14.05. (Sat) 16:00 Manchester City - Stoke City

DID YOU KNOW?

* Manchester City will be appearing in their ninth final, and first for 30 years since losing 3-2 in a replay to Tottenham in 1981.

* They lifted their last major trophy in 1976, beating Newcastle 2-1 in the League Cup final.

* Manchester City are said to be the world's richest club and have reportedly spent £300m on transfer fees since the takeover by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in 2008. In contrast, Stoke's probable starting XI on Saturday cost £26m in total - about the same as Carlos Tevez .

* Stoke City have endured a 148-year wait to take part in an FA Cup final. They have been beaten semi-finalists on three occasions - in 1899 by Derby County, and in 1971 and 1972 by Arsenal.

* They go into the final unbeaten in their last five games (won three; drawn two), and already assured of a fourth consecutive season in the Premier League.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Manchester City (4-2-3-1)
Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Zabaleta; De Jong, Barry; A Johnson, Y Toure, Silva; Tevez.

Manager Roberto Mancini will give City's talismanic striker Carlos Tevez as long as possible to prove his fitness for the FA Cup final. The Argentine came on in the 83rd minute against Tottenham on Tuesday after having been sidelined for a month with a hamstring injury. If he is passed fit it could mean Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli will start on the bench.

Midfielder Gareth Barry missed the last two City matches but trained with the rest of the squad on Wednesday and has been declared fit to play by Mancini, who has no other injury problems.

Stoke City (4-4-2)
Begovic; Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson; Pennant, Whelan, Delap, Etherington; Walters, Jones.

Central defender Robert Huth, who has contributed nine goals from centre-back this season, will also be given as long as possible to overcome the knee injury he sustained during Stoke's 3-1 victory over Arsenal last Sunday. The German flew to Spain in midweek to see a specialist.

Boss Tony Pulis also has a major doubt over winger Matthew Etherington, who tore his hamstring in the win over Wolves on April 26 and was expected to be out for four to six weeks but has made rapid progress, responding well to treatment, and could make the final squad. Like Huth, he will undergo a fitness test on the day of the match.

But Pulis will definitely be without defender Danny Higginbotham (knee) and striker Ricardo Fuller (Achilles), who have both been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Prediction

Destiny is beckoning for both sets of players to bring the FA Cup to their respective success-starved fans. Stoke are the underdogs; big-spending City carry the heavier burden of expectation. And while Tony Pulis will probably emerge with his reputation enhanced whatever the outcome, Roberto Mancini is under pressure to deliver the silver.

The Potters arguably go into the final with greater confidence and momentum: their recent victory over Arsenal combined defensive resilience with attacking panache and underlined that there is more to their game than long throws. In contrast, City looked tentative and unconvincing at times during their pivotal 1-0 win over Spurs to secure a top-four finish. But in City, Stoke will encounter a more miserly defence than Arsenal's, and further forward some world class stars with match-winning potential.

Stoke will no doubt press City relentlessly while looking to get the best out of their wingers and maximising their threat from set-pieces - which have yielded 22 of their goals this season (44.2 per cent excluding penalties). How City cope with that could determine the result - but so could the fitness (or lack of it) of players like Huth, Tevez and Etherington. It should be a fascinating contest, but while City appear to have the pedigree, Stoke have the work ethic and mental toughness to make Saturday their finest hour.

Man City 1-2 Stoke

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14.05. (Sat) 15:30 Borussia D. - Eintracht Frankfurt

DID YOU KNOW?

* Dortmund haven't been defeated in 15 Bundesliga home games (11 wins, four draws).

* Should they keep a clean sheet against Frankfurt, BVB will end the season tied for a Bundesliga record for fewest goals conceded.

* The champions have earned more points in 2010-11 than any Bundesliga team since Bayern Munich in 2007-08.

* Frankfurt have won only one of the 16 matches they have played since they defeated Dortmund 1-0 in December 2010 (10 defeats, five draws).

* Die Adler have only won two of their last 23 games at Dortmund (five draws, 16 defeats), although one of these two victories came last season (3-2).

* Christoph Daum's men have only scored six goals since the winter break; if they fail to score against Dortmund, they will set a new record for fewest goals scored in the second half of a season.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Dortmund (4-2-3-1)
Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer; Bender, da Silva; Gotze, Lewandowski; Barrios

Jurgen Klopp will have to do without long-term casualties Nuri Sahin, Sebastian Kehl, Patrick Owomoyela and Florian Kringe on Saturday. However, he will welcome back playmaker Shinji Kagawa, who may make a substitute appearance after missing the entire second half of the season with a metatarsal fracture.

Frankfurt (4-2-3-1)
Fahrmann; Jung, Rode, Russ, Kohler; Schwegler, Meier; Ochs, Caio, Fenin; Gekas

Ahead of Saturday's crucial match, Christoph Daum will be without long-term casualties Sonny Kittel, Zlatan Bajramovic, Georgios Tzavellas, Maik Franz, and Chris. Ricardo Clark has also been ruled out of the matchday squad. The only question mark over Daum's selection is in attack. Caio is tipped to start behind main striker Theofanis Gekas, but Ioannis Amanatidis could fill in alongside his Greek compatriot in place of the Brazilian.

Prediction

Frankfurt have greatly struggled to score in the second half of the season and cannot be expected to get a goal against the Bundesliga's best defence. The visitors will fight for their lives, however, and may be able to keep a clean sheet against the champions, who have nothing to play for.

Borussia 0-0 Eintracht

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14.05. (Sat) 15:30 Koln - Schalke 04

DID YOU KNOW?

* Koln's leading goalscorer this season is Milivoje Novakovic, who has struck 15 of his 16 goals at home.

* Despite their poor away form, Koln are formidable at home in recent times, winning eight of their last nine at the Rhein Energie Stadion.

* The last time Koln exceeded their current total of 41 points in the top flight was back in 2000-01 when they notched up 46.

* Schalke won the reverse fixture earlier in the season courtesy of a hat-trick from veteran Spanish striker Raul.

* The Royal Blues have lost their last five competitive games, repeating their horror run spanning August and September at the beginning of the season.

* They are the only side in the Bundesliga this term yet to score a goal from outside the penalty box - their last such goal came in April 2010 from Ivan Rakitic, who is now impressing for Sevilla.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Koln (4-2-3-1)
Rensing; Brecko, Geromel, Mohamad, Eichner; Petit, Pezzoni; Chihi, Podolski, Jajalo; Novakovic

Interim coach Volker Finke, whose main job is as director of football, is without Christian Clemens, Martin Lanig and Sebastian Freis. The former Freiburg boss will in all likelihood name an unchanged side from last week as the game comes too soon for winger Slawomir Peszko, who will take his place on the substitutes bench.

Schalke (4-4-2)
Neuer; Uchida, Howedes, Metzelder, Escudero; Farfan, Kluge, Papadopoulos, Jurado; Raul, Huntelaar

Schalke could go into this encounter with arguably their strongest eleven, as outlined above. However, Ralf Rangnick may opt for the exuberance of youth, meaning that Joel Matip could replace Christoph Metzelder in defence with Julian Draxler usurping Jose Manuel Jurado on the left flank. Mario Gavranovic, Tim Hoogland, Levan Kenia, Christian Pander and Christoph Moritz are all out.

Prediction

FC Köln 2-1 Schalke 04

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14.05. (Sat) 13:45 West Bromwich Albion - Everton

DID YOU KNOW?

*In the league this season, Everton have conceded just five goals in the final 15 minutes of their matches.

*West Brom hold the record for consecutive Premier League matches without a clean sheet after conceding in every one of their last 34 games.

*The Toffees have lost two of their last three visits to The Hawthorns.

