10.12. (Sat) 22:00 Real - Barcelona

Getty

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

REAL MADRID Casillas Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo Xabi Alonso, Diarra, Khedira Di Maria, Benzema/Higuain, Ronaldo

BARCELONA   Valdes Alves, Puyol, Pique, Abidal Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta Messi, Cesc, Sanchez

Jose Mourinho looks set to deploy Alvaro Arbeloa at right-back after the defender returned from injury in the midweek Champions League win over Ajax. Sergio Ramos and Pepe will continue their partnership at the heart of the defence, with Ricardo Carvalho still injured.

Xabi Alonso returns from suspension and will play alongside Lassana Diarra, while Sami Khedira is likely to be given the nod ahead of Fabio Coentrao to complete a three-man midfield.

Mourinho has already confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria will start the game in support of either Karim Benzema or Gonzalo Higuain.

Despite suffering concussion in last weekend's 5-0 victory over Levante, Carles Puyol is winning his battle to start at centre-half alongside Gerard Pique, with Barcelona set to opt for a four-man backline, although Pep Guardiola has indicated he has considered utilising a back-three, as he has done on several occasions this season.

Guardiola has no major injury woes and has a selection dilemma in midfield and attack. Sergio Busquets is expected to shield the defence with Xavi and Andres Iniesta likely to provide the creativity in the middle of the park.

David Villa is set to miss out again as Guardiola is likely to select Chile forward Alexis Sanchez on the left, with Cesc Fabregas deployed in the 'false nine' position and Lionel Messi reverting to a right-wing role.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Real Madrid have won only one of their previous 11 meetings with their Catalan rivals (losing seven and drawing the other three).

• However, Los Blancos have won six out of eight of their last meetings versus Barcelona when the sides have met in the month of December (one defeat, one draw).

• Madrid have not dropped a single point after scoring first in Liga since the beginning of the 2009-10 campaign, with every other team dropping at least 18 points in this period.

• Barcelona have won only three of their last 10 Liga away fixtures, this coming after setting the record for most consecutive away victories last season (12).

• Lionel Messi has scored on his last five visits to the Santiago Bernabeu, netting a total of seven goals in the process.

• Pep Guardiola's men have scored more goals in the opening 15 minutes than any other side in La Liga this season (11), while Madrid have netted the most strikes in the last 15 (10).

Prediction

Real Madrid have home advantage and are in brilliant form, but Pep Guardiola's men cannot afford to lose this game. With both sides boasting squads of similar quality, especially in attack, it's difficult to see anything other than a score draw at the Bernabeu, in what is sure to be an intensely-contested encounter.

Editor's Prediction

Real Madrid 2-2 Barcelona

Read More

10.12. (Sat) 20:45 Inter - Fiorentina

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

INTER Julio Cesar Faraoni, Ranocchia, Samuel, NagatomoCambiasso Alvarez, Stankovic, Motta, Zarate Pazzini

FIORENTINA Boruc De Silvestri, Gamberini, Natali, Pasqual Behrami, Montolivo, Vargas,  Lazzari Jovetic, Gilardino

Inter coach Claudio Ranieri will need to tinker with his back-four as Lucio, Cristian Chivu and Maicon are all out with injuries. Wesley Sneijder and Sulley Muntari will also miss the clash on Saturday while Javier Zanetti is suspended after picking up the first red card of his Serie A career last weekend. Diego Forlan is still nursing an injury and is not yet ready to return to the fold.
Fiorentina boss Delio Rossi does not have too many injury worries but will be without the services of influential defenders Mattia Cassani and Per Kroldrup at the weekend.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Inter have picked up only three wins in 10 home games in all competitions so far this season.

• The Nerazzurri have scored just five goals in their last five Serie A encounters.

• Ranieri's men have lost four league games by a one-goal margin this term.

• Fiorentina have kept seven clean sheets this season, which is second only to Udinese.

• The Viola are winless on the road this term and have only scored one goal on their Serie A travels.

• Rossi's side have been held scoreless in three out of their last four games.

Prediction

Inter need a win to distance themselves from the relegation zone, and while Fiorentina struggle for goals away from home, the Nerazzurri don't have the necessary firepower up front to secure all three points.

Editor's Prediction

Inter 0-0 Fiorentina

Read More

10.12. (Sat) 20:00 Betis - Valencia

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

REAL BETIS   Castro Isidoro, Ustaritz, Dorado, Nacho Benat, Iriney, Sevilla Castro, Santa Cruz, Pereira

VALENCIA Alves Barragan, Rami, Ruiz, Alba Albelda, T Costa Piatti, Jonas, Mathieu Soldado

Betis look set for the contest with no major injury news, and although they eventually suffered defeat at Osasuna last weekend, their nine loss in 10 matches, the board at the Sevilla club have indicated that Pepe Mel will remain in charge until the end of the season.

Valencia look to bounce back from Tuesday's Champions League elimination to Chelsea by fielding a full-strength team. Roberto Soldado will likely start after Aritz Aduriz featured last weekend.

On the injury front, Ever Banega is still recovering from a knee injury, but may earn a few minutes against Betis, though it does not look likely.

Sergio Canales is still out until April with a knee injury, while Hedwiges Maduro looks to return in February with an ankle injury. In goal, Vicente Guaita is still nearing fitness and may make the start in favour of Diego Alves, who has not been in form as of late.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Real Betis are in 17th place in the league, only one point above the relegation zone. Racing Santander and Sporting Gijon have 12 points, while Real Zargoza are last with 10. 

• The Sevilla-based club won their first four league games but have not seen victory since, losing nine and drawing one.

• Betis have allowed nine goals at home in the league. Only two teams have conceded more, as Zaragoza and Saturday's opponents have allowed 11.

• Valencia were eliminated from the Champions League group stage on Tuesday when they lost 3-0 to Chelsea in London. 

• Los Che currently sit in third place in La Liga with 30 points, four ahead of Levante.
  
• Striker Roberto Soldado has nine league goals, good enough for fourth place in the Pichichi rankings.

Prediction

Betis have been the most out of form team in the league as of late, and the trend should continue as Valencia look to bounce back from their Champions League failure.

Editor's Prediction

Betis 1-3 Valencia

Read More

French Ligue 1 Opta Facts - 10th and 11th December

Nancy v Ajaccio

Ajaccio have never won at Nancy in Ligue 1, picking up just one point in four visits.
Nancy have failed to win any of their last three home league matches against newly promoted opposition.
Ajaccio are winless in their last 11 league matches, currently the longest run.
Nancy have scored a league-low 12 goals this term.
Ajaccio have conceded more than one goal in each of the last seven matchdays.
Ajaccio are the only side without a clean sheet in Ligue 1 this season.

