Friday, March 16, 2012

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17.03. (Sat) 20:45 Fiorentina - Juventus

Pirlo e Jovetic durante Juventus-Fiorentina (Getty)
Getty

PROBABLE LINEUPS

FIORENTINA


Boruc

Cassani, Gamberini, Natali, Pasqual
Behrami, Montolivo, Lazzari
Cerci, Amauri, Vargas
JUVENTUS


Buffon
Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Ceglie
Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio
Pepe, Matri, Vucinic

Fiorentina coach Delio Rossi is set to make one change from the side that lost 1-0 to Catania last weekend with Valon Behrami likely to come into the team for Ruben Olivera. Stevan Jovetic is also likely to miss out, despite his best efforts to shrug off a muscle injury that has kept him out since March 4.

Meanwhile for Juventus, Antonio Conte will be delighted to welcome back Giorgio Chiellini into the team after successfully recovering from a calf problem. The former Livorno man will partner fellow incoming defender Leonardo Bonucci, who has served his one-match ban.. Also, Emanuele Giaccherini looks set to be dropped for Arturo Vidal, who will return to the centre of midfield, but Martin Caceres is expected to miss out.

DID YOU KNOW
  • Fiorentina have beaten Juventus just once in their last 20 meetings - a 3-2 win in Turin in March 2008.
  • The Viola have conceded 234 goals against Juventus in Serie A - the most their opponents have scored against a single team.
  • Fiorentina have won just once in their last six match matches, losing four times.
  • Juventus are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Fiorentina.
  • They are still unbeaten in this campaign, but have drawn the most games (14); only Brest in France's Ligue 1 have drawn more games among the 'top five' European leagues with 15.
  • Antonio Conte's side have drawn six of their last seven league games, including the last four.
  • Interestingly, Juventus have found the net with just one of their last 60 shots on goal.
Prediction
This one has all the makings of an extremely edgy affair, with both sides struggling to register goals of late, but Juventus should nick all three points in the tightest of fashions and resurrect their faltering Scudetto tilt.
Editor's Prediction
Fiorentina 0-1 Juventus

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17.03. (Sat) 20:00 Sevilla - Barcelona

UEFA Champions League: FC Barcelona- Bayer Leverkusen
Getty

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

SEVILLA



Palop
Coke, Escude, Fazio, Navarro

Medel

Navas, Rakitic, Trochowski, Reyes
Kanoute

BARCELONA

Valdes
Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Adriano
Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta
Messi, Cesc, Pedro


Sevilla will likely be missing influential striker Alvaro Negredo, who has returned to training with the Andalusian side, yet trained separately from his team-mates on Thursday due to his recovery from a hamstring injury. Emir Spahic will also miss the match but has returned to doing physical therapy exercises in training.

On a positive note for the hosts, Frederic Kanoute, Jesus Navas, and Gary Medel have shook off injuries and trained normally with the first-team squad this week.

Barcelona have been rocked by the news this week that Eric Abidal will have to undergo a liver transplant. The Frenchman battled the effects of a liver tumour last season, even managing to compete in the Champions League final. However, further surgery was always a possibility and the defender will have the operation in the next few weeks.

Pep Guardiola may have Alexis Sanchez and Thiago at his disposal after the pair trained fully on Thursday after appearing to have recovered from their hamstring and tibia injuries respectively. However, the pair may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Gerard Pique should return to the starting XI after serving his suspension and it is likely Carles Puyol will be given a rest for the Blaugrana.

DID YOU KNOW?
  • The last match between Sevilla and Barcelona saw Javi Varas keep the Catalans at bay with an outstanding performance between the sticks. Pep Guardiola's side were held to a goalless draw at Camp Nou.
  • Sevilla slipped into the bottom half of the table after last weekend's shock defeat to Sporting Gijon. They now sit 11th on 33 points.
  • Sevilla have scored nearly a third the amount of goals that Barcelona have notched up this season. The Catalans have netted 75 times and Michel Gonzalez's men have scored just 27 goals.
  • Lionel Messi scored his 50th goal of the season in Barcelona's 2-0 victory over Racing Santander last weekend.
  • Cesc Fabregas and Lionel Messi have notched up an astounding 65 goals and 47 assists between them so far this season.
  • The last time Barca lost to Sevilla was in a Copa del Rey encounter in 2010, when they lwere defeated 2-1.
Prediction
The last two matches between the sides at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan have left  Sevilla coming out with a draw and a win respectively, so Barcelona certainly have trouble on their travels to Andalucia. However, if Barca can maintain their present form, they should sneak an away victory.
Editor's Prediction
Sevilla 1-3 Barcelona

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17.03. (Sat) 19:00 Caen - Paris Saint Germain

Ligue 1 : Nicolas Seube (Caen) vs Jeremy Menez (Paris SG)
Panoramic


PROBABLE LINEUPS

CAEN
Thebaux
Vandam, Sorbon, Herteaux, Montaroup
Proment
Hamouma, Nabab, Bulot, Nangis
Frau

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

Sirigu
Jallet, Alex, Sakho, Tiene
Motta, Matuidi
Menez, Pastore, Bodmer
Gameiro
Caen boss Franck Dumas will be without the services of club captain Nicolas Seube who will miss Saturday's visit of the league leaders through suspension after reaching the bookings limit. Other than that however, les Malherbes have no other pressing injury concerns, with former PSG striker Pierre Alain-Frau set to lead the line.
Carlo Ancelotti has a few injury concerns and suspensions ahead of the trip to Stade Michel d'Ornano. Brazilian winger Nene, who has been instrumental this season for les Parisiens is suspended having received three bookings in under ten matches.
Maxwell's hamstring injury has curtailed his involvement, with Siaka Tiene expected to fill in, after the Ivorian scored his first goal for the club in the last-gasp 2-1 win over Dijon last weekend. Mathieu Bodmer is liable to replace Nene, with Kevin Gameiro, who netted the winner last week, expected to regain his first-team slot.
After receiving a red card in the 41st minute against Patrice Carteron's men, Mohamed Sissoko is also suspended, though Thiago Motta returns and is expected to start.
DID YOU KNOW?

  • Caen have only won once in their last six home games at Stade Michel d'Ornano.
  • Les Malherbes have gained 28 points from 27 games this season, though were easily dispatched by Montpellier last weekend.
  • Caen's last victory against PSG came in April 2008, where they achieved the double over the capital club that season.
  • Should Paris Saint-Germain record victory on Saturday, it would be their sixth straight victory against les Malherbes.
  • Carlo Ancelotti's men have only lost once on the road in Ligue 1 this season, against Marseille in November.
  • However, les Parisiens are unbeaten in 12 Ligue 1 games, the best record in the league so far.
Prediction
With PSG in good form, it is hard to see Caen, who have a poor recent record against the capital club, gaining anything on Saturday. A point would be a bonus in the fight to stave off relegation, but Ancelotti's men should win comfortably.
Editor's Prediction
Caen 0-2 PSG

Ligue 1 Opta Facts - 17th-18th March


Auxerre v Evian TG
Auxerre have only won one of their last seven home games in Ligue 1 against promoted clubs.
In these teams' league encounter earlier this season, ETG's Cédric Barbosa was directly involved in his team's three goals (one goal and two assist).
Auxerre have dropped a league-high 20 points after leading in their matches this season.
AJA are, along with Lorient, the only team without a Ligue 1 win in 2012.
Auxerre have managed the fewest victories this season in Ligue 1 (four).
ETG have only won once on the road in Ligue 1 this season, it was their last away assignment at St Etienne on Matchday 26.
ETG's matches are the most prolific in this season's Ligue 1: 79 goals, 39 scored and 40 conceded; only Dijon's league matches have witnessed as many goals.

