Italian Serie A Opta Facts - 7-9 May

Bologna v Parma

This will be the 24th derby of Emilia in Serie A: Bologna lead by eight wins to seven, with eight draws rounding off the record.
These two sides met in 2004/05, in the play-off to avoid relegation to Serie B: on that occasion both games were won by the away side, but Parma stayed up on goal difference.
Parma have won only one of their last nine Serie A meetings with Bologna.
At the Dall'Ara, Bologna are unbeaten with the Ducali in eight league meetings, winning six.
Bologna are on a run of five consecutive defeats in Serie A, and have failed to score in their last four.
Bologna's last home win was back in February against Palermo (1-0); since then, they have picked up only two points in five games at their own ground.
Parma have notched up three wins in a row, against Inter, Udinese and Palermo; the last time they managed four consecutive wins in Serie A was in March 2006.
Parma have not conceded in three of their last four games on the road in Serie A.

Brescia v Catania

The three previous meetings between Brescia and Catania in the top-flight have seen both teams winning once, and one draw.
The only previous meeting at the Rigamonti between these sides was won 4-1 by the hosts back in 1965.
Brescia have managed only one win in their last 11 Serie A fixtures, sharing the points six times in this period.
However the Rondinelle have suffered only one defeat (0-1 against AC Milan) in their last four home games.
Catania are the only Serie A side yet to win an away game this season; their last win on the road was in February 2010, at the Olimpico against Lazio (1-0).
Taking into account only the away games of this campaign, the Sicilians would be bottom of the Serie A table on six points.
Matias Silvestre has been the most prolific defender in Serie A this season (five goals).
Andrea Caracciolo has scored four of Brescia's last five goals in this campaign.
Brescia have netted only 12 goals after the break, the fewest in Serie A.

Cagliari v Cesena

Cesena are unbeaten in 13 meetings with Cagliari in Serie A (five wins and eight draws, five of which by 0-0).
Five of the six previous meetings played in Sardinia between these two sides have ended as draws (three of which were goalless).
Cagliari are winless in their last four league games (two draws, followed by two defeats): their worst run under Roberto Donandoni.
Prior to last Saturday's defeat against Inter, Cesena had remained unbeaten in four consecutive match-days (two draws, two wins).
Cesena have suffered only one defeat in their last five games on the road, in Rome against Lazio (0-1).
Cesena have conceded 15 goals in the last 10 minutes of play this season, more than any other Serie A side.
Their next defeat will be Cesena's 100th away from home in the top-flight.

Genoa v Sampdoria

This will be the 72nd derby of Genoa in Serie A: Sampdoria lead by 24 wins to 22, but the result that has accrued the most so far is the draw (25 times).
With Genoa as the home side, the derby is in perfect balance: 11 wins for both clubs and 13 draws.
Genoa have had the better in four of the last five derbies, Sampdoria won the other.
The Grifoni have lost only one of their last seven home games, winning five of these.
The goal scored by Nicola Pozzi in their last away game against Bari, ended Sampdoria's nine-game goalless run on the road in this competition.
Sampdoria scored three goals in their last game, one more than they had netted in their previous six Serie A fixtures.
Sampdoria have failed to score in 19 games this season, more than any other Serie A side.
Last Sunday, Argentine Fernando Tissone, was the second foreign player to score a goal for Sampdoria in this campaign, after Reto Ziegler back in October against Fiorentina.
Davide Ballardini is unbeaten against Sampdoria in Serie A as a manager (two wins and three draws so far).

