10.09. (Sat) 22:00 Valencia - Atletico Madrid

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Valencia (4-2-3-1):
Guaita; Bruno, Rami, Costa, Alba; Topal, Banega; Hernandez, Piatti, Canales; Soldado

Pablo Hernandez will be looked upon to provide quality opportunities to Roberto Soldado. Pablo Piatti, who joined the team from Almeria over the summer, will again be the central attacking midfielder, looking to test the goalkeeper more than in the team's first league game.

Atletico Madrid (4-4-2):
Courtois; Silvio, Perea, Dominguez, Luis; Reyes, Thiago, Gabi, Suarez; Adrian, Falcao.

Radamel Falcao will make his highly anticipated debut in red and white, joining Jose Antonio Reyes and Adrian Lopez in the attack. Diego looks set to be on the bench to start the encounter.

DID YOU KNOW?

Valencia opened their league campaign with a 4-3 victory over Racing Santander.

In the win, Soldado scored a hat-trick, including two goals in the dying minutes to earn the Champions League side all three points.

Soldado is a Real Madrid product but was actually born in Valencia.

Unai Emery's men took four points from two games against Atletico last season.

Atletico Madrid failed to find the net in their first game of the league season, drawing 0-0 with Osasuna.

Falcao, who joined Gregorio Manzano's men in the summer from Porto, scored 73 goals in 81 games for the Portuguese club over two seasons.

Another former Porto star, Brazil's Diego, joined the club on a season-long loan on the last day of the transfer window.

After finishing in fourth place in the 2008-09 campaign to earn Champions League qualification, the nine-time La Liga winners finished ninth in 2009-10 before finishing seventh last season.


Prediction

At home, the scoring talent of Roberto Soldado should be too much for the Atletico defence.

Editor's Prediction

Valencia 2-1 Atletico Madrid

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Serie A Preview - Round 1

Saturday (20:45 CET)
Cesena - Napoli
Sunday
Catania - Siena (12:30 CET)
Chievo - Novara (15:00 CET)
Fiorentina - Bologna (15:00 CET)
Genoa - Atalanta (15:00 CET)
Lecce - Udinese (15:00 CET)
Roma - Cagliari (15:00 CET)
Palermo - Inter (20:45 CET)

Catania - Siena

• Catania and Siena have both lost their last two opening fixtures in Serie A.

• Siena are unbeaten in eight previous meetings with Catania in the top-flight, drawing six.

• Catania ended last season by impressively winning six of their last seven home matches.

• Siena had the previous campaign's best attack in Serie B. scoring 67 goals in total.

PROBABLE LINEUPS
Catania (4-3-3): Andujar; Potenza, Bellusci, Spolli, Alvarez; Biagianti, Almiron, Ricchiuti; Gomez, Maxi Lopez, Bergessio
Siena (4-4-2): Brkic; Angelo, Contini, Terzi, Del Grosso; Mannini, Vergassola, D’Agostino, Brienza; Calaio, Destro

Chievo - Novara

• This will be the first-ever meeting between Chievo and Novara in Serie A.

• It will also be Chievo's 10th season in the top-flight, who have also scored in seven of their past nine first-week Serie A fixtures.

• Novara have not picked up a draw in any of their last 12 top-flight opening matchdays.
• Novara had the most watertight defence in Serie B away from home, conceding just 21 goals last season.

PROBABLE LINEUPS
Chievo (4-3-1-2): Sorrentino; Frey, Cesar, Andreolli, Jokic; Vacek, Rigoni, Hetemaj; Cruzado; Pellissier, Paloschi
Novara (4-3-1-2): Ujkani; Morganella, Paci, Ludi, Gemiti; Giorgi, Porcari, Pesce; Pinardi; Meggiorini, Morimoto

Fiorentina - Bologna

• Bologna have lost their opening fixture just once in their past seven Serie A seasons.

• Fiorentina have started with a 1-1 draw in their past three top-flight campaigns.

• Bologna are unbeaten in their previous four league meetings with the Tuscany-based outfit.

• Fiorentina shared the spoils 15 times last season; more than any other club in Serie A.

PROBABLE LINEUPS
Fiorentina (4-3-3): Boruc; Cassani, Gamberini, Camporese, Pasqual; Behrami, Montolivo, Lazzari; Cerci, Gilardino, Jovetic
Bologna (4-3-1-2): Gillet; Raggi, Portanova, Antonsson, Vitale; Perez, Mudingayi, Kone; Diamanti; Di Vaio, Acquafresca

Genoa - Atalanta

• Visitors Atalanta earned promotion to Serie A as champions of Serie B last season, accumulating 79 points.

