07.04. (Sat) 21:00 Lazio vs SSC Napoli

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

LAZIO Marchetti Scaloni, Biava, Diakite, Konko Ledesma, Cana Gonzalez, Hernanes, Mauri Rocchi

NAPOLI De Sanctis C'pagnaro, Cannavaro, Britos, Aronica Dzemaili, Inler, Hamsik Pandev Lavezzi, Cavani

A surprise 3-1 reverse to Parma last weekend saw Lazio suffer a third defeat in four Serie A matches, but despite their recent poor form, they still lead the way in race for the last Champions League spot.

However, Edy Reja's job isn't made any easier with the news that first-teamers Cristian Brocchi, Andre Dias, Miroslav Klose, Marius Stankevicius, Matuzalem, Stefan Radu and Senad Lulic will all miss out on the game against Napoli.

As a result, a number of changes are on the horizon for the Romans as Mobido Diakite, Lionel Scaloni, Hernanes and Lorik Cana are likely to deputise for the absentees.

For Napoli, coach Walter Mazzarri will be without injured trio Andrea Dossena, Marco Donadel and Christian Maggio, while Juan Zuniga and Walter Gargano are suspended. As a result, the 50-year-old is being tipped to switch to a 4-3-1-2 formation from his tried-and-trusted 3-5-2.

Miguel Britos, Blerim Dzemaili and Goran Pandev are the players set to be flung into contention, with Hamsik dropping into midfield from his usual attacking role behind the strikers.

DID YOU KNOW

• Lazio have won just one of their last five meetings with Napoli - a 2-0 victory in November 2010.

• The Biancocelesti have been victorious in five of their last six games on home soil.

• Tommaso Rocchi has already scored three goals against the Partenopei and could net his 100th Serie A strike on Saturday.

• Over the last 20 years, Napoli have won just twice at the Olimpico against Lazio.

• Edinson Cavani has scored four goals versus the Biancocelesti, including one of his three Serie A hat-tricks.

• Napoli lead in the head-to-head by 38 wins to 34 against Lazio.

Prediction

Both sides are leaking goals at an alarming rate, so an outright winner is too tough to call. However, Napoli's goalscoring potency means they will always have a chance, despite their woeful away form, in stark contrast to Lazio's strong performances on home soil. A high-scoring draw therefore looks to be on the horizon.

Editor's Prediction

Lazio 2-2 Napoli  

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07.04. (Sat) 20:00 Zaragoza - Barcelona

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

REAL ZARAGOZA RobertoLanzaro, Da Silva, Paredes, Abraham Ruben Micael, Zuculini Barrera, Garcia, LafitaPostiga

BARCELONA ValdesAlves, Mascherano, Pique, Adriano Thiago, Busquets, Iniesta Messi, Fabregas, Sanchez

Manolo Jimenez has a number of injury worries going into the match on Saturday evening against Barcelona. On-loan Malaga man Apono is a doubt for the match after missing training on Tuesday because of back pain.

Other absentees for the Barca match include David Mateos, who has a muscle injury, and Luis Garcia, who also missed the session due to a fever. The 31-year-old may recover in time for the weekend. Pablo Alvarez did not train on Tuesday after been given a leave of absence by coach Jimenez.

Pep Guardiola conducted training on Wednesday morning, with the players involved in the AC Milan win taking part in recovery exercises. Ibrahim Afellay and Eric Abidal took part in the session, but the Dutchman is still working towards a return after his knee injury at the start of the season. Abidal should be undergoing a liver transplant in the coming weeks.

Both Carles Puyol and Xavi started the Champions League match midweek so it is likely they will be given a rest as the Catalans travel to La Romareda, with Mascherano dropping back into defence and Thiago Alcantara being drafted in.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The last match between Zaragoza and Barcelona saw Pep Guardiola's side record a comfortable 4-0 victory with Gerard Pique, Lionel Messi, Carles Puyol and David Villa on target for the Catalans.
  

• Manolo Jimenez' men are on a terrific run of form at the moment, notching up 10 points from their last four matches, which included victories over Valencia and Atletico Madrid.

• Zaragoza's top goalscorer this season is Helder Postiga, with seven goals in 23 appearances.

• Lionel Messi broke another record in midweek. He is now the top goalscorer in a single Champions League season with 14 goals.

• In La Liga, Barcelona have accumulated the staggering 86 goals, while Zaragoza have netted 27 times

• Messi alone has scored more goals this season than the whole squad of the Aragonese team.

Prediction

Zaragoza's recent form may indeed be impressive but a match against the Catalan side is the last thing the hosts would want as the run will likely come to an abrupt end. Barcelona have won every La Liga match since the beginning of February and expect nothing less than a continuation of this run at La Romareda.

