11.03. (Sun) 21:30 Osasuna - Athletic Bilbao

Raul Garcia, Osasuna

PROBABLE LINEUPS

OSASUNA FernandezRoversio, Sergio, Flano, Raitala Punal, NekounamCejudo, Garcia, Lamah Nino

ATHLETIC BILBAO Iraizoz Iraola, San Jose, Martinez, Aurtenetxe Iturraspe, Herrera, De MarcosSusaeta, Llorente, Muniain

Osasuna coach Jose Luis Mendilibar has a selection crisis in attack with Ibrahima Balde and Dejan Lekic both out injured, leaving Nino as the only fit striker available for Sunday's visit of Athletic Bilbao.

Last season's top scorer, Kike Sola, who has been sidelined since December with patellar tendinitis, underwent surgery on his knee on Thursday and has been ruled out of action for the remainder of the season.

Mendilibar will also be forced into changes in midfield, with Masoud Shojaei and Lolo out injured, while David Timor is suspended.

Meanwhile, right-back Marc Bertran is a doubt for the match with a sprained ankle although the side have been received a boost as captain Patxi Punal is available again after serving a one-match suspension.

Ander Iturraspe returns from domestic suspension for Athletic, who have almost a full squad to choose from for their trip to Navarre.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Osasuna have won just two of their last 12 matches in all competitions.

• Los Rojillos have suffered just two league defeats at the Reyno de Navarra all season.

• Jose Luis Mendilibar (pictured right) had a brief coaching spell at Athletic Bilbao in 2005.

• Athletic Bilbao are on a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions (W4, D1).

• The Basques have won five of their last seven encounters with Osasuna.

• Athletic could climb to fourth on the Primera Division standings with victory on Sunday, provided Levante fail to win at Malaga.

Prediction

Athletic will be buoyed by their win over United but they face a tough test at Osasuna, who will be well rested for this match. The Reyno de Navarra is not an easy place to visit right after a highly-charged European tie, but the visitors should have enough in the tank to get a point out of this.

Editor's Prediction

Osasuna 1-1 Bilbao

Read More

11.03. (Sun) 18:00 Racing Santander - Barcelona

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

RACING SANTANDER Fernandez Alvaro, Torrejon, Espinosa, Cisma Diop, ColsaArana, Adrian, Munitis Babacar

BARCELONA Valdes Alves, Puyol, Mascherano, Adriano Xavi, Busquets, IniestaPedro, Fabregas, Messi,

Mario Fernandez is set to start in goal for Racing Santander when they entertain Barcelona at El Sardinero, as first-choice goalkeeper Tono is suspended.

Strike duo Christian Stuani (hamstring) and Lautaro Acosta (knee) are doubts for the clash, although the latter is likely to be fit enough to be included in the squad.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique will miss the trip to Santander after the Spanish Football Federation dismissed his appeal against the straight red card he received in the win over Sporting Gijon.

Captain Carles Puyol, who sat out the Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen with a minor knock, has resumed training and could take Pique's place in central defence, while Adriano is likely to continue at left-back in place of the injured Eric Abidal.

Thiago (shin) and Alexis Sanchez (hamstring) are still sidelined. Cristian Tello may be given a start in attack after his two-goal cameo in the 7-1 win over Leverkusen.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Racing Santander, who sacked coach Juanjo Gonzalez on Wednesday, are on a seven-match winless run in the league (D4, L3).

• The Cantabrians have won just three Liga games at El Sardinero all season.

• 18th-placed Racing have drawn more games than any other team in the Primera Division this term.

• Barcelona have avoided defeat in their last seven trips to El Sardinero (W5, D2).

• The Catalan giants have scored 141 goals in 46 official matches this season. They have a minimum of 16 matches remaining this campaign to break the club record for most goals in a season (158 in 62 matches in 2008-09).

• Lionel Messi (pictured right) has averaged 3.3 goals per match in his last four outings for club and country.

Prediction

Barca will be on a high after their seven-goal demolition of Leverkusen earned them rave reviews from across the football world. While the Catalans' poor away form may well end up costing them the league title this season, it would be a massive surprise if they drop points here.

