07.05. (Sat) 22:00 Sevilla - Real

DID YOU KNOW?

* In their seven home matches since the halfway point of the season, Sevilla have picked up five wins and two draws.

* When Sevilla last drew a league meeting with los Blancos, that result ensured that the capital side would finish the league in second place, and a similar result would likely have an identical effect.

* At home against these opponents, Sevilla boast a goals for average of 2.6 per game over the course of the last seven years.

* Look for the hosts to make a quick start – 16 of their previous 20 goals against los Blancos at home have been struck in the opening 45 minutes.

* Real Madrid have won five of their last six away matches on league duty. Their other fixture was drawn.

* This is not a venue Iker Casillas enjoys visiting. Conceding on average 2.38 goals per game he plays at the venue, this is least successful stadium in that regard.

* At the other end of the field, Karim Benzema has scored in six of his last seven league matches.

* Strangely, when either Angel di Maria or Ricardo Carvalho has been absent this term, Real Madrid have won all four of their games.

* Jose Mourinho’s side have a torrid record at this venue in recent times, losing five of their last seven and winning just once.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Sevilla (4-2-3-1)
Varas; Dabo, Fazio, Escude, Navarro; Medel, Romaric; Capel, Renato, Perotti; Negredo

Sevilla have suffered a double blow this week as influential playmaker Ivan Rakitic and solid right-back Martin Caceres have both suffered injuries that see them ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Diego Perotti will miss out, so teenager Luis Alberto will be involved in the squad, while Alexis Ruano continues to sit out too. Jesus Navas has not completely overcome a stress fracture.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1)
Casillas; Ramos, Albiol, Carvalho, Marcelo; Pepe, Alonso; Ronaldo, Ozil, Di Maria; Higuain

Sami Khedira and Fernando Gago remain injury problems for Jose Mourinho, who will welcome back Pepe and Sergio Ramos from midweek suspension. Both are expected to go straight back into the starting XI.

Questions have been raised over Karim Benzema’s midweek place on the bench, though with an excellent recent scoring record, the Frenchman does have a case to challenge for a starting berth against Emmanuel Adebayor and Gonzalo Higuain.

Prediction

A midweek draw against Barcelona was not enough to see Real Madrid through to the final of the Champions League, but they remain one of Europe’s best sides. Away from home they have been a little unpredictable in the league, so Sevilla will prove a genuine test. Having picked up a 1-1 draw with Barcelona at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in March, the hosts will be hopeful of repeating that trick.

Sevilla 1-1 Real Madrid

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07.05. (Sat) 20:45 Roma - Milan

DID YOU KNOW?

* Roma have been awarded the most penalties in Serie A this season (13).

* The Lupi have picked up just seven points from their last seven matches at the Stadio Olimpico.

* Vincenzo Montella's men beat Milan 1-0 back in December at San Siro.

* Francesco Totti scored his 206th goal in Serie A last week, overtaking Italy legend Roberto Baggio in the process.

* AC Milan have been held scoreless in their last two encounters against Roma.

* The league leaders are currently riding a five-game winning streak.

* The Rossoneri have kept 18 clean sheets this season.

* Massimiliano Allegri's men have won four out of their last five games on the road.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Roma (4-2-3-1)
Doni; Cassetti, Burdisso, Juan, Riise; Pizarro, Brighi; Taddei, Simplicio, Vucinic; Totti

Roma coach Vincenzo Montella will be without the services of influential midfielders Daniele De Rossi and Simone Perrotta who were both handed three-game bans for separate incidents in the 3-0 win over Bari last weekend.
AC Milan (4-3-1-2)
Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta; Gattuso, Van Bommel, Seedorf; Boateng; Robinho, Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return to the line-up after serving a three-match suspension and should partner Robinho upfront. Massimiliano Allegri will also welcome back Gennaro Gattuso from injury and Mark Van Bommel from a one-game ban.

Prediction

This is a game that both teams need for different reasons. The home side are keen for all three points as they look to pip Lazio in the race for the final Champions League spot while a draw or better will see Milan clinch their 18th Scudetto.

A score draw is likely on the cards at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening.

Roma 1-1 AC Milan

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07.05. (Sat) 20:00 Atletico Madrid - Malaga

DID YOU KNOW?

* Atletico Madrid have lost just one match in their last 10 games and have picked up 19 points out of a possible 30.

