Friday, October 28, 2011

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29.10. (Sat) 22:00 Real Sociedad - Real

UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid CF v Olympique Lyonnais
Getty

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

REAL SOCIEDAD

Bravo
C. Martinez, I. Martinez, Demidov, Bella
Aranburu, Mariga
Prieto, Zurutuza, Griezmann
Vela

  REAL MADRID
 
Casillas
Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo
Xabi Alonso, Khedira
Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo
Higuain


Real Madrid will be without the injured Raul Albiol who is currently nursing a fractured cheekbone, while Nuri Sahin and Ricardo Carvalho are not yet fit after recent knee and back injuries respectively.

Jose Mourinho is expected to rotate from the side who beat Villarreal 3-0 on Wednesday with Kaka and Karim Benzema likely to make way for Mesut Ozil and Gonzalo Higuain in attack.

Sociedad are likely to go with one up front with on-loan striker Carlos Vela leading the line. Captain Mikel Aranburu could return in the centre of midfield while Xabi Prieto may return to the starting line-up ahead of Daniel Estrada.


DID YOU KNOW?
  • Real Sociedad have lost only one of their last eight home games in the league, although they have won only one of their last five.
  • Philippe Montanier's men are 15th in the Liga table, having won only two of their opening nine games.
  • The last time that Undiano Mallenco was referee for this match, the game ended 2-2 in November 2005, with both sides being reduced to 10 men.
  • Real Madrid have won the last 67 league games where they have taken the lead, a run that started after a 2-1 defeat against Osasuna in May 2009.
  • Angel di Maria has seven assists in La Liga, more than any other player in the league this season.
  • Madrid are unbeaten in their last eight games against the Basque club, winning six of these encounters.

Prediction
Jose Mourinho's men are in superb form of late and with their array of attacking talent, it is hard to see anything other than a comfortable win for the away side, against a Sociedad team who are not too far away from the relegation zone.
Editor's Prediction
Real Sociedad 0-3 Real Madrid

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29.10. (Sat) 20:45 Inter - Juventus

Alessandro Matri - Juventus-Genoa - Serie A (Getty Images)
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
INTER

Castellazzi
Maicon, Lucio, Chivu, Nagatomo Zanetti, Cambiasso, Stankovic
Sneijder
Pazzini, Zarate
JUVENTUS

Storari
Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini
Vidal, Pirlo,
Marchisio
Pepe, Vucinic
Matri

Inter coach Claudio Ranieri will be without the services of first-choice goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who suffered a thigh strain in the 1-1 draw with Atalanta on Wednesday. Defenders Andrea Ranocchia and Walter Samuel are ruled out of the crunch clash due to muscle problems, while Diego Forlan is still nursing a leg injury. Thiago Motta picked up a muscle injury and will also miss the match.

Juventus boss Antonio Conte will also be missing No. 1 as Gianluigi Buffon is still out with a shoulder injury he picked up in training last week. Emanuele Giaccherini is nearing a return but won't be back in time to face Inter, while Milos Krasic was left out against Fiorentina on Tuesday for tactical reasons and could suffer the same fate against the Nerazzurri at the weekend.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Inter have two wins in their last five games (W2 D1 L2) and have conceded seven goals during that span.
  • The Nerazzurri have only picked up one Serie A victory at home this season.
  • The San Siro side's last league victory over Juve came on April 16, 2010.
  • Juventus are undefeated on their road travels this term (W1 D2) but have only scored two goals during that stretch.
  • Antonio Conte's men have failed to score in only one of their first eight Serie A encounters.
  • The Turin outfit have lost only once in their past four league matches against Inter (W2 D1 L1).

Prediction
The form book counts for nothing when these two bitter rivals meet. Inter will be hoping to hand Juve their first loss of the season but the Old Lady will end up piling more misery on the hosts.
Editor's Prediction
Inter Milan 1-2 Juventus

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29.10. (Sat) 20:45 Twente - PSV Eindhoven

Groningen - Twente, Twente juicht
PROSHOTS


PROBABLE LINEUPS

TWENTE

Mihaylov
Rosales, Wisgerhof, Douglas, Tiendalli
Brama, Chadli, Landzaat
Bajrami, L. de Jong, John
PSV

Isaksson
Manolev, Marcelo, Derijck, Bouma
Wijnaldum, Strootman
Labyad, Toivonen
, Mertens
Matavz
 
Twente coach Co Adriaanse will have to make do without the services of full-back Nicky Kuiper due to a knee problem, while back-up goalkeeper Sander Boschker is unlikely to recover from a calf injury in time.

