Friday, January 25, 2013

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26.01. (Sat) 20:45 Juventus - Genoa

PROBABLE LINEUPS

JUVENTUS
Buffon
Barzagli, Bonucci, Caceres
L'steiner, Pogba, Vidal, Marchisio, De Ceglie
Quagliarella, Vucinic

GENOA
Frey
Pisano, Granqvist, Manfredini, Moretti
Rossi, Kucka, Matuzalem, Antonelli
Immobile, Borriello

New Genoa coach Davide Ballardini could probably not have an envisaged a more difficult opener when his side travel to Turin to face Serie A champions and current leaders Juventus.

But there is hope for the 49-year-old, as the Bianconeri are without key injured players Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Pirlo, while Kwadwo Asamoah is at the Africa Cup of Nations.

It means Paul Pogba, who scored a stunning double last weekend for the Old Lady, is likely to continue in midfield.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be without defender Juan Manuel Vargas and striker Bosko Jankovic for the trip to Juventus Stadium, but January signing Thomas Manfredini from Atalanta looks almost certain to start at the back.

Ciro Immobile, who has been linked with Juventus, is likely to start up front. New signings Ruben Olivera (loan) and Enis Nadarevic could be on the bench.

DID YOU KNOW?

Juventus' win against Udinese was their first victory in 2013, but Conte's men are still going strong as they top Serie A, five points ahead of second-placed Napoli.

The last time these two sides met, the Bianconeri ran out 3-1 winners with Kwadwo Asamoah grabbing the clincher.

The Old Lady have only ever lost once to their opponents, back in 2009, when the Grifone won 3-2 and finished fifth in Serie A that year.

Davide Ballardini becomes Genoa's third coach already this season having replaced Luigi Del Neri and Luigi Di Canio, respectively.

Ballardini has already taken charge of the Rossoblu before, between November 2010 and June 2011. He lost both matches to Juventus that time and has only ever beaten the Bianconeri once in eight attempts, back when he was coach at Palermo.

Prediction
Genoa have struggled on the road this season having only managed to get eight points out of a possible 30. Defensively they seem quite solid, but going forward they have lacked a clinical edge in front of goal. Juve will be too strong for their opponents and should comfortably beat the Grifone here.
Editor's Prediction
Juventus 3-0 Genoa

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26.01. (Sat) 19:00 Algeria - Togo

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ALGERIA
M'Bolhi
Mesbah, Bougherra, Belkalem, Medjani
Lacen, Kadir, Feghouli, Boudebouz
Soudani, Slimani

TOGO
Kossi
Dare, Mamah, Sadate, Bossou
Komlan, Segbefia, Alaixys, Dove
Adebayor, Ayite

Togo tactician Didier Six has identified Saturday’s Afcon 2013 Group D encounter with Algeria as a must-win game.
The Hawks go head to head with the north Africans at Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng Stadium, knowing that another defeat will automatically end any lingering hopes of reaching the quarter-final stage.

Both sides will be bidding to bounce back from late disappointments in opening matches of the tournament.

Algeria were sunk by a late Tunisia winner in the same stadium on Tuesday and now face an uphill battle to reach the last eight while it was a similar story for Togo, who lost 2-1 to Cote d'Ivoire with another late goal denying them what would have been a surprise point.

The outcome of the match against the Ivorians left Togo coach Six seething over his team's disallowed goal. The Hawks cancelled out Yaya Toure’s opener when Jonathan Ayite struck in first-half stoppage time, and had the ball in the back of the net off a corner after the break.

But that effort was ruled out by Cameroon referee Alioum Neant, apparently because the corner had been taken too quickly. Arsenal’s Gervinho then compounded Togo’s plight with the winner two minutes from time.

“There were too many refereeing mistakes. It’s not an excuse, but there were too many abnormal decisions,” Six told reporters. “We must now regroup quickly and get ready for our must win contest against Algeria. We must win because that is the only way we can reach the last eight of the tournament.”

Cote d'Ivoire and Tunisia meet in the earlier game in this group and a draw in this battle would open things up a bit for the two sides, but if the game fails to produce a winner, the hopes of both (Algeria and Togo) will be hanging by a thread.