Rennes v Brest

Brest have lost each of their last three trips to Rennes in all competitions.
Rennes are unbeaten at home this season in any competition.
Six of the last eight competitive games at the Route de Lorient stadium have ended in draws.
Brest have won just one of their last 21 away Ligue 1 matches.
Following their 2-0 at Bordeaux in October 2010, Brest have failed to score more than once in 21 away Ligue 1 fixtures.
Bruno Grougi scored from the penalty spot in both of his two Ligue 1 appearances against Rennes.

St Etienne v Caen

Caen have never won in 11 previous trips to St Etienne's Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in the top flight.
Caen have conceded 19 goals in their last six league trips to St Etienne.
St Etienne have lost just one of their last 10 league games.
St Etienne have scored in each of their last 14 home matches, currently the longest run in Ligue 1.
Caen have yet to keep a clean sheet away from home this season in Ligue 1.
None of St Etienne's Pierre-Emmerick Aubameyang's six Ligue 1 goals this season have come at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium.
Romanian international Banel Nicolita has scored in St Etienne's last two home league matches.

Sochaux v Paris SG

Sochaux have lost a greater percentage of their Ligue 1 games against PSG (58%) than versus any other opponent.
The Parisians have failed to win any of their last five competitive games away from home.
Sochaux have scored in all of their last 13 home games in Ligue 1.
22 of the 30 goals conceded by Sochaux this season in Ligue 1 have come in the second half of games.
28 goals have been scored at the Bonal stadium this season, more than at any other Ligue 1 venue.
Since joining Paris SG, Mevlut Erding has scored four goals in as many Ligue 1 appearances against his former club Sochaux.

Toulouse v Evian TG

Toulouse have won each of their last three league encounters against newly promoted sides by the same 2-0 score line.
Toulouse have kept clean sheets in their last five home games in Ligue 1.
Evian Thonon Gaillard have scored in nine consecutive Ligue 1 matches, currently the longest run.
ETG have been in the lead at half time in each of the last five matchdays.
Veteran midfielder Cedric Barbosa has scored or assisted eight of ETG's last 15 league goals.

Valenciennes v Montpellier

Montpellier are unbeaten in their last five Ligue 1 meetings against Valenciennes, winning four of these games.
Valenciennes have suffered only one defeat in their last 18 home league matches.
Montpellier are unbeaten in their last eight Ligue 1 matches, winning the last three.
Valenciennes have opened the scoring fewer times than any other side this season in Ligue 1 (four), while Montpellier have scored first on 11 occasions, a league-high.
Montpellier have already scored more Ligue 1 goals this term than during the whole of last season.
Olivier Giroud has scored in both of his two Ligue 1 appearances against Valenciennes.

Marseille v Bordeaux

In 48 previous trips to Marseille in Ligue 1, Bordeaux have managed just five wins.
Marseille have won their last three home league matches, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
Marseille have won five of their last six Ligue 1 matches.
The Ayew brothers have been directly involved (goal or assist) in Marseille's last four league goals.
Since joining Bordeaux, Anthony Modeste has scored in both of his two Ligue 1 appearances against Marseille.
Didier Deschamps has never lost a Ligue 1 match against a side managed by Francis Gillot, winning four and drawing one.

Auxerre v Nice

Nice have suffered 2-0 defeats in three of their last four trips to Auxerre in Ligue 1.
None of the last six league meetings between Auxerre and Nice have seen more than two goals.
Auxerre have lost seven of their last eight competitive matches.
Nice have won only one of their last 25 away Ligue 1 matches.
Nice have picked up only one point away from home this season, fewer than any other Ligue 1 side.
Nice left back Fabián Monzón has scored more goals than any other Ligue 1 defender this season (four, all from the penalty spot).

Lille v Dijon

Lille are unbeaten in their last 11 league matches against newly promoted opposition, winning 10 of these games.
Lille are unbeaten in the last 14 matchdays, currently the longest run.
Dijon have conceded 18 goals in their eight away Ligue 1 games this term, keeping only one clean sheet in the process.
Lille have scored in 25 of their last 26 home matches in Ligue 1.
Moussa Sow's five league goals this season have all been scored at the Stadium Nord.
Joe Cole has yet to lose a Ligue 1 game (12 appearances).

Lorient v Lyon

Lorient have suffered more Ligue 1 defeats against Lyon (nine) than versus any other opponent.
Lorient have lost just one of their last 24 home league matches.
None of Lyon's last 13 league matches have ended in a draw, currently the longest run.
Lisandro has scored 14 goals in his last 17 Ligue 1 starts.
Lorient have conceded only three goals at home this season, fewer than any other side.
Lorient have kept a clean sheet in their last four home matches, currently the longest run in Ligue 1.
Lyon have scored three goals in two consecutive league matches for the first time since last February.

Read More

10-12-2011 Bodovi Renu NENAD DŽODIĆ (MONPELJE, FRANCUSKA 1)

Read More

10.12. (Sat) 18:00 Levante - Sevilla

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

LEVANTE Munua Venta, Ballesteros, Nano, Juanfran Torres, Farinos Valdo, Barkero, Juanlu Kone

SEVILLA Varas Coke, Spahic, Fazio, Navarro MedelNavas, Trochowski, Rakitic, Manu Negredo

Sevilla midfielder Diego Perotti will miss the trip to the Ciutat de Valencia due to a hamstring injury suffered in the win over Gefate. Manu del Moral is likely to be given a start in the left of midfield ahead of Emiliano Armenteros.

Marcelino has no other injury concerns to contend with. A win on Saturday will take Sevilla into the Champions League places at the expense of their humble hosts.

Levante will be without the services of Asier del Horno, who sustained a calf injury in the defeat at Barcelona and was subsequently ruled out for two months.

The home side are sweating over the fitness of central defender Nano, who has returned to training after sitting out the trip to Camp Nou with an ankle injury. Carlos Aranda is also racing to be fit for the visit of the Andalusians, while midfield duo Juanlu and Jose Javier Barkero return from injury and suspension respectively.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Levante have won one and lost four of their last five matches.

• Juanlu is the east coast club's top scorer this season with five goals.
  
• Levante are competing in the Primera Division for only the seventh time in their 102-year history.
  
• Sevilla have emerged victorious in their last nine encounters with Levante.

• Manu is the club's leading scorer this season with five goals.

• Sevilla coach Marcelino represented Levante as a player in the 1990-91 season in the Segunda Division.

Prediction

Sevilla are beginning to find form in front of goal and their backline can ward off the counter attacking threat of Levante. A narrow win for the away side.

