League One Opta Facts – September 14-15

Bradford v Colchester

The Bantams have gone four league games without beating Colchester, drawing three (L1).

The two sides last met in the FA Cup back in November 2010, with Colchester progressing into the next round courtesy of a 4-3 win.

Nahki Wells has netted 15 goals in his last 15 games (all comps) for Bradford.

The Bantams are yet to concede a league goal on home soil this season; a joint-league-low alongside Leyton Orient.



Bristol City v Peterborough

The Robins won both matches last season in the Championship, scoring six and conceding three.

After netting just one goal in 21 appearances for Peterborough last season, Tyrone Barnett has netted three times in six league games this term.

Bristol City striker Sam Baldock scored a brace in both matches against the Posh last season.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has netted five goals in eight games (all comps) for the Robins this term.



Carlisle v Sheff Utd

The Cumbrians have won two of their last three home league games against the Blades (L1).

Last season, Sheffield United were undefeated against Carlisle in League One, winning 3-1 away and drawing 0-0 at home.

The Blades haven't won since the opening day of the season, losing five and drawing two in all competitions.

The Cumbrians have failed to score in four of their six league games so far this season.



Crawley v Shrewsbury

Crawley are unbeaten at home in the Football League against Shrewsbury, winning once and drawing the other.

The Shrews have scored in each of their four previous league meetings with Crawley, scoring eight in the process.

Crawley's Billy Clarke has scored four times in five league games this season.

Crawley's Nicky Adams has attempted 11 shots without scoring; more than any other player.



Crewe v Walsall

Crewe are unbeaten in their last eight league matches against Walsall, winning three (D5).

Walsall have gone five games without a win at Crewe, losing four (D1).

The Saddlers are without a win in three league games, losing two (D1).

The Railwaymen have failed to score in three of their six league games this season.



Leyton Orient v Port Vale

Leyton Orient have lost seven of their last nine league meetings with Port Vale, winning the other two.

Port Vale have won six of their last eight trips to Leyton Orient in the league (L2), scoring in each of the last four games.

David Mooney has netted five times in five league appearances for Leyton Orient this campaign.

Tom Pope has scored four goals in his last three games (all comps) for Port Vale.



MK Dons v Notts County

The MK Dons have never lost at home in the league to Notts County, winning four (D1).

Notts County's only previous victory over the Dons came back in 2010, as they claimed a 2-0 victory at Meadow Lane.

In the previous 10 league meetings between the two clubs there has never been a nil-nil draw.

Patrick Bamford has netted five goals in nine appearances (all comps) for MK Dons this season.



Preston v Stevenage

Preston have never lost to Stevenage in the league, winning two (D2).

Stevenage are yet to score a league goal at Deepdale but have conceded just two.

Stevenage have notched up more yellow cards than any other side in the Football League this season (19).

Stevenage have failed to score in four of their last five away matches in the league.



Rotherham v Oldham

Kieran Agard has netted three times in his last four league games for the Millers this season.

In 2006/07, the sides met on three occasions (all comps), with Oldham winning both league games.

After winning four consecutive league ties and keeping three clean sheets, Rotherham have lost their last two in the league against the Latics.

Kieran Agard has managed to score six goals in his last 10 league games, including the back end of last season.



Tranmere v Brentford

Tranmere are unbeaten in their last four league matches against Brentford, winning twice (D2).

The Bees are unbeaten in their last three league trips to Tranmere, winning once (D2).

No player has picked up more yellow cards in League One than Max Power this season (4).

The Bees have picked up two red cards in their last two league fixtures.



Wolves v Swindon

Wolves are unbeaten in their last seven home league games against Swindon, winning four (D3).

Swindon's most recent victory over Wolves came in the League Cup in August 2001, as the Robins won 2-1, courtesy of goals from Bobby Howe and a Keith O'Halloran penalty.

Leigh Griffiths has struck four times in his last four league games for Wolves.

Alex Pritchard has netted twice in his last three games (all comps) from midfield for the Robins.



Coventry v Gillingham

Callum Wilson has netted eight and assisted three goals in 2013/14, no other player in the Football League has been involved in more goals.

Danny Kedwell has scored all 13 penalties he has taken for the Gills in league competition.

Gillingham are unbeaten in their last six meetings at Coventry, drawing five (W1).

The Sky Blues have picked up just one league win in their last five meetings with the Gills (D3 L1).

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Barclays Premier League Opta Facts – Sept 14-16

Manchester United v Crystal Palace

Manchester United have failed to score in two successive Barclays Premier League games for the first time since August 2007.

Crystal Palace have collected just 25 points from their last 24 league games away from home (excl. playoffs).

In picking up those 25 points away from home in the Championship, Palace had the 15th best away record in the second tier.

The Eagles won on their last competitive trip to Old Trafford to face the Red Devils; 2-1 in a League Cup tie in November 2011.

Marouane Fellaini (151) won more aerial challenges in the Premier League last season than the 11 midfielders that played for Manchester United combined (94).

David Moyes' side are yet to score in the opening 30 minutes of their matches this season (or in the first-half at all). In 2012/13, Man Utd scored a league-high 33 goals during the first half hour.

Ryan Giggs has never scored against Crystal Palace in the Premier League (seven appearances). Leicester City (12) are the only team he has appeared against more and not scored against.

When manager of Blackpool, Ian Holloway saw his side score twice in both Premier League matches against Manchester United yet still lose both games.

At Old Trafford, Manchester United last failed to score in consecutive home games back in August 2007.

Middlesbrough (3-2 in 1998/99) were the last newly-promoted side to win at Old Trafford in the Premier League.



Aston Villa v Newcastle United

Aston Villa have gone 25 Barclays Premier League games without a clean sheet; a longer run than any other side currently in the division.

Newcastle have failed to score in five of their last seven Barclays Premier League games, netting just three goals overall in this run.

Aston Villa have picked up more yellow cards (12) than any other team in the Premier League so far this season.

Papiss Demba Cisse has failed to score in his last nine Premier League appearances.

Newcastle have won just two of their last 21 Premier League games on the road (D7 L12).

The Magpies are unbeaten in the last four league meetings with Aston Villa (W2 D2). That said, Villa have scored in each of those games.

The Villains have won one and lost three of their last five home league matches.

Alan Pardew has only lost once in four Premier League visits to Villa Park (W2 D1).

Since the beginning of last season, Christian Benteke (53) has been caught offside on more occasions than any other Premier League player.

Aston Villa's new signing Libor Kozak was the top scorer in the Europa League last season; scoring eight times for Lazio.



Fulham v West Bromwich Albion

Fulham have lost eight of their last 11 Barclays Premier League games, winning just seven points overall (W2 D1) in this period.

West Bromwich Albion are the only side yet to score a goal in the Barclays Premier League this season.

Swansea City (in 2011/12) were the last team to fail to score in their opening four games of a Premier League season.

This will be WBA's 40th Premier League away game in London - they have only won four of the previous 39 (W4 D9 L26)

The Baggies have avoided defeat just once in six Premier League visits to Craven Cottage (D1 L5).

Martin Jol's side are the most accurate shooters in the Premier League so far this season; hitting the target with 59% of their shots.

West Brom have been the most wayward team in front of goal; getting just 20% of their efforts on target.

No goalkeeper has made more saves than David Stockdale (14) so far this season.

The Whites have lost each of their last five home league matches; their longest such run in the Premier League.

Having got off to their best-ever start to a Premier League season last term (seven points from first four games), failure to win against Fulham will mean West Brom's worst return from their opening four games (currently three points from first four games in 02/03, 04/05 and 11/12).



Hull City v Cardiff City

Hull City have attempted fewer shots than any other side in the Barclays Premier League so far this season (16; excl. blocked).

No side have played a higher proportion of their passes long in the Barclays Premier League in 2013-14 than Cardiff City (16.3%).

Only Fulham (17) and Hull (16) have attempted fewer shots than Cardiff City so far this season in the Premier League (20).

Hull City have lost just one of their last four league clashes with Cardiff City (W2 D1).

Three of the seven goals scored between the two teams last season were scored inside the final 10 minutes.

The Tigers' last four Premier League fixtures have produced just five goals.

Only Watford (39) picked more up points on the road than Cardiff City (36) last season in the Championship.

Both of Hull's goals in all competitions this season have been scored by Robbie Brady.

Last season, Maynor Figueroa was the only player to concede as many as three penalties in the Premier League.