Algeria head coach Vahid Halilhodzic is optimistic that they will prevail over Togo. “The match against Togo will determine our future in this competition. If we get to the quarter-finals you never know what can happen, but we have to get there first and it starts on Saturday against Togo.”
“I have followed the Togo team, they made a super match against Ivory Coast and perhaps they didn't deserve to lose," he said. "They created a lot of opportunities. It is a very strong team physically also."

Valencia midfielder Sofiane Feghouli and Medhi Lacen of Getafe are the players to watch in a largely inexperienced squad for Algeria while Togo will bank heavily on Tottenham Hotspurs striker Emmauel Adebayor, who had a relatively quiet game against the Elephants in the opening match.

DID YOU KNOW?

Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic was in charge of Cote d'Ivoire between 2008 and 2010, but prior to that he had managed French clubs Rennes, Lille and Paris Saint Germain.

Algeria’s captain and defensive midfielder Medhi Lacen (pictured right) played in all three of Algeria's 2010 World Cup group stage matches.

Under coach Halilhodzic's command, Algeria has won eight matches and lost only one heading into the Africa Cup of Nations. It was 19th in Fifa's world rankings in December, the best ever for the nation. It is currently ranked 22nd.

Togo are currently ranked 77 on the Fifa table after losing six points, but are still ahead of Angola and Senegal.

Emmanuel Adebayor remains Togo's all-time top scorer with 26 goals.

Togo had their worst defeat in 1979, losing 7-0 to Morocco, while they registered their greatest victory against Swaziland 6-0 in 2008.
Togo Coach Didier Six played for the French national team for nine years – from 1976 to 1984, earning 52 caps for his country and scoring 13 goals as a winger.

Prediction
After a disappointing start for the Algerians, they will be determined to get back on track in this encounter, and their quality may be too much for Togo.
Editor's Prediction
Algeria 2-1 Togo

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26.01. (Sat) 18:30 Manchester Utd. - Fulham

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED

Lindegaard
Rafael, Jones, Vidic, Evra
Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Nani
Rooney
Van Persie

FULHAM
Schwarzer
Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Richardson
Duff, Karagounis, Sidwell, Kacaniklic
Ruiz
Berbatov

Sir Alex Ferguson is still without midfielder Darren Fletcher (bowel surgery), while Jonny Evans (hamstring) and Ashley Young (knee) will not be involved.

In defence, Rio Ferdinand could feature, although Sir Alex may take the opportunity to rest one of his regular central defenders with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling returning to fitness.

The hosts may also look to rest goalkeeper David De Gea after an extended run of league games for the Spanaird, while he also has the options of using Danny Welbeck, Chicharito and Shinji Kagawa in attacking roles.

The visitors, meanwhile, will be without Simon Davies (neck) and Kerim Frei (groin) while Mahamadou Diarra is not expected to be fit for another week.

Martin Jol can, however, boast numerous attacking options as winger Ashkan Dejagah and strikers Mladen Petric and Hugo Rodallega are also in contention.

Kieran Richardson is likely to continue at left-back, although Jol can alternatively choose to restore the out-of-favour John Arne Riise to the starting line-up.

DID YOU KNOW?

Manchester United are currently on a 10-match unbeaten streak in in all competitions, while they have not lost in 13 matches domestically.

The Red Devils have won the FA Cup a record 11 times. The last time they won the competition was in 2004.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side have also scored the highest amount of goals in the Premier League (57) this season, with striker Robin van Persie leading the scorers charts with 18.

Manchester United's record defeat in the FA Cup was a 7-1 loss to Burnley in the first round in Februrary 1901.

Martin Jol has never beaten Sir Alex Ferguson in his managerial career.

Fulham have won just twice in 12 Premier League away games this term and needed extra-time to overcome Championship side Blackpool in the last round.

Fulham have also lost 31 of their 36 visits to Old Trafford, drawing three times and winning just twice. Since their last victory in 2003, United have won the fixture nine consecutive times.