Inter v Fiorentina

Inter are unbeaten in their last nine Serie A meetings with Fiorentina, and have won seven of these.
At the San Siro, the Nerazzurri have won their last eight games with the Viola, without conceding goals in the last three.
Leonardo's side have recorded four wins and two defeats in the last six match-days of this campaign.
Inter have recorded 11 consecutive wins at home, scoring on average 3.1 goals per game.
Fiorentina have suffered only one defeat in their last 10 Serie A games, at home against AC Milan.
Away from home, the Viola have alternated between a win and a draw in their last six games in the league.
Alessio Cerci has scored four goals and assisted one in the last two match-days of this campaign.
Fiorentina have already scored 12 goals from outside the box this term - a league-high.
Giampaolo Pazzini has bagged eight goals since joining Inter in January, all coming in the second half.

Juventus v Chievo

Juventus have won only one of their last four Serie A meetings with Chievo.
However, at home the Old Lady are unbeaten against Chievo in the top-flight, in light of six wins and a draw.
Juventus are unbeaten in their last seven games (four wins and three draws).
Juventus have already conceded 27 goals in 17 away games this season, more than any other side in this competition.
At home, Gigi Del Neri's side have kept only two clean sheets so far (against Lecce and Inter), less than any other club in this campaign.
In none of Chievo's last five Serie A fixtures have both sides scored; only six goals were scored overall in these games.
Away from home, Chievo have lost four of their last five league games, winning at Bari.
Chievo have conceded only 12 goals in the second half, fewer than any other side this term in Italy.

Lecce v Napoli

Napoli are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Lecce in Serie A.
However, Lecce have suffered only one defeat in the eight previous occasions they have hosted Napoli at the Via del Mare.
Lecce have picked up only one point from their last three Serie A games.
Napoli have won five of their last seven fixtures, losing the other two.
Away from home the Partenopei have not shared the points in 13 Serie A fixtures (six wins and seven defeats).
Napoli have won 10 games after being level at half time, more than any other side in this competition.
This game will see the team who have scored the most goals in the final 15 minutes (Napoli, 21) meet that that has conceded the most in the same period (Lecce, 17).
Napoli have netted 18 goals in the last 10 minutes of play, only one less than the total of those they have scored in the first half this season.

Palermo v Bari

Palermo's last win against Bari in the top-flight was back in February 1950 (2-1 in Sicily); since then these two sides have met seven times, with Bari having the better three times, four draws complete the record.
The last three meetings between these two sides at Palermo have ended as draws (two 1-1 and one 0-0).
Bari have never scored more than a single goal in their previous seven visits to Palermo in Serie A.
Palermo have kept only one clean sheet in their last 14 Serie A fixtures, at home against AC Milan back in March.
Relegated Bari have lost their last three consecutive games; overall they have lost 22 games in this campaign, more than any other side.
Bari have conceded exactly one goal in each of their last five games on the road.

Roma v AC Milan

AC Milan need one point at the Olimpico to secure their 18th Scudetto.
The Rossoneri have beaten Roma only once in the last five seasons; five wins for the Giallorossi and three draws in the process.
AC Milan have not scored in their last two meetings with Roma.
Three of the last four meetings at the Olimpico between these two sides have ended as draws.
Overall, AC Milan are unbeaten in their last four trips to Rome (two draws against the Giallorossi, one win and a draw against Lazio).
Massimiliano Allegri's side have kept a clean sheet in 18 of their 35 games this season, a record amongst the top-five European leagues this term.
With the brace scored against Bari on Sunday, Francesco Totti reached 206 goals in Serie A, overtaking Roberto Baggio as the fifth-highest goalscorer ever in this competition.
Roma have won only two of their last seven home games, while AC Milan have picked up 12 of the last 15 points available away from home.
AC Milan are the only Serie A side with three players to have scored at least 10 goals this season: 14 for Ibrahimovic and Pato, 12 for Robinho.

Udinese v Lazio

Udinese have won only one of their last six Serie A games against Lazio, the Biancocelesti have had the better in the last two.
The last three meetings at the Friuli between these two sides have ended as draws.
Udinese have suffered four defeats in their last five games, winning only their game at the San Paolo against Napoli.
Lazio have not shared the points in their last 11 Serie A games: six wins and five defeats, including those in the last two against Inter and Juventus.
Lazio have lost four of their last five games on the road, winning only at Catania (4-1).
Antonio Di Natale has already scored eight goals against Lazio in Serie A; only against Roma (10) has he scored more.
Lazio have had five players sent off in the last seven match-days of this competition.