Bordeaux v Ajaccio
Over the last 10 Ligue 1 match days only PSG (22) and Montpellier (21) have collected more points than Ajaccio (20) and Bordeaux (19).
Bordeaux have not won any of their last four home games against promoted clubs in Ligue 1.
Bordeaux have won their last four encounters with Ajaccio (in all competitions) scoring 10 goals and conceding one.
Ajaccio are on a run of two consecutive away defeats, conceding seven goals in the process.
Ajaccio have not scored a single goal in their last five Ligue 1 encounters with Bordeaux.
Yoann Gouffran has opened the scoring in six Ligue 1 matches this season, a league record he shares with Montpellier's Olivier Giroud.
Bordeaux goalkeepers have saved three of the six penalties they have faced this season in Ligue 1.

Caen v Paris SG
PSG have won their last five league encounters against Caen.
The Parisians have inflicted the most Ligue 1 defeats upon Caen (18).
Caen have only won one of their last six home games in Ligue 1, for two draws and three defeats.
All six penalties at the Michel d'Ornano stadium this season in Ligue 1 have been awarded to the home side.
PSG are undefeated in their last 12 Ligue 1 matches, best current run in the league.
PSG have scored seven goals after the 89th minute in Ligue 1 this season, three more than any other team.
PSG have only suffered one away defeat all season in Ligue 1, it was against Marseille (0-3) back in November 2011.
Guillaume Hoarau has scored or set-up six of PSG's last 11 goals in Ligue 1.

Lorient v Brest
Lorient have the worst record in the history of Brittany derbies, having won only won 24% of their league encounters against Brest, Guingamp and Rennes.
Lorient have not won any of their last 12 Ligue 1 matches (seven defeats and five draws) which is their worst ever run in the top flight as well as the worst current run.
Lorient are the worst team in Ligue 1 since the turn of the year, having collected only four points in eight matches.
Brest have lost their last four away matches against Lorient in all competitions, without scoring a single goal and conceding 11.
Lorient have not scored a first-half goal in any of their last 18 league games.
Innocent Emeghara has scored the most league goals this season without any of them contributing to a victory (five).

Marseille v Dijon
Having already lost to Evian TG and Ajaccio, Marseille risk becoming the first team to lose against all three promoted sides this season's Ligue 1.
Marseille have lost four consecutive league games for the first time since November 2006.
Dijon have scored at least one goal in each of their last 10 league matches, currently the longest run.
Marseille have failed to score in their last four league matches, currently the longest such run in Ligue 1 and the first time since March 2007 that they have been so profligate in front of goal.
Marseille have not converted a single one of their last 83 shots in Ligue 1, a record this season.

Nancy v Montpellier
Montpellier are unbeaten in their last five games away to Nancy in Ligue 1 (three wins and two draws).
Montpellier remain unbeaten in all competitions in 2012 (nine wins and two draws).
Olivier Giroud has scored 17 league goals this season, making him Montpellier's highest ever goal scorer in a top flight season.
Souleymane Camara is the most prolific substitute in this season's Ligue 1, scoring five goals after coming off the bench.
Nancy are the only side with just one red card this season in Ligue 1.

St Etienne v Lyon
Lyon are unbeaten in their last 12 matches away to St Etienne (all competitions) registering six wins and six draws. Their last defeat at the Geoffroy Guichard Stadium was back in 1994.
Lyon have won their last three derbies against St Etienne: two in the league and one in the League Cup.
The last time St Etienne finished a league season above Lyon was back in 1992/93.
Lyon have lost their last three away games, without scoring a single goal (all competitions).
Lyon have lost eight of their last 11 away games in Ligue 1.
Lyon have now failed to keep a clean sheet in 10 consecutive league matches, currently the longest run.
Bafetimbi Gomis has scored four goals in his last three league appearances at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium.

Rennes v Toulouse
Toulouse have not won any of their last 15 trips to Rennes in Ligue 1, suffering 10 defeats in the process.
This weekend, Toulouse can become only the third team to manage three consecutive away wins this season in Ligue 1.
Toulouse have conceded 16 goals in their last six games away to Rennes in Ligue 1.
Rennes are one of two sides to have scored in all of their home games in Ligue 1 this season.
In all competitions, Rennes have only lost one of their 20 matches at their Route de Lorient stadium this season.
Rennes have not managed to score more than two goals in any of their last 12 league matches.

Sochaux v Nice
Nice have lost all of their last four trips to Sochaux in Ligue 1, failing to score in the process.
Nice have only won one of their last 14 Ligue 1 encounters with Sochaux.
Nice have not won at Sochaux's Bonal Stadium since December 1994, a run of nine consecutive trips without a win.
Sochaux are on a run of six winless home games in Ligue 1.
Nice are unbeaten in their last three league matches (two wins and a draw) which equals their longest unbeaten run this season.
The encounter between these two sides earlier this season witnessed nine yellow cards and one red, more than any other Ligue 1 game this term.
Nice have yet to keep a clean sheet away from home this season in Ligue 1.
A league-high 70% of the goals Sochaux have conceded this season have come in the second half of their matches.

Lille v Valenciennes
Valenciennes are unbeaten against Lille this season in all competitions (one win and one draw).
Valenciennes have lost their last four Ligue 1 trips to Lille, scoring one goal whilst conceding ten.
Valenciennes are unbeaten in their last seven Ligue 1 matches against title-holders (four wins and three draws).
Lille have scored at least one goal in 30 of their last 31 league matches at their Stadium Nord.
Lille's Stadium Nord has witnessed the most goals this season (48).
Valenciennes have conceded at least one goal in all of their away games in Ligue 1 this season.
Lille's Eden Hazard has scored in each of his last five home matches in Ligue 1, totalling six goals in that run.
None of the five goals Vincent Aboubakar has scored for Valenciennes in Ligue 1 have been on the road.

17.-18. 03.2012. ZELJKO CORLIJA (FRANCUSKA) PRED 28. KOLO

BORDO – AJAČIO 1 – Bordo ne posustaje. Domaćin je u odličnoj formi, pa je sasvim realno da u ovom kolu savlada i Ajačio.
LORIEN – BREST 1X, 2-3 – Fudbaleri Loriena kao da su se uspavali, a valjda ih je iz sna trgla surova borba za opstanak. Brest nikako ne uspeva da nadoknadi odlazak napadača Rua, pa na ovom meču blagu prednost dajem domaćinu.
MARSEJ – DIŽON 1 – Domaći fudbaleri su sigurno u euforiji posle eliminacije slavnog Intera iz Lige šampiona. Bez obzira na umor igrača Marseja, očekujem sigurnu pobedu protiv Dižona.
OKSER – EVIAN 1 – Okseru gori pod nogama. Bodovi protiv Eviana imaju neprocenjivu vrednost, ali oprezan sam zbog nepredvidive igre gostiju.
NANSI – MONPELJE X – Oba tima se „plaše“ poraza. Čini mi se da bi podela bodova zadovoljila apetite i Nansija i Monpeljea.

