Thursday, January 26, 2012

27.01. (Fri) 20:45 Watford - Tottenham Hot.

FA Cup: Giovani Dos Santos - Michael Dawson, Tottenham v Cheltenham Town
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

WATFORD

Loach
Hodson, Mariappa, Nosworthy, Dickinson Deeney, Eustace, Hogg, Yeates Buaben
Sordell
TOTTENHAM

FriedelWalker, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto
Lennon, Livermore, Modric, Kranjcar
Defoe, Adebayor
Sean Dyche has a relatively healthy squad to choose from with only Stephen McGinn and Martin Taylor absent through injury.

There are also no suspensions being served by any Watford player, allowing the manager to select a strong side for the visit of Tottenham.

Spurs have confirmed Gareth Bale (thigh), Scott Parker (hamstring) and Younes Kaboul (groin) are doubts for the FA Cup tie at Vicarage Road. Ledley King is expected to be rested ahead of the game against Wigan on Tuesday, with William Gallas and Sandro also missing out with calf injuries.

Vedran Corluka remains sidelined while Tom Huddlestone has only just started to train again following his ankle injury.
DID YOU KNOW?

  • The sides have met four times in the FA Cup with Tottenham coming out on top on every occasion and scoring 17 goals in the process.
  • The 1987 semi-final at Wembley was memorable not only for Spurs' 4-1 win but for the identity of the Watford goalkeeper. Roger Plumley - the son of the chairman - took to tending the goal following a spate of injuries to the club's first and second choice keepers.
  • Tottenham are unbeaten in their last five visits to Vicarage Road.
  • Mark Falco is a name familiar to both sets of fans. The striker played at White Hart Lane for nine years before making the switch to Watford where he scored 14 times in his solitary season there.
  • Watford have won one and lost seven of their last eight FA Cup games against top-flight opposition.
  • Tottenham meanwhile, have only lost once in 33 FA Cup games against lower-league opposition - 3-2 to Leicester in 2006.
  • However they have suffered in recent seasons by getting dumped out of the FA Cup at this stage in three of the last four years.
  • Jermain Defoe (pictured right) has pedigree in the competition - scoring eight goals in 10 games over the last three seasons.

| by

0

27.01. (Fri) 20:00 Gabon - Morocco

CAN 2012 : Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon vs Niger)
Panoramic

PROBABLE LINEUPS

GABON

Ovono
Mouele, Manga, Ebanega, Poco, Moussono
Aubameyang, Madinda, Moubamba,N'Guema
Mouloungui


MOROCCO

LamyaghriBasser, Benatia, Kantari, Kaddouri
Belhanda, Kharja
Amrabat, Boussoufa, Taarabt
Hadji


After downing an unsettled looking Niger side in their Group C opener, 2012 Afcon co-hosts are now gearing up to face a Moroccan team still reeling from their disappointing 2-1 loss to Maghreb rivals Tunisia.
Gernot Rohr’s men looked stellar against the Mena, hardly taking their foot off the pedal while being led by the irrepressible Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. However, the German coach will be well aware that facing an Atlas Lions team on the brink of elimination will be a much more serious test for his side.
Aside for the outstanding home support that the Panthers will be certain to enjoy at the Angondje stadium in Libreville, another positive for them is that they’re at full strength and haven’t sustained any injuries. Furthermore, Stephane Nguema is the only player they have who is carrying a yellow card into the encounter. Thus, the pre-match conditions are ideal for the Gabonese as they look to produce another solid showing.
The situation on the Moroccan side of the fence is more complex as their opening game loss to the Carthage Eagles was followed by many Moroccans questioning Eric Gerets’ personnel decisions, particularly the inclusion of an out of form Oussama Assaidi.
Criticisms seem to be justified as the latest news from the Atlas Lions camp is that Assaidi, who perhaps should have been left out to recover fully, re-injured his achilles and will probably miss the match against Gabon.
Meanwhile, right-back Michael Basser sustained an ankle injury and may also be forced to sit this one out. While he wouldn’t have played anyway, the fact that third-string goalkeeper Issam Badda has been diagnosed with what is being termed a benign form of Malaria isn’t good news either. Furthermore, Marouane Chamakh is suffering from a fever and didn’t train on Wednesday. The north Africans will have to overcome all of these difficulties if they hope to resurrect their tournament.
DID YOU KNOW?

  • Morocco once beat Gabon 6-0 in Rabat during 2006.
  • The Panthers played a leading role in ensuring the Atlas Lions missed out on both the 2010 World Cup and Angolan Afcon as they beat them 2-1 in Casablanca and then 3-1 in Libreville.
  • The two sides have faced each other 10 times and there has never been a draw between them. Gabon has won three times and Morocco has been victorious in the remaining matches, often quite comfortably.
  • Gabon won their first game at the 2010 edition of the Afcon but failed to progress to the knockout stages of the competition.
  • If the Moroccans lose, it will be the third time in a row that they are eliminated in the first round.