Editor's Prediction

Levante 1-1 Sevilla

Read More

Spanish La Liga Opta Facts - 10-11 December

Athletic v Racing de Santander

Athletic have lost none of their last seven top-flight meetings with Racing (W5 D2), winning the last five in a row.
Athletic and Racing have drawn the joint-most La Liga matches this season (6 - along with Sevilla, Mallorca and Osasuna).
Bielsa's side have, along with Barcelona, the joint-most different goalscorers in LigaBBVA this season (12, twice as many as Racing).
The cántabros have scored the highest proportion of headed goals in LigaBBVA this season (40%).
Racing are the only side yet to score in the last 15 minutes of a La Liga game this season.
Racing have dropped the most points in the last 15 minutes of league games this season (5, level with Getafe).
Athletic have lost the second-most points after taking the lead in LigaBBVA games this season (10, after Mallorca 11).
Racing have played out the joint-most goalless draws in LigaBBVA this season (4, along with Sevilla), while Athletic are one of only two sides (along with Valencia) yet to play in a goalless draw.
On the four previous occasions that Racing have taken 12 points from their opening 14 games in Primera (assuming three points for a win), they have only been relegated once (1982/83).

Espanyol v Atlético de Madrid

Atlético and Espanyol have conceded the joint-most goals from penalties in LigaBBVA this season (four, along with Real Zaragoza).
Espanyol are one of only three teams yet to score in the opening 15 minutes of league matches this season.
The colchoneros have scored the most headed goals in La Liga this season (seven, three by Adrián).
The Catalonian side have only once this season managed to score more than one goal in a league match (matchday 3 vs Athletic).
The rojiblancos are without a win away from the Calderón this season in LigaBBVA (D1 L5) and have the poorest away record on the road in the competition.
Espanyol have won all five league matches in which they have scored the opening goal this season.
Espanyol are without a win in their last five league games (D2 L3).
On the last two occasions that the periquitos have gone five without a win in the league, they have won their next game.
There have been at least three goals in each of the last six games between Atlético and Espanyol in the league (26 in total, 4.3 per game).
Espanyol are unbeaten in their last three league games against the rojiblancos (W2 D1).

Getafe v Granada

This is the first meeting between Getafe and Granada in Primera: they have met 10 times in Segunda since 1976/77.
Of the five games played at Getafe in Segunda, the hosts won three, losing the other two.
Granada managed their biggest away win in Segunda since 76/77 at Getafe (4-0 in 77/78).
In the five meetings played at Getafe in Segunda between the sides, Granada always managed to find the net (nine goals in total).
Luis García's men have won back-to-back home games for the first time in the league this season.
Fabri's men have gone five top-flight games without a defeat for the first time since the 1974-75 season (six games without defeat).
After Cesena (six), Granada are the lowest-scoring side in Europe's top five leagues this season (eight).
Getafe have won none of the four games in which their top league goalscorer this season (Miku, five goals) has found the net this season (D1 L3).
Neither Getafe nor Granada have found the net in the opening 15 minutes of a league game this season.

Levante v Sevilla

In the 12 league meetings between Sevilla and Levante in Primera, the Valencians have managed just one win and one draw.
Sevilla have scored 36 goals in total against Levante in 12 games in the top flight.
This is Levante's best-ever start to a season in La Liga (26 points from 14 games), beating their previous best by six (20 points in 2004/05).
It is eight years since Sevilla last played 14 league games before managing back-to-back wins.
Against Getafe, Marcelino's men won by more than one goal for the first time in the league this season.
Levante and Sevilla are the only two sides who have not conceded between the 16th and 30th minutes this season in LigaBBVA.
Sevilla are the only side yet to concede in the first 15 minutes of the second half in the league this season.
Levante have won all eight league games in which they have taken the lead this season.
Sevilla have conceded the fewest goals on the road in the league this season (two).
Negredo has scored two of Sevilla's three league goals away from home this season.
Arouna Koné has now scored more league goals with Levante this season (five) than in his four previous seasons with Sevilla and Hannover combined (three).

Málaga CF v Osasuna

Osasuna have won on only two of their nine trips to Málaga CF in Primera since the latter was refounded (D2 L5).
This is Málaga CF's best-ever start to a campaign in Primera, with 23 points from 14 games.
Málaga have won eight of their last 10 league games at home.
In their last game on the road at Espanyol, Osasuna ended a run of seven away league games without a win.
The rojillos have conceded the most goals on the road in La Liga this season (22).
Osasuna are, along with Sevilla and Espanyol, the side who have had the most players sent off in the league this season (four).
67% of Osasuna's league goals this season have come in the last half-hour of the first half (12).
The Andalucians have, along with Real Sociedad, conceded the joint-most goals in the first 15 minutes of LigaBBVA games this season (five).
Málaga have won 75% of their league games when Julio Baptista has played this season (1.4 goals per game), vs 40% without him (1.25).
Raúl García has been directly involved in 50% of Osasuna's league goals this season (4G 5A): only Lionel Messi at Barcelona has been involved in more (51%).

Rayo Vallecano v Sporting Gijón

Rayo have only won four of their 16 meetings with Sporting in the top flight.
The franjirrojos have only won two of their last six games at home to Sporting in Primera.
Sporting have won their last three league meetings with Rayo, scoring seven goals and conceding just one.
Two of the Asturians' three wins at Rayo in the top flight have ended with the same result: 1-2.
Rayo have lost their last three league games and are the joint-poorest side at home in LigaBBVA this season (seven points).
Preciado's men have only won one of their last five league games and have failed to score in their last two.
Rayo have scored the the highest proportion of their goals (five) between the 61st and 75th minutes of league games this season, while Sporting have conceded the most goals in this period (six).

Real Betis v Valencia

Betis have lost 10 of their last 12 league meetings with Valencia, with just one win and one draw.
This is Valencia's third-best start in the league after 14 games: in 1943/44 and 1947/48 they finished first and second respectively.
In their last season in Primera (08/09), Betis had five points more at this stage of the season.
Betis are on a run of 10 league games without a win (D1 L9), and are three games short of their poorest run in the top flight (13 games without a win in 1988/89).
Unai Emery's men have won their last three league games on the road, conceding just one goal in the process.
Valencia are the second-best away side in LigaBBVA this season with 13 points (Real Madrid 19).
69% of Real Betis' goals in the league this season have either come in the first 15 (four) or last 15 (five) minutes of matches.
Valencia have not lost a league game this season in which they have taken the lead (11): nine wins, two draws.
Against Osasuna, Rubén Castro ended a run of seven league games without scoring.
Roberto Soldado is the highest-scoring Spanish player in Europe's top five leagues this season with nine goals (Fábregas and Raúl, seven each).

