05.11. (Sat) 22:00 Levante - Valencia

PROBABLE LINEUPS

LEVANTE Munua Lopze, Nano, Ballesteros, Del Horno Iborra, Torres Juanlu, Barkero, Valdo Kone/Aranda

VALENCIA GuaitaMiguel, Ruiz, Rami, Mathieu Topal, Costa Hernandez, Jonas, PiattiSoldado

For the home side, Arouna Kone, Nabil El Zhar, Javi Venta and Jose Javier Barkero all did not train early in the week. Venta and El Zhar both missed the team's last game with muscle injuries.

Kone injured his hip against Osasuna, while Bakero has a right leg contusion, but both are likely to take part in the match.

For the visitors, Sergio Canales remains out with a knee injury, looking set to return in six months, while Hedwiges Maduro is out until February with an ankle concern.

Coach Unai Emery will have to find a replacement for Ever Banega, who will miss a month after straining ligaments in his right knee in the 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. Tino Costa is set to step into his position.

In goal, as usual, Vicente Guaita will take over for Diego Alves, as the Spaniard handles La Liga duties, while the Brazilian participates in the Champions League.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Levante are in third place in the league, having won seven games, as many as Barcelona.

• The Frogs were undefeated in their first nine league matches, before losing to Osasuna in their 10th match.
  
• Last season, the club did not manage to beat their opponents on Saturday, tying 0-0 in the Mestalla, while falling at home 1-0 after a late winner by Juan Mata.

• Valencia are in fourth place in the league and are on a three-game winning streak.

• Emery's team have scored six total goals in the last two games, more than in the seven previous contests combined.

• The club was founded in 1919, 10 years after Levante.

Prediction

Both teams have started out the season well, though Valencia are in finer form after Levante suffered their first defeat of the season against Osasuna. However, with several injuries for the visitors, a draw looks likely in what should be an emotional and eventful contest.

Editor's Prediction

Levante 1-1 Valencia

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Opta Facts Ligue 1 - 5th & 6th November

Lille v Evian TG

This will be the first official encounter between these two teams.
Lille have won their last nine L1 encounters with promoted clubs.
Lille have won 14 of their last 20 home games in L1 (five draws and one defeat).
Five of Evian TG's six away games in L1 this season have ended as draws.
All of Evian TG's 14 L1 goals have been scored from inside the penalty area. They are the only team yet to score from outside the box in 2011/12.
ETG have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven Ligue 1 matches.

Auxerre v Toulouse

The last time Auxerre lost three successive Ligue 1 matches was in August 2009.
Toulouse have collected 22 points after 12 match days, which represents their best start to a season since the club's foundation in 1970.
Toulouse are unbeaten in their last three visits to Auxerre in L1; managing one win and two draws.
Toulouse have never kept a clean sheet in their last 12 visits to the Stade Abbé-Deschamps in L1.
Since last season Auxerre have kept only 9 clean sheets in their last 50 matches in L1 (18%).
On the other hand, Toulouse are the team with the most clean sheets in L1 since last season (20) and have not conceded in seven of their 12 L1 matches this season.

Caen v Dijon

Dijon have lost their last three L1 matches, only Ajaccio and Auxerre are currently in such poor form.
Caen are unbeaten against Dijon in official encounters, the clubs have played each other six times (all in Ligue 2), with Caen winning four times and the clubs drawing twice.
Caen have won only one of their last five home games in L1.
Dijon have the worst defensive record in L1 having conceded 25 goals after 12 match days this season.
The last eight teams to have conceded at least 25 goals after 12 matches in L1 have all been relegated at the end of the season.
Benjamin Corgnet has been involved in Dijon's last four goals away from home in L1 this season (three goals and one assist).

Lorient v Ajaccio

Lorient have only lost once in their last 22 L1 games at their Stade du Moustoir; their last defeat was against Auxerre on the 29th of May (1-2).
Ajaccio have not won any of their last seven matches in Ligue 1 (five draws and two defeats), which is currently the longest winless run in the top-flight.
Ajaccio have collected only seven points after 12 match days which is the club's worst ever start to a top-flight campaign.
Only three goals have been scored in the four official encounters between these teams.
Neither Ajaccio nor Lorient have been awarded a penalty in L1 this season - only St Etienne have suffered the same fate.

Marseille v Nice

Nice have lost 46 times against Marseille (for only 21 wins and 19 draws) which is their worst record against any team in L1.
Nice have lost 16 of their last 17 matches away to Marseille in L1, their only victory at the Vélodrome during that run was on the 29th of August 2007.
Nice have conceded 10 goals in their last three visits to the Vélodrome in L1.
Marseille's last four goals against Nice have been scored by the Ayew brothers; André (3) and Jordan (1).
Marseille have scored seven headers in Ligue 1 this season and all have been from Mathieu Valbuena assists.
Eric Mouloungui has scored three goals in his last four L1 matches.

Nancy v Brest

Brest are unbeaten in their last five L1 matches - only PSG, Lille and Marseille can better that record.
Brest are unbeaten in their last six encounters with Nancy in the top flight, managing four wins and two draws.
Brest won both of the L1 matches between these teams last season.
Nancy have not beaten Brest in 25 years with their last victory being on the 19th of January 1986 (2-0).
Nancy are the only team in L1 that have yet to score more than once in a league match this season.
Brest have conceded at least one goal in each of their last eight L1 matches; only Ajaccio are on a worse run conceding in their last 12.