• Atalanta are unbeaten in their last four opening matches in the top-flight.

• Meanwhile, Genoa have come out victorious in four of their last five first-week matches in Serie A.

• Alberto Malesani's side are unbeaten in their last four league games against Atalanta, whilst avoiding defeat in their past five encounters at the Marassi.

PROBABLE LINEUPS
Genoa (4-3-1-2): Frey; Mesto, Bovo, Granqvist, Antonelli; Kucka, Veloso, Constant; Birsa; Caracciolo, Palacio
Atalanta (4-4-1-1): Consigli; Masiello, Lucchini, Manfredini, Bellini; Schelotto, Cigarini, Brighi, Padoin; Moralez; Denis

Lecce - Udinese

• Lecce have never won on the opening day of Serie A in their 14 previous seasons in the top flight, conceding 15 in their past five top-flight seasons.

• Antonio di Natale has scored four of Udinese's last five goals on the opening day of the season in Serie A, aswell as scoring 57 of his 112 league goals for the Zebrette in the past two seasons.

• These two sides have met a total of 24 times in the top-flight, with Udinese winning three of the last five.

• Lecce's last home encounter against Udinese finished 2-0 to the hosts, ending a run of three games without a win at home against Francesco Guidolin's men.

PROBABLE LINEUPS
Lecce (4-3-3): Julio Sergio; Oddo, Tomovic, Esposito, Mesbah; Giacomazzi, Obodo, Bertolacci; Piatti, Corvia, Di Michele
Udinese (4-1-4-1): Handanovic; Ekstrand, Danilo, Neuton, Pasquale; Badu; Isla, Pinzi, Asamoah, Armero; Di Natale

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10.09. (Sat) 20:45 Cesena - Napoli

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Cesena (4-3-3):
Antonioli; Comotto, von Bergen, Rossi, Lauro; Parolo, Guana, Colucci; Martinez, Eder, Mutu

It has been an extremely busy summer for the Seahorses, who have had to endure changes both on and off the field, despite last season's collective effort to survive relegation on their first attempt. New coach Marco Giampaolo prepares to hand out debuts to Gianluca Comotto, Marco Rossi, Roberto Guana, whilst showcasing their new attacking trio of Jorge Martinez, Eder and Adrian Mutu.

Napoli (3-4-2-1):
De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; Dossena, Inler, Dzemaili, Maggio; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Cavani

Napoli have made significantly less alterations to their squad compared to their opponents, although that does not discount the fact that they have been important additions. Gokhan Inler should finally prove to be the top-class midfield enforcer that they have been lacking for quite some time, whilst Blerim Dzemaili will also help the cushion the blow of Michele Pazienza's departure to Juventus and Walter Gargano's suspension. Goran Pandev should also make an appearance at some point for the visitors, but Miguel Britos is unavailable due to a foot injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

In their previous 11 seasons in the top-flight, Cesena have never won their opening game, scoring just three times.

However, they have lost just three of their past 12 Serie A matches, including six victories.

Cesena have lost four consecutive matches against their opponents Napoli, scoring just once.

Also, they have lost just one home game since February, whilst enjoying clean sheets in all of their three home friendlies this summer.

The last time that Napoli won the opening game of the season in Serie A was in 1994, a 1-0 win over Reggiana.

Napoli failed to score more than one goal on the opening matchday of Serie A since 1985.

They have also scored 21 goals in the last 15 minutes of play last season, more than any other side in Serie A last term.

The visitors have won just one of their past six league matches, but have the upper hand against Cesena, winning four of their five meetings.

Prediction

It should be a tight encounter, with Cesena's newly-acquired trident in attack sure to pose Napoli's three-man defence problems, but the southern Italians' versatile mix of experience, industry and efficiency with a touch of flair and a free-flowing counter-attacking approach to complete the package should see them eventually edge out their northern counterparts for the three points.

Editor's Prediction

Cesena 1-3 Napoli

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Argentina Apertura Preview - Round 6

Game of the Week:
Racing Club vs. Olimpo, Saturday 21:15 (01:15 BST)

An otherwise innocuous fixture in the Primera calendar promises much more for fans of Racing Club, as they expect to see star Colombian duo Giovanni Moreno and Teofilo Gutierrez together in the team's colours for the first time.
The Cafeteros have been two of the revelations of the last year in Argentina, but have never appeared in conjunction for the Avellaneda giants, after Gio missed almost all of the Apertura with a debilitating cruciate ligament injury. Both are now fit and expected to start, however, with coach Diego Simeone shuffling his pack in an attempt to cut a run of two goalless draws against Olimpo.