Prediction
Gabon may have strearolled Niger but Morocco will be a much tougher opponent for them and one expect that the north Africans' inefficiency in front of goal won't last forever.
Editor's Prediction
Gabon 1-1 Morocco

French Ligue 1 Opta Facts - 28-29 Jan


Auxerre - Nancy

Auxerre are enduring their worst start to a Ligue 1 season since the three-point rule was introduced, in 1994.
Auxerre have already suffered as many league defeats this term (nine) as during the whole of last season.
Nancy are unbeaten in their last four trips to Auxerre in Ligue 1, drawing three of these games.
All four Nancy wins this season in the league have been by one-goal margins.
The Abbé-Deschamps stadium has seen more goals than any other Ligue 1 ground this term (33).
Auxerre have lost all three league matches without Alain Traore this season.
53% of Nancy's league goals this season have come in the opening or final 15 minutes of games.

Brest - Paris SG

Brest are one of two teams who are sill unbeaten at home this season in Ligue 1 (four wins and six draws).
Paris SG are unbeaten in their last 13 top-flight enocunters against Brest, winning six and drawing seven; Brest's last win occured in 1985.
Five of PSG's last six Ligue 1 trips to the Francis-le Blé stadium have ended as draws.
The Parisians have failed to win any of their last six trips to Brittany in Ligue 1, drawing four and losing two.
Brest have kept a clean sheet in the last three matchdays, currently the longest run in Ligue 1.
PSG have won 85% of the games in which they have scored first, a higher percentage than any other Ligue 1 side this term.
A league-high 65% of Brest goals have been scored in the first half of games this term.
PSG have failed to win any of their four competitive matches without Javier Pastore this season.

Lille - St Etienne

St Etienne have failed to win any of their last 10 trips to Lille in Ligue 1, suffering seven defeats in the process.
Lille have lost just one of their last 24 home league matches.
Only two of the last 21 Ligue 1 encounters between these teams have seen St Etienne ending the winning side.
St Etienne are unbeaten in their last three away league matches, scoring twice in each game.
St Etienne have managed seven victories in the last 11 matchdays, only Marseille have won more games in that period.
Lille are unbeaten on Saturdays this season in the league, winning five matches and drawing four.
Lille are winless without Mathieu Debuchy this season in Ligue 1 (D3 L1).
St Etienne have racked up 33 points, their best performance at this stage of a Ligue 1 season since 1981/82.

Lorient - Sochaux

Sochaux are unbeaten in their last three games against Lorient in Ligue 1, winning once and drawing twice.
A league-high 80% of Lorient's goals have come in the second half of games.
Lorient have now failed to score in 207 minutes of Ligue 1 action at home.
Lorient have conceded the joint-fewest goals at home this season (four).
Lorient are one of three Ligue 1 sides this season without a player that has netted more than three goals.
Sochaux have lost seven and drawn one of their last eight competitive fixtures.
Sochaux have become the first side this season in Ligue 1 to fail to score in five consecutive matches.

Lyon - Dijon

Since 2010, Lyon have suffered only two defeats in 37 home league matches.
Lyon have lost just one of their last 33 league encounters against promoted teams at the Gerland stadium
Lyon have suffered seven defeats in 20 Ligue 1 games for the first time since 1997/98.
None of Lyon's last 16 league matches have ended as a draw, currently the longest run.
Lyon have scored more first-half goals than any other side this season in Ligue 1 (16).
Dijon have lost 90% of the games in which they have conceded the opening goal, a higher percentage than any other team this season in Ligue 1.
70% of Dijon's league goals this season have been scored by Benjamin Corgnet (eight) and Brice Jovial (eight).
Lisandro has netted 10 goals in his last nine competitive appearances for Lyon.

Nice - Montpellier

Montpellier are unbeaten in their last six league encounters against Nice, winning four of these matches.
Nice have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 12 Ligue 1 encounters against Montpellier.
Since gaining promotion in 2009, Montpellier's only goal conceded against Nice in the league was an own goal from goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren.
All four of Nice's wins this season in Ligue 1 have come at home and been by at least a two-goal margin.
Nice have lost all of their last seven January Ligue 1 matches, while Montpellier have won all of their last six.
Montpellier have lost their last two away games in Ligue 1.
Fabian Monzon has scored more goals (four) and attempted more shots (32) than any other Ligue 1 defender this season.

Toulouse - Caen

Toulouse are unbeaten in their last four Ligue 1 meetings against Caen (two wins and two draws).
Caen have lost only one of their last seven trips to Toulouse in the top flight.
TFC are unbeaten in their last eight home league matches, recording five wins and three draws.
Caen have lost nine of their 11 league games this season against teams currently ranked in the top half of the league table.
League leaders PSG are the only away team to have won at Toulouse this season in Ligue 1.
Caen are now winless in seven consecutive Ligue 1 games, currently the joint-longest run.
Caen have lost seven of their last nine games in all competitions, conceding 19 goals in the process.
Only one of Toulouse's last 40 league games have seen them score more than two goals.
Caen have now failed to score in three consecutive away games.

