Ligue 1 Preview: Round 3

Saturday
Bordeaux - Auxerre
Stade Brestois - Lyon
Caen - Lille
Dijon - FC Lorient
Nice - Toulouse
AC Ajaccio - Evian TG

Sunday
Montpellier - Stade Rennes
Nancy - Sochaux
PSG - Valenciennes
Marseille - Saint Etienne

Bordeaux - Auxerre

Bordeaux are winless in their first two Ligue 1 games this term, needing a 90th minute equaliser from Henrique to steal a point at FC Lorient last weekend.
Auxerre produced a stirring comeback to hold Marseille 2-2 last Sunday, having found themselves 2-0 down at half-time. Laurent Fournier's side sit 17th.
AJA are winless in their last 10 matches played in August.
Les Girondins have prevailed in all but two of their last eight encounters against Saturday's visitors

TEAM NEWS

Bordeaux

Francois Gillot has no fresh injury concerns ahead of this tie, with Les Girondins expected to line up more or less the same as last weekend.

Auxerre

Laurent Fournier is still without the services of Cedric Hengbert who is nursing a torn ankle ligament and is out for a further two-three weeks. Goalkeeper Olivier Sorin, and forward Yaya Sanogo are also in the physio room, they also missed the draw against Marseille.

Stade Brestois - Lyon

Stade Brestois' steady start to the season continued with a 0-0 draw away to Valenciennes last week. Alex Dupont's side have two points from two matches
Lyon were frustratingly held to a 1-1 draw against promoted side Ajaccio last weekend. Lisandro's late equaliser spared the blushes of the former champions.
Stade Brestois have failed to win their last five home league games
Les Gones have lost four of their last six trips to Stade Francis La Ble.
Remi Garde's side were involved in midweek Champions League action. Despite an early setback, Lyon rallied to beat Rubin Kazan 3-1 and put themselves firmly in the driving seat for the group stage.

TEAM NEWS

Stade Brestois

No short term worries for Alex Dupont to mull over. Brahim Ferradj is out until 2012 with a torn knee ligament. Moise Brou Apanga is out with a damaged knee cartilage and won't be expected back until mid-October. Brest expected to line up as they did last weekend

Lyon

Bakary Kone made his league debut last week, and is again expected to stay in the Les Gones starting 11. Remi Garde's men came through their Champions League qualifier unscathed, and could field a rotated side ahead of their trip to Russia in midweek.

Caen - Lille

Caen followed up a season-opening victory by making it two out of two as they defeated Sochaux 2-1 at Stade Auguste Bonal.
A heroic performance from Laurent Pionnier thwarted league champions Lille as they were undone 1-0 by a resurgent Montpellier last Sunday.
Rudi Garcia's men scored an average of four goals a game in each of their encounters against Les Malherbes.
Franck Dumas' are unbeaten in their last nine league matches.

TEAM NEWS

Caen

Franck Dumas has the luxury of a fully-fit squad to pick from for the visit of the league champions.

Lille

No such worries for Rudi Garcia either, with the only main concern coming from David Rozehnal, who is still sidelined with a knee problem.

 FCODijon - FC Lorient

Newly-promoted Dijon are going through a reality check as they struggle in their maiden Ligue 1 campaign. Patrice Carteron's men were beaten 2-0 by Toulouse to stay rock bottom.
Lorient drew 1-1 with Bordeaux last weekend, amassing four points from two games.
Les Merlus have won only one of their last seven league matches.
Christian Gourcuff has named the exact same line-up in both of the first two matchdays.

TEAM NEWS

Dijon

No new injury worries for Patrice Carteron's side, who have already fielded 20 different players in Ligue 1 this season.

FC Lorient

Christian Gourcuff has no major concerns surrounding team line-up. A more attacking line-up may be deployed to tackle the threat of the newly promoted side.

OGC Nice - Toulouse FC

OGC Nice suffered a shock defeat at the hands of promoted side Evian TG last weekend to remain pointless in Ligue 1.
Toulouse's usual great start to the season didn't look like ending any time soon as they swept to a 2-0 victory over Dijon.
Le Tefece have won their last four Ligue 1 games, all by a 2-0 scoreline.
Les Aiglons have lost their last three league matches, yet are unbeaten in four games against Alain Casanova's side.

TEAM NEWS

OGC Nice

Les Aiglons are sweating on the fitness of Francois Clerc who has been sidelined with a hip problem. The former Lyon defender is doubtful for the game, but could feature.

Toulouse

Alain Casanova has been boosted with the news that Daniel Braaten and Etienne Didot are back for the match at Stade du Ray. Le Tefece are searching for a third straight win.

AC Ajaccio - Evian Thonon Gaillard

The clash of the promoted sides takes place this weekend, with both sides recording morale-boosting results in matchday two.
Ajaccio held Lyon 1-1 away at the Stade Gerland last weekend, with Olivier Pantaloni's men minutes away from a shock victory.
Evian beat Nice 1-0 in their previous match, to record their first ever Ligue 1 win.
Bernard Casoni has only won once on his travels with a Ligue 1 club.

TEAM NEWS

AC Ajaccio

No injury news to report from Olivier Pantaloni's team. Expected to field the same XI that drew impressively against Lyon.

Evian TG

Evian have been rocked by the news that Sasa Cilinsek will miss the next two to three weeks with a hip problem. The Serb joins Bertrand Laquait in the physio's room.

HSCMontpellier - Stade Rennais FC

Montpellier had Laurent Pionnier to think after an inspired display contributed to a smash-and-grab win away at league holders Lille on Sunday evening.
Stade Rennes drew 1-1 with nouveau-riche PSG last weekend. Les Rouge et Noir have four points from a possible six.
The visitors have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last seven away games.
La Paillade have not tasted defeat in a league match played in August for three seasons.

TEAM NEWS

Montpellier

Rene Girard has the luxury of a fully fit squad to for the visit of Les Rouge et Noir.

Stade Rennes

Frederic Antoinetti can recall Vincent Pajot, Onyekachi Apam, Chris Mavinga and Jires Kembo-Ekoko to the side following various injuries and suspensions in recent weeks. Rennes did play a Europa League qualifier in midweek, so could field a rotated side on Sunday.

Nancy - FC Sochaux

Nancy are still searching for a first win of the season after they were defeated by Saint Etienne 1-0 at Geoffrey Guichard last Saturday.
Sochaux suffered a demoralising 2-1 defeat at home to Caen on matchday two.
Mehmed Bazdarevic have failed to win any of their last five trips to Stade Marcel Picot.
Pascal Berenguer of Nancy has scored in the last three home games.

TEAM NEWS

Nancy

Jean Fernandez has no pressing injury concerns.

Sochaux

David Sauget, Jeremie Brechet and Steven Mouykolo are back with the squad, along with Vaclav Sverkos in what could be a huge boost to Mehmed Bazdarevic.

PSG - Valenciennes

Capital club PSG failed to win for the second successive game as they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw away to Stade Rennes on matchday two.
Valenciennes are also winless in Ligue 1 after drawing 0-0 with Brest. Daniel Sanchez's side have collected one point from a possible six.
The visitors are the only side who have yet to score a goal this season in Ligue 1.
PSG have failed to win their last seven league games.
Les Parisiens were in Europa League action on Thursday, beating Luxembourg's Differdange 4-0. Javier Pastore notched two assists.

TEAM NEWS

PSG

Antoine Koumbouare is without captain Mamadou Sakho who suffered a hip injury last week in Rennes. The French international left the field in tears and is with Christophe Jallet on the treatmant table. Argentinian midfielder Javier Pastore is in the frame for a Ligue 1 debut as he came through Thursday's Europa League qualifier in impressive fashion.

Valenciennes

No injury or suspension concerns from the Valenciennes camp.

Marseille - AS Saint-Etienne

Marseille continued their unique run of successive 2-2 draws by ending the match against Auxerre by that scoreline - for a record fifth time in a row. L'OM let slip a two goal lead.
Saint Etienne are one of four teams who remain on a 100% start to the season - by beating Nancy 1-0.
Loïc Rémy has netted in seven consecutive Ligue 1 appearances - something that hasn't been achieved since 2003.
It's been 32 years since Les Verts recorded a win at the Stade Velodrome. Christophe Galtier's men haven't won there in 17 attempts.