The Bahia Blanca outfit are no fools, though, and are coming away from an impressive victory against champions Velez Sarsfield which will mean they are not short of confidence. The last time these two met, they played out a thrilling draw in El Cilindro, and with attacking talent to spare a gripping spectacle is promised on Saturday evening.

Prediction: A lot depends on how the Colombians click as a partnership, although fleeting glimpses from the national team suggest it could be a match made in heaven. A full-strength Racing should be able to get past their feisty rivals, with a 2-0 victory looking good.


Saturday's Action
Before Racing and Olimpo kick off in Saturday's night game, there are two more fixtures for Argentine football fans to enjoy. Godoy Cruz have struggled to sustain the form that took them to a historic third-place in the Clausura, but it is early yet and despite losing star Carlos Sanchez, below, to River the Tomba will hope to kick start their season at the expense of All Boys in Mendoza.

Estudiantes meanwhile lie a lowly 19th, and failure to win against relegation battlers Tigre could be the final straw for Miguel Angel Russo after also bombing out of the Copa Sudamericana midweek.

Sunday's Action

New Banfield coach Ricardo La Volpe knows the only way is up for his side, who have started with a miserable five defeats in five to sit rock-bottom. The Taladro will search for their first points against Arsenal de Sarandi, before coach-less Independiente travel to Cordoba for a tricky clash with Belgrano.

Boca Juniors then welcome back talismanic No. 10 Juan Roman Riquelme for the visit of San Martin de San Juan, knowing that they could capture top spot with a victory if Rafaela fail to pick up maximum points tonight. And after two straight defeats champions Velez Sarsfield are desperate to stop the rot, although they should have too much for new arrivals Union in the Fortin of Liniers.

Monday's Action

One of several teams who have established themselves as early title hopefuls, Lanus are in good form and are desperate to go one better than their runners up placing in the Clausura. Gabriel Schurrer's men face a tricky visit to La Paternal, facing an Argentinos Juniors team who are yet to win in this year's campaign.

Full Fixtures and Predictions

Godoy Cruz	3	1	All Boys	Sat 15:05
Estudiantes	1	1	Tigre	17:10
Racing	2	0	Olimpo	21:15
Banfield	1	2	Arsenal	Sun 14:00
Belgrano	0	0	Independiente	16:00
Boca Jrs.	2	0	San Martin (SJ)	18:10
Velez	3	1	Union	20:15
Argentinos	1	1	Lanus	Mon 19:00

Predicted scores in bold

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10.09. (Sat) 20:00 Real - Getafe

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1):
Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Carvalho, Pepe, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Coentrao; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema

Jose Mourinho looks set to field the team that defeated Real Zaragoza 6-0 in the opening game of the season. All players have returned from international duty to full training with no players in particular picking up injuries midweek. Coentrao may continue in the centre of the park after impressing in his La Liga debut. Both Karim Benzema and Gonzaolo Higuain scored for their respective countries in the midweek internationals but Mourinho will not want to quell the impressive start to the season from the Frenchman, who looks set to keep his place. Madrid's other summer recruits still look unlikely to be considered for action in the derby.

Getafe (4-5-1):
Moya; Miguel Torres, Cata Diaz, Alex Perez, Masilela; Barada, Lacen, Rodriguez, Casquero, Rios; Miku

New coach Luis Garcia Plaza has a few selection problems ahead of the Madrid derby. The away side only have one fully fit recognised central defender in Cata Diaz. Mane, Alberto Lopo, Rafa and Albertazzi are all struggling with injuries. Young defender Alex Perez may be given the nod at the back with Masilela also coming in. The return of prodigal son Pedro Leon will have to wait as the on-loan Real Madrid man will not be allowed to play against his parent club. Plaza should continue with his five-man midfield in order to stop Madrid playing. The return of Daniel Guiza may also come later in the game as Manu should start after grabbing a goal in the first league game of the season.

DID YOU KNOW?

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored at least two goals every time he has played Getafe

Real Madrid scored the most goals at home in La Liga last season, hitting the back of the net 61 times.

Madrid's biggest home victory last season in La Liga was a 7-0 win over newly-cashed up Malaga.