* Sergio “Kun” Aguero has been a vital part of this streak as he has scored in seven consecutive games for “the mattress makers” and has taken his tally to 17 goals this season.

* The matches between these two sides are traditionally high scoring games with 27 goals coming in their last 10 encounters.

* “Los Colchoneros” have found the back of the net in their last 12 consecutive games.

* Malaga were once prime candidates for relegation, with the low point of the season coming with a 1-0 loss to fellow relegation strugglers Osasuna after a demoralizing 7-0 loss to Real Madrid.

* However, now Pellegrini’s men are also on streak of sorts with only one defeat in seven games and 16 points out of last 21.

* A huge part of this streak has been due to the return of “The Beast” Julio Baptista who has scored five goals in their last three games.

* Relatively modest Malaga have done fairly well against their more illustrious neighbours having won four encounters out of the last 10 and drawing once.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Atletico de Madrid (4-4-2) 
De Gea; Ujfalusi, Godín, Perea, Filipe; Mario Suarez, Tiago, Koke, Reyes; Diego Costa, Aguero

Atletico Madrid had an injury scare when their new found good luck charm Diego Costa was a doubt. However, Quique Sanchez Flores conformed that the striker is fit and will be 100% available.

Malaga (4-4-2)
Caballero; Robson,Demichelis,Apono,Eliseu; Manolo,Sebastian Fernandez, Duda, Recio; Rondon, Baptista

Pellegrini called up all the members of the first team other than the central Javier Malagueño (who recently underwent surgery for a cartilage injury in his right leg that will rule him out for three months), along with canteranos Portillo, Recio and Juanmi. To keep up the show of unity he has even called up Brazilian Weligton, who travels to Madrid, but may not participate in the match through suspension for accumulation of yellows.

Prediction

The matches between these two sides have been always high scoring games and this seems to be another one of them. Two of the leakiest defenses and the most of attacking teams face each other and it should be a case whose firepower prevails over the other. Given the fact that Atletico are at home and certainly the fact that their flair exceeds that of Malaga, a high scoring victory seems to be a likely outcome.

Atletico Madrid 4-2 Malaga

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07.05. (Sat) 18:30 Tottenham Hotspur - Blackpool

DID YOU KNOW?

* Blackpool netted three goals from just four shots on target when these sides met in February.

* The last four Premier League games involving Tottenham have seen a total of 18 goals scored, an average of 4.5 a game.

* In the Premier League, Tottenham have lost 21 games and conceded 77 goals in the month of May; both more than any other team.

* The Tangerines have won possession with 76 per cent of their tackles in the Premier League this season; a higher success rate than any other side.

* Much maligned for their form of late, Spurs have not lost any of their last five games at White Hart Lane, and have only lost once at home all season - a record bettered by only Manchester United.

* On the other hand, Blackpool have not won in their last five away games, picking up just one point in the process.

* Charlie Adam (pictured right) is the Premier League's second most fouled player this year, being on the receiving end 86 times.

* Heurelho Gomes has now made five errors leading to goals in the league this season, joining West Ham United's Robert Green at the top of the list.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Tottenham (4-4-1-1)
Gomes; Kaboul, Dawson, Gallas, Corluka; Lennon, Modric, Sandro, Bale; Van der Vaart; Defoe.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Tom Huddlestone will likely continue their respective spells on the sidelines. Younes Kaboul again comes in, with Sandro keeping his place after his wonder goal against Chelsea.

Jermain Defoe looked sharp against the Blues and he might come in at the expense of Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Blackpool (4-3-3)
Gilks; Eardley, Evatt, Baptiste, Crainey; Southern, Vaughan, Adam; Phillips, Taylor-Fletcher, Campbell.

David Carney and Chris Basham are still out, so manager Ian Holloway will probably keep the faith with the team that has picked up two draws on the trot recently.

Prediction

Spurs may have recorded five draws out of their last seven outings, but a Blackpool double over the north London club seems unlikely at best.

With both sides embarking on a withering end of season run, it has become clear that each has over-performed this term.

But with Spurs still in the hunt for European qualification - maybe not quite of the type they were after - they should have enough inspiration to overcome the visitors.

Tottenham 3-1 Blackpool

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07.05. (Sat) 18:00 Valencia - Real Sociedad

DID YOU KNOW?

* Valencia face the second poorest side in La Liga in terms of travelling sides. Only Osasuna have fared worse than Real Sociedad on road.