Editor's Prediction

Racing 0-3 Barcelona

Read More

11.03. (Sun) 17:30 Schalke 04 - Hamburger SV

Bongarts

PROBABLE LINEUPS

SCHALKE Hildebrand Hoger, Metzelder, Matip, Fuchs Jones, Holtby Obasi, Raul, Draxler Huntelaar

HAMBURG Drobny Diekmeier, Westermann, Bruma, Jansen Sala, Rincon, Kacar, Ilicevic Arslan Petric

Huub Stevens' dearth of defenders is set to continue, with Kyriakos Papadopoulos ruled out of the contest with Hamburg thanks to his red card in last weekend's loss to Freiburg. Benedikt Howedes is still missing with a hamstring problem, but there is good news in the form of Christoph Metzelder's return to fitness.

Lars Unnerstall and Ralf Fahrmann are both still missing through a shoulder injury and a torn anterior cruciate ligament respectively, leaving Timo Hildebrand to continue his first-team run in goal.

Upfront, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is back in training after missing the last two games through a concussion sustained on international duty, while Teemu Pukki is available again after being cup-tied for the Europa League trip to Twente.

Hamburg are without a number of players of their own for this encounter. Dennis Aogo will miss the game with a tight calf, leaving Marcell Jansen to drop back and fill in at left back.

David Jarolim has accumulated five yellow cards and will accordingly be unavailable through suspension, as will Paolo Guerrero, who was dismissed in last week's loss to Stuttgart and will serve an eight-game ban.

Tomas Rincon is a doubt, having missed training this week thanks to a calf problem of his own, but Gokhan Tore is likely to fill a space on the bench after his return to fitness.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Schalke have won seven of the 10 matches they have played after being involved in European exertions during midweek.

• The hosts have scored at least one goal in each of their last nine Bundesliga home fixtures.

• Raul (right) needs just one more goal to become the sixth foreigner to score 25 Bundesliga goals, and the second Spaniard to do so.

• The Veltins Arena has been a happy hunting ground for Hamburg - they have not been beaten in Gelsenkirchen since 2004.

• Despite failing to win any of their last three games, Thorsten Fink's men are unbeaten in their last eight away games.

• Hamburg have scored just 28 goals after 24 games this season. They have managed fewer than that figure on only two occasions.

Prediction

Neither of these teams can buy a win at the moment. While Schalke will be boosted by likely return of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, their resources are stretched to the brink, and playing a large portion on Thursday's trip to Twente with 10 men will have done nothing to alleviate that. Paolo Guerrero will be a huge up front loss for Hamburg, and I can't see them capitalising on Schalke's defensive problems after such a demoralising defeat to Stuttgart last week.

Editor's Prediction

Schalke 1-1 HSV

Read More

11.03. (Sun) 17:00 Dijon - Paris Saint Germain

Panoramic

PROBABLE LINEUPS

DIJON Reynet Varrualt, Meite, Souprayen, Diabate Kumordzi Guerbert, Corgnet, Bautheac, KakutaJovial

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN Sirigu Jallet, Alex, Sakho, Maxwell Motta, Matuidi Menez, Pastore, Nene Hoarau

Dijon coach Patrice Carteron will be without the services of midfielder Younousse Sankhare due to suspension though he will have, otherwise, a full squad to pick from. Cedric Varrualt has shaken off an ankle knock to be included in the match squad, along with Abdoulaye Meite and Brice Jovial. Carlo Ancelotti has no pressing injury worries ahead of the trip to Stade Gaston Gerard. Milan Bisevac and Mathieu Bodmer both sat out the 4-1 win over Ajaccio last weekend, and though the Italian said that they would return for Sunday's encounter, Ancelotti is set to go ahead with the side that impressively dismantled Olivier Pantaloni's men.
Guillaume Hoarau's recent run in the first-team looks set to continue, leaving Kevin Gameiro on the bench, with Gael Kakuta, the on-loan Chelsea forward, set to face his old manager at Stamford Bridge.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Dijon have only won one point out of a possible 15 in games against sides currently occupying the top five places (against Montpellier last weekend).

• The Ligue 1 new boys have scored in nine straight games, which is the joint-longest run in the division.