Both teams were promoted last season from the Championship despite not boasting a single player to reach double figures for goals scored.



Stoke City v Manchester City

Stoke City have not won back to back Barclays Premier League games at home since the end of November 2012.

Since the start of 2012-13, no side have kept more clean sheets in the Barclays Premier League than Manchester City (20).

Stephen Ireland's best Premier League season (nine goals and nine assists for Man City in 2008-09) came in Mark Hughes' full season in charge of the club.

Mark Hughes has lost three of four Premier League clashes with Manchester City since he was fired by the club (D1).

When Hughes was Blackburn manager, he won four and lost none of eight meetings with City.

Sergio Agüero has had 29 touches inside the opposition's area so far this season; more than any other Premier League player.

Manchester City have already scored three headed goals in the Premier League this season. Last season, they only managed six headers in total.

In fact, the 2011/12 Premier League Champions have had more headed shots (18) than any other team.

Stoke's passing accuracy so far this season is 78.7%. Last season it was 70.2%, the worst in the Premier League.

Pablo Zabaleta has had one successful cross so far this season (from nine crosses or corners) and it results in Man City's opener against Hull City.



Sunderland v Arsenal

Sunderland have won just eight points from their last 17 Barclays Premier League games against the Gunners.

Olivier Giroud has scored in three successive league appearances, but has not scored any of his 14 Barclays Premier League goals outside of London.

Jose Reyes (in 2004/05) scored in each of Arsenal's opening five Premier League matches.

Arsenal have scored in eight successive games in the competition; the longest-such current run in the Barclays Premier League.

Mesut Özil has registered 72 goal assists in the last five seasons - more than any other player across Europe's top five leagues.

The last six Premier League matches at the Stadium of Light have produced just nine goals.

Sunderland have won just one of their last nine home games against Arsenal in the Premier League (D3 L5).

No-one has created more chances than Santi Cazorla (10) in the Premier League this season.

Only Fulham (21) have allowed their opponents more shots on target this season than Arsenal (17).

Arsenal have already conceded two goals in the final 15 minutes of Premier League games this season; as many as they conceded in this period in the whole of 2012-13.

Nine of Steven Fletcher's 12 Premier League goals for Sunderland have come away from home.



Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City

Tottenham have won 10 of their last 14 home games in the Barclays Premier League, losing just one (D3).

Norwich City have won only one of their last 11 away games in the Barclays Premier League (D2 L8).

Tottenham have won none of their last three Premier League clashes with Norwich (D2 L1).

Spurs have fired in more shots than any other side this season (42) but are yet to score anything other than penalties.

Andre Villas-Boas' side have fired more shots off target than any other team so far this season (27).

Tottenham have kept three consecutive clean sheets at home in the Premier League. They last kept more in Dec 2009-Feb 2010 when they managed a run of five shut-outs.

Ricky van Wolfswinkel has committed more fouls (10) than any other player this season in the Premier League.

Just 16% of Norwich's efforts this season have been fashion from set-pieces; a joint low in the Premier League.

Only against Manchester United (9) and Liverpool (8) have Norwich lost more games in Premier League history than against Tottenham Hotspur (6).

Departed star Gareth Bale had a hand in 38% of Tottenham's goal last season (25 of 66; scoring 21 and assisting four).



Everton v Chelsea

The Toffees have averaged the highest possession figure in the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League season so far (64.1%).

Chelsea have won just two of their last 10 Barclays Premier League trips to Merseyside (W2 D2 L6).

Should Everton fail to win this match, it'll be only the fourth time in the last 43 seasons that the Toffees have not won any of their first four league games of a season.

Everton have drawn their first three league games of 2013-14 - only three sides in Barclays Premier League history have drawn their opening four.

Romelu Lukaku was the only player in the Premier League last season to score 4+ goals with his left foot, right foot & head. However, he will be ineligible for this game against his parent club.

During his time at City, only Michael Carrick (8125) attempted more passes than Gareth Barry (7561) in the Premier League.

The Toffees have averaged 519 passes per game so far under Roberto Martinez in the Premier League - up from 416 per game last season under David Moyes.

Only West Ham (6) and Everton (5) have allowed fewer opposition shots on target than Chelsea (8) so far this season.

Roberto Martinez has won just one of his last 11 games as a manager in the Barclays Premier League (W1 D6 L4).

All 10 of the scoring opportunities Eden Hazard has created for his team-mates this season have come from open play.



Southampton v West Ham United

Southampton have scored just four goals in their last eight Barclays Premier League matches.

The Hammers have won only one of their last 15 Barclays Premier League away games (D4 L10).

Saints have committed the most fouls in the Premier League so far this season; but only been shown two yellow cards.

West Ham failed to register a shot on target in their last Premier League match; against Stoke on August 31st.

Sam Allardyce is unbeaten in nine Premier League meetings with Southampton (W3 D6).

Not since Mauricio Pochettino's first home game in charge (0-0 v Everton) have Southampton managed a clean sheet at St Mary's in the Premier League (eight games).

West Ham have attempted fewer passes (938) than any other side in the Premier League this season and have the worst passing accuracy (72.3%).

Mark Noble has score three goals in the last three league meetings between West Ham and Southampton; more than any against other league opposition.

Southampton are unbeaten in their last four home matches against West Ham (W2 D2).

No English player has scored more goals in the Premier League since the beginning of last season than Rickie Lambert (16).



Swansea City v Liverpool

Swansea City have won none and lost four of their last six Barclays Premier League home games.

Liverpool have won their first three games of a top-flight season whilst keeping a clean sheet in each game, for the first time in their history.

Liverpool are one victory away from sealing their 400th win in the Premier League.

The Anfield club have never started a Premier League season with four consecutive wins.

Brendan Rodgers avoided defeat in both matches against his previous club last season (W1 D1); including a thumping 5-0 win at Anfield.

Daniel Sturridge has scored 11 goals in his last nine appearances in all competitions for Liverpool.

Sturridge is only the second Liverpool player to score in each of the opening three games of a Premier League season (after Robbie Fowler in 1994/95).

Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in six of their last seven league fixtures and are currently on a five-match winning run.

Only Yaya Toure (267) has attempted more passes so far this season than Swansea's summer signing Jose Canas (235).

Chico has made a joint-division-high 33 clearances so far this season in the Barclays Premier League.

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Championship Opta Facts – Sept 14-15

Burnley v Blackburn Rovers

Burnley have lost just one of their last eight league games, winning five and drawing two.

Since the start of last season, Jordan Rhodes has scored more goals in English's top four divisions than any other player (33).

90% of Rovers’ Championship goals so far have come from open play (9 out of 10).

Blackburn’s Alan Judge has fired in eight shots without directing a single one on target, more than any other player.

Blackburn’s David Dunn has scored in three of the last four league meetings between the two rivals.

Burnley haven’t won any of the last 10 meetings in all competitions between these sides (D3 L7), a run dating back to 1979.

The last two meetings between the Lancashire sides have ended in 1-1 draws.



Bolton Wanderers v Leeds United

Five of Bolton's seven goals this season, in all competitions, have come in the first-half while all three of the Trotters' league goals have also come before the break.

Leeds United have already recovered seven points from losing positions this season; a high in the Championship.

All but one of the goals that Wanderers have conceded this season have come from open play, with the tother coming from the penalty spot.

The Whites are the only team yet to score the opening goal in a Championship match this season.

Only Yeovil Town (1) have scored fewer goals than Dougie Freedman's side this season (3).

All of United's five goals this season have come from open play.



Bournemouth v Blackpool

Bournemouth are the only Championship side to have conceded from two penalties in this campaign so far.

Blackpool have gone on to win four of the five Championship matches this season in which they scored first.

Only Barnsley (13) have conceded more goals than the Cherries so far this season (12).

A league-high five of Blackpool's seven goals have come in the final 15 minutes of their games this season.

The Cherries last beat Blackpool 1-3 in 2005 when both sides were in League One, with that victory their only win against the Tangerines in the last seven meetings.

Blackpool are the only Championship side yet to concede in the first half in 2013-14 so far.

Despite topping the Championship, Blackpool have registered the fewest shots (excl. blocked) this season (30).



Huddersfield Town v Doncaster Rovers

Huddersfield Town are unbeaten at home this season in all competitions (W3 D1 L0)

Doncaster Rovers have scored more headers than any other team in the Championship so far this season (5).

