22.04. (Sun) 16:30 Ajax - Groningen

PROSHOTS

PROBABLE LINEUPS

AJAX VermeerVan der Wiel, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Blind Eriksen, Anita, JanssenAisatti, De Jong, Boerrigter

FC GRONINGEN Luciano Hiariej, Ivens, Sparv, Burnet Andersson, Keurntjes Suk, Bacuna, Tadic Texeira

Frank de Boer remains without Nicolas Boilessen and Miralem Sulejmani as both have been ruled out with injuries. Daley Blind and Ismail Aissati look set to continue deputising, respectively.

The Ajax boss could opt to start Kolbein Sigthorsson in the centre forward slot which would likely see Siem de Jong pushed back to his preferred midfield role. Vurnon Anita is also in with a chance to take the place of Blind at left back.

For the visitors, Leandro Bacuna is set to return from suspension, while David Texeira could also be in line start. Central defender Virgil van Dijk is currently sidelined with an appendix problem. Kees Kwakman and Emil Johansson join him in the treatment room, nursing rib and groin injuries, respectively.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Ajax need just four more points to claim their first successive title since 1996.

• The reigning champions recorded a 3-1 victory over De Graafschap last time out, with a double from Derk Boerrigter (pictured) and a solitary strike from Cristian Eriksen sealing the points.

• The Godenzonen have conceded just once in their last six ties, a run which puts them third in the defensive record standings.

• Groningen currently sit 13th in the standings, having won only one of their last eight games. Their last fixture ended in a 1-0 win for visitors Roda.
  

• The northern side have won just twice on their travels this season, drawing three and losing ten.

• David Texeira is the club’s current top scorer, the Uruguayan having netted eight times up to this point.

Prediction

Ajax’s performance against De Graafschap last week was fairly timid, and the reigning champions may well crank up the heat with the title essentially just two victories away due to their strong goalscoring record. Groningen’s recent form is nothing short of woeful, and the northern side are unlikely to snatch any points off the prolific hosts.

Editor's Prediction

Ajax 3-0 FC Groningen

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22.04. (Sun) 15:30 Augsburg - Schalke 04

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

AUGSBURG Jentzsch Verhaegh, Sankoh, Langkamp, Ostrzolek Baier, HosogaiNdjeng, Koo, Bellinghausen Oehrl

SCHALKE Unnerstall Howedes, Matip, Metzelder, Escudero Jones, Hoger Farfan, Raul, Draxler Huntelaar

Jos Luhukay will be without several players for the visit of the Gelsenkirchen side. Dawda Bah is recovering from knee surgery, Akaki Gogia has a ligament problem, Stephan Hain has a thigh complaint, while Marcel de Jong remains sidelined.

After scoring in last weekend's 2-1 victory against Wolfsburg, Torsten Oehrl is likely to keep his place up front ahead of Nando Rafael.

Huub Stevens will be forced into two changes from the side that lost last week's Ruhr derby to Borussia Dortmund. Kyriakos Papadopoulos has a hamstring knock, and will replace Joel Matip alongside Christoph Metzelder at the heart of defence.

Meanwhile, Christian Fuchs is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards across the course of the season, leaving Sergio Escudero to take his place at left-back. Ralf Fahrmann and Timo Hildebrand remain sidelined with knee and elbow injuries respectively.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The last four Bundesliga games featuring Augsburg have featured at least three goals.
  

• Prior to Jos Luhukay's men 3-1 home defeat to Stuttgart on April 10, the Bavarians had beat unbeaten in eight Bundesliga home games, keeping five clean sheets in five of those encounters.

• This is the first time that the SGL Arena side have entertained Schalke in the Bundesliga.

• However, Schalke did play in Augsburg last season, when they won 1-0 en route to winning the DFB-Pokal.

• Raul (pictured, right) announced that he will be leaving the Veltins Arena at the end of the season. The Spaniard has scored 39 goals in 94 so far in his career in Germany.

• Since the Bundesliga's inception in 1963, Schalke have spent just five campaigns outside the top flight. This is Augsburg's first season among Germany's elite.

Prediction

Although the gulf in quality between these two sides is plain for all to see, Augsburg have been in good form of late, while Schalke have stumbled. What's more, the Royal Blues' Champions League qualification is a foregone conclusion, while the hosts are fighting for dear life at the wrong end of the Bundesliga. Accordingly, I'd expect these two side to play out a hard-fought draw.

Editor's Prediction

FC Augsburg 1-1 Schalke

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22.04. (Sun) 15:00 Milan - Bologna

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

AC MILAN Abbiati Abate, Nesta, Yepes, Antonini Nocerino, Van Bommel, Muntari Seedorf Ibrahimovic, Robinho

BOLOGNA Agliardi Raggi, Portanova, Cherubin Garics, Perez, Mudingayi, Rubin Ramirez, Diamanti Di Vaio

AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri will be without a handful of influential players for the clash at San Siro. Thiago Silva, Alexandre Pato and Kevin-Prince Boateng are all still nursing muscle injuries while Massimo Ambrosini will also miss out due to a knock.

Mark van Bommel returns from a back injury and should be handed a start in midfield while Ignazio Abate has recovered from a muscle strain and should slot into a right-back role. Daniele Bonera is available for selection again after serving a ban.

Meanwhile, Federico Agliardi will deputise for the injured Jean-Francois Gillet between the posts for Bologna at the weekend. Gyorgy Garics will likely receive the starting nod ahead of Nico Pulzetti on the right side.

Bologna boss Stefano Pioli will also be unable to call upon Jose Angel Crespo and Federico Casarini who are injured.

DID YOU KNOW?

• AC Milan have the most wins (20) and have scored the most goals (62) in Serie A so far this season.

• The Rossoneri have only picked up two victories in their last five matches at San Siro (W2 D2 L1).

