Friday, January 28, 2011

FA Cup Round 4 Opta Facts - 29th - 30th January



Torquay United v Crawley Town

  • Crawley have won their last three games against Torquay United.
  • Crawley have reached the 4th Round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.
  • James Cook has scored three goals in his last four appearances against Torquay.
  • Crawley have only won one of their four FA Cup matches against fourth tier opponents and failed to score in the other three matches.
  • Torquay have not lost any of their last six FA Cup matches against non-league opposition.
  • The Devonians have never reached Round 5 of the FA Cup.
Watford v Brighton & Hove Albion

  • Watford and Brighton have been drawn together seven times with the Hornets progressing three times and the Seagulls on four occasions.
  • The last time Watford met Brighton in the FA Cup was in 1984 when the losing finalists of 1983 lost to the losing finalists of 1984.
  • Watford have lost only one of their last 14 FA Cup matches against lower league opponents and won the last six in a row.
  • There have been 22 goals scored in the last five FA Cup matches where Brighton have been playing away from home.
  • There have been just seven goals scored in the last five games between Brighton and Watford at Vicarage Road.
Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic

  • The last seven games between these sides have produced only 10 goals in total.
  • Both league meetings between Bolton and Wigan this season have ended as 1-1 with all the goals being scored in the second half.
  • Bolton and Wigan have never met in the FA Cup.
  • The Trotters have won none of their last seven FA Cup matches against Premier League teams.
  • Bolton have only scored nine goals in their last 18 FA Cup matches against Premier League opponents and not netted more than one in a game since they beat Arsenal 3-1 at Highbury in 1994.
  • Wigan have conceded 12 goals in their last six FA Cup matches and exactly two in each of their last three games in the competition.
Arsenal v Huddersfield Town

  • In 24 FA Cup ties against lower division opposition under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal have never lost.
  • Robin van Persie has scored five goals in his last seven FA Cup appearances.
  • Arsenal have met Huddersfield twice before in the FA Cup, winning the final against the Yorkshire side in 1930 and the quarter final at Leeds Road in 1932.
  • The Gunners have won six and drawn one of their last seven home matches against Huddersfield and won five and drawn two of the last seven meetings overall.
  • Huddersfield have only won one of their last 17 FA Cup matches against teams from a higher division.
Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur

  • Roman Pavlyuchenko has scored seven goals for Tottenham Hotspur in nine FA Cup ties.
  • Spurs have won four and lost none of their last seven matches against Fulham including two FA Cup matches last season against the west London side.
  • Fulham have won just one of their last 13 matches against Spurs in all competitions.
  • Tottenham and Fulham have been drawn together five times with Spurs getting through all five, twice after a replay.
  • Fulham have only ever scored two goals in the seven FA Cup matches between Spurs and Fulham.
Everton v Chelsea

  • Chelsea mustered 18 shots on target in their 3rd Round match against Ipswich a competition high since August 2004 of any team in 90 minutes during an FA Cup tie.
  • Chelsea and Everton have met eight times in the FA Cup with the last match being the 2009 final.
  • The Londoners have won on six of the eight occasions where Chelsea have met Everton in the FA Cup.
  • Four of the last six meetings between Chelsea and Everton have ended as draws with one win apiece.
  • Didier Drogba has scored seven goals in 10 Premier League appearances against Everton and also netted in the 2009 FA cup final against the Toffees.
Southampton v Manchester United

  • Southampton have won none, drawn four and lost three of their seven home FA Cup matches against Manchester United.
  • Saints' only win over the Red Devils in the competition came in the 1976 FA Cup final.
  • Manchester United have only lost one of their last 14 FA Cup ties away from home.
  • Last season's defeat to Leeds United ended a run of 36 matches without defeat against lower league opponents in the FA Cup for Manchester United.
  • Southampton have won seven of their last eight FA Cup matches.
  • The Saints have not conceded a goal in three FA Cup ties this season.
  • Man Utd have won their last three trips to St Mary's Stadium and nine of their last 10 matches against the Saints overall.
Swansea City v Leyton Orient