With Nacer Chadli back to full match fitness, Adriaanse could decide to drop the club's leading goalscorer Marc Janko in favour of the Belgium international.

PSV boss Fred Rutten will be without left-back Erik Pieters as the Netherlands international is out of action due to a foot injury.

Furthermore, midfielders Stijn Wuytens and Atiba Hutchinson are both unavailable due to knee ailments, while goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton hasn't fully recovered from his concussion yet.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Twente are still unbeaten at home this Eredivisie campaign. They have won three league games at the Grolsch Veste and drew the other match.
  • The Enschede side have drawn three out of their last four Eredivisie meetings.  
  • Austria international Marc Janko is the side's leading goalscorer with 10 goals.
  • Twente's 26 goals so far this term were scored by eight different players.
  • PSV have already netted 27 Eredivisie goals this term, more than any other team.
  • Winger Dries Mertens is the Eredivisie's leading goalscorer with 11 strikes from 11 appearances.
  • The visitors have conceded only 11 league goals so far in 2011-12.
  • Full-back Stanislav Manolev has already been booked four times and is one match away from a suspension.

Prediction
Twente have been struggling to find their best form in recent weeks, but they have proven in the past few years that they are a team to be reckoned with, especially at home. PSV were unable to get a good result against the Enschede side last year and will be desperate to make amends for that on Saturday. Both teams have plenty of class up front to cause their opponent some difficulties and as such, a draw seems to be the most likely result.
Editor's Prediction
Twente 1-1 PSV Eindhoven

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29.10. (Sat) 20:00 Barcelona - Mallorca

UEFA Champions League: FC Barcelona v FC Viktoria Plzen: Andres Iniesta; Xavi Hernandez, Lionel Messi
Getty

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BARCELONA


Valdes

Alves, Mascherano, Adriano
Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Thiago
Messi, Cesc, Villa

MALLORCA

Aouate
Cendros, Victor, Ramis, Bigas
Pina, Tejera
Pereira, Nsue, Castro
Hemed

Cesc Fabregas is back in action, and is likely to start against a side who have struggled for form this season. Pedro is defintely out after injuring himself in the midweek defeat of Granada, while Gerard Pique is still recovering from a hamstring injury and is unlikely to be risked.

Alexis Sanchez remains sidelined with a longer-term hamstring problem, and Ibrahim Afellay is also out long-term with a cruciate injury.

Mallorca remain winless in their last three outings and have recently suffered a change of coach when Michael Laudrup was replaced in the dugout by former Athletic Bilbao boss Joaquin Caparros.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Barcelona's impeccable home record was brought to an end by Sevilla last weekend, who held the champions to a 0-0 draw.
  • Their home record, however, remains 21 goals scored in five matches, with none against.
  • Barcelona haven't conceded in their last seven matches; their last concession was versus Valencia in a 2-2 draw on September 21.
  • Mallorca recently disposed of former Barcelona playmaker Michael Laudrup after a poor run of results. Joaquin Caparros is now in the dugout.
  • The Islanders secured a surprising 1-1 draw at Camp Nou last season, with Emilio Nsue cancelling out Lionel Messi's curling effort.

Prediction
After a frustrating draw versus Sevilla and a workmanlike display against Granada, the onus is on the champions to turn on the style once again, and they are likely to do so against a Sporting side completely devoid of confidence.
Editor's Prediction
Barcelona 3-0 Mallorca

Opta Facts Ligue 1 - Matchday 12


Ajaccio v Bordeaux

Since the return of the 20-teams format in 2002, 78% of clubs who have been bottom of the league after 11 games have ended up being relegated.
Bordeaux have won their last three competitive encounters against Ajaccio, scoring eight goals in the process.
Bordeaux have won just twice in 10 trips to Ajaccio in Ligue 1.
Ajaccio's biggest-ever home defeat in Ligue 1 was against Bordeaux, 1-6 in April 2004.
Ajaccio have failed to score in any of their last four Ligue 1 meetings with Bordeaux.
Ajaccio are the only side who have yet to keep a clean sheet this term in Ligue 1.
Bordeaux have failed to win any of their five league games in which they scored first this season.