Evian TG - Bordeaux

All six Bordeaux wins this season in Ligue 1 have come against teams currently occupying the bottom half of the league table.
Bordeaux are one of only two sides who have yet to score more than two goals in a Ligue 1 game in 2011/12.
ETG have won all of their last four home matches in Ligue 1.
Bordeaux have only managed to win one of their last seven away games in Ligue 1.
There hasn't been a clean sheet in any of the last 13 Ligue 1 games involving Evian Thonon Gaillard.
Cedric Barbosa has scored five goals in his last five league appearances at the Parc des Sports stadium.
The first leg of this meeting remains ETG's only goalless draw this term in Ligue 1.

St Etienne - Sochaux

Sochaux have scored exactly two goals in each of their last three L1 matches against St Etienne.
Sochaux have won one of their last 12 games away to St Etienne in L1, 2-1 in August 2006.
PSG are the only away team to have emerged with a clean sheet from St Etienne's Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in L1 this season.
The last time Sochaux conceded as many goals at this stage of a Ligue 1 season was in 98/99 (34).
Sochaux have lost six and drawn one of their last seven competitive games.
St Etienne midfielder Banel Nicolita has scored in all of his three starts at home in L1 this season.
Sochaux are on a run of three consecutive defeats, which is currently the worst such sequence in L1.
Sochaux have failed to win any of their last seven away matches in Ligue 1.
Sochaux have not scored away from home in the league since Ryad Boudebouz's penalty against Nice last October.

Rennes - Marseille

If this season had started in October, Marseille would be top of the league with 27 points.
Marseille have won all of their four competitive matches in 2012, with an aggregate score line of 13-1.
Rennes have yet to lose at home this season in all competitions (seven wins and eight draws).
Marseille are unbeaten in their last eight trips to Brittany (at Brest, Lorient or Rennes) in Ligue 1.
Marseille have scored 18 goals in their last nine trips to Rennes in Ligue 1.
Loïc Rémy has netted four goals in his last three competitive appearances for Marseille.
Rennes are on a run of two consecutive wins in Ligue 1, but have yet to win three league games in a row this term.
Rennes, who won the first leg, haven't beaten Marseille twice in a Ligue 1 season since 2000/01.

28.-29. 2012. Nebojša Pavlović (Kortrijk, Belgija 1)


28.-29. 01.2012. Nenad Tomović (Leće, Italija 1)


Italian Serie A Opta Facts - 28-29 Jan


Catania - Parma

This will be the 10th meeting between these two sides: Catania lead the head-to-head by three wins to two, with four draws completing the record; including the 3-3 in the reverse fixture.
This fixture has never been won by the away side in the top-flight, while at home Catania have notched up three wins and a draw against Parma so far.
Parma have netted just one goal in their four previous visits to Catania at the Massimino.
Sebastian Giovinco scored in both meetings against Catania last season.
Giovinco also assisted two goals for Parma in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Catania have taken just a point from their last three league games, all of which have been played away from home.
Catania have not drawn any of their last five games at home (three wins, two defeats).
Parma have won just one of their last eight games; playing out five draws in this run.
Parma are winless in their last six away games, and have failed to score in the last three.
Vincenzo Montella has drawn his two previous games as a manager against Parma in Serie A, while Roberto Donadoni has a win at home and two defeats away to Catania so far.
67% of Catania's goals (14 out of 21) have been scored from set piece situations this season - the highest ratio in Serie A.

Cesena - Atalanta

Atalanta are unbeaten in their seven previous meetings against Cesena in Serie A (five wins and two draws).
Cesena have scored just two goals in total in their previous meetings against Atalanta in the top-flight.
Only one goal has been scored in three previous meetings between these two sides (Cesena-Atalanta 0-1 back in May 1991) at the Manuzzi.
In the reverse fixture - won 4-1 by Atalanta - Marilungo scored his second Serie A brace and the first two goals of this campaign.
Cesena have not drawn any of their last 11 games, and have lost four of their last five in Serie A.
Lazio were the only side able to score more than one goal at Cesena's ground, back in September. Cesena have conceded just four goals in their seven games at home soil since then.
Atalanta have lost three games in a row for the first time since November 2009.
Atalanta have won just one of their last nine games; this coming against Cesena (4-1) in their last game before the Christmas break, and they have failed to score in their last three fixtures.
El Tanque Denis made his Italian debut with Cesena in the 3rd Division scoring two goals in 18 appearances in 2002/03.
Cesena have already conceded seven goals in the opening 15 minutes of games this season - a league-high.