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17.03. (Sat) 18:30 Hertha - Bayern Munchen

FC Bayern Munich v Hertha BSC Berlin, Jerome Boateng, Raffael
Bongarts

PROBABLE LINEUPS

HERTHA BERLIN


Kraft
Lell, Hubnik, Janker, Bastians
Perdedaj, Ottl, Niemeyer
Raffael, Ramos
Lasogga
BAYERN MUNICH


Neuer
Lahm, Boateng, Badstuber, Alaba
Luiz Gustavo, Kroos
Robben, Muller, Ribery
Gomez

Otto Rehhagel will have to do without veteran defensive midfielder Levan Kobiashvili, who is suspended after receiving two yellow cards last week. Fabian Lustenberger and long-term casualty Maik Franz are also set to miss out on the match.

The trainer is expected to use a defensive 4-3-2-1 formation to lock down the centre of the park. Youngster Fanol Perdedaj, as well as Andreas Ottl and Peter Niemeyer will sit in front of the back four.

Jupp Heynckes is expected to retain the starting XI that featured in 7-1 and 7-0 wins against Hoffenheim and Basel, respectively, over the last week. If he does, that means Bastian Schweinsteiger will start the game on the bench. However, the vice-captain could return to the first XI, most likely replacing Thomas Muller.
Daniel van Buyten and Breno, who are still in rehabilitation, and are still far from fit to return, with both set to miss the match.
DID YOU KNOW
  • Hertha Berlin have lost seven of their last eight matches.
  • The promoted side have scored just twice in eight matches since the winter break.
  • No Hertha player has scored more than one Bundesliga goal since the beginning of December.
  • Bayern Munich have failed to win each of their last four away matches in the Bundesliga. They last took three points on the road in Stuttgart on December 11, 2011.
  • Mario Gomez has scored seven goals in his last two games, and could make his 250th appearance in German league football.
  • Franck Ribery has scored 11 Bundesliga goals this season, equal to his best return since moving to Munich in 2007.
Prediction
While it is true that Bayern have not proven their quality away from home in quite some time, their prolific form at the Allianz Arena should carry them to victory in Berlin. Hertha are in serious trouble now, and their weakness in wide areas will be a key disadvantage against a Bayern side that will enjoy using the full breadth of the pitch.
Editor's Prediction
Hertha BSC 0-3 Bayern

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17.03. (Sat) 18:00 Parma - Milan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Milan
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

PARMA


Mirante
Zaccardo, Paletta, LucarelliBiabiany, Valiani, Musacci, Mariga, Modesto
Floccari, Giovinco

AC MILAN

Abbiati
Zambrotta, Bonera, Thiago Silva, Mesbah
Nocerino, Ambrosini, Muntari
Emanuelson
Ibrahimovic, El Shaarawy


After a promising start under Roberto Donadoni following his appointment in early January, Parma have slowed down significantly, but some positive news for the coach is he will be able to count on recovered first-choice goalkeeper Antonio Mirante and striker Sergio Floccari from the starting whistle.

Young midfielder Gianluca Musacci should be in the first XI also after shaking off a thigh problem while Daniele Galloppa and left-back Massimo Gobbi are expected to be fit enough to make the bench. However former Juventus winger Raffaele Palladino continues to work on a separate training programme and is unlikely to feature.

Meanwhile, AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri will have to deal with the loss of right-back Ignazio Abate, who will be sidelined for 15 days due to a thigh problem, so veteran Gianluca Zambrotta should step in as Daniele Bonera will play in the centre alongside Thiago Silva due to the absences of Alessandro Nesta, who is injured, and Philippe Mexes, who is serving the final match of his suspension for a punch on Marco Borriello.

In midfield, the returning Clarence Seedorf and Alberto Aquilani, the latter having made a couple substitute appearances in Serie A and the Champions League recently, are in contention to start while Mark van Bommel could be given a rest.

Further forward on the pitch, strikers Maxi Lopez and Robinho (the Brazilian picked up a minor knock in training) will be evaluated by the medical staff but both are unlikely to be risked with the second leg of their Coppa Italia tie with Juventus coming up, meaning Stephan El Shaarawy should line up beside the in-form Zlatan Ibrahimovic.


DID YOU KNOW?
  • Parma have not picked up a victory in their last six Serie A matches, earning four draws and suffering two defeats in that span.
  • Current Parma coach Donadoni played for Milan from 1986 to 1996 and 1997 to 1999.
  • The Gialloblu have scored 22 times on home soil this season in 13 matches.
  • AC Milan have not lost a Serie A match when Ibrahimovic has scored since a 2-1 defeat against Juventus in November 2010.
  • Allegri's men have won four of their last five domestic league matches, drawing the other 1-1 against title-challengers Juventus.
  • The Rossoneri defeated Parma 4-1 at San Siro back in October with a hat-trick from Antonio Nocerino.

Prediction
Given these are team heading in opposite directions at the moment, with the hosts' form stuttering and the visitors going strong, a Rossoneri win seems the most likely outcome also keeping in mind that Milan have put four past Parma in each of the last two occasions they have faced one another in league play.
Editor's Prediction
Parma 1-3 Milan

La Liga Opta Facts - 17-19 March


Athletic v Valencia
Valencia have won on their last two league visits to Athletic by the same scoreline (2-1).
The Basque side are without a win in their last six league meetings with Valencia (D1 L5).
Los Che have scored in their last eight league games against Bilbao.
There has not been a goalless draw between Athletic and Valencia at San Mamés since 1970/71.
Bielsa's men are unbeaten in their last six league matches at home (W4 D2), their best run since April 2010 (nine games).
Valencia have picked up seven points from a possible 18 away from home in 2012.
Only Real Madrid (24) have scored in more LigaBBVA matches this season than Athletic and Valencia (23 each).
Valencia and Athletic have dropped the joint-most points because of goals conceded in the last five minutes of league games this season (nine).
The Basque side have scored the most headed goals in LigaBBVA this season (16).
Only Maxi López of Milan (55) has committed more fouls without receiving a booking than Fernando Llorente (44) in Europe's top five leagues this season.
Valencia have earned 13 points thanks to Soldado's 13 goals in the league this season, as many as Barcelona have thanks to Messi's 30.

Espanyol v Racing
Espanyol have won just two of their last 13 league meetings with Racing, both by a score of 1-0 (D4 L7).
Last weekend Espanyol ended their joint-poorest run of league games without a win this season (D4 L1).
Racing are without a win in eight in the league (D4 L4) and have shipped four goals in each of their last two games on the road.
On the two previous occasions that Racing had as few points as this (always assuming three points for a win) at this stage of the season they ended up being relegated (82/83, 00/01).
Racing's last seven league goals at Espanyol have come in the second half.
Last time out against Barcelona, Racing managed the fewest shots by a side in a LigaBBVA match this season (one).
Racing are the joint-lowest scoring side in the league this season (with Zaragoza), scoring just once from outside the box.
Espanyol have won all seven league games after opening the scoring at home this season.
Racing have drawn the most games (5) after conceding first in the league this season.
Espanyol have won all seven league games in which Sergio García has scored for them.
The Catalan side have conceded the most penalties in LigaBBVA this season (six).