• Gael Kakuta, on loan from Chelsea, has four goals for Patrice Carteron's side since his January loan move.

• PSG are unbeaten in their last 15 matches in all competitions.

• A whopping 17 goals have been scored in les Parisiens' last three league fixtures.

• Brazilian Nene has six goals since the start of 2012, more than any other Ligue 1 player.

• PSG won the return fixture earlier this season 2-0 at Parc des Princes, though were dumped out of the Coupe de la Ligue by Dijon 3-2 three days later.

Prediction

Carlo Ancelotti's men are on a good run of form recently, and it's hard to see anyone stopping them at this moment in time. Dijon have the unenviable task of putting a spanner in the works of the capital club, though the gulf in class should see PSG through. 2-0 to the visitors.

Editor's Prediction

Dijon FCO 0-2 PSG

Read More

11.03. (Sun) 16:00 Valencia - Mallorca

PROSHOTS

PROBABLE LINEUPS

VALENCIA Diego AlvesBruno, Ruiz, Rami, Mathieu  Albelda, Tino Costa Pablo, Jonas, AlbaSoldado

MALLORCA CalatayudChico, Nunes, Ramis, P.Caceres Marti, Tejera Nsue, Alfaro, Castro Victor

Unai Emery has a few selection issues for for the match against Mallorca on Sunday afternoon. Jeremy Mathieu, Victor Ruiz, and Adil Rami have all shook off minor injuries and all are in contention to start the match. Miguel is doubtful after picking up a knock against Barcelona last month, from which he is still recovering.

The only long-term absentees for Valencia is Sergio Canales, who has returned to light training after his ligament injury, and Ever Banega, who will miss six months of the season after breaking his leg in a freak car accident. Hedwiges Maduro is also out of action for the foreseeable future.

Joaquin Caparros has a number of first-team players doubtful for the La Liga encounter. Michael Pereira, Dudu Aouate, and Victor Caceres only participated in light training on Thursday, so it is touch and go whether they will feature.

Fernando Tissone is unlikely to be available after missing training this week with an ankle injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The last encounter between Valencia and Mallorca saw a late Tomer Hemed strike cancel out Adil Rami's first half goal which shared the points in a 1-1 draw.
  

• Valencia are in pole position to progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa League after defeating PSV 4-2 in the first leg of the side's round of 16 clash on Thursday.

• Unai Emery's side currently lie in third place in the Primera Division, five points ahead of Levante, but trail Barcelona in second place by 14 points.

• Mallorca's last trip to the Mestalla proved to be a fruitful visit. Two Chory Castro goals helped the Islanders to a vital 2-1 away victory.

• Mallorca's two top goalscorers this season are Tomer Hemed and Victor Casedesus, with six goals each.

• Joaquin Caparros' side have scored 14 goals less than Valencia in the league this season, but have conceded just one less, giving them the best goal difference in the bottom half of the table.

Prediction

Mallorca won on their last trip to the Mestalla but Valencia are a more impressive outfit this season. The star players in attack for hosts may be too much too handle for Joaquin Caparros' side, so expect Valencia to create a lot of opportunities in attack. A comfortable home victory is the most likely scenario.

Editor's Prediction

Valencia 2-0 Mallorca

Read More

11.03. (Sun) 15:00 Manchester United - West Brom

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED De GeaRafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Young Rooney, Welbeck

WEST BROM   FosterTamas, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell Morrison, Andrews, Mulumbu, BruntOdemwingie, Fortune

Sir Alex Ferguson could ring the changes following the home defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League, but that isn't likely to happen as he keeps his foot on the gas in the Premier League.

One change that could happen, however, is Rio Ferdinand stepping back into the starting lineup. Chris Smalling was forced off on Thursday night as the head wound that he suffered on international duty opened up again, and the vastly experienced centre-back should step back in.

Steven Reid's injury is likely to force one of only two changes made by West Brom boss Roy Hodgson to the team who beat Chelsea. The defender limped out of the game last weekend with an ankle ligament injury and will miss the rest of the season.