Rennes v Valenciennes

Rennes are unbeaten in their nine home matches in all competitions this season, registering four victories and five draws.
Rennes have opened the scoring in eight of their nine home matches this season. PSG are the only team to have scored before the home team at their Route de Lorient Stadium this season.
Four of the last five official matches at Rennes' ground have ended as 1-1 draws.
Valenciennes have lost six of their seven official away games this season. Their only match that did not end in defeat was a draw away to Nancy (1-1) on the 21st of September.
Valenciennes have failed to score in four of their last five visits to Rennes in Ligue 1.
Valenciennes have failed to score in five L1 matches this season; no other team in the top flight has managed as many.

St Etienne v Montpellier

Montpellier have lost 11 of their last 13 visits to St Etienne in L1, registering a draw and a single victory (2-0 on the 4th of October 1995).
St Etienne have won 84.6% of their L1 home matches against Montpellier, which is their best record against the teams currently in the top flight.
St Etienne have won five of their last six matches against Montpellier in the top flight.
None of the last 15 encounters between these teams in L1 has ended as a draw (nine victories for St Etienne and six for Montpellier).
Montpellier have the most effective attack in this season's Ligue 1, scoring 27 goals.
With 26 points, Montpellier are enjoying their best ever start to a season in the top flight.
Montpellier are the most prolific goal scorers at the start of a L1 season since Lyon in 2007/08 who had scored 27 goals after 12 match days.

Sochaux v Lyon

Lyon have won their last eight matches away to Sochaux; no team has ever managed so many successive victories at Sochaux's Stade Bonal in L1.
Lyon have won 16 times away to Sochaux in L1, which is more than any other team in the top flight.
Sochaux have only scored once in their last seven home games against Lyon in L1.
If Lyon lose it will be the first time since January 2000 that they have suffered four consecutive defeats on the road in L1.
Lyon are on a run of three away defeats in L1, which is currently the worst sequence along with Nancy.
Sochaux only managed three shots against Nice in their last L1 match, which is the fewest by a team during an L1 match this season.
Sochaux have kept only one clean sheet in their last 15 Ligue 1 matches.
Sochaux have only won one of their last eight Ligue 1 matches (3-0 against Toulouse) registering three defeats and four draws.
Michel Bastos has scored five goals against Sochaux, against no other side has he scored as many times in the French top-flight.

Bordeaux v Paris SG

PSG have won their last six L1 matches; which equals the best run in the club's history in the top flight. The Parisian club also managed six consecutive victories in the 1985/86 and 1995/96 seasons.
PSG have recorded five consecutive victories by at least two goals difference - Lille, from December 2009 to January 2010, were the last team to manage such a feat.
Bordeaux have not won any of their last six home matches at the Stade Chaban Delmas this season, which is their worst run in the top flight since 1990/91 (six matches between November 1990 and February 1991).
The last five league games at Bordeaux's Stade Chaban Delmas have all ended in draws.
PSG are unbeaten away from home in L1 this season, Lille are the only other team that are unbeaten on the road in 2011/12.
PSG have lost their last four L1 matches away to Bordeaux and have failed to score in their last five Ligue 1 matches in Bordeaux.
Bordeaux have won five of their last six encounters with PSG in Ligue 1.
Six of Kevin Gameiro's eight goals in the top flight this season have been on the road. He's netted six goals in seven league games against Bordeaux.
No player has scored as many braces in L1 as Nene since last season (6).

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Lorien probija „bunker“ AJAČIO SE UZDA U „RANJIVU“ ODBRANU, MARSEJ SE VRATIO U FORMU

LIL – EVIAN 1 – Fudbaleri Lila biće umorni od meča Lige šampiona protiv Intera u Milanu. Ipak, mnogo su jači od Eviana, pa na ovoj utakmici igram čistu jedinicu. LORIEN – AJAČIO 1 – Gosti će sigurno da se zabunkerišu, ali teško će uspeti da odole napadima domaćina. Lorien mora do pobede. MARSEJ – NICA 1 – Marsej se vratio u formu, bolji je od Nice, pa na ovom meču gađam čistog keca. ST. ETJEN – MONPELJE 3+ - Domaćin je nepredvidiv, a Monpelje je spreman da iskoristi svaku priliku koja mu se ukaže. Ishod je neizvestan, igrao bih na veći broj golova.

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05.11. (Sat) 20:45 Novara - Roma

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

NOVARA FontanaDellafiore, Paci, Lodi, Gemiti Marianini, Porcari, Rigoni PinardiMorimoto, Meggiorini

ROMA Stekelenburg Cassetti, Burdisso, Juan, J. Angel Pizarro, De Rossi, Gago,  Pjanic Bojan, Osvaldo

Attilio Tesser almost has a full Novara squad at his disposal, with only long term absentee Samir Ujkani ruled out. Andrea Lisuzzo should return but will likely be on the bench for the hosts after recovering from a heel injury.

Luis Enrique and Roma have only one major concern, which is the long-term injury sustained by Brazilian full back Cicinho, and the visitors could welcome back both Francesco Totti and Alesandro Rosi after they returned from a thigh and ankle injury respectively. The duo are unlikely to start but could feature from the bench, while Miralem Pjanic is in line to be involved after taking part in the defeat to AC Milan last week.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Both Novara and Roma have lost four league games each this season.

• Before this season it had been 55 years since Novara were last in the Italian top flight.

• If Novara defeat Roma on Saturday night, they will climb out of the relegation zone at the expense of world champions Inter.

• Novara have scored one more goal than Roma despite being four points and five league places behind their opponents.