Editor's Prediction

Zaragoza 0-3 Barcelona

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07.04. (Sat) 19:00 Montpellier Herault - Sochaux-Montbeliard

Jamel Saihi (Montpellier)

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MONTPELLIER Jourdren Bocaly, Yanga-Mbiwa, Hilton, Bedimo Saihi, Estrada Ait Fana, Belhanda, Utaka Giroud

FC SOCHAUX MONTBELIARD Richert Corchia, Poujol, Yaya, Sauget Lopy, Nogueira Boudebouz, Martin, CamaraMaiga

Montpellier boss Rene Girard has no pressing injury concerns ahead of the visit of Sochaux to Stade de la Mosson.
Marco Estrada is expected to be named among the starting XI after appearing as a substitute two weeks ago, with Joris Marveaux expected to make way. Olivier Giroud, linked with various clubs this week, will lead the line in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Meanwhile, Sochaux are sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Teddy Richert who sustained an eye injury last week. The veteran les Lionceaux captain is subject to a late fitness test, with 19-year-old Papa Demba Camara standing by in goal.
Last week's goalscorer Modibo Maiga appears to be prefereed to Edouard Butin in the lone striker role, as Eric Hely's men seek victory that could boost their survival chances.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Montpellier are leading the Ligue 1 table, with 60 points from 29 games.

• La Paillade have won their previous six home matches without conceding a goal.

• Rene Girard's men have dropped only five points at Stade de la Mosson this season.

• Sochaux have won three of their last four fixtures under new boss Eric Hely.

• Les Lionceaux have only won one of their last five encounters against Montpellier.

• Saturday's visitors are 19th in the table, with 27 points.

Prediction

The Ligue 1 leaders are huge favourites for this tie, and with a two-week rest set to invigorate their side rather than disadvantage them, it is hard to see a resurgent Sochaux claim all three points when there is so much at stake. A comfortable win for the hosts looks to be the most likely outcome.

Editor's Prediction

Montpellier Herault SC 2-0 Sochaux

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French Ligue 1 Opta Facts - 7th and 8th April

Ajaccio v St Etienne
St Etienne are winless in their last five Ligue 1 trips to Ajaccio.
Ajaccio are now unbeaten in seven consecutive home games in Ligue 1.
St Etienne are currently enduring a run of three consecutive defeats in the league.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored over half of his team's away goals this term in the top flight (eight out of 15).
Ajaccio are on a run of three consecutive draws in Ligue 1.
Mehdi Mostefa has picked up more bookings than any other Ligue 1 player this term (13).

Brest v Lille
Lille are currently on a run of three consecutive wins in Ligue 1.
Lille have won each of their last three Ligue 1 encounters against Brest, netting seven goals in the process.
Brest have suffered four consecutive defeats in Ligue 1, currently the longest run.
Lille have scored a league-high 55 goals this term while Brest have netted a league-low 24.
Brest are winless this season in all previous seven games against current top five sides.
Eden Hazard has both scored (seven) and set up (six) more goals than any other player in Ligue 1 since the turn of the year.

Dijon v Nancy
Nancy are currently enjoying their best run of the season in Ligue 1 with three consecutive wins.
Dijon have scored in all of their last 13 Ligue 1 games, equalling this season's record, established by Evian TG.
Dijon have conceded a league-high 17 goals in the last 15 minutes of games this season.
Only one visiting side have managed to keep a clean sheet at the Gaston Gérard stadium this season in Ligue 1 (Sochaux).
Bakaye Traore has scored an 18th minute goal in both of his last two league appearances.

Evian TG v Rennes
Rennes have won all three previous competitive encounters against Evian TG.
ETG and Rennes have played each other twice this season (in L1 and Coupe de France), with Rennes winning both encounters 3-2.
Evian TG have lost their last two league games at their Parc des Sports stadium, conceding three goals in both defeats.
Rennes have currently enduring their longest run without a win this season in Ligue 1 (four games).
ETG have scored more Ligue 1 goals in the opening 30 minutes than any other side this term (15).
No team has managed more away wins than Rennes in Ligue 1 this season (seven).
Julien Féret has scored three goals in his two appearances against ETG this season.

Montpellier v Sochaux
Montpellier are the only side with a 100% record at home in Ligue 1 since the turn of the year, winning six games out of six and keeping a clean sheet in the process.
The last 10 Ligue 1 goals at La Mosson stadium have all been scored by the home side.
Since earning promotion to Ligue 1 in 2009, Montpellier have won four of their five league meetings with Sochaux.
Olivier Giroud scored a hat trick in the reverse fixture between these sides earlier this season.
Sochaux have won three of their four league matches since Eric Hély was appointed as manager.
Montpellier have picked up 40 points out of a possible 45 at their La Mosson stadium this season.