• Allegri's men have kept the most clean sheets (16) in the league this term.

• Bologna have lost 10 games by a two-goal margin this season.

• The Rossoblu have secured only one win in their last five encounters (W1, D2, L2).

• Pioli's side have failed to score in their last two matches away from the Renato Dall'Ara.

Prediction

Milan desperately need the full three points on Sunday as they battle neck-and-neck with Juventus for the Scudetto. Ibrahimovic has carried the team since his arrival at San Siro and he should provide the goods once again for the Rossoneri.

Editor's Prediction

Milan 2-0 Bologna

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22.04. (Sun) 13:30 Manchester United - Everton

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED De GeaRafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Young Rooney, Welbeck

EVERTON HowardHibbert, Heitinga, Jagielka, Coleman Neville, Gibson Fellaini, Osman, Pienaar Jelavic

Sir Alex Ferguson’s midfield remains without Darren Fletcher (illness), Anderson (hamstring) and Paul Pogba (ankle). Skipper Nemanja Vidic (knee) is ruled out for the season, as is Italian striker Federico Macheda. Goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard (ankle) is believed to still be out with an injury, but Michael Owen (thigh) could be in line for a first-team return while Ashley Young has apparently shaken off a knock picked up in Manchester United's win over Aston Villa.
Everton will be without left-back Leighton Baines (hamstring) for a couple of weeks, while fellow England international Jack Rodwell (hamstring) will be absent. Royston Drenthe will not play either, as the winger on loan from Real Madrid has been disciplined for an undisclosed matter. Steven Pienaar is certain to return to the line-up after missing the Toffees' FA Cup semi-final because he was cup-tied.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Wayne Rooney (pictured right) will go fourth in Manchester United's all-time goalscoring list if he scores two against his former club on Sunday. He will surpass the current joint-fourth-placed Old Trafford legends Dennis Viollet and George Best.

• Everton have not beaten the Red Devils on away soil in 18 top-flight matches. United have won 15 of those, drawing with the Toffees three times.

• 82 points - the current points tally of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side - is the highest they have ever had after 34 matches.

• David Moyes’ men have not lost in four consecutive league matches, taking 10 points from an available 12. However, their momentum was dented last weekend when Liverpool scored late to beat their Merseyside rivals 2-1 in their FA Cup semi-final.

• Although they lost both European matches at Old Trafford, United have won all seven of their games at the stadium since the turn of the year.

• As of Saturday morning, Rooney (24) is three goals behind Arsenal’s Robin van Persie (27) in the Premier League top goalscorer chart. The former Everton forward is on 31 in all competitions, eight ahead of Everton’s top goalscorer, Nikica Jelavic (23), who arrived at Goodison Park from Rangers in January.

• The Goodison Park club have conceded 34 times in the top-flight this season - only Manchester United and Manchester City have a better defensive record.

• That man again: Rooney has not scored in his last six Premier League games against the club he played for until 2004.

Prediction

Everton are always value for money when it comes to rooting for the underdog. They gave Manchester City a stern test at the Etihad Stadium earlier in the season and regularly test Manchester United in their feisty encounters. But their poor record at Old Trafford speaks volumes, and Sir Alex Ferguson’s men will be able to smell the scent of the title in these final four games. With Wayne Rooney finding form late in the season and a defence and midfield that looked impervious before their defeat at Wigan Athletic earlier in April, it would be unwise to bet against the reigning Premier League champions on Sunday.

Editor's Prediction

Man Utd. 2-0 Everton

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22.04. (Sun) 12:30 Fiorentina - Inter

PROBABLE LINEUPS

FIORENTINA Boruc Gamberini, Natali, Nastasic Cassani, Behrami, M'livo, Lazzari, Pasqual Cerci Ljajic

INTER Julio Cesar Zanetti, Lucio, Chivu, Nagatomo Cambiasso, Stankovic, Obi Forlan, Milito, Zarate

Delio Rossi certainly has his work cut out if his Fiorentina side are to spring a surprise against Inter, with news that four first-teamers out of contention only furthering his woes. Per Kroldrup and Juan Vargas have seen their seasons end prematurely, while Amauri is banned from participation.
There was also hope that Stevan Jovetic would shake off his knock in time, but he looks all but certain to miss out. Consequently, the ex-Palermo coach is likely to make three changes from the goalless draw with the Rosanero a fortnight ago. Lorenzo De Silvestri should be dropped at the expense of Mattia Cassani and Alessio Cerci is expected to partner Adem Ljajic in attack.
Meanwhile Inter will be without key trio Maicon, Wesley Sneijder and Walter Samuel, who are all injured, while Luc Castaignos has been sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Therefore, coach Andrea Stramaccioni is likely to make numerous alterations from the XI that took to the field in the 2-1 win against Siena two weeks ago. Yuto Nagatomo should replace Samuel in defence, while Ricardo Alvarez is expected to make way for Diego Forlan in attack.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Fiorentina are without a win in their last three home games.

• If Delio Rossi's side lose to Inter on Sunday and both Genoa and Lecce win, they will drop into the relegation zone.

• The Viola have not beaten Inter in their last 13 attempts.

• Inter have been defeated in seven of their past nine away days in all competitions.

• Andrea Stramaccioni has not yet named an unchanged lineup in his three games in charge.

• They have won 11 of 15 meetings with Fiorentina since the Tuscan club returned to Serie A in 2004.

Prediction

It promises to be a very open match between two of Serie A's leakiest backlines, and with both Fiorentina and Inter possessing a clinical finisher in their ranks, it could be goals a plenty when these two sides meet in Tuscany. However, expect the Nerazzurri to continue their recent run of high-scoring matches with another on Sunday.

Editor's Prediction

Fiorentina 2-3 Inter

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