TEAM NEWS

Marseille

Didier Deschamps is still without Andre Pierre Gignac, who remains injured. The forward is continuing to recover from an ankle injury that has kept him out for a month. Nicholas N'Koulou also remains doubtful for l'OM. Djimi Traore is touted as a new signing at the Velodrome, bringing in cover for the defence. Cesar Azpilicueta is in line for a start at right-back, with the young Spaniard given the nod ahead of Rod Fanni.

Saint Etienne

Les Verts have two long-term injury worries. Alejandro Alonso and Yoann Andreu (knee) are out until December, with no short-term concerns surrounding the club ahead of Sunday's clash.

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Eredivisie preview: Round 3

Saturday
Vitesse - Utrecht
Heerenveen - Twente
Excelsior - De Graafschap
NAC - Groningen

Sunday
Heracles - Feyenoord
VVV - Ajax
AZ - NEC
ADO Den Haag - PSV

Vitesse - Utrecht

Vitesse impressed with a 4-0 home win over VVV on matchday two
The Arnhem side are the league's number four
Utrecht were held to a 2-2 draw by De Graafschap last weekend
The guests sit 11th in the table
Previous meeting: Utrecht 4-2 Vitesse

Heerenveen - Twente

Heerenveen were heavily beaten 5-1 by Ajax last Sunday
The Friezen are the Eredivisie's number 14 with only one point
Twente beat AZ 2-0 last weekend to maintain their perfect score
The Enschede outfit sit third in the table at the moment
Previous meeting: Heerenveen 6-2 Twente

Excelsior - De Graafschap

Excelsior were defeated 2-0 by NEC on Monday evening
The Rotterdam outfit sit last in the table with zero points
De Graafschap threw away a 2-0 lead against Utrecht and eventually drew 2-2
The away club are the Eredivisie's number 14
Previous meeting: Excelsior 0-0 De Graafschap

NAC - Groningen

NAC were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Heracles last Sunday afternoon
The home side are the league's number 17
Groningen hammered ADO Den Haag 4-2 last Sunday
The away side sit seventh in the Eredivisie table
Previous meeting: NAC 0-1 Groningen

Heracles - Feyenoord

Heracles recorded a 2-1 win over NAC last weekend
The hosts sit sixth in the table with four points
Feyenoord thrashed Roda 3-0 last Saturday in an impressive performance
The Rotterdam side sit second in the Eredivisie table
Previous meeting: Feyenoord 2-1 Heracles

VVV - Ajax

VVV put in a disappointing display against Vitesse and were beaten 4-0
They sit 16th in the Eredivisie table
Ajax hammered Heerenveen 5-1 last Sunday
The Amsterdam giants sit atop of the table
Previous meeting: Ajax 1-0 VVV

AZ - NEC

AZ caused Twente all kinds of problems last Sunday, but were eventually beaten 2-0
The hosts are the Eredivisie's number eighteen
NEC recorded a 2-0 win over Excelsior on Sunday
They sit fifth in the league table at the moment
Previous meeting: AZ 2-2 NEC

ADO Den Haag - PSV

ADO Den Haag were left without a chance by Groningen last weekend and lost 4-2
They are the league's number 13 with one point from two games
PSV struggled against RKC but eventually recorded a 1-0 win
The Eindhoven giants currently sit ninth in the Eredivisie table
Previous meeting: PSV 0-1 ADO Den Haag

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20.08. (Sat) 18:30 Chelsea - West Bromwich Albion

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CHELSEA


Hilario
Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Cole
Ramires, Mikel, Lampard
Anelka, Torres, Malouda


WEST BROM


Foster
Reid, Tamas, Olsson, Shorey
Morrison, Mulumbu, Scharner, Brunt
Tchoyi
Long

Hilario is set to start in goal for Chelsea after Petr Cech was ruled out for up to four weeks with a knee injury. Meanwhile, new boy Romelu Lukaku could be set to feature on the bench, but otherwise Andre Villas-Boas is likely to field a more or less identical squad to the one who recorded a stalemate with Stoke.

With David Luiz still sidelined and Daniel Sturridge serving the rest of his suspension, the only change looks likely to be Nicolas Anelka being drafted in at the expense of Solomon Kalou.

Roy Hodgson will be buoyed by the return to fitness of Jermone Thomas and Peter Odemwingie – with the latter having put to bed talk of unrest at the club after signing a new long-term deal at The Hawthorns. Though, whether or not both feature remains to be seen, particularly given Shane Long’s goalscoring debut and the nuisance Somen Tchoyi made of himself against Manchester United.


DID YOU KNOW?

Chelsea have never lost to West Brom in the Premier League.

On top of that, West Brom have not won at Stamford Bridge in six games now.

Though Roy Hodgson's men may have cause for optimism; they haven't lost on their travels in six Premier League games.

West Brom will be hoping that Didier Drogba doesn't start. The Ivorian has scored eight goals in seven games against the Baggies.

Last season West Brom recouped more points from losing positions than any other Premier League team - chalking up 27 points for their tally.

In the last four encounters between the two in west London, Chelsea have not conceded a goal.

Chelsea can counter that though, having only dropped six points from winning positions - making them the most efficient team in the league.

West Brom only kept two clean sheets last season - a Premier League record.

In the corresponding fixture of last year, Chelsea smashed West Brom 6-0.

Alongside Arsenal, Chelsea are the Premier League team who have gone on the longest run without a win - a stretch of four games.

Prediction

Though Chelsea smashed the Baggies 6-0 in the corresponding fixture of last year, I don't see such an extreme scoreline this time round.

Against Manchester United, the Baggies showed that they will present a problem to most teams this season, though I think on the day, Chelsea will prove too much for their visitors. I think Chelsea will win this one rather convincingly.

Editor's Prediction

Chelsea 2-0 West Bromwich

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Bundesliga preview: Round 3

Saturday
Borussia Dortmund - Nurnberg (Click here for full preview)
Bayern Munich - Hamburg (Click here for full preview)
Werder Bremen - Freiburg
Stuttgart - Bayer Leverkusen
Augsburg - Hoffenheim
Koln - Kaiserslautern

Sunday
Mainz - Schalke
Hannover - Hertha Berlin

Borussia Dortmund - Nurnberg

(Click here for full preview)

Bayern Munich - Hamburg

(Click here for full preview)

Werder Bremen - Freiburg

Werder Bremen have won their last six games against Freiburg, outscoring the opposition by an astonishing margin of 22 goals.

The Green-Whites' Claudio Pizarro has won in his last 12 games against Freiburg, scoring seven goals in the process.

Freiburg have lost 17 times against Werder Bremen, more than against any other team except Bayern Munich.

Markus Sorg's men have so far failed to record a win in any of their competitive games this season.

TEAM NEWS:

Werder Bremen

Thomas Schaaf can not rely on the services of defenders Naldo, Leon-Aderemi Balogun, Mikael Silvestre and Sebastian Boenisch, who have been deemed unfit. Midfielders Ozkan Yildirim and Tim Borowski as well as strikers Denni Avdic and Onur Ayik are also likely to miss the game with various injuries.

Freiburg

Jan Rosenthal, Heiko Butscher and Mensur Mujdza are the only casualties for Freiburg, as Markus Sorg's men will be looking to put a halt to their horrible start of the season.

Stuttgart - Bayer Leverkusen

Stuttgart have won only four of the last 11 games between the two teams.

Bruno Labbadia, who coached the Aspirins three seasons ago, is yet to win against Bayer Leverkusen as a coach.

Leverkusen has shut out Stuttgart in 20 out of 64 games between the two outfits.

Bernd Leno, who joined the Aspirins from the Swabians last week, is set feature against his former club on Saturday.

Hope springs eternal | Bruno Labbadia is still to win against former club Leverkusen as coach

TEAM NEWS:

Stuttgart

Bruno Labbadia is likely to have some selection headaches especially regarding his team's defence as Ermin Bicakcic, Georg Niedermeier and captain Matthieu Delpierre are all injured. In addition, ex-Valenciennes man Johan Audel has been ruled out of the game.

Bayer Leverkusen

Long-term casualty Rene Adler and deputy goalkeeper Fabian Giefer are both out of this game, meaning Stuttgart-owned goalkeeper Bernd Leno is likely to feature in goal. Bastian Oczipka and Tranquillo Barnetta have also been ruled out of the clash with injuries.

Augsburg - Hoffenheim

Striker Sascha Molders has scored all of Augsburg's three goals in the Bundesliga so far.

