Sunday, April 3, 2011

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03.04. (Sun) 19:00 Sevilla - Zaragoza

DID YOU KNOW?
* Zaragoza are now just a point clear of the bottom three, after 1-0 defeat at Mallorca before the international break.
* Real Zaragoza have only won one league away match this season (1-2 at Malaga).
* Real Zaragoza scored only 28 goals this season, which is the third worst scoring record, held jointly by three teams.
* They have scored only seven goals away from home and only three goals in their last seven away outings.
* Edmilson is doubtful for Zaragoza.
* Sevilla are unbeaten in their last 5 games. Sevilla have a better away record than a home record.
* Also, Sevilla have scored at an average of 4 goals per game in their last 3 home meetings with Zaragoza.
* Sevilla tend to leave it late when it comes to scoring goals. They have scored 19 goals out of 43 (almost 50%) in last 30 minutes.
* Just 36% of the games refereed by Iglesias Villanueva this season have ended in home wins, fewer than any other referee
* Arouna Kone is nearing a return for Sevilla but is unlikely to be risked following a long spell on the sidelines.

LAST MEETING

November 14, 2010: Real Zaragoza 1-2 Sevilla

The last time these sides met, it was a fairly tepid affair, with neither side creating many chances. Sevilla had been reduced to 10 men and they looked certain to drop points. However, Negredo scored just at the death, securing all 3 points for "Los Rojiblancos"

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Sevilla: Javi Varas; Julien Escudé; Federico Fazio; Matrin Caceres; Alexis; Ivan Rakitic; Gary Medel; Diego Perotti; Jesús Navas; Álvaro Negredo; Frederic Kanouté

Real Zaragoza: Antonio Doblas; Matteo Contini; Jirí Jarosik; Ivan Obradovic; Carlos Diogo; Gabi; Leonardo Ponzio; Ikechukwu Uche; Ander Herrera; Nicolàs Bertolo; Jorge López;

Prediction
Zaragoza are a side who have shipped an average of four goals in their last three visits to this stadium and have won just one match on road this season. Combine this with Sevilla's excellent displays against Barcelona and Valencia, it difficult to see anything but a goal fest for the Andalusians.

Sevilla 3-0 Zaragoza

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03.04. (Sun) 17:00 Manchester City - Sunderland

DID YOU KNOW?

* Manchester City have not conceded a goal at Eastlands since February 27 in their 1-1 draw with Fulham.

* Sunderland have failed to score in their last three games. They were shut out against Everton, Arsenal and in their last outing at home to Liverpool.

* Neither side have played for exactly a fortnight. Players from both sides were involved in international games during the break though.

* Sunderland have struggled away from Wearside all season. In 15 league games they have managed 15 goals. The form book suggests that will not change here as City have given up a miserly 11 goals in their 15 home league games.

* With the departure of Darren Bent went a true goal scoring threat for Sunderland. The weight has been transferred to the shoulders of Asamoah Gyan who has nine, and on-loan Danny Welbeck, who has picked up six goals so far this term. Gyan scored for Ghana at Wembley last Tuesday.

* These teams have met frequently over the years - 119 times in fact - City holding the advantage with 55 victories to Sunderland’s 44. Sunderland’s last win at Manchester City was in the old Division One back in January 1998. The game, played at Maine Road, was decided by a Kevin Phillips winner, with former City favourite and current Sunderland chairman, Niall Quinn partnering Phillips. Also on show that day were illustrious names from City’s past such as Georgi Kinkladze and Uwe Rosler.

* The meeting between these two back in August finished amid much controversy. A Darren Bent penalty in the last minute was all that separated the two.

* Mario Balotelli’s City career has been far from uneventful. He continues to make headlines for the wrong reasons, but the fact remains that he is the second highest scorer for Mancini’s men. Skipper Carlos Tevez leads the way with 24 goals, and the young Italian is second on 10.

* This game last year was eventful for more than just the result. The game finished 4-3 but the day also marked the end of the Mark Hughes era in east Manchester. Mancini was brought in to ensure the club qualify for the Champions League; should they lose here that could be in jeopardy.

LAST MEETING

August 29 2010: Sunderland 1-0 Manchester City

Controversial circumstances were the deciding factor with a last-minute penalty converted by Darren Bent, now at Aston Villa, giving the Black Cats all three points.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Manchester City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov; Milner, Y Toure, De Jong, Silva; Balotelli, Dzeko.