  • Swansea have won six and lost just one of the last eight matches against Leyton Orient.
  • The Swans scored a total of nine goals in the last two games against the Londoners.
  • The first ever meeting between the two sides came in the FA Cup in 1924 and ended as a draw, with Swansea only winning after a second replay.
  • Orient and Swansea have played four matches in the FA Cup with the two sides playing out two draws and one win apiece.
  • Leyton Orient have only failed to score in one of their last 19 FA Cup matches since November 2005.
  • Orient have not progressed to the 5th Round since 1982.
Burnley v Burton Albion

  • Burnley have lost just one of their last 13 FA Cup matches played at Turf Moor.
  • This is the first time that Burton Albion have progressed to the 4th Round of the FA Cup.
  • Albion's win over Middlesbrough was their first over a team from the top two tiers of English football in the FA Cup.
  • Burnley have scored at least two goals in five of their last six FA Cup matches against lower-league opposition.
Birmingham City v Coventry City

  • Coventry have won four of their last six visits to St Andrews.
  • Birmingham and Coventry have met twice before in the FA Cup with the home side progressing on both occasions.
  • In the last 11 matches between Birmingham and Coventry, the three games where both sides have netted have all been draws and the eight victories have all seen the losing side fail to score.
  • Birmingham have lost just one of their last 11 FA Cup matches against lower division opposition.
  • Coventry have won just one of their last 11 FA Cup matches against teams from a higher division away from home.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Stoke City

  • Wolves and Stoke have been drawn together six times in the FA Cup, with the Wanderers winning all six, just one after a replay.
  • Wolves have won one of the last nine matches against top flight opponents in the FA Cup and lost the last four in a row.
  • Wolves haven't played a top flight team when they have also been in the top division of English football since 1984.
  • Wolves have won none, lost four and drawn one of their last five FA Cup 4th Round games at Molineux.
  • Stoke have won none of their last 16 away FA Cup matches against top flight opposition, their last victory coming back in 1971 against Ipswich Town.
Notts County v Manchester City

  • Notts County and Manchester City have been drawn together three times previously in the FA Cup, with County progressing once (in 1991) and City twice (in 1962 and in 1995 following a replay).
  • Notts County have now knocked out Premier League opponents in two successive FA Cup competitions. The Magpies saw off Wigan Athletic last year and defeated Sunderland in the third round this term.
  • Man City have lost just three of their last 19 FA Cup ties with lower league opposition.
  • The Citizens are unbeaten in nine meetings with Notts County in all competitions, winning seven and drawing two.
  • There have been 32 goals in the last seven clashes between the Magpies and the Citizens.
  • Manchester City have only kept two clean sheets in their last 20 FA Cup away matches.
Stevenage v Reading

  • This will be the first ever meeting between Stevenage and Reading.
  • Stevenage have only won two of their last 16 meetings with higher placed opposition in the FA Cup (excluding qualifying rounds).
  • This is only Stevenage's second appearance in the fourth round of the competition and their first since 1997/98. They have never progressed to the fifth round.
  • Reading have won their last three FA Cup ties against lower-league opposition.
Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers

  • Aston Villa have been drawn against Blackburn in both the FA Cup and the League Cup in each of the last two seasons, with Villa progressing on the three other occasions.
  • In contrast, Blackburn have won all three Premier League meetings in the last two seasons.
  • The four cup matches between Villa and Rovers have seen 19 goals scored.
  • Villa and Blackburn have been drawn together seven times with the Midlanders progressing on four occasions.
  • Blackburn inflicted Aston Villa's biggest ever FA Cup defeat when they met for the first time in the competition in 1889, 1-8.
  • Villa have only kept one clean sheet in their last 16 FA Cup ties.
  • Villa have only won one of their last 11 FA Cup ties against Premier League opponents, but that was a 3-1 home win over Blackburn last season.
West Ham United v Nottingham Forest

  • West Ham and Nottingham Forest have been drawn together on four previous occasions in the FA Cup with the Hammers winning three times and Forest once.
  • West Ham have won their last eight FA Cup games against lower league opponents.
  • Nottingham Forest were the last lower league side to score against West Ham in an FA Cup match at Upton Park when they lost 2-3 in 2003.
Sheffield Wednesday v Hereford United

  • The Owls have only ever met Hereford once before in the FA Cup winning 3-0 at Edgar Street in 1958.
  • Sheffield Wednesday have conceded exactly two goals in six of their last eight FA Cup matches.
  • Wednesday have only lost one of their last 16 FA Cup matches against teams from a lower division.