Chievo - Lazio

This will be the 20th meeting between these two sides: Lazio lead the head-to-head with six wins to four.
Chievo have drawn nine games against Lazio so far, more than against any other side in Serie A.
Chievo have only managed to beat Lazio once - in their first Serie A meeting, back in January 2002. The Biancocelesti have won on their last four visits to the Bentegodi.
Chievo have never repeated the same result in back-to-back games over the last nine Serie A matchdays.
In the last seven matches involving Chievo, neither side have scored more than two goals.
Lazio have won just one of their last four games, and have lost their last two away games.
Chievo have kept a clean sheet in their last four games at home in Serie A.
Sergio Pellissier has already scored six goals against Lazio, more than against any other Serie A opponent, although only one of these goals was scored at the Bentegodi.
Lazio have already recouped 13 points from losing positions - a Serie A-high this season.

Fiorentina - Siena

Fiorentina are unbeaten at home against Siena in the top-flight, collecting four wins and two draws.
Siena have not scored more than a one goal against Fiorentina in any of their 13 previous Serie A meetings.
Siena have scored just two goals in their previous six visits to Fiorentina in Serie A.
Over the last six Tuscan derbies, there were two wins for Siena, two for the Viola and also two draws.
Fiorentina's 5-1 win in January 2010 represents Siena's second-worst defeat in their Serie A history, only after a 6-0 loss against Roma at the Olimpico in February 2004.
Fiorentina have won just one game over the last six matchdays (3-0 against Novara); two defeats and three draws complete the record.
Fiorentina have picked up just 10 points and two wins in nine games since the appointment of Delio Rossi.
Emanuele Calaió has already scored eight goals in this campaign, equalling his best tally in a single Serie A season.
Calaió has not scored in his seven previous meetings against Fiorentina in the top-flight.

Genoa - Napoli

This will be the 80th meeting between Genoa and Napoli in Serie A: the Partenopei lead the head-to-head with 26 wins to Genoa's 24.
Only against AC Milan (31), Genoa have played out more draws than against Napoli (29) so far in Serie A.
Napoli are unbeaten in their last four meetings against Genoa, with the Grifoni able to score just one goal in the process.
Prior to this run, Genoa had won five games in a row against Napoli in Serie A.
Genoa have lost three of their last four league games, however they've won the last two at home against Bologna and Udinese.
Napoli have managed just three wins over the last 11 Serie A matchdays, keeping only one clean sheet (0-0 against Lazio back in November).
Napoli are unbeaten in their last four games on the road (three draws and a win).
Marek Hamsik has netted four goals in his last five appearances against Genoa.
Following Napoli's 6-1 win in the reverse fixture, Genoa sacked their manager Alberto Malesani and appointed Pasquale Marino.
Since Marino took over as manager, Genoa have conceded 10 goals in three league games.
Genoa have already given away six penalties, a joint-high in Serie A this season alongside Inter.
Genoa have also had the most players sent off so far (seven).
Napoli remain the only Serie A side yet to concede a goal from the penalty spot.

Juventus - Udinese

Juventus' next victory against Udinese will be their 50th win over them in Serie A.
Udinese have lost more games (49) and conceded more goals (152) in Serie A against Juventus than against any other side.
However, the Old Lady have won just two of their last six meetings against Udinese.
These two sides have not played out a draw in any of their last 17 meetings in Turin in Serie A; this since a 1-1 draw back in March 1990.
Udinese are one of the four Serie A sides against whom Claudio Marchisio has already scored two goals, alongside AC Milan, Inter and Palermo.
Juventus remain the only team still unbeaten amongst the top five European leagues (11 wins and eight draws).
Juventus have regularly alternated a win and a draw over the last nine match-days of this competition.
Juventus' last home defeat was back in March against AC Milan.
Antonio Di Natale is currently the Serie A joint-top scorer, with AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic on 14 goals.
Di Natale has already attempted 74 shots in this campaign, at least 21 more than any other player.

Lecce - Inter

Lecce have already lost 23 games against Inter and have also conceded 70 goals - more than against any other Serie A opponent.
Inter are unbeaten in their last nine Serie A meetings against Lecce, and have conceded just three goals in their last eight against the Salentini.
Inter have scored in each of their last 14 league meetings against Lecce, netting an average of two goals per game.
Lecce have already lost 12 games in Serie A in 2011-12, no side have suffered more so far this term.
Inter are on a run of seven consecutive wins in the league. The last time that the Nerazzurri won eight in a row was between November and December 2008.
Inter have won their last four away games by a 1-0 scoreline.
Giampaolo Pazzini has already scored seven goals in his six previous meetings against Lecce, more than against any other Serie A opponent.
Against Lecce, Pazzini bagged his only hat-trick in Serie A so far, when he was playing for Sampdoria.
This fixture will see the team that hit the most woodwork (Inter, 11) playing against that with the fewest woodwork hits this term (Lecce, 1).
Lecce have already lost 13 points from leading positions, more than any other side in this competition.