The Terriers have netted a joint-league-high three goals in the 15 minutes before half-time.

Paul Dickov's side have scored from three free-kick situations this season, more than any other side in the Championship.

Huddersfield have failed to beat Doncaster in their six meetings in all competitions (D3 L3), last beating their Yorkshire rivals in 2005.

James Vaughan has netted eight goals in his last six games (in all competitions) for Huddersfield Town.



Ipswich Town v Middlesbrough

Ipswich Town have lost two of the three Championship games in which they've led this season.

Middlesbrough have drawn all three of their Championship fixtures this season in which they've conceded first.

Dean Whitehead has made a division-high 358 passes so far, completing an impressive 90% of them.

Boro last tasted victory at Portman Road in the inaugural Premier League season in 1992/93. Since then, they've drawn and lost four times in all competitions.

The Tractor Boys have lost just four times at home this calendar year (W8 D1 L4).

Middlesbrough have conceded the fewest amount of fouls this season in the Championship, just 43.



Leicester City v Wigan Athletic

Leicester City were involved in the only 0-0 draw in the Championship this season, against Leeds United on August 11th.

Wigan Athletic have both attempted and won the fewest number of tackles in the Championship so far, 60 and 46 respectively.

City have lost just once in their last six home games in all competitions (W3 D2 L1)

A division-high 70% of the Latics' Championship goals this season have come from set-pieces.

There have been just two competitive meetings between the sides, in 2004/05, with the Foxes yet to beat the Latics or score against them (D1 L1).

Owen Coyle's side have been caught offside 27 time this season, a division-high.



Millwall v Derby County

Millwall have posted the worst shooting accuracy in this season's Championship, finding the target just 33% of the time.

Derby County have been at their most potent in the 15 minutes before half-time, scoring a joint-league-high three goals in this period.

There have been just two goals scored at the Den this season, a Championship low, with both of these coming in the second-half.

The Lions have the worst pass completion rate in the Championship, finding their intended target with a pass just 67% of the time.

The Rams have registered just two wins in their last eight games against Millwall (in all comps), losing two and drawing four.

County last recorded a win at the Den in December 1995, drawing three and losing five since (in all comps).



Nottingham Forest v Barnsley

Nottingham Forest have scored three times in the opening 15 minutes of Championship fixtures this season, a division-high total.

Barnsley have shipped 13 goals in the Championship this season, more than any other side.

Forest are one of two teams, the other being Blackpool, who have yet to concede the opening goal in a Championship game this season.

The last three meetings at the City Ground between the two have ended in draws.

Forest are unbeaten against the Tykes in the last five meetings (W1 D4).

Only Almen Abdi (18) has created more chances from open play than Forest's Andy Reid this season (13).



Queens Park Rangers v Birmingham City

Queens Park Rangers are the only Championship side yet to concede in the second half this season.

Birmingham City's Paul Robinson is the Championship's most booked player, being shown yellow four times so far this season.

Harry Redknapp's men have won all four of the games in which they've taken the lead this season.

Prior to losing to QPR the last time the two sides met in the league (0-1 October 2008), Birmingham had remained unbeaten against the Hoops for 14 games.

Charlie Austin has mustered the most shots this season without scoring (15).

QPR have scored just twice in the last six fixtures between the sides, winning one, drawing two and losing three.



Sheffield Wednesday v Yeovil Town

Sheffield Wednesday have dropped a league-high nine points from leading positions in the Championship this season.

Yeovil Town are the division's lowest scorers so far, with only one goal scored in total from their five games so far.

Only Blackburn Rovers have had more different goalscorers (7) than Wednesday this season (6).

The Somerset club have never won against the Owls, losing four of their six meetings (in all comps).

Wednesday have never failed to score against the Glovers in league competition, scoring nine times in four games.



Watford v Charlton Athletic

Watford have scored nine goals in the second half this season: a league-high haul.

Charlton Athletic have conceded five headed goals so far this season; more than any other Championship side.

Troy Deeney has scored five times in as many appearances for Watford this season.

Chris Powell's men have shipped five goals in the opening 30 minutes of Championship games this season, a divisional-high.

The Addicks have won just once in their last eight clashes with the Hornets (W1 D4 L3), although that victory did come last time out - 4-3 in January.

Almen Abdi has created the most goal-scoring chances so far season (21).



Reading v Brighton & Hove Albion

Reading have won just one of their last eight home league matches.

Only Watford boast a better pass completion rate (84.9%) than Brighton & Hove Albion (82.7%) this season.

The Royals have won their last six games against Brighton, keeping four clean sheets in the process.

Brighton have scored the opening goal in four of their five Championship games this season, but won only two of those four matches, losing the other two.

Reading had the best defence during their Championship promotion season in 2011/12, shipping just 41 goals.

Albion have mustered just one goal in their last five meetings with Reading.

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League Two Opta Facts – 13-14 September

Southend v Scunthorpe

Southend have won three of their last four league matches at home against Scunthorpe (D1).

The Iron have failed to score in three of their last five league matches against the Shrimpers.

No player has scored more goals this term than Freddy Eastwood (4).

Scunthorpe have scored four headed goals this season, the joint most in the league.

The Iron have conceded all six of their goals in the second half of matches this season.



Burton v Portsmouth

Burton have won five of their last nine league matches (inc. play offs), losing two and drawing two.

Patrick Agyemang has scored three goals in six League Two fixtures for Pompey this season, equalling his goal tally for the 2012/13 campaign.

No side have scored more goals in the first half of matches this season than Portsmouth (8).

This will be the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides.

Portsmouth have lost nine points from winning positions this term; a joint-league-high alongside Scunthorpe.



Cheltenham v Oxford Utd

Cheltenham have lost only once in their last seven league games against Oxford (W2 D4).

No side have scored more goals inside the box than Oxford United this season (12).

14 goals have been scored in the last five competitive meetings (all comps) between the teams, average at 2.8 goals per game.

The Robins have conceded a league-high 13 goals this season.



Chesterfield v Wimbledon

The Spireites have won all three of their home matches this season; a joint-league-high alongside Exeter and Wimbledon.

AFC Wimbledon have attempted more shots (including blocked) than any other team so far this season in League Two (87).

The two sides met for the first time last season in League Two, with each team recording a victory apiece, with the Spireites winning their home fixture against the Dons 2-0.

Chesterfield have scored four goals in the final fifteen minutes of matches this season; a joint-league-high alongside Oxford United.



Dag & Red v Bristol Rovers

Only one of Dagenham and Redbridge's three league victories over Bristol Rovers has come at home, with the Daggers losing twice on home soil.

Bristol Rovers are yet to lose a point from winning positions or gain any from losing positions.

There has never been a draw between these two sides in a competitive league fixture.

The Daggers have conceded five headed goals so far this season; a league-high.



Fleetwood v Bury

Fleetwood have netted five times in the opening fifteen minutes of matches; a league-high.

No player has assisted more goals this season than Bury's Craig Jones (4).

This will be the first ever competitive match between the two sides.

Only Michael Smith (18) has attempted more shots this season than Fleetwood's David Ball (17).



Hartlepool v Accrington

Since the turn of the century, Hartlepool have won both league matches, with both matches taking place in the 2006/07 season.

Accrington and Hartlepool are both yet to score in the first half this season, a joint-league-low alongside Torquay.

Accrington's last victory over Hartlepool was back in February 1961 (3-0), in the old Division Four.

Hartlepool scored their first league goal of the season last weekend in a 2-1 defeat at home to Wycombe.

Neither side have a won a league match this season.



Newport v Morecambe

Chris Zebroski has netted four goals in six league games for Newport this season.

Morecambe have salvaged six points from losing positions this season, more than any other side.

This will be the first ever competitive match between the two sides.

Morecambe have scored three goals from outside the area this season; a league-high.



Northampton v Exeter

The Cobblers have won six of their last seven league matches against the Grecians (L1).

Sam Parkin has netted twice this season for Exeter with both strikes arriving in the 80th minute.

Northampton are yet to keep a clean sheet this season; a joint-league-low alongside Accrington Stanley.

No side have received more red cards this campaign than the Cobblers (3).

The last five league matches have produced a total of 17 goals, averaging at 3.4 a game.



Plymouth v Wycombe

The Pilgrims have won three of the last four league matches at home against Wycombe (L1).