Championship Opta Facts - 28-29 January

Millwall v Barnsley

  • The away side has scored exactly one goal in each of the last seven clashes between these sides. In this period, there have been three home wins, three away wins and one draw.
  • The Tykes have won on two of their last three trips to Millwall, although their last victory there came in September 1995.
  • The Lions have won their last four home games in the Championship, conceding only one goal in the process.
  • Millwall's 2-4 defeat at Leicester last time out was the first time in 12 that the Lions had conceded more than one goal in a league match.
  • Barnsley have only lost one of their last five league games, winning two and drawing two of them.

Crystal Palace v Norwich

  • Palace have won the last three meetings between these sides including a 2-1 win at Carrow Road earlier this term.
  • The Canaries haven't won any of their last 12 trips to Palace, last beating the Eagles at Selhurst Park in May 1996.
  • Palace have only scored two goals in their last seven league games combined.
  • Only two players, Neil Danns and Steffen Iversen, have scored for Palace since the start of December in the Championship.
  • The Canaries have only lost one of their last 13 league matches, winning six and drawing six of them.

Hull v QPR

  • QPR have only lost one of their last 11 clashes with Hull, winning six of them.
  • There have only been two away wins in the last 16 meetings between the R's and the Tigers.
  • The Tigers have lost just one of their last 12 matches in the league, winning six and drawing five of them.
  • Hull's last three league games have seen a combined total of four converted penalties.
  • QPR have now won just one of their last eight league away games, failing to score in five of these matches.

Scunthorpe v Preston

  • There have been 14 goals scored in the last three clashes between these sides combined.
  • The Iron have won five of their last seven home clashes with North End in all competitions, losing just one of them.
  • Scunthorpe have not won in their last 10 home league games and have lost six of the last seven at Glanford Park.
  • The Lilywhites haven't scored more than one goal in a single game since 23rd October 2010, a run of 13 consecutive Championship games.

SPL Opta Facts - 29 January

Hamilton v Kilmarnock

  • Three of the last six league meetings between Hamilton and Kilmarnock have ended in a 3-0 win to the home side.
  • Hamilton have won on two of their last four trips to Rugby Park.
  • Conor Sammon has scored in both appearances against the Accies this season.
  • Hamilton are without a win in their last 10 league matches.
  • However they have drawn three of their last four at home.
  • Killie are unbeaten in their last six league away games.

Hearts v St Johnstone

  • Hearts are without a win in their last four matches at home to the Saints in all competitions, losing three.
  • Defeat at Celtic in their last match ended a run of 11 games unbeaten for Hearts, a run which had seen them win 10.
  • The Jambos are unbeaten in their last six league matches at home, conceding only one goal in this period.
  • St Johnstone have lost only one of their last eight league matches.
  • The Saints´ last four league matches have produced only four goals in total.

Dundee United v Hibernian

  • United have lost only one of their last nine meetings with Hibernian.
  • Hibs have won on only one of their last nine trips to Tannadice.
  • United have drawn six of their last seven league matches, five of them with a 1-1 scoreline.
  • There has been a goal in the 88th minute or later in each of United´s last six league matches.
  • Hibernian have taken just two points from the last 27 available in the SPL.
  • They have failed to find the net in their last four games.

Spanish La Liga Opta Facts 29-31 January

Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
  • Atlético Madrid have won three of their last four league meetings with Athletic Bilbao.
  • Los colchoneros have only failed to find the net in one of their last 19 league clashes at home to the Basque side.
  • Athletic de Bilbao have lost on their last four trips to play sides from Madrid, shipping 14 goals in the process.
  • Atlético have kept a clean sheet in their last three league matches at the Vicente Calderón.
  • Athletic Bilbao have won only one of their last eight league matches away from home.
  • The Basque side have scored the most headed goals in the league this season (15 - seven more than any other side).
  • Athletic Bilbao have also scored the most goals from set pieces (15).
  • In their last match, Atlético did not manage a shot on target until the fourth minute of injury time.