* “Los Che” are slow starters who rarely score in the first half (only 30% goals scored in the first half) and tend to score in the second half, particularly in the last 20 minutes (35% of the goals scored during this time).

* Unai Emery’s side have a 3.5 points lead over Villarreal as they have a better head to head record against the “Yellow Submarine”.

* At stake for Valencia is the 3rd place finish, which will ensure that they will not need to negotiate tricky qualifiers for Champion’s League group stages.

* Real Sociedad have won not won any of their matches in the last 10 meetings between these two sides.

* Lasarte’s men have an opportunity for the dubious honour of losing most number of matches on road this season. They have lost seven in a row and if they lose, they will have the worst streak on road.

* “La Real” have a four point safety cushion and a victory this weekend will all but assure them of another year in La Liga.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Valencia (4-4-2)
Guaita; Miguel, Stankevicius, R. Costa, Mathieu;Topal, Pablo, Banega, Mata; Aduriz, Soldado

Valencia have some concerns on the injury front, but things seem to be improving for them. Tino Costa and Nacho Gonzalez have started playing with the ball and may feature in the match. Topal had a minor scare but should be available. Also Isco joined the full first team training.

Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1) 
Bravo; Martinez, Ansotegi, Demidov, Estrada; Rivas, Aranburu; Prieto, Zurutuza, Griezmann; Ifran

In the run-in, Lasarte has no real injury problems with only Asier Illaramendi being unavailable. A change in squad from the one that defeated Barcelona is that Alberto de la Bella has been included.

Prediction

Real Sociedad have been very poor travellers this season and this match should be no different. They have conceded on an average almost 2.5 goals per match in away games. Valencia will want to make full use of this match to all but secure their third position in La Liga. 

Valencia 2-0 Real Sociedad

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07.05. (Sat) 16:00 West Ham United - Blackburn Rovers

DID YOU KNOW?

* West Ham are undefeated in the last nine Premier League meetings between the two sides, winning on five occasions. Rovers, for their part, last beat the east London club in a league game back in 2005.

* At Upton Park, however, the Hammers have not lost to these opponents since 1994. Henning Berg (pictured right) and Ian Pearce scored to secure a 2-1 result on the day.

* The Hammers have picked up only one point from their last six games, which sees them at the bottom of the Premier League standings.

* Blackburn Rovers are not far off from the relegation zone, as they are only three points above 18th-placed Wigan Athletic, due in part to the recent victory over Bolton Wanderers.

* Steve Kean’s men have conceded twice the number of goals they have scored on their travels, hitting the back of the net on 20 occasions while shipping in 40 goals.

* If all matches ended at half-time, Blackburn would have been in sixth place, fighting with Liverpool for a Europa League spot.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

West Ham (4-4-2)
Green; Jacobsen, Da Costa, Upson, Gabbidon; Sears, Kovac, Hitzlsperger, Spector; Ba, Cole.

It was initially being reported that skipper Scott Parker may return to play a part in this game, despite being only around 50 per cent fit, having missed the club's last three games. But now it is believed that the 30-year-old may have broken down in training, leading him to potentially miss the game.

Blackburn Rovers (4-5-1)
Robinson; Salgado, Samba, Givet, Olsson; Emerton, J Jones, P Jones, Dunn, Hoilett; Roberts.

Michel Salgado is expected to recover from his knee problem and return for this fixture, while David Hoilett could also make a comeback from a hamstring injury.

Steve Kean will also be hoping to see David Dunn return from a calf injury in time to help his side do battle in a bitter six-pointer that lies ahead.

Vince Grella (Achilles) and Ryan Nelsen (knee) are both long-term casualties and are not expected to feature against Avram Grant's men.

Prediction

Both teams are fighting for survival and their last four league meetings have ended in draws. And the upcoming game could end up being the fifth consecutive draw between the two sides.

West Ham 1-1 Blackburn

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07.05. (Sat) 16:00 Newcastle United - Birmingham City

DID YOU KNOW?

* Newcastle have only lost once to Birmingham City in 11 meetings in the Premier League.

* Cheik Tiote has received more yellow cards than any other player in the league this season with 13.

* Alan Pardew's men have used the offside trap more effectively than any other side in the top flight, catching 132 players offside this season.

* The Magpies have the fourth worst home record in the division. Only West Ham United, Wigan Athletic and Blackpool have amassed fewer points at home than the 22 picked up by the Tyneside club.

* Only Manchester United (43) have scored more goals than Newcastle (36) at home this season.