*In the Premier League, Everton have won five of the nine matches against the Baggies, whilst West Brom have three victories to their name with there being just the one draw, which was played out at Goodison Park on May 7, 2006.

*The highest-scoring match ever between these two came on September 17, 1966, a 5-4 win for hosts Everton.

*West Brom’s Nigerian international striker Peter Odemwingie has scored in each of his last five Premier League matches, a record no one else in the league can match, and should he find the net on Saturday he will beat his own personal best goal-tally of 15.

*After winning the Premier League Player of the Month award for April, the Nigerian joined an elite list of players who had won the award more than once in a season, with the others being Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Ashley Young, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney.

*In their last six matches in all competitions, Everton have lost just once, with that game finishing 1-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford back on April 23.

*In West Brom’s last six games they have lost two, won three and drawn once, with the victories coming against Arsenal, Sunderland and Aston Villa.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

West Brom (4-3-3) 
Carson; Zuiverloon, Olsson, Tamas, Shorey; Mulumbu, Scharner, Tchoyi; Thomas, Fortune, Odemwingie.

The hosts will be without the services of Graham Dorrans (ankle) again, but Roy Hodgson could welcome back several players from injury and Paul Scharner could return from his suspension, whilst Pablo Ibanez remains sidelined.

Marek Cech, Steven Reid, Chris Brunt and Gianni Zuiverloon were all welcomed back to training this week and all could feature, with the latter likely to start at right-back should he be deemed fit enough, otherwise expect to see Reid start in the right full-back berth after Gonzalo Jara’s poor performance in the last match against Wolves.

Everton (4-5-1)
Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Coleman, Heitinga, Arteta, Neville, Osman; Beckford.

For the trip to The Hawthorns David Moyes will have almost a full squad available for selection, with the only notable absentees being Louis Saha and Marouane Fellaini.

Tim Cahill will likely continue his role of being used as a substitute after he revealed he is very much playing through the pain-barrier after being told just three weeks ago that he would not play again this season, whilst John Heitinga should start in midfield once again after making a successful comeback from injury in the win over Manchester City in Everton’s last fixture.

Prediction

Obviously the cliché that a team has nothing to play for is overused, but in this instance it could well be evident come the final whistle.
West Brom are officially safe from the drop, therefore they will remain in the Premier League for another season, and as nice as it would be for them to finish in the top half of the table, they have already achieved their target.
Everton are no longer in the running for Europa League football next season as they now sit seven points behind fifth-placed Liverpool with two games remaining, but they are likely to throw everything at West Brom, and with the Toffees possessing some highly capable players, an away win could well be on the cards.

West Bromwich 1-2 Everton

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14.05. (Sat) 13:45 Sunderland - Wolverhampton Wanderers

DID YOU KNOW?

* Wolves have the worst away record in the Premier League, picking up just nine points on their travels.

* Wolves have not won at Sunderland since a 2-0 win in September 1993 when Mike Small and Geoff Thomas goals secured the win in Division One.

* There has not been a goalless draw between the two teams since March 1984.

* Sunderland have failed to keep a clean sheet at home since New Year's Day.

* Whilst manager of Sunderland, Mick McCarthy achieved a 42 per cent win average in his three years in the Black Cats hotseat.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Sunderland (4-5-1)
Mignolet; Onuoha, Ferdinand, Mensah, Bardsley; El Mohamady, Cattermole, Colback, Henderson, Zenden; Sessegnon.

Steve Bruce still has a long list of injuries to contend with, which was added to last week by Lee Cattermole and Michael Turner missing the win at Bolton. Cattermole should be fit to play but Turner will face a late fitness test ahead of the game. Bolo Zenden should keep his place in the starting line-up after his performance at the Reebok.

Wolves (4-4-2)
Hennessey; Foley, Craddock, Mancienne, Elokobi; Guedioura, Henry, O'Hara, Hunt; Fletcher, Ward.

Mick McCarthy is likely to keep to the same starting line-up that beat West Brom last weekend. He is still without defenders Ronald Zubar and Steven Mouyokolo, and midfielder David Edwards, but Kevin Doyle could return to the bench.

Prediction

The Black Cats have not been in the best of form since the turn of the year, and with Wolves scrapping for points at the bottom end of the table, I can see them nicking a point.

Sunderland 1-1 Wolves

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14.05. (Sat) 13:45 Blackpool - Bolton Wanderers

DID YOU KNOW?

* Blackpool’s Nigel Eardley and Bolton’s Matthew Taylor have both been booked four times and are one yellow card away from an automatic ban.

* The Tangerines' run of nine games without a win is the worst in the Premier League, and their last victory came against Tottenham in February.

* The Seasiders have the worst home form in the Premier League, winning just four games at Bloomfield Road this season.

* Bolton have the second worst away record and have won only two games, drawing five and losing 11 on their travels this season. only Wolves have been worse (W2-D3-L13).

* Bolton have conceded 50 goals in the Premier League this season, more than any other club in the top half of the table.

* Thee Trotters have failed to score on 10 occasions in the league this season, while Blackpool have failed to score eight times.

* The two club captains, Charlie Adam and Kevin Davies, are both the most booked players for each team, and are also the second highest scorers for their respective clubs.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Blackpool (4-3-3)
Gilks, Crainey, Eardley, Evatt, Baptiste, Southern, Vaughan, Adam, Gary Taylor-Fletcher, DJ Campbell, Kornilenko.

Blackpool have no fresh concerns and manager Ian Holloway is expected to play a similar attacking line-up that earned a hard fought draw with Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

Bolton Wanderers (4-4-2)
Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Lee, Elmander, Muamba, Taylor, Davies, Sturridge.

Bolton are likely to name the same team which suffered defeat to Sunderland last week, and manager Owen Coyle has no selection worries ahead of the trip to Bloomfield Road.

Prediction

After finally slipping into the relegation zone, the pressure is on Blackpool more than ever to get a result against Bolton. The Seasiders are without a win in their last nine matches, whilst their home form is the worst in the Premier League.
The match has the potential to go either way. The home side will have the motivation to get a win, but they have not shown anything recently to suggest that they can end their winless streak to move out of the bottom three.

Blackpool 1-2 Bolton

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14.05. (Sat) 13:45 Blackburn Rovers - Manchester United

DID YOU KNOW?

*Blackburn Rovers have not beaten Sir Alex Ferguson's men in their last nine meetings in the Premier League. The last time these two teams met in the league was at Old Trafford, when Rovers were handed out a 7-1 hammering.

* Steve Kean's men have won only one of their last 12 games in the league, and are currently three points above 18th-placed Blackpool.

* Apart from Wigan Athletic and Birmingham City (both 19), Blackburn have scored the lowest number of goals at home this season - having hit the net only 21 times at Ewood Park.

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

* Dimitar Berbatov scored five goals in the 7-1 victory earlier in the season. He has scored a total of six goals in five matches against Rovers.

* The Red Devils have scored 73 goals through the course of their league campaign. This is the most by any club in the top-flight this season.

* United have been poor on their travels of late, winning one and losing three of their last five games on the road. In total, they have lost only four matches, all of which were away from home.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Blacbburn Rovers (4-5-1)
Robinson; Emerton, Samba, Givet, Olsson; Diouf, J Jones, N'Zonzi, P Jones, Hoilett; Roberts.

Phil Jones missed the 1-1 draw with West Ham United due to a back injury, and could feature despite remaining a doubt for this game. Along with the youngster, full-back Michel Salgado is also expected to return to the fold.

There are also doubts concerning the fitness of David Dunn (calf) and Nikola Kalinic, who has been recovering from illness.

Manchester United (4-4-2)
Van der Sar; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs; Rooney, Berbatov.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is likely field a strong line-up to make sure his side are not still fighting for the title come the final day of the season.