• Roma have both scored and conceded 11 goals so far this season.

• If Francesco Totti plays any part in this game it will be his 480th appearance for the Giallorossi.

Prediction

With the visitors on the back of two straight defeats and with the talent they have amongst their ranks, they will have a desire to return to winning ways. The home side have struggled since their famous victory over Inter, and Roma should have enough ability to collect the points.

Editor's Prediction

Novara 1-2 Roma

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05.11. (Sat) 20:00 Betis - Malaga

PROSHOTS

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BETIS Casto Isidoro, Dorado, Ustaritz, Nacho Iriney, Benat, Canas Castro, Pereira, Pozuelo

MALAGA Caballero Gamez, Demichelis, Mathijsen, Monreal  Toulalan, Duda Joaquin, Cazorla, Isco Rondon

Roque Santa Cruz remains on the sidelines as Betis look to reverse a torrid run of form that has seen them lose six games on the bounce.

Last weekend’s narrow defeat at Racing Santander means Pepe Mel's promoted side sit just four points off the relegation zone. The coach may persist with the same team that played on Sunday, with defenders Javi Chica and Mario remaining injury doubts.

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini has no new injury concerns ahead of the Andalusian derby, with Willy Caballero and Apono expected to shake off minor knocks sustained in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Espanyol. The game comes too soon for Brazilian midfielder Julio Baptista however, who sits out with a foot injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Real Betis were league leaders a little over a month ago, having won all four of their opening matches

• Betis’ last home win against Malaga was a 3-0 triumph in January 2004.
  
• Seville-based Betis hold the distinction of being the first team from Andalusia to compete in La Liga.

• Malaga have avoided defeat in their last five league encounters with Betis (W3 D2 L0) – a run that stretches back to late-2005.

• Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla is Malaga’s leading scorer this season with four goals.

• Malaga became one of the richest clubs in La Liga following last year’s takeover by Sheikh Al-Thani, a member of the Qatari Royal Family.

Prediction

After a promising start Betis are suffering from a desperately poor run of form, and are unlikely to be given sympathy by a Malaga side still with much to prove after their expenditure in the summer.

Editor's Prediction

Betis 1-2 Malaga

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05.11. (Sat) 18:30 Queens Park Rangers - Manchester City

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

QPR Kenny Young, Gabbidon, Ferdinand, Traore Barton, Derry, Faurlin, Wright-PhillipsHelguson, Bothroyd

MANCHESTER CITY Hart Richards, Savic, Lescott, ClichyYaya Toure, De JongSilva, Aguero, Nasri Balotelli

Fitz Hall’s early injury against Tottenham last Sunday means QPR should welcome back Danny Gabbidon into the heart of defence alongside Anton Ferdinand, who remains a likely starter despite his ongoing race row with Chelsea captain John Terry.

Adel Taarabt may well drop to the bench after another ineffective performance at White Hart Lane, with Rangers boss Neil Warnock possibly opting to start Jay Bothroyd up front alongside Heidar Helguson in an orthodox front two.

Roberto Mancini will likely give the nod for Stefan Savic to replace the suspended Vincent Kompany alongside Joleon Lescott in the City defence after the young Serb’s impressive display against Villarreal.

David Silva limped off at El Madrigal in midweek complaining of a back injury, but Mancini moved to dispel fears that the diminutive Spaniard faces a spell on the sidelines, and he should line up in this fixture.

The Italian’s rotation policy means the visitors’ attacking lineup is slightly harder to predict, although with no Champions League fixtures to worry about next week, he may feel comfortable fielding the likes of Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero behind red-hot Mario Balotelli.

DID YOU KNOW?

• These two sides last met in a League Cup tie back in 2003. Manchester City won 3-0, with current QPR star Shaun Wright-Phillips bagging a brace and skipper Joey Barton getting an assist

• For the last Premier League encounter between these two, you have to go back to February 3, 1996. City won 2-0, but both sides were ultimately relegated

• Since their opening day defeat to Bolton, QPR are unbeaten in four Premier League matches at Loftus Road

• Manchester City have won their last seven matches in all competitions, winning 14 of their 17 matches in total this season

• Neil Warnock will be looking for his side to make a fast start on Saturday – four of QPR’s eight goals scored this season have come in the first 15 minutes of matches

• Manchester City have scored 20 goals in their five away fixtures in the Premier League this season – an average of four goals per game

• Along with West Brom, QPR have scored fewer goals at home (3) than any other team in the Premier League this season

• Manchester City are currently 11 points better off in the Premier League than they were at this stage last season

Prediction

Roared on by a raucous home crowd, QPR will start at a frantic pace and try to disrupt their opponents’ rhythm early on, but City will eventually overrun them in all areas.

Editor's Prediction

QPR 0-3 Man City

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05.11. (Sat) 18:30 Bayer Leverkusen - Hamburger SV

Bongarts

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BAYER LEVERKUSEN Leno Castro, Friedrich, Toprak, Kadlec Bender, Rolfes Sam, Ballack, Schurrle Kiessling

HAMBURG Drobny Diekmeier, Bruma, Westermann, Aogo Gokhan Tore, Rincon, Kacar, Jansen Guerrero, Berg

Leverkusen captain Simon Rolfes is set to return to the starting line-up after spending last week's encounter with Freiburg on the bench. Michael Ballack should be fit to start despite playing in midweek vesus Valencia with a mask to protect his broken nose.