Deportivo La Coruna v Sevilla
  • The last four league clashes between these sides have produced just four goals in total.
  • Sevilla have won just two of their last 24 matches at the Riazor in the Spanish top flight.
  • Depor´s keeper Manu made 10 saves in the meeting between the sides earlier this season, the most by any goalie without being beaten in Liga BBVA this season.
  • Deportivo are on a run of three straight league defeats, failing to score in each match.
  • Sevilla have won three of their last four league matches.
  • All but four of Deportivo´s 15 league goals this season have come from set pieces.
  • Luis Fabiano has scored seven goals in his last eight league starts with Sevilla.
  • The team from Andalusia have hit the woodwork on the joint-most occasions in the league this season (10).
  • However they have only once been saved by their own goalframe (the fewest).


Espanyol v Villarreal
  • Espanyol have failed to find the net in their last six league meetings with Villarreal.
  • However three of the last five clashes have ended goalless, including the last two at Espanyol's ground.
  • The Catalonians are on a run of three straight league wins.
  • Luis Garcia has been involved in six of their nine goals in this period (two goals, four assists).
  • Villarreal have won only one of their last six league games on the road.
  • The Yellow Submarine has scored at least twice in its last five league matches: only once before have Villarreal scored two or more in six straight games in the top flight (2005).
  • Villarreal are the only team apart from Barcelona to boast two players who have scored at least 10 goals in the league this season (Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi).
  • Villarreal have picked up more points from matches in which they have conceded first than any other Liga BBVA side this season (12).
  • In their last match, Espanyol won a league match that they were losing at half time for the first time since September 2009.


Hercules v Barcelona
  • Hercules are the only side to have beaten Barcelona in the league this season, as well as being the only team to have stopped them from scoring.
  • Seven of Hércules nine shots in the game at the Nou Camp were on target.
  • Los Herculanos have won their last three matches against Barcelona in the top flight.
  • Not since 1965 has a side won four consecutive league meetings with the Blaugrana (Atlético Madrid).
  • Hércules have won their last four league games at home, netting 13 goals in these.
  • David Trezeguet has scored in all eight of his appearances at home for Hércules this season.
  • A win in this match would see Pep Guardiola´s men match the record for consecutive wins in the Spanish top flight (15, set by Real Madrid in 1961).
  • Barcelona have scored at least three times in 11 of their last 12 league games.
  • Pedro Rodríguez could become the first player to score in six consecutive Liga BBVA matches this season in this game.
  • Lionel Messi has already made 14 league assists in 2010/11: no player made more than this in the whole of last season.


Levante v Getafe
  • Levante have won just one of their seven meetings with Getafe in the top flight.
  • However Los Granotes remain unbeaten at the Ciutat de Valencia, winning once and drawing twice at home to Getafe.
  • Levante are on a run of five straight league defeats - they could become the first Liga BBVA side to lose six in a row this season against Getafe.
  • However Luis Garcia´s men are unbeaten at home to sides from Madrid this season, drawing 0-0 with Real Madrid and winning 2-0 at home to Atlético.
  • Getafe have taken just one point from the last 12 available in Liga BBVA.
  • Despite losing their last three home league games, el Geta have taken seven points from their last three matches on the road.
  • Getafe have scored the most goals from throw ins in the league this season (three).
  • Levante have played the fewest passes in Liga BBVA this season (6402) and been the least accurate with these (70.5% reaching a team-mate).