Real Madrid v Barcelona

During his entire managerial career, José Mourinho only has a lower win percentage as a manager against his current club Real Madrid (D1 L3) than Barcelona in all competitions (23.5% - W4 D6 L7).
Mourinho has lost more matches against Barcelona than any other side in all competitions (7 - next is Liverpool (5)).
Pep Guardiola has only won more matches against Athletic Bilbao (8) than he has against Real Madrid (7).
Real Madrid have not dropped a single point after scoring first in the league since 2009/10: every other side has dropped at least 18 in this period.
Guardiola's side has scored the most goals in the opening 15 minutes this season (11), while Mourinho's men have scored the most in the last 15 (10).
Real Madrid have won just one of their last 11 meetings with Barcelona in all competitions (D3 L7).
Barcelona have won just three of their last 10 league games away from the Camp Nou, having set a record for most consecutive away wins in Primera (12) last season.
Real Madrid have won six of their last eight meetings with Barcelona in December (1D 1L).
Mourinho's side have won their last 10 league games, their best run under the Portuguese coach: the club record is 15 from 1960/61.
Gonzalo Higuaín has opened the scoring in more LigaBBVA matches than any other player this season (four times).
Lionel Messi has scored on his last five visits to the Bernabéu in all competitions (seven goals).
Real Madrid have received six red cards in the seven clásicos in the "Mourinho era", compared to two for Barcelona.

Real Zaragoza v Mallorca

Mallorca have won on none of their last five visits to La Romareda (D2 L3).
The maños are on a run of seven league games without a win (D1 L6), the second-longest run in Primera after Betis (10).
Javier Aguirre's men are on a run of three league games without a goal for the first time this season.
Zaragoza have conceded the most headed goals in the league this season (seven).
Zaragoza have lost all eight games after conceding first in the league this season.
All 12 of Real Zaragoza's league goals this season have come from inside the box (no penalties): the only side in LigaBBVA to have this record.
42% of Zaragoza's league goals this season have come in the final 15 minutes of matches, the highest proportion in the competition.
Mallorca are yet to win on the road in the league this season (D3 L3).
Joaquín Caparrós is yet to beat Laudrup's statistics in LigaBBVA: P7 W1 (14% wins), Laudrup: P5 W2 (40%).
Hemed (Mallorca) has scored the second-most goals from penalties in the league this season (five) after Cristiano Ronaldo (six).

Villarreal v Real Sociedad

Villarreal have only won three of the nine top-flight games at home to Real Sociedad.
This is Villarreal's poorest-ever start to a top-flight campaign (14 pts from 14 games): last season they had 30 by this stage.
Real Sociedad have won back-to-back league games for the first time this season.
The donostiarra have scored more goals in their last two league games (six) than in their previous 10 combined (five).
Philippe Montanier's men have conceded the joint-most goals in the opening 15 minutes of league matches this season (five).
Villarreal have won none of their five league games without Marcos Senna this season.
Real have, after Espanyol (82%), scored the second-highest proportion of their goals in the second half this season (73%).
Four of Aguirretxe's five league goals this season have been headers: he has scored more goals this way than any LigaBBVA player this season.

Read More

Italian Serie A Opta Facts - 10th and 11th November

Atalanta v Catania

Five of the last nine Serie A meetings between Atalanta and Catania have ended 0-0, including the last two.
Both sides have scored just one goal each over their last five league meetings.
Last time Catania scored more than a single goal in a game against Atalanta was in December 1965.
Atalanta have drawn their last three fixtures against Siena, Napoli and Chievo, and won just one of their last six games of this competition, 1-0 at home against Cagliari.
Atalanta are still unbeaten at home this term, as a result of three wins and as many draws.
Catania have lost three of their last four Serie A games, but won the last one on the road (1-0 at Lecce).
Against Lecce the Sicilians also managed to keep their first clean sheet away from home after 19 games in which they had always conceded.
Atalanta have managed five wins, six draws and two defeats after the first 13 rounds; only in 1988/89 did they manage a better start to a Serie A campaign, when they lost only one of their first 13 games.
Atalanta would be 5th in the Serie A table without the six points of penalisation given at the start of this campaign.
23 of the 30 goals scored overall by these two sides this season have been netted by Argentine players, the remaining seven by Italians.
Current Serie A top-scorer German Denis has bagged 10 goals so far, including his side's last six in this competition.

Bologna v Milan

AC Milan are unbeaten against Bologna since August 2008, when they lost at the San Siro 2-1.
Since then, Bologna have picked up just one point in the ensuing five league games against the Rossoneri.
AC Milan have not conceded a single goal in their last four meetings against Bologna in the league.
AC Milan are unbeaten at Bologna's ground since March 2002 (five wins and a goalless draw).
Bologna have managed to score just one goal in these last six games against AC Milan at the Dall'Ara.
AC Milan boast the best attack of Serie A (29 goals), and have scored two or more goals in seven of their last eight games.
The Rossoneri have not conceded a single goal in their last four games, the last time they kept five consecutive clean sheets in the league was between February and March 2006.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored seven goals in his last six Serie A appearances, although he has only scored two Serie A goals against Bologna (including one for AC Milan in their last visit to the Dall'Ara).
After failing to score from open play for 18 consecutive Serie A games, Marco Di Vaio has scored twice in the last two match-days against Cagliari and Siena.

Cagliari v Parma

Cagliari are unbeaten in their last six meetings against Parma in Serie A (three wins and as many draws).
Parma have not scored more than a single goal over these last six games against Cagliari.
At the Sant'Elia, the record of the last six meetings sees the Sardinians with three wins and three draws.
Last Sunday against Catania, Cagliari won their first game under new manager Davide Ballardini, following a run of four draws and three defeats for them in the league.
After beating Novara in their first game of the season, Cagliari have managed just four draws and a defeat at home, scoring just one goal in the process.
Last Sunday against Palermo, Parma shared the points for the first time in this campaign, after a record of five wins and seven defeats in the first 12 games.
Away from home Parma are on a run of three consecutive defeats, and have yet to keep a clean sheet on the road this term ( conceding on average 2.5 goals per game).

Inter v Fiorentina

Inter are unbeaten in their last 10 Serie A meetings with Fiorentina (eight wins and two draws).
The Viola have managed just one win from their last 17 encounters with the Nerazzurri, 2-1 at the Franchi in February 2006.
At home, Inter are on a run of nine consecutive wins over Fiorentina.
Esteban Cambiasso has already scored five goals in his 13 appearances against Fiorentina, his favourite target in Serie A.
Giampaolo Pazzini scored in both of last season's meetings against Fiorentina, one of his former teams.
This is the first time that Inter have lost six of their first 12 games of a Serie A campaign.
The Nerazzurri have also lost three of the six games played at home so far, and only against Cagliari have they managed to score more than a single goal.
Fiorentina are winless in their last eight games on the road between this and last season.
Against Roma last Sunday Santiago Silva scored his first goal for the Viola after 11 games without scoring in Serie A and Coppa Italia.