Getafe v Real Sociedad
Getafe have lost just one of their last six league meetings with Real Sociedad (W2 D3).
The azulones have only lost one of their four home meetings against the realistas in the top-flight (W3). However the defeat was their biggest-ever home reversal in the top-flight (0-4).
Real Sociedad have scored seven goals and conceded none in their only two top-flight wins over Geta in Primera (3-0 in 05/06 and 0-4 in 10/11).
The txuri-urdin have lost their last three matches in Madrid in LigaBBVA, conceding 11 goals and scoring only one.
Getafe have drawn their last four league meetings with Basque sides (the last two 0-0) and are without a win in seven (D5 L2).
El Geta are without a win in four at home in the league (D2 L2), and have never before gone five without a win on home turf in a single season in the top-flight.
Real Sociedad have alternated between a win and a defeat in their last nine games.
The Basque side have lost every away game after conceding first in LigaBBVA this season (five).
Getafe have scored the fewest goals in the opening 15 minutes of league games this season (one).
Agirretxe has scored eight goals in LigaBBVA this season, double the amount he had managed in his career in the top-flight with Real Sociedad before this (four).

Granada v Sporting de Gijón
Sporting have never won on nine top-flight visits to Granada, managing just two draws and scoring only twice.
Defeat for Granada would mean their worst run of league losses (four) since returning to the top-flight.
Granada are yet to keep a clean sheet in seven league matches under Abel Resino.
Granada and Sporting have been awarded the joint-fewest penalties in La Liga this season (1).
Granada have scored the fewest goals from inside the area this season in La Liga (18), while their strikers are the lowest-scoring in the competition (eight).
Only Real Madrid's substitutes (4) have scored more goals in away league games this season than Sporting's (3).
Abel Resino won his only previous meeting with Sporting in La Liga 3-1 with Atlético in April 2009.
Granada have lost both league matches with Pérez Lasa as referee this season.

Levante v Villarreal
Levante have won their last two league games against Villarreal: the first time they have won back-to-back matches against another side from the Comunidad Valenciana in Primera.
The granotas have lost all four matches at home to Villarreal in the top-flight, with the last two both ending 1-2.
Villarreal have won six of their nine meetings with Levante in Primera (D1 L2).
The yellow submarine have won more often at Levante in the top-flight (four times) than any other side from the Comunidad Valenciana (Valencia three, Elche one).
Villarreal are the only side from the Comunidad Valenciana that Levante have never beaten at home in Primera (W3 vs Valencia, W1 vs Hércules and Elche).
Only Real Zaragoza (eight) have picked up fewer points in La Liga since the turn of the year than Levante (nine).
Brest (four) are the only side in Europe's top-five leagues to have scored fewer away goals this season than Villarreal (six).
Levante have scored the most goals thanks to African players in La Liga this season (12), while Villarreal have conceded the joint-most (five) to players from this continent this season, including Koné.
Nilmar's only brace away from home in the Spanish league came at the Ciutat de València (2-1 in 10/11).

Mallorca v Atlético de Madrid
Mallorca have won just four league games against Atlético Madrid since the rojiblancos' return to the top-flight (W4 D7 L8).
Atlético's 4-3 win on the island last season ended a run of six league visits without a win at Mallorca in Primera (D3 L3).
Mallorca have lost their last three top-flight games at home to Madrid sides, but have never lost four in a row hosting sides from the capital.
Joaquín Caparrós' men have won just one of their last five league matches (D2 L2) but have gone unbeaten in their last three at home (W2 D1).
Atlético have have only won one of their last six league games (D4 L1) but are on a run of six matches unbeaten on the road: the last time they went longer than this without defeat away from home in a single season was in 96/97.
Hemed and Falcao have both scored all five penalties taken this season in the league: only Ibrahimovic (6), Nenè (7) and Ronaldo (10) have taken more without missing in Europe's top-five leagues this season.
Against Granada, Juanfran assisted a goal for the first time for Atlético since setting up one against Mallorca in 2010/11.

Rayo Vallecano v Real Betis
Rayo have only won one of their seven top-flight matches at home to Betis (D2 L4).
Only Real Zaragoza (12) have picked up fewer points at home in the league this season than Rayo (16).
Rayo have only had as many points (34) after 26 matches in Primera on three previous occasions in Primera (78/79, 99/00, 00/01, always assuming 3pts/win).
Only Athletic (92.9%) have scored a higher proportion of their goals thanks to Spanish players in Primera this season than Betis (77.4%) and Rayo (75.7%).
The verdiblancos have won all four away matches in which they have opened the scoring on the road in the league this season.
Real Betis and Rayo have used the most different players in the league this season (30).
Only Barcelona (21) have hit the woodwork more often in LigaBBVA this season than Real Betis (18).
Pepe Mel's side have picked up nine points thanks to goals scored in the last five minutes of league games this season, four more than any other side.
Michu has bagged eight goals in his last 10 league games, having scored five in the first 15 games of this campaign.
Tamudo is averaging more goals per game in the league this season (0.32) than any of his previous three campaigns.

Real Madrid v Málaga CF
Real Madrid have never lost against Málaga CF in the league (refounded in 1992): W16 D5.
Only Barcelona last season (71) have ever picked as many points after 26 games as Real Madrid this season in Primera (70, even assuming 3 pts/win).
Real Madrid have scored 88 goals after 26 top-flight games, beating Valencia's record of 85 in 41/42. If they continue scoring as many goals/game (3.38/game) they will reach 128.6 at the end of the season, setting a new LigaBBVA record.
The Andalucians have almost twice as many points (40) at this stage as they did last season (23).
Real Madrid have won their last seven league matches at home to Málaga, scoring 23 and conceding six.
Manuel Pellegrini's side have conceded at least four goals in each of their last three league meetings with the blancos, scoring just one in return.
Málaga head to the Bernabéu on a run of three straight league wins.
Real Madrid have won their last eight league games against sides from Andalucía, averaging 5.3 goals per game.
Málaga have alternated a win and a defeat in their last 10 league games in Madrid: should this run continue they will lose this game.
Salomón Rondón has scored scored in five of the last seven league matches in which Málaga have found the net.
A goal against Málaga would equal Cristiano Ronaldo's best run of scoring in consecutive league matches (six).
Cristiano has scored more league goals against Málaga than any other side (10 in five games).

Real Zaragoza v Osasuna
Osasuna have won on three of their last four visits to Zaragoza in the top-flight (W3 L1).
The maños are without a win in six against Osasuna in LigaBBVA (D1 L5).
Osasuna have scored in all but one of their last 13 top-flight meetings with Zaragoza.
Manolo Jiménez's side have won just one of their last eight league games at home (D2 L5).
Osasuna have lost just one of their last six league games on the road (W1 D4).
Wigan (-29) are the only side with a poorer goal difference than Real Zaragoza (-28) in Europe's top five leagues this season.
The rojillos have scored just one goal thanks to a substitute in the league this season, fewer than any other team in La Liga.
Osasuna have drawn the most away games in Primera this season (seven).
Mendilibar's men have conceded the fewest goals in the opening 15 minutes of league games this season (2).
Hélder Postiga has been caught offside more often than any other player in La Liga this season (41).