Malaga v Real Zaragoza
  • Málaga have lost just one of their last seven league games at home to Los Blanquillos.
  • The meeting between the sides earlier this season (5-3 win for Málaga at La Romareda), produced as many goals as the previous six combined.
  • Los boquerones have lost four of their last six league games, conceding at least three goals in each defeat.
  • Real Zaragoza are one of three sides yet to win away from home in Liga BBVA this season.
  • Only Hércules (three) have scored fewer goals on the road than los maños in the current campaign (four).
  • Málaga have used 32 different players in the league this season, more than any other side, including four separate goalkeepers.
  • Real Zaragoza have the lowest passing accuracy inside their own half this season (80.5%).
  • No side has conceded more penalties this season than Málaga (seven).


Mallorca v Sporting Gijon
  • None of the last nine clashes between the sides in the top flight has ended in a draw (four wins for Mallorca).
  • The islanders have scored nine goals over their last three top flight meetings at home to Sporting Gijon.
  • Sporting Gijon have won back-to-back matches for the first time in the league this season.
  • The last time they won three in a row was in May 2009.
  • The Rojiblancos´ four league wins this season have come in the four matches when they have kept a clean sheet.
  • Mallorca have the best defence at home in Liga BBVA this season, shipping just four goals.
  • Michael Laudrup has made just 46 substitutions in Liga BBVA this season, at least 10 fewer than any other side.
  • Mallorca have been fouled on fewer occasions than any side in the league this season (234).
  • Sporting Gijon´s players have been booked on 74 occasions, more than any other team.


Osasuna v Real Madrid
  • Osasuna have managed only one win in their last 13 league meetings with los merengues.
  • However, Real Madrid are without a win in their last two trips to the Reyno de Navarra (one defeat, one draw).
  • Real Madrid have only kept one clean sheet in their last seven league away matches.
  • Osasuna are on a run of eight league games without a win.
  • Los merengues have allowed their opponents fewer shots on target than any Liga BBVA side this season (56).
  • José Mourinho´s side are the only team to have four players who have played in every Liga BBVA game this season: Casillas, Di María, Ronaldo and Ozil.
  • If only the first half of matches counted in Liga BBVA this season, Real Madrid would be fifth.
  • Karim Benzema has been involved in more goals in four league games in 2011 (one goal, two assists), than he was in 15 prior to this (one goal, one assist).
  • Osasuna are one of only two sides yet to test the goalkeeper with a direct free kick this season.


Racing v Valencia
  • Three of the last four league meetings between the sides have seen Valencia run out 1-0 winners, with one 0-0 draw in between.
  • Five of the last six clashes at Racing have ended in a 1-0 win (three for Racing, two for Los Che).
  • Racing have lost back-to-back league matches, though they are yet to lose three in a row this season.
  • Los montañeses have only scored more than once in two league matches this season.
  • Valencia are on a run of five straight league wins, though have moved only from fifth to fourth in the table as a result.
  • Each of these wins has come thanks to a goal scored in the last 15 minutes (three in the 90th).
  • Los Che have scored the most goals from corners in the league this season (nine).
  • Racing have the lowest goals-shots ratio in the Spanish top flight this season (7.3%).


Real Sociedad v Almeria
  • The 2-2 draw between the sides earlier this season was the first meeting between Real Sociedad and Almeria in the Spanish top flight.
  • Almeria are currently on the longest run of Liga BBVA matches without a clean sheet (15).
  • The Andalusians have lost four of their last five league away matches, and won only one of their last seven.
  • Real Sociedad have lost five of their last six league games.
  • Despite being Almería´s top scorer in the league this season (seven goals), Leonardo Ulloa has come on as a substitute more often than any player in the Spanish top flight (14 times).
  • Real Sociedad have dropped 20 points after opening the scoring in league matches this season, had they held on in each game they would be third.
  • Almería have conceded the most corners in the league this season (153).
  • Real Sociedad have played the most crosses in Liga BBVA 2010/11 (487).
  • Erreala are the only side not to have received a red card this season.