Jerome Thomas is the other change for Hodgson, with the club confirming on Friday afternoon that he would miss the match with a hamstring injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester United beat West Brom 2-1 earlier in the season despite only having one shot on target.

• Wayne Rooney (pictured right) has scored in three of his last four games against West Brom, and five goals in his last three Premier League outings.

• United have won all but five of their last 43 home games in the Premier League, but one of those five was last season's game against the Baggies, a 2-2 draw.

• Paul Scholes has scored four goals in his six appearances against the club. 

• The Red Devils have scored 21 per cent of all chances created so far this season, the best conversion rate in the league.

• West Brom have never beaten United in the Premier League.

• Roy Hodgson has already won as many away games with the Baggies (eight) as he did with Liverpool (one) and Fulham (seven) combined in three years.

• West Brom have not beaten Manchester United in the league ince March 1984, a run of 15 games.

Prediction

The Baggies will be coming to Old Trafford high on confidence following their victory over Chelsea and United's loss to Bilbao, but I expect a backlash from the champions, and with maybe a couple of changes the Red Devils should run out as winners.

Editor's Prediction

Man Utd. 3-1 West Brom

Read More

11.03. (Sun) 15:00 Swansea - Manchester City

PROBABLE LINEUPS

SWANSEA CITY VormRangel, Williams, Caulker, Taylor Routledge, Britton, Allen, Sinclair Sigurdsson Graham

MANCHESTER CITY HartRichards, Kolo Toure, Lescott, Clichy Nasri, Yaya Toure, Barry Aguero, Balotelli, Silva

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers will be without the services of winger Nathan Dyer, who is serving the first game of a three-match ban after the 24-year-old saw red during the victory away to Wigan last Saturday.

Dyer’s absence from the starting line-up will allow former Newcastle midfielder Wayne Routledge to regain a spot in Rodgers' side, having missed out on the Swans' previous two fixtures against Wigan and Stoke City.

The only doubt for Rodgers is the fitness of Wales international Ashley Williams, who has
been suffering from a stomach bug but is expected to be fit enough to take his place at the heart of the Swansea defence.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will arrive in Wales minus skipper Vincent Kompany, who limped off early during the Citizens' Europa League defeat away to Sporting Lisbon on Thursday night.

The Italian will also be hoping to welcome back defender Micah Richards to take over the right-back spot, after left-back Gael Clichy was forced to fill in during the defeat in Lisbon, when Richards and Pablo Zabaleta were both missing due to injury.

Maverick frontman Mario Balotelli will also be hoping for a first-team return after his excellent cameo performance in midweek for Mancini’s side, replacing Edin Dzeko, who had a night to forget during the defeat.

DID YOU KNOW?

• This game will be played almost 29 years to the day since Swansea last claimed victory in this fixture, coming out 4-1 winners in 1983.

• The home side have only conceded 10 goals at the Liberty Stadium this season, with Roberto Mancini’s outfit being the only team who have a better defensive record at home.

• Danny Graham is the Welsh side’s top goalscorer so far this season, having claimed 10 league goals since his move from Watford in the summer.

• Swansea’s Dutch born goalkeeper Michel Vorm has achieved 10 clean sheets so far in his first season in the Premier League.

• Manchester City claimed a four-goal victory when the two sides met at the start of the season, with Sergio Aguero claiming a double on his debut and Edin Dzeko and David Silva also scoring.

• Goalkeeper Joe Hart (pictured right) has gone 390 minutes without conceding a goal in the Premier League, with Everton’s Darron Gibson being the last player to beat the England stopper.

• Argentine frontman Aguero is currently Manchester City’s top scorer in the Premier League, having scored 16 times in his 25 appearances for the club. 

• Roberto Mancini’s side currently have an incredible 11-goal advantage to go along with their two-point lead over their local rivals Manchester United at the top of the Premier League. 

Prediction

The Liberty Stadium has been one of the toughest venues for visiting sides to gain a result at this season, and with Manchester City suffering disappointment during their Europa League trip to Sporting Lisbon, they will be extra motivated to keep rivals Manchester United at arm’s length at the top of the league.
Without the services of inspirational captain Vincent Kompany, the trip to Swansea will be even harder for Roberto Mancini’s side, but their strength in depth should be able to see them sneak through and continue to lead the Premier League.