Sunderland: Mignolet; Bramble, Ferdinand, Da Silva, Angeleri; El Muhamady, Muntari, Richardson, Sessegnon, Cattermole; Welbeck.

Prediction
The Black Cats have struggled to score of late. They will find little relief here. The Citizens are keen goal scorers at home and this trait will prove the difference here. It should be a regulation home win with the firepower of City proving an overwhelming force which Sunderland will not be able to resist.

Man City 2-0 Sunderland

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03.04. (Sun) 15:00 Parma - Bari

DID YOU KNOW?

* Parma haven't lost to Bari in 19 Serie A matches (W14, D5).

* The Gialloblu are a perfect nine wins from nine games against Bari at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.

* Hernan Crespo leads the team in scoring with nine league goals.

* Sebastian Giovinco will miss the match due to suspension.

* Bari have failed to pick up a win in their last 12 games (D3, L9).

* The Galletti have only scored 17 goals in 30 Serie A matches this season.

* Bari's last win away from home came on January 6 against Lecce.

LAST MEETING

November 14, 2010: Bari 0-1 Parma

Antonio Candreva gave the visitors the lead in the 33rd minute after his volley flew past Jean-Francois Gillet. Bari then squandered a glorious chance to equalise just before the half-time interval when Alessandro Parisi sent his spot-kick wide of the target. Bari had two men sent off in the second session and Parma left town with all three points in the bag.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Parma: Mirante; Paletta, Lucarelli, Pisano; Zaccardo, Morrone, Gobbi, Modesto; Candreva; Bojinov, Amauri

Bari: Gillet; A.Masiello, Glik, Belmonte, Rossi; Almiron, Gazzi, Bentivoglio; Huseklepp, Ghezzal; Rudolf

Prediction
Parma beat Bari earlier in the season and should have no problem pouring more misery on the Serie A strugglers at the Ennio Tardini on Sunday.
Parma 2-0 Bari

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03.04. (Sun) 15:00 Lecce - Udinese

DID YOU KNOW?

* Lecce have lost their last three games by a one-goal margin.

* The Salentini have one win in their last five games at home (W1, D1, L3).

* David Di Michele leads the team in scoring with five goals.

* Udinese are undefeated in the calendar year (W10, D3).

* The Zebrette have scored 14 goals in their last five games.

* Udinese have won three out of their last four meetings against Lecce.

* Antonio Di Natale has 10 goals in his last seven games.

LAST MEETING

November 14, 2010: Udinese 4-0 Lecce

Antonio Di Natale fired Udinese past an overmatched Lecce side at the Stadio Friuli. The veteran striker netted a first half hat-trick before Antonio Floro Flores added a goal in the second session to give the hosts an emphatic victory.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Lecce: Rosati; Tomovic, Ferrario, Fabiano, Brivio; Munari, Vives, Olivera; Di Michele, Mesbah; Corvia

Udinese: Handanovic; Benatia, Zapata, Domizzi; Isla, Abdi, Inler, Asamoah, Armero; Di Natale, Sanchez


Prediction
Udinese are currently riding a 13-game unbeaten streak and should extend their run with a win over Lecce at the weekend. The Zebrette punished the Salentini 4-0 in the first meeting of the season and should have no problems picking up the win on Sunday.
Lecce 1-2 Udinese

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03.04. (Sun) 15:00 Genoa - Cagliari

DID YOU KNOW?

* Genoa are 11th in the Serie A table with 39 points from 30 matches, 11 points off the final Europa League slot.

* The Grifoni have always scored against Cagliari at home in Serie A and have lost just once against the Sardinians in the Italian top flight in front of their own supporters.

* Davide Ballardini’s side have mustered ten points from their last four home fixtures.

* Cagliari are placed 12th in the league standings, level on points with Genoa.

* The Isolani have won just one of their last five away matches in the league and have failed to win any of their last three Serie A fixtures.

* Roberto Donadoni’s side have netted nine goals from corners, a record in the league equalled by Udinese.


LAST MEETING

November 14, 2010: Cagliari 0-1 Genoa

Andrea Ranocchia scored the only goal of the match seven minutes from the full-time whistle.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Genoa: Eduardo; Mesto, Kaladze, Dainelli, Criscito; Rossi, Konko, Rafinha, Antonelli; Palacio, Floro Flores

Cagliari: Agazzi; Perico, Canini, Astori, Agostini; Biondini, Nainggolan, Lazzari; Cossu, Missiroli; Acquafresca

A win for Genoa could be the eventual outcome as they are playing at home.

Genoa 2-0 Cagliari