Friday, November 25, 2011

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26.11. (Sat) 22:00 Getafe - Barcelona

Barcelona celebrating (Getty Images)
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINE-UPS


GETAFE


Moya
Torres, Rafa, Diaz, Mane
Lacen, Michel
Valera, Sarabia, Castro
Miku

BARCELONA

Valdes
Dani Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal
Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas
Sanchez, Messi, Villa

Getafe are still without on-loan Real Madrid midfielder Pedro Leon, who is currently sidelined with a serious knee injury. Abdel Barrada received two yellow cards in the club's 2-1 defeat to Sporting Gijon last weekend so is therefore suspended.

Dani Alves will return to the Barcelona starting line-up after missing the Catalan club's 3-2 Champions League win against AC Milan on Wednesday through suspension, with Carles Puyol expected to partner Gerard Pique in the centre of defence.

Andres Iniesta looks likely to miss out again with a thigh strain, meaning Cesc Fabregas could drop back into a more withdrawn role. Pedro is fit after suffering from an ankle problem, yet could start the game on the bench, and with Alexis Sanchez continuing his return from injury, the Chilean could be given a start, too.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Getafe have won only three of their last 15 games, all of them at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
  • This is the Madrid-based club's worst-ever start to a league campaign after 12 games (10 points, four fewer than last season).
  • Miku has grabbed five goals this season in 12 La Liga matches, meaning he is only two away from his overall tally in the 2010-11 campaign.
  • Barcelona are currently on a run of 16 games unbeaten in La Liga, with their last defeat coming against Real Sociedad in April.
  • In 14 Primera meetings versus Getafe, the Catalan giants have won 10, drawn three and lost one.
  • David Villa ended a six-game Liga goalless streak last weekend when he netted for his side in the 4-0 home win against Zaragoza.

Prediction
Barcelona have a near full-strength squad to choose from and will fancy their chances against a struggling Getafe side. Impressive attacking performances against Real Sociedad and AC Milan will boost the reigning champions who could go goal crazy on Saturday evening.
Editor's Prediction
Getafe 0-5 Barcelona

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26.11. (Sat) 21:15 Benfica - Sporting Lisboa

Axel Witsel (Benfica)
Getty

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
BENFICA

Artur
M. Pereira, Miguel Vitor, Garay, Emerson
 Javi Garcia
Gaitan, Witsel, Aimar, Bruno Cesar
Rodrigo

SPORTING


Patricio
Pereira, Onyewu, Polga, Insua
Andre Santos
Matias, Schaars, Elias, Capel
Van Wolfswinkel

Benfica captain Luisao is expected to sit the match out after picking up a muscular problem in the Champions League draw with Manchester United in midweek, while Enzo Perez is unavailable for the match as he battles a knee injury.

Sporting defensive duo Emiliano Insua and Alberto Rodriguez are in doubt for the match with minor knocks, while Fabian Rinaudo, Jeffren Suarez and Marat Izmailov have all been deemed unfit for the encounter as they continue their recovery from their respective injuries.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Benfica are joint second in the Portuguese Liga, on 24 points, while Sporting CP sit third, with one point fewer.
  • Benfica have won their last five matches against Sporting, scoring 12 goals and conceding two.
  • Oscar Cardozo has netted six goals against Sporting since he joined Benfica, in 2007.
  • Benfica have the best home record in the league, while Sporting are the strongest side on the road.
  • The Estadio da Luz outfit are the only club, together with Barcelona, who are competing in a Uefa tournament and have not yet lost a single official match this season.
  • Sporting have won their last seven league encounters.
  • Ricky van Wolfswinkel is joint second in the league's scoring charts on seven goals, only behind Maritimo's Baba, who has eight goals.
  • This will be Sporting coach Domingos Paciencia's 150th Portuguese Liga match as coach. His record stands at W66 D42 L41.
Prediction
Editor's Prediction
Benfica 1-0 Sporting Lisboa

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26.11. (Sat) 20:45 Lazio - Juventus

Milos Krasic (J), Luis Pedro Cavanda (L) - Juventus-Lazio - Serie A (Getty Images)

