Thursday, January 26, 2012

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27.01. (Fri) 20:00 Gabon - Morocco

CAN 2012 : Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon vs Niger)
Panoramic

PROBABLE LINEUPS

GABON

Ovono
Mouele, Manga, Ebanega, Poco, Moussono
Aubameyang, Madinda, Moubamba,N'Guema
Mouloungui


MOROCCO

LamyaghriBasser, Benatia, Kantari, Kaddouri
Belhanda, Kharja
Amrabat, Boussoufa, Taarabt
Hadji


After downing an unsettled looking Niger side in their Group C opener, 2012 Afcon co-hosts are now gearing up to face a Moroccan team still reeling from their disappointing 2-1 loss to Maghreb rivals Tunisia.
Gernot Rohr’s men looked stellar against the Mena, hardly taking their foot off the pedal while being led by the irrepressible Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. However, the German coach will be well aware that facing an Atlas Lions team on the brink of elimination will be a much more serious test for his side.
Aside for the outstanding home support that the Panthers will be certain to enjoy at the Angondje stadium in Libreville, another positive for them is that they’re at full strength and haven’t sustained any injuries. Furthermore, Stephane Nguema is the only player they have who is carrying a yellow card into the encounter. Thus, the pre-match conditions are ideal for the Gabonese as they look to produce another solid showing.
The situation on the Moroccan side of the fence is more complex as their opening game loss to the Carthage Eagles was followed by many Moroccans questioning Eric Gerets’ personnel decisions, particularly the inclusion of an out of form Oussama Assaidi.
Criticisms seem to be justified as the latest news from the Atlas Lions camp is that Assaidi, who perhaps should have been left out to recover fully, re-injured his achilles and will probably miss the match against Gabon.
Meanwhile, right-back Michael Basser sustained an ankle injury and may also be forced to sit this one out. While he wouldn’t have played anyway, the fact that third-string goalkeeper Issam Badda has been diagnosed with what is being termed a benign form of Malaria isn’t good news either. Furthermore, Marouane Chamakh is suffering from a fever and didn’t train on Wednesday. The north Africans will have to overcome all of these difficulties if they hope to resurrect their tournament.
DID YOU KNOW?

  • Morocco once beat Gabon 6-0 in Rabat during 2006.
  • The Panthers played a leading role in ensuring the Atlas Lions missed out on both the 2010 World Cup and Angolan Afcon as they beat them 2-1 in Casablanca and then 3-1 in Libreville.
  • The two sides have faced each other 10 times and there has never been a draw between them. Gabon has won three times and Morocco has been victorious in the remaining matches, often quite comfortably.
  • Gabon won their first game at the 2010 edition of the Afcon but failed to progress to the knockout stages of the competition.
  • If the Moroccans lose, it will be the third time in a row that they are eliminated in the first round.

Prediction
Gabon may have strearolled Niger but Morocco will be a much tougher opponent for them and one expect that the north Africans' inefficiency in front of goal won't last forever.
Editor's Prediction
Gabon 1-1 Morocco

French Ligue 1 Opta Facts - 28-29 Jan


Auxerre - Nancy

Auxerre are enduring their worst start to a Ligue 1 season since the three-point rule was introduced, in 1994.
Auxerre have already suffered as many league defeats this term (nine) as during the whole of last season.
Nancy are unbeaten in their last four trips to Auxerre in Ligue 1, drawing three of these games.
All four Nancy wins this season in the league have been by one-goal margins.
The Abbé-Deschamps stadium has seen more goals than any other Ligue 1 ground this term (33).
Auxerre have lost all three league matches without Alain Traore this season.
53% of Nancy's league goals this season have come in the opening or final 15 minutes of games.

Brest - Paris SG

Brest are one of two teams who are sill unbeaten at home this season in Ligue 1 (four wins and six draws).
Paris SG are unbeaten in their last 13 top-flight enocunters against Brest, winning six and drawing seven; Brest's last win occured in 1985.
Five of PSG's last six Ligue 1 trips to the Francis-le Blé stadium have ended as draws.
The Parisians have failed to win any of their last six trips to Brittany in Ligue 1, drawing four and losing two.
Brest have kept a clean sheet in the last three matchdays, currently the longest run in Ligue 1.
PSG have won 85% of the games in which they have scored first, a higher percentage than any other Ligue 1 side this term.
A league-high 65% of Brest goals have been scored in the first half of games this term.
PSG have failed to win any of their four competitive matches without Javier Pastore this season.

