Barclays Premier League Opta Facts - Feb 23-25

Fulham v Stoke City
The last four Barclays Premier League clashes between Fulham and Stoke City have ended in home wins.
Five of Stoke last seven goals against Fulham in all competitions have been scored in the final 15 minutes of their matches.
Fulham have won only three of their last 18 in the Premier League (D7 L8), and only one of their last five (D2 L2).
Stoke have won just once away from this season; a joint-low for the Premier League this season.
The Potters have scored just three goals in their last eight away matches in the league.
No side has conceded fewer goals in the opening 30 minutes of league matches this season than Stoke City (five).
Stoke have gone eight Premier League matches without keeping a clean sheet. Only Aston Villa (10) are currently on a longer such run.
Only Aston Villa (2) have clawed back fewer points from losing positions than Fulham (4) this season.
Fulham are yet to lose this season in the Premier League when Dimitar Berbatov has scored (W3 D3).
No side has been involved in more draws this season than Stoke City (12).
Stoke City are the only team that Northern Ireland international Chris Baird has scored against more than once in the Premier League (two).

Arsenal v Aston Villa
Arsenal have won only two of their last six home games against Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League, after winning each of the previous eight.
Villa have only scored 16 goals in 20 away trips to Arsenal in the Premier League.
Christian Benteke has now scored in five successive appearances for Aston Villa in all competitions (six goals).
Theo Walcott has equalled his highest tally of assists in a single Premier League season (8 - the same as 2011-12).
Only three players have produced more assists in the Premier League since the start of last season than Walcott (16), Mata, Silva and Valencia.
Arsenal have caught more players offside than any other top-flight team this season (91).
Arsenal have created fewer goalscoring chances from corners than any other side this season (24)
Villa have been shown more yellow cards than any other Premier League team this season (54).
While Arsenal have been shown fewer yellow cards than any other side (24).
Arsenal have only scored one goal fewer (50) than they had at this point of their 'Invincibles' season of 2003-04 (51).

Norwich City v Everton
The last three Barclays Premier League meetings between Norwich and Everton have ended level.
The only team Norwich have scored 5+ goals against in the Premier League are Everton (5-1 in September 1993)
No side has conceded more goals in the opening 15 minutes of their matches in the Premier League (10) this season than Everton (same as West Ham). This is 31% of their total goals conceded.
Having scored in 18 consecutive games, Everton have now failed to score in three of their last five league games.
No side has drawn more Premier League games 0-0 this season than Norwich City (5).
Everton have made fewer substitutions than any other top-flight side this season (62).
Everton have used fewer players than any other side (22).
Norwich average fewer corners per home game than any other top-flight side this season (4.5)
Everton have hit 216 shots away from home this season, only one team in the top five European leagues has hit more (Man City 219).
Everton have not missed a Premier League penalty since April 2011 (scored eight in a row since then)

Queens Park Rangers v Manchester United
QPR have taken just two points from 11 Barclays Premier League encounters with Manchester United
QPR's last win against United was a 4-1 win at Old Trafford on New Year's Day 1992.
Rangers' last win against United at Loftus Road came in May 1989.
After scoring all seven of his Premier League goals in 2011-12 at home (7), Bobby Zamora has scored all three of his Premier League goals this season away (4).
There have only been 11 instances of a team scoring fewer than 19 goals in their opening 26 Premier League games (as QPR have done).
Derby County in 2007-08 have the record with only 13 goals in their opening 26 games.
Only one team in Premier League history has gained more points from their opening 26 games than Man Utd this season (Chelsea 2005-06, 66).
United have scored one more goal (62) than Chelsea in 2009-10 (61) had after 26 games, when they went on to end the season with a record 103 goals.
This game sees the team with the Premier League's worst conversion rate (8%) host the team with the best conversion rate (21%).
Man Utd have been successful with only two of their five Premier League penalties this season.