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Bundesliga Opta Facts - 7 May

Stuttgart v Hannover

Stuttgart have won their last three games.
Since Bruno Labbadia took over as Stuttgart coach, they have won more points (27) than Hannover (26).
With a loss in their last home game of the season, Stuttgart would equal their club record for the fewest points won at home in a single season (20).
With a win in Stuttgart, Hannover would set a new club record for the most points won away from home in a single season (26).
Hannover have won in Stuttgart only once in the last 40 years (12 losses, one draw) - in October 2007 they won 2-0.
Hannover have conceded only two goals in their last four games.

Wolfsburg v Kaiserslautern

Wolfsburg have won two consecutive Bundesliga matches for the first time since September 2010.
At home, the Wolves have won only two of their last 11 league games (three losses, six draws).
There has never been an away win when Wolfsburg have met Lautern (21 games).
Kaiserslautern are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Wolfsburg (one win, three draws).
The Red Devils have won their last three away games.
Lautern have won five of their last seven games (two losses).

Frankfurt v Köln

Since the winter break, Frankfurt have won only one of their 15 league games (nine losses, five draws).
Frankfurt have failed to score in 10 of their last 15 games.
Frankfurt manager Christoph Daum spent almost seven years as Köln manager, from 1986 to 1990 and again from 2006 to 2009.
Köln have lost none of the last five meetings with Frankfurt, winning the last two.
Köln have won none of their last nine away games (seven losses, two draws),
Köln have conceded 15 goals in their last three away games - all losses.

Gladbach v Freiburg

For the first time since November 2009, Gladbach have won two league games in a row - and both against Champions League contenders.
For the first time since May 2009, Gladbach have gone two games without conceding a goal.
At home, Gladbach have won only one of their last five meetings with Freiburg (two draws, two losses).
Freiburg are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Gladbach, winning three.
Freiburg have won only one of their last six away games (four losses, one draw).
Freiburg have won only two of their last nine games (six losses, one draw).

Nürnberg v Hoffenheim

Nürnberg have won only one of their last six games (three losses, two draws).
Hoffenheim have also won only one of their last six games (four losses, one draw).
Nürnberg are winless in their last three home games (two draws, one loss).
Hoffenheim have lost their last five away games.
Nürnberg have scored only one goal in four competitive games against Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim are unbeaten in their four meetings with Nürnberg (two wins, two draws).

Leverkusen v Hamburg

Leverkusen have won their last six consecutive home games and scored at least two goals in each of them.
Leverkusen have won their last two games against Hamburg (both 4-2), having failed to win any of the previous seven games against them.
Leverkusen manager Jupp Heynckes has won all seven of his Bundesliga home games against HSV. The last time Heynckes lost a home match to them was in August 1986.
Hamburg haven't won an away game since Michael Oenning took over the team.
Hamburg have not found the back of the net in any their last three games - they have never failed to score in more than four consecutive matches.
Hamburg have failed to score and conceded nine goals in their last three away games.

St Pauli v Bayern

St. Pauli have have won just two of their 15 BL games against Bayern (nine defeats).
St. Pauli are in danger of being relegated for the fifth time: they are five points adrift of 16th and have a poor goal difference.
St. Pauli have not won in 10 BL games (nine defeats). Only once before have they gone longer without a win - in 1977/78 they went 11 consecutive games without a win.
Bayern are unbeaten in seven games (five wins) and have only conceded five goals in this period. They have conceded once in each of the last four games.
Bayern have only kept one clean sheet away from home this season (in Hamburg). Going back to last season it is just once in 26 games.
St. Pauli have recorded the least wins (eight) and the most defeats (19) this season. They have also scored the second-fewest goals (33) and conceded the third-most.