Matt McClure netted twice in two matches for the Chairboys against Plymouth last season.

Plymouth have netted 83% of their goals in the first half of matches this season; a league-high proportion.

Wycombe's Dean Morgan has been booked more times than any other player this season (4).



Rochdale v Torquay

Rochdale have won seven of the last 10 league games against Torquay (L3), with five of those victories coming at home.

Torquay have salvaged four points from losing positions on the road this term; a league-high.

None of Torquay's last three league victories over Rochdale have come away from home.

Torquay are yet to score in the first half this season, a joint-league-low alongside Accrington and Hartlepool.



York v Mansfield

York haven't keep a clean sheet in the league against Mansfield in 14 matches.

Mansfield have won the last two football league matches against the Minstermen (1-2 & 2-0).

Mansfield are the only side in League Two yet to concede a goal in the second half this season.

York's Ryan Jarvis has netted four goals in six league appearances.

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11.09. (Wed) 02:00 USA - Mexico

Mexico begin life without Jose Manuel De La Torre when they take on the USA on Tuesday.



The coach was sacked following his side's shock 2-1 home defeat to Honduras on Friday, a result that left the Central American outfit in fourth place in the CONCACAF qualifying section for Brazil 2014.



Luis Fernando Tena will take charge for the clash with Jurgen Klinsmann's side, who will be out to bounce back after being knocked off top spot following a 3-1 loss to Costa Rica.



Clint Dempsey scored a first-half penalty for the US in San Jose on Friday, but the hosts seized the initiative in the group thanks to goals from Jhonny Acosta, Celso Borges and Joel Campbell.



And Klinsmann will have to try and inspire his players to respond to this disappointment without a number of his key men.



Jozy Altidore, Matt Besler and Geoff Cameron are all suspended, while Roma midfielder Michael Bradley also misses out after picking up an ankle injury while warming-up for the game against Costa Rica.



Still, the US - who reached the last 16 of the World Cup in 2010 - will be confident of taking maximum points in Columbus, with Mexico winless in the last three meetings between the teams.

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11.09. (Wed) 02:00 Venezuela - Peru

Venezuela and Peru will both be aiming to keep their hopes of World Cup 2014 qualification alive when they meet on Tuesday.



Cesar Farias' men sit sixth in the South American qualification section, just three points behind Uruguay, who currently occupy the all-important fifth spot that will earn a play-off against either Jordan or Uzbekistan.



Meanwhile, Peru travel to Puerto La Cruz just two points behind Venezuela, although their chances of finishing fifth took a severe blow when a Luis Suarez double condemned them to a 2-1 home defeat to Uruguay on Friday.



Sergio Markarian's side have now lost their last two qualifiers, but will be buoyed by the fact they came from behind to beat Venezuela 2-1 in the reverse qualifying fixture in Lima last September.



Jefferson Farfan netted twice on that occasion after Juan Arango's opener for Farias' team and the Schalke forward - along with Bayern Munich striker Claudio Pizarro - is again likely to be their main threat.



Venezuela go into the match in desperate need of a positive result to snap their sequence of four Conmebol qualification fixtures without a win.



They were beaten 3-0 by an in-form Chile in Santiago on Friday and slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay in their previous home qualifier in June.

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10.09. (Tue) 20:30 FYR Macedonia - Scotland

Macedonia will have their sights set on third spot in Group A as they seek to end their home qualifying campaign with a win over Scotland.

Cedomir Janevski's men have three games left but Tuesday's visit of the group's bottom side signals their final match on home soil.



The 2014 World Cup in Brazil is already beyond their reach but third-placed Serbia are just one point ahead, having played a game more.



Macedonia are fresh from Friday's 2-1 victory over Wales, their fifth win in six games at their national stadium.

Ivan Trickovski and Aleksandar Trajkovski were on target as Gareth Bale, the world's most expensive player, remained on the bench for the visitors.



The result saw Scotland slip to the foot of Group A, as they were overcome 2-0 by a superior Belgium side at Hampden Park, with Macedonia moving up two places.



And Scotland manager Gordon Strachan admitted that the Belgians were simply too good a proposition for his side.



"That's the best team we've played since I took over," he said. "Belgium were magnificent.



"It was like a heavyweight boxer up against a flyweight. They've got speed, height, strength - and we don't."



Scotland come into this game having only won once during their campaign, and Strachan will be keen to rectify that in order to avoid finishing at the bottom of the group.



Macedonia are sure to pose a challenge, though, as they look for their third straight international victory.



The two sides played out a well-contested 1-1 draw when they met at Hampden Park last September, after Kenny Miller cancelled out Nikolce Noveski's early opener.

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10.09. (Tue) 13:00 South Korea - Croatia

South Korea will go in search of revenge when they take on Croatia in a friendly on Tuesday.



Igor Stimac's side thumped the Taegeuk Warriors the last time the two sides clashed back in Februrary, powering to a 4-0 win at Craven Cottage thanks to goals from Mario Mandzukic, Darijo Srna, Nikica Jelavic and Mladen Petric.



However, South Korea have since qualified for World Cup 2014, with the 2002 semi-finalists progressing to the tournament in Brazil despite a 1-0 defeat to Iran in their final game in June.



Hong's side will also have home advantage on their side for the game at the Jeonju World Cup stadium and face a Croatia team that has struggled for consistency in recent times.



Stimac's charges are five points adrift of Belgium in their qualification group and appear set to face a play-off for a place in the finals after their 1-1 draw with Serbia on Friday.



That result made it just three wins from six for Croatia, with a defeat against Scotland - who have already been eliminated from the World Cup - in June underlining their current problems.

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10.09. (Tue) 12:20 Japan - Ghana

Ghana travel to Japan for an international friendly on Tuesday following their crucial World Cup qualifying victory over Zambia.



Kwesi Appiah's side went into the crucial match in Kumasi one point ahead of their visitors knowing that anything other than a defeat would take them through to the third stage of the CAF qualifying section for Brazil 2014.



Ghana, whose only defeat in Group D came in the reverse fixture against the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions, secured a narrow 2-1 win as Abdul Waris and Kwadwo Asamoah gave them a two-goal lead before Emmanuel Mbola pulled one back for the visitors.



But while Ghana have another stage of qualifying to go through to seal their place in next year's showpiece, Japan were the first side to reach Brazil 2014 after their 1-1 draw with Australia on June 4.



Japan's latest fixture came in a friendly against Guatemala at Nagai Stadium on Friday and goals from Keisuke Honda, Masato Kudo and Yasuhito Endo swept aside Sergio Pardo's side.

And following his side's 3-0 win, coach Alberto Zaccheroni called on the team to keep up their level of intensity in their next matches.



"We put good pressure on our opponents, particularly in midfield, while keeping our backline high. Our forwards pressed their opponents well, too, which kept Guatemala from moving up-field," he said.



"I hope we can continue doing that against other, high-ranked opponents in our upcoming games."



His Ghanaian counterpart Appiah was also in a content mood after his team's vital victory over Zambia.



"We needed to either get a win or get a draw and the most important thing our aim was to try and get a win which I think the players did very well," he explained.



"Zambia have got a very good team and it was not going to be easy game and we saw that."



Since earning qualification for the World Cup, Japan have been inconsistent as they have beaten nations such as Korea Republic, Australia and Iraq, but succumbed to three losses at the FIFA Confederations Cup.



Ghana, on the other hand, have lost only twice in their last nine matches.

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10.09. (Tue) 20:45 Ukraine - England

Group H leaders England can take a huge step towards World Cup qualification if they can see off the threat of Ukraine on Tuesday.



Roy Hodgson's side, who are level with Montenegro on 15 points but ahead on goal difference, ran out 4-0 winners against Moldova on Friday and they remain the only unbeaten side in the Group H.



But Ukraine, who hammered San Marino 9-0, are only a point behind and they will sense an opportunity to overhaul their visitors in Kiev.



England have problems up front, too, with Wayne Rooney (head), Daniel Sturridge (thigh) and Danny Welbeck (suspended) all consigned to a watching brief.



That leaves Southampton's Rickie Lambert as their main threat and his international career has got off to a flying start, with two goals in as many games.



Hodgson has experience to call on in other areas of the pitch, though, and he has cited Manchester City midfielder James Milner as a key player for the tricky trip to eastern Europe.



"We know what James will do," Hodgson said. "He isn't, and doesn't pretend to be, as exciting as some of the wingers we sometimes use these days.