Lille - St Etienne

St Etienne have failed to win any of their last 10 trips to Lille in Ligue 1, suffering seven defeats in the process.
Lille have lost just one of their last 24 home league matches.
Only two of the last 21 Ligue 1 encounters between these teams have seen St Etienne ending the winning side.
St Etienne are unbeaten in their last three away league matches, scoring twice in each game.
St Etienne have managed seven victories in the last 11 matchdays, only Marseille have won more games in that period.
Lille are unbeaten on Saturdays this season in the league, winning five matches and drawing four.
Lille are winless without Mathieu Debuchy this season in Ligue 1 (D3 L1).
St Etienne have racked up 33 points, their best performance at this stage of a Ligue 1 season since 1981/82.

Lorient - Sochaux

Sochaux are unbeaten in their last three games against Lorient in Ligue 1, winning once and drawing twice.
A league-high 80% of Lorient's goals have come in the second half of games.
Lorient have now failed to score in 207 minutes of Ligue 1 action at home.
Lorient have conceded the joint-fewest goals at home this season (four).
Lorient are one of three Ligue 1 sides this season without a player that has netted more than three goals.
Sochaux have lost seven and drawn one of their last eight competitive fixtures.
Sochaux have become the first side this season in Ligue 1 to fail to score in five consecutive matches.

Lyon - Dijon

Since 2010, Lyon have suffered only two defeats in 37 home league matches.
Lyon have lost just one of their last 33 league encounters against promoted teams at the Gerland stadium
Lyon have suffered seven defeats in 20 Ligue 1 games for the first time since 1997/98.
None of Lyon's last 16 league matches have ended as a draw, currently the longest run.
Lyon have scored more first-half goals than any other side this season in Ligue 1 (16).
Dijon have lost 90% of the games in which they have conceded the opening goal, a higher percentage than any other team this season in Ligue 1.
70% of Dijon's league goals this season have been scored by Benjamin Corgnet (eight) and Brice Jovial (eight).
Lisandro has netted 10 goals in his last nine competitive appearances for Lyon.

Nice - Montpellier

Montpellier are unbeaten in their last six league encounters against Nice, winning four of these matches.
Nice have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 12 Ligue 1 encounters against Montpellier.
Since gaining promotion in 2009, Montpellier's only goal conceded against Nice in the league was an own goal from goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren.
All four of Nice's wins this season in Ligue 1 have come at home and been by at least a two-goal margin.
Nice have lost all of their last seven January Ligue 1 matches, while Montpellier have won all of their last six.
Montpellier have lost their last two away games in Ligue 1.
Fabian Monzon has scored more goals (four) and attempted more shots (32) than any other Ligue 1 defender this season.

Toulouse - Caen

Toulouse are unbeaten in their last four Ligue 1 meetings against Caen (two wins and two draws).
Caen have lost only one of their last seven trips to Toulouse in the top flight.
TFC are unbeaten in their last eight home league matches, recording five wins and three draws.
Caen have lost nine of their 11 league games this season against teams currently ranked in the top half of the league table.
League leaders PSG are the only away team to have won at Toulouse this season in Ligue 1.
Caen are now winless in seven consecutive Ligue 1 games, currently the joint-longest run.
Caen have lost seven of their last nine games in all competitions, conceding 19 goals in the process.
Only one of Toulouse's last 40 league games have seen them score more than two goals.
Caen have now failed to score in three consecutive away games.

Evian TG - Bordeaux

All six Bordeaux wins this season in Ligue 1 have come against teams currently occupying the bottom half of the league table.
Bordeaux are one of only two sides who have yet to score more than two goals in a Ligue 1 game in 2011/12.
ETG have won all of their last four home matches in Ligue 1.
Bordeaux have only managed to win one of their last seven away games in Ligue 1.
There hasn't been a clean sheet in any of the last 13 Ligue 1 games involving Evian Thonon Gaillard.
Cedric Barbosa has scored five goals in his last five league appearances at the Parc des Sports stadium.
The first leg of this meeting remains ETG's only goalless draw this term in Ligue 1.