Lecce v Lazio

Lazio have lost just one of their last six Serie A matches against Lecce, 2-1 at home last season.
Lecce have also won only one of their last six games against the Biancocelesti at the Via del Mare, in May 2005: on that occasion Tommaso Rocchi scored a hat-trick.
Only against Palermo has Rocchi scored as many goals as he has against Lecce so far in the top-flight (seven).
Following three consecutive defeats, Eusebio Di Francesco has been sacked and replaced by Serse Cosmi as Lecce's manager.
Cosmi has won just one of his 10 previous meetings against Lazio, losing seven times.
Lecce have taken just one point at home (a Serie A-low), and are yet to keep a clean sheet at their ground this season.
Lazio have taken the most points away from home (14), and scored the most goals on the road (11) this season.

Novara v Napoli

Novara won their last two Serie A meetings against Napoli, in the 1955/56 campaign, without conceding a goal.
Novara have won just two games so far in this campaign, a Serie A-joint low.
Novara have the worst defence of this competition (24 goals conceded), and are the only side yet to keep a clean sheet in this campaign.
Novara have failed to score in three of their last four Serie A games.
Napoli are unbeaten in their last four games: after drawing against Lazio, Atalanta and Juventus, they beat Lecce last Saturday at the San Paolo 4-2.
That was the 100th win for Walter Mazzarri in his managerial career in Serie A.
Away from home, Napoli have a record of two wins, two draws and two defeats this season.
Napoli have conceded just one goal in the first half of their last 11 Serie A fixtures combined.
Novara have conceded (seven) the most headed goals so far this campaign.

Palermo v Cesena

The only previous meetings between these two sides in Serie A were played last season: Palermo won at the Manuzzi, while the game at the Barbera ended in a draw.
Erjon Bogdani has already scored four goals in Serie A against Palermo (including his only hat-trick back in 2006), more than against any other opponent.
Palermo have not conceded a goal in their last two games; the last time the Sicilians kept three consecutive clean sheets was in January 2010.
The Rosanero have a 100% record at the Barbera this term, having managed six wins out of six.
All of Palermo's 16 goals in this competition have been scored at home this season.
Cesena have lost five of their six away games this season.
The only goal Cesena have scored away from home this season earned them three points (1-0 at Bologna).
Cesena possess currently the worst attack of Serie A 2011/12 (only six goals scored).
Palermo are the only side to have won each of the games in which have taken the lead this season (six).

Roma v Juventus

Since the 2004/05 campaign, Roma have managed just one win against Juventus, 2-1 in Turin in January 2010.
In these last 12 games, Juventus have always scored against Roma; the Giallorossi's last clean sheet against the Old Lady was in February 2004 (Roma-Juve 4-0).
At the Olimpico, Roma have picked up just one point from their last six meetings against Juventus, in light of a 2-2 draw in December 2007.
Luis Enrique's side have lost their last two games without scoring a goal.
The last time Roma lost three Serie A games in a row was last February: after that run, Vincenzo Montella replaced manager Claudio Ranieri.
12 of Roma's goals have been scored by new signings this season.
Last Sunday in Florence, Roma became one of the only two sides across the top-5 European leagues to pick up three red cards in a single game this term.
Alessandro Matri and Claudio Marchisio are Juve's top scorers this season (six goals apiece); Matri has already scored four goals against Roma, only against Napoli has he bagged more so far (five).
Marchisio has already scored six goals in his last 12 games, he had netted just 10 in his previous 110 league appearances.
Juventus have benefited from the most goals scored by Italian players in Serie A this season (17).

Siena v Genoa

After beating Genoa in their first ever meeting in December 2007, Siena have collected just two points from their ensuing five Serie A matches against the Grifoni.
Siena have failed to score in four of their six Serie A meetings against Genoa.
The three meetings played in Siena between these two sides have produced overall just one goal.
Giuseppe Sannino's side have picked up just one point from their last four Serie A games, and have lost the last two 1-0.
After picking up 10 points from their first four games at home, in which they always scored two or more goals, Siena lost the last one 0-1 against Inter.
Genoa have lost three of their last four Serie A games without scoring a single goal.
Genoa won their first away game of the season, in Rome against Lazio, but have picked up just one point on the road in the ensuing five games.

Udinese v Chievo

Udinese are unbeaten in their last five Serie A meetings against Chievo (three wins and two draws).
Udinese have not conceded a single goal in their last three games against Chievo, and won both games last season 2-0.
Over their nine meetings at Udine, only once has one of these two sides managed to score more than two goals (Udinese-Chievo 3-0 in February 2005).
Udinese have not shared a draw in the last seven match-days: five wins (including the last two against Inter and Roma) and two defeats.
Udinese are, alongside Palermo, the only side to have a 100% record at home (six wins in six games).
At the Friuli, Udinese have conceded just one goal in the last seven games played between this and last season.
Chievo have lost three of their last four league games, a 2-1 win in Catania completes the record.
This is Udinese's best ever start to a Serie A campaign after 13 games; in 1997/98 they had the same number of wins (eight), though they had a point less than they do this season.
Udinese's manager Francesco Guidolin has lost just two of his 12 Serie A matches against Chievo so far, winning five.

Read More

10.12. (Sat) 16:00 Arsenal FC - Everton

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ARSENAL   Szczesny Djourou, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen Arteta, Song, Ramsey Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho

EVERTON Howard Hibbert, Heitinga, Jagielka, Baines Coleman, Fellaini, Rodwell, Osman Cahill Saha

Arsenal look set to continue with the shape that has served them well in recent weeks, with their only concerns coming from the fact that fit full-backs at the Emirates are few and far between. With Andre Santos injured midweek in Greece and Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson already crocked, Arsene Wenger will likely draft in Johan Djourou and move Thomas Vermaelen over to the left flank.

David Moyes is sweating over the fitness of three front men for the visit to London. Whereas Victor Anichebe is still a week or so away from fitness, both Louis Saha and Royston Drenthe will face late fitness tests after recently picking up minor niggles. Otherwise, the only decisions the Toffees boss should have to make are whether to recall Phil Neville to his starting XI or replace Diniyar Bilyaletdinov with Jack Rodwell.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Arsenal did the Premier League double over Everton last season, winning 2-1 on both occasions.

• Robin van Persie (pictured right) has lashed in 18 goals and provided five assists in 20 appearances this term.

• Everton have scored just 15 goals so far this season, exactly half of Arsenal’s tally.

• Arsenal have lost just once to Everton in their last 10 meetings, back in 2007.

• Everton don’t do well at all in north London, chalking up just one win in 19 visits, with the last one coming over 15 years ago.

• Against Everton, Arsenal have the finest goalscoring record of any team versus any opposition in Premier league history, clocking up 79 goals.