* Birmingham have gone five games without an away win in the Premier League.

* Alex McLeish's side have not managed more than two goals in any of their last 58 league games.

* The Blues have had only 113 shots on target this season. It is the fewest by any team in the top-flight.

* Birmingham have won just three of their previous 13 Premier League matches in the month of May.

* Cameron Jerome (pictured right) has failed to find the net in 22 league games, and his last goal came against Stoke City back in November.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Newcastle United (4-4-2)
Krul; Simpson, Taylor, Coloccini, Enrique; Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez; Ameobi, Lovenkrands.

Newcastle were dealt a blow on Thursday when Mike Williamson was ruled out for the rest of the season, so Steven Taylor will come into the side for him and partner Fabricio Coloccini at the back.

The Magpies will be without long-term injury victims Hatem Ben Arfa, Dan Gosling, Alan Smith and Leon Best for the visit of the Blues. Tim Krul is expected to continue in goal as he keeps Steve Harper out of the side.

Birmingham City (4-4-2)
Foster; Carr, Jiranek , Johnson, Ridgewell; Larsson, Bowyer, Ferguson, Fahey; Jerome, Phillips.

Birmingham will be without top scorer Craig Gardner, who was sent off against Wolverhampton Wanderers last week. He will likely be replaced in midfield by Irishman Keith Fahey.

Kevin Phillips will retain his place up front alongside Cameron Jerome, with Nikola Zigic in reserve. Apart from that, expect no other changes from manager Alex McLeish, who will rely on his experienced players to drag the Blues away from the relegation zone.

Prediction

Newcastle are more or less secured survival, so they will be heading into this fixture without the pressure of a relegation scrap weighing on their minds.

Their home form has been a slightly hit and miss, but when they turn it on they can beat anyone on their turf.

Birmingham have struggled on their travels and need to find the net if they are going to get over the 40 point mark. But the Magpies should have enough to beat the Blues in this fixture, and make a few people twitch uncomfortably in the Midlands.

Newcastle 2-1 Birmingham

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07.05. (Sat) 16:00 Everton - Manchester City

DID YOU KNOW?

* Everton have picked up six wins in their last seven Premier League games against these opponents.

* David Moyes' side have scored in all but two of their last 14 games against the Eastlands outfit.

* The Toffees have only let in five goals in the last 15 minutes of their games in the league this season.

* This fixture has only yielded one draw in the league since 2003.

* Manchester City have the joint highest amount of clean sheets in the league this season with 15, and have played a game less than fellow leaders Manchester United and Chelsea.

* A win for City at Goodison Park would leave both sides having beaten the other 63 times in all competitions.

* The visitors have the worst disciplinary record in the Premier League, having picked up 70 yellow cards and five red cards.

* Roberto Mancini's men have only picked up four points from a possible 18 in their last six away fixtures in the Premier League.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Everton (4-4-1-1)
Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Osman, Neville, Rodwell, Arteta; Cahill; Beckford.

Little has changed on the injury front for Everton following last week's disappointing 1-1 draw away to Wigan Athletic, though David Moyes may be tempted to replace Victor Anichebe with Jermaine Beckford having seen the Nigerian international disappoint at the DW Stadium.

Marouane Fellaini and Louis Saha (both ankle) are certainties to miss out through injury and it may just be too soon for John Heitinga, who is looking to overcome hamstring trouble.

Manchester City (4-3-3)
Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov; De Jong, Barry, Toure; Johnson, Balotelli, Silva. 

The visitors are likely to continue with the same team that has seen an upsurge in form at Eastlands in recent weeks, as they look to continue their recent performances without their sidelined talisman Carlos Tevez (hamstring).

Germany international Jerome Boateng (knee) is still out with injury, as is Micah Richards (hamstring) who is unlikely to feature again this season.

Prediction

 

With little to play for having cosolidated their usual position in the top half of the Premier League for yet another season, Everton fans will be fearful of complacency as they face a Manchester City side who are on the brink of Champions League football.

The visitors are under little pressure from those below them, but will be looking to get the job done as soon as possible in order to switch their focus on to the FA Cup final against Stoke City.
City have enough experience throughout their side to dispose of Everton to all but reach the promised land of the top four.

Everton 1-2 Man City

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07.05. (Sat) 16:00 Bolton Wanderers - Sunderland

DID YOU KNOW?

* Bolton have lost their last two matches, but both games were away from home. However, Coyle’s men have not lost in their last six matches at the Reebok Stadium and beat Arsenal in their last home game.