St Etienne - Sochaux

Sochaux have scored exactly two goals in each of their last three L1 matches against St Etienne.
Sochaux have won one of their last 12 games away to St Etienne in L1, 2-1 in August 2006.
PSG are the only away team to have emerged with a clean sheet from St Etienne's Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in L1 this season.
The last time Sochaux conceded as many goals at this stage of a Ligue 1 season was in 98/99 (34).
Sochaux have lost six and drawn one of their last seven competitive games.
St Etienne midfielder Banel Nicolita has scored in all of his three starts at home in L1 this season.
Sochaux are on a run of three consecutive defeats, which is currently the worst such sequence in L1.
Sochaux have failed to win any of their last seven away matches in Ligue 1.
Sochaux have not scored away from home in the league since Ryad Boudebouz's penalty against Nice last October.

Rennes - Marseille

If this season had started in October, Marseille would be top of the league with 27 points.
Marseille have won all of their four competitive matches in 2012, with an aggregate score line of 13-1.
Rennes have yet to lose at home this season in all competitions (seven wins and eight draws).
Marseille are unbeaten in their last eight trips to Brittany (at Brest, Lorient or Rennes) in Ligue 1.
Marseille have scored 18 goals in their last nine trips to Rennes in Ligue 1.
Loïc Rémy has netted four goals in his last three competitive appearances for Marseille.
Rennes are on a run of two consecutive wins in Ligue 1, but have yet to win three league games in a row this term.
Rennes, who won the first leg, haven't beaten Marseille twice in a Ligue 1 season since 2000/01.

28.-29. 2012. Nebojša Pavlović (Kortrijk, Belgija 1)


28.-29. 01.2012. Nenad Tomović (Leće, Italija 1)


Italian Serie A Opta Facts - 28-29 Jan


Catania - Parma

This will be the 10th meeting between these two sides: Catania lead the head-to-head by three wins to two, with four draws completing the record; including the 3-3 in the reverse fixture.
This fixture has never been won by the away side in the top-flight, while at home Catania have notched up three wins and a draw against Parma so far.
Parma have netted just one goal in their four previous visits to Catania at the Massimino.
Sebastian Giovinco scored in both meetings against Catania last season.
Giovinco also assisted two goals for Parma in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Catania have taken just a point from their last three league games, all of which have been played away from home.
Catania have not drawn any of their last five games at home (three wins, two defeats).
Parma have won just one of their last eight games; playing out five draws in this run.
Parma are winless in their last six away games, and have failed to score in the last three.
Vincenzo Montella has drawn his two previous games as a manager against Parma in Serie A, while Roberto Donadoni has a win at home and two defeats away to Catania so far.
67% of Catania's goals (14 out of 21) have been scored from set piece situations this season - the highest ratio in Serie A.

Cesena - Atalanta

Atalanta are unbeaten in their seven previous meetings against Cesena in Serie A (five wins and two draws).
Cesena have scored just two goals in total in their previous meetings against Atalanta in the top-flight.
Only one goal has been scored in three previous meetings between these two sides (Cesena-Atalanta 0-1 back in May 1991) at the Manuzzi.
In the reverse fixture - won 4-1 by Atalanta - Marilungo scored his second Serie A brace and the first two goals of this campaign.
Cesena have not drawn any of their last 11 games, and have lost four of their last five in Serie A.
Lazio were the only side able to score more than one goal at Cesena's ground, back in September. Cesena have conceded just four goals in their seven games at home soil since then.
Atalanta have lost three games in a row for the first time since November 2009.
Atalanta have won just one of their last nine games; this coming against Cesena (4-1) in their last game before the Christmas break, and they have failed to score in their last three fixtures.
El Tanque Denis made his Italian debut with Cesena in the 3rd Division scoring two goals in 18 appearances in 2002/03.
Cesena have already conceded seven goals in the opening 15 minutes of games this season - a league-high.