In this fixture last season, Cristiano Ronaldo attempted a shot on goal 11 times, and scored a hat-trick for his perseverance.

Getafe have underwent somewhat of a revolution in the summer, with 14 players arriving at the club and 11 leaving.

Pedro Leon and Daniel Guiza recently arrived at Getafe for their second spell with the club

Getafe's heaviest away defeat last season in La Liga was 4-0 and came at the hands of this week's opponents, Madrid.

Getafe finished fairly strongly in games last season in La Liga, having scored most of their goals between the 76th and 90th minute.

Prediction

Getafe coach Luis Garcia Plaza is likely to set up his team with five men in midfield in an effort to stifle Real Madrid's play. However, with the fire power at the disposal of Jose Mourinho and their neighbours severely lacking in numbers in defence, expect Madrid to go on and score a few goals and get the victory comfortably.

Editor's Prediction

Real Madrid 5-0 Getafe

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Ligue 1 Preview - Round 5

Saturday (19:00 CET)
AC Ajaccio - Valenciennes
Bordeaux - Evian TG
Caen - Toulouse FC
Dijon - Olympique Lyon
Saint-Etienne - Lille
Sochaux - FC Lorient
Olympique Marseille - Stade Rennes (21:00 CET)

Sunday
Montpellier - Nice (17:00 CET)
Nancy - Auxerre (17:00 CET)
PSG - Stade Brestois (21:00 CET)

PSG - Stade Brestois

(Sunday 21:00 CET)

Big spending Paris Saint Germain will be aiming to win a third successive league match for the first time since 2009. To achieve that, they'll have to beat a tricky Brest side who have drawn all four games in Ligue 1 so far this season.

AC Ajaccio - Valenciennes

• Newly promoted Ajaccio were left still searching for a first league win of the season, as they were thrashed 4-1 by Auxerre before the international break.
• Valenciennes were beaten 2-1 by Bordeaux two weeks ago, leaving the club propping up teh rest at the foot of the table.
• Both clubs were knocked out of cup competitions since their previous game. The hosts went out of both the Coupe de La Ligue and Coupe de France to lower league clubs, whilst VA were beaten by Bordeaux 2-1 in the Coupe de la Ligue.
• Neither side have won a match, competitive or otherwise, since the last weekend of May.

TEAM NEWS
AC Ajaccio
The Corsicans have three players on the injury list. Defenders Samuel Bohours and Arnaud Maire are both sidelined with problems and will miss the clash against Valenciennes. Fabrice Begeorgi suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury and won't be back this calendar year. No further injury news to report.
Valenciennes
No such injury worries to report for Daniel Sanchez's men who are seeking a first win of the season at Stade Francis Coty.

Bordeaux - Evian TG

• Bordeaux recorded their first victory under Francis Gillot as they secured a 2-1 win against Valenciennes in their last league game.
• Evian's good start to their maiden Ligue 1 season stalled as they were beaten by fellow newcomers Dijon, in a 1-0 reverse.
• Both sides made early exits from the Coupe de La Ligue competition last week. Evian succumbed to Lens and Les Girondins were beaten by Saint-Etienne.
• This will be the first meeting between the two sides.

TEAM NEWS
Bordeaux
Defender Henrique, midfielder Gregory Sertic and striker David Bellion are all still in the treatment room at Stade Cheban-Delmas. Bordeaux expected to line-up as they did against Valenciennes.
Evian TG
Sasa Cilinsek faces a race against time to be fit for this game, after missing the last few weeks with a thigh strain. Bertrand Laquait and Nicolas Farina are injured.

Caen - Toulouse FC

• Caen were defeated by Rennes 3-2 in an enthralling encounter in their previous game.
• Despite holding the lead, and even being equal going into the last minute, Toulouse were beaten by a Javier Pastore-inspired PSG 3-1 on matchday four.
• Franck Dumas' men are through to the next round of the Coupe de la Ligue after defeating Brest 3-2 thanks to Romain Hamouma's brace. Meanwhile, Le Tefece were eliminated by Nice.
• This match at the Stade Michel d'Ornano will be kicked off by none other than Taz the dog, who is a golden retriever, and his owner Benoit.

TEAM NEWS
Caen
Franck Dumas may be without Pierre Alain Frau for the visit of Toulouse with the former Lille striker still struggling to get fit. Benjamin Morel and Gregory Tafforeau are also sidelined.
Toulouse FC
Alain Casanova has more than a few injury problems in the Toulouse squad, including that of Emmanuel Riviere and Etienne Didot.