Rafael and Darren Fletcher both came through a game with the reserves, and could be expected to get some playing time under their belt prior to the Champions League final at the end of the month.

Owen Hargreaves (hamstring) and Anders Lindegaard (knee) remain sidelined.

Prediction

Blackburn have trouble scoring while United have been in poor form on their travels. But at the same time, form counts for nothing when one team is battling for survival while the other is itching to win the title.

But even an inspired Rovers side may not be enough to stop the Manchester United machine in its tracks, on a day that should see them make history by finally overtaking Liverpool in the number of league titles won (19).

Blackburn 0-2 Man Utd.

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Bundesliga preview: Round 34

15:30 Hamburg - Borussia Monchengladbach
15:30 Mainz - St Pauli
15:30 Hoffenheim - Wolfsburg
15:30 Freiburg - Bayer Leverkusen
15:30 Hannover - Nurnberg
15:30 Kaiserslautern - Werder Bremen

Hamburg - Borussia Monchengladbach

* Hamburg have won just twice in their last six games against Borussia Monchengladbach, something unseen in their 48-year history in the Bundesliga.

* Michael Oenning won his first Bundesliga game as against Gladbach with Nurnberg. He has never won twice against any team in the league, and is yet do this even once with Hamburg.

* Borussia Monchengladbach have recorded three wins on the trot, without conceding a single goal. Should they win on Saturday with a clean sheet, they will equal their record from season 1975-1976.

* In eleven games under Lucien Favre, Gladbach have conceded just eight times. Before the coach's arrival the team have suffered 56 goals in 22 games.

Last stand | Gladbach face final fight in relegation battle

TEAM NEWS:

Hamburg
Michael Oenning will have to do without the services of Romeo Castelen, Marcel Jansen, and Mladen Petric. David Jarolim is suspended for the game after picking up his 10th yellow card of the season last Saturday against Bayer Leverkusen.

Borussia Monchengladbach
Gladbach will be able to field a full-strength team on Saturday, with only long-term casualties Jens Wissing and Jean-Sebastien Jaures out of the squad with injuries.


Mainz - St Pauli

* Mainz are unbeaten in four games, picking up three wins, drawing once, and conceding just one goal.

* Andre Schuerrle and Lewis Holtby, who will leave Mainz at the end of the season, are respectively the team's highest goalscorer and assist provided.

* St Pauli have suffered five relegations from the Bundesliga, in 1978, 1991, 1997, 2002 and 2011 with coach Holger Stanislawski a part of the team on three occasions.

* The Pirates have won just once in 11 games against Mainz, drawing seven times.

TEAM NEWS:

Mainz
Goalkeeper Heinz Muller will miss the game for Thomas Tuchel's men with an injury together with Adam Szalai. Eugen Polanski is suspended for this game for accumulating 10 yellow cards.

St Pauli
Holger Stanislawski will have to do without the services of goalkeeper Mathias Hain, defenders Bastian Ozcipka, Carsten Rothenbach, Moritz Volz and Carlos Zambrano, midfielders Timo Schultz and Fabian Boll, and striker Rouwen Hennings.


Hoffenheim - Wolfsburg

* Hoffenheim last won against Wolfsburg a little less than three years ago. Since then, they have earned just one draw against the Wolves, losing three times.

* The Sinsheim outfit have been outscored by 10 goals in their five games against Wolfsburg.

* Grafite have scored three goals, and provided four assists in five games against Hoffenheim.

* Felix Magath has saved three teams from relegation as a coach: Hamburg in season 1995-1996, Eintracht Frankfurt in 1999-2000, and Stuttgart in 2000-2001.

TEAM NEWS:

Hoffenheim
Marco Pezzaiuoli will be scratching his head ahead of the clash on Saturday as defenders Manuel Gulde, Josip Simunic, midfielders Boris Vukcevic and Tobias Weis and striker Denis Thomalla are all definitely out of the coach's last game in charge of Hoffenheim before Holger Stanislawski of relegated St Pauli takes over in the summer.

Wolfsburg
Felix Magath has a full-strength squad at his disposal, and will be able to field his strongest line-up to secure Wolfsburg's place in the Bundesliga next season.


Freiburg - Bayer Leverkusen

* Freiburg have one just once in their last nine games against Bayer Leverkusen, picking up two draws, and losing six times.

* Robin Dutt faces a 'Catch 22' situation. Should Freiburg win, and Bayern Munich defeat Stuttgart, the team he will coach next season, namely Bayer Leverkusen, will slip from the automatic Champions League entry spot, and will have to go through qualification to enter Europe's elite tournament.

* Bayer Leverkusen's Jupp Heynckes is in a similiar situation as a loss would give his future team Bayern Munich the chance to claim second place and qualify automatically for the Champions League.

* The Aspirins' last game away to Freiburg ended in a 5-0 triumph, their biggest away win since a 9-1 rout of SSV Ulm in season 1999-2000.

TEAM NEWS:

Freiburg
Goalkeeper Simon Pouplin, defender Pavel Krmas, midfielders Yacine Abdessadki, Johannes Flum, Daniel Williams, and striker Tommy Bechmann are sidelined for Freiburg. Omer Toprak, who will join Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, is suspended after picking up a red card against Borussia Monchengladbach last Saturday.

Bayer Leverkusen
Jupp Heynckes will have a full-strength squad to choose from as his team prepares to defend second place in their last match of this Bundesliga season.


Hannover - Nurnberg

* Hannover lost their first-ever home game under Mirko Slomka last year against Nurnberg with Albert Bunjaku netting a hat-trick for the visitors, and Jiri Stajner scroing for the hosts.

* The 96ers will achieve a new club record for points picked up at home should they win on Saturday. They are now on 34, one more than what they collected from all their games last season.

* Nurnberg could achieve their 100th win in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

* The club's three leading goalscorers, Julian Schieber, Ilkay Gundogan, and Mehmet Ekici will all leave at the end of the season.

TEAM NEWS:

Hannover
Christopher Avevor, Leon Andreasen, Carlitos and Mohammed Abdellaoue all miss out for Mirko Slomka's team, who have already qualified for the Europa League.

Nurnberg
Striker Albert Bunjaku would not be able to continue his excellent streak against Hannover as he is sidelined, together with midfielder Mike Frantz.


Kaiserslautern - Werder Bremen

* Kaiserslautern have lost their last three games at home against Werder Bremen.

* Marco Kurz's men have won three on the trot, conceding just once in the process.

* Werder Bremen have not recorded a loss in their last four away games, winning thrice and drawing once.

* The Green-Whites have picked up 34 wins against Kaiserslautern, but have lost 34 times as well. The two teams have shared 21 draws.

TEAM NEWS:

Kaiserslautern
Marco Kurz will have to do without the services of Florian Dick, Jan Simunek, Ivo Ilicevic and Jan Moravek who are all out of this game, which will have no impact on Kaiserslautern's future in the Bundesliga as they have already booked their place for next season.

Werder Bremen
Thomas Schaaf is likely to have some serious selection headaches especially regarding his team's defence as Per Mertesacker, Naldo, Sebastian Prodl, Mikael Silvestre and Sebastian Boenish are all injured. In addition, Tim Borowski, Daniel Jensen and Aaron Hunt are unavailable, and so are Sandro Wagner and Claudio Pizarro.