PROBABLE LINEUPS

LAZIO

Marchetti
Konko, Stankevicius, Diakite, Radu
Brocchi, Ledesma, Lulic
Hernanes
Sculli, Klose
JUVENTUS
Buffon
Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini
Marchisio, Pazienza
Pepe, Vidal, Vucinic
Matri

Lazio coach Edy Reja has a mounting injury list to contend with, as Simone Del Nero, Stefano Mauri, Javier Garrido, Albano Bizzarri, Andre Dias, Libor Kozak, Stephen Makinwa and Matuzalem have all been ruled out of this encounter.

It is possible that the former Napoli trainer will name an unchanged XI from last week's goalless draw with Napoli, despite Djibril Cisse's return to the fold. However, the Frenchman has endured a difficult start to his career in Italy, with just one goal since his arrival from Panathinaikos during the summer, and is expected to start on the bench.

Meanwhile for Juventus, Andrea Pirlo's muscular setback means that fellow summer recruit Michele Pazienza should get the nod to replace him in central midfield and feature alongside Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal. However, the Italy playmaker will undergo a late fitness test prior to the match on Saturday.

DID YOU KNOW

  • Lazio have lost 68 games against Juventus, more than against any other Serie A side.
  • Edy Reja's men have not scored more than two goals in their last 18 league meetings with the Bianconeri.
  • However, Lazio are unbeaten in their last nine league matches, winning six of them, and have kept clean sheets in the last three.
  • Juventus are the only Serie A side still unbeaten this season, after recording six wins and four draws.
  • The Old Lady have conceded just three times in their last eight league games away from home.
  • Midfielder Claudio Marchisio has already scored five goals in 10 games, his highest-ever tally in a Serie A campaign.
  • Juventus are unbeaten in their last 13 matches against Lazio, with nine wins and four draws.

Prediction
Both teams have built their successes on watertight defences and profiency in front of goal this season, and it will be no surprise if this one ends a point a piece. While Lazio may lack the likes of Andre Dias to marshall their defence, Andrea Pirlo's absence may heavily impact on Juventus' possession play and functionality.
Editor's Prediction
Lazio 1-1 Juventus

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26.11. (Sat) 20:00 Real - Atletico Madrid

Champions League: Real Madrid - Dinamo Zagreb, Sahin, Özil
Images Sport

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

REAL MADRID


Casillas
Diarra, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo
Xabi Alonso, Sahin
Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo
Benzema
  ATLETICO MADRID

 
Courtois
Silvio, Miranda, Dominguez, Filipe
Suarez, Thiago, Diego,
Reyes, Adrian, Arda Turan



Real Madrid will be without Ricardo Carvalho, who is still recovering from a back injury. Jose Mourinho had a full squad in training on Thursday but different intensity levels of work were present throughout the squad. Kaka and Alvaro Arbeloa are still struggling with injury and trained separately from the squad.

Meanwhile, Brazilian left-back Marcelo returned to training after three weeks out with a thigh strain and may be in line to start in defence. Angel Di Maria is also near full fitness after recovering from his hamstring injury and looks likely to feature against Atletico.

Cristiano Ronaldo is also expected to return to the starting lineup after he was left on the bench for the 6-2 win over Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday, while Nuri Sahin may make his full league debut after impressing in the Champions League rout.

Gregorio Manzano and Atletico Madrid are still sweating over the fitness of star striker Radamel Falcao, who is battling to be fit after picking up a muscle injury on international duty with Colombia.

One positive for the visitors was the return of the influential Jose Antonio Reyes to the squad for the win against Levante. The former Arsenal man previously had a disagreement with coach Manzano but after his impressive substitute appearance last weekend, it appears that he is back in the frame for Atletico.