• In their last 11 outings against the Gunners, Everton have scored 11 goals.

• Arsenal’s tally of 19 points from their last seven Premier League matches is equal to the tally they took from their previous 18 games.

Prediction

The Emirates will be buzzing with confidence, particularly after both Manchester clubs’ midweek exits from the Champions league. Arsenal are riding the crest of the wave and there’s nothing in Everton’s patchy form that suggests they will be able to stop a team currently brimming with confidence. Expect the Gunners to claim this one pretty comfortably.

Editor's Prediction

Arsenal 2-0 Everton

Read More

10.12. (Sat) 16:00 Liverpool - QPR

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

LIVERPOOL   Reina Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique Kuyt, Adam, Henderson, Downing Suarez, Carroll

QUEENS PARK RANGERS Cerny Young, Gabbidon, Ferdinand, Hill, TraoreWright-Phillips, Barton, Faurlin Mackie, Helguson

Liverpool received a further blow at the heart of their midfield with the straight card shown to Jay Spearing against Fulham, meaning he faces a three-match ban.

The 23-year-old looked to have earned his spot as a replacement for the injured Lucas Leiva but an enforced midfield reshuffle may now see Jordan Henderson in his more natural position inside.

Despite his stuttering start to life at Anfield, Andy Carroll could partner Luis Suarez in attack with the success of their partnership a must if Liverpool are to consign their recent lack of goals to the past.

For the visitors, Radek Cerny will continue in goal in the long-term absence of Paddy Kenny.

Neil Warnock has been known to favour a back five away from home in the Premier League so far and, given he has few injury worries in that area, could field a strong defensive wall.

Heidar Helguson has earned his right to lead the Loftus Road outfit’s attack with six goals in nine Premier League appearances.

DID YOU KNOW?

• These sides last met in the Premier League 15 years ago, with Liverpool claiming all three points at Anfield and Loftus Road.

• QPR last won at Anfield in March 1991 when a Les Ferdinand goal helped them to a 3-1 win just weeks after Kenny Dalglish (pictured right) had left his role as Reds' manager.

• Neil Warnock previously travelled to Anfield as Sheffield United manager in February 2007, seeing his side lose 4-0.

• Despite being in 12th position, QPR possess the worst goal difference outside of the Premier League bottom three.

• QPR have just one win in their last five Premier League outings.

• Liverpool have lost one of their last 12 fixtures in all competitions, but have drawn four of those matches.

Prediction

Liverpool have found themselves unfortunate throughout several home draws and, most recently, their loss to Fulham.
It is their profligacy in front of goal which may most concern Dalglish and yet with the woodwork having been struck 11 times already this season, you feel they cannot be that far from taking their chances.
QPR have made impressive strides in the Premier League so far, currently sitting in 12th, but have conceded 15 goals on their travels – expect them to allow a couple more on Saturday.

Editor's Prediction

Liverpool 2-0 QPR

Read More

10.12. (Sat) 16:00 Manchester Utd - Wolves

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED   De Gea Smalling, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra Nani, Jones, Carrick, Young Welbeck, Rooney

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS Hennessey Stearman, Johnson, Berra, Ward Edwards, Henry, Guedioura, Hunt O'Hara Fletcher

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be without Anderson (knee), Dimitar Berbatov (ankle), Tom Cleverley (ankle), Fabio (hamstring), with his brother Rafael also sidelined with a knock.

The list of those injured in battle continues as Javier Hernandez (ankle), Michael Owen (thigh) and Nemanja Vidic (knee) are all out for this fixture. The latter could be out for a few months after a nasty-looking fall at Basel.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy will likely miss the services of Jody Craddock (hamstring) and Kevin Foley (ankle), while Michael Kightly is unavailable because he is out on loan with Watford.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester United have won only one of their last five matches in all competitions. Two losses, against Crystal Palace and Basel, saw them bow out of the League Cup and the Champions League respectively.

• No team has been able to keep a clean sheet against the Red Devils this season, which means that they have scored in every game in every competition during the course of the current campaign.

• But Sir Alex Ferguson's men have not been prolific in recent weeks, as they have scored exactly one goal in their last seven games in the Premier League.

• Even Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored more in their last seven league games, as they have hit the back of the net nine times.

• The last time these two sides met was back in February at Molineux. Mick McCarthy's men managed to secure a 2-1 victory on that occasion as goals from George Elokobi and Kevin Doyle saw the then bottom-placed team beating the league leaders at the time.

• If all matches ended at half-time, Wolves would find themselves at the rock bottom of the Premier League.

Prediction

Manchester United will want to react strongly to the recent embarrassing defeats that saw them bow out of two competitions, and they will throw the kitchen sink at Wolves if they have to to get their campaign back on track.

Editor's Prediction

Manchester United 3-0 Wolves

Read More

Premier League Opta Facts - December 10th-12th

Arsenal v Everton

Arsenal have scored more goals against Everton than any team versus any opponent in Premier League history (79).
Robin van Persie has scored or assisted seven goals in seven games against Everton (four goals three assists).
Tim Cahill has scored in four of his last six Premier League appearances against the Gunners.
Arsenal have won six and lost none of the last eight Premier League games against the Toffees.
Everton have scored 11 goals in the last 11 meetings against Arsenal, failing to score once, but only netting more than one goal on one occasion.
Everton have scored first in four of their five Premier League visits to the Emirates, but lost two and drawn two of those games.
Mikel Arteta has made more successful passes in the opposition half (531 for Arsenal) than any other player this season (even excluding his games at Everton).
Arsenal have taken 19 points from their last seven Premier League matches - the same number of points as they took from the previous 18 games.
Arteta has scored four goals from just seven shots on target this season.
Arsenal have drawn 199 games in Premier League history.

Bolton Wanderers v Aston Villa

Bolton's win at the reebok last season ended a run of eight matches without a victory over Villa in the league (W0 D4 L4).
The Trotters have won just two (W2 D9 L6) of their last 17 Premier League games against Villa.
The two sides have already met once this season, with Bolton beating Aston Villa 2-0 at Villa Park in the Carling Cup.
Aston Villa are one of Kevin Davies' favourite Premier League opponents, having scored a personal joint-high eight goals against the Villa.
Bolton have lost eight of their last nine Premier League games at home, winning the other match.
Aston Villa have won none of their last seven Premier League away games (W0 D5 L2).
Emile Heskey became the sixth different player to make 500 Premier League appearances in his last match against Manchester United.
Aston Villa are the only team in the Premier League without a goal from a corner this season, while Bolton have conceded eight from corner kicks (the most in the division).
Bolton have hit the target with 56% of their attempts this season, the highest percentage in the top division.
Aston Villa have dropped the joint-most points from winning positions this season (9).