Augsburg have won six of their eight matches against Hoffenheim in the fourth division of German football.

Hoffenheim coach Holger Stanislawski celebrated his first victory since February last Saturday as his charges disposed of Bundesliga holders Dortmund 1-0.

Sejad Salijovic has scored in each of the Sinsheim's outfit two Bundesliga games so far. He has never recorded consecutive strikes in three matches in a row in his career.


TEAM NEWS:

Augsburg

The Bundesliga newcomers will have to do without the services of Torsten Oehrl and Nando Rafael, who have been sidelined with injuries.

Hoffenheim

The Sinsheim outfit are facing an injury crisis with five players from the first team ruled out from the Bundesliga clash against Augsburg. Defenders Manuel Gulde and Andreas Ibertsberger, midfielders Tobias Weis and Boris Vukcevic as well as strikers Vedad Ibisevic and Knowledge Musona have been deemed unfit to start the game on Saturday.

Koln - Kaiserslautern

New coach Stale Solbakken has led the Billy Goats to their worst start to a Bundesliga season ever, losing twice with his team shipping in eight goals, while scoring just once.

Marko Kurz is yet to taste defeat to Koln as a coach, achieving two wins and three draws.

The Billy Goats' Youssef Mohamad, who is reportedly on the verge of joining Al Ahli, set a record for the fastest sending off in the Bundesliga in last season's opener against Kaiserslautern as he was dismissed just 93 seconds into the game.

TEAM NEWS:

Koln

Centre-half Youssef Mohamad has been ruled out with an injury, and will join veteran midfielder Petit and youngster Kevin Pezzoni on the sidelines. Strikers Sebastian Freis and Alexandru Ionita are also set to miss the game, but are reportedly on their way to returning to full fitness.

Kaiserslautern

Marco Kurz is facing a selection headache as defenders Jan Simunek, Lucas and Alexander Bugera are out as well as striker Adam Nemec. Midfielders Oliver Kirch and Gil Vermout have also been deemed unfit to take part in the game on Saturday.

Mainz - Schalke

Mainz have lost more times to Schalke than to any other team, except Bayern Munich.

The Oh-Fives hold the record for longest opening winning streak in the Bundesliga with seven victories in a row, a feat achieved last season. Thomas Tuchel's men have so far won all of their games in the league in the current term.

Schalke's Lewis Hotly and Christian Fuchs moved to Gelsenkirchen from Mainz last season, and are set to face their former club on Sunday.

The Royal Blues' current coach Ralf Rangnick ended his first stint with the club after a 1-0 home win over Mainz in December 2005.

TEAM NEWS:

Mainz

Long-term casualty Adam Szalai and midfielder Florian Heller have been ruled out of the game together with defender Bo Svenson as Thomas Tuchel's men aim to continue their wonderful start to the season.

Schalke

Ralf Rangnick will have to do without the services of first-choice attacker Jefferson Farfan and midfielders Levan Kenia and Christoph Moritz. Defenders Tim Hoogland and Sergio Escudero will also be forced to watch from the sidelines as they are still recuperating from knocks.

Hannover - Hertha Berlin

Hannover have never lost against Hertha Berlin after opening the scoring.

Mohammed Abdellaoue has scored seven of the 96ers' last 10 goals in official games.

Hertha Berlin have not lost away from home in twelve competitive games.

The Old Lady have won nine of the their last 16 games against Hannover, losing just three times.

TEAM NEWS:

Hannover

Hannover will be able to field an almost full-strength team on Saturday, with only midfielders Carlitos and Leon Andreasen as well as striker Artur Sobiech out of the squad with injuries.

Hertha Berlin

Youngster Abu Bakarr Kargbo is unlikely to make his Bundesliga debut with Hertha Berlin as he has been ruled out with an injury. Roman Hubnik and Nico Schulz are also out with knocks while Raffael is suspended for the game on Sunday.

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20.08. (Sat) 15:30 Borussia D. - Nurnberg

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Dortmund (4-2-3-1)
Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer; Gundogan, Bender; Gotze, Kagawa, Grosskreutz; Lewandowski

Jurgen Klopp will have to do without the services of first-choice striker Lucas Barrios, who will join defenders Patrick Owomoyela and Julian Koch as well as midfielder Marvin Bakalorz on the sidelines.

Neven Subotic and Marcel Schmelzer are set to return to the starting line-up after a long recuperation period as Dortmund aim to get back on track with a win against Nurnberg on Saturday.

Nurnberg (4-1-4-1)
Rakovsky; Chandler, Wollscheid, Klose, Pinola; Simons; Mak, Feulner, Cohen, Eigler; Pekhart

First-choice goalkeeper Raphael Schafer picked an injury on Thursday and will sit out the game against the defending Bundesliga champions. 18-year-old talent Patrick Rakovsky is set to deputise for the veteran, who will join defender Per Nilsson and midfielders Manuel Zeitz, Daniel Didavi and Mike Frantz on the list of absentees.

Ex-Borussia Dortmund midfielder Markus Feulner is set to start against his former club on Saturday.

DID YOU KNOW?

Borussia Dortmund have kept four clean sheets in their last five games against Nurnberg.

The Bundesliga champions has lost just once in their last 22 games against the Club.

BVB have not lost at home in the Bundesliga in 17 games.

Nurnberg have lost all of their games against Dortmund since Jurgen Klopp took over the reigns at the Signal-Iduna-Park.

The Club has recorded 17 draws against BVB, more than against any other team.

It will be a special game for Nurnberg's Markus Feulner and Dortmund's Ilkay Gundogan, who will both play against a former club on Saturday.

Prediction

The Club do not have the best of records against the reigning Bundesliga champions, and this is not expected to change on Saturday. With Dortmund's backline returning to its usual схап, and with Klopp's attackers well rested, BVB are expected to pick up the three points.

Editor's Prediction

Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Nürnberg

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20.08. (Sat) 15:30 Bayern Munchen - Hamburger SV

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)
Neuer; Rafinha, Boateng, Badstuber, Lahm; Gustavo, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Gomez

Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Mario Gomez were nursing slight knocks following Wednesday's win against Zurich, but are all expected to be fit to start on Saturday. With the exception of Breno, coach Jupp Heynckes will have a full squad on hand. The coach is expected to make no big changes to his usual line-up, although the role in attack behind Mario Gomez is still undecided, with Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos vying for a starting berth.

Hamburg (4-2-3-1)
Drobny; Diekmeier, Bruma, Mancienne, Aogo; Westermann, Jarolim; Rincon, Son, Jansen; Petric

Jose Paolo Guerrero, Jacopo Sala, Miroslav Stepanek, Tolgay Arslan, and Marcus Berg are all unavailable for Hamburg, although Michael Oenning will have no shortage of depth for Saturday's match. The coach is expected to opt for a particularly cautious formation, with defensively skilled duo Marcell Jansen and Tomas Rincon on the wings, replacing usual starters Eljero Elia and Gokhan Tore.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bayern Munich have only lost one of their last 11 BL games (eight wins, two draws), not allowing their opponents more than one goal in any of these 11 games.

FCB have never lost their first two home matches in a league season.

The Bavarians haven't conceded a BL goal against Hamburg for 288 minutes now - they have kept a clean sheet in the two teams' last three meetings.

Hamburg's 0-6 drubbing in the most recent meeting at Munich in March of this year led to the sacking of former manager Armin Veh and the instalment of current manager Michael Oenning.

Oenning's side are the only Bundesliga team to have won two games at Allianz Arena - they were also the team to hand Bayern their first defeat in the new arena (1-2 in March 2006).

The northern Germans are winless in nine BL games (six draws, three defeats). Their last victory came back in April when they beat Köln 3-0 on the road.

Prediction

Bayern and Hamburg tend to play very caegy matches, and Saturday's fixture will surely follow the recent trend. The hosts are more conservative now than they have been in recent years and are likely to keep a clean sheet, but may not score. HSV have plenty of firepower, but if Oenning has his players double up in defence on the wings, they will also find it hard to break the deadlock.