The Cottagers' top-scorer this season, Dimitar Berbatov has scored seven goals this campaign. Saturday's game will be the Bulgarian's first visit to Old Trafford since leaving Manchester United for Fulham in the summer.

Prediction
Manchester United are red hot favourites going into the tie, with recent form, history and sheer firepower on their side. Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken of his desire to re-carve the Red Devils' name on the FA Cup trophy and will surely pick a side too strong for Martin Jol's men.
Editor's Prediction
Man Utd. 3-0 Fulham

Week 22 – Serie A 2012/13 OPTA Facts


Atalanta v AC Milan
Prior to Atalanta's win in the reverse fixture back in September, the Orobici had picked up only one point from their previous six meetings against AC Milan in Serie A.
At home, Atalanta have won only two of their last 20 meetings against AC Milan, losing 13 of those fixtures.
Atalanta have won only one of their last nine Serie A fixtures and have drawn the last two 1-1.
AC Milan have won six of their last eight league games.
However, the Rossoneri have won just two of their last nine games on the road, losing three and drawing four.
AC Milan have scored 29 goals in the second half, 16 of which have come in the last 15 minutes of play - both are seasonal highs in Serie A.
Atalanta have scored only four goals in the last 15 minutes of play - fewer than any other side.
Giampaolo Pazzini has scored six goals in Serie A against Atalanta - only against Lecce and Bologna has he netted more (seven).
German Denis has failed to score in his last three league appearances, after he had netted five over his previous seven games.

Bologna v Roma
Bologna had the better in the reverse fixture, after having picked up only four points from their previous nine meetings against Roma in the league.
Roma have scored in each of their last 20 meetings against Bologna in Serie A - at an average of 1.9 goals per game.
Bologna are winless in their last four home meetings against Roma (three losses and a draw) and have failed to score in the last three.
Bologna have won on each occasion this season when they have scored more than a single goal (six times).
Bologna have lost only one of their last six home fixtures, with three wins and two draws in the process.
Last Sunday against Inter, Roma drew their first game after a run of 15 Serie A rounds without sharing the points.
In fact, Roma are yet to draw away from home this season (five wins and six losses, including defeats in their last three games on the road).
This game will see the team who have scored the most goals in the first half (Roma, 21 goals) facing the side that have conceded the second-fewest before half time (Bologna, six).
Roma have already lost 16 points from leading situations; only Genoa have dropped more (17).
Alberto Gilardino has scored nine goals in Serie A against Roma; only against Udinese (13) has he bagged more.
Alessandro Florenzi has scored two goals in Serie A, the last coming against Bologna in the reverse fixture.

Cagliari v Palermo
This will be the 24th meeting between Cagliari and Palermo in the top-flight: the Sardinians lead by nine wins to seven.
Palermo have kept only one clean sheet over their last 10 league meetings with Cagliari (0-0 in August 2010).
Cagliari have won only one of their last 11 Serie A fixtures, losing seven times.
Palermo are winless in their last seven league fixtures and have picked up only two points in the process.
Palermo's last away win was back in April (3-1 against Bologna) - since then, the Sicilians have recorded five draws and 10 losses.
Over these last 15 away games, Palermo have scored only six goals and failed to find the net in 10 of them.
Cagliari have picked up 64 yellow cards, more than any other side in this competition.
Palermo have scored only 18 goals so far in this campaign, with only Pescara (17) netting fewer.
Marco Sau made his Serie A debut against Palermo in the reverse fixture, when he also scored his first goal.
Franco Brienza has scored four goals in 12 appearances against Cagliari in Serie A - the Sardinians are in fact his favourite target.

Catania v Fiorentina
Over the last six league meetings between these two sides, the balance is perfectly even: two wins each and two draws.
Previously, Fiorentina had remained unbeaten for 15 games against Catania (12 wins and three draws).
However, over their last three meetings in Sicily, Catania have picked up seven points without conceding a single goal.
Catania have lost just one of their last six league games, with four wins in the process.
The Sicilians have lost only two home games in this campaign (vs AC Milan and Juventus).
Fiorentina have scored only two goals over their last three games - previously, the Viola had scored on average 2.3 goals per game over 13 match-days.
Fiorentina have lost two of their last three games on the road, conceding seven goals in total.
Catania have recouped 13 points from trailing situations - a league high.
Fiorentina have scored 20 goals in the first half; only Roma have netted more before half-time (21).
Fiorentina have seen 13 different players score a goal for them so far this season- a league-high.
Stevan Jovetic has already scored four goals in Serie A against Catania, but only one at their ground so far.
Francesco Lodi has scored 17 goals in Serie A, but only the first of these came from open play.