Liverpool v Queens Park Rangers

QPR have won just one of their 20 league visits to Anfield (W1 D2 L17).
QPR have only won one of the eight Premier League meetings with Liverpool (W D1 L6), but the last of these games came in February 1996.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games at Anfield, but have drawn the last four in a row.
QPR have hit the target with just 35% of their attempts this season, a lower percentage than any other team.
Liverpool have hit the woodwork 12 times in the Premier League, more often than any other team.
QPR have used 24 different players in their starting line-up this season, more than any other team.
Of all players to have scored three or more PL goals this season, Luis Suárez has the lowest shot conversion rate (7.6%).
Only Wigan (8%) have converted a lower percentage of shots into goals than Liverpool this season (9%).
The Reds have the joint-best defensive record this season, conceding just 13 goals so far.
QPR have suffered more fouls than any other team in the Premier League this season (199).

Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Manchester United have won the last five home league games against Wolves and are unbeaten in the last six. Wolves have scored just one goal in those last six visits.
Wolves have won two of the six Premier League meetings with Man Utd, including the last match 2-1 at Molineux last February.
Man Utd have lost just one of their last 28 Premier League games at Old Trafford (W25 D2 L1).
Wolves have lost their last five away games in a row in the league.
Steven Fletcher has scored more headed goals than any other Premier League player since the start of 2010-11 (eight).
Wolves have recovered the joint-most points (7 along with Arsenal) from losing positions in the Premier League this season.
Wolves have conceded a league-high 63% of their goals in the first half, while Man Utd have conceded a joint-high 77% in the second half.
Manchester United have only ever had more points after 14 games of a Premier league campaign in two of the previous 19 seasons.
14 points after 14 games is Wolves' best performance in their four Premier League campaigns.
United have kept more clean sheets than any other team in the top division.

Norwich City v Newcastle United

All three Premier League meetings between Norwich and Newcastle at Carrow Road have ended 2-1, with the Magpies winning the first and the Canaries the last two.
Norwich have failed to keep a clean sheet against the Magpies at Carrow Road in the Premier League.
Newcastle have lost just one of their last eight Premier League games away from home (W3 D4 L1).
Newcastle have conceded a divisional-high 53% of goals from set pieces this season.
26 points after 14 matches is Newcastle's best league performance since 1996-97.
Newcastle have only kept one clean sheet in their last 10 Premier League matches.
Norwich are one of two teams (along with Blackburn) yet to keep a clean sheet this season in the league.
Norwich have scored the joint-most headed goals in the top division (7, along with Chelsea).
Grant Holt has committed a foul every 21.5 minutes, more regularly than any other player this season.
Newcastle have made more tackles than any other team in the Premier League this season (302).

Swansea City v Fulham

Fulham have won four and lost none of the last five meetings in all competitions with Swansea.
Swansea have the best defensive record in the top flight on home turf, keeping five clean sheets in seven games and conceding just two goals.
Fulham have kept clean sheets in three of their last five away matches in the Premier League.
The Liberty Stadium has only seen 10 goals scored this season, fewer than any other ground in the Premier League.
Swansea have committed fewer fouls than any other team in the Premier League (116).
The Swans have won just one of their last seven Premier League games.
Clint Dempsey is now the top scoring US player in Premier League history (37).
Swansea have lost just one of their last 15 home games in league competition (W9 D5 L1).
Fulham have won just four of their last 44 Premier League away matches (W4 D19 L21).
Only Chelsea and Manchester City have a better pass completion rate than Swansea (85.6%).

West Bromwich Albion v Wigan Athletic

Each side has won one of the three Premier League meetings between Wigan and West Brom at the Hawthorns, with the other game (last season) ending as a draw.
Wigan ended a run of five successive defeats away from home when they beat Sunderland last time out on the road.
Wigan haven't won back to back away games since November 2006.
Wigan have the worst conversion rate in the top flight scoring with just 8% of shots.
Wigan have scored a league high 50% of their goals from outside the box this season.
46% of the goals West Brom have scored have been netted in the opening 15 minutes of games, a league high.
Half the goals Wigan have netted have been scored in the 15 minutes prior to half-time, a league high.
The Baggies have been caught offside 52 times this season, more than any other team.
Wigan have been debited with nine errors leading directly to goals, more than any other team in the top flight.

Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers

Sunderland have won three and lost none of the last six Premier League games against Blackburn.
Sunderland have won just two of their last 15 Premier League matches at the Stadium of Light.
Rovers have kept just one clean sheet in their last 26 Premier League away games.
Blackburn have won just one of their last 16 Premier league away games (W1 D6 L9).
Blackburn have dropped the joint-most points from winning positions this season (9).
Sunderland have lost their last two games 1-2 after scoring the opening goal in both matches.
The last time Blackburn had fewer points after 14 games was 1998-99 when they ended the season being relegated.
Blackburn have committed more fouls than any other team (190).
Yakubu has been the most clinical striker in the Premier League this season, scoring with 41% of his attempts.
Paul Robinson has conceded every 39.4 minutes this season (the worst record) and has the lowest saves to shots ratio (52%).

Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur

Peter Crouch faces his former club having netted two goals in the last Premier League meeting between Stoke and Spurs at White Hart Lane in April.
Stoke and Tottenham have already met once this season when a 0-0 draw resulted in the Potters winning a penalty shoot-out 7-6 in the carling Cup back in September.
The three Premier League meetings between Stoke and Spurs at the Britannia have ended 2-1 with Spurs winning the last two visits. On each occasion, the winning team scored first, conceded an equaliser, then netted a winner.
There have been three red cards and three penalties in the three Premier League meetings between Stoke and Tottenham at the Britannia.
Tottenham have won their last three Premier League away games; they have never won four in a row on the road.
Gareth Bale has scored four and assisted four goals in his last five Premier League appearances.
36% of the goals Stoke have scored have been from headers, the highest proportion in the top flight.
31% of the goals Tottenham have conceded have come from headers, the highest proportion in the Premier League.
Tony Pulis's side have conceded a joint-league high 26% of their goals from long range shots.
Stoke have scored 64% of their goals from set pieces, a Premier League high.

Chelsea v Manchester City

In the last 13 Premier League meetings with Chelsea, the Citizens have failed to score in nine and the eight goals scored in the other four games were all scored by strikers who have created controversy at City (Robinho 1, Tevez 4, Bellamy 2, Adebayor 1).
City have failed to score in eight of their last nine league visits to Stamford Bridge.
The Londoners have scored a 90th minute goal in three of their last four home Premier League games against Manchester City.
Chelsea have scored in their last 14 Premier League home games and scored more than once in 10 of the last 11, but the clean sheet against Wolves ended a run of eight without a shut out on home soil.
Manchester City are unbeaten in their last eight Premier league away games, winning six.
Juan Mata has now assisted seven goals in his last nine Premier League appearances for Chelsea - only David Silva (8) has more assists this season.
David Luiz has been booked in four of his five Premier League appearances this season.
Man City have made the best ever start to a Premier League season with 38 points from their opening 14 matches.
Sergio Aguero has scored 11 goals in 13 Premier League appearances this season.
Mario Balotelli has scored seven goals in his last nine Premier League appearances.