"After a long period of time where I've not seen many wingers in the country, I'm now seeing lots of them. But we are going to need experience in Kiev. Milner is not a winger, but the qualities he brings could be very useful."



England will need to break a pattern that has emerged during their qualifying campaign if they are to earn some breathing space at the top of the group. On each of the previous three occasions that they have won, they have followed it up with a draw.



They are, however, the group's top scorers, with a commanding 25-goal tally from their seven games, with Ukraine's 19-goal haul the next-best total.



Ukraine are enjoying an excellent run of form, with 15 goals and four clean sheets from their last four matches.



Mykhaylo Fomenko's men were impressive against England at Wembley last September, when it took Frank Lampard's late penalty to deny them all three points following Yevhen Konoplyanka's first-half opener.



They will be eager to lay to rest bitter memories of their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, which ended in disappointment after they finished runners-up to England.



Despite qualifying for the play-offs, they were beaten 1-0 on aggregate by Greece, denying them the chance to try to better their performance at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where they reached the quarter-finals.

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International Opta Facts (UK teams) – September 10

Macedonia v Scotland

Macedonia and Scotland have a perfectly even record in previous clashes, winning one apiece with one draw.

Macedonia collected a 1-0 victory in their one previous home clash against Scotland, back in qualification for the 2010 World Cup.

The Red Lynx have won five and lost just one of their last six home internationals.

Aleksandar Trajkovski has scored a goal inside the final 10 minutes of each of Macedonia's last two internationals.

No team has been shown more yellow cards in European World Cup qualification than Macedonia (23).

Scotland have lost four of their last five internationals.



Wales v Serbia

Serbia's 6-1 hammering of Wales in Novi Sad back in September 2012 came in their first meeting against Chris Coleman's side as an independent nation, although they did do the double over them as Serbia and Montenegro back in qualification for Euro 2004.

Wales have conceded more goals from outside the box than any other European side qualifying for the 2014 World Cup (six).

Gareth Bale has scored four of Wales' seven goals in World Cup 2014 qualifications.

Serbia have lost three consecutive away internationals; they have never lost four in a row as an independent nation.

Indeed, the White Eagles have won none and lost four of their last five competitive away games.

Just one of Wales' last 48 international games has ended in a draw.



Austria v Republic of Ireland

Austria have won four and lost just one of seven competitive meetings with Ireland (D2).

In six previous away games against Austria, Ireland have won none, lost five and conceded 19 goals, scoring just twice themselves.

In each of the last three games that Austria have scored in, Bayern Munich defender David Alaba has been one of the scorers.

After defeat to Germany in their opening home game, Das Team have won three consecutive qualifiers in Vienna, scoring 12 in the process.

Ireland have scored just one goal in their last four away games combined (D3 L1).



Luxembourg v Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland have won one and drawn one of two previous internationals against Luxembourg.

Luxembourg have won just one of their last 13 internationals (D3 L8).

Aurélien Joachim has scored in two consecutive internationals for the Red Lions.

The Red Lions have only won five home games in all competitions since 1995, and all four have ended 2-1.

Michael O'Neill's side have won just one of their last 15 internationals, drawing five and losing nine.

On the road, Norn Iron have not won a game since September 2010, when they won 1-0 in Slovenia (D3 L7).

Northern Ireland have been caught offside more often than any other team in European World Cup qualification this time around (33).



Ukraine v England

This will be England's seventh meeting with Ukraine, and their third already under Roy Hodgson. The Three Lions have won four and lost just one of their previous six (D1).

England's only away game in Ukraine ended in defeat (excluding neutral venues), however, though Fabio Capello's side had already qualified for the 2010 World Cup when they lost there in October 2009.

England have only lost one of their last 13 competitive away games (excluding neutral venues), but that defeat came in Ukraine (W9 D3).

The Three Lions have found the net in 15 of their last 16 competitive away games, but once again the blank in this run came in Ukraine (0-1).

Injured striker Wayne Rooney has netted in each of England's last three World Cup qualifiers on the road and also netted in England's last away friendly in Brazil.

Roy Hodgson's side have found the net in 29 of their last 30 internationals in all competitions, with the exception being a 0-0 draw with Italy in Euro 2012 that ended in a penalty shootout defeat.

Excluding that shootout defeat, England have not lost a competitive game since the 2010 World Cup hammering by Germany (W11 D8).

Roy Hodgson has, however, seen his side alternate between a win and a draw in their last nine competitive fixtures. For this run to continue, this game must end level.

Frank Lampard could make his 100th international appearance in this game, becoming the eighth player to reach the milestone.

Since Lampard's debut in 1999, 99 different players have debuted for the Three Lions.

Ukraine have won seven and lost none of their last eight internationals, keeping four consecutive clean sheets and conceding just two in total in this run.

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07.09. (Sat) 21:15 Brazil - Australia

Brazil have been weakened by injuries but their depth should still mean they are good enough to overcome Australia on Saturday.



Full-back Dani Alves (knee) and striker Hulk (thigh) have been ruled out of the clash, while the Socceroos are missing star forward Tim Cahill (ankle).



The Confederations Cup holders are also preparing for a friendly against Portugal and may start with a more experimental line-up against Australia - although they are still likely to control proceedings from the off.



Scolari's men have only lost twice this year – including a 1-0 defeat against Switzerland last time out – as they prepare for the World Cup.



Barcelona star Neymar is fit to lead the attack for Felipao's men, while Alves' absence means Maicon may start at right-back with David Luiz and Thiago Silva to command the back four.



Even if some of their bigger names are rested with an eye to the Portugal clash, Brazil are likely to send Saturday's opponents a warning about what to expect from a top side at the World Cup.

Australia have friendlies against the Selecao and France as their next two clashes in what is an ideal build-up to the 2014 finals.



Australia coach Holger Osieck will learn plenty about where his team sits and has named close to a full-strength squad for the encounter in Brasilia.



The Socceroos defence will be tested by a star-studded Brazil side, so Osieck is likely to start his preferred back four in Luke Wilkshire, Lucas Neill, Sasa Ognenovski and Matt McKay.



Under the German, the Socceroos have shown they are capable of sitting back and getting results, highlighted by their 1-1 draw in Japan in a qualifier in June.



With Cahill injured, Josh Kennedy is likely to get a start up front, while Central Coast striker Mitchell Duke, who impressed at the East Asian Cup, may also get an opportunity.

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League 2 Opta Facts: 7 September

Burton v Oxford Utd

Burton Albion have never lost at home in the league to Oxford United (D2 L1).

Oxford United have now gone eight games unbeaten in league competition; winning six of them.

Three of the last four meetings between these teams have ended in a draw.

Burton scored five goals over the two games featuring these teams last season; Oxford scored just one.

Only Torquay (5) have accumulated more points from losing positions than Oxford (4).



Cheltenham v Portsmouth

Cheltenham Town have lost three of their last four league matches (W1 L3).

Portsmouth's David Connolly is the joint league top scorer with four goals.

Pompey have kept just one clean sheet in their last six league games.

These teams have never met in league competition.

Cheltenham Town (along with Accrington Stanley) have conceded the most goals so far this season in League Two (11).



Chesterfield v Accrington

Chesterfield are unbeaten in seven league games; winning six of them.

Accrington Stanley are on a run of six league games without a win (D1 L5).

The Spirerites have kept four clean sheets in their last six league matches.

The Lancashire club average a goal every 150 minutes; the worst rate in League Two this season.

Gary Roberts has three assists so far this campaign; only Craig Jones (4) has more in League Two.



Dag & Red v Exeter

Dagenham & Redbridge have only managed one clean sheet in their last eight league games.

Exeter City have either scored two goals in a match or failed to score at all in their last eight league games.

Dagenham & Redbridge have won just one game in their last eight league fixtures (D2 L5).

Exeter have been awarded more corners (42) than any other team so far this season in League Two.

Alan Gow has the best minutes/goal ratio of any player in League Two, averaging a goal every 57.5 minutes (minimum 45 minutes played).



Fleetwood v Torquay

These teams have met twice before in league competition; Fleetwood Town are yet to lose (W1 D1).

Torquay United failed to score against Fleetwood Town in their two previous showdowns.

There were just three yellow cards shown over the two games featuring these sides last season.

Only Michael Smith (9) has had more shots on target in League Two this season than Fleetwood's David Ball (8).