Editor's Prediction

Bayern Munich 0-0 Hamburg

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20.08. (Sat) 13:45 Arsenal - Liverpool

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ARSENAL
Szczesny
Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Jenkinson
Frimpong, Ramsey
Walcott, Arshavin, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Van Persie


LIVERPOOL
Reina
Flanagan, Carragher, Agger, Enrique
Henderson, Spearing, Adam, Downing
Suarez, Carroll

It may only be the second weekend of the Premier League season, but Arsenal are already suffering something of a player crisis. Johan Djourou and Kieran Gibbs both picked up injuries in the midweek win over Udinese and join Jack Wilshere on the treatment table. The injuries, coupled with the suspension of Gervinho and Alex Song, could see three players start their first games for Arsene Wenger’s side. Young defender Carl Jenkinson is expected to make his full debut at full-back, Emmanuel Frimpong is in line to start for the first time in midfield and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will also be in contention.

Liverpool only have three players unavailable for selection due to injury so Kenny Dalglish could name an unchanged side after their opening day draw against Sunderland. Glen Johnson, Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel are the players who will miss out, but the impact new signings Jose Enrique, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing all made on their debuts will give Reds fans confidence.

DID YOU KNOW?

Both sides began their Premier League campaigns with draws on the opening day against Newcastle and Sunderland. Arsenal were unable to find the net at St James' Park but saw new signing Gervinho sent off and Alex Song hit with a suspension. Liverpool were made to rue a missed Luis Suarez penalty as Sebastian Larsson earned Sunderland a point at Anfield.

It will be the 211th time the two sides have met in their history, with the visitors edging it with 81 victories to Arsenal's 74.

Arsenal’s record at home in this clash will give them confidence leading up to kick off. The Gunners have won 44 per cent of the league fixtures in north London, scoring 129 goals in 87 games and only conceding 78.

Last season both fixtures between these two sides ended 1-1, with three of the four goals coming in the 90th minute of games.

If Carl Jenkinson makes his league debut for Arsenal it will cap a fantastic year for the 18-year-old. This time last year he was not involved in the Charlton squad and was about to join Eastbourne on loan.

Arsenal won 11 of their 19 home league games last season, scoring just under two goals per match.

Arsene Wenger has spent £22 million this summer, but has seen £47.5m worth of talent leave the club - and that could increase if Samir Nasri joins Manchester City.

Liverpool have never won at the Emirates Stadium, and have not won at Arsenal since 2000 when a Titi Camara goal gave them a 1-0 victory.

Liverpool only won five games away from home last season, and they averaged just over a goal a game away from Anfield.

Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool have been some of the big spenders during the summer. The Scot has spent over £49m to bring in Enrique, Adam, Downing and Henderson.

Prediction

This will be a tough game for both sides. The lack of players available will really hamper Arsenal’s chances but that may galvanise the players and give them the lift they need. Liverpool’s poor record in north London will also boost the Gunners confidence and I think a narrow home victory is on the cards to ease the pressure on Arsene Wenger.

Editor's Prediction

Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool

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Premier League Opta Stats - 20-21 August

Sunderland v Newcastle United

Sunderland have won just one of their last 13 meetings with Newcastle in the Premier League, drawing five and losing seven.
Sunderland have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 22 meetings with the Magpies in all competitions.
Shola Ameobi has netted six times in 10 games against the Black Cats including four in his last four.
Newcastle have won just one of their last nine Premier League away matches.
The Magpies have lost just one of their last seven Premier League games, but have drawn five.
Sunderland have kept just two clean sheets in their last 17 Premier League matches and their last shut out at the Stadium of Light was on New Year's Day.
Since drawing with Newcastle in January, Sunderland have lost six and won one of their seven Premier League games on home soil and conceding at least two goals in each game.
Yohan Cabaye made more tackles than any other player in the Premier League's opening weekend.
In 2011, if Sunderland have conceded in the first half they haven't won (W0 D1 L10) and if they haven't conceded before half-time they have not lost (W6 D2 L0).
The Black Cats have scored a 90th minute goal in each of their last two Premier League matches against Newcastle.

Arsenal v Liverpool

Last season's meeting between these two sides saw the two latest goals in last season's whole Premier League, Robin van Persie's 98th minute penalty being cancelled out by Dirk Kuyt's 102nd minute spot-kick equaliser.
There have been more hat-tricks scored in this fixture than any other in Premier League history.
Andrey Arshavin has scored five goals from just six shots on target in the Premier League against Liverpool.
Liverpool have only won one of the last 11 Premier League games against Arsenal and none of the last eight, though six of the last eight have been draws.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 11 Premier League home games against Liverpool.
Arsenal have only won just two of their last 12 Premier League matches.
The Gunners have scored just three goals in their last five Premier League home matches.
Arsenal posted the worst discipline stats for the first weekend, with five yellow cards, one red and a post-match charge for Alex Song.
Luis Suarez won more fouls than any other player in the Premier League in the opening round of matches (6).
Robin van Persie has scored 17 goals in his last 16 Premier League starts.
Martin Atkinson takes charge of this game; he was in charge when these sides met at Anfield last season, sending off Koscielny and Joe Cole.

Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers

There have been more draws at Villa Park (113) than at any other team in Premier League history.
Villa have scored exactly one goal in each of their last four Premier League matches at Villa Park.
Aston Villa have lost just one of their last nine Premier League matches.
Blackburn have won just two of their last 15 Premier League games.
Blackburn have lost 11 of their last 16 Premier League matches on the road, but lost only one of their last four away matches.
Stephen Warnock made more interceptions (7) than any other player on the opening weekend.
Darren Bent has scored three goals in his last four Premier League games against Rovers.
32% of Darren Bent's Premier League goals over the last two seasons have been scored in the opening 15 minutes of matches.
There have been five goals scored between the 20th and 22nd minutes in Blackburn's last five games, four of them netted by Rovers.
Villa conceded the joint-most fouls (19) in the opening round of matches.

Everton v QPR

There have been 35 goals scored in the eight Premier League meetings between Everton and QPR.
Only one team has managed to score more than one goal against Everton in their last 12 Premier League matches.
The Toffees have lost none of their last 11 Premier League games at Goodison Park.
Two QPR players have scored hat-tricks in just four Premier League visits to Goodison.
Rangers have won five and lost just two of the eight Premier League games against Everton.
QPR had the best away record in the Championship last season with 39 points.
Only two of the nine teams who have previously conceded four or more goals at home on the opening day of a season have gone on to be relegated.
Everton have had a player sent off in each of their last two Premier League maches.
Bolton managed just five shots on target against QPR in the R's opening game of the season, but netted four goals.
QPR had eight of their shots blocked by opposition defenders on the opening weekend, more than any other team.

Swansea City v Wigan Athletic

Wigan have only lost one of their last seven Premier League games.
The Latics have only kept two clean sheets in their last 22 Premier League matches.
Swansea have failed to score in their last three games against Wigan.
Wigan's last victory away at Swansea came in 1990-91 when they won 6-1, since which they have lost three and drawn one of their four visits.
The Swans posted the best home record in the Championship last season with 50 points and only three defeats in 23 games.
Michel Vorm made the most saves of any goalkeeper in the opening matches (11), but still conceded four goals.
The Welsh side only committed three fouls in the whole match, fewer than any other team on the opening matchday.
Wigan have been forced into more clearances (48) than any other team in the league so far.
Victor Moses embarked on more dribbles than any other player in the Premier League on the opening weekend.
Swansea have allowed their opponents more shots on target against them (15) than any other team.

Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion

Didier Drogba has scored eight goals in just seven Premier League games against West Brom.
Nicolas Anelka has scored four goals in six games against the Baggies.
Chelsea have won all 10 Premier League games against West Brom, conceding just three goals.
West Brom have failed to score in their last six visits to Stamford Bridge in all competitions.
West Brom have lost just one of their last six Premier League away games.
Chelsea have won none of their last four Premier League matches.
The Londoners have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League games at Stamford Bridge.
West Brom recouped more points from losing positions than any other team in 2010-11 (27).
The Blues dropped fewer points from winning positions (6) than any other team in the 2010-11 Premier League.
West Brom only kept two clean sheets in the league in 2010/11, the lowest ever amount in a single Premier League season.