AC Milan - Cagliari

AC Milan are unbeaten against Cagliari in 18 games, and are on a run of six consecutive wins against the Sardinians.
The Rossoneri have scored in all of their last nine meetings against Cagliari, netting an average of 2.2 goals per game.
The last two meetings at the San Siro between these two sides have seen the hosts score four goals.
In their last meeting back in May, Robinho scored one of his two braces in Serie A.
Last Sunday against Novara, AC Milan got back to winning ways after losing the derby against Inter, meaning that the Rossoneri have now won four of their last five league games.
That defeat in the derby ended a run of six consecutive wins at home for AC Milan in Serie A.
Lazio were the only side able to score more than one goal at the San Siro against AC Milan this season, back in September.
AC Milan can boast of the best attack of this competition, with 40 goals, including 14 from current Serie joint-top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Cagliari have drawn their last two games: against Juventus (1-1) and Fiorentina (0-0).
Cagliari have won just one of their last six games on the road, and have not scored more than a single goal per game during this run.
Cagliari remain the only side yet to see one of their players sent off this season.
AC Milan have scored the joint-most headed goals so far (7, alongside Lazio) this season, while Cagliari have scored the fewest headed goals (1).

Palermo - Novara

Prior to the 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture, the previous 12 meetings between these two sides in Serie A had been between 1948 and 1954.
Palermo are unbeaten at home against Novara (five wins and a draw).
Novara have scored in each of their last 11 meetings against the Rosanero in Serie A.
Novara's Andrea Mazzarani was instrumental in their last meeting against Palermo, scoring his first Serie A goal in the 2-2 between these two sides.
Palermo beat Genoa 5-3 last Sunday, scoring as many goals in this match as they had in their previous eight Serie A games.
Palermo have not played out a draw in any of their last 12 home games (nine wins and three losses).
Novara are winless in their last seven league games, and are on a run of three consecutive defeats in which have always conceded three goals.
Novara have the worst defence of this competition (38 goals conceded).
Novara have also conceded the most headed goals so far (eight).
Novara remain the only Serie A side yet to score in the opening 15 minutes of play, but they have also scored the most goals in the final 15 minutes (11).

Roma - Bologna

These two sides have met 129 times in the top-flight: Bologna lead the head-to-head record by 47 wins to Roma's 44, with 38 draws.
Bologna have won against Roma more often than against any other Serie A opponent.
Bologna have scored 68 goals away at Roma; more than against any other team away from home.
However, Roma are unbeaten in their last eight meetings against Bologna in Serie A (five wins and three draws).
Roma have scored in all of their last 21 meetings against Bologna at the Olimpico, netting two goals a game on average.
Roma are on a run of four consecutive wins, their best run in Serie A since April 2010 when they won six in a row.
Only two teams (AC Milan and Cagliari) have managed to score more than a single goal at the Stadio Olimpico this term in Serie A.
Bologna have won just one of their last six league games, losing two.
In their last visit to Roma in September 2010, Marco Di Vaio scored a brace that allowed his side to come back from 0-2 down and draw 2-2 against the Giallorossi.
Di Vaio has already scored seven goals against Roma in Serie A.
Roma are the only Serie A side to have lost each of their games after falling behind this season (six).

La Liga Opta Facts - 27-29 Jan


Espanyol v Mallorca

Espanyol are on a run of five league games without defeat (W3 D2).
Just one (vs Villarreal) of Espanyol's last 30 league games at home has ended goalless.
Mallorca have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three away games in the league, they had not kept a clean sheet in 29 before this.
The islanders have never before kept four consecutive clean sheets on the road in the top flight.
Espanyol have only failed to score twice in 23 games at home to Mallorca in the top flight.
Mallorca are unbeaten in their last four away games in LigaBBVA, their best run since May 2010.
The pericos are yet to lose in a league game in which a substitute has scored in LigaBBVA this season (W3 D1).
All four of Mallorca's goals in their last five league games have been from headers.
In 2010/11, Espanyol were in fifth place in LigaBBVA at the half-way mark (as this season) with 34 points. They managed just 15 points in 19 games in the second half of the campaign.
Espanyol have won just one of their last seven league meetings with Mallorca.

Levante v Getafe

Levante have won just two of their nine top-flight meetings with the azulones (D4 L3).
The granotas are on a run of five league games unbeaten at home to sides from Madrid (two wins vs Getafe, one win vs Atlético, one win and one draw vs Real Madrid).
Getafe are yet to win at any club from the Comunitat Valenciana in Primera (D5 L15).
The levantinos have failed to score in their last three in the league (D2 L1), the last time they went longer without finding the net was in 07/08 (five games).
Luis García's men are unbeaten in their last five league games (W3 D2), and their last three on the road (W2 D1).
Getafe have conceded the joint-most goals in the first15 mins of league games this season (six), and are one of only two teams yet to score in this period.
The azulones have dropped the joint-most points owing to goals conceded after the 75th minute this season (seven, level with Valencia).
Koné (six goals, three assists) and Barkero (three and four) have been involved in 56% of Levante's league goals this season (14/25).