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The 2011 FA Cup Final - Opta Facts

FA Cup Final - Manchester City v Stoke City - Opta Facts

* This is only the second final since 1991 that hasn't featured one of the traditional "Big Four", after Portsmouth v Cardiff City in 2008.
* This is Manchester City's ninth appearance in the FA Cup final, and their first since 1981. The Citizens have won the competition four times and finished runners-up four times, but haven't lifted the prestigious trophy since 1969 (1-0 v Leicester City).
* Stoke City, on the other hand, will be making their first ever appearance in the FA Cup final.
* The last team to win the FA Cup final on their debut appearance in it was Wimbledon in 1988, who beat Liverpool 1-0 thanks to a Lawrie Sanchez header.
* The sides have been drawn together six times previously in the FA Cup, with City progressing three times and the Potters also winning through on three occasions (including after a replay in last season's fifth round).
* The last four meetings between Stoke and Man City have ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.
* Four of the last eight clashes between the sides in all competitions have seen a side reduced to 10 men.
* Roberto Mancini's men have scored in each of their last 11 FA Cup matches, and kept four successive clean sheets in the competition.
* The Potters have only conceded two goals en route to the 2011 FA Cup Final, scoring 14.
* John Carew has scored seven goals in his last seven FA Cup games.
* Since the start of the 2008/09 FA Cup, only Frank Lampard and Jermaine Beckford (nine each) have scored more goals than Carew (eight).
* Jonathan Walters has scored five goals in six FA Cup games this campaign.
* If Manchester City win the final, Italy will become the first non-British country to have produced three different FA Cup winning managers, with Roberto Mancini joining Carlo Ancelotti and Gianluca Vialli in lifting the cup.
* Only two British managers have lifted the FA Cup since Joe Royle in 1995; Sir Alex Ferguson and Harry Redknapp.
* Tony Pulis could become the first ever Welsh manager to win the competition.
* The Potters have only lost one of their last nine games in all competitions, winning five of them.
* Kenwyne Jones has scored five goals in his last six games.
* Manchester City have won six of their last 12 games in all competitions by a score of 1-0.

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Premier League Opta Stats - 14-15th May

Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United
* Dimitar Berbatov has scored six goals in fivePremier League games against Blackburn for Man Utd, although five of them came in the meeting at Old Trafford earlier this season.
* The Red Devils scored seven goals from just nine shots on target in their 7-1 win over Blackburn.
* Rovers have won none of their last nine Premier League games against Man Utd.
* Victory over Bolton ended a run of five games without a win at Ewood Park for Rovers.
* Man Utd have only won one and lost three of their last five Premier League away matches.
* Blackburn have scored fewer goals in 2011 than any other Premier League team (16).
* Blackburn Rovers have the lowest scoring top goalscorer in the Premier League this season; Nikola Kalinic (5).

Blackpool v Bolton Wanderers
* Bolton have taken just one point from the last 33 available away from home in the Premier League.
* None of the last 10 meetings between Blackpool and Bolton has ended as an away win.
* Owen Coyle's side have scored only four goals in total in their last 11 Premier League away games.
* Blackpool have won just one of their last 10 Premier League games at home.
* Ian Holloway's side have earned just 17 points on home soil this season, fewer than any other team.
* Of players to have scored at least 10 Premier League goals, Ivan Klasnic has the third best minutes per goal ratio in the history of the competition; netting once every 125 minutes on average.
* Charlie Adam has taken eight penalties in the Premier League this season; more than any other player.

Sunderland v Wolverhampton Wanderers
* Sunderland have lost five of their last six matches at the Stadium of Light.
* Every team who has visited the Stadium of Light since (but not including) New Year's Day has scored and the last six visitors have netted two or more goals.
* Wolves have won just two of their last 21 Premier League away games.
* Neither side has kept a clean sheet in the last nine league meetings between Sunderland and Wolves.
* There has been a total of 15 goals scored in the three Premier League meetings between the two sides.
* There were two penalties and two own goals in last season's Premier League meeting between Wolves & Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
* Steed Malbranque has attempted 88 shots (inc. blocked) since he last found the net in the Premier League, with 25 of those finding the target.
* Steven Fletcher has scored in three of Wolves' last four Premier League games.

West Bromwich Albion v Everton
* The Baggies scored four goals from just five shots on target in their 4-1 win at Goodison Park.
* West Brom have lost just one of their last eight Premier League games at the Hawthorns.
* West Brom haven't kept a clean sheet in their last 17 Premier League home games, the joint-longest run ever in the history of the competition.
* The Baggies have managed just one clean sheet all term. Should they fail to keep a clean sheet in both, or one, of their final two games, it'll be the fewest kept by a side in a Premier League season (the current record is three).
* Only Chelsea (25) have won more points than Everton (21) in their last 10 Premier League games.
* Peter Odemwingie has scored in five successive Premier League games for West Brom.
* If matches ended at half-time, West Bromwich Albion would be bottom of the table with just 30 points.

Chelsea v Newcastle United
* Chelsea have won their last six Premier League games at Stamford Bridge.
* Newcastle have failed to score in five of their last seven Premier League meetings with Chelsea.
* The Magpies have failed to score in six of their last seven visits to Stamford Bridge and netted just once on the one occasion they did manage to score at Stamford Bridge.
* Newcastle have won just one of their last eight Premier League away games.
* Cheik Tiote has become only the third player to be given 14 yellow cards in a single Premier League and is one caution away from a record (15).
* The Magpies have scored only two goals in the second half of their last nine Premier League games.
* Frank Lampard has scored in four of Chelsea's last five league games.

Arsenal v Aston Villa
* Aston Villa have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 Premier League matches.
* Villa have won just one of the last 24 Premier League games against Arsenal, but have only lost once on four trips to the Emirates Stadium.
* Arsenal have conceded just two goals in their last nine Premier League games at the Emirates.
* Abou Diaby has scored four goals in six Premier League games against Aston Villa.
* If Villa win this match, they will have picked more points than any other Premier League team at the Emirates.
* There has been a 90th minute goal scored in four of the last six meetings between Aston Villa and Arsenal.
* The Gunners have won just two of their last 11 matches in all competitions.
* Robin van Persie has scored a goal every 99 minutes in the Premier League this season; a better record than any other player to have scored five or more goals.

Birmingham City v Fulham
* Birmingham have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League games.
* The Blues have scored exactly one goal in each of their last four Premier League home games against Fulham.
* The Londoners have won just two of their last 36 Premier League away games.
* Birmingham have won just two of their eight Premier League games against London sides this season, netting an average of a goal a game in the process.
* Moussa Dembélé has made the most fouls without having received a card in the Premier League this season (48).
* If only the second half of Premier League games counted, Fulham would be third in the Premier League table with 60 points.
* Eight of the last nine goals that Fulham have scored against Birmingham have been scored after half-time.
* Fulham have scored eight goals in their last three Premier League games, their best return over a period of three matches in the competition since February 2006.

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur
* All six meetings in all competitions between Liverpool and Spurs since Harry Redknapp took over at White Hart Lane have ended as home wins.
* Jamie Carragher has scored as many Premier League goals for Tottenham as he has for Liverpool (3).
* Tottenham have won none of their last 16 Premier League visits to Anfield.
* Spurs have won only 10 points in their nine games against the current top five in the Premier League this season.
* If results only counted since Kenny Dalglish's appointment as caretaker manager, Liverpool would be second in the table with 33 points, two behind Chelsea (35).
* Dirk Kuyt has scored in five successive Premier League matches for Liverpool and has netted nine in his last eight appearances in the competition.
* Maxi Rodríguez has scored seven goals in his last three Premier League appearances, including two hat-tricks; this after netting just four in his previous 41 apps.
* None of the last 10 goals that Spurs have scored against Liverpool in the Premier League have arrived before the 44th minute.

Wigan Athletic v West Ham United
* Just one of the 11 Premier League meetings between West Ham and Wigan have ended in a draw.
* West Ham have won four of their last five games against the Latics in the Premier League.
* Each of the last three league meetings between these sides at the DW Stadium have ended 1-0; with Wigan winning two of these games.
* Wigan have kept only one clean sheet in their last 19 Premier League games.
* West Ham have lost only one of their nine games against the current bottom six sides in the Premier League this season.
* Charles N'Zogbia has scored three goals in his last four Premier League appearances for Wigan.
* West Ham have lost five and drawn one of the Premier League games that Scott Parker has missed this season.