Sevilla v Barcelona
Sevilla are the only side to have avoided defeat at the Camp Nou in the league this season.
Sevilla are without a win in their last nine league meetings with the culés (D3 L6).
A win in this match would be the first time Barça have won three on the road in the league this season.
The nervionenses are the only side in La Liga currently unbeaten in their last two league meetings with Barcelona (D2).
Michel's two defeats in the league this season have come when Sevilla have failed to score, and his two wins have come when they have scored twice.
Barcelona have drawn four of the five league matches in which Fabregas has scored away from home in the league this season (the win was at the Bernabéu).
Barcelona have kept the most clean sheets in La Liga this season (13).
Sevilla have conceded the fewest goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half of league games this season (2).
Only Cristiano Ronaldo (6) has scored more hat-tricks than Lionel Messi (5) in Europe's top five leagues this season.
José Antonio Reyes has yet to score in the league since returning to Sevilla (10 games). In total he has gone 24 games without a goal (since Jornada 37 last season).
Alexis Sánchez has scored eight goals in the league this season, though Barça would have the same number of points had he not scored any. No other player has scored as many goals without any of them being "useful".
Sevilla have received seven red cards in their last 10 league meetings with Barcelona.

Serie A Opta Facts - 16-17 March


Bologna v Chievo
The head to head record in Serie A between Bologna and Chievo is perfectly even: five wins each and five draws.
At the Dall'Ara, Bologna have won four times and lost just once against Chievo, with two draws rounding off the record.
Chievo have always scored at Bologna in the top-flight, but only once more than one goal.
Bologna have lost just one game in 2012: the Felsinei would be third in the Serie A table behind AC Milan and Napoli, taking into account only the games played this calendar year.
Chievo have not scored more than one goal per game over the last six match-days of Serie A.
Chievo have already shipped 10 headed goals, a league joint-high, shared with Novara.
Chievo ‘keeper Stefano Sorrentino has already saved three penalties in this campaign, more than any other Serie A goalkeeper.
Chievo have scored just two goals from set pieces (one from a corner, one from a penalty) - a Serie A-low.
Bologna are unbeaten in the 12 games when Acquafresca or Di Vaio have scored (seven wins and five draws).

Cagliari v Cesena
Cesena are unbeaten in Serie A against Cagliari (six wins and nine draws, including the 1-1 in the reverse fixtures at the Manuzzi).
Only against Bologna (seven), have Cesena won more games than against Cagliari in the top-flight.
Prior to the 1-1 in the reverse fixture, the Sardinians had failed to score in six meetings against Cesena.
In Sardinia, Cesena have beaten Cagliari twice, with five draws completing the record (three 0-0).
Cagliari have lost their last three league games, conceding 11 goals; the last time they lost four in a row was at the end of last season.
Cesena have won just one game since the start of 2012, picking up just one point from the last six match-days.
Cesena haven't scored a single goal in their last four league fixtures.
Away from home, Cesena have taken just one point from their last seven games.
Cesena have the worst attack (16 goals scored) and the lowest percentage of shots on target (36.5%) and conversion rate (6.6%) in this Serie A campaign.
Against Napoli, Larrivey scored his first Serie A hat-trick, taking his total goal tally for the season to seven; more than the total he managed over the previous three seasons.

Catania v Lazio
Catania have never scored more than a single goal in their last 10 meetings against Lazio in Serie A (eight overall).
After remaining unbeaten for nine home games against Lazio, Catania lost the last time they hosted the Biancocelesti at the Massimino 4-1, last April.
However, after Sampdoria and Genoa, Lazio are the side with the most defeats at the Massimino in Serie A (seven).
Hernanes has scored in two of the last three games he has played against Catania; Lazio have always won when "the Prophet" has scored this term (eight times).
Catania have the best form in the last five Serie A match-days: three wins and two draws.
The Sicilians are on a run of three consecutive home wins, against Genoa, Novara and Fiorentina.
Only Chievo, back in November, have managed to score more than a single goal at the Massimino this season.
Lazio have not shared the points in the last 11 match-days (six wins and five losses), and have scored in each of their last 10 games.
Lazio have conceded nine goals in their last three games on the road.
Francesco Lodi has already scored eight goals in this campaign, all from dead ball situations (six penalties, two direct free-kicks).
Lazio have had the most headed shots so far (64); Miroslav Klose has scored the joint-most headed goals (four, alongside Igor Budan).

Fiorentina v Juventus
These two sides have met 145 times in Serie A: 66 wins for the Old Lady, 31 for the Viola and 48 draws.
Over their last 20 meetings, Fiorentina have beaten Juventus just once, 3-2 in Turin in March 2008.
Juventus are unbeaten in their last seven meetings against Fiorentina (three wins for the Bianconeri, four draws).
Over these last seven fixtures, the Viola have never scored more than a goal per game.
Six of the last nine meetings in Florence have ended as draws, three Juve wins complete the record.
Juventus have already scored 234 goals against Fiorentina in Serie A, more than any other opponent.
The Viola have won just once over the last six match-days, losing four times.
Against Fiorentina, Claudio Marchisio scored the first of his 16 goals in Serie A, on 24th January 2009.
Juventus are still unbeaten in this campaign, though they have drawn the most games (14); only Brest in Ligue 1 have drawn more games (15) amongst the top-5 European leagues.
Antonio Conte's side have shared the points in six of their last seven league fixtures, including the last four; the last time they drew five in a row in Serie A was in May 2009.
Juventus have found the net with just one of their last 60 shots in this competition.

Inter v Atalanta
Inter have won 57 of their 101 previous meetings with Atalanta in the top-flight, losing 19 times and drawing 25.
Atalanta have lost more games against Inter than against any other Serie A opponent, conceding also the most goals against the Biscione (181).
Inter have scored in each of their last 27 meetings against Atalanta in the league.
Atalanta have won just one of their last 13 games against Inter in Serie A.
At the San Siro, the hosts have beaten Atalanta on the last six occasions they have met in the top-flight.
By beating Chievo, Inter ended a negative run of seven winless games; Claudio Ranieri's side also kept their first clean sheet after eight games.
At home, Inter are still winless in four games (two losses, two draws).
Atalanta are unbeaten in their last six games (two wins and four draws), and have conceded just two goals in the process.
However, away from home Stefano Colantuono's side have won just one of their last nine games, drawing the last two 0-0 with Novara and Udinese.
Giampaolo Pazzini, a product of the Atalanta youth ranks, has already scored six goals against the Bergamaschi, only against Lecce has he scored more so far in Serie A.

Lecce v Palermo
This will be the 10th meeting between these two sides in Serie A: the Rosanero lead by five wins to two.
The record over their last five meetings sees the Sicilians unbeaten (three wins, two draws), and scoring 14 goals (2.8 per game).
Lecce have taken more points on the road (15) than at home (10) so far in this campaign.
At home, Lecce have won the joint-fewest points with Novara, and have conceded the most goals (21).
However, Lecce are unbeaten in their last five home games in this competition (two wins and three draws).
Palermo remain the only side yet to win a game away from home this season in Serie A.
The Sicilians have lost their last three games against Siena, AC Milan and Roma, and have conceded a total of 17 goals over the last seven match-days.
Lecce have conceded the most goals before half time so far (23).
Guillermo Giacomazzi has already scored three goals in Serie A against Palermo, his favourite opponent along with Udinese.
Lecce have completed the most dribbles so far in this campaign (273); Colombian Cuadrado has managed the most dribbles in Serie A this term (85).