Dijon - Olympique Lyon

• Ligue 1 newcomers Dijon FCO recovered from their horror start to the season, by recording their second straight league win against Evian. Brice Jovial's 67th minute winner settled the match.
• Olympique Lyon secured a convincing 2-1 win against Montpellier in their previous game, ending La Paillade's 100% record.
• Dijon entered their name into the hat for the Coupe de La Ligue draw, after they defeated Valenciennes 3-2. Partrice Carteron's side have now won three games in a row.
• This will be the first encounter between the two sides.

TEAM NEWS
Dijon
Partrice Carteron has the luxury of a fully-fit squad for the visit of Lyon.
Olympique Lyon
Lyon have a few players out for this encounter. Defender Cris is still a few weeks away from a return after suffering muscle pain. Yannis Tafer is out with a broken toe, whilst Lisandro Lopez misses a month of action after injuring his ankle. They join Ederson and Yoann Gourcuff on the sidelines. Furthermore, Sidy Kone is suspended, with Remi Garde casting one eye on their Champions League opener in midweek.

Saint-Etienne - Lille

• Saint-Etienne were consigned to a 2-1 away defeat to Sochaux on matchday four.
• Champions Lille won an enthralling encounter, picking up all three points in a 3-2 win over Marseille in their last game.
• Christophe Galtier's men beat Bordeaux 3-1 to progress to the next round of the Coupe de La Ligue.
• Les Dogues prevailed 2-1 in this fixture last year, en route to picking up a first league win in 54 years.

TEAM NEWS
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 Saturday's clash.
Lille
English midfielder Joe Cole could be in line to make his anticipated debut for the Dogues having joined from Liverpool on loan on transfer deadline day. Marko Basa is doubtful after pulling a muscle this week, and Tulio de Melo suffered some ligament damage in his foot and is out for a month.

Sochaux - FC Lorient

• Mehmed Bazdarevic saw Ryad Boudebouz grab a brace as his side beat Saint-Etienne 2-1 before the international break.
• Kevin Monnet-Paquet netted a 90th minute winner as Lorient defeated Nancy 2-1 on matchday four.
• Lorient needed extra-time to defeat Guignamp 3-2 in their midweek cup clash.
• Les Merlus have not won at Stade Auguste Bonal in Ligue 1 since December 1998.

TEAM NEWS
Sochaux
Carlao is suspended for the game against Christian Gourcuff's side. Jeremie Brechet and forward Edouard Butin are both still out.
FC Lorient
Sebastien Dubarbier is a minor injury worry for Les Merlus with the only other concern being Julien Quercia who is out for three months with a broken ankle.

Olympique Marseille - Stade Rennes

• Marseille succumbed to a 3-2 defeat to league champions Lille in their previous match. Despite two goals from Mathieu Valbuena, L'OM were undone by Moussa Sow's 75th minute penalty winner.
• Stade Rennes beat Caen 3-2 on matchday four, a game which saw them initially race into a 3-0 lead before half-time.
• Didier Deschamps' men have yet to win a Ligue 1 match this season, with their winless run stretching to seven league games.
• Whilst this fixture ended in a 0-0 draw last season, the 2009-10 instalment saw L'OM win 3-1 to pick up their first league trophy in 17 years.

TEAM NEWS
Marseille
Stephane Mbia is still recovering from his broken toe and isn't expected back for the next two weeks. Star midfielder Andre Ayew fell injured on international duty with Ghana and will miss 10 days, and will also sit out the side's Champions League opener with Olympiakos.
Stade Rennes
Frederic Antoinetti has no major injury worries with Yacine Brahimi and Vincent Pajot amongst those in the physio room. Jonathan Pitroipa is expected to lead the line for the visitors.

Montpellier - Nice 

• League leaders Montpellier saw their 100% record ended by Lyon, as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at the Gerland.
• Nice were held to a 0-0 draw by Toulouse on matchday four.
• Despite being runners-up last season, La Paillade needed penalties to dismiss Amiens from the Coupe de La Ligue.
• Nice haven't beaten Montpellier in a competitive encounter since 2003.

TEAM NEWS
Montpellier
The league leaders are without an injury worry in their squad. Same line-up against Lyon expected with Geoffrey Jourden in line to replace the impressive Laurent Pionnier in goal.
Nice
Goalkeeper Lucas Veronese joins Kafouma Coulibaly and Emerse Fae on the sidelines with no major injury worries to report for Les Aiglons.