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SPL Opta Facts - 14-15 May

Celtic v Motherwell
* In their last meeting in February, Motherwell ended a run of five straight defeats against the Bhoys with a 2-0 win.
* Motherwell have scored just once in their last five trips to Parkhead.
* Celtic have won their last nine league games at home.
* A win in this match would give Celtic their highest points total at home since 2006/07.
* Celtic have conceded only two goals in their last nine league games at home.
* Motherwell have won only one of their last 13 SPL matches on the road.

Dundee Utd v Hearts
* United have won their last three matches at home to the Jambos, keeping a clean sheet in each game.
* In total, Hearts have hit just one goal in their last five trips to Tannadice.
* The Terrors have won seven of their last eight league games at home.
* Both sides have already had their league position decided this season (third and fourth).
* If only home form had counted in the league this season, United would have finished third.
* The Jambos are without a win in their last six league games on the road.

Hamilton v Inverness CT
* Inverness have won on two of their three trips to Hamilton in all competitions, including earlier this season.
* The Accies have scored exactly once in all seven of their league meetings with Inverness.
* Defeat in their last match ended Hamilton´s hopes of survival this season.
* The Accies have won only one league game at home all season, and could become the first side to ever win just one on their own turf in an SPL season.
* Caley Thistle have won only one of their last five league games on the road.

Hibernian v Aberdeen
* Hibs have only won one of their last five matches at home to Aberdeen.
* Scott Vernon has scored in both of his starts against Hibernian this season.
* The Hibees are without a win in their last four league games in front of their own fans.
* Aberdeen have won just one of their last 11 league matches.

Kilmarnock v Rangers
* This will be the sixth meeting between the sides in all competitions this season. So far Rangers have won all five.
* The Gers are unbeaten in their last 30 league visits to Kilmarnock.
* Killie are without a win in their last four league games at Rugby Park.
* Rangers have won eight of their last nine league matches, drawing the other.
* The Gers´ have kept six consecutive clean sheets away from home in the SPL.
* A win for Rangers in this match would win mean they have won the Scottish league three times in a row for the first time since 1997.

St Mirren v St Johnstone
* St Johnstone are unbeaten in their last 12 meetings with St Mirren in all competitions.
* The Buddies have scored exactly once in their last four matches at home to St Johnstone, drawing two and losing two.
* A 1-0 win in their last match guaranteed St Mirren´s survival this season.
* St Mirren´s last four league games have seen only five goals in total.
* St Johnstone have won their last three league matches, they hadn´t won two in a row all season before this.

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La Liga Opta Facts - 15th May

Almeria v Mallorca
* Almeria have only won one of their seven meetings with Mallorca in the Spanish top flight.
* The Andalucians have taken just one point from their last four games against Mallorca.
* However the islanders have never won at the Estadio de los juegos mediterraneos (two draws, one defeat).
* 10 of Mallorca´s 12 goals against Almeria in the top flight have come in the second half.
* Mallorca have scored in the 88th minute or later in their last five league clashes with Almeria.
* Almeria have taken just one point from their last eight league matches.
* The Andalucians have failed to find the net in their last five league games, the poorest such run in Liga BBVA this season.
* Mallorca have taken only two points from the last 15 available on the road.

Athletic Bilbao v Malaga
* Athletic Bilbao have won only one of their last eight league meetings with Malaga.
* However the Basque side remain unbeaten in the last five, drawing four and winning one.
* Malaga have won on only two of their 29 trips to San Mames in the top flight, losing 21.
* Only once in 29 matches have Athletic failed to score against Malaga in Primera.
* The last three league meetings have all ended 1-1, and in the last seven the sides have been drawing at half-time.
* Athletic have failed to score in only two matches at home in Liga BBVA this season (vs Villarreal and Real Madrid).
* Manuel Pellegrini´s men have won three of their last four league games on the road.
* Athletic Bilbao have not drawn at home in the league this season, the last time they did this was in 1959/60.
* Málaga are on a run of five straight league wins for the first time ever in the top flight.
* Julio Baptista has scored in six consecutive league appearances, only Sergio Agüero has scored in seven in a row this season.

Atletico Madrid v Hercules
* Atletico have won their last 18 matches at home to Hercules in Primera.
* This is the longest current run of home victories by one side against another in the Spanish top flight.
* The Herculanos have scored just two goals in total in their last 11 top-flight visits to the Vicente Calderón combined.
* Sergio Agüero has scored five goals in Atletico´s last four league games at home.
* Atletico have lost four of their last eight league games on their own turf.
* Hercules have scored in their last three league games on the road. Prior to this they had scored in only two all season.
* The Herculanos have picked up the fewest points on the road this season in Liga BBVA (nine).
* Just one of David Trezeguet´s 11 league goals this season have come away from home.

Barcelona v Deportivo La Coruna
* Barcelona have won their last six league meetings with Depor at the Camp Nou.
* Deportivo are the only team to have won three times at the Camp Nou in Liga BBVA since the start of the 2000/01 season.
* David Villa has scored 10 goals in his last 10 league appearances against Depor.
* Since his debut in Primera, David Villa has scored 11 top-flight goals against Deportivo, two more than any other player (Eto'o, 9).
* Barcelona have won their last 15 league games at home, their best run since 1974 when they won 21 in a row.
* Hercules are the only visiting side to have scored more than once at the Camp Nou this season.
* Deportivo have failed to score in six of their last nine league games on the road.
* Depor have either scored twice (five times) or failed to score (seven times) in each of their last 12 league games.
* Deportivo are on a run of nine away games in the league without a win.

Getafe v Osasuna
* The last two league meetings between Getafe and Osasuna have ended goalless.
* Osasuna have won on just one of their six visits to the Coliseum in the top flight.
* The side from Pamplona have also failed to score in four of these trips.
* Getafe have won their last two league games at home, after winning only one of the previous eight.
* Only two sides have picked up fewer points on the road in Liga BBVA this season than Osasuna (11).
* However nine of the side from Pamplona's 11 points away from home this season have come in their last five games (three wins).
* No side has picked up fewer points than Getafe (14) in 2011 in Liga BBVA.
* Six of Osasana´s last 11 league goals have been scored by Kike Sola.

Real Zaragoza v Espanyol
* Espanyol have won only two of their last nine league games against Real Zaragoza.
* There have been at least five yellow cards shown in each of the last five league meetings between the sides.
* The Periquitos have won on only one of their last seven league trips to La Romareda.
* Defeat in their last match against Osasuna ended a run of four straight league wins at home for Zaragoza.
* Espanyol have failed to score in their last six away games in Liga BBVA.
* Last season they went eight consecutive league games on the road without finding the net.
* Osvaldo has scored four goals in Espanyol´s last five league games.
* If the league had started on 1st Jan 2011, Espanyol would be 17th.

Sevilla v Real Sociedad
* Sevilla have won four of their last five league meetings with Real Sociedad, drawing the other.
* At home, the Nervionenses are unbeaten in their last four against Real Sociedad.
* There have been five red cards in the last five league meetings between the sides.
* Frederic Kanoute has scored in all three of his top-flight appearances against Erreala (four goals total).
* The 2-6 defeat against Real Madrid ended a run of seven league games unbeaten at home for Sevilla.
* The Nervionenses have conceded more league games at home this season than in any campaign since 1999/00 when they were relegated.
* Real Sociedad are on a run of eight straight defeats on the road in the league.
* They have conceded at least twice in each of these eight matches.
* Erreala have not lost nine consecutive top flight games in a row away from home since 1977.