Parma v AC Milan
This will be the 42nd meeting between these two sides in Serie A: the Ducali are on target for their 10th win against AC Milan, there have been 21 wins for the Rossoneri so far.
At the Tardini the Rossoneri lead by eight wins to seven, with five draws rounding off the record.
AC Milan have won their last three games against Parma, with the Ducali able to beat the Rossoneri only once in their last 15 meetings.
Parma are winless in their last six games (four draws and two losses), and have won just one of their last seven at home.
AC Milan are on a run of three consecutive away wins against Udinese, Cesena and Palermo, and have scored an average of three goals per game in the process.
AC Milan have won the most games away from home (nine), and collected the most points on the road (29).
Massimiliano Allegri's side boast the best goals to shots ratio in Serie A this season (17%).
Sebastian Giovinco has already won four penalties this term, a Serie A-record.
In the reverse fixture, Antonio Nocerino scored his only hat-trick in Serie A: this is already his most prolific Serie A campaign (nine goals, only Ibrahimovic has netted more for the Rossoneri).
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has already scored nine goals against Parma, only against Palermo has he bagged more in Serie A.

Roma v Genoa
This will be the 90th meeting between these two sides in Serie A: the Giallorossi lead by 37 wins to 31, with 21 draws completing the form.
Genoa have beaten Roma more often than any other Serie A opponent.
However, the Grifoni have won just seven of their 44 previous visits to Roma, with the hosts having the better on 31 occasions at the Olimpico.
The last eight meetings between these two sides have always been won by the home side.
Roma have scored in each of their last nine meetings against Genoa: 19 goals, on average 2.1 per game.
Roma are unbeaten in their last nine fixtures with Genoa at the Olimpico, and have won each of the last five.
Genoa have only managed to score more than one goal at Roma just once in their last 31 visits.
Luis Enrique's side have lost just one of their last eight home fixtures (the derby against Lazio), winning five times in the process.
Genoa have drawn their last three games, after a run of three consecutive defeats: in fact the Liguri are winless in their last six games.
Away from home, Genoa have managed to win just one of their last 12 games, losing nine times and conceding 21 goals in their last six fixtures.
Genoa have the worst defence of this competition (48 goals conceded, 32 of which have come away from home).
Fabio Borini has scored seven goals in his last seven starts for Roma in the league.
Genoa have already faced seven penalties in this campaign - a record in this Serie A season.

Siena v Novara
The 1-1 draw of the reverse fixture is the only previous meeting between these two sides in Serie A.
Giuseppe Gemiti has made the most crosses from open play so far this season (174).
Siena have notched up three wins in a row, scoring an average of three goals per game.
At home, the Tuscans have not conceded more than one goal over their last seven games (four wins, two draws and one defeat).
Novara got back to winning ways last Sunday against Udinese, after a run of three league games in which they had taken just one point in total.
Away from home, Novara have won just once this season, at the San Siro against Inter, and have managed to score more than a single goal only in their away debut against Chievo, back in September.
Novara have the second-worst defence (46 goals conceded) and the second-worst attack (22 scored) this season in Serie A.
Novara have scored the fewest goals in the first half this season (only four).
Siena have attempted the fewest shots so far in this competition (215).

Udinese v Napoli
This will be the 60th meeting between these two sides: Napoli lead by 20 wins to 15, with 24 draws completing the record.
Napoli have won only four times at the Friuli, with 11 wins for the hosts and 14 draws rounding off the form.
Napoli's 2-0 win in the reverse fixture ended a run of three consecutive wins for Udinese against the Partenopei in the top-flight.
Udinese have had the better of Napoli in the last two games played at home, with Antonio Di Natale scoring a hat-trick on both occasions.
Francesco Guidolin's side have won just one of their last six games, and failed to score in the last two.
At home, Udinese have drawn 0-0 in their last two games, and are winless since February 1st (2-1 against Lecce).
However, Udinese still have the best home record of this competition (33 points), and have the second-best defensive record, behind AC Milan (only seven goals conceded).
Napoli have the second-best defensive record on the road, only 12 goals conceded away from the San Paolo.
Napoli have won their last five games (two of which have been away from home), scoring on average 2.8 goals per game.
Ezequiel Lavezzi scored one of his three braces in Serie A against Udinese: he has bagged five goals in total against the Friulani, more than against any other Serie A opponent.

17.-19. 03.2012. NENAD TOMOVIĆ (LEĆE, ITALIJA 1) PRED 28.KOLO

PARMA – MILAN – 2 - Domaćini su bez šansi da naprave iznenađenje. Milanezi će sigurno tijumfovati i potvrditi put ka novoj tituli.
FIORENTINA – JUVENTUS – 2 - Juve je veliki favorit. Fiorentina ne igra loše, ali su joj male šanse da stigne i do remija.
KALJARI - ĆEZENA – 1X - Ćezena u najboljem slučaju može da stigne do podele bodova. Kaljari je bliži slavlju.
BOLONJA – KJEVO – 1 - Sve osim trijumfa Bolonje bilo bi veliko iznenađenje. Ovo mi je pored Rome najsigurniji “kec” kola.
INTER – ATALANTA – 1X - Tim Dejana Stankovića posrće na italijanskoj i evropskoj sceni. To je šansa Atalante da sitgne do boda.

Championship Opta Facts - March 17th -18th


Barnsley v Reading
Barnsley have enjoyed just one win in their last five meetings with Reading, although that victory did come in their last clash, 2-1 at the Madejski in August.
At Oakwell, the Tykes have lost each of their last three meetings with the Royals, netting just one goal in total in those defeats.
Barnsley have scored in 17 successive league games at Oakwell since drawing a blank in their opening home game of 2011/12 against Southampton.
Reading, meanwhile, have scored in seven successive away league games.
The Royals have lost just two points from winning positions this season, winning 20 of the 21 games they've been in front in.
The Tykes have gained just one point in games in which they've conceded first this season, losing 15 of the 16 (1D).

Birmingham v Middlesbrough
The Blues have enjoyed just one win in their last five clashes with Middlesbrough, losing the other four.
The last two meetings between the two sides at St. Andrew's have ended in a 3-0 scoreline (one win each).
No side has lost more points having scored first in the Championship this season than Birmingham (20 - joint with Cardiff).
Middlesbrough have scored a joint-league-high nine goals from corners this season.
Birmingham are without a win in four league games, taking just two points from the 12 on offer.

Blackpool v Brighton
Brighton have enjoyed just one win in their last six clashes with Blackpool, drawing three and losing two.
However, the Tangerines have won just one of their last four home games against the Seagulls.
Thomas Ince has scored four goals in his last four games for the Seasiders.
Brighton are unbeaten in 12 league games, the longest current run of its kind in the Championship.
The Tangerines have scored in 12 successive league games, the longest run of its kind in the second-flight.
On the other hand, Blackpool have gone 11 league games without keeping a clean sheet.

Crystal Palace v Hull
Five of the last seven meetings between the two sides have ended in draws (four 1-1s and one 0-0).
The Eagles are unbeaten at home to Hull in the last eight clashes, winning four and drawing four.
Hull are unbeaten in 10 league games for the first time since 2003/04.
The Tigers have scored just 11% of their goals from set pieces this season, a league-low proportion.
Hull have also conceded just 21% of their goals from set pieces, a joint-league-low.
72% of the goals Palace have conceded this season have been in the second-half, a league-high proportion.

Doncaster v Derby
The last four meetings between the two sides have produced a total of 15 goals.
Steve Davies has scored in both of the Rams' last two games against Doncaster.
Rovers have drawn their last three home league games.
Derby have conceded more goals from corners (nine) than any other team in the Championship this season.
Steve Davies has scored three goals in his last four games for the Rams.
Doncaster have conceded exactly one goal in each of their last five league games.