Norwich City v Stoke City

Only one of the last 13 meetings between Norwich and Stoke have ended as an away win.
Three of the last four meetings between Norwich and Stoke at Carrow Road have ended as 1-0 wins.
The Potters have failed to score in four of their last five Premier League games and the last three in a row.
Stoke have failed to score in seven of their last nine Premier League road trips.
Tony Pulis' side have accrued just two points from a possible 30 in their last 10 Premier League away games.
Stoke made more tackles than any other team on the opening Premier League weekend.
Stoke scored 30% of their goals in the final 15 minutes of matches in 2010-11, a league-high proportion in that period of the game.
The Potters scored only one goal in the opening 15 minutes of games in 2010-11, a league low.
Stoke have only won three of their last 14 Premier League matches.
Norwich have never won away from home against another team called City in the Premier League (W0 D4 L5)

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Fulham

In the three previous seasons where they have met, one of the games between Wolves and Fulham has ended as a 2-1 home win, the other as a draw.
Wolves have won just one of their last five Premier League games at Molineux, including a 1-1 draw with Fulham.
After going on a run of just one away win in 35 Premier League matches, Fulham have won their last two Premier League road trips without conceding.
Fulham have lost only one of their last seven Premier League matches.
Fulham conceded the highest percentage of first-half goals (63%) in the 2010-11 Premier League.
The Whites conceded just 23% of their goals from set pieces in 2010-11, the lowest percentage in the top flight.
There has been a goal in the 22nd minute in each of the last three Premier League games involving Wolves.
Wolves have gone nine games without a clean sheet.
Wanderers have won three of their last four Premier League matches.
Since the start of February Fulham have kept a clean sheet if they haven't conceded a goal in the first half.

Bolton Wanderers v Manchester City

City have won one of their last six league trips to the Reebok, failing to score in four of those games, but their victory came on the final day of last season.
Bolton have failed to score in five of their last seven Premier League games against Man City.
The Trotters haven't lost three Premier League home games in a row since December 2004.
City have lost five of their last eight Premier League away matches, but did win last time out away at Bolton.
Man City have scored just seven goals in nine Premier League away games in 2011.
City fired in more shots on target (15) than any other team on the opening weekend of the season.
Bolton posted the best chance conversion rate on the opening weekend, scoring with 36% of their shots at goal.
Yaya Toure fired in more shots on target than any other player on the opening matchday.
Bolton have conceded within five minutes either side of half-time in five of their last seven Premier League matches and scored just before half-time in one of the other two.
There have been red cards in Bolton's last two games, one of which was for the Trotters against City on the final weekend of last season.

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur

Wayne Rooney has scored five goals in seven Premier League games for Manchester United against Tottenham.
United are unbeaten in their last 20 Premier League matches against Tottenham, winning 15.
Spurs' last league win at Old Trafford came in December 1989 (1-0).
Tottenham's 20 game winless run against United is their second longest run without a victory against one team in top flight history, after a run of 32 winless games against Chelsea which ended in 2006.
Man Utd managed just one shot on target against West Brom last week, but thanks to an own goal won the game 2-1.
Man Utd have gone five Premier League games without a clean sheet.
The Red Devils won 18 and drew one of 19 Premier League games last season, earning 55 out of a possible 57 points at Old Trafford.
All four of Jermain Defoe's Premier League goals last season were netted from outside the box.
Excluding penalties, Tottenham Hotspur conceded the lowest percentage of goals from set pieces in the 2010-11 Premier League (21%).
Man Utd came back to win only 3 of 11 Premier League games where they were trailing last term (v West Ham and v Blackpool twice).

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Championship Opta Facts - 20-21 August

Brighton v Blackpool

Brighton have kept a clean sheet against Blackpool in five of their last eight encounters.
Four of the last six clashes have seen one side score at least three goals.
The Seagulls have won all four games they've played this term.
Three penalties have been netted in Brighton's last three games combined.
Blackpool have failed to score in all but one of their last six league games.
Brighton have scored in each of their last 19 league games.

Bristol City v Portsmouth

The two meetings between these clubs last season saw six different players score a goal and one other player net an own goal.
The Robins have lost three of their last four home matches.
Portsmouth have not won on the road in five games, and have drawn their last three.
Four of Portsmouth's last six matches have ended 1-0.
All three goals City have scored this season have been scored by Nicky Maynard.
The Robins have conceded exactly three goals in four of their last seven fixtures.

Burnley v Cardiff

Burnley have not lost at home to Cardiff in their last 11 matches, but have drawn the last three.
The Clarets have not lost at Turf Moor in their last six fixtures there.
Three of Cardiff's four matches this term have ended with a 3-1 score line - twice in favour of Cardiff.
Three of the four league goals Cardiff have conceded this season have come in the second half.
With his four goals in the League Cup against Oxford, Burnley's Jay Rodriguez has already scored over a quarter of his total tally for last season.
Four of the last five clashes between the sides have ended in score draws.

Coventry v Watford

Lucas Jutkiewicz scored against Watford for Coventry both times they met last term.
Despite winning the clash last season, Coventry have lost three of their last four meetings with Watford at the Ricoh Arena.
The Hornets haven't won in their last six away matches, and have lost four of those.
Watford have failed to win in their last six games overall, and have yet to earn a full three points in the league this season.
Coventry have lost all four games they have played this season.
Six of the seven goals Coventry have conceded in all competitions this term have come in the second half.

Derby v Doncaster

The two clashes between these sides last season saw three different players score a brace (Sharp and Shiels for Doncaster, Commons for Derby)
Doncaster have beaten Derby in five of their last six league meetings.
The Rovers have yet to earn a point in the league this season, and have lost each of their three games thus far by just one goal.
All of the Rams' last five games in all competitions have been decided by one-goal margins, with Derby winning three.
Derby have yet to drop points in the league this season.
Derby's last four goals in all competitions have come in the second half.

Hull v Crystal Palace

Five of the last six meetings between these sides have ended as a draw.
Palace have scored against Hull in all but one of their last nine encounters.
Hull have yet to score a goal at home this season.
The Tigers have gone eight home league games without a clean sheet.
Palace's Sean Scannell has scored two goals in Palace's last three games.
Crystal Palace have not won on the road in their last 19 away matches.

Nottingham Forest v Leicester

Forest have not lost to Leicester at home in their last 14 league clashes at the City Ground.
Forest manager Steve McClaren has never lost against Leicester.
The two clashes between these sides last term saw six different players find the back of the net.
In both meetings last season, the score was level at half-time but the game ended with a win for the home team.
Nottingham Forest have failed to score in three of their last five league matches.
The away side has won in all four of Leicester's fixtures this term, with Leicester winning twice.
Five of the Foxes' six goals this season have come in the second half.

Reading v Barnsley

Reading have won their last four clashes with Barnsley, and have not lost to the Tykes in the league since March1997.
The Royals have won just one of their last five home games in all competitions.
Barnsley have yet to record a win this term.
All four goals Reading scored against Barnsley in their two meetings last term came after the 70th minute.
The Tykes have not had a player score a goal yet this season - their only goal came last Tuesday against Middlesbrough, and was an own goal.

Southampton v Millwall

The last two matches between these clubs ended as 1-1 draws.
Southampton have not lost to Millwall in their last eight clashes in all competitions, with their last loss coming in August 1989.
The Saints have scored 13 goals in their four matches this season - an average of just over three goals per game.
Southampton have already had three players net three goals this season (Lambert, Connolly and Lallana)
The Lions have only lost one of their last four away ties.
Millwall have scored two goals in each of their three league games this season.

Peterborough v Ipswich

The Posh have only lost to Ipswich once in their seven previous meetings - the loss coming in 1972.
Ipswich have lost four of their last five games in all comps.
New signing Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has already scored twice in his first four games for the Tractor Boys.
The Posh have scored in their last 16 games in all competitions.
Grant McCann has scored in his last three games at London Road.

West Ham v Leeds

Leeds have not lost to the Hammers in their last seven meetings, and have won five of those.
The home side has failed to score in each of West Ham's last four games.
All five goals West Ham have scored this season have come from different players.
Leeds have scored in all but one of their last six matches.
Leeds' four games this season have seen 15 goals - an average of just under four goals per game.
The last two clashes between these sides saw Leeds score after the 85th minute to secure additional points.

Middlesbrough v Birmingham

The last five matches between these clubs have seen one side keep a clean sheet (three for 'Boro, two for Birmingham)
Marvin Emnes has scored in all four of 'Boro's games this season, with a tally of six goals.
'Boro's last three games in all comps have seen three players sent off for the opposition.
The Blues have not won any of their last eight away matches.
Birmingham have scored in five of their last six fixtures.
None of the last 10 clashes between these sides have ended as a draw, although the last draw came when the sides last met outside the Premier League (1-1 in Feb 1998).