Chievo - Lazio

This will be the 20th meeting between these two sides: Lazio lead the head-to-head with six wins to four.
Chievo have drawn nine games against Lazio so far, more than against any other side in Serie A.
Chievo have only managed to beat Lazio once - in their first Serie A meeting, back in January 2002. The Biancocelesti have won on their last four visits to the Bentegodi.
Chievo have never repeated the same result in back-to-back games over the last nine Serie A matchdays.
In the last seven matches involving Chievo, neither side have scored more than two goals.
Lazio have won just one of their last four games, and have lost their last two away games.
Chievo have kept a clean sheet in their last four games at home in Serie A.
Sergio Pellissier has already scored six goals against Lazio, more than against any other Serie A opponent, although only one of these goals was scored at the Bentegodi.
Lazio have already recouped 13 points from losing positions - a Serie A-high this season.

Fiorentina - Siena

Fiorentina are unbeaten at home against Siena in the top-flight, collecting four wins and two draws.
Siena have not scored more than a one goal against Fiorentina in any of their 13 previous Serie A meetings.
Siena have scored just two goals in their previous six visits to Fiorentina in Serie A.
Over the last six Tuscan derbies, there were two wins for Siena, two for the Viola and also two draws.
Fiorentina's 5-1 win in January 2010 represents Siena's second-worst defeat in their Serie A history, only after a 6-0 loss against Roma at the Olimpico in February 2004.
Fiorentina have won just one game over the last six matchdays (3-0 against Novara); two defeats and three draws complete the record.
Fiorentina have picked up just 10 points and two wins in nine games since the appointment of Delio Rossi.
Emanuele Calaió has already scored eight goals in this campaign, equalling his best tally in a single Serie A season.
Calaió has not scored in his seven previous meetings against Fiorentina in the top-flight.

Genoa - Napoli

This will be the 80th meeting between Genoa and Napoli in Serie A: the Partenopei lead the head-to-head with 26 wins to Genoa's 24.
Only against AC Milan (31), Genoa have played out more draws than against Napoli (29) so far in Serie A.
Napoli are unbeaten in their last four meetings against Genoa, with the Grifoni able to score just one goal in the process.
Prior to this run, Genoa had won five games in a row against Napoli in Serie A.
Genoa have lost three of their last four league games, however they've won the last two at home against Bologna and Udinese.
Napoli have managed just three wins over the last 11 Serie A matchdays, keeping only one clean sheet (0-0 against Lazio back in November).
Napoli are unbeaten in their last four games on the road (three draws and a win).
Marek Hamsik has netted four goals in his last five appearances against Genoa.
Following Napoli's 6-1 win in the reverse fixture, Genoa sacked their manager Alberto Malesani and appointed Pasquale Marino.
Since Marino took over as manager, Genoa have conceded 10 goals in three league games.
Genoa have already given away six penalties, a joint-high in Serie A this season alongside Inter.
Genoa have also had the most players sent off so far (seven).
Napoli remain the only Serie A side yet to concede a goal from the penalty spot.

Juventus - Udinese

Juventus' next victory against Udinese will be their 50th win over them in Serie A.
Udinese have lost more games (49) and conceded more goals (152) in Serie A against Juventus than against any other side.
However, the Old Lady have won just two of their last six meetings against Udinese.
These two sides have not played out a draw in any of their last 17 meetings in Turin in Serie A; this since a 1-1 draw back in March 1990.
Udinese are one of the four Serie A sides against whom Claudio Marchisio has already scored two goals, alongside AC Milan, Inter and Palermo.
Juventus remain the only team still unbeaten amongst the top five European leagues (11 wins and eight draws).
Juventus have regularly alternated a win and a draw over the last nine match-days of this competition.
Juventus' last home defeat was back in March against AC Milan.
Antonio Di Natale is currently the Serie A joint-top scorer, with AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic on 14 goals.
Di Natale has already attempted 74 shots in this campaign, at least 21 more than any other player.