Málaga v Sevilla FC

Málaga have won just one of their last nine league meetings with the Hispalenses (D3 L5).
Sevilla have scored exactly twice on their last four league visits to La Rosaleda.
Málaga and Sevilla are both on their worst runs in the league this season: Málaga have gone six games without a win (D3 L3), Sevilla five (D2 L3).
The blanquiazules have failed to score in the first half of any of their last five league games.
Last time out against Betis, Sevilla avoided defeat after conceding the first goal for the first time in the league this season.
Pellegrini's men have scored the most goals from direct free kicks in the league this season (3), one of which came against Sevilla.
Málaga have received the fewest yellow cards in the league this season (31).
Málaga are the only side whose defenders are yet to score in LigaBBVA this season.
Duda has scored three goals against his ex-club Sevilla in LigaBBVA, his joint-most against any side.
José Antonio Reyes is yet to win a league match since returning to Sevilla (D2 L1).
Muñiz Fernández's games as referee have produced 36 goals in Primera this season and seven red cards (both joint-mosts).

Osasuna v Atlético de Madrid

Osasuna have only won three of their last 11 top-flight meetings with Atlético (D2 L6).
The rojillos have won seven of their last 11 league matches at home to Atlético (D1 L3).
Atlético are unbeaten in their last four league meetings with Osasuna (W3 D1).
Four of the rojiblancos' last seven league defeats in Pamplona have been by the same scoreline: 0-1.
Osasuna have lost just one of their last eight league games (W3 D4), and their last two wins at the Reyno de Navarra have been by the same scoreline: 1-0.
Under Simeone, Atlético have taken seven points from nine available and are yet to concede a league goal (seven scored).
The rojiblancos have not won two consecutive league away games since 2008/09 (2-0 vs Betis and 4-1 vs Athletic).
Atlético are yet to lose in five games when either Gabi or Diego has not been playing this season in the league: (W3 D2, F12 A4).
All three of Álvaro Cejudo's assists in the league this season have been at home for headers: two for Raúl García and one for Miguel Flaño.
Four of the five headed goals Atlético have conceded in the league this season have come on the road.

Racing de Santander v Valencia

Racing have won none of their last six league games against Valencia (D2 L4).
Racing have failed to score in four of their last six top-flight meetings with Los Che.
Against Getafe, Racing ended a run of five league games without a defeat.
Emery's men are on a run of three league games without a win for the first time this season (D2 L1).
Valencia are, along with Barcelona, the only side not to have lost by more than a single goal in the league this season.
Los Che have won the most points thanks to goals scored in the last 15 minutes of league games this season (nine).
Emery's men have dropped the most points thanks to goals scored in the last five minutes of league games this season (seven).
Juanjo González's men have scored the fewest goals at home in Primera this season (six).
Racing have scored at least once in seven of their last eight league games (except vs Real Sociedad).
Valencia are the only side yet to draw 0-0 in the league this season.
Stuani has scored four of Racing's last six league goals.

Rayo Vallecano v Athletic

The side from Madrid have won just one of their last seven league games at home to Athletic (D3 L3).
None of the last 13 league meetings between Rayo and Athletic have ended goalless.
Rayo have won just two of their last 15 league meetings with the Basque side (D6 L7).
Rayo have lost three of their last four at home in the league, conceding in each.
Athletic have not lost back-to-back league matches since September.
Only two of Rayo's last 10 league goals have come in the first half.
Only one side (Zaragoza) has picked up fewer points at home in the league this season than Rayo Vallecano (10).
The side from Vallecas have won every game in which they have gone ahead at home in the league this season (three).
Only Mallorca (17) have dropped more points after opening the scoring in LigaBBVA games this season than Athletic (15).
Fernando Llorente has scored in back-to-back league games for the first time this season.

Real Betis v Granada

Last time out against Sevilla, Real Betis failed to win for the 1000th time in the Spanish top-flight (602 defeats, 398 draws).
Granada have only won one of their last 15 top-flight meetings with Real Betis, drawing six (five of which were goalless).
Granada have only ever managed one win at Betis in the top-flight (D2 L5).
Granada are the poorest side in LigaBBVA in 2012 so far (three defeats, -8 GD).
The verdiblancos have scored in their last seven top-flight games (W3 D1 L3), they haven't scored in eight in a row since 2006/07.
The verdolagos are the only side from Andalucía yet to lose to another side from the same region in Primera this season (W1 D2).
Abel Resino lost his only previous league game at Real Betis, (1-2 with Real Valladolid last season).
Just one of the five managers to have taken over during the current season in LigaBBVA has lost on his debut (Manolo Jiménez for Real Zaragoza, 0-1 at Racing).
The granadinos have won just one of their 10 league games in which Diakhaté has not played this season.
Quique Pina's side are the only team not to have scored in the opening 15 minutes of league games this season (with Getafe).