Inter v Torino
Inter are unbeaten against Torino since February 1994 - since then, the Nerazzurri have a record of 14 wins and three draws.
Torino have lost more games against Inter than any other opponent (62).
Torino have scored more than a single goal only once in their last 24 meetings against Inter.
Inter are unbeaten against Torino at the San Siro since February 1988 - since then, there have been eight wins for the Nerazzurri and five draws.
Inter have won only one of their last five league games, losing two and drawing two.
At home though, the Nerazzurri are unbeaten in their last eight league fixtures (six wins and two draws).
Torino have won their last two games, after managing only two wins over their previous 13 league games.
Antonio Cassano has delivered six assists over his last 10 Serie A appearances, but hasn't scored since October.
Rolando Bianchi has scored seven goals in this campaign - almost a third of the total of those netted by Torino.
Alessio Cerci has scored two goals and assisted one over the last two games won by Torino in this competition.

Juventus v Genoa
Juventus are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Genoa in the league (four wins and three draws).
Genoa have won only one of their last 18 matches against Juventus (3-2 in April 2009).
In Turin, Juventus have lost only two of their last 45 games against Genoa, one in 1937 and the other in 1991.
The Old Lady have won three of their last four home fixtures without conceding any goals, the other match being a loss to Sampdoria.
Genoa have won just one of their last seven league games, losing four.
Away from home, the Grifoni have won just two of their last 22 games.
Juve have the best attack (45 goals scored) and the best defence (14 conceded) in this competition.
Juve have had the most shots on target (157) and boast the best shooting accuracy in Serie A (48.5%).
Genoa have already lost 17 points from leading situations - a league-high this campaign.
Sebastian Giovinco is Juve's best scorer this season in all competitions (10 goals, six of which have come in the league).
Ciro Immobile made his Serie A debut with Juventus in March 2009 - he has already found the net against his former team, in the reverse fixture back in September.

Lazio v Chievo
Lazio and Chievo have met 21 times in Serie A: the Biancocelesti lead by eight wins to four.
Lazio are unbeaten in their last seven meetings against Chievo (four wins and three draws).
Lazio have won just one of their 10 previous meetings against Chievo at the Olimpico.
The Biancocelesti are unbeaten in their last 10 Serie A fixtures (seven wins and three draws).
At home, Lazio are on a run of eight wins and a draw in the league, while Chievo have lost eight of their last 10 games on the road.
Last Saturday against Palermo, Lazio dropped points from a leading situation for the first time this campaign - they've now won 13 games and drawn one after taking the lead this season.
Lazio have scored the most goals in the last 15 minutes of the first half; Chievo have conceded the most over the same period of play (nine).
Sergio Pellissier has scored seven goals against Lazio, including one in the reverse fixture - more than against any other Serie A opponent.
Hernanes has bagged four goals against Chievo, his favourite target in Serie A, including a brace in the reverse fixture.

Parma v Napoli
Parma and Napoli have met 27 times in Serie A: the Partenopei lead by 11 wins to 10.
Napoli have won four of their last five meetings against Parma, with the Ducali having the better just once.
Parma have picked up only one point from their last four home meetings against Napoli in the league.
Parma are unbeaten in their last five games (three wins, followed by two draws).
The Ducali are unbeaten at home in their last 15 fixtures in the league (11 wins and four draws).
Napoli are unbeaten in their last four games and have scored 10 goals in the process, conceding two.
Parma have a record of eight wins and two draws from leading situations so far in this campaign, while they have recouped 13 points from trailing situations (joint-most alongside Catania).
Napoli have the second-best attack of this Serie A (41 goals scored) and the second-best defence (19 conceded).
Edinson Cavani has scored 11 goals over the last 10 league games - he is the only player with two hat-tricks scored in this campaign.
Ishak Belfodil has scored seven goals and assisted three in this Serie A campaign - he has been involved in 10 (34.5%) of his side's 29 total goals.