Italian Serie A Opta Facts - 29-31 January

Bologna - Roma
  • With 47 Serie A victories so far, Bologna have more wins against Roma than any other opponent.
  • However, Bologna have failed to win any of their last six meetings with the Giallorossi in the league (three draws and three defeats).
  • Alberto Malesani's side have suffered only one defeat in the last five match-days of Serie A - 4-1 at Inter.
  • Marco Di Vaio has found the net in three of the last four rounds of this campaign.
  • The Bologna captain was also on the score sheet in this season's reverse fixture at the Olimpico.
  • Roma have won five of their last six fixtures in Serie A, losing the other 2-1 at the Marassi against Sampdoria.
  • Claudio Ranieri's side have kept four clean sheets in their last six games.
  • Overall, Roma have kept 10 clean sheets this season - the joint-most alongside Napoli.
  • Alberto Malesani has won only one of his 13 meetings against Roma so far in the top-flight.


Brescia - Chievo
  • Brescia lead by three wins to two in the head to head with Chievo in Serie A, four draws complete the record.
  • At home, Brescia are still unbeaten against Chievo in the top-flight, although there have been three draws at the Rigamonti.
  • Mario Beretta's side have lost four of their last five league games, winning the other (against Parma).
  • Chievo are winless in the last eight rounds of this competition (five draws and three defeats).
  • Stefano Pioli's side have scored only one goal in their last four Serie A games.
  • This match sees the league's least prolific side in the second half (Brescia, only four goals scored), meet the side to have conceded the fewest goals after the break (Chievo, only six).
  • Brescia are the only Serie A side yet to score with a header so far this campaign.
  • Chievo have conceded the fewest headed goals so far this term - only one.


Cagliari - Bari
  • The record between these two sides in Serie A is perfectly even: both Cagliari and Bari have won five times so far, with seven draws.
  • At home Cagliari have lost only once to Bari in the top-flight, winning on four occasions.
  • The Sardinians have scored two or more goals in each of their last five games on home soil against Bari.
  • Cagliari have not shared the points in any of their last 11 Serie A games (five wins and six defeats).
  • Roberto Donadoni's side have won three of their last four home games, defeating Bologna, Juventus and Napoli.
  • Bari have managed only one win from their last 14 games on the road in Serie A, losing nine times in the process.
  • Giampiero Ventura's side have scored only two goals in their last six games away from home.
  • Cagliari have won none of the five league games played without Daniele Conti this season, who will be suspended for this game.


Catania - AC Milan
  • AC Milan are unbeaten against Catania since May 1963 (1-0).
  • Since then, the Rossoneri have notched-up nine wins and 10 draws against Catania in the top-flight.
  • The Sicilians have picked up only one point from the last four match-days of this competition.
  • AC Milan have suffered only one defeat in the last 12 rounds of Serie A (0-1 at home against Roma in December).
  • After losing their first away game of the season (2-0 at Cesena's ground), AC Milan have been unbeaten in the ensuing nine (six wins and three draws).
  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic & co. boast the best attack of this competition: 37 goals.
  • The Swedish striker has been directly involved in more Serie A goals than any other player this season (20, scoring 12 and providing eight assists).
  • Only Messi (33) and Ronaldo (28) have been involved in more goals than Ibrahimovic this season amongst the top-5 European leagues.
  • AC Milan are the only Serie A side yet to concede a goal in the opening 15 minutes of play this season.
  • Massimiliano Allegri has won only one of his previous five meetings against Catania as a Serie A manager.


Genoa - Parma
  • Genoa and Parma have met 15 times in Serie A: the Ducali lead by six wins to four, with five draws.
  • Parma have come out on top against Genoa at the Marassi only once so far (4-0 in January 1994).
  • Genoa are winless in the last five match-days of this competition (three draws and two defeats).
  • The Grifoni have failed to score in four of these five games.
  • Genoa have picked up only one point from their last four home games in the league.
  • Parma have lost three of their last four games on the road, winning the other 4-1 in Turin against Juventus.
  • Sebastian Giovinco has scored four goals in his last four league appearances.
  • Genoa have the worst conversion ratio in Serie A this season (only 7% of their attempts have found the back of the net).
  • Parma have faced six penalties in this campaign, more than any other Serie A side.