Real Madrid v Real Zaragoza

Real Madrid have only ever lost four league games at home to Zaragoza (W47 D6).
José Mourinho's side have won 14 of their last 15 league games.
Aside from Barcelona, Real Zaragoza were the last side to win at the Bernabéu in the league (3-2 in April 2011).
The maños are on a run of 12 league games without a win, and are three games off equalling their poorest-ever top flight run (15 games in 42/43).
Zaragoza are the joint-poorest away side in the league this season, taking just three points (all draws) from 30 available.
Manolo Jiménez's men have scored just two goals in their last eight league games combined, while only Granada (12) have scored fewer all season (14).
Just four of the 12 teams to have 12 points after 19 games in Primera have avoided relegation (always assuming three points for a win).
Real Madrid scored 67 goals in their first 19 league games, a record for any team in the Spanish top flight.
The current leaders have scored the most second-half goals in La Liga this season (40), Zaragoza the fewest (six).
Real Madrid's substitutes have scored 10 goals this season in the league, more than any other side.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored with the last 20 penalties he has taken in the league.

Real Sociedad v Sporting de Gijón

Real Sociedad have won seven of their last 10 league meetings with Sporting (three draws), including the last five in a row.
The donostiarras have not lost at home to Sporting in the top-flight since April 1994 (0-1), winning three and drawing two since.
Real have, along with Zaragoza, won the joint-fewest LigaBBVA games at home this season (two).
Erreala are the second-lowest scoring side at home in LigaBBVA this season (seven goals), and have failed to score in five of their last six on home turf.
Real Sociedad have scored the highest proportion of their goals in the second half in La Liga this season (13/17, 76%).
Only Real Madrid and Getafe have come from behind to claim more points after conceding the first goal than Sporting in LigaBBVA this season (eight).
Aguirretxe has scored the joint-most headed goals in the league this season (four, level with Fàbregas).
Real Sociedad have lost both league games without Aguirretxe playing this season.

Villarreal v Barcelona

Villarreal and Barcelona have only drawn one of their 12 league meetings at El Madrigal, with the home side winning five and the away side six.
The Yellow Submarine have failed to win after conceding a goal in a league match this season.
Last time out against Sporting, Villarreal ended a run of six league games without a win.
Barcelona's last seven league goals have either been scored by Messi (five) or Alexis Sánchez (two).
All 10 of the goals Barcelona have conceded away from home in the league this season have come from inside the area.
Barcelona have scored just one substitute goal in the league this season (Villa vs Zaragoza), fewer than any other LigaBBVA side.
Barça have scored the most first half goals in the league this season (34).
Cesc Fàbregas has played more matches without losing than any other player in the league this season (W9 D5).
After Getafe (seven), Barcelona have won the most points away from home after going behind in the league this season (five).
Barcelona have won only four of their nine away games in the league this season, and have nine fewer points on the road than Real Madrid (25).

| by

0

27.01. (Fri) 17:00 Niger - Tunisia

CAN 2012 : Bruno Ecuele-Manga (Gabon vs Niger)
Panoramic

PROBABLE LINEUPS

NIGER

DaoudaMazadou, Amadou, Chicoto, Soumaila
Djibo, Laouali, Lancina, Garba
Moussa, Alhassane

TUNISIA


MathlouthiIfa, Haggui, Abdennour, Jemal
Traoui, Korbi
Msakni, Chikhaoui, Dhaouadi
Chermiti


After looking completely lost in their maiden Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) appearance, Niger are out to prove that they are a much better team than what they showed during the 2-0 loss to co-hosts Gabon. The Mena qualified ahead of the likes of Egypt and South Africa, leading many to expect much more of them despite their lack of tournament experience
Coach Harouna Doula Gabde will have to deal with the loss of Tidjani Amadou Moutari, whose substitute appearance against the Panthers lasted only six minutes before he was stretchered off with a broken leg.
While Moutari has already left Gabon to undergo an operation in France, another player in the squad, midfielder Moussa Maazou, is suffering from an ankle sprain but will probably pass fit in time for the game.
Unlike their opponents, the Carthage Eagles are coming into this encounter in high spirits after obtaining a valuable opening win against north African rivals Morocco. The Tunisians rode their luck at times but their counter-attacking strategy paid dividends.
Against Niger, they will have to employ a more expansive attacking approach as they will be the technically superior side and will much prefer to have their final Group C match against the co-hosts be a formality rather than a must win game.
Though many expected that Sami Trabelsi would switch out his right and left-backs, Ammar Jemal and Bilel Ifa, for the more attacking options of Khalil Chammam and Anis Boussaidi, the latest from Libreville is that the coach looks more likely to stick with the same back four he used against Morocco, while giving them a bit more license to roam forward.