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SPL Opta Facts - August 20-21

Aberdeen v Inverness CT

None of the last 10 league clashes between these sides have ended in a draw, with the Dons winning seven and Inverness winning three.
At Pittodrie, Aberdeen have never scored more than once in a game against Inverness in the SPL, though they have netted exactly one in six of the last seven meetings.
Aberdeen have failed to score in seven of their last eight home league games, including the last four.
The last team the Dons managed to score against at Pittodrie was Inverness, in a 1-0 victory back in April.
Inverness have only won two of their last 14 away games in the SPL.
The last time Aberdeen failed to win at least one of their opening five SPL games was back in 1999/2000, when they lost their first seven games of the campaign.
Aberdeen are the only side to have failed to score in their opening four games of an SPL campaign, doing so this season and in 1999/00.

Dundee Utd v Dunfermline

United have only won one of their last 12 SPL meetings with Dunfermline, a 2-1 victory in December 2005.
The Tangerines have only scored one goal in their last five meetings with the Pars combined.
The last two clashes between the sides at Tannadice have both finished 0-0.
Dundee United have only lost one of their last 11 league games at Tannadice.
The Pars are unbeaten in 11 away games in all competitions, winning their only two this season so far.
Jon Daly has scored six goals in his last five home games for United in all competitions.

Hibernian v St Mirren

Hibernian have won eight and lost just one of their 10 previous SPL meetings with St Mirren at Easter Road.
Hibs have scored exactly two goals in five of their last six home meetings with the Buddies, netting one in the other.
Hibs have only won one of their last nine league games (seven defeats).
St Mirren's last nine SPL games have seen a total of just nine goals netted, with neither the Buddies nor their opposition netting more than one goal in a game in that period.
Despite failing to win any of their last six, Hibs have found the net in eight of their last nine home league games.
The Buddies have lost just one of their last five SPL away games; a 0-1 reverse at Inverness in May.

Motherwell v Rangers

Rangers netted 19 goals in their four SPL victories over Motherwell last season.
Nikica Jelavic has netted four goals in his last two clashes with 'Well.
Motherwell have only lost one of their last seven home SPL games, though that was a 0-5 drubbing by Rangers in April.
Jamie Murphy has netted in both of Motherwell's SPL games at home this season.
Rangers are unbeaten in 30 SPL meetings with Motherwell, last losing to them in December 2002 (0-1).
Motherwell's winless run against Rangers is the second longest in SPL history, following Dundee United's 34 game run without a victory against Celtic that ended in September 2009.
Rangers have won their last nine away SPL games, scoring 23 and conceding just one.
Steven Naismith has netted in each of his last three clashes with Motherwell in all competitions, and netted five goals in five games against them overall last term.
Motherwell have taken more points from their first four SPL games (10) than ever before.
The Steelmen are yet to concede a goal in the SPL this campaign, and in this match could become the first-ever side to keep a clean sheet in each of their opening five games in the tournament.
Motherwell are only the third non-Old Firm side to take 10 points from their opening four SPL games (after Hibs 00/01 and Kilmarnock 08/09).

Celtic v St Johnstone

Celtic have won 15 (including the last 12) and drawn one of their last 16 SPL meetings with St Johnstone.
At Celtic Park, Neil Lennon's side have won each of their last nine league meetings with the Saints, netting 31 goals and conceding just five.
Celtic have won their last 11 SPL home games and are unbeaten in 15 at Parkhead.
The last team other than Rangers to win an SPL game at Celtic Park was Hibernian, who won 2-1 in January 2010.
St Johnstone are unbeaten in four SPL away games, winning two of them.
The Saints have kept a clean sheet on each of their last three away games in the SPL.
Overall, however, St Johnstone have failed to find the net in each of their last four league games and 14 of their last 18.
Gary Hooper has scored seven goals in his last seven home SPL games.

Kilmarnock v Hearts

Hearts are unbeaten in five SPL trips to Rugby Park, winning three and drawing two.
The Jambos have netted exactly two goals on each of their last four SPL trips to Kilmarnock.
The last 12 SPL goals Hearts have scored at Rugby Park have all come in the second half, with their last first half goal there being scored by Rudi Skacel in July 2005.
The Jam Tarts are winless in 10 on the road in all competitions, with their last victory coming back in February (2-0 v Hamilton).
Killie are unbeaten in seven home league games against teams other than the Old Firm, with their last defeat coming against Hearts in January (1-2).
Rangers and Celtic aside, Hearts (79) and Kilmarnock (78) have won more SPL points in August than any other side.

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La Liga Opta Facts - 20-21 August

Rayo Vallecano - RCD Mallorca

Rayo and Mallorca have met 10 times in the top flight with the side from the capital winning just once (2-1 in 1999/00).
The Baleares have only failed to score once against Rayo in Primera, in their first meeting in 1989/90.
Last season Mallorca scored the fewest goals in the opening 15 minutes of both halves (four in each).
Rayo head into the new season after 13 matches without a win in their last campaign in the top flight.
The Madrid side started their last two La Liga campaigns at home without winning either (one draw and a defeat).
Mallorca have played their opening La Liga game away from home on 13 occasions but have won just two.
Last season the islanders lost 12 of their 19 league games on the road (four draws and three wins).
Rayo have never won at home on the opening day in the top flight (three defeats, one draw).
Rayo have finished in the bottom four in seven of their 12 campaigns in Primera.
Webó, who headed to Eskiesehirspol over the summer, was the only Mallorca player to score more than five goals in La Liga in 2010/11 (11).

Real Madrid CF - Athletic Club

Athletic have lost on 11 of their last 12 visits to the Bernabéu in the league, notching up a 2-0 win in 2004/05.
Last season, Athletic scored the most headed goals in LigaBBVA (17), while Real Madrid conceded the fewest in this way (three).
Mourinho's side were the only one last season to win every match in which they opened the scoring in Primera (29).
Athletic have opened the season with a game against Madrid on four previous occasions, winning one, losing one and drawing the other two. Their only win came in their only home match.
Real Madrid and Athletic have not met on the opening day of La Liga since 1963.
In the last seven seasons, the Basque side have only lost their opening game once.
Real Madrid have lost just one of their last 28 games at home on the first matchday of the season: 0-3 vs Barça in 1984.
The Basque side only kept two clean sheets on the road in La Liga in 2010/11, on the opening matchday and the 21st.
Real Madrid have won just 49% of their meetings with Athletic in the top flight, their second-lowest proportion after Barcelona (42%).
Fernando Llorente has only scored more goals against Valencia (seven) than Real Madrid (four) in LigaBBVA.
Five Bilbao players have been sent off in their last six league meetings with the Merengues.

Real Betis - Sevilla FC

Alvaro Negredo hit the woodwork more often than any other side in Primera last season (eight times).
Sevilla's new signing Spahic did not give away a single penalty in two seasons in Ligue 1.
Betis have won just three of their 19 derbies in the Spanish top flight, losing seven and drawing nine.
In fact, Betis have only managed to score in one of their last five meetings with Sevilla in the top flight.
The last 11 goals scored by Sevilla against their local rivals in Primera have come from foreigners.
Pepe Mel has met Sevilla twice as a manager in the top flight, drawing one and losing the other.
In their last top-flight campaign Betis conceded the joint-most penalties at home (five).
Velasco Carballo, who has never taken charge of a Seville derby, blew for the fewest fouls in LigaBBVA 2010/11.
There have been three red cards in total in the last three Seville derbies.
Since 06/07, Velasco Carballo has taken charge of six top-flight games involving Betis, awarding eight penalties and dishing out eight red cards.
Betis have won both of the Seville derbies to be played on the opening day of the season (1963 and 1987).
Sevilla have won six of their last eight games on the opening day of the season.

Espanyol - Granada

Granada have only beaten Espanyol once in 16 meetings away from home in the Spanish top flight, racking up three draws besides.
This will be the rojiblancos' first trip to the Cornella in the top flight.
Granada were relegated from the top flight 35 years ago after a run of five straight defeats.
Sevilla (on the last day of last season) are the only Andalucian side (of seven) to have played at Espanyol's new stadium and won there in the league.
Pochettino's men won just one of their last 10 games in LigaBBVA last season.
Espanyol conceded the most goals from corners in Primera last season (11).
In the periquitos last 10 league matches, either Osvaldo has scored or his team have failed to find the net.
However Espanyol averaged the same number of goals per game (1.21) regardless of whether or not Osvaldo played in the league last season.
Carlos Martins has won both of his La Liga matches against Espanyol by a score of 2-1.