Ipswich v Peterborough
Peterborough are unbeaten against Ipswich in the last five meetings in all competitions, winning the last clash 7-1 at home back in August.
The teams have only met twice before at Portman Road - a 0-0 league draw in December 2009 and a 3-2 away win for Posh in the FA Cup in January 1960.
Peterborough have shipped more goals from free kick situations than any other team this season (nine).
The Tractor Boys have won their last three home league games, scoring 11 and conceding just one.
Michael Chopra has scored in his last three at Portman Road.

Leeds v West Ham
Leeds are unbeaten against West Ham in their last eight meetings, winning five and drawing three.
The Hammers have bagged just two goals in total on their last six visits to Elland Road.
Leeds have gained a joint-high 13 points from losing positions at home this season.
The Hammers have taken more points on the road than any other team in the division this season (33).
Leeds United have only scored two goals in their last four league games combined.

Millwall v Southampton
The sides have already met on three occasions this season, with Southampton winning 1-0 at home in the league, one FA cup game drawn with Millwall winning the replay 3-2.
Three of the last five meetings between the two sides have ended in a 1-1 scoreline.
The Lions are without a win in six at the New Den, scoring just twice in this run.
Andy Keogh has scored four goals in his last six league appearances for the Lions.
Rickie Lambert has scored five goals in his last four games for the Saints.

Portsmouth v Bristol City
Portsmouth have won just one of their last 11 league encounters with Bristol City.
At Fratton Park, Pompey have failed to find the back of the net in four of their last five clashes with The Robins (in all competitions).
The Robins have lost their last five away league games and have failed to score in 461 minutes of football on the road.
Pompey are winless in eight league games, the longest run of its kind in the second-tier.
40% of the goals Portsmouth have conceded this season have been from set pieces - a league-high.
Jon Stead has scored three goals in his last four appearances for the Robins.

Watford v Coventry
Watford have won just one of their last five meetings with Coventry.
At Vicarage Road, the Hornets have scored two or more goals in each of their last six clashes with the Sky Blues.
Coventry have lost their last 10 away league games and are just one short of equalling their all-time record of successive away defeats set in 1926 (11).
The Sky Blues are the only team in the Championship yet to win on the road this term.
The Hornets haven't had a clean sheet in any of their last nine at Vicarage Road.

Cardiff v Burnley
The last three league meetings between the two sides have ended in 1- 1 draws.
Burnley are without a win on their last eight visits to Cardiff (in all competitions), losing seven and drawing one.
Cardiff are without a clean sheet in 10 league games, their worst run without a shutout all season.
The Bluebirds have lost a joint-high 23 points from winning positions this term.
Burnley have scored a joint-league high nine goals from corners this season.
In the last seven games that Burnley have scored in, their opening goal has been netted by Jay Rodriguez (eight goals in total in this run).

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17.03. (Sat) 15:30 Borussia D. - Werder

Borussia Dortmund, Robert Lewandowski
Getty Images


PROBABLE LINEUPS


DORTMUND



Weidenfeller
Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer
Kehl, Gundogan
Kuba, Kagawa, Grosskreutz
Lewandowski

WERDER BREMEN


Wiese
Fritz, Prodl, Sokratis, Hartherz
Junuzovic, Bargfrede, Ekici, Trybull
Fullkrug, Rosenberg

Jurgen Klopp will be sweating over the fitness of Sven Bender. The 22-year-old failed to train on Thursday with a heavy bout of flu, but Ilkay Gundogan is ready to move into the Germany international's stead if required.

Mario Gotze has resumed training after his lengthy injury spell, but will not be ready for Saturday's clash. Elsewhere, Julian Koch is training once more, but is not fit enough to feature.

The main headache for Werder Bremen will be their attacking options with Claudio Pizarro unavailable thanks to suspension and Marko Arnautovic's ligament injury.

Markus Rosenberg should fill in upfront, alongside 19-year-old Niclas Fullkrug, who will get a rare start.

Elsewhere, Aaron Hunt's groin injury will give Mehmet Ekici an opportunity to impress in an attacking midfield role, while Tim Borowski, Marko Marin and Naldo will all be missing.

DID YOU KNOW?
  • Should Borussia Dortmund avoid defeat on Saturday, they will have gone 20 Bundesliga games without losing, a new club record.
  • Jurgen Klopp's men have not conceded a first-half goal since December 17, when Jan Rosenthal equalised in an eventual 4-1 win over Freiburg.
  • The last draw between these two teams in Dortmund occurred more than 11 years ago. Since then, there have been seven home wins and three away wins. 
  • Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf (right) has never lost twice to Borussia Dortmund in a single season since taking the job in 1999.
  • The Weserstadion side have scored six goals in their last four games, with six different players finding the net.
  • The suspended Claudio Pizarro has scored 40 per cent of Werder Bremen's total goal tally this campaign.

Prediction
It's hard not to back Dortmund to win this encounter. Jurgen Klopp's men have been in fine form, and look set to record back-to-back Bundesliga titles. Werder Bremen, meanwhile, have been woefully inconsistent of late, and with Claudio Pizarro missing through injury, they will have a serious problem testing the hosts' resolute back four.
Editor's Prediction
Dortmund 2-0 Werder Bremen

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17.03. (Sat) 15:30 Bayer Leverkusen - Borussia MG



PROBABLE LINE-UPS

BAYER LEVERKUSEN

Leno
Schwaab, Friedrich, Toprak, Kadlec
Reinartz, Rolfes
Castro, Renato Augusto, Schurrle
Kiessling
MONCHENGLADBACH


Ter Stegen
Stranzl, Brouwers, Dante, Daems
Wendt, Nordtveit, Neustadter, Arango
Reus
Hanke

Bayer Leverkusen unfortunately find themselves short of influential midfielder Lars Bender, who is currently looking at 'several weeks' out, according to the club's official site, after tearing his thigh muscle in last weekend's 3-2 loss to Wolfsburg.

Vedran Corluka is the other notable casualty with the Croatian currently recovering from a hamstring problem.

The increasingly unhappy Michael Ballack also looks set to miss out as his role within the club continues to be brought into question, and will join Rene Adler, Tranquillo Barnetta and Sidney Sam on the sidelines.

In the opposition camp, Lucien Favre is unable to call upon the services of defender Tony Jantschke, as the 21-year-old is currently serving a suspension for picking up five yellow cards.