Torquay have lost just once in their last eight games in league competition (W3 D4).



Hartlepool v Wycombe

Hartlepool United have failed to beat Wycombe in their last four league meetings (D1 L3).

Wycombe Wanderers have never managed a clean sheet away at Hartlepool United.

Wycombe scored eight goals against Hartlepool in the 2011/12 season; conceding just one.

No team in League Two has received as many yellow cards as Wycombe this season (13).

Dean Morgan has been booked more than any other player this season (4).



Newport v Mansfield

Newport County have failed to score in three of their last four league meetings with Mansfield Town.

Mansfield Town have won four of the last five league games against Newport (W4 L1).

Just one of the last nine league games between these teams have ended in a draw.

These two teams are both on eight points heading into this fixture.

Lindon Meikle is second on the minutes to goals ratio list in League Two this season; averaging a goal every 72 minutes (minimum of 45 minutes played).



Northampton v Scunthorpe

Northampton Town have managed only one win in their last eight against Scunthorpe in the league (D3 L4).

Scunthorpe United have scored in each of their last eight league meetings against Northampton.

14 goals were scored in the two matches last season.

Northampton have scored in their last six home league meetings to Scunthorpe.

Roy O'Donovan has been offside more than any other play in League Two this season (12).



Plymouth v Bristol Rovers

Plymouth Argyle have lost only twice in their last 13 home leagues to Bristol Rovers (W4 D7).

Bristol Rovers have gone 10 league games without a clean sheet against Plymouth.

The Devon side have lost just one of their last eight against Bristol Rovers in the league (W5 D2).

The Pilgrims are yet to draw a game this season (W2 L3).

Conor Hourihane scored in both meetings last season for Plymouth Argyle.



Rochdale v Bury

Rochdale have scored 10 goals in their last four league meetings with Bury.

Bury have beaten Rochdale just twice in seven league games (D2 L3).

Rochdale have failed to score against Bury only once in the last 12 league meetings.

Bury's Craig Jones has the most assists in League Two this season (4).

No side has recorded more shots off target so far this season in League Two than Rochdale (35).



Southend v Morecambe

Southend have never beaten Morecambe in the league (D1 L5).

Morecambe have scored in every league game against the Essex side.

Southend's Freddy Eastwood is the joint top scorer with four goals in League Two.

Morecambe have kept three clean sheets against Southend United in their six league meetings.

Morecambe have salvaged three points from losing positions this season; the third highest total in the division.



York v Wimbledon

York City have lost both games they have played against AFC Wimbledon in league competition.

Wimbledon have scored six goals in two league games against York City.

AFC Wimbledon have attempted more shots (including blocked) than any other team so far this season in League Two (76).

Only one side (Bury 56.25%) have averaged a higher share of possession than York City (55.6%) so far this season in the league.

Wimbledon's Andrew Frampton has made the joint-highest number of blocks in the league this season (5).

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07.09. (Sat) 04:30 Peru - Uruguay

Uruguay welcomed eight of their European-based players into the squad on Monday ahead of the weekend’s World Cup qualifier in Peru.



Among those who arrived were Diego Godin, Alvaro Pereira and Diego Perez as Oscar Tabarez prepares his side for the crucial match in Lima.



Uruguay currently occupy fifth spot, which would leave them having to compete in a two legged play-off with a qualifier from the Asian section - Jordan or Uzbekistan.



Tabarez has one of the world’s strongest forward lines at his disposal with the trio of Edinson Cavani, Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez all available.



The coach should benefit from all three being fully focused, with Cavani having moved to Paris Saint-Germain early in the summer and Suarez still at Liverpool despite speculation about a move during the transfer window.



Uruguay will be hoping for a repeat of the reverse fixture, when goals from Suarez, Maxi Pereira, Cristian Rodriguez and Sebastian Eguren handed them a 4-2 victory.



Tabarez acknowledged the enormity of the game as the qualification process heads towards a conclusion.



“Victory will be a great result for us,” he said.



“If it’s a draw, that benefits us. If we win, I think we will draw a significant advantage because after that there are only three games left.”



Peru currently sit seventh in the standings, just two points behind Uruguay with four games remaining.



Yordy Reyna and Carlos Zambrano were the last players to join up with Sergio Markarian’s squad in Lima, and Reyna was quick to underline his willingness to help the team.



“This game we have to win because we are playing at home,” he said.



“I will contribute to the team when they need me.”



Winger Paolo Hurtado, of Pacos de Ferreira, echoed the sentiments of Reyna.



“The match against Uruguay will be very difficult but we will go above and beyond for the three points,” he said.



“I feel great. If I play or not, that will be determined by the coach, but I always come prepared to play for Peru.”

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07.09. (Sat) 04:00 Costa Rica - USA

Costa Rica is out for revenge.



The Ticos (3-2-1) have come up short in both of their meetings with the United States (4-1-1) in recent months, losing 1-0 in World Cup qualifying and the Gold Cup group stage, and the former especially sticks in the craw of fans in the Central American country.



In the middle of a snow storm, a first-half goal from Clint Dempsey was enough to seal all three vital Hexagonal points for the Yanks. Costa Rica later appealed the result, with coach Jorge Luis Pinto calling it "an embarrassment to football." That appeal was denied by Fifa.



The failed appeal has only bolstered the feeling of injustice felt by Costa Ricans, who have taken to hyperbole and petty gamesmanship ahead of the match.



Where U.S. men's national team players were previously given priority immigration status and private travel transitions, they now had to wait in line with everybody else, and walk to their bus surrounded by enraged locals yelling "USA, no fair play!" The Costa Rican FA failed to provide the U.S. team with game balls for training, and left the Yanks to find their own practice facility after the three recommended sites refused the Stars and Stripes. Newspaper Al Dia printed a picture of U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann arriving at the airport with the caption "los sentimos Jurgen, no hay nieve" (sorry Jurgen, no snow).



The off-field sideshow has somewhat overshadowed the facts. The top two teams in the Hex can book their tickets to Brazil with good weeks - Costa Rica for the first time since 2002.



A win in San Jose means the U.S. are guaranteed at least a play-off against New Zealand. An additional win against Mexico in Columbus and the U.S. will have qualified. Costa Rica are not quite as well off, but a win against the USA would put them at the top of the table, with a game on Tuesday against basement boys Jamaica while the U.S. slugs it out with Mexico.



The biggest injury concern for the U.S. is red-hot striker Jozy Altidore. Having scored in six straight U.S. appearances, he did not fully participate in training on Wednesday despite being cleared by U.S. medical staff. If he is unable to play on Friday, Klinsmann will have to decide whether he wants to play one of stalwarts Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey (set for his 100th cap) out of position, or start one of Eddie Johnson or Aron Johannsson.

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06.09. (Fri) 21:00 England - Moldova

England will be hopeful of a big victory against Moldova to build momentum ahead of next week's crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier away to Ukraine.



Roy Hodgson's men welcome Moldova to Wembley on Friday and are expected to record a resounding victory against the minnows.



England are unbeaten in their last six matches but are still in danger of missing next year's World Cup in Brazil.



They sit second in Group H, two points behind Montenegro with a game in hand, while Ukraine are snapping at their heels in third, just one point further back.

With the side who finishes first automatically qualifying, and the second being sent into the play-offs, Tuesday's qualifier in Kiev is particularly important.



And because of that England will look to win well against Moldova to boost their confidence.



Hodgson has selected a typically strong squad, with captain Steven Gerrard set to lead the team alongside the likes of goalkeeper Joe Hart and attacker Theo Walcott.



England do have a series of injury problems though, with Wayne Rooney (cut head) withdrawing from the squad, along with Liverpool's Glen Johnson and Manchester United's Phil Jones.



In-form striker Daniel Sturridge is also in the squad but is in doubt due to groin pain. Sturridge has scored five goals in his four matches for Liverpool this season.



Arsenal's Jack Wilshere is expected to be fit despite following stomach cramps last week, while Cardiff defender Steven Caulker could win his second cap after being called up as cover.



Moldova - ranked joint-123rd in the world, more than 100 places below England - will enter the match on the back of a three-match unbeaten run.



An excellent 1-1 home draw to Poland in Group H was followed by a 2-1 friendly win over Kyrgyzstan.



They also drew 1-1 at home to Andorra last month in another friendly thanks to Alexandru Dedov's equaliser.