Osasuna - Valencia

Osasuna have drawn their last four matches on the opening day of the season.
Valencia have won their opening game in each of the last three campaigns.
It is 60 years since Valencia finished in the top three in the Spanish league for three straight campaigns.
Osasuna were one of just five teams unbeaten against Valencia in Primera last season.
Valencia have won only one of their last seven visits to the Reyna de Navarra in La Liga.
Valencia are the only side against whom Miguel Flaño has scored more than once in LigaBBVA (two).
If only home games had counted last season, Osasuna would have finished fifth.
The Rojillos have won their last three league games at home, including a 1-0 win over Valencia.
Los Che managed to win six matches after going behind in La Liga last season, two more than any other side.
Unai Emery's men scored 12 goals from corners in 2010/11, no other side scored more than seven in this way.

Real Sociedad - Atlético de Madrid

Atlético have won just one of their last eight matches away from home on the opening day of the season.
Real Sociedad have only lost one of their last 15 matches at home on matchday one, including a 1-0 win against Villarreal in 2010.
Atlético won 4-2 in Anoeta last season, ending a run of 13 games without a win there in the top flight.
There has been at least one goal in the last 15 minutes of each of the last six league clashes between these sides (10 in total).
Since 06/07, Atlético have won 49% of their league games with Agüero starting, compared to just 32% without him.
No side lost more matches that they were leading in LigaBBVA 2010/11 than Real Sociedad (11).
Real Sociedad were unbeaten in their last four league games at home in 2010/11.
Atlético lost just one of their last eight away games in the league last season.

Villarreal - Sporting

Villarreal have never lost to Sporting in El Madrigal in the top flight (two wins and a draw).
The yellow submarine's only defeat against Sporting in the league was also the only time they failed to score (0-1 at El Molinón in 09-10).
Sporting have won on just one of their last 16 visits to the Comunitat Valenciana in the top flight (vs Valencia in 2008).
Sporting have only failed to score against Villarreal twice in La Liga, losing both games 0-1.
Four of Villarreal's six goals against Sporting in Primera have been scored by Giuseppe Rossi.
Villarreal have never won their first game of the season in Primera at home (one draw and one defeat).
Since returning to the top flight in 08-09, Sporting have lost all their games on the opening day, conceding nine goals and scoring only one.
Sporting have lost their top goalscorer from last season, Diego Castro (nine goals).
Diego Castro also scored both of Sporting's league goals against Villarreal last season.
Sporting scored the fewest goals from set pieces in 2010/11 (six, excluding penalties).

Malaga - Barcelona

Malaga have lost 10 of their last 11 meetings with Barcelona in La Liga.
Malaga's last league win against Barcelona (5-1 in 03-04) also constitutes the Blaugrana's biggest reversal in the league since 1995 (0-5 vs Racing).
Barcelona have won their last three matches at La Rosaleda, bagging nine goals in the process.
Barca have conceded just four goals in their last 11 league meetings with Malaga.
The boquerones won 45% of their league games last season with Julio Baptista playing, vs just 30% without him.
Pep Guardiola's men were the only side not to concede a single goal in the opening 15 minutes of league matches in 2010/11.
Malaga lost the most points in matches when they were leading in the league last season (24).
Enzo Maresca's goal vs Atlético Madrid last season was the fastest strike by a substitute in LigaBBVA 2010/11 (22 seconds after coming on).
Only Messi (0.94) and Ronaldo (1.18) scored more goals per game in LigaBBVA 2010/11 than Julio Baptista (0.82).
Barcelona have only ever lost once at home on the opening day of the season (0-1 vs Espanyol in 1939).
Malaga have only ever won once on the road on the opening day of the season in the top flight (3-2 vs Recreativo Huelva in 2002).

Levante UD - Real Zaragoza

Levante have won just one of their 12 meetings with Real Zaragoza in the top flight (2-1 in March 2008).
These two sides have only met on the last matchday of last season, with the manos winning 2-1 at the Ciutat de Valencia.
All three of Zaragoza's goals against Levante in 2010/11 came from Gabi.
Each side received exactly four yellow cards in the two meetings between the sides last season.
Levante have never won on the opening day in the Spanish top flight.
Zaragoza have not won on the road on matchday one in LigaBBVA since 1980 (six defeats and three draws since then).
If only games in the second half of the season in LigaBBVA 2010/11 had counted, Levante would have been sixth.
Just three sides (Real Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia) conceded fewer goals on the road last season in LigaBBVA than Real Zaragoza (26).
Since 07/08, Real Zaragoza have won just two of their 16 league games without Gabi.

Real Racing Club - Getafe CF

The last three league meetings between Racing and Getafe have seen just two goals in total.
Getafe are unbeaten in three league visits to Racing, winning the last two.
The racinguistas are without a win on the opening day of the season since 2003.
They have scored just two goals in seven games on matchday one since then.
Getafe have never played at home on matchday one in the Spanish top flight.
However they have still managed four wins from seven games on opening day, including a victory at Racing in 2009.
There have been six red cards in the last seven league meetings between the sides.
Racing's last six goals at home in the league have been scored by Swedish players.
Racing conceded the most goals in the opening 15 minutes of LigaBBVA matches in 2010/11, but the fewest in the last 15 minutes (five).
The azulones are on a run of 11 league matches without a win on the road.

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Bundesliga Opta Facts - 19-21 August

Gladbach v Wolfsburg

Gladbach are unbeaten in their last six Bundesliga games (four wins, two draws).
Gladbach have won five of their last seven home games in the league (one draw, one loss).
Since Lucien Favre took over the helm at Gladbach in February, the Foals have only conceded ten goals in 14 BL games. The last time they conceded more than one in a league game was in February at Wolfsburg (1-2).
With a win, each of the two teams (who both narrowly avoided relegation last season) could become table-toppers for at least one night.
Wolfsburg have lost none of their last seven meetings with Gladbach, winning six (one draw).
Wolfsburg have won their last three away games in the league and could establish a new team record with a fourth in a row.

Dortmund v Nürnberg

Dortmund haven't been beaten at home in 17 games now, with their last loss coming in their league home opener of last season against Leverkusen (0-2) - almost exactly a year ago (Aug 22, 2010).
In the two teams' latest meeting at Dortmund, in April of this year, the hosts prevailed 2-0 and secured their German championship with that win.
Dortmund have lost only one of the two teams last 22 meetings in the league (13 wins, eight draws).
The last time Nürnberg celebrated a victory at Dortmund was more than 20 years ago - in November 1990 they won 2-0.
Nürnberg won their first away game this season 1-0 at Berlin, restricting Hertha to zero shots on target.
Nürnberg have won only one of their last six league games (one draw, four losses).

Bayern v Hamburg

Bayern's 0-1 loss in this season's home opener against Gladbach was the first time since September 2010 (0-0 against Köln) that the team went scoreless in a league game at home. They have never lost their first two home games of a league season.
Bayern have only lost one of their last 11 BL games (eight wins, two draws), not allowing their opponents more than one goal in any of these 11 games.
Bayern haven't conceded a BL goal against Hamburg for 288 minutes now - they have kept a clean sheet in the two teams' last three meetings.
Hamburg's 0-6 drubbing in the most recent meeting at Munich in March of this year led to the sacking of former manager Armin Veh and the instalment of current manager Michael Oenning.
Hamburg are the only Bundesliga team to have won two games at Allianz Arena - they were also the team to hand Bayern their first defeat in the new arena (1-2 in March 2006).
Hamburg are winless in nine BL games (six draws, three defeats). Their last win came back in April when they beat Köln 3-0 on the road.

Bremen v Freiburg

Bremen have alternated wins and losses for six games - if this pattern continues, they will win against Freiburg.
Bremen have only won two of their last nine BL home games (five draws, two losses) - but these were the most recent two.
Bremen are unbeaten in their last nine meetings with Freiburg, winning eight (one draw).
Freiburg have conceded 33 goals in the two teams' last nine meetings - an average of 3.7 per game. Freiburg have also suffered two of their three biggest BL losses against Bremen - 0-6 at home in 2004 and 2009, respectively (apart from a 0-6 against Bayern in 2003).
Freiburg have only kept one clean sheet in their last 15 BL games.