Slobodan Rajkovic will sit this match out after his red card in last week's 1-1 home draw against Kaiserslautern, while Mladen Petric will be missing for the next month after sustaining a thigh strain in training last week. The Croatian's absence will allow Marcus Berg to continue up front along side Paolo Guerrero, while Deikmeier will step in for Rajkovic.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Bayer Leverkusen have not lost any of their last four games against Hamburg, however, they have only won one of their previous six clashes with Torsten Fink's side at the BayArena.

• The hosts have collected the most red cards in the Bundesliga this season (three), while their opponents top the table for yellow cards, having collected 29 bookings so far.

• The BayArena club are the only team to have reached a Champions League final but to never have won their domestic league.

• Hamburg midfielder Gokhan Tore represented Leverkusen at various levels for 10 years, before departing for Chelsea.

• Torsten Fink's men have a marginally better record in this fixture, winning 25 games to Levekursen's 22.

• Wolfgang Rolff, who won the 1983 European Cup with Hamburg, went on to make 99 Bundesliga appearances for Bayer Leverkusen, scoring nine goals in the process.

Prediction

Hamburg have taken steps back in the right direction after their disasterous start to the season, but Leverkusen are still a cut above Torsten Fink's side. I'd expect the hosts to triumph, but it will be a tighter affair than some would assume.

Editor's Prediction

Leverkusen 2-1 Hamburg

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La Liga Opta Facts - 5th & 6th November

Athletic de Bilbao v Barcelona

Athletic have not beaten Barcelona in the league since 2005/06 (3-1 at San Mamés).
The Catalonians have scored in their last 13 league visits to Athletic.
The Basque side have managed only one clean sheet in the league this season (3-0 vs Atlético).
Barcelona have scored in all but one of their league games this season (exception was vs Sevilla).
Athletic's last five league goals have all come in the second half.
Just two of the 32 goals scored by Barcelona in the league this season have come from outside the box.
Barcelona have kept the most clean sheets in the league this season (eight).
Barcelona are, along with Atlético, one of just two sides not to have had a player sent off in the league in 2011.
The last eight league goals from the Basque side have been scored by six different players.
A win for Barcelona in this match would be the first time they have won three consecutive away league games this season.
LigaBBVA's top goalscorer this season (Lionel Messi, 13) is yet to score away from home in the current campaign.

Espanyol v Villarreal

Six of the 12 meetings between the sides in the top flight at Espanyol have ended in a draw (plus three wins for both sides).
Espanyol have failed to score in their last seven league meetings with Villarreal.
Only two sides have ever gone eight games in Primera without scoring against the same side (Salamanca vs R Madrid and Real Sociedad vs Barcelona).
Five of the last six league meetings between Espanyol and Villarreal have seen fewer than two goals.
Espanyol are one of only two teams, along with Betis, not to have drawn in the league this season.
Espanyol have only scored more than once in one league game this season (2-1 vs Athletic on matchday three).
The Yellow Submarine is yet to win away from home in the league this season (two draws, three defeats).
Villarreal's Cani has been subbed off more often than any other player in LigaBBVA this season (eight times).
Espanyol have received the most yellow cards in the league this season (39).
The Yellow Submarine have scored the highest proportion of left-footed goals (67%) in LigaBBVA this season.
Villarreal have conceded the joint-most goals in the first half of league games this season (11, along with Málaga).

Getafe v Atlético de Madrid

Getafe have won just three of their 14 top-flight meetings with Atlético.
The azulones have only managed one win from seven games at home to the rojiblancos in Primera (three draws, three defeats).
Geta have never scored more than once at home to Atlético in Primera.
The rojiblancos have only once failed to score at Getafe in the top flight (0-1 in 2009/10).
Luis García's men are without a win in six in the league, and this is their poorest-ever start to a top-flight campaign after 10 games.
Atlético are the poorest away side in LigaBBVA this season (no goals, four defeats and one draw).
Following his assist against Zaragoza, Arda Turan is now level with Gabi as the provider of most assists for Atlético in the league this season (three).
Aside from goalkeepers, only three players have played every minute this season without receiving a yellow card: Dídac, Demichelis and Getafe's Cata Díaz.
Atlético and Getafe are both yet to concede a goal in the last 15 minutes of the first half in the league this season.
Atlético are one of two sides whose midfielders are yet to score in the league this season (along with Sevilla).

Granada v Racing de Santander

Granada have the advantage in the top-flight head-to-head with Racing, winning three, drawing two and losing only one of their six meetings.
The Andalucians have won all three games at home to Racing in Primera.
Héctor Cúper's men have won none of their five away games in the league so far (three defeats, two draws).
Racing (7) and Granada (4) are the lowest-scoring sides in LigaBBVA this season.
Granada and Racing are two of three sides to have gone four games without scoring in the league this season (along with Sporting).
Granada have failed to score in their last two league games at home and have failed to score in three of five overall in the league this season.
Granada are the only side without a player to have scored more than once in LigaBBVA this season.
Five of Racing's seven league goals this season have come away from home.
Racing are, along with Sevilla and Atlético, the only side to have drawn three games 0-0 this season.
The montañeses have dropped the second-most points (five), after Getafe (six), thanks to goals conceded in the last 15 minutes of league matches this season.
Granada's five home league games have produced only five goals this season.