Nancy - Auxerre

• Nancy were handed their third straight league defeat as they failed to beat Lorient, eventually going down 2-1 to the Breton side.
• Auxerre thrashed newly-promoted Ajaccio 4-1 in their previous outing.
• The two sides met in the Coupe de La Ligue last week, with AJA going through 2-1.
• Jean Fernandez's side won this fixture 3-1 last season.

TEAM NEWS
Nancy
Just the one change for Nancy this weekend, with defender Reynald Lemaitre being the only injury concern for Jean Fernandez to mull over.
Auxerre
Ben Sahar, loaned from Espanyol, is out for Laurent Fournier's men. The Israeli striker sprained his ankle and will miss three weeks of action. Cedric Hengbart and Yaya Sanogo will also watch from the sidelines. Alain Traore, who has five goals from four games this season will again be the focal point for the visitors.

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Eredivisie Preview - Round 5

Saturday
Roda - Twente (18:45 CET)
AZ - Vitesse (19:45 CET)
De Graafschap - NEC (19:45 CET)
ADO Den Haag - RKC (19:45 CET)
Heracles - Ajax (20:45 CET)

Sunday
Heerenveen - Groningen (12:30 CET)
VVV - PSV (14:30 CET)
NAC - Feyenoord (14:30 CET)
Excelsior - Utrecht (16:30 CET)





 

Roda - Twente

• Roda were beaten 3-1 in the away match against Utrecht two weeks ago 
• The home side currently sit 13th in the table
• Twente recorded a comfortable 4-1 over VVV on matchday four
• The Enschede club sit currently on top of the Eredivisie table
• Previous meeting: Twente 1-1 Roda

AZ - Vitesse

• AZ impressed with a 3-0 away win over Groningen in their last game
• The Alkmaar side are the league's joint number three
• Vitesse were beaten 4-1 in the Amsterdam ArenA by Ajax two weeks back
• The guests sit joint sixth in the table at the moment
• Previous meeting: AZ 3-1 Vitesse

De Graafschap - NEC

• De Graafschap were heavily beaten 3-0 in their last home match against ADO Den Haag
• The Doetinchem outfit are the Eredivisie's joint number 14
• NEC beat Heracles 2-1 to pick up the full three points two weeks ago
• The away club sit joint sixth in the table at the moment
• Previous meeting: NEC 1-0 De Graafschap

ADO Den Haag - RKC

• ADO recorded a superb 3-0 away win over De Graafschap on matchday four
• The home side sit joint 11th in the table with four points
• RKC surprised NAC in their last game as they won 2-1 against their Brabant rivals
• The away club are the Eredivisie's joint sixth-placed side
• Previous meeting: ADO Den Haag 4-0 RKC

Heracles - Ajax

• Heracles were narrowly beaten 2-1 by NEC on matchday four
• The home side are the league's number 10 with five points
• Ajax cruised to a 4-1 routine win over Vitesse two weeks ago
• The away side sit second in the Eredivisie table with ten points
• Previous meeting: Ajax 3-0 Heracles

Heerenveen - Groningen

• Heerenveen recorded a 2-2 draw against Feyenoord in their last game
• The hosts sit 16th in the table with two points
• Groningen were left without a chance by AZ last week as they lost 3-0
• The away side sit 11th in the Eredivisie table
• Previous meeting: Heerenveen 1-4 Groningen

VVV - PSV

• VVV were heavily beaten 4-1 by Twente two weeks back
• They sit 15th in the Eredivisie table at the moment
• PSV hammered Excelsior 6-1 on matchday four
• The Eindhoven giants are the Eredivisie's number three
• Previous meeting: VVV 0-3 PSV

NAC - Feyenoord

• NAC were somewhat surprisingly beaten 2-1 by RKC two weeks ago
• The hosts are the Eredivisie's number 17 with only one point
• Feyenoord recorded a 2-2 draw against Heerenveen in their last match
• They sit fifth in the league table at the moment
• Previous meeting: Feyenoord 2-1 NAC

Excelsior - Utrecht

• Excelsior conceded a heavy 6-1 defeat against PSV on matchday four
• They are the league's number 18 with only one point from four games
• Utrecht beat Roda 3-1 last two weeks ago after an impressive comeback
• The away side currently sit ninth in the table
• Previous meeting: Excelsior 3-1 Utrecht

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