Schalke v Mainz

1. FSV Mainz 05 have visited Schalke for six competitive matches and are yet to return home with any points.
Schalke haven't lost any of their last five BL matches against Mainz (4 wins).
Mainz have been waiting for a Bundesliga goal against Schalke for almost nine hours (525 minutes).
Schalke have lost just one of their last five home games in the Bundesliga (3 wins, 1 draw).
FSV have lost just one of their last six BL fixtures (2 wins, 3 draws) and are undefeated in three matches having not conceded a single goal in the process.
Mainz haven't conceded a goal in three consecutive matches for the first time since January/February 2007.

Bremen v Dortmund

Werder have won 38 of their 85 BL matches against Dortmund, while BVB have only enjoyed 31 victories over Bremen (16 draws).
Only three of the 85 BL duels between the two sides have ended in goalless draws.
Borussia have only beaten SVW six times on the road in the league (29 defeats, seven draws), but are unbeaten in five BL games against Werder (three wins, two draws).
BVB have only conceded 19 goals this campaign and could break the BL record for the fewest goals conceded in one season, a record currently held by Bayern (21 goals in 2007/08).
Bremen by contrast have the third-worst defence in the league and have shipped more than three times as many goals as Dortmund (58).
Werder haven't won any of their last seven BL home games, equalling the club's longest winless run at the Weser Stadion.

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French Ligue 1 Opta Facts - 7-8 May

Arles-Avignon - St Etienne

St Etienne have won only two of their five encounters with promoted sides in Ligue 1 this season.
Arles Avignon have failed to win any of their last 21 league games, their longest drought in the history of the top-flight of French football.
Arles-Avignon have conceded 63 goals this season, the worst tally at this stage of a season since Lorient in 2001/02.
Arles-Avignon have failed to score in their last six league games.
St Etienne have failed to win any of their last five away league games.
Dimitri Payet has scored St Etienne's last three league goals.

Auxerre - Montpellier

Montpellier have lost 12 of their 18 top-flight trips to Auxerre.
Auxerre are unbeaten in their last six league games, their longest run this season.
Auxerre have drawn 18 games this season in Ligue 1, 14 of which have ended in a 1-1 scoreline.
Montpellier have kept 15 clean sheets this season in Ligue 1, only Rennes have done better.
None of the 18 encounters between Auxerre and Montpellier at the Abbé-Deschamps stadium in Ligue 1 have ended goalless.
Montpellier have won only one of their last 10 competitive games.
Montpellier's Olivier Giroud has scored six of Montpellier's 11 away league goals this season.

Bordeaux - Sochaux

Sochaux have lost their last four league games in Bordeaux, conceding nine goals and scoring none.
Bordeaux are unbeaten in their last eight top-flight encounters with Sochaux.
Only Arles-Avignon have picked up fewer points away from home than Sochaux in Ligue 1 this season.
Bordeaux have drawn five of their last six league games.
Bordeaux haven't conceded a goal in their last 249 minutes of play at home.
Jussie has scored three goals against Sochaux in Ligue 1, only against Lyon and Valenciennes has he scored as many goals in the top-flight.

Brest - Nice

Nice have failed to win any of their four top-flight games against promoted sides this season.
Only three of the 15 top-flight encounters between Brest and Nice have ended in a draw.
Nice have lost their last two top-flight trips to Brest, conceding seven goals in the process.
Nice have failed to win any of their last 10 top-flight games played in May.
Brest have drawn their last three top-flight games, currently the longest run.
Brest have won the most penalties in Ligue 1 this season (7).
Danijel Ljuboja hasn't scored in the top-flight since last December when he netted against Brest.