Editor's Prediction

Swansea City 1-2 Manchester City

Read More

11.03. (Sun) 15:00 Genoa - Juventus

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

GENOA Frey Rossi, Roger, Kaladze, Moretti Jankovic, Kucka, Biondini, Sculli Gilardino, Palacio

JUVENTUS Buffon Lichtsteiner, Caceres, Vidal, De Ceglie Marrone, Pirlo, Marchisio Pepe, Borriello, Vucinic

With Luca Antonelli, Cesare Bovo and Andreas Granqvist all out, coach Pasquale Marino is forced to name a makeshift defence, as Roger Carvalho and Marco Rossi should fill in at centre-back and right-back respectively to replace Granqvist and Giandomenico Mesto, who is to be dropped from the XI that drew 2-2 with Lecce last weekend.

However, the biggest news sees the return of Alberto Gilardino, who will partner Rodrigo Palacio up front for the Rossoblu. As a result, Giuseppe Sculli will be forced to play out on the left-hand side of midfield, despite his two-goal salvo against the Serie A strugglers.

Meanwhile for Juventus, they too have troubles at the back, with Leonardo Bonucci's suspension, incurred during the 1-1 draw with Bologna, only adding to the injury woes of key duo Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini. To compensate, expect Arturo Vidal to fill in alongside Martin Caceres at centre-back.

Fortunately for young midfielder Luca Marrone, he will be the biggest winner out of the Old Lady's current lack of numbers, as he is set to replace the Chilean in midfield. Also, regardless of his latest disappointing performance, Marco Borriello should be given the chance to redeem himself ahead of Alessandro Matri in attack.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Genoa have lost more times against Juventus than any other Serie A opponent.

• They have won just one of their last seven home games against Juventus.

• Genoa are also winless in their past five league fixtures, losing three of these.

• Juventus' Alessandro Matri has scored in both of his games against Genoa in a Bianconeri jersey.

• However, Antonio Conte's men have been held to a draw in five of their last six league games, including the last three.

• The Old Lady have also drawn six of their last eight away games in this campaign.

Prediction

Genoa currently have no problems in finding the back of the net, but it's their deficiencies at the back which continue to haunt them - in stark contrast to Juventus, who hold the key to the most watertight defence on the peninsula, but currently are finding trouble at the other end. Therefore, a draw seems the most likely outcome, frustrating Antonio Conte once more in the process.

Editor's Prediction

Genoa 1-1 Juventus

Read More

10.03. 2012. OVOG VIKENDA STARTUJE AMERIČKA FUDBALSKA LIGA

Ragbi, hokej i košarka dobili su dostojnog konkurenta. Amerikanci sve ozbiljnije shvataju „evropski“ fudbal, o čemu najbolje svedoči podatak da je prvi put u 17 godina dugoj istoriji MLS-a (skraćeni naziv elitnog fudbalskog takmičenja) organizovan „draft“, izbor igrača po ugledu na čuvenu NBA ligu. Ljubitelji fudbala u Sjedinjenim državama od ovog vikenda moći će da uživaju u najvažnijoj sporednoj stvari na svetu.
Novina ima još, a najveća je da u ligi učestvuje i Montreal, još jedan kanadski klub, treći ukupno. Iako je broj timova povećan na 19, i dalje će svaka ekipa da odigra 34 utakmice u toku sezone. Triput protiv klubova iz svoje, a jednom sa timovima iz „suprotne“ konferencije. Tri najuspešnija tima sa „istoka“ i „zapada“ izboriće direktno učešće u plej-ofu, dok će oni koji zauzmu četvrtu i petu poziciju dodatno da se bore za isto. Važno je napomenuti da iz MLS lige nema ispadanja.
Kladionice su za najvećeg favorita odredile aktuelnog šampiona, ekipu Los Anđelesa, sa Bekamom, Robijem Kinom i kapitenom američke reprezentacije Donovanom.

KVOTE ZA PRVAKA
Los Anđeles 4.50
Sijetl 7.50
Solt Lejk 8.50
Hjuston 8.50
Njujork 9.00

Read More