Valenciennes v Toulouse
Toulouse, who won the reverse fixture, have never beaten Valenciennes twice in a single Ligue 1 campaign.
Valenciennes have failed to score in any of their last two league encounters against Toulouse.
No Ligue 1 team has conceded fewer goals at home that Valenciennes this season (eight).
Toulouse have managed the most wins by a one-goal margin this season in Ligue 1 (nine) while VAFC have suffered the joint-most defeats by the same margin (eight alongside Brest and Nice).
Toulouse have picked up more red cards than any other side this season in Ligue 1.
Toulouse have managed three victories in their last four away games in Ligue 1 (seven).

Lyon v Auxerre
Lyon have won four of their five last competitive games, drawing the other match.
Lyon are the only team to have scored in every home game in Ligue 1 this season.
OL have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight home matches in the league.
Lyon have yet to draw 0-0 this term in the league.
Auxerre have yet to win on the road this season in Ligue 1, their last away win was in May 2011 at Lorient.
Auxerre have only won one of their last 15 trips to the Gerland stadium in Ligue 1.
Auxerre have now gone 18 league games without a penalty awarded to them, longer than any other current Ligue 1 side.
Since his arrival in Ligue 1 during the summer of 2009, Lisandro has scored 42 goals in league, only Kevin Gameiro has been more prolific during that period (50).
Dennis Oliech is the top scorer amongst players from teams in the bottom half of the table this season, with 10 goals.

Caen v Bordeaux
Bordeaux have only won once in 11 previous trips to Caen in Ligue 1 (a 1-0 win on May 30th 2009 that earned Les Girondins the league title), losing seven and drawing three.
Caen are the worst home team this season in Ligue 1, with only 17 points picked up at the Michel D'Ornano stadium.
Bordeaux have lost six points after leading in their last three league games, on each occasion scoring first before conceding a late equalizer.
Bordeaux have only won one of their last six league games (2-0 v Brest), their last three fixtures all ending in draws.
Caen have failed to score in five of their last six Ligue 1 games.
Caen have only won one if their last 10 home games in all competitions, drawing their last three.
Seven penalty kicks have been awarded at the Michel D'Ornano stadium this season in Ligue 1, all in favour of Caen.

Nice v Lorient
Nice have won four of their five previous home games against Lorient in Ligue 1, keeping a clean sheet in all four wins.
If the season had started in 2012, Lorient would rank at the bottom of the league.
Lorient have won just one of their last 15 league fixtures.
Nice are the only team in Ligue 1 this term whose defenders have scored more goals than their strikers.
Lorient are on a run of 11 consecutive league matches without a clean sheet.
Lorient have failed to win any of their last 14 away games in Ligue 1.
Three of the last four league fixtures at the Stade du Ray have ended as draws.

Paris SG v Marseille
Marseille have won five of their last six Ligue 1 encounters against Paris SG.
Marseille are now winless in 10 competitive fixtures, suffering nine defeats in the process.
PSG have won just 45% of their league games since the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as manager, compared to 63% under Antoine Kombouare earlier in the season.
PSG have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 league encounters against their arch rivals.
Loïc Rémy has netted four goals in his seven previous league appearances against PSG.
Guillaume Hoarau has scored in each of his last three league appearances at the Parc des Princes stadium.
Nenê has netted 12 goals in just 15 appearances at the Parc des Princes this season in Ligue 1.
The reverse fixture earlier in this campaign saw Marseille record their biggest win of the season in Ligue 1 (3-0), and PSG suffer their heaviest defeat.

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07.-08. 04.2012. KAEN MORA DA SAVLADA BORDO, TRENER SENT ETJENA KRITIKOVAO IGRAČE

AJAČIO – ST. ETJEN X – Ajačio je dobar na svom terenu, ali Sent Etjen ima ima jaču ekipu. Prednost domaćina može da leži u činjenici da je trener gostiju u „ratu“ sa igračima, koje je javno iskritikovao.
DIŽON – NANSI X, 3+ - Poraz ne bi prijao ni Dižonu, ni Nansiju. Odigrao bih iks, uz veći broj golova.
EVIAN – REN 12 – Ren je jači od Eviana, ali igra promenljivo i može neprijatno da iznenadi. Iz tog razloga dvoznak bez iksa.
MONPELJE – SOŠO 1X – Monpelje je malo poremetio ritam odlaganjem meča sa Marsejom, pa sam obazriv pred utakmicu protiv Sošoa. Gosti, ukoliko uspeju da iznenade, mogu najviše do boda.
PSŽ – MARSEJ 3+ - Prednost je na strani Pari Sen Žermena, ali ne bih gađao rezultat, već bih izdvojio igru na veći broj golova. Fudbaleri Marseja su sigurno utučeni zbog eliminacije iz Lige šampiona, pa će „sveci“ sigurno da navale na gol gostiju.

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