Caen - Lens

Lens are unbeaten in their last three top-flight encounters with Caen in Ligue 1.
Lens have won only one of their last 13 league games.
Since their return to the top-flight in 2009, Lens have won only five of their 35 away league games.
Caen have scored 17 goals in the last 15 minutes, only Lille have been as prolific during that period in Ligue 1 this season.
Toifilou Maoulida has scored in each of his last three appearances against Caen in Ligue 1.
Caen's Romain Hamouma has scored in each of his last four appearances in Ligue 1.

Lorient - Toulouse

None of the five encounters between these two sides on Lorient's home ground in the top-flight have seen more than two goals scored.
Lorient are unbeaten in their last 10 league games, currently the longest run in the top-flight.
Toulouse have won none of their last three top-flight trips to Lorient.
Toulouse have kept only one clean sheet in their last 13 away league games.
Lorient are unbeaten in their last 13 home league games.
80% of league goals scored by Lorient in 2011 have come either from Kevin Gameiro (12) or Morgan Amalfitano (4). Gameiro has netted four goals in his last three league games.
Lorient have the tightest defence at home in Ligue 1 this season, having conceded only nine goals in 16 games.

Monaco - Paris SG

Paris SG have never kept a clean sheet in their last 26 league trips to Monaco.
PSG have lost their last two away league games in Monaco.
Monaco are unbeaten in their last six league encounters with PSG.
Monaco have won their last two home league games, the first time they have won back-to-back games at Louis II this season.
None of the last 10 PSG goals in Ligue 1 have been scored by strikers.
PSG have won three of their last four league games.
Monaco's Louis II stadium has seen the fewest goals in Ligue 1 this season (27).

Nancy - Lille

Nancy have lost their last four league encounters with Lille, conceding 13 goals.
Lille are unbeaten in their last six league encounters with Nancy, collecting five wins.
Nancy are winless in their last five league games, their longest drought this season.
The last two league games at Nancy's Marcel-Picot stadium have ended goalless.
Nancy haven't conceded a single goal in their last three home league games.
Gervinho has scored seven goals in six appearances against Nancy, his favourite opponent in Ligue 1.
Lille have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six away league games.
Lille have scored more goals than any other side in Ligue 1 this season (59).

Valenciennes - Rennes

Rennes have won their last two league encounters with Valenciennes.
Rennes have failed to win any of their last seven league games, scoring only two goals during that period.
Valenciennes' last five home league games have all ended in a draw.
Valenciennes have lost the most points after having taken the lead in Ligue 1 this season (20).
Since he arrived at Rennes in 2008, Nicolas Douchez has kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in Ligue 1.
Valenciennes striker Grégory Pujol has scored in each of his last four league appearances.

Lyon - Marseille

Since 2007, Marseille have lost only one of their eight top flight encounters with Lyon.
The game between Lyon and Marseille at the Gerland stadium last season was the most prolific game of the 21st century in Ligue 1, witnessing 10 goals (5-5).
Marseille have won their last five away league games, the longest run this season.
Marseille are unbeaten in their last eight away league games.
Marseille have never failed to score in their last 12 league games, currently the longest run.
Nine of the 10 goals conceded by Lyon at home this season have come in the second-half.
Lyon striker Lisandro has scored three goals in three league appearances against Marseille.

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05.05. (Thu) 21:05 Sporting Braga - Benfica

DID YOU KNOW?

* Braga had conceded just two goals before the strikes from Jardel and Cardozo last Thursday.

* The Archbishops have scored just five goals in seven games since entering the competition.

* Braga's Silvio arrived at the club last summer from Benfica.

* Should the Archbishops win on Thursday, they will inflict on the Eagles their 100th loss in Europe.

* Benfica and Braga have played out 110 league duels, with Benfica recording 72 wins, 27 draws and 11 losses.

* The Eagles are on a seven-game unbeaten run in Europe since the turn of the year, winning five and drawing two.

* Benfica have scored 15 goals in the Europa League this season, but have conceded seven times in seven games.