* Bolton are a confident side at home this season. They have won the most games at home of any team outside of the top five. Coyle (pictured right) has seen his side average just under two goals per game at home this season and they have only been beaten twice on their own patch.

* Sunderland are unbeaten in the last four meetings between these two sides, and they have taken all three points in the last three games.

* They have met 142 times in their history, with the Black Cats winning 61, Bolton 49 and 32 draws. Sunderland have scored 237 goals against Bolton, with the north-west side only managing 193.

* Sunderland have not won away from home in last their five attempts, and they have only won once in last 10 matches. They are still not mathematically safe from relegation, but they are six points clear of the bottom three.

* With all four strikers on the sidelines Sunderland will have to rely on other members of their squad to win games for them, but this will be a big ask because their strikers have scored all but 12 of the 39 goals they have scored this season. And to make matters worse for the travelling supporters, Bruce’s men average less than a goal a game away from home this season.


PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Bolton Wanderers (4-4-2) 
Jaaskelainen; Steinsson, Cahill, Wheater, Robinson; Lee, Muamba, Cohen, Petrov; Elmander, K Davies.

Owen Coyle continues to be without influential midfielder Stuart Holden, full-back Sam Ricketts and midfielder Sean Davis, while on-loan striker Daniel Sturridge is also a doubt with the foot problem that kept him out of the defeat at Blackburn. Jussi Jaaskelainen is set to return after Adam Bogdan came in for the Ewood Park trip.

Sunderland (4-5-1)
Mignolet; Onouha, Turner, Mensah, Bardsley; El Mohamady, Cattermole, Colback, Henderson, Muntari; Sessegnon.

Steve Bruce has massive injury problems and he goes into this game with no fit strikers available to him. And Asamoah Gyan, Danny Welbeck, Frazier Campbell and Ryan Noble are all long term casualties so Bruce will have to cope without them for the remaining games of the season. Kieran Richardson and goalkeeper Craig Gordon are also unavailable for the Black Cats, who are trying to get the end of the season as quick as possible.

Prediction

Bolton’s home form has been strong this season, and after defeat to Blackburn Owen Coyle will demand better from his side so that their season does not end with a whimper. Sunderland will also be keen to end their season on a high, especially after defeat to Fulham, but Steve Bruce’s lack of striking options will make it very difficult for them. Bolton should be too strong for the Black Cats and will continue their good home form to run out easy winners in this one.

Bolton 2-0 Sunderland

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07.05. (Sat) 16:00 Aston Villa - Wigan Athletic

DID YOU KNOW?

* The two clubs have met 14 times in all competitions, with Aston Villa winning seven, Wigan winning four and three draws.

* Villa have only lost four of 17 matches at home this season.

* Wigan have scored six goals and conceded six goals in their last three games.

* Villa have won just two games out of their last seven, with one defeat coming to Wigan's relegation rivals Wolves.

* Wigan's 35 goals in the league this season has made them the joint-lowest scoring team alongside Birmingham City.

* Franco Di Santo (pictured right) has scored just one goal for Wigan since joining from Chelsea last summer.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Aston Villa (4-4-1-1)
Friedel; Walker, Collins, Clark, Cuellar; Agbonlahor, Makoun, Petrov, Downing; A Young; Bent. 

Last Saturday's derby capitulation to West Brom should see caretaker manager Gary McAllister ring the changes. Cameroon international Jean Makoun should return from a dead leg, while out of form veteran Richard Dunne could make way for Ciaran Clark at centre-back.

Wigan Athletic (4-3-3)
Al Habsi; Boyce, G Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa; McCarthy, Watson, Diame; Cleverley, Rodallega, N'Zogbia.

Despite being forced off the pitch in the 1-1 draw with Everton last Saturday, Charles N'Zogbia and Mohamed Diame are expected to be available to manager Roberto Martinez. With an otherwise fully fit squad, the Spaniard is expected to favour Hugo Rodallega over Franco Di Santo up front.

Prediction

The wheels have fallen off Villa's season as it draws to an unsatisfactory end. With nothing to play for, a hungry Wigan side should snatch a vital away result.

Aston Villa 1-2 Wigan Athletic

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07.05. (Sat) 15:30 St. Pauli 1910 - Bayern Munchen

DID YOU KNOW?