Levante v Valencia

Los Che have won six of their 12 top-flight meetings with Levante, with three wins for the granotas and three draws.
Levante have scored just one goal in their last four league meetings with Valencia (two draws, two defeats).
Defeat in their last match against Osasuna ended Levante's longest-ever winning streak in the top-flight (seven).
Before Levante, 18 sides had managed at least 23 points from their opening 10 games in Primera: none of them ended the season lower than sixth (14 in the top four).
Only in 2003/04 and 2008/09 (23 in each) have Valencia had more points at this point of the season than they do currently (21)
Valencia have lost just four of their last 19 away league games, the only four in which they failed to find the net.
Levante suffered their biggest-ever home defeat against Valencia in the top flight (1-5 in 2007/08).
Only Real Madrid (six) and Barcelona (four) have conceded fewer goals than Levante (seven) in LigaBBVA this season.
Last time out, both Sofiane Feghouli and Aritz Aduriz scored their first league goals for Valencia this season.

Mallorca v Sevilla

Sevilla are unbeaten on their last 10 league trips to Mallorca, winning five times.
The last time the hispalenses lost in Mallorca, they were relegated to Segunda (1999/00).
Sevilla have scored in all but two of their last 20 league meetings with the bermellones.
Against Granada, Sevilla lost their first league match in 12 games, their longest unbeaten run since they went 12 without defeat in 2008.
Mallorca are yet to claim their first league win under Joaquín Caparrós (two draws, two defeats).
Sevilla are yet to concede a goal in the first half-hour of league games this season.
The islanders are the only side to have conceded more than one own goal in the league this season (two).
Four of the last five league goals from Sevilla have been scored by Manu del Moral.
Mallorca have scored the most goals from penalties in La Liga this season (four).
José Antonio Teixeira Vitienes has been the referee for the most draws in La Liga this season (three).

Rayo Vallecano v Real Sociedad

Rayo have won only two of their last seven top-flight meetings with Real Sociedad.
The franjirrojos have gone eight league matches without losing at home to Erreala (six wins).
Real Sociedad's only two wins at Vallecas in Primera were by a 4-0 (78/79) and 3-0 (89/90) scoreline.
Rayo Vallecano's last two wins this season have been by the same scoreline: 2-0.
The realistas have lost their last four league away games.
Only Betis (9) have hit the woodwork more often than Real Sociedad (8) in the league this season.
Rayo and Real Sociedad are two of the four teams to have conceded the most goals in the opening 15 minutes of the second half in LigaBBVA this season (four).
Real Sociedad are the only side to have lost more than one game after opening the scoring in LigaBBVA this season (two).

Real Betis v Málaga

On the only previous occasion that Málaga CF have beaten Real Betis in Primera, the side from Seville were relegated.
Prior to this game in 2009, Málaga CF had drawn four and lost two of their six top-flight games at Betis.
Excluding the first-ever meeting, Betis have scored in all six of their top-flight meetings at home to Malaga.
Málaga CF have never lost after scoring at Real Betis in Primera (four draws, one win), but both defeats have been by a 0-3 scoreline.
Defeat in this match would equal Real Betis' worst-ever run of consecutive defeats in the top flight (seven: 1965, 1968 y 1985).
Málaga have lost all three games without Duda playing in the league this season, winning five of seven when he has featured.
The boquerones have had a man sent off in their last two league away games.
Málaga have conceded the joint-most goals in the first half of LigaBBVA matches this season (11, level with Villarreal).
Betis have conceded the most right-footed goals in La Liga this season.
Betis have won all the games in which they have opened the scoring at home this season, but have lost every time they have conceded first: Málaga have the same record on the road.
Real Betis have hit the woodwork on the joint-most occasions in Primera this season (nine).

Real Madrid v Osasuna

Real Madrid have only lost two of their 33 games at home to Osasuna in Primera (26 wins, five draws).
The merengues have won their last five games against Osasuna in the league.
Osasuna suffered their biggest-ever defeat in Primera at Real Madrid in 58/59: 8-0, the same scoreline by which they lost at the Camp Nou earlier this season.
José Mourinho's men are on a run of six straight league wins in Primera, scoring 22 goals and conceding only three.
The blancos have won all of their league games at home this season, averaging 4.25 goals per game.
José Luis Mendilíbar's side have conceded the most goals on the road in LigaBBVA this season (14 in five games).
Osasuna have won none of their last six league away games, scoring just four goals and conceding 16.
Real Madrid have scored the most second-half goals (18) in LigaBBVA this season, while Osasuna have scored the fewest (three).
The rojillos have scored the most headed goals in LigaBBVA this season (five, level with Atlético and Sevilla).
Osasuna were the last side to avoid defeat against Real Madrid despite going behind in the league (2-1 in May 2009): 68 wins for the merengues since then
Mesut Özil has still not played the full 90 minutes in a league match this season.

Real Zaragoza v Sporting de Gijón

Zaragoza have won 25 of the 64 top-flight meetings against Sporting, losing 14 and drawing 25.
The Asturians have only lost on one of their last 11 league visits to La Romareda (six wins, four draws).
The maños are on their worst run of the season, three straight defeats.
This is Sporting's best run of the season, taking seven points from the last nine available.
Having failed to score in the previous four, Sporting have now scored in their last four league matches.
The Aragonese side are, along with Espanyol, the side who have conceded the most penalties in LigaBBVA this season (four).