Brest v Lorient

Lorient are unbeaten in their last eight competitive matches against Brest, winning six and drawing two.
Brest have become the first-ever Ligue 1 side to register nine draws in their first 11 games of a season.
All five Ligue 1 games played the Francis-Le-Blé stadium this term have ended in draws.
Brest's last four league fixtures have all ended 1-1.
Brest are the only Ligue 1 team without a win this season.
Lorient have won just one away match this season in Ligue 1, beating current leaders PSG at the Parc des Princes stadium on matchday one.

Dijon v Marseille

Both Marseille victories this season in Ligue 1 came against promoted teams (Evian Thonon Gaillard and Ajaccio).
Dijon have scored in all of their five home games this term in the league.
Marseille have not conceded a goal in 265 minutes of Ligue 1 action, currently the longest run.
Olympique de Marseille's last three league goals have all been scored by Andre Ayew.
Benjamin Corgnet has been directly involved in five of Dijon's last seven league goals (four goals and one assist).
Marseille have not scored more than twice in any of their last 14 league matches.

Evian TG v Auxerre

ETG's only Ligue 1 win this term came last August against Nice, the newly-promoted club are on a run of nine consecutive winless matches.
Auxerre have drawn all of their last four Ligue 1 away matches.
ETG have lost both of their last two league matches at the Parc des Sports stadium.
Auxerre have picked up only two wins in their last 19 away matches in Ligue 1.
Auxerre forward Dennis Oliech has scored five goals in his last five league appearances.

Montpellier - Nancy

Nancy are unbeaten in their last four trips to the Mosson stadium in all competitions.
Nancy's last six goals against Montpellier, in all competitions, have all been scored in the first half of games.
Montpellier's 23 points in 11 games are the club's best-ever tally at this stage of a Ligue 1 season.
Montpellier have scored the most goals (25) in Ligue 1 this season while Nancy have netted the fewest (eight).
Montpellier have scored more goals than any side at this stage of a Ligue 1 season since Lyon in 2006/07 (27).
Nancy are the only side who have yet to score more than one goal in a match this season in Ligue 1.

Paris SG v Caen

PSG have won their last four league encounters against Caen.
Caen have suffered 10 defeats in 12 trips to the Parc des Princes stadium in Ligue 1.
Caen have conceded two goals or more in 11 of their 12 trips to the Parc des Princes stadium in Ligue 1.
PSG are on a run of 10 consecutive games without defeat in the league, winning their last five, their longest run since 2003/04.
67% of Caen's goals this season in the league have been scored away from home.
All four Nenê goals this season in Ligue 1 have come at the Parc des Princes stadium.

Lyon v St Etienne

Lyon are on a run of 20 consecutive home games without defeat in Ligue 1.
St Etienne are the last visiting team to win at the Gerland stadium in Ligue 1, 1-0 in September 2010.
St Etienne have only managed one win in their last 12 trips to Lyon in the top flight.
St Etienne have managed two consecutive L1 wins for the first time since matchday two.
Lyon's last eight goals at the Gerland stadium in Ligue 1 have been scored by Bafetimbi Gomis or Michel Bastos (four each).
St Etienne have scored the opening goal in their last three league encounters against Lyon, however they have won only one of these games.

Nice v Sochaux

Nice have won just one of their last 13 league encounters against Sochaux.
Four of the last five league meetings between Nice and Sochaux at the Ray stadium have ended in draws.
Nice have scored just two goals in their last eight matches against Sochaux in Ligue 1.
90% of Nice's point tally this season has been picked up at the Ray stadium.
Nice are unbeaten in their last five home games in the league, winning two and drawing three.
Sochaux's Mecha Bazdarevic has won just 19 of his 106 Ligue 1 matches as a manager.

Toulouse v Rennes

Rennes have won their last three league encounters against Toulouse.
The last four league meetings between Toulouse and Rennes have produced 17 goals in total.
Toulouse have failed to score in 301 of Ligue 1 action, currently the longest run.
Toulouse's last two league games have both ended 0-0.
Rennes have picked up a league-high 12 points away from home this season.
Toulouse have kept more clean sheets than any other team this season in Ligue 1 (six).

Valenciennes v Lille

Lille have failed to win any of their four trips to Valenciennes in Ligue 1, drawing two and losing two.
Lille won the last meeting between these sides, however they haven't managed two consecutive top-flight wins against VAFC since 1992.
No Ligue 1 title-holders have managed to beat Valenciennes in the league since 2007/08.
Valenciennes have suffered just one defeat in their last 16 home league matches.
Lille have recouped a league-high 13 points coming back from losing positions this season.
None of Lille's last 46 league fixtures have ended 0-0, currently the longest run.
Lille have yet to score in the first half of an away game this season in Ligue 1.
Eden Hazard has scored three goals in his last two league starts away from home.
Gregory Pujol has scored in his last two league appearances against Lille.