They are expected to line up with a 4-5-1 formation and play for a point, but England should have too much quality for them.



The two sides last met in last September's reverse fixture, with England winning 5-0 in Chisinau.



Frank Lampard scored a double in that fixture, while Jermain Defoe, James Milner and Leighton Baines also netted.



England have won all three meetings between the two sides, with their last clash at Wembley ending in a 4-0 win to England in September 1997.

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06.09. (Fri) 21:00 Scotland - Belgium

Scotland will be hoping to continue the progress made under new manager Gordon Strachan when they face Belgium on Friday.



The Scots' chances of making it to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil have long since disappeared after a disastrous start to their qualifying campaign that cost former manager Craig Levein his job.



The former Dundee United boss was relieved of his duties in November after overseeing a run that sent Scotland slumping to the bottom of Uefa qualifying Group A.



Strachan subsequently took over as national team boss in January, following a spell out of the game.



And having already sown the first seeds of recovery with a shock 1-0 victory in Croatia and a creditable performance in a narrow 3-2 defeat to England last month, Strachan's arrival appears to be having the desired effect.



"I see it in him at every training session," said Norwich forward Robert Snodgrass ahead of Friday's qualifier against Belgium.



"He tells us, 'Listen, you are good enough to do this – or you wouldn't have been picked. I'm picking you because I believe in you.'



"Mentally and physically, we prepare for a game. You have to believe you can get a result. That’s the only way.



"There is [the conviction] that, when Scotland are going in against these big sides, we can genuinely get a result against them."



Strachan has added four players to his squad for the clash, following the withdrawals of James Morrison, Graham Dorrans, Allan McGregor and George Boyd.



The quartet have been replaced by midfield trio Craig Bryson, Chris Burke and Kevin Thomson, as well as defender Lee Wallace.



For the visitors, Chelsea's Eden Hazard missed training on Tuesday with an Achilles problem and faces a battle to be fit.



The 22-year-old midfielder sat out the session as a precaution, although he is still expected to feature in Friday's game.



Belgium arrive as a team in form, having strung together a run of six games unbeaten - stretching back to November last year.



Goals from Christian Benteke and Vincent Kompany led the table-toppers to a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture back in October, and Marc Wilmots' men will expect to maintain their march towards qualification for the finals, with Croatia also chasing top spot in the group.

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06.09. (Fri) 20:45 Ireland - Sweden

With both teams locked level on points in Group C, the clash between the Republic of Ireland and Sweden represents a must-win encounter for both sides.



While Germany lead the group, Austria, Sweden and Ireland are vying for the coveted play-off spot, each team level on 11 points, with Austria occupying second place due to their superior goal difference.



Ireland have history on their side, having not lost at home to Sweden since 1949, when they were beaten 3-1 in a 1950 World Cup qualifier at Dalymount Park. The last meeting between the sides in Dublin resulted in a 3-0 victory for the Irish, with goals from Damien Duff, Robbie Keane and Liam Miller securing the win.

Sweden's form away from home during this campaign has been inconsistent. Despite showing tremendous resilience to stage a comeback in the dramatic 4-4 draw against Germany in Berlin, the Swedes were beaten 2-1 by Austria in Vienna in June.



However, Erik Hamren's side will be comforted by the fact that Ireland's home form of late has also been questionable, with the Boys in Green suffering their worst ever home defeat in October 2012 - a 6-1 loss against group leaders Germany.



Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has been handed an injury boost as Marc Wilson and first-choice goalkeeper David Forde have both regained fitness ahead of the clash with Sweden, while captain and talisman Robbie Keane also returns to the squad.



Queens Park Rangers centre back Richard Dunne is expected to make his first competitive international appearance since featuring against Italy at Euro 2012 14 months ago. John O'Shea is expected to partner the defender in the heart of defence as Trapattoni seeks to shackle Zlatan Ibrahimovic.



In the absence of Aiden McGeady, Norwich City winger Anthony Pilkington could be in line to make his first senior appearance for the Boys in Green after shaking off a knee injury, while James McCarthy is likely to partner Glenn Whelan in midfield.



Rasmus Elm is the most notable absentee for Erik Hamren's side ahead of this crucial Group C clash, while Anders Granqvist will miss the game through suspension.



Johan Elmander is expected to partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic in attack, while Spartak Moscow midfielder Kim Kallstrom returns to the squad after missing August's 4-2 friendly victory over Norway.

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06.09. (Fri) 20:45 Northern Ireland - Portugal

Portugal are hoping to be able to call on Cristiano Ronaldo as they look to take a step closer to World Cup qualification against Northern Ireland.



The Real Madrid winger sat out training earlier this week with a muscle problem, but he is still expected to feature at Windsor Park on Friday as Portugal go in search of a win that would maintain their position at the top of Group F.



Goalkeeper Beto and attacking midfielder Danny also missed training but they are expected to be fit for the clash, which forms the first part of a double-header that will also see Paulo Bento's side meet in a friendly with Brazil in Boston on September 10.



Bento has opted to recall Hugo Almeida after the striker missed the friendly with the Netherlands in August, while he has also called up Malaga left-back Vitorino Antunes and midfielders Josue and Andre Martins for a game that will go a long way towards deciding the qualifiers for the showpiece in Brazil next year.



Bento’s side currently hold a two-point lead over Russia but they have played a game more than Fabio Capello’s men, with both countries having enjoyed a 1-0 home win in the corresponding fixtures between the pair.



For Northern Ireland, meanwhile, their hopes of making the finals are all but over, although they will be keen to build on their shock 1-0 win over Russia in August.



Midfielder Chris Brunt returns after missing that clash through suspension, while Kyle Lafferty has recovered from an Achilles injury.



Manchester United defender Jonny Evans, who missed the last qualifier through illness, is vying for a place while boss Michael O’Neill has retained Michael O'Connor and Lee Hodson after they were called in as cover for the Russia clash.



Burnley left-back Daniel Lafferty is suspended for the visit of Portugal but will be available for the trip to Luxembourg on Tuesday.



O'Neill’s side have had a mixed qualifying campaign so far, with the win against Russia and an impressive 1-1 draw in Portugal being tempered by home draws with both Luxembourg and Azerbaijan.

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06.09. (Fri) 20:30 Finland - Spain

Spain moved one point ahead of second-placed France in Group I with a 1-0 away victory over Laurent Blanc's men in March, but must now take on a team against whom they dropped points earlier that month.



The Finns earned a respectable draw in Madrid as Teemu Pukki's goal cancelled out a Sergio Ramos effort, and they will hope to go one better when the teams meet again in Helsinki.



But Ramos is keen to avoid a similarly disappointing result this time around.



"Its clear that Finland are a team that surprised us because they closed up shop against us from the first minute, and although they didn't create too many chances managed to score against us," the Real Madrid defender said.



"That is a lesson we learned about keeping our concentration for the full 90 minutes because they were able to level the score with us on the break which made things difficult for us. But I think the positive thing is that we always learn from our mistakes.



"When you spend years winning matches and important titles it becomes clear that teams respect you. There's nothing we can do about that. Every team has its own philosophy or style of play, so we will try to open them up as much as possible to cause them problems and hopefully win the match."



Spain won all 10 of their qualification matches for the last World Cup, and did the same over eight fixtures to reach Euro 2012 - with both tournaments ending in victories.



And, although the possibility of pulling off a similar feat ahead of the 2014 event in Brazil is already gone, they will at least hope to preserve their undefeated status against Finland.



Vicente del Bosque's team go into the game having lost just once to Finland in seven previous meetings, with that defeat coming in the first-ever clash between the sides in a World Cup qualifier in 1969.



The last two games have ended in draws, while Spain and Finland have seen two and three of their respective Group I games finish all square.

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06.09. (Fri) 20:15 Georgia - France

France must bounce back from a damaging defeat to Spain when they face Georgia in World Cup qualifying on Friday.



Didier Deschamps' men occupied top spot going into their home fixture against the reigning world champions in March, and only needed to match the draw they earned in Spain to ensure matters stayed that way.



However, a Pedro goal gave the visitors victory at the Stade de France and ensured that they, rather than France, are now in pole position to automatically qualify for Brazil 2014.



France can still, of course, wrestle that position away from the Spaniards, but will need to capitalise on any slip-ups by putting away the likes of Georgia in their remaining fixtures.