DID YOU KNOW?
  • The last match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid ended in a 2-1 victory for Jose Mourinho's side. Karim Benzema and Mesut Ozil scored in that fixture to see their side seal a derby win in March 2011.
  • Madrid have won all of their games at home this season, while averaging 4.25 goals per match in the Spanish top flight in 2011-12.
  • Mesut Ozil completed his first 90 minutes for Real Madrid in this season's La Liga in last weekend's 3-2 win over Valencia.
  • Atletico Madrid have scored less than half the amount of goals that Real Madrid have notched up in La Liga this season, with 17 to their rivals' 42.
  • Colombian striker Radamel Falcao is Atletico's top goalscorer this season, with seven goals.
  • It has been over a decade since Atletico recorded a victory over their city rivals.

Prediction
Real Madrid have been imperious at home this season and have not let their city rivals record a win in over a decade. Jose Mourinho's side continued their impressive form midweek, scoring an impressive six goals against Dinamo Zagreb. This form is certainly a danger for Atletico, who have not been living up to expectations this season. Real Madrid should create plenty of chances in this match, and are likely to notch up a few goals. However, the two late goals conceded midweek prove that the Madrid defence can lose concentration at times, which is why Atletico need to be ruthless in their attacking.
Editor's Prediction
Real Madrid 3-1 Atletico Madrid

Ligue 1 Opta Facts - November 26-27


Bordeaux - Caen

Caen have never kept a clean sheet in 11 top-flight trips to Bordeaux.

Caen have won just twice in their 11 Ligue 1 trips to Bordeaux (in 1988/89 and 2010/11).

The last six league games at the Chaban-Delmas stadium have all ended as draws.

Bordeaux are the only Ligue 1 side without a home win this term.

Caen have failed to score in just one game this season in Ligue 1.

A league-high 12 different Caen players have scored this season.

Yoan Gouffran has scored Bordeaux's last four league goals.


Nancy - Dijon

Nancy have won both of their two previous competitive encounters against Dijon.

Nancy have won their last two league fixtures, currently the longest run.

Dijon are on a run of three consecutive away defeats in the league, conceding 10 goals in the process.

14 of the 17 goals conceded by Dijon away from home in Ligue 1 this term have come after the half-time break.

Nancy striker Daniel Niculae has scored the winning goal in each of his last two league appearances at the Marcel-Picot stadium.

Only one first-half goal has been scored this season at the Marcel-Picot stadium (Ligue 1 only).

Benjamin Corgnet, who has scored six Ligue 1 goals this term, had only netted one goal in 32 appearances last season in the second division.

73% of Dijon's goals this season in Ligue 1 have been scored by Benjamin Corgnet or Brice Jovial.


Rennes - Evian Thonon Gaillard

The last time a promoted side managed to win a league game at the Route de Lorient stadium was back in December 2007.

Evian Thonon Gaillard are unbeaten in their last four league matches, which is their longest run without defeat in the top flight.

Rennes are undefeated at home this season in all competitions.

No visiting team has won in Brittany this season in Ligue 1.

Five of the last six competitive matches at the Route de Lorient stadium have ended 1-1.

Evian Thonon Gaillard have scored in seven consecutive Ligue 1 matches, only Caen are currently on a longer scoring run.

Paris SG are the only away team to have scored first at Rennes this season in all competitions.

Rennes forward Jires Kembo-Ekoko currently boasts the best minutes-per-goal ratio in Ligue 1 this season (one goal every 96 minutes on average).

Evian Thonon Gaillard have drawn six of their seven away games this season in the league.


St Etienne - Ajaccio

Ajaccio have never managed to win at St Etienne in the top flight (two draws and six defeats).

Ajaccio have conceded 21 goals in their eight Ligue 1 trips to St Etienne.

St Etienne have netted exactly one goal in each of their last 10 home matches in Ligue 1.

The Corsicans have failed to win any of their last nine league matches, currently the longest run.

Ajaccio are the only side without a clean sheet in Ligue 1 this season.

St Etienne's five wins this term in Ligue 1 have all been against teams currently ranked in the bottom half.

Ajaccio have won just one of their last 24 away matches in Ligue 1.

St Etienne have won three of their last four league encounters with promoted opposition.

The Geoffroy-Guichard stadium has witnessed fewer goals than any other Ligue 1 ground this season (12).


Sochaux - Montpellier

Since their return to the top flight in 2009, Montpellier have kept clean sheets in all four of their league encounters with Sochaux (three wins and one draw).

