas Gaitan back into the first team after a period of rehabilitation, meaning that we are are likely to see Carlos Martins and the Argentine storming the wings, supported by Maxi Pereira and Fabio Coentrao out wide. Javi Garcia will retain his place as the anchor man in the centre of the pitch while the devastating duo of Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo will line-up upfront.

Jorge Jesus occasionally switches to 4-3-3, sacrificing a midfielder for a striker so expect either Franco Jara or Alan Kardec to enter the fray if thing do not go as planed for the hosts.

Toto Salvio is definitely out of this game after picking up an injury in the draw against PSV, while Nuno Gomes and Ruben Amorim are long-term casualties.

Prediction
The truth is that whoever score first will progress. Braga have a rock-solid defence and are more than capable to defend a one-goal lead. This game could go either way, and Braga will put up quite a fight, but Benfica superior squad quality is likely to ultimately prevail.

Braga 1-1 Benfica

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05.05. (Thu) 21:05 Villarreal - Porto

DID YOU KNOW?

* Villarreal suffered their heaviest defeat in 105 European ties in the 5-1 first-leg drubbing.

* Only Leixoes, Partizan and Real Madrid have won European ties after a four-goal first-leg deficit.

* Villarreal have won all seven European home games at El Madrigal this season, scoring 20 and conceding four.

* The home side will need a fast start but they have yet to score in the opening quarter-hour in Europe this season.

* Porto have not lost in their last five trips to neighbouring Spain, winning on three occasions.

* Something has to give as Porto have won all seven away games in the Europa League this term.

* Andre Villas-Boas' side have plundered 34 goals since the start of the group stage, more than any other side in the competition.

* Radamel Falcao equalled Jurgen Klinsmann's record for most goals in a single UEFA Cup/Europa League campaign with his four goals in the first-leg, taking him to 15.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Villarreal (4-4-2)
Diego Lopez; Mario, Marchena, Musacchio, Capdevila; Santi Cazorla, Bruno, Borja Valero, Cani; Rossi, Nilmar

Juan Carlos Garrido's main problems again come at the back with experienced campaigners Angel and Gonzalo Rodriguez absent through injury. To compound matters, Jose Catala, who can operate at left-back or centre-half, is suspended. Carlos Marchena returns to the line-up having served a domestic suspension at the weekend while key midfielder Marcos Senna is fit again after overcoming a hamstring injury.

Porto (4-3-3)
Helton; Sapunaru, Rolando, Otamendi, Alvaro Pereira; Guarin, Fernando, Joao Moutinho; Cristian Rodriguez, Falcao, Hulk

Porto rested a plethora of first-choice stars at the weekend but still managed to overcome Vitoria Setubal, winning 4-0. Helton, Joao Moutinho and Cristian Sapunaru were rested completely but all return for this second leg. The likes of Hulk, Rolando and Falcao, all of whom were on the bench at the weekend, will also come back into the starting XI and therefore it it is widely expected that Andre Villas-Boas will name the same side that demolished Villarreal in the first leg.

Prediction
Villarreal 2-1 Porto