* The Eagles have won 6 of ten Portuguese Cup matches, with Braga winning the other four.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Braga (4-3-3)
Artur; Rodriguez, Paulao, Garcia, Silvio; Hugo Viana, Vandinho, Salino; Meyong Ze, Alan, Lima.

Domingos Paciencia likes to tinker with his formation, especially in an attacking sense and occasionally switches from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3. Paulo Cesar was suspended for the first game, and has not been included in the squad for this match. Lima played in a withdrawn position last week, but with the Archbishops playing in front of their own fans and in need of a goal, Paciencia might push him up the field.

Braga will have to do without the services of Quim, who is still rehabilitating from injury, and Vinicius, who has a thigh problem.

Benfica (4-4-2)
Roberto; Pereira, Jardel, Luisao, Coentrao; Garcia, Martins, Peixoto, Gaitan; Saviola, Cardozo.

Jorge Jesus is likely to welcome Nicolas Gaitan back into the first team after a period of rehabilitation, meaning that we are are likely to see Carlos Martins and the Argentine storming the wings, supported by Maxi Pereira and Fabio Coentrao out wide. Javi Garcia will retain his place as the anchor man in the centre of the pitch while the devastating duo of Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo will line-up upfront.

Jorge Jesus occasionally switches to 4-3-3, sacrificing a midfielder for a striker so expect either Franco Jara or Alan Kardec to enter the fray if thing do not go as planed for the hosts.

Toto Salvio is definitely out of this game after picking up an injury in the draw against PSV, while Nuno Gomes and Ruben Amorim are long-term casualties.

Prediction

The truth is that whoever score first will progress. Braga have a rock-solid defence and are more than capable to defend a one-goal lead. This game could go either way, and Braga will put up quite a fight, but Benfica superior squad quality is likely to ultimately prevail.

Braga 1-1 Benfica

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05.05. (Thu) 21:05 Villarreal - Porto

DID YOU KNOW?

* Villarreal suffered their heaviest defeat in 105 European ties in the 5-1 first-leg drubbing.

* Only Leixoes, Partizan and Real Madrid have won European ties after a four-goal first-leg deficit.

* Villarreal have won all seven European home games at El Madrigal this season, scoring 20 and conceding four.

* The home side will need a fast start but they have yet to score in the opening quarter-hour in Europe this season.

* Porto have not lost in their last five trips to neighbouring Spain, winning on three occasions.

* Something has to give as Porto have won all seven away games in the Europa League this term.

* Andre Villas-Boas' side have plundered 34 goals since the start of the group stage, more than any other side in the competition.

* Radamel Falcao equalled Jurgen Klinsmann's record for most goals in a single UEFA Cup/Europa League campaign with his four goals in the first-leg, taking him to 15.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Villarreal (4-4-2)
Diego Lopez; Mario, Marchena, Musacchio, Capdevila; Santi Cazorla, Bruno, Borja Valero, Cani; Rossi, Nilmar

Juan Carlos Garrido's main problems again come at the back with experienced campaigners Angel and Gonzalo Rodriguez absent through injury. To compound matters, Jose Catala, who can operate at left-back or centre-half, is suspended. Carlos Marchena returns to the line-up having served a domestic suspension at the weekend while key midfielder Marcos Senna is fit again after overcoming a hamstring injury.

Porto (4-3-3)
Helton; Sapunaru, Rolando, Otamendi, Alvaro Pereira; Guarin, Fernando, Joao Moutinho; Cristian Rodriguez, Falcao, Hulk

Porto rested a plethora of first-choice stars at the weekend but still managed to overcome Vitoria Setubal, winning 4-0. Helton, Joao Moutinho and Cristian Sapunaru were rested completely but all return for this second leg. The likes of Hulk, Rolando and Falcao, all of whom were on the bench at the weekend, will also come back into the starting XI and therefore it it is widely expected that Andre Villas-Boas will name the same side that demolished Villarreal in the first leg.

Prediction
Villarreal 2-1 Porto 

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