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Italian Serie A Opta Facts - 5th & 6th November

Atalanta v Cagliari

Atalanta have won three of their last four Serie A meetings with Cagliari.
At home, Atalanta are unbeaten in their last nine games with the Sardinians (six wins and three draws).
Atalanta have won just one of their last five Serie A games (2-1 vs Parma).
Atalanta are yet to lose at home in this campaign: after beating Palermo (1-0) and Novara (2-1), they drew with Udinese (0-0) and Inter (1-1).
Cagliari have won just one of their last seven Serie A games, and scored just once in the last four.
The last 10 Serie A meetings between these two sides have seen a total of seven red cards.
German Denis has already scored six goals in nine games for Atalanta this season, as many as he netted in total in his previous 41 Serie A appearances.
Nenê scored a brace in his only previous start against Atalanta in Serie A, which came last season.

Cesena v Lecce

These two sides have met eight times so far in Serie A: Cesena lead by four wins to two, but the last meeting back in January ended 1-1.
Cesena have won all four of their home games against Lecce in Serie A.
Cesena are the only side still without a win in this Serie A campaign, and have taken only three points in total (courtesy of three draws).
Last Sunday's defeat against Parma cost Cesena manager Marco Giampaolo his job, and he was swiftly replaced by Daniele Arrigoni.
That goal by Candreva from the penalty spot against Cagliari was Cesena's only goal in their last seven Serie A games.
Cesena have drawn their last three games at home (0-0 vs Chievo and Fiorentina and 1-1 vs Cagliari).
Lecce have picked up just two points from their last seven games, including last Sunday's 1-1 draw against Novara.
Away from home, Lecce scored in their first game of the season on the road (2-0 win at Bologna), but have failed to find the net in the following three away games.
Erjon Bogdani has already scored three goals in his career against Lecce, including last season's two; only against Palermo he scored more goals in Serie A so far (four).

Chievo v Fiorentina

Chievo and Fiorentina have not drawn any of their last 12 Serie A meetings, with the Viola having the better of the games 10 times, including last season's two meetings.
Chievo have failed to score in four of their last five home meetings against Fiorentina, while the Viola have found the net in each of their previous seven visits to the Bentegodi.
Chievo have lost their last three Serie A games, and are without a win on the last five match-days.
After failing to score in four consecutive games, Chievo found the net last Sunday thanks to a Moscardelli strike.
Lazzari's goal last Sunday gave Fiorentina their first victory after five winless games in Serie A.
Away from home, Sinisa Mihajlovic's side are still winless since April, and have scored just one goal on the road this term.
Alberto Gilardino has scored six goals in his career against Chievo, two of which came for the Viola.
Steven Jovetic has already completed 25 dribbles this season - a Serie A-high.

Genoa v Inter

The last time Genoa managed to beat Inter in Serie A was in the 1994/95 campaign; since then, the Nerazzurri have won six and drawn three against the Grifoni.
Inter have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six meetings against Genoa, and have won on their last three visits to the Ferraris without conceding any goals.
Genoa have won just one of their last six league games (2-1 at home vs Roma).
At home, Genoa have notched six wins and two draws in their last eight games between this and the last campaign, since their last defeat against Cagliari back in April.
Inter are still on eight points after nine games: this is their worst start to a Serie A season since 1946/47.
The Nerazzurri have already conceded 16 goals (only Parma and Novara have shipped more in this campaign); only in 1930/31 had Inter conceded more goals after the first nine games of Serie A (21).
Inter have conceded goals in each of their last 10 away games in Serie A, while the last time they kept a clean sheet on the road was against Sampdoria back in February.

Lazio v Parma

Parma have won just one of their last 11 Serie A games against Lazio (2-1 at the Olimpico in September 2009).
Lazio have kept a clean sheet on five of the last six occasions they have hosted Parma in Serie A.
By beating Cagliari last Sunday, Lazio stretched their unbeaten run to seven games in Serie A (five wins and two draws).
After beating Cesena 2-0 last Sunday, Parma remain the only side yet to draw a game in Serie A this season.
Away from home, Parma have lost three and won one game this season; conceding three or more goals in each of those defeats.
Hernan Crespo has scored 111 goals in Serie A with Parma (72) and Lazio (39), but netted only two in total when he played in this fixture (both for Parma).
Overall, the Argentine has scored eight goals against Lazio in Serie A.
Miroslav Klose has already scored eight goals for Lazio, six of which have come in the league (including a league-high three headed goals).

AC Milan v Catania

Since 2006/07, only once have AC Milan or Catania scored more than two goals when they have faced each others in Serie A (AC Milan 3-0 Catania in December 2006).
Catania's last win against the Rossoneri came back in 1962/63; since then, there have been 10 wins for AC Milan and as many draws (including the 1-1 result in their last meeting at the San Siro).
Three of the last four meetings between these two sides in Milan ended in draws.
Against Roma last Saturday, the Rossoneri recorded their fourth consecutive win in the league; only once since the start of 2010 have they ever won five in a row.
AC Milan have scored more than two goals in four consecutive Serie A games for the first time since April 2007.
At home, AC Milan are still unbeaten in 2011 in the league, and only Lazio (back in Fabruary) managed to keep a clean sheet at the San Siro against the Rossoneri.
Catania are unbeaten in their last six games, their longest unbeaten run since 1962/63, when they didn't lose for eight consecutive games.
AC Milan boast the best attack in Serie A (19 goals), and have also scored the most headed goals (seven).