Temuri Ketsbaia's men have picked up just four points from their five outings thus far, having beaten Belarus and earned an impressive away draw against Finland, and are likely to struggle against Deschamps' side.



The last meeting between the sides ended in a 3-1 win for France, with Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Valbuena and Franck Ribery grabbing the goals for the hosts in Paris.



Arsenal forward Giroud is in fine form coming into this game, and has notched three goals in as many Premier League outings this term - including in a 1-0 north London derby win over Tottenham at the weekend.



Deschamps will hope the former Montpellier forward can propel his team to victory again, with the possibility of securing the Group I play-off spot should Spain win their remaining fixtures.



Georgia, meanwhile, will look to avoid finishing bottom, with Belarus currently holding that unwanted distinction by virtue of goal difference.

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06.09. (Fri) 19:00 FYR Macedonia - Wales

Wales boss Chris Coleman insists Real Madrid's world-recording signing Gareth Bale is not fit enough to play 90 minutes in Friday's 2014 World Cup qualifier at Macedonia.



Bale joined the squad in Cardiff on Monday following his world-record £86 million transfer to the Bernabeu, but having not played for Tottenham since July, Coleman says he is unwilling to throw his star performer in at the deep end.



Wales' chances may be hampered somewhat as a result, with Bale having scored five of his country's last eight goals, but Coleman will not be taking any chances with the former Spurs man.



"If he is not ready we will not risk him, regardless of whether it is a world record fee," he said.



"We are aware a lot of people will want to see him play in the home game against Serbia [on Tuesday].



"But he has no chance of playing 90 minutes on Friday or on Tuesday."



Newcastle United defender Paul Dummett could be in line for a senior debut after featuring for his club side against Manchester City this season, while Cardiff City teenager Declan john is also in the squad for the first time.



Dummett's chances of appearing were boosted as Swansea City left-back Neil Taylor was forced to pull out of the squad due to a thigh injury. Joe Allen (hamstring) and Neil Eardley (knee) were also forced to withdraw.



For Macedonia, Aleksandar Todorovski misses out on a place in the squad due to injury, while Stefan Sprivoski has been left out due to a lack of playing time, having failed to feature for his club side, Borac Cacak of Serbia, so far this season.



Central defender Boban Grncarov returns, as do left-back Aleksandar Lazevski and attacking midfielder Darko Tasevski.



Macedonia currently sit bottom of Group A, with four points from six matches, two behind fourth-placed Wales, but coach Cedomir Janevski is looking at Friday's game – and Tuesday's visit of Scotland to Skopje – as a chance for his side to earn some points and climb the table.



"Before us are two very important but also difficult games," he said.



"It resumes our battle for a better final position in the standings. We do have a chance for the third place and that's a good motive for us.



"Our goal is to move up the table. Wales are a serious team, with exceptional quality and fighting spirit. They have a lot of players from the Premier League so we have to show them respect."

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06.09. (Fri) 20:45 Serbia - Croatia

Although Serbia are all but out of the race for a ticket for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Friday's qualifier at home against Croatia remains one of the most important games in their history due to the fierce rivalry between both countries.



Over two decades ago, the two countries were going head-to-head as well, but in a far scarier arena than the football pitch, when the nation which bound them together for over 60 years - Yugoslavia - broke up and ended in a bloody war which started in 1991.



Those who had been football rivals became enemies in battle, leaving deep scars which will undoubtedly rear their ugly heads on Friday, when the two clash in Belgrade.



Both sides met for the first time in 1999, when they were paired together in the qualification for Euro 2000 in Netherlands and Belgium. After a scoreless draw in Belgrade in August, the return ended in a 2-2 draw in Zagreb and current Serbia boss Sinisa Mihajlovic has not forgotten about the impact the game had.



"The stadium in Zagreb was like a volcano. There were police everywhere. The war between the 2 countries was still fresh in everyone’s minds. There were lots of former team-mates who had played alongside each other for Yugoslavia now facing each other," Mihajlovic told La Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this year when Croatia hosted Serbia.



Despite his emotional memories, the 44-year-old feels the time has come to forget about the past, though, and he warned his player that he would not accept any non-sporting behaviour ahead of the away game back in March.



"If one of my players is sent off for non-sporting behaviour, and it sets off the crowd, then he’ll never play for the national side again. The whole world will be watching. The time has come to forget about the past, to offer a hand of friendship and look towards the future."



Regardless of Mihajlovic's commendable attitude, though, there's little doubt that Friday's encounter will be yet another tense encounter.



"These are the kind of matches you will remember your whole life," Croatia and Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic. said



"Everybody is talking about it, asking and begging us to win, and we can't wait to go out there and play it."



Whereas Serbia have already all but given up hopes of making it to Brazil with just seven points from as many games, Croatia still have every chance of making it to next year's tournament as they are trailing section leaders Belgium by just three points.



That's not to say that the Serbians will be handing out any presents, however, as for the divisions between the two countries, they will be fighting for the same things: pride and victory.

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World Cup Opta Facts - UK teams

Scotland v Belgium

Belgium have won seven of their previous 11 competitive meetings with Scotland (D2 L2), including a 2-0 win in Brussels back in October 2012.

In Scotland, however, Belgium have only won one of five competitive games (3-1 in 1979), losing two and drawing two.

Scotland have only lost one of their last nine home games (W5 D3; all competitions), though that was their most recent game on home soil (2-1 v Wales).

Belgium are unbeaten in six games (W5 D1) and have only lost one of their last 12 (W9 D2).

All of Belgium's last nine international goals have been scored by players who play in the Premier League; Dries Mertens (v Slovakia in February) was the last Belgian not based in England to score for this country.

No side has kept more clean sheets in European World Cup qualification than Belgium (five).



Republic of Ireland v Sweden

Ireland have never beaten Sweden in a competitive fixture (D2 L3).

Despite that, overall the Republic have won three and lost just one of five against Sweden on home soil, with that defeat coming way back in 1949).

Giovanni Trapattoni's side have kept three consecutive clean sheets against the Swedes in all competitions.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored five goals in his last two internationals for Sweden.

The Green Army have lost just one of their last eight internationals (W3 D4), and that was to World and European champions Spain.

Sweden have only won one of their last five away games in all competitions (D2 L2).



Northern Ireland v Portugal

Seven of the 12 previous international meetings between Northern Ireland and Portugal, including the 1-1 draw in Porto back in October 2012, have ended level.

In nine previous World Cup qualifiers between these sides, only 14 goals have been scored with only one game (Northern Ireland 3-0 Portugal in 1957) seeing over two goals.

Northern Ireland's 1-0 victory over Russia last time out ended a run of 13 games without a win and was boss Michael O'Neill's first victory at the helm.

Indeed, the Green and White Army have not won consecutive internationals since early 2009, when they beat San Marino, Poland and Slovenia in successive games.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored Portugal's only goal in each of their last two internationals.

Real Madrid winger Ronaldo has had more shots off target than any other player in European World Cup qualification (16).



England v Moldova

England have won all three previous meetings against Moldova, scoring 12 goals without reply.

Indeed, these three victories for the Three Lions have finished, in chronological order, 3-0, 4-0 and 5-0.

Only against Turkey (31) and Andorra (16) have England scored more goals without reply than they have against Moldova (12).

Excluding penalty shootouts, England are unbeaten in 18 competitive internationals (W 10 D8).

The Three Lions have lost just one of their last 29 competitive home games (W22 D6); a 2-3 to Croatia in 2007 involving an infamous umbrella.

Moldova have lost 13 of their last 16 away games (D1), with both victories in that run coming in San Marino.

Eugen Sidorenco has scored three goals in his last three international appearances.

Danny Welbeck has scored with six of his seven shots on target for England.

England have scored more deflected goals than any other side in European World Cup qualification (two).

Moldova have attempted 136 tackles in qualification for the 2014 World Cup so far, the most of all European sides.



Macedonia v Wales

This will be the first international meeting between Macedonia and Wales.

Gareth Bale has scored two-thirds of Wales' goals so far in this qualification period (four of six).

Wales' 0-0 draw with Republic of Ireland in their most recent fixture ended a remarkable run of 46 consecutive games without a draw.

Chris Coleman's side have won just two of their last eight home internationals (D1 L5).

Wales have been credited with more errors leading to goals than any other European side qualifying for the 2014 World Cup (five).

Macedonia have won six and lost just two of their last 10 internationals at home (all competitions).

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