Meanwhile, an injury to Saber Khlifa may see Amine Chermiti start at centre-forward, and goalscorer Youssef Msakni is expected to take Sami Allagui’s spot on
DID YOU KNOW?

  • Tunisia and Niger have only faced each other once before, with the Carthage Eagles defeating the Mena 4-2 at home after the first half ended 3-0.
  • Tunisia’s Oussama Darragi was selected by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) as the best player plying his trade on the continent but didn’t get to partake in the Carthage Eagles’ first game.
  • Scouts from both Auxerre and Nice will be at the Angondje stadium on Friday to pay special attention to Tunisian defender Bilel Ifa’s performance. The Club Africain player excels as a centre-back but is being used on the right side of defence because the presence of Karim Haggui and Aymen Abdennour in the starting lineup means that there is no space for him in the middle.

Prediction
Tunisia will likely win but it might be harder than some might expect against a Niger side determined to leave a good impression after falling flat in their first match.
Editor's Prediction
Niger 1-2 Tunisia

Championship Opta Facts - 28 January


Peterborough United v Portsmouth

Peterborough United have recovered the joint-most points from losing positions along with Leeds (17).
Peterborough have scored at least two goals in each of their last three league games against Pompey.
The last six meetings between the two sides in Peterborough have all ended as draws.
London Road has seen more goals than any other ground in the Championship (50).
Portsmouth have conceded the joint-most goals in the first 15 minutes of matches (8), while the Posh have shipped the most in the first 15 minutes of the second half of games (11).
Portsmouth have scored the highest percentage of goals from set pieces in the Championship (41%).
Pompey have also conceded the highest percentage of goals from set plays (38%).

Reading v Bristol City

Reading have scored the highest percentage of second half goals in the Championship this season (79%).
Bristol City have conceded the highest percentage of goals in the second half of games this season (73%).
City have won three of their last four league games, all three victories by a single-goal margin.
Reading's defeat against Hull ended a run of four consecutive wins at the Madejski Stadium.
Bristol City have picked up as many point away from home as they have at home this season (15).
The Robins have lost three of their last four league games on the road.
Reading came back from 0-2 down to win 3-2 when the two sides met earlier this season.
The Royals also came from behind to beat City the last time the two teams met at the Madejski.

SPL Opta Facts - 28th January


Aberdeen v Dunfermline

Aberdeen have scored three or more goals in each of their last four league meetings with Dunfermline, though their last clash ended 3-3.
The Pars have scored just one goal in their last six visits to Pittodrie in the league combined.
Dunfermline have only ever managed one win at Aberdeen in the SPL (W1 D2 L12).
The Dons have scored six goals in the 80th minute or later in their last four league games against Dunfermline.
Aberdeen have kept three consecutive clean sheets at home in the league, but have scored just one goal themselves in this run.
The Dons have lost only one of their last eight SPL games (W3 D4 L1).
Dunfermline have conceded three or more goals in five of their last six league games, but won the other 3-0.
13 of the Pars' 17 points in the league this season have come on the road.

Inverness CT v St Mirren

Caley Thistle have lost just one of their last eight league meetings with the Saints (W6 D1 L1).
Andrew Shinnie has scored seven goals in his last eight appearances in all competitions, and has already scored twice against the Saints this season.
Inverness have won three of their last four in the league, drawing one.
Caley Thistle have now kept back-to-back clean sheets in the SPL: they had not managed even one before this in the league this season.
The Buddies are on a run of three straight league defeats.
St Mirren have won only one of their last nine league games on the road.
St Mirren have dropped more points from winning positions than any other side in the SPL this season (16).

Motherwell v St Johnstone

Motherwell have won four of their last six league meetings with St Johnstone (W4 L2).
The Steelmen have won only one of their last six at home to the Saints in the SPL (W1 D1 L4).
Just 15 of Motherwell's 38 points in the league this season have come at home.
A win in midweek against Dunfermline ended a run of five league games without a victory for Motherwell.
The Saints have won three of their last four in the league (one defeat).
St Johnstone have won their last three on the road in the SPL, and are unbeaten in six.
St Johnstone have won all nine games in which they have opened the scoring in the league this season.

Rangers v Hibernian

Rangers have won seven of their last eight league games against Hibernian.
Hibs have failed to score in six of their last seven SPL meetings with the Gers.
No side has won more often at Ibrox in the league since 05/06 than Hibernian (three, level with Celtic).
Jelavic has scored three goals in Rangers' last three games against Hibernian.
Rangers are unbeaten in their last 16 at home in the league.
Hibernian have won only one of their last 11 league games (W1 D3 L7).
Leigh Griffiths has scored four goals in his last three appearances for Hibernian in all competitions.
Rangers have only conceded first in four SPL games this season, fewer than any other side.
Hibs have dropped the most points after scoring first in the league this season (15).

28.01.2012. Radovan Vujanović (Minster) analizira Treću ligu Nemačke