Sporting Gijon v Racing Santander
* Racing have won on five of their last seven league trips to El Molinon.
* Sporting have won one of their last 10 league meetings with the Cantabros.
* Preciado´s men are on a run of nine league games unbeaten at home.
* After five wins in seven league games, Sporting are without a win in their last three.
* However they are unbeaten in nine at El Molinon.
* Racing have won three straight league games for the first time this season.
* They have never won four in a row in the Spanish top flight.

Valencia v Levante
* Valencia are unbeaten in five meetings with other sides from the Comunitat Valenciana in the league this season (four wins, one draw).
* Los Che are unbeaten at home against Levante in the top flight, managing four wins and a draw in five encounters.
* Levante have won their two meetings with other sides from the Comunitat Valenciana in the second half of the season (Villarreal and Hercules).
* The win at Villarreal was the first time they had won away from home in the Comunitat Valenciana in Primera.
* The last three league games at Valencia have produced 17 goals in total.
* Roberto Soldado has scored five goals in Valencia´s last three league matches at home.
* Levante have only won one of their last six league games on the road.
* Levante have won none of their last four league matches.

Villarreal v Real Madrid
* Villarreal have won just two of their 23 matches against Real Madrid in Primera.
* The last two meetings between the sides have produced 14 goals in total (10 by Madrid, four from Villarreal).
* The Merengues have won six of their last seven league clashes with the yellow submarine.
* Cristiano Ronaldo has only scored more goals against Malaga and Getafe (both seven) than he has against Villarreal in Liga BBVA (five).
* Ronaldo has scored within the first 20 minutes of all three of his league appearances against Villarreal.
* Real Madrid have already scored more goals this season than in 19 of the last 20 top-flight campaigns (last season: 107).
* Villarreal have only shipped more than one goal in one of their league games at home this season.
* Six of Villarreal´s eight league goals at home in the second half of the season have been netted by Giuseppe Rossi.
* In 12 of the 16 league matches in which Cristiano Ronaldo has scored this season, he has gone on to find the net again in the same match.
* Real Madrid have won their last five league games on the road, netting 20 goals in total.
* In their last two away matches, the Merengues have set records for the most goals scored as visitors at grounds in the Spanish top flight.
* Villarreal have never conceded more than five at home in the Spanish top flight.
* Six of the 12 hat-tricks in Liga BBVA this season have been scored by Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Italian Serie A Opta Facts - 14th-15th May

Bari v Lecce
* This will be the 14th derby of Puglia in the top-flight: Bari lead by five wins to three, five draws complete the record.
* Bari have had the better in three of their last four league meetings with Lecce, including in the reverse fixture at the Via del Mare (1-0).
* Lecce have won at Bari's ground only once in six meetings, the hosts have won three times.
* Bari are on a run of four consecutive defeats in Serie A: they have now lost 23 games in this campaign, more than any other side.
* Should they lose against Lecce, Bari would end this campaign with only 12 points at home, only Treviso (10) have picked up fewer points on their own soil (2005/06) since Serie A has had 20 teams.
* Lecce have won only one of their last six games in this competition.
* This meeting will see the league's worst attack (Bari, 23 goals scored), come up against the worst defence (Lecce, 62 conceded).

Catania v Roma
* Catania have won only one of their last 13 games against Roma in Serie A.
* However, the Sicilians are unbeaten in their last three games at home against Roma (two draws and a win).
* Catania have picked up only one point from their last four league meetings with Roma, in their last meeting at the Massimino in September 2009 (1-1).
* Having won their last two games, Catania are safe from relegation with two match-days to go; the Sicilians will play in the top-flight for the sixth consecutive season in 2011-12.
* Catania have won five of their last six games at home, losing only against Lazio (1-4) in this period.
* Roma have taken seven points from their last three games and 13 from their last five on the road.
* Roma have scored two or more goals in each of their last four games away from home in Serie A.
* Francesco Totti has scored only one goal in five previous meetings against Catania in Serie A.
* The Giallorossi have already scored 11 goals from penalties this season - a league-high.

Cesena v Brescia
* After losing to Catania last Sunday, Brescia are relegated to Serie B just 11 months after promotion to Serie A.
* The only previous meeting between these two sides in Serie A was Cesena's 2-1 win at the Rigamonti in the reverse fixture.
* Cesena have won three of their last four games in this campaign, losing the other (2-1) against Inter after having taken the lead.
* Cesena have not conceded a goal in these three wins.
* Defeat against Inter ended Cesena's run of of four consecutive unbeaten games at home in the league.
* Brescia have picked up only two points from their last five league games.
* Away from home, Brescia have won only one game this season, back in September against Chievo; since then the Rondinelle have collected only six draws and 10 defeats.
* Cesena have scored only three headed goals this season, a league-joint low with Bari and Sampdoria.

Chievo v Udinese
* Udinese are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Chievo in the league (two wins, two draws).
* However, Chievo have kept a clean sheet in five of the eight occasions they have hosted Udinese in Serie A.
* Chievo have not reapeted the same result for two consecutive games over the last 10 match-days of Serie A; should this continue, they won't share the points with Udinese, after their 2-2 draw with Juventus last Monday.
* At home, Chievo have picked up seven points from their last three games, and conceded only one in their last five games.
* Udinese have not registered a draw in the last 10 match-days of this campaign (six wins and four defeats).
* Udinese have lost two of their last three fixtures on the road, but are still the most prolific side away from home (36 goals scored).
* Udinese boss Francesco Guidolin has lost only two of his previous 11 meetings with Chievo in the top-flight.

Fiorentina v Bologna
* This will be the 120th meeting between these two sides in the top-flight: Fiorentina lead by 44 wins to 36, 39 draws complete the record.
* Bologna have managed to beat Fiorentina only once in their last eight meetings in Serie A, the last time this game was played at the Artemio Franchi in January 2010.
* Prior to that defeat, Fiorentina were unbeaten in nine consecutive games at home against Bologna.
* Fiorentina have scored exactly one goal in their last five games at home against Bologna in the league.
* Fiorentina have lost only two games in the last 11 match-days of the Serie A, against the two sides from Milan.
* Bologna are winless in their last seven games (five defeats), and have failed to scored in their last five.
* Alberto Malesani's side have lost their last three games on the road, scoring only once in this period.

Lazio v Genoa
* Lazio are unbeaten in their last six Serie A games against Genoa, winning four.
* Genoa have had the better in only one of their last 13 games with Lazio: 2-1 at the Olimpico in January 2008.
* Lazio have lost their last three league games, against Inter, Juventus and Udinese.
* Before losing with the Old Lady, the Biancocelesti were unbeaten at home in seven games (six wins and a draw).
* Genoa have won three of their last four league games.
* Away from home though, the Grifoni have taken only one point from their last five games (1-1 at Bologna).
* Lazio have conceded only six goals in the opening 30 minutes of play overall this season in Serie A.
* Genoa are alongside Lecce as the side who have lost the most games after having taken the lead this season (four).

Milan v Cagliari
* After drawing with Roma last Saturday AC Milan secured their 18th Scudetto; their previous title in 2004 also came after a game against the Giallorossi.
* Cagliari last beat AC Milan in the league in 1998; since then the Rossoneri have notched up 11 wins and five draws against the Sardinians.
* AC Milan have won their last four games against Cagliari, and seven of the last eight against the Sardinians in the top-flight.
* At the San Siro these two sides have shared the points only once in their last 10 meetings.
* AC Milan are unbeaten in their last six fixtures, winning five before the 0-0 draw with Roma.
* Nesta & co. have not conceded a goal in their last six games in Serie A, and have kept 19 clean sheets in 36 match-days so far this season.
* At home Massimiliano Allegri's side are still unbeaten in 2011 (six wins and three draws).
* Cagliari are on a run of three consecutive defeats, and are winless in their last five league games.