Napoli v Juventus

Napoli are unbeaten against Juventus in the last two seasons, winning three times and drawing the last meeting in May in Turin (2-2).
At home, Napoli have now beaten Juventus four times in a row for the first time in their history.
Last Saturday against Catania, Edison Cavani scored his first goal after five league appearances without finding the net.
Cavani scored a hat-trick in the last meeting between these two sides at the San Paolo; that was the first of his four hat-tricks in Serie A.
Napoli have won just two of their last seven games, while Juventus are the only side still unbeaten in this Serie A campaign (five wins and four draws).
The Old Lady have conceded just three goals in their last eight Serie A games away from home between this and last season.
Juventus have fired in a league-high 57 shots on target this season, while Napoli have conceded the fewest fouls (just 100 in nine games).
Claudio Marchisio has already equalled his goal scoring record for a single Serie A season, having netted four in the first nine match-days of this campaign.
Walter Mazzarri's next victory will be his 100th win as a Serie A manager.

Novara v Roma

Novara and Roma have met 22 times in Serie A: the Giallorossi lead by 11 wins to eight.
The last time the two sides met was in 1955/56, with Roma winning 2-1.
Novara have drawn their last two league games (1-1 vs Siena and Lecce).
After beating Inter last September, Novara have not won a single Serie A game (three losses and as many draws).
Novara have the joint-worst defensive record in the league, alongside Parma (17 goals conceded).
Novara are also the only side yet to keep a clean sheet in Serie A this season.
Roma have lost three of their last four Serie A games (a 1-0 win over Palermo their only win in that run) and have won just one of their last five games on the road.
Four of Roma's last five goals in the league have been scored by new signings (one apiece for Osvaldo, Lamela, Borini and Bojan).
Novara's manager Attilio Tesser has won just one of his 21 Serie A games so far - a 3-1 win against Inter this season.

Palermo v Bologna

Palermo have beaten Bologna 14 times so far: only against Sampdoria (17) and Lazio (15) have the Rosanero recorded more wins in Serie A.
Palermo have also won six of their last seven meetings against Bologna in the top-flight, and are unbeaten in their last 18 meetings with the Felsinei.
12 of Palermo's 13 points this season have been won at home.
Only once have Palermo failed to score at home in 2011 (a 0-7 defeat vs Udinese back in February).
Since the appointment of Stefano Pioli, Bologna have recorded three wins out of four games, and won both away games.
Bologna have won back to back games, against Chievo and Atalanta, for the first time in 2011.
The last time Bologna won three games in a row in Serie A was in February 2005, while three consecutive wins on the road last came in the 1963/64 campaign.
Last Sunday against Atalanta, Marco Di Vaio ended a run of 15 goalless games in Serie A - his longest goalscoring drought ever in a professional league.

Udinese v Siena

Siena have won just one of their eight meetings against Udinese in the top-flight, with four wins for the Friulani and three draws.
Udinese have scored in each of their last 12 meetings against the Tuscans in Serie A since 2003/04.
Beating Palermo last Sunday, Udinese were able to retain 2nd spot in the Serie A table, with 18 points.
Only in 2008/09, did Udinese enjoy a better start to a Serie A season, when they picked up 20 points from their first nine games.
Udinese have won their last four Serie A games at home, and kept five consecutive clean sheets at the Friuli.
Udinese have kept seven clean sheet in nine match-days in this Serie A campaign, more than any other side.
Last Sunday's 4-1 win over Chievo was only the second time that Siena scored more than three goals in a game in their history in Serie A.
Current Serie A top-scorer, Antonio Di Natale has been involved in eight of his side's 11 goals this season, scoring seven and providing one assist.
Emanuele Calaiò has scored on each of the last three match-days in the league, taking his overall scoring tally to six for Siena in this campaign.

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05.11. (Sat) 16:00 Blackburn Rovers - Chelsea

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BLACKBURN Robinson Lowe, Samba, Givet, OlssonPedersen, N'Zonzi, Rochina, Hoilett Formica Yakubu

CHELSEA Cech Bosingwa, Terry, David Luiz, Cole Ramires, Lampard, Meireles Sturridge, Torres, Mata

Rovers’ defensive problems show no signs of abating, with Ryan Nelsen, Michel Salgado and Scott Dann still sidelined, along with midfielder Vince Grella. Junior Hoilett is expected to return for the home side after being forced off in last week’s draw with Norwich.

Chelsea have no new injury concerns ahead of the clash at Ewood Park, with Jon Obi Mikel still sidelined with a back problem. John Terry, Frank Lampard and Juan Mata are all expected to start, having been rested for a full 90 minutes in midweek against Genk.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Chelsea have won 13 of the last 18 meetings between the sides, scoring 38 goals in the process.

• Blackburn have conceded the same number of league goals this season that Chelsea have scored: 23.

• The visitors have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last nine Premier League matches, losing three of those games.

• Rovers have only won one of the last nine Premier League meetings between the two sides at Ewood Park – a 1-0 win back in May 2006.

• Blackburn have won only six matches in the Premier League in 2011.

• Chelsea have a worse disciplinary record than their hosts this season, amassing 29 cards to Rovers’ 25.

• Blackburn have conceded 12 goals in the league at Ewood Park this season. Only Bolton have a worse home record.

• Chelsea, meanwhile, have the worst away form of any side currently in the top six, with seven points from five matches and only eight goals scored.

• Andre Villas-Boas' men have conceded more goals in the last 10 minutes than at any other time in their Premier League matches so far this season.

• Blackburn, however, have failed to score a goal in the final 10 minutes of any match this season, whilst conceding five.