Stuttgart v Leverkusen

Stuttgart have won six of their last eight competitive games, five of their last seven BL games (one draw, one loss), and all of their last three BL home games.
Stuttgart have found the net in each of their last 16 BL games - currently the longest run in the league.
Last season, Stuttgart conceded four goals in both league meetings against Leverkusen (1-4 H, 2-4 A) - they have conceded 20 in the two teams' last seven meetings, an average of 2.9.
Leverkusen have won more BL games against Stuttgart (26) than against any other team.
Leverkusen's new manager Robin Dutt won both meetings with Stuttgart last season, with his former club Freiburg (2-1 H, 1-0 A).
Leverkusen have lost four of their last five competitive games on the road (one win).

Augsburg v Hoffenheim

Spanning seasons (and leagues), Augsburg have won only one of their last six league games (three draws, two losses).
Spanning seasons (and leagues), Augsburg have only won one of their last four league home games (two draws, one loss).
Hoffenheim are unbeaten in their last three competitive games against Augsburg (two wins, one draw).
Hoffenheim have lost six of their last seven away games in the league (one win).
New Hoffenheim manager Holger Stanislawski has been waiting for a BL away win for more than half a year now - he recorded only one draw (seven losses) in his former club St. Pauli's last eight away games of last season, and lost the first of this season with Hoffenheim.
1899 have lost four of their last six BL games (two wins).

Köln v Kaiserslautern

Köln are off to their worst ever Bundesliga start, losing both opening games by a combined total of 1-8 goals.
After winning eight of their nine home games (one loss) in the second half of last season, Köln lost their home opener this season 0-3 against Wolfsburg.
Köln are winless in their last 24 Bundesliga meetings with Kaiserslautern, losing 18 (six draws) - their last victory came in December 1989 (2-1).
Kaiserslautern have won four of their five BL away games (one loss, this season's opener at Bremen).
Lautern have won four of their last six league games (one loss).
Lautern's manager Marco Kurz is unbeaten in five competitive games against Köln (two wins, three draws).

Mainz v Schalke

Mainz have won their last five games in the German top flight and are unbeaten in seven BL games - currently the longest run in the league.
Mainz have not conceded more than one goal in any of their last seven BL games.
Mainz' 3-1 win at Schalke on matchday 33 of last season had been their first win in the two teams' last six meetings (one draw, four losses), and the first time they had found the net in league games against Schalke after going scoreless for 577 minutes.
Schalke have conceded 13 goals in their last five BL games.
Schalke have won only one of their last nine away games in the league (two draws, six losses).

Hannover v Berlin

Hannover have won seven of their last eight BL home games (one loss).
Hannover have won only one of the teams' last six meetings (one draw, four losses).
Berlin won both of the two teams' meetings in Hertha's last season before their relegation 2010, 1-0 at home and 3-0 at Hannover.
Last season, Hertha didn't lose any of their final 10 away games in Bundesliga 2 (eight wins, two draws). Their last defeat on the road came back in December 2010 when they lost 1-0 at 1860 München.
Hertha have also not lost any of their last five BL away games (two wins, three draws).
But Berlin are winless in their last seven BL games (three draws, four defeats).

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Ligue 1 Opta Facts - 20-21 August

Bordeaux - Auxerre

Bordeaux have won six of their last eight league encounters with Auxerre.
Auxerre have won none of their last 10 league fixtures played in August.
Anthony Modeste scored in both meetings against Auxerre last season in the league.
Auxerre have suffered 28 defeats against Bordeaux, and conceded 78 goals against Les Girondins, more than against any other opponent they have faced in the top flight.
Two of Auxerre's three Ligue 1 goals this season have been scored by Alain Traoré, both from outside the box.

Brest - Lyon

Lyon have managed to win only one of their six trips to Brest in the top flight, losing four and drawing one.
Lyon failed to win any of their three trips to the Brittany region last season in Ligue 1.
Brest have won just one of their last 10 Ligue 1 games.
Brest have failed to win any of their last five home league games, their longest winless run at the Francis-Le Blé stadium since earning promotion last season.
Lisandro currently boasts a higher goals-per-game ratio than any other active Ligue 1 player (0.55).

Caen - Lille

Lille scored 12 goals in their three competitive games against Caen last term.
Caen are unbeaten in their last nine league matches, currently the longest run.
Lille have won five of their last six competitive meetings with Caen.
Caen have managed to score in each of their last nine home games in Ligue 1.
Caen have never managed to win their opening three Ligue 1 matches of the season.
Moussa Sow scored four goals against Caen last season in Ligue 1, including a hat trick at the Michel d'Ornano stadium.
Romain Hamouma has scored seven goals in his last 11 league appearances.

Dijon - Lorient

The four competitive encounters between these teams have produced only three goals.
Yann Jouffre has been involved in Lorient's two goals this season in Ligue 1, scoring one goal and delivering one assist.
Dijon have used more players than any other side this season in Ligue 1 (20).
Former Dijon player Lynel Kitambala has scored six goals in his last five league appearances at the Gaston Gerard stadium.
Lorient are the only team with an unchanged starting XI in the first two match days.
Lorient have won only one of their last seven league matches.

Nice - Toulouse

Toulouse have started their Ligue 1 season with two wins for the sixth time in their history.
Nice are unbeaten in their last four league meetings with Toulouse, winning three and drawing one.
Toulouse have won their last four Ligue 1 games, all by a 2-0 score line, currently the longest run.
Nice have lost their last three league matches, currently the longest run.
Toulouse goalkeeper Ali Hamada has conceded just three goals in his 11 Ligue 1 appearances.
Four of Paulo Machado's last six goals in Ligue 1 have come from the penalty spot.

Ajaccio - Evian TG

Ajaccio are unbeaten against Evian TG in all competitions, winning twice and drawing once.
None of Ajaccio's last 11 home games in Ligue 1 have ended in a draw (five wins and six defeats).
Richard Socrier scored in both Ligue 2 encounters between Ajaccio and Evian TG last season.
Ajaccio have picked-up the most cards after two match days this season (seven).
Bernard Casoni has won just one of his 11 away games as a Ligue 1 manager.

Montpellier - Rennes

Rennes have won just one of their last five trips to Montpellier in Ligue 1.
The last three league meetings between Montpellier and Rennes have produced four red cards.
Since gaining promotion to the top flight in 2009, Montpellier have yet to lose a Ligue 1 game in August (six wins and four draws).
Three of Joris Marveaux's five Ligue 1 goals have come against Rennes.
Rennes have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last seven away games in Ligue 1.

Nancy - Sochaux

Sochaux have failed to win any of their last five trips to Nancy in Ligue 1.
None of the last 25 league meetings between Nancy and Sochaux have ended goalless.
Both goals conceded by Nancy this season in Ligue 1 have come from opposition defenders.
Pascal Berenguer has scored three goals in his last three league appearances at home.
The last two visiting teams at the Marcel Picot stadium in Ligue 1 have conceded an own goal.
Ryad Boudebouz has scored four goals in his last seven Ligue 1 appearances. 10 of his 15 goals in the top flight have come from set-piece situations.

Paris SG - Valenciennes

PSG won their three competitive encounters with Valenciennes last season, scoring eight goals in the process.
Valenciennes have won just twice in their 13 trips to the Parc des Princes in Ligue 1.
Nenê has netted five goals in his six Ligue 1 appearances against Valenciennes, more than against any other opponent in the French league.
The last eight competitive encounters between PSG and Valenciennes have all seen both teams score.
Valenciennes are the only side who have yet to score a goal this season in Ligue 1.
PSG have failed to win any of their last seven Ligue 1 matches, currently the longest run.

Marseille - St Etienne

Marseille are unbeaten in their last seven Ligue 1 matches against St Etienne, winning five and drawing two.
St Etienne have failed to win any of their last 17 trips to Marseille in Ligue 1, their last win at the Velodrome stadium saw Michel Platini score a goal (August 1979).
St Etienne have suffered more defeats against Marseille in Ligue 1 than against any other opponent (40).
Marseille are the first-ever team to draw 2-2 in five consecutive Ligue 1 matches.
Loïc Rémy is the first player to score in seven consecutive Ligue 1 appearances since 2003 (Shabani Nonda).
Andre-Pierre Gignac has scored six goals against St Etienne in the last three Ligue 1 seasons, more than any other player during that period of time.

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