Napoli v Inter
* Napoli have taken only one point from their last three meetings with Inter in Serie A.
* The Partenopei have never scored more than one goal in their last 11 meetings with Inter in the league.
* These two sides have shared the points just once in their last 17 meetings, on the last occasion they faced each other at the San Paolo in February 2010 (0-0).
* Inter have not scored a goal in their last four trips to the San Paolo, and have taken only one point from these fixtures.
* Napoli have lost three of their last four league games, all by 2-1.
* However, at home Napoli have suffered only one defeat in their last 14 games, winning 11 of these.
* Inter are on a run of three consecutive wins, but have conceded goals in each of these.
* Away from home, Leonardo's side have won only one of their last four games, courtesy to a Giampaolo Pazzini's brace in injury time against Cesena, coming back from 1-0 down.
* Napoli boss, Walter Mazzarri has never won in 12 league meetings against Inter (six draws and as many defeats).
* Napoli have scored the most headed goals in this campaign (11), and the most in the last 15 minutes of play (21).
* Inter have recouped the most points from trailing situations so far this season (23).

Parma v Juventus
* Parma have won their last two games against Juventus, both in Turin.
* Prior to these games, Juventus were unbeaten against Parma in 11 consecutive games in the league.
* Parma have never beaten Juventus three times in a row in Serie A.
* The Old Lady are unbeaten in six games at the Tardini, their last defeat there was in March 2002.
* In the previous 18 meetings between these two sides at the Tardini, only once one has a side scored more than two goals: Juventus in January 1995, winning 3-1.
* The Ducali are unbeaten in their last four league games (three wins, one draw): currently their best run this season.
* Juventus are unbeaten in the last eight match-days of this competiton, but they have been held to a draw in three of their last four Serie A games.
* Last Monday against Chievo, Juventus drew their seventh game after having taken the lead this season, more than any other Serie A side.
* Franco Colomba is yet to win his first game against Juventus as a Serie A manager after eight meetings with the Old Lady (six defeats so far).

Sampdoria v Palermo
* Palermo are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Sampdoria in Serie A (two wins, three draws).
* The last meetings between these two sides at the Marassi ended 1-1; the same result has not accrued twice in a row between Samp and Palermo in Genoa in 16 meetings, since 1951 when the Blucerchiati won two consecutive games with the Rosanero.
* Sampdoria have won only one of their last 12 league games, 1-0 against relegated Bari.
* At home the Blucerchiati have picked up only one point from their last six games, losing five in a row before drawing 3-3 with Brescia.
* Palermo have won three of their last four league games, losing to Parma 3-1.
* Away from home though, the Rosanero have lost five of their last six, winning only at the Olimpico against Roma.
* Samp have recorded the worst shooting accuracy in this competition, finding the target with only 37.7% of their attempts.
* Sampdoria have scored only eight goals in the first half this season - a Serie A-low.

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Bundesliga Opta Facts 14th-15th May

Kaiserslautern v Bremen
* Lautern have won their last three league games, conceding just one goal in the process.
* Bremen have won their last three BL outings at Kaiserslautern.
* Werder have lost none of their last four BL away games (three wins, one draw), scoring 12 goals in the process.
* Christian Tiffert has assisted seven of the Red Devils' last eight goals.
* Thomas Schaaf's men have only kept five clean sheets this season - only bottom-placed St. Pauli have shut their opponents out on fewer occasions (four times).
* FCK striker Srdjan Lakic has netted four goals in his last five BL starts.

Freiburg v Leverkusen
* Leverkusen have only lost one of their last eight BL visits to Freiburg (four wins, three draws) - 0-1 in 2004.
* Since that 1-0 win, Freiburg have not beaten Leverkusen in five games (four defeats). Freiburg have only won one of their last nine BL games against Bayer (two draws, six defeats).
* Leverkusen have lost their last two away games, conceding seven goals in the process.
* Freiburg have lost three of their last four BL games (one win)
* Freiburg and Leverkusen have won 17 points each after trailing - joint-highest in the league.
* Arturo Vidal has been directly involved in the last three Bayer goals (one goal, two assists). With 10 goals and 10 assists to his name he is the Bayer player with the most scorer points this season.

Bayern v Stuttgart
* Bayern have won 50 of the 87 league meetings with Stuttgart (20 draws, 17 defeats) - only against Hamburg have FCB won more often in the Bundesliga (53 wins).
* The German record champions have only lost one of the last six BL games against the side from Swabia (three wins, two draws).
* The game between Bayern (33 points) and Stuttgart (30 points) will see the best and the third-best teams of the second half of the season face each other.
* Bayern have netted the most goals in the league this season (79), while Stuttgart have scored the fourth-most (59).
* VfB have only lost one away game since the turn of the year (five wins, two draws).
* Bayern have won 11 of their last 12 BL games on home soil (one defeat) and have scored three or more goals in 10 of these 12 matches.

Hoffenheim v Wolfsburg
* Hoffenheim have only won one of their five BL meetings with Wolfsburg (one draw, three defeats).
* The Wolves have scored at least two goals in each of their five BL matches against Hoffenheim.
* Wolfsburg have only scored more than one goal in one of their 16 BL away games so far this season, when they beat Hamburg 3-1 in September 2010.
* Hoffenheim have not scored more than once in any of their last six BL games on home soil.
* VfL striker Grafite has scored three and assisted four goals in his five BL matches against 1899.
* The Wolves have only kept one clean sheet in their last 14 BL matches.

Hannover v Nürnberg
* Nürnberg have won just one of the past seven matches (four defeats, two draws) after prevailing in six of the previous seven fixtures (one draw).
* None of the 29 encounters between Nürnberg and Hannover in the top flight have ended in a goalless draw.
* Didier Ya Konan has scored 10 of his 13 goals this season on home soil.
* FCN have only netted one goal in their last three BL games.
* Hannover's last six goals were scored by six different players.

Dortmund v Frankfurt
* Eintracht have won only one of the 16 matches they have played since they defeated Dortmund 1-0 in December 2010(10 defeats, five draws).
* Dortmund haven't been defeated in 15 Bundesliga home games (11 wins, four draws).
* Frankfurt haven't won any of their last 10 away games (three draws, seven losses).
* The Eagles have only won two of their last 23 games at Dortmund (five draws, 16 defeats), although one of these two victories came last season (3-2).
* Frankfurt have only scored six goals since the winter break; if they fail to score against Dortmund, they will set a new record for fewest goals scored in the second half of a season.
* Borussia have only conceded 21 goals, fewer than any other team, while Eintracht have only scored 30 goals, also fewer than any other team.

Hamburg v Gladbach
* Hamburg have lost three of their last four league games against Gladbach (one win).
* Borussia have won their last three games, not conceding a single goal in the process.
* HSV have only netted two goals in their last six BL matches.
* For the first time since autumn 2009, the Redshorts have remained winless in six consecutive BL games.
* The Foals have only won one of their last 12 BL outings at Hamburg (four draws, seven defeats).
* Gladbach haven't netted more than one goal in any of their last 10 BL games on the road.

Mainz v Pauli
* Pauli have only won one of their 10 outings at Mainz in Bundesliga 2 (seven draws, two defeats). The upcoming match will be Pauli's first visit to Mainz in the German top flight.
* Mainz have gone four games since their last defeat (three wins, one draw), conceding just one goal in the process.
* Pauli have only won one point from their last 11 BL games (10 defeats, one draw).
* Mainz have dropped the fewest points from games in which have lead this season (two).
* With 14 goals to his name this season, André Schürrle has the best season tally of any Mainz player in the club's BL history.
* Pauli have conceded at least two goals in each of their last nine league games.