Prediction

Steve Kean bought himself some breathing space amidst the supporter protests after Blackburn’s dramatic League Cup win over Newcastle, followed by a much-improved Premier League performance against Norwich. Chelsea, meanwhile, are smarting after two defeats on the bounce in the league and a disappointing draw in Europe this week. Expect Blackburn to battle bravely, but Chelsea are likely to be ruthless after their recent run. History favours the Blues in this fixture, after all, and I’m not willing to argue against the record books.

Editor's Prediction

Blackburn 1-3 Chelsea

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05.11. (Sat) 16:00 Arsenal - West Bromwich Albion

van persie (chelsea-arsenal)

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ARSENAL Szczesny Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos Song, Ramsey, Arteta Gervinho, Van Persie, Arshavin

WEST BROMWICH ALBION   Foster Reid, Olsson, McAuley, Jones Thomas, Mulumbu, Brunt Tchoyi Odemwingie

Arsenal come into the game on the back of contrasting performances for their team; in their match against Chelsea in the Premier League last weekend their defence was, at best, sloppy. However, they attacked with a real sense of purpose and were lethal in front of goal, scoring all of their shots on target.

However, in their Champions League match on Tuesday the defence was altogether more solid, but faltered in front of goal as manager Arsene Wenger chose to "gamble" on leaving Robin van Persie on the bench.

There may be one or two changes to the midweek game, with Van Persie almost certain to be recalled, while there could be a rest for any number of players, including perhaps Aaron Ramsey or Theo Walcott who have both been in the limelight recently.

Meanwhile, West Brom were on an impressive run of four games unbeaten before last weekend's home defeat to Liverpool, and will be without midfield maestro Paul Scharner and the impressive summer acquisition Shane Long who are both injured.

DID YOU KNOW?

• West Bromwich Albion striker Peter Odemwingie (pictured right) scored in both fixtures against Arsenal last season.

• The Baggies have only kept three clean sheets in their previous 40 away Premier League games.

• West Brom have scored more goals in the opening 15 minutes than any other Premier League team this season with a total of five.

• There have been four goals scored in the opening 10 minutes of the last four league meetings between the two teams.

• If Arsenal take all three points against West Brom it will be their 400th win in the Premier League.

• This is the first time Arsenal have had a negative goal difference at this stage of the season in the history of the Premier League.

• Robin van Persie has scored 28 goals in 27 league appearances in 2011.

Prediction

If the Gunners' defence continue their good form then one cannot really see beyond them with what will surely be another appearance for the influential Robin van Persie.
Meanwhile, if Andrey Arshaving be given a chance in the team, he will be looking to improve on his form since arriving in London, which he admitted has been average so far.
But all in all, this looks like a victory for Arsene Wenger's men.

Editor's Prediction

Arsenal 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

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05.11. (Sat) 16:00 Manchester United - Sunderland

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED De Gea Jones, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra Nani, Rooney, Fletcher, Park Welbeck, Hernandez

SUNDERLAND   Westwood Bardsley, Brown, Turner, Richardson Larsson,Vaughan,Cattermole,Colback,Sessegnon Bendtner

Sir Alex Ferguson will be celebrating 25 years at the club on Sunday, but will still be concerned by the depleted numbers of his midfield as the injury list continues to grow. Brazil international Anderson may miss out with Sir Alex confirming in his pre-match press conference that he picked up a knock against Otelul Galati in midweek, while Ryan Giggs and Tom Cleverley remain sidelined.
Michael Carrick could be involved following his recent injury, while Darren Fletcher is a doubt after he missed the Red Devils' win over the Romanian champions. So a third consecutive game in midfield for Wayne Rooney would not be surprising. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Paul Pogba could make the bench.
Sunderland travel to Old Trafford with considerably less to think about on the injury front, although a fractured nose and eye-socket for goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is a massive blow with Black Cats’ third choice stopper Keiran Westwood set to step up with Craig Gordon still out.
Former United cult-hero John O’Shea will have to wait for his Old Trafford Premier League return for another season after being ruled out due to a hamstring injury, leaving Steve Bruce with just one other injury related concern. Fraizer Campbell looks set to return in December, about six months ahead of schedule.
Aside from injuries, Sunderland’s only other player who will miss the trip to Manchester is Titus Bramble, who has been suspended by the club while his off-field behaviour is investigated.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Before their 6-1 defeat to Manchester City two weeks ago, Manchester United had won their last 20 home matches in the Premier League.

• The Red Devils have not lost any of their last 18 league games against Sunderland.

• The match will be played on the eve of Sir Alex Ferguson’s 25th anniversary at Old Trafford.

• Should they win, United will become the first to reach 900 home points in the Premier League. They are currently on 898.

• Sunderland have won six of their last 25 away matches in the league.

• Their 2-0 win at Bolton two weeks ago was their first win away from the Stadium of Light since May.

• Kenwyne Jones was the last Sunderland player to score against United, during a 2-2 draw back in October 2009.

• The Black Cats’ last win over Sir Alex Ferguson’s men was back in 1997, when they registered a 2-1 victory. They also managed to beat Arsenal and Chelsea that season.

• Sunderland have not won at Old Trafford since May 1968 when they beat United 2-1.

• Wes Brown (pictured right) is set to make his first ever appearance against United on Saturday following his departure from the Old Trafford club in the summer.

Prediction

The hosts cannot be overlooked for this one. Sir Alex’s men will be determined to eradicate the defeat to Manchester City two weeks ago in their last home match in the Premier League.
Before the loss to City, United had only dropped two points in the previous year, so there is no reason why their superiority should not show once again with Sunderland having a dreadful record at Old Trafford.

Editor's Prediction

Man Utd. 3-1 Sunderland

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