Lecce - Inter

Lecce have already lost 23 games against Inter and have also conceded 70 goals - more than against any other Serie A opponent.
Inter are unbeaten in their last nine Serie A meetings against Lecce, and have conceded just three goals in their last eight against the Salentini.
Inter have scored in each of their last 14 league meetings against Lecce, netting an average of two goals per game.
Lecce have already lost 12 games in Serie A in 2011-12, no side have suffered more so far this term.
Inter are on a run of seven consecutive wins in the league. The last time that the Nerazzurri won eight in a row was between November and December 2008.
Inter have won their last four away games by a 1-0 scoreline.
Giampaolo Pazzini has already scored seven goals in his six previous meetings against Lecce, more than against any other Serie A opponent.
Against Lecce, Pazzini bagged his only hat-trick in Serie A so far, when he was playing for Sampdoria.
This fixture will see the team that hit the most woodwork (Inter, 11) playing against that with the fewest woodwork hits this term (Lecce, 1).
Lecce have already lost 13 points from leading positions, more than any other side in this competition.

AC Milan - Cagliari

AC Milan are unbeaten against Cagliari in 18 games, and are on a run of six consecutive wins against the Sardinians.
The Rossoneri have scored in all of their last nine meetings against Cagliari, netting an average of 2.2 goals per game.
The last two meetings at the San Siro between these two sides have seen the hosts score four goals.
In their last meeting back in May, Robinho scored one of his two braces in Serie A.
Last Sunday against Novara, AC Milan got back to winning ways after losing the derby against Inter, meaning that the Rossoneri have now won four of their last five league games.
That defeat in the derby ended a run of six consecutive wins at home for AC Milan in Serie A.
Lazio were the only side able to score more than one goal at the San Siro against AC Milan this season, back in September.
AC Milan can boast of the best attack of this competition, with 40 goals, including 14 from current Serie joint-top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Cagliari have drawn their last two games: against Juventus (1-1) and Fiorentina (0-0).
Cagliari have won just one of their last six games on the road, and have not scored more than a single goal per game during this run.
Cagliari remain the only side yet to see one of their players sent off this season.
AC Milan have scored the joint-most headed goals so far (7, alongside Lazio) this season, while Cagliari have scored the fewest headed goals (1).

Palermo - Novara

Prior to the 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture, the previous 12 meetings between these two sides in Serie A had been between 1948 and 1954.
Palermo are unbeaten at home against Novara (five wins and a draw).
Novara have scored in each of their last 11 meetings against the Rosanero in Serie A.
Novara's Andrea Mazzarani was instrumental in their last meeting against Palermo, scoring his first Serie A goal in the 2-2 between these two sides.
Palermo beat Genoa 5-3 last Sunday, scoring as many goals in this match as they had in their previous eight Serie A games.
Palermo have not played out a draw in any of their last 12 home games (nine wins and three losses).
Novara are winless in their last seven league games, and are on a run of three consecutive defeats in which have always conceded three goals.
Novara have the worst defence of this competition (38 goals conceded).
Novara have also conceded the most headed goals so far (eight).
Novara remain the only Serie A side yet to score in the opening 15 minutes of play, but they have also scored the most goals in the final 15 minutes (11).

Roma - Bologna

These two sides have met 129 times in the top-flight: Bologna lead the head-to-head record by 47 wins to Roma's 44, with 38 draws.
Bologna have won against Roma more often than against any other Serie A opponent.
Bologna have scored 68 goals away at Roma; more than against any other team away from home.
However, Roma are unbeaten in their last eight meetings against Bologna in Serie A (five wins and three draws).
Roma have scored in all of their last 21 meetings against Bologna at the Olimpico, netting two goals a game on average.
Roma are on a run of four consecutive wins, their best run in Serie A since April 2010 when they won six in a row.
Only two teams (AC Milan and Cagliari) have managed to score more than a single goal at the Stadio Olimpico this term in Serie A.
Bologna have won just one of their last six league games, losing two.
In their last visit to Roma in September 2010, Marco Di Vaio scored a brace that allowed his side to come back from 0-2 down and draw 2-2 against the Giallorossi.
Di Vaio has already scored seven goals against Roma in Serie A.
Roma are the only Serie A side to have lost each of their games after falling behind this season (six).