* St Pauli defeated newly elected European and World club champions Bayern Munich in season 2001-2002, which prompted some of the fans to create the famous Weltpokalsiegerbesieger (World Club Champion beaters) shirts.

* The Hamburg outfit have won just twice against the Bavarians, drawing four times, and losing on nine occasions with a goal difference of 8:22.

* St Pauli are on a ten-game winless streak, something unseen since season 1977-1978.

* The Hamburg outfit are joined last in terms of wins together with Wolfsburg(eight), have the most defeats in the league, have the second worst attack in the league in terms of goals scored, and are third in the most goals conceded criteria.

* Holger Stanislawski is set for his last game at the Millerntor after serving 18 years as player, president and currently coach of the club.

* Bayern Munich are unbeaten in seven games, drawing just twice, and conceding five times.

* The Bavarians have scored ten goals in their last three games, and have conceded once on each occasion.

* Bayern Munich have kept a clean sheet only once this season, against Hamburg in a 0-0 draw.

* In the second half of the Bundesliga Mario Gomez has been the leading goalscorer with 12 goals, Franck Ribery is leading the assist charts with seven assists, and Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben are joint-top(14) in terms of attacker points.

* The Bavarians are leading the Hamburg outfit by 30 points in table, one more than St Pauli have collected so far this season.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

St Pauli (4-2-3-1)
Kessler; Lechner, Thorandt, Gunesch, Kalla; Daube, Lehmann; Bartels, Takyi, Kruse; Asamoah

Holger Stanislawski is likely to line-up his team in the popular 4-2-3-1 formation, with an attacking trident of Fin Bartels, Charles Takyi and Max Kruse supporting striker Gerald Asamoah. St Pauli will have to attack Bayern Munich, for they have no choice but to play for the three points. Expect ten-man defending if the Pirates take the lead.

Mathias Hain, Bastian Oczipka, Carsten Rothenbach, Moritz Volz and Carlos Zambrano are all injured, which leaves Stanislawski with little options in defence. Fabian Boll, Timo Schultz, and Rouwen Hennings are also out for this game.

Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)
Butt; Lahm, Van Buyten, Luiz Gustavo, Contento; Tymoshchuk, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Gomez

Andries Jonker has a near full-strength squad at his disposal with the exception of Hamit Altintop who is out injured, while Ivica Olic is still in rehabilitation and is likely to return for the beginning of the pre-season training.

Bayern Munich are likely to field in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Mario Gomez supported by Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller, and Franck Ribery. Luiz Gustavo returns from suspension and is likely to replace Holger Badstuber as the left centre-half in the hosts' defence after the Bavaria native scored an own-goal in the game against Schalke.

Prediction

Bayern Munich will be looking for the three points, and with all the squad fit and eager to win St Pauli are unlikely to prove to be much of a resistance. This will probably be the game after which the Hamburg outfit will be relegated.

FC St. Pauli 0-3 Bayern Munich

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07.05. (Sat) 15:30 Bayer Leverkusen - Hamburger SV

DID YOU KNOW?

* Leverkusen have won their last six consecutive home games and scored at least two goals in each of them.

* Die Werkself 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.

* Die Rothosen 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.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Leverkusen (4-2-3-1)
Adler; Castro, Hyypia, Reinartz, Kadlec; Bender, Vidal; Sam, Ballack, Renato Augusto; Kiessling

Jupp Heynckes has a full squad to choose from on Saturday. The only question mark over his selection is who will play alongside Arturo Vidal in defensive midfield. Lars Bender is tipped for the role, but Simon Rolfes also has an outside chance of claiming a starting berth.

Hamburg (4-3-1-2)
Rost; Diekmeier, Kacar, Westermann, Aogo; Pitroipa, Jarolim, Elia; Trochowski; Son, Guerrero

Playmaker Ze Roberto is suspended, meaning that Michael Oenning will have to make at least one change to his previous line-up: Piotr Trochowski is expected to start in place of the Brazilian. The coach will have to do without Mladen Petric, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Marcell Jansen, Romeo Castelen, Joris Mathijsen, and Guy Demel, all of whom are sidelined with various injuries.

Prediction

Leverkusen are strong at home, Hamburg are poor away and are in a serious drought of form under Oenning. This one has to go to the hosts, perhaps by a considerable margin.