Inter - Palermo
  • Inter are unbeaten in their last 10 Serie A meetings against Palermo (six wins and four draws).
  • At home, the Nerazzurri have never lost against Palermo in the top-flight, winning 16 out of 23 previous meetings.
  • Palermo have conceded 96 goals against Inter in Serie A, more than against any other side in their history.
  • Inter have scored two or more goals in each of their last five meetings with Palermo at the San Siro.
  • Last Sunday's 3-1 defeat against Udinese was Inter's first under new manager Leonardo, after five consecutive wins in all competitions.
  • Inter are on a run of four consecutive wins at home in Serie A, and have scored three or more goals in each of these games.
  • Palermo may have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four league games, but they are winless in their last four away from home (two defeats, two draws).
  • Palermo have scored the most league goals in the second half this season (21).
  • Samuel Eto'o has already scored four goals in three previous meetings against Palermo in Serie A, more than against any other side.


Juventus - Udinese
  • These two sides have not shared the points in their last 11 Serie A meetings (Juventus lead by eight wins to three).
  • Juventus have come out on top in seven of their last eight meetings against Udinese at home, conceding overall only three goals.
  • Juventus have won only one of their last five Serie A games (2-1 at home against Bari).
  • Udinese have collected 10 points from the four games played in 2011, and if the league only started eight games ago, they would be top with 16 points.
  • Udinese have scored 11 goals over the last three rounds of Serie A: four against AC Milan and Genoa and three against Inter.
  • No side have conceded more goals than Juventus at home in this campaign (17).
  • Udinese have been the most prolific away from home, scoring 16.
  • Antonio Di Natale is currently the Serie A top-scorer on 15 goals: his next will be his 100th goal in Serie A for Udinese.


Lazio - Fiorentina
  • Lazio have scored 163 goals in 123 meetings against Fiorentina in Serie A, more than against any other side in their history.
  • However, the Biancocelesti have won only two of their last nine Serie A games against the Viola, losing five of these.
  • Lazio have failed to score in five of these last nine games against the Tuscans.
  • Despite losing only one of their last four league fixtures, Lazio have dropped from second to fourth in the Serie A table.
  • At home however, Lazio have lost only of their last six games, winning four.
  • Fiorentina are still unbeaten in 2011, though have been held to three out of four draws in the league.
  • The Viola's last away win was back in March: since then, they have drawn six and lost nine of their 15 games on the road in the league.


Lecce - Cesena
  • Cesena have had the better in three of their last four Serie A meetings against Lecce, including the reverse fixture back in September (1-0).
  • Cesena have also claimed victory in both fixtures against Lecce in Serie B (3-1 at home and 2-1 in Puglia).
  • In the top-flight however, Lecce are unbeaten at home in their last three meetings against Cesena (two wins and a draw).
  • Lecce have picked up seven points from their last three league games; the last time they remained unbeaten in four consecutive Serie A games was in September 2004.
  • Lecce have won only one of their last seven games on home soil, losing three.
  • Cesena have suffered three consecutive defeats against Roma, Inter and AC Milan.
  • Cesena have managed to win only one of their last 24 games away from home in the top-flight, their first game of 2011 (2-1 vs Brescia).
  • Lecce have conceded more goals (38) than any other Serie A side so far this campaign.
  • David Di Michele (Lecce) has failed to convert any of the three penalties he has taken so far this term.


Napoli - Sampdoria
  • This will be the 104th meeting between these two sides in Serie A: Sampdoria lead by 33 wins to 31, with 39 draws.
  • At home, Napoli have come out on top against Sampdoria in their last three league meetings, not conceding a single goal in the process.
  • Napoli have lost only one of their last seven Serie A fixtures (3-1 at the San Siro against Inter); in the remaining six the Partenopei have not conceded a single goal.
  • The goalless draw against Fiorentina in their last game at the San Paolo ended a run of five consecutive wins at home for Napoli in the league.
  • Sampdoria have lost three of their last five league games, not finding the net in four of them.
  • No team has conceded fewer goals than Sampdoria so far this season (18 - joint with Milan).
  • Only one of Sampdoria's 20 goals so far this season has been scored by a foreign player (Ziegler).
  • Walter Mazzarri is unbeaten in his previous six meetings against Sampdoria's manager, Domenico Di Carlo (five wins and a draw).