Meanwhile, the Foals' only other absentee should be Patrick Herrmann, who continues his search for full match fitness.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Marco Reus is currently the Bundesliga's seventh top scorer with 13 goals. The closest Bayer Leverkusen come to the young attacker's record this season is Stefan Kiessling, who has scored eight.
  • Die Fohlen's Juan Arango currently holds the record for the second-most assists in the German top flight this season with nine, trailing only Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, who has 10.
  • Both teams involved in Saturday's clash currently sit the top four of the Bundesliga's fair play ranking. Put into perspective, Monchengladbach have picked up 37 yellow cards and one red over the course of the season, while the worst of the bunch, Koln, have amassed 54 yellows and six reds.
  • Bayer Leverkusen are amongst the teams with the poorest average attendance this term with under 30,000 per match; less than half of Borussia Dortmund's, who have an approximate attendance of over 80,000 per game.
Prediction
It's no secret that both sides will want to win this game, but one has to imagine that anything other than a loss would suit Robin Dutt at present, while Lucien Favre's main concern will be to see his side return to goalscoring form. With that in mind, either camp should be happy with a scoring draw.
Editor's Prediction
Leverkusen 2-2 Mönchengladbach

FA Cup Opta Facts - Round 6 17-18 March


Everton v Sunderland
Everton have made it to the last eight more often than any other side in FA Cup history (41).
Everton have played 12 FA Cup sixth round ties at Goodison Park (not including replays), progressing through nine of them.
The Toffees have never failed to score in a sixth round FA Cup tie at Goodison Park (excluding replays).
Sunderland have made it through nine of their previous 13 FA Cup sixth round ties.
The Black Cats have never lost an FA Cup round six game away from home (excluding replays), winning two and drawing four of six so far.
These sides have been drawn together 11 times before in the FA Cup, with Everton progressing seven times and Sunderland four.
The Toffees have won their last four home meetings with Sunderland in all competitions, scoring 14 and conceding just one.
Going back further, the Black Cats haven't won at Goodison Park since November 1996, losing eight and drawing three since then.
Everton have netted exactly twice in all three FA Cup games this season.
The Toffees have won their last five home games in all competitions, keeping a clean sheet in their last four.

Tottenham v Bolton
Only Everton (41), Arsenal (39) and Manchester United (38) have appeared in more FA Cup quarter-finals than Tottenham (36).
Spurs have been eliminated from three of their last four FA Cup quarter-finals.
Bolton have progressed through eight of their 13 previous FA Cup round six ties.
The Trotters have only lost one of their eight FA Cup sixth round games away from home (excluding replays), winning four and drawing three.
Tottenham have progressed through four of their previous six FA Cup ties against Bolton, including in round five in 2010.
None of the last 16 meetings between Spurs and Bolton in all competitions have been won by the visiting side.
The Trotters scored two own goals on their last FA Cup trip to White Hart Lane, losing the game 0-4 (in February 2010).
The North Londoners have won seven and lost none of their last eight home FA Cup games and have scored more than one in each of their last nine at White Hart Lane (27 in total).
Wanderers have scored exactly two goals in all four FA Cup games this term.
Jermain Defoe has scored three goals in four FA Cup outings this season.

Chelsea v Leicester
Only four of the last 16 quarter-finals between top-flight sides and lower ranked teams have been won by the side from outside the top division.
Only two top-flight sides have lost a home FA Cup quarter-final against a team from outside the Premier League since 1998, and one of those was Leicester (1-2 v Wycombe in 2001).
The Blues are appearing in the quarter-final for the sixth time in seven years, and have made the semi-finals in four of the last six.
Their one quarter-final defeat in that spell, however, came against a team from the Championship (Barnsley in 2008).
The Foxes have kept five clean sheets in six previous away FA Cup sixth round games (excluding replays), conceding just one in the other.
Leicester have never beaten Chelsea in the FA Cup, losing all four previous ties (twice after replays).
The Blues have won their last three clashes with Leicester at Stamford Bridge, with Frank Lampard scoring a hat-trick in the last meeting.
Chelsea have scored a 90th minute goal in three of their last four clashes with the Foxes, with two of those goals turning draws into wins.
Excluding penalty shootout defeats, the Blues are unbeaten in 22 home FA Cup games.
Jermaine Beckford is the joint-top scorer in the FA Cup this season with five goals, and has scored 14 goals in his last 15 FA Cup games.

Liverpool v Stoke
Of teams to have made it to the sixth round of the FA Cup at least four times, Liverpool have the best progression rate, winning 79.2% (19 of 24).
Liverpool have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight FA Cup sixth round games at Anfield, including replays.
Stoke City have never kept a clean sheet in an FA Cup round six game.
Liverpool and Stoke have already met three times this season, picking up one win apiece with one game ending goalless.
Luis Suarez has scored three goals in three appearances against Stoke in all competitions.
The Reds have won all four previous FA Cup ties against Stoke, twice after a replay.
Stoke have failed to win any of their 49 top-flight games at Anfield and last won there in any competition in March 1959 (4-3 in Division Two).
The Potters have won their last five FA Cup away games, their best ever run.
Robert Huth has netted in five of his last seven FA Cup games.
Jonathan Walters has scored seven goals in his last nine appearances in the FA Cup.

SPL Opta Facts - 17-18 March


Dundee United v Rangers
Only Celtic (24) have won more SPL matches against Rangers than Dundee United (7).
The Terrors have lost their last four league meetings with Rangers, scoring just one goal and shipping 10.
United are without a win in eight at home to the Gers (D3 L5).
The Tangerines have scored just one goal in their last six SPL matches at home to Rangers combined.
There have been five red cards in the last four league meetings between these sides.
Kyle Lafferty has scored six SPL goals against United, his joint-most against any side in the SPL.
Rangers have scored the fewest goals from outside the box in the SPL this season (four).
United have scored more goals in the last 15 minutes of SPL games this season than any other side (15, second: Hearts 11).
Only Celtic (21) have scored more goals from set pieces in the SPL this season than Rangers (17).
United have picked up more points after conceding the first goal (11) than any other side in the SPL this season.

Motherwell v Aberdeen
Motherwell are unbeaten in their last nine league meetings with Aberdeen.
The Steelmen have won their last four league games against the Dons, each time by a single-goal margin.
Aberdeen have scored exactly once in six of their last seven SPL trips to Fir Park, failing to net in the other.
Motherwell have won their last four league games at home, having won just three of 10 at home all season before this, and have scored at least three goals in each.
This is only the second time that the Steelmen have won four in a row at Fir Park in the SPL: in 2003/04 they went on to win their fifth game.
Aberdeen are unbeaten in their last nine league games, though seven of these have been draws.
Previously the Dons had never been unbeaten in more than seven in a row in the SPL.

St Mirren v St Johnstone
There has been just one goal scored in the last four SPL clashes between the two Saints (1-0 to St Mirren in October).
St Mirren have won only one of their seven SPL games at home to St Johnstone (W1 D4 L2).
Four of St Mirren's last four SPL games have ended goalless, the other ended 1-1.
St Mirren are without a win in nine in the league (D6 L3).
One more goalless draw for St Mirren would see them equal the record for most goalless draws in a single SPL season (eight by Kilmarnock in 1998/99).
Two of St Johnstone's last three SPL matches have ended nil-all.
St Johnstone have lost only one of their last nine SPL away games.

Hearts v Hibernian
Hearts are unbeaten in nine SPL Edinburgh derbies.
Only twice before have Hibernian gone longer without a win against Hearts in the league: 20 games between 1989/90 and 1993/94 and 18 between 1978/79 and 1986/87.
The Jambos have won six of their last seven SPL matches against their local rivals.
Hibernian have scored only three goals in their last nine league visits to Tyneside combined.
Andy Webster has scored only three league goals this season: two of them in the previous Edinburgh derbies.
Hearts have lost their last two league games at home, failing to score and shipping six goals in total.
A win at Ibrox in their last match ended a run of five without a win for Hearts in the league.
Hibernian are unbeaten in back-to-back league matches for the first time since October.
Hibs have scored exactly three in three of their last four league away games.
Hibernian have conceded five goals from direct free kicks in the SPL this season, all the other sides combined have conceded just seven in this way.
Hearts are the joint-lowest scoring side in the opening 15 minutes of SPL games this season (two goals).