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29.10. (Sat) 18:30 West Bromwich Albion - Liverpool

Roy Hodgson, West Bromwich Albion
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

Foster
Reid, Olsson, McAuley, Jones
Brunt, Scharner, Mulumbu, Thomas
Odemwingie, Tchoyi

LIVERPOOL

Reina
Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Enrique
Downing, Gerrard, Adam, Bellamy
Kuyt, Suarez
Roy Hodgson is forced into a change up-front due to the injury Shane Long suffered against Aston Villa, although he will be out for just six weeks which was less than first feared. Somen Tchoyi is most likely to come in place of the injured forward, though Simon Cox would be more of a like-for-like replacement.

Hodgson has played the same defence and midfield in the last two games, but Paul Scharner is a slight doubt due to tweaking his knee while Jerome Thomas has bruising on his feet. Graham Dorrans could return after missing the match against Aston Villa with a knee injury, and Gabriel Tamas is once again available.

Kenny Dalglish has to decide how to juggle his pack with Lucas Leiva returning from suspension. He could be used in a 4-3-3 or, more likely, come in for Craig Bellamy.

DID YOU KNOW?


  • Roy Hodgson became manager of West Brom mid-way through last season and achieved something no previous manager of the Baggies had done since 1981 – see his side score more than one goal against Liverpool.
  • West Brom beat the Reds 2-1 last year thanks to two Chris Brunt penalties, but their record against them is awful: they have lost all nine other Premier League matches against Liverpool, scoring no goals and conceding 25 (they lost 5-0 and 6-0 in that run, both at the Hawthorns).
  • In league matches at West Brom, the home side have 20 wins to Liverpool’s 23, despite having scored two more goals than their opponents. 16 matches have ended as draws, the last of which was in 1984 (14 matches ago).
  • If West Brom win, it will be the first time they won three Premier League matches in a row since 2002. Back then, they beat Fulham, West Ham United and Southampton all 1-0 in September, but only went on to win three more all season.
  • Liverpool have not drawn away from home all season in any competition, winning five and losing two.
  • Craig Bellamy has made 249 appearances in the Premier League. This will be his 250th outing, provided he makes an appearance at some point.
  • Liverpool have not had a goalless draw in 43 matches in the league. Only Bolton currently beat this record, with 46 matches having passed by since they shared a point with an opponent through a 0-0 result.

Prediction
Both teams are unbeaten in four matches, but West Brom will probably be the happier of the two at the minute as the hosts' last two were victories whereas their opponents have drawn their previous two league games.

Liverpool play better football, but a late kick-off in front off a loud Hawthorns crowd means they will find it difficult to walk away with all three points.
Editor's Prediction
West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Liverpool

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29.10. (Sat) 18:00 Roma - Milan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (M), John Arne Riise (R) - Roma-Milan - Serie A (Getty Images)
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

ROMA

Stekelenburg
Cassetti, Burdisso, Juan, Jose Angel
Perrotta, De Rossi, Gago
Borriello, Bojan, Osvaldo
AC MILAN

Abbiati
Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Taiwo
Aquilani, Van Bommel, Nocerino
Boateng
Cassano, Ibrahimovic

Roma coach Luis Enrique will be boosted by the return of Brazilian defender Juan at the back, who seems likely to replace Gabriel Heinze after a poor display in the 2-1 defeat to Genoa on Wednesday. Other changes from their disappointing reverse include Marco Cassetti, who is in line to replace Simone Perrotta at right-back, while David Pizarro, Erik Lamela and midweek goalscorer Fabio Borini are set to be dropped in favour of Perrotta, Marco Borriello and Pablo Osvaldo.

However, summer recruit Miralem Pjanic has been ruled out of the encounter, and joins Francesco Totti, Aleandro Rosi, Bogdan Lobont and Simon Kjaer on the treatment table, although it is expected that they will all return at some point next week.