Leverkusen 3-1 Hamburg

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La Liga preview - Round 35

Saturday (all times in CET)
18:00 Hercules - Racing
18:00 Sporting Gijon - Deportivo
18:00 Athletic Bilbao - Levante
18:00 Getafe - Almeria

Sunday
21:00 Zaragoza - Osasuna





   
 

Hercules - Racing

• Hercules have won 12 of their 23 meetings with Racing in the top flight.

• 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.

• Racing have scored the highest proportion of their goals from outside the area in Liga BBVA this season (26%).

TEAM NEWS:
Hercules 
The best news Djukic will have heard this week is that Trezeguet might make his return from injury against Racing, one small ray of hope in what looks to be a bleak end of season for Hercules, languishing last from bottom in the relegation zone. Fritzler is suspended, and Farina is doubtful. It's a must win for Hercules - a loss will see them drop into the Segunda. 
Racing 
Tziolis is back! Tziolois? Greek midfielder, odd haircut? No? It's no wonder you don't recall him, considering he's been out for seven months after breaking a leg back in October. But back he is, great news for both him and Racing. Serrano and Colsa are still out, although the biggest blow for the team will be the suspension of Kennedy, one of the star players this season.

Sporting Gijon - Deportivo

• Deportivo have won just one of their last six league encounters with Sporting at El Molinon.

• 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.

• Depor have scored the fewest goals in the competition in 2010/11 (27), as well as the fewest in the first half (nine).

• Sporting remain the only side yet to win in Liga BBVA after conceding first this season.

TEAM NEWS:
Sporting
 Preciado has some changes to ponder after losing Nacho Novo to suspension and Diego Castro to injury. Long term injuries include Sastre, Sangoy, and Andre Castro. With 42 points, Sporting is just a couple of points away from definite safety, and will be looking to tie up their season with a sigh of relief by winning at El Molinon.
Deportivo
 The last time relegation was this close for Depor, they had just come up into the Primera in the 1991-92 season. Coach Lotina will be greatly hoping that the team doesn't drop down again under his watch. He will have to do without the injured Lopa, although Riki, recently returning from injury, will make his first start since February.

Athletic Bilbao - Levante

• Levante have never won on five trips to Athletic in the top flight (two draws, three defeats).

• Athletic have won only two of their last five league games at home (three defeats).

• The Basques have scored the most headed goals in the league this season (17).

• Only Barcelona and Real Madrid have picked up more points than Levante in the second half of the

• Fernando Llorente has not scored at San Mamés since the end of February.

TEAM NEWS:
Athletic Bilbao
 Susaeta will be unavailable after sustaining an injury in Thursday's training session, though he is said to be progressing favourably. Caparros will be happy with the almost complete squad with which he'll welcome Levante to San Mames, and will be desperate to move up from seventh to leapfrog a reinvigorated Sevilla. 
Levante 
Asier del Horno will undergo surgery on his Achilles tendon next Tuesday, which will put him out for up to four months, leaving no room for a return this season. Xavi Torres returned to training this week, but Juanlu, Sergio and Montero are all recovering from respective injuries and will be unavailable for selection in tomorrow's crucial game.

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.

• Almeria have only won one league match after going behind this season.

TEAM NEWS:
Getafe 
Newly rebranded Team Dubai will be hoping not to cast a downer on their owner's new purchase by being relegated in their first season, but it remains a distinct possibilty. It all hinges on tomorrow's game, in which a win is a must, which may be more feasible with a lack of any major injuries (and the fact that a downcast Almeria now has nothing to play for...) 
Almeria
 Ah, what to say. After last weekend it became a mathematical certainty that Almeria will be playing in the Segunda next season. A win tonight would only succeed in dragging Getafe down with them, it being unlikely to prevent the sacking of the hapless Olabe. I bet the 8-0 loss to Barcelona was a blast compared to this.

Zaragoza - Osasuna

• 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.

• Osasuna have only won one of their last five games in La Liga, losing their last two away games.

• Javier Aguirre's men have received the most red cards in Liga BBVA this season (nine).

TEAM NEWS:

Zaragoza
Still perilously close to the much dreaded bottom three, Zaragoza need a win as much as Osasuna do, setting up what ought to be a fiesty struggle. Edmilson and Lanzaro are doubtful, but Nico and Bertolo look likely to be available for tomorrow's crucial match up. 

Osasuna
 Just two places behind Zaragoza, and with just one point separating the two, a victory for Osasuna would put them just fingertips away from Liga safety. Vadocz trained normally with the group today, Flano trained solo and Masoud didn't train at all. Lazy. Or maybe just injured.

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