Montpellier have never scored more than one goal at Sochaux's Bonal stadium in Ligue 1.

Montpellier's only two wins in 14 previous trips to Sochaux in the top flight have both been by a 1-0 score line.

Montpellier have won four of their last five league matches.

Sochaux have scored in each of their last 12 home matches in Ligue 1.

Sochaux have conceded the joint-most penalties this season in Ligue 1 (five).

Montpellier have a 90% win ratio in matches in which they have taken the lead, the highest percentage in Ligue 1 this season.

Sochaux have already conceded 27 goals after 14 matchdays, their worst defensive record at this stage of a season since 1998/99.


Toulouse - Valenciennes

Valenciennes have kept clean sheets in their last three trips to Toulouse in Ligue 1.

Toulouse's last four goals against Valenciennes in Ligue 1 have been scored by Franck Tabanou and Moussa Sissoko (two each).

Valenciennes have only won two of their last 32 away games in the league.

Three of Valenciennes' last five away Ligue 1 goals have been scored by defensive midfielder Remi Gomis.

Valenciennes' last three league goals against Toulouse have all been headers scored just before half time (44th, 44th and 45th minutes).

Toulouse have only scored one goal in the last six matchdays.


Lille - Brest

Brest have lost their previous 11 Ligue 1 away games against title holders.

Lille have won their last two league meetings with Brest, scoring five goals in the process.

Moussa Sow scored in both league encounters between Lille and Brest last season.

Moussa Sow has scored 19 goals in just 22 league starts at home for Lille.

Since Rudi Garcia was appointed as Lille manager in 2008, LOSC have only lost six of their 64 home games in Ligue 1.

Brest have won just one of their last 20 away games in Ligue 1.

Lille are unbeaten in the last 12 matchdays, currently the longest run.

Lille are on a run of three consecutive draws in Ligue 1.


Auxerre - Lyon

Lyon have won eight of their last 11 trips to the Abbé-Deschamps stadium in the league.

OL lost 4-0 in their last visit to Auxerre, their heaviest Ligue 1 defeat in the last six seasons.

Lyon are the first Ligue 1 team this season to suffer four consecutive defeats on the road.

Ligue 1 matches involving Auxerre have yet to produce a red card this season.

A league-high 59% of Lyon's goals this season have come in the first half of games.

None of Lyon's last 11 league fixtures have ended in a draw, currently the longest run.

Auxerre have lost four of their last five league matches.


Lorient - Nice

Nice have won five of their last six Ligue 1 encounters with Lorient.

Lorient have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last seven games against Nice in Ligue 1.

Nice have won 60% of their Ligue 1 matches against Lorient, only Lyon have a higher percentage (amongst teams that have faced the Merlus more than once).

Lorient have suffered just one defeat in their last 23 league games at the Moustoir stadium.

No visiting team has won in Brittany this season in Ligue 1.

Nice have been in the the bottom half of the table for the last 46 Ligue 1 matchdays.

Nice have picked-up more red cards than any other side in the top five European leagues this season (five).

Nice have won just one of their last 24 away league games.

Nice are the only side who have yet to open the scoring away from home this season in Ligue 1.


Marseille - Paris SG

PSG have lost 66% of their Ligue 1 trips to Marseille (21 out of 32), their worst record on the road against a single opponent (faced in more than one season).

Marseille have lost their four matches against the current top five clubs in L1 this season.

Antoine Kombouaré has never won at the Stade Vélodrome during his Ligue 1 managerial career (one draw and five defeats).

Marseille have scored in all of their last 10 league meetings against Paris SG.

The last six goals in this encounter have all been scored in the first half.

The last three league matches at the Stade Vélodrome have witnessed four goals scored by the Ayew brothers (Andre scoring three and Jordan netting one).

Marseille have picked up 10 points out of a possible 12 in their last four home games in Ligue 1.

Five of the six goals PSG have conceded on the road this season in Ligue 1 have come in the first half of games.

Marseille have scored 99 goals against PSG (in all competitions).