Read More

Championship Opta Facts - 10 December

Southampton v Blackpool

Southampton have lost just one of their last seven meetings with Blackpool in all competitions, winning four and drawing two.
At St. Mary's, the Tangerines have only scored one goal in total on their last four visits (in all competitions).
Despite being top of the table, the Saints have lost two of their last three games, failing to score in both those fixtures.
Blackpool have lost just one of their last six league games, winning three and drawing two.
The Saints have netted five penalties this season, more than any other side in the league.
Southampton are one of just two sides yet to drop a point from a leading situation at home this season (along with Leicester).

Birmingham v Doncaster

Birmingham have won each of their last six meetings with Doncaster (in all competitions), netting a total of 19 goals in the process.
At home, the Blues have lost just one of their last seven clashes with Donny (all comps).
In beating Southampton last weekend, Rovers secured only their second home win of the season (in 10 games).
Only high-flying Southampton (3) and Cardiff (2.3) have better points per home game averages this season than the Blues (2.25).
Birmingham have lost a league joint high 15 points from leading positions this season.
Doncaster have conceded at least two goals in nine of their 10 away games this season.

Burnley v Portsmouth

Only one of the last five meetings between the two sides (in all competitions), has ended in a home win.
The Clarets have enjoyed just one victory in their last 13 meetings with Pompey in all competitions.
Burnley have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 league games.
No side has won fewer points on the road this season than Pompey (three points, along with Coventry).
Burnley have netted more headed goals (12) than any other side in the Championship this season.
18% of Pompey's goals this season have been scored by defenders, the highest ratio in the league.

Coventry v Hull

Hull have netted a total of just three goals in their last six meetings with Coventry.
However, the Tigers are unbeaten in their last four clashes with the Sky Blues.
The Sky Blues have lost six of their last eight games, four by a 2-1 scoreline.
Only three sides have performed better on the road this season than Hull, who have 15 points from 10 away games.
Only 9% of Hull's goals this season have come from set pieces, the lowest ratio in the league.
Coventry have lost a league joint high 15 points from leading positions this season.

Derby v Bristol City

Both meetings between the two sides last season ended in 2-0 victories for Bristol City.
However, the Rams have lost just one of their last five home games against City (that defeat last season),winning the other four.
The Rams have won just one of their last 12 league games.
City lost their last game, against Middlesbrough, after going on a run of six games unbeaten, their best run of the campaign so far.
Derby are the only side in the league yet to score a goal in the final 15 minutes of a match this season.
Derby have failed to score in their last three home games, losing each of them.

Leicester v Peterborough

Leicester have lost just one of their last six meetings with Peterborough.
Only one of the last seven games between the two sides has ended in an away win, although that did come in the last meeting (2-1 to the Foxes at London Road).
Leicester have won five of their last seven home games, keeping clean sheets in each of those victories but failing to score in the other two defeats.
The Posh have gone 92 league games without being involved in a goalless draw, the longest current run across all four leagues.
The Foxes have conceded four penalty goals this season, more than any other Championship outfit.
Peterborough have conceded 21 first half goals this season, more than any other side in the league.
The Posh have recouped a league high 15 points from trailing situations this season.

Middlesbrough v Brighton

Middlesborough are unbeaten in their last seven clashes with Brighton (in all competitions), although the last meeting did come all the way back in 2003.
Boro' have won their last four home games against the Seagulls, netting 12 goals and conceding none (in all competitions).
Middlesbrough have lost just one of their last six games in the Championship.
Gus Poyet's side have now won three league games in a row. They have yet to win four on the trot this season.
76% of Brighton's goals this season have come in the second half, a higher ratio than any other side in the league.
Boro' have conceded just two goals from set pieces this season, the lowest ratio in the division.

Millwall v Cardiff

Five of the last seven games involving these two sides have ended in draws.
In the last seven meetings between the two sides, there have been seven red cards in total, with six coming for Millwall.
The Lions have enjoyed just one victory in their last five league fixtures.
The Bluebirds are unbeaten in their last eight league games, winning their last two by a 1-0 scoreline.
Cardiff have netted more goals (10) from outside the area than any other side in the Championship this season.
Millwall have scored 11 goals in their last four home games, this after scoring just once in their previous four.

Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace

Both games last season between these two sides ended in 3-0 wins for Forest, with Marcus Tudgay scoring in both.
Palace have enjoyed only one victory against Forest in their last seven meetings.
Forest have failed to find the net in each of their last three league games, the worst current run of its kind in the division.
The Eagles are without a win in their last seven league games, failing to score in five of those matches.
44% of Forest's goals have come from set pieces this season, the highest ratio in the league.
Palace have netted just once in their last three games on the road.

Reading v West Ham

Reading have lost just one of their last five meetings with West Ham, winning three and drawing one.
The last three clashes between the two sides at the Madejski Stadium have produced a total of 13 goals.
Only one of the Royals' last 15 league goals has come before the 65th minute.
Kevin Nolan has bagged two goals in his last three games for the Hammers.
West Ham are the only side in the league to have been on the receiving end of two own goals so far this season.
West Ham have conceded just one goal from outside the box so far this season, fewer than any other side.
Over half (12/23) of Reading's goals have come in the final 15 minutes of their matches this season.

Watford v Leeds

Watford have won just one of their last 10 meetings with Leeds (in all competitions), losing six and drawing three.
At Vicarage Road, the Hornets have enjoyed just two victories in their seven meetings with Leeds in all competitions, with their last win coming back in 1992 in the League Cup.
The Hornets have suffered just one defeat in their last seven league games, winning four and drawing two.
Watford have kept two clean sheets in their last three home games.
Leeds have won five of their last six away games in the league.

Barnsley v Ipswich

At Oakwell, Barnsley have won only three of their last 10 meetings with Ipswich (in all competitions).
There has only been one goalless draw played out between these two sides in 37 meetings in total (in all competitions).
Ricardo Vaz Te has bagged a total of four goals in his last three league games for the Tykes.
The Tractor Boys have lost each of their last seven league games, the worst losing streak in the division all season.
Barnsley have recouped just one point from a trailing situation this season, fewer than any other side in the league.
Ipswich have conceded 11 goals in their last three away games, losing all of these matches.

Read More