Meanwhile for the Scudetto holders Milan, they are set to welcome back Alessandro Nesta into their ranks, after missing their 4-1 win over Parma in the week. Elsewhere, Mark van Bommel should replace Massimo Ambrosini in midfield, while the rest of the side looks likely to remain unchanged. Gennaro Gattuso and Mathieu Flamini are both still recovering from long-term setbacks for Milan, but Luca Antonini and Alexandre Pato are nearing a return, which will please boss Allegri.
DID YOU KNOW?

  • Along with Cagliari, Roma are the lowest scorers in the top-half of the Serie A table, bagging just nine goals in eight games.
  • Two of their three wins this season have come at the Olimpico, where they are unbeaten since the first match day.
  • Roma have kept clean sheets in their last three fixtures against AC Milan, including five without defeat.
  • AC Milan have won six of their past seven games, including a run of four straight victories.
  • Despite being the highest scorers in Serie A, they have failed to keep a clean sheet in four games on the road in all competitions.
  • Surprisingly, they have beaten Roma just once in their past 10 meetings, and haven't won the away fixture since the 2004-2005 campaign.

Prediction
It promises to be a mouth-watering encounter at the Olimpico with two of the league's best footballing outfits on show, but Milan should prevail and pick up the three points, ending their six-year Roma hoodoo. Both sides currently have contrasting fortunes, as the visitors are firing on all cylinders, while Luis Enrique's men are still a work in progress, and it should play into Milan's advantage.
Editor's Prediction
Roma 1-2 AC Milan

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29.10. (Sat) 20:45 Catania - Napoli

Ezequiel Lavezzi - Napoli (Getty Images)
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

CATANIA

Andujar
Izco, Bellusci, Spolli, Legrottaglie, MarcheseAlmiron, Lodi, Delvecchio
Lopez, Bergessio,

NAPOLI

De Sanctis
Fernandez, Cannavaro, Fideleff
Maggio, Dzemaili,
Inler, Dossena
Hamsik, Mascara
Lavezzi

Catania coach Vincenzo Montella will be without the services of David Suazo, Marco Biagianti, Pablo Alvarez, Cristian Llama, Alejandro Gomez and Pablo Ledesma who are all injured.

Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri will have to make do without Goran Pandev, Miguel Britos, Walter Gargano and Marco Donadel.

Ezequiel Lavezzi will likely start up front on his own with Edinson Cavani relegated to the bench as Walter Mazzarri keeps one eye on next week's Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Catania have kept two clean sheets in four encounters at the Stadio Angelo Massimino during the 2011-12 campaign.
  • Vincenzo Montella's men are undefeated in their first four home games of the Serie A season (W2 D2).
  • The Sicilians have more draws (five) than any other team in Serie A after eight matches.
  • Napoli have picked up seven points in four road tilts this term. 
  • Walter Mazzarri's men have not conceded a goal in their last two matches away from the Stadio San Paolo.
  • Napoli have kept four clean sheets in their last five Serie A contests.

Prediction
Catania are a tough nut to crack at home and could pull off the upset with Napoli possibly looking ahead to the Champions League clash against Bayern Munich next week. A score draw is the most likely outcome.
Editor's Prediction
Catania 2-2 Napoli

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29.10. (Sat) 18:00 Valencia - Getafe

Ever Banega, Valencia (MARCA)


PROBABLE LINEUPS

VALENCIA

GuaitaBruno, Ruiz, Dealbert, Jordi Alba
Banega, TopalHernandez, Jonas, Piatti
Soldado/Aduriz

GETAFE

MoyaValera, Diaz, Lopo, Torres
Perez, Lacen
Rios, Abdel, Castro
Miku/Guiza

Unai Emery may look to rest Adil Rami despite the fact that his two-game suspension is now over ahead of the Bayer Leverkusen game at midweek in the Champions League.

Several changes may be made to rest players, with the possibility of Aritz Aduriz starting in place of Roberto Soldado. Sergio Canales will of course miss much of the season with an achilles tendon injury.

For Luis Garcia's men, Miku will likely start up top, but Dani Guiza may get an opportunity in his place after bagging a brace as a substitute in their last game.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Valencia currently sit in fourth place in La Liga after downing Zaragoza 1-0 on Wednesday thanks to a late goal by Jordi Alba.
  • Emery's men have defeated Getafe three straight times.
  • Soldado, Dani Parejo and Pablo Hernandez all played for Getafe before playing for Valencia.
  • Getafe are in 16th place with seven points, coming off a 2-2 draw with Osasuna. 
  • Garcia's guys have drawn three consecutive games and have not won since the end of September.
  • While the majority of the top flight clubs were founded in the early 1900's, some with over 100 years of existence, Getafe were founded in 1983.