Köln v Schalke
* Köln have only won of their last 16 BL duels with Schalke and have lost each of the last four encounters with S04.
* The Billygoats have won eight of their last nine BL home games (one defeat).
* Köln have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five games on home soil.
* Schalke have lost each of their last five competitive games.
* Köln's top scorer Milivoje Novakovic has netted 14 of his 15 goals this season in front of his home crowd.
* The Royal Blues have only won one of their last seven BL away games (two draws, four defeats).
* Last season, Hannover went down 1-3 at home against Nürnberg in what was their first home match under Mirko Slomka.

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French Ligue 1 Opta Facts May 15th-18th

Arles-Avignon - Toulouse
* Toulouse are unbeaten this season in Ligue 1 against promoted opposition, winning three and drawing one.
* Toulouse have drawn each of their last three away games in the league.
* Toulouse have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three league games.
* Arles-Avignon have lost each of their last three home games, failing to score a single goal in the process.
* Arles-Avignon have kept just two clean sheets at home this term in the league.
* Toulouse's Ali Ahamada has conceded a goal every 227 minutes this season, the best ratio amongst all Ligue 1 goalkeepers.

Caen - Montpellier
* Caen are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Montpellier in all competitions, winning twice and drawing on four occasions.
* Caen have failed to score in their last three Ligue 1 encounters against Montpellier.
* Nine of the 24 top-flight encounters between these teams have ended 0-0.
* Montpellier have lost their last two away games in Ligue 1.
* Three of the last four Ligue 1 games involving Caen have ended 1-1.
* Caen have conceded the most penalties this season in Ligue 1 (eight).
* 16 year-old Caen forward Mbaye Niang has already scored twice after only four Ligue 1 appearances.

Monaco - Lens
* Lens have failed to score a single goal in any of their last six trips to Monaco in Ligue 1.
* Lens have not won at Monaco in Ligue since March 1998, since then they have accumulated four draws and seven defeats.
* Lens have lost on 43 occasions against Monaco in Ligue 1, more than versus any other side.
* Monaco have lost just one of their seven home league games since the appointment of manager Laurent Banide.
* Lens have won just one of their last 16 away games in the top flight.
* Lens winger Sebastien Roudet has found the net in each of his last two league appearances against Monaco.
* Monaco have failed to win any of their previous two home games this season against sides currently occupying the relegation zone.
* Lens committed only three fouls in the first leg of this encounter, a Ligue 1 record this season.

Nancy - Nice
* Nice have lost nine of their last 11 trips to Nancy in the top flight.
* Nancy are unbeaten in their last three league encounters with Nice, winning two and drawing one.
* Nancy have failed to score in any of their last three home league matches.
* Since last season, Nancy have lost more home games than any other Ligue 1 side (17).
* Nice have won only one of their last 16 away games in Ligue 1.
* Nice have conceded 15 goals in the last seven match days, more than any other side during this period.
* Nancy have failed to win any of their last seven league fixtures, their longest winless run since 2008-09.

St Etienne - Rennes
* Rennes are unbeaten in their last five league encounters against St Etienne, winning three and drawing two, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
* Rennes are unbeaten in their last five league encounters against St Etienne, winning three and drawing two, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
* The last two league meetings between both sides have ended 0-0.
* St Etienne have lost four games after having opened the scoring, a Ligue 1 record this term.
* St Etienne have scored in 16 of their 17 home league games this season.
* Rennes have suffered three consecutive away defeats (without scoring a single goal) in Ligue 1 for the first time since 2006-07.
* Rennes have scored only four goals in their last 10 league games.
* St Etienne have won just one of their four league matches without Blaise Matuidi this term, that win coming against minnows Arles-Avignon.

Valenciennes - Auxerre
* Auxerre are unbeaten in their last three league encounters against Valenciennes, winning one and drawing two.
* Auxerre have failed to score in any of their last three trips to Valenciennes in Ligue 1.
* The last three Auxerre goals against Valenciennes in Ligue 1 have been scored by Ireneusz Jelen.
* Only Lille and Lyon have suffered fewer home defeats (one) than Valenciennes (two) this season in Ligue 1.
* Valenciennes are unbeaten in their last nine home league games.
* Auxerre striker Dennis Oliech has picked-up the joint-most yellow cards this season.
* Auxerre have won only one of their last 12 away league games.

Lorient - Marseille
* Marseille have won their last three league trips to Lorient, each time; they conceded the opening goal before finally winning 2-1.
* Lorient and Marseille have both always scored in their six top-flight encounters at the Moustoir stadium.
* Loïc Rémy has scored five goals in just six league games against Lorient.
* Marseille are the side who have scored the most goals against Lorient at their Moustoir stadium: 12.
* Lorient have drawn their last five home league games.
* Lorient have the meanest defensive record at home in Ligue 1 this season, having conceded only nine goals in 17 games.
* No side from the top five in Ligue 1 has managed to win at Lorient this season.

Brest - Lyon
* Lyon have lost four of their five trips to Brest in the top-flight.
* None of the 11 encounters between Brest and Lyon in Ligue 1 have ended in a draw.
* Lyon have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six encounters with Brest in Ligue 1.
* Brest have failed to score in any of their last three league fixtures.
* Last Wednesday, Lyon suffered their biggest league defeat since May 2006, losing 4-0 at Auxerre.
* Lyon have picked-up the joint-most red cards this season in Ligue 1 (eight).
* Lyon's 1.11 goals conceded per league game this term in their highest since 1999-00.

Bordeaux - Paris SG
* PSG have lost their last three trips to Bordeaux in the top-flight.
* PSG have failed to score a single goal in their last four trips to Bordeaux in Ligue 1.
* PSG have scored at least two goals in 20 games, a record in Ligue 1 this season.
* Bordeaux lost four-nil in their last home game (v Sochaux), their heaviest defeat on their own soil in the top-flight for 34 years.
* Bordeaux have failed to score in their last three league games, their longest goal-drought since 2005-06.
* PSG are unbeaten in their last seven league games, with their last two away games ending in a draw.
* Guillaume Hoarau has scored three goals in four league games against Bordeaux.
* Mevlut Erding has scored in his last two league games, the first time it's happened to him this season.

Lille - Sochaux
* Sochaux have failed to win any of their last eight trips to Lille in the top-flight, suffering six defeats.
* Since Rudi Garcia became Lille manager in 2008, his side have won more home league games than any other team (37).
* Lille have won their last three league games.
* Lille have only failed to score once in their last 31 home league games.
* Only Marseille have managed to beat Lille at their stadium this season in Ligue 1.
* Sochaux have lost only one of their last six away league games.
* Lille have never conceded more than one goal in their last 19 league games.

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Pobednički ritam Stabeka BOJAN ZAJIĆ (VALERENGA, NORVEŠKA)

Stabek je bez dileme bolji od Sogndala, u formi je, došao je do svoje, prepoznatljive igre, pa bi ovog vikenda trebalo lako da stigne do bodova.
STABEK – SOGNDAL     1

Velika razlika u kvalitetu postoji i između Tromsoa i Sarpsborga, zbog čega izdvajam jedinicu na domaće.
TROMSO – SARPSBORG     1

Rozenborg se “probudio” i veliki je favorit protiv Haugesunda, a prvi trijumf na domaćem terenu očekujem od Vikinga.
Rozenborg – Haugesund     1
Viking – Od Grenland     1

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Barsa nikom ne prašta RANKO DESPOTOVIĆ (ĐIRONA, ŠPANIJA 2)

Kao fiks izdvojio bih Numansiju koja dočekuje “fenjeraša” Ponferadinu , mada mislim da će i Barsa da savlada Las Palmas. “B” ekipa Katalonaca ne može u “Primeru”, ali uveren sam da nema govora o prepuštanju bodova gostima
NUMANSIJA – PONFERADINA     1
BARSELONA (B) – LAS PALMAS     1

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