Sampdoria v Pescara
This will be the eighth meeting between these two sides in Serie A: Sampdoria are unbeaten with four wins and three draws.
Over these seven previous meetings, Samp have failed to score only once against Pescara (0-0 in October 1987).
Sampdoria have won just one of their last seven league fixtures (2-1 against Juventus).
The Blucerchiati have failed to score in each of their last three Serie A games on home soil.
Pescara have lost their last two league games by 2-0; previously they had won two games in a row.
Pescara haven't shared the points in any of their last 12 league games (four wins, eight losses).
Pescara have lost six of their last seven games away from home, with a win at Fiorentina coming in the midst of that run.
Sampdoria have conceded the most goals from the penalty spot in this campaign (five).
Pescara have conceded 22 goals before half time - a competition-high.
Maxi López scored a brace in the reverse fixture - since then, he hasn't found the net in six Serie A appearances.
Mervan Celik has netted three goals so far in Serie A, the first coming against Sampdoria back in September.

Udinese v Siena
This will be the 18th meeting between these two sides in Serie A: Udinese lead by eight wins to four.
Over their last five meetings, these two sides have shared two wins each and a draw.
At home Udinese lead by six wins to one, with one draw.
Siena have scored in each of their last eight meetings against Udinese in the league.
By losing to Juventus, Udinese ended a positive run of six unbeaten games in the league (four wins and two draws).
Udinese have lost only once at home this term (vs Juventus) - since then, they have notched up four draws and five wins.
Siena got back to winning ways last Sunday against Sampdoria, after picking up only one point from their previous seven fixtures (0-0 vs Chievo).
Siena kept a clean sheet in their last fixture, after conceding an average of 2.8 goals per game over the previous six match-days.
Siena have taken only five points in 10 games away from home so far in this campaign.
The Tuscans have attempted the fewest shots so far in this competition (136).
Antonio Di Natale has found the net in four of his last five league appearances against Siena.

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26.01. (Sat) 16:00 Brighton & Hove A. - Arsenal

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Ankergren
Lopez, Greer, El-Abd, Bridge
Bridcutt, Orlandi, Hammond
Barnes, Mackail-Smith, LuaLua

ARSENAL
Szczesny
Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs
Diaby, Wilshere, Ramsey
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Podolski

Defender Bruno (achilles) returned to training this week but the right-back may not be risked on Saturday.

Spanish midfielder Vicente (thigh) played his first game of the season after a long-term injury on Tuesday and could feature against Arsenal at some point.

Arsene Wenger ruled out Thomas Vermaelen (ankle) after picking up an injury midweek, meaning that Laurent Koscielny is likely to partner Per Mertesacker.

Mikel Arteta (calf) and Francis Coquelin (hamstring) are unlikely to be risked for the trip to Brighton but Abou Diaby should return to this side after missing the game against West Ham with illness.

Tomas Rosicky is in contention to be involved in the squad while Lukas Fabianski (ankle) remains sidelined.

DID YOU KNOW?

Brighton & Hove Albion have not played Arsenal since 1988.

In 12 meetings since the Second World War, Brighton have only beat Arsenal twice, with the Gunners winning eight times.

The two sides last met in an FA Cup fourth-round tie at the Goldstone Ground, with the Gunners running out 2-1 winners.

Seagulls manager Gus Poyet won the FA Cup as a Chelsea player in 2000.

The Gunners are yet to lose a game in which they have taken the lead this season, winning seven and drawing two. Arsenal are 6/4 with Bet365 to be winning at both half-time and ful-time.

Arsenal are yet to win four games in a row across all competitions this season.

In 13 matches between the sides, Arsenal have outscored Brighton by 24 goals to five.

Arsene Wenger has won four FA Cups since taking charge of Arsenal in 1996, the last of which came in 2005, the Gunners' most recent taste of silverware.