Prediction
Valencia should have no problem taking down Getafe, but they will need to be vigilant of the potent attack of the visitors as they look to keep things going ahead of their vital Champions League encounter midweek agaisnt Bayer Leverkusen.
Editor's Prediction
Valencia 2-0 Getafe

Opta Facts La Liga - Matchday 11


Atlético de Madrid - Real Zaragoza

Atlético have only lost one of their last six league meetings with Zaragoza (four wins, one draw).

The rojiblancos have won their last three at home to Zaragoza in the league.

The maños have won on just three of their last 21 visits to the Vicente Calderón in the top flight (six draws, 12 defeats).

Both meetings between the sides last season ended 1-0 to Atlético.

Since 2003/04, only four players have had more shots on target in LigaBBVA than Zaragoza's Luis García (264): Villa, Forlán, Eto'o and Messi.

Real Zaragoza have won only one of their last six league games (three defeats).

Zaragoza are one of the three teams to have shipped the most goals in La Liga this season (17).

Atlético are currently unbeaten in six league games at home, their best run since October 2009.

Only Barcelona have conceded fewer goals at home in the league this season than the colchoneros (1).

Barcelona v Mallorca

Mallorca have scored on each of their last four visits to the Camp Nou in Primera, the only current side in Primera to be on such a run (Getafe, three).

It is seven years since a side managed to score in their fifth consecutive trip to Barcelona's ground in the top flight (Real Zaragoza, Sep 2004).

Mallorca have won three times at the Camp Nou since 2000 in the league, the joint-most of any side (along with Depor).

Barcelona have scored in their last 18 league meetings with the islanders.

The last time Messi, Villa and Pedro all scored in the same match in the league was at Mallorca in February.

All 10 of Lionel Messi's league goals this season have come at the Camp Nou.

Last time out Barcelona scored their first goal of the season that wasn't from open play or from inside the box (Xavi direct free kick).

In this match Barcelona could keep a ninth consecutive clean sheet at home in the league for only the second time in their history (last time was in 1986).

Mallorca have won only one of their last 17 away games in the league since the start of last November.

The islanders' last clean sheet on the road in the league came in March 2010, a run of 27 games.

Málaga v Espanyol

Five of the six goals in the last three clashes between Málaga and Espanyol have come in the first half.

Carlos Delgado Ferreiro was the referee in this exact fixture last season: it ended in a 2-0 home win for the boquerones.

Just one of the 20 meetings between Málaga CF and Espanyol in Primera have ended in a draw (11 Málaga wins, eight for Espanyol).

The boquerones have won their last three games at home to Espanyol in the top flight, and five of their last six.

Málaga have scored at least twice in seven of their last eight games at home to the Catalonians in the league.

Málaga have won six of their last eight home league games, losing only to Barcelona and Real Madrid.

After taking just one point from 11 league games away from home, Espanyol have since won their last two on the road (1-0 in each).

Espanyol have not won three consecutive away matches in Primera since March 1962, and have only achieved this twice before in their history.

Osasuna v Levante

Levante have never failed to score against Osasuna in the top flight.

Osasuna are unbeaten in their last three games at home to Levante in Primera (two wins, one draw).

However the rojillos have never been ahead at home to Levante at half time in Primera.

Osasuna have lost only one of their last eight league matches with Eduardo Iturralde González as referee (three wins, four draws).

Osasuna are unbeaten in their last seven league games at home, winning five.

Levante are on a run of six games unbeaten on the road in the league, winning their last three and conceding only two goals in this run.

Levante's starting XI this season has been on average 31 years and 3 months old, the oldest in Europe's top five leagues this season (Fulham 30 years, five months).

Villarreal were the last side to win eight consecutive league games in the Spanish top flight (2006/07), a run Levante could equal in this match.

Racing Santander v Real Betis

Betis have won 22 of their 56 meetings with Racing in the top flight, drawing 21 and losing 13.

Racing have only won one of their last eight league games at home to Betis.

Pepe Mel's side have scored on seven of their last eight visits to Racing in Primera.

The montañeses are the only LigaBBVA side yet to win this season.

Héctor Cúper's men have failed to score in three of their four games at home in the league this season.

Just one of Racing's six league goals this season has come at home.

Racing have picked up the fewest points at home in LigaBBVA this season (three).

Racing have averaged just 32% possession in games in La Liga this season, lower than any other side.

Real Sociedad v Real Madrid

Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last eight league meetings with Erreala, winning six.

Madrid have lost on only one of their last 11 visits to play teams in the Basque Country in the league (1-0 at Athletic Bilbao in Jan 2010), winning nine.

The merengues have scored exactly twice on each of their last four league visits to Real Sociedad.

The last time Undiano Mallenco was referee for this match, the game ended 2-2 at Anoeta (November 2005), with each side having a player sent off.

Real Sociedad have lost only one of their last eight league games at home, but have won only one of the last five.

Real Madrid have kept three consecutive clean sheets on the road in the league for the first time since February 2009.

The merengues' last two away games have ended with the same scoreline: 4-0.

So far this season, Real Madrid have either scored at least three goals (seven times) or failed to score (twice) in their league matches.

Ángel di María has made the most assists in LigaBBVA this season (seven).

Real Madrid have won the last 67 league games in which they have taken the lead (since 1-2 vs Osasuna in May 2009).

Sevilla v Granada

Sevilla have the historical advantage over Granada, with 13 wins to their opponents' seven in this fixture in Primera (six draws).

Granada have never won at Sevilla in Primera, racking up 11 defeats and only two draws in 13 visits.

Granada have failed to score in eight of their 13 visits in Primera to Nervión.

Marcelino's men are, along with Levante and Barça, one of the only unbeaten sides left in Primera this season.

Against Racing last time out, Sevilla dropped points at home for the first time this season (four wins previously).

Sevilla have drawn the joint-most matches in LigaBBVA this season (five).

Granada have lost all their away matches in the league this season, failing to score in all four.

Granada have failed to score in their last four league games and have bagged just two goals all season.

Granada however won the only game in which they managed to take the lead in the league this season.

Sevilla have lost only one of their last 14 league matches against other sides from Andalucía (1-3 vs Almería in Dec 2010).

Only once before has a side scored just two goals in their opening 10 league games in Primera: Espanyol in 1970/71.

Sporting de Gijón v Athletic de Bilbao

Sporting are without a win in their last 13 matches at home to Basque sides in the league, since a 3-2 win over Real Sociedad in December 1993.

Athletic are unbeaten in nine straight league visits to Sporting since 1991, but have drawn the last three.

The Basque side have scored in all but one of their last 14 league visits to El Molinón.

Fernando Llorente scored in both games against Sporting last season.

Only Racing (three) have picked up fewer points at home in the league this season than Sporting (four).

Athletic have not kept a clean sheet on the road in the league since January (13 games).

After going eight league games without a win, Sporting Gijón have now won their last two in a row.

Sporting have conceded the most headed goals in the league this season (six).

Valencia v Getafe

Valencia have won their last three against Getafe in the league.

In the last meeting between Valencia and Getafe, Roberto Soldado scored four goals against his former club (4-2 at Getafe in April).

Getafe have never won at Valencia in Primera, losing six and drawing just one of their seven visits.

The azulones have never scored a first-half goal at the Mestalla in Primera.

Valencia are unbeaten in their last seven at home in La Liga.

Roberto Soldado has scored 10 goals in Valencia's last nine matches at home in the league.

Getafe are without a win in 15 league games on the road in 2011 (five draws).

15 games without a win on the road is the longest current run by any side in Primera.

Valencia have failed to score more than once in five successive league games for the first time since March 2009.

Daniel Güiza has scored three goals in his last three league appearances against Valencia.

Villarreal v Rayo Vallecano

Villarreal have only lost one of their six top-flight meetings with Rayo Vallecano.

Both sides have scored in all but one of the six meetings between Rayo and Villarreal in Primera (0-1 at Vallecas in 00/01).

Rayo's only win over Villarreal in Primera stands as their highest-scoring match ever away from home in the top flight: 1-5 in 2000/01.

Since 03/04, only Villa (31) has scored more penalties in LigaBBVA than Tamudo (22, level with Ronaldinho).

Koke's goal in Heliópolis was the first time Rayo had scored with a penalty in the league this season, after missing their first two.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo (59) and Messi (50) have had more shots in Primera this season than Giuseppe Rossi (42).

Cani has been substituted off on the joint-most occasions in LigaBBVA this season (seven).

Villarreal have the same number of points after nine games this season (7) as they did in 98/99 when they were relegated.

Rayo have won their last two league games 2-0.