Reading v Wigan Athletic
These sides have played each other in all four divisions of the English league system.
Both goalkeepers made an error leading directly to a goal in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Wigan's Ali Al-Habsi has made more errors leading directly to a goal than any other player in the Barclays Premier League this season (6).
Only Arsenal (13) have made more errors leading to goal than Wigan (12) this season.
Wigan have conceded the first goal of the game on more matches than every other PL side this term (17).
Reading have conceded more shots on target than any other top-flight side this season (151).
70% of Wigan's goals have come after the break, only Tottenham have a higher proportion this season.
Adam Le Fondre needs one more goal as a substitute to set a Premier League record for a single season (currently has six).
Previously Tore Andre Flo (1997-98) and Jermain Defoe (2001-02) had also scored six from the bench in a single season.
A massive 42% of Reading's goals have come in the closing 15 minutes this season, by some distance the biggest proportion in the Premier League.

West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland
West Brom have scored four goals in each of their last two Barclays Premier League encounters with Sunderland.
Each of the last four top-flight between WBA and Sunderland have gone over 3.5 goals.
Only one of the last seven games between the Baggies and the Black Cats has gone under 2.5 goals.
Sunderland have only hit the woodwork three times this season, fewer than any other side.
Sunderland's last four Premier League penalties have been awarded in away games.
The Black Cats have conceded fewer goals from corners than any other top-flight side this season (1).
WBA have not kept successive clean sheets in the Premier League since April 2012 but the last time they did so came after an away win at Anfield.
Sunderland have won none of their last 11 league games against teams from the West Midlands (D4 L7).
Seven of Sunderland's last eight Premier League away games have gone over 2.5 goals.
Sunderland have lost two games in a row for the fourth time in the league this season but are yet to lose three on the spin.

Manchester City v Chelsea
Manchester City have won only one of their last four Barclays Premier League matches against Chelsea.
Chelsea won 10 of their first 12 Premier League away games against City but have lost the last three in a row.
Only Arsenal have won as many Premier League away games at City as Chelsea (10) and City's average points per game at home to Chelsea of 0.87 is their lowest against any side in the division (minimum four games).
Frank Lampard is aiming to score in five consecutive Premier League appearances for only the third time (did it in 2005 and 2010).
Lampard has scored 11 goals in his 13 Premier League starts for Chelsea this season.
Edin Dzeko has scored six goals in his last seven Premier League appearances.
Man City have not gone four Premier League games without a win since November 2009 when they drew seven in a row, a run that led to Mark Hughes being dismissed as manager.
Roberto Mancini has made more substitutions than any other Premier League manager this season.
Chelsea have been awarded more penalties than any other side this season (8) while City have been awarded 14 since the start of last season, only Man Utd have been awarded more.
30 of Manchester City's last 33 Premier League penalties have come in home games.

Newcastle United v Southampton
Newcastle have scored at least once 11 of their 12 Premier League home games against Southampton.
The Magpies have won seven and lost none of their last eight Premier League home games against the Saints.
Saints have the lowest shooting accuracy in the Premier League (40%).
11 of Newcastle's last 13 Premier League penalties have come at St James Park.
Newcastle have only scored one goal from a corner this season (Ba v Man City in December), fewer than any other top-flight team this season.
No side has conceded more own goals than Southampton this season (4).
Morgan Schneiderlin is the only Premier League player this season to make more than 100 tackles (102).
Newcastle are the only Premier League team for whom a defender has not scored this season.
30 of Newcastle's 34 Premier League goals this season have been scored by French speakers.
Southampton have lost only one of their last nine Premier League game but six of those have ended as draws.

West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham have scored a total of only three goals in their last eight Barclays Premier League games against Tottenham.
The Hammers have lost three of their last five home league encounters with the Lilywhites, winning just one.
West Ham have won 49 London derbies in the Premier League era.
Tottenham have scored the highest proportion of goals in the second half of games this season (73%).
Gareth Bale has now scored 10 goals in his last 12 Premier League appearances.
Andre Villas-Boas is on the longest unbeaten run of his Premier League managerial career - 10 matches (W6 D4).
Going into this weekend Spurs had hit more shots on target than any other Premier League team (164)
Gareth Bale is one of only five players in Europe's top five leagues this season to hit more than 100 shots (including blocked shots)
Tottenham are yet to win a penalty this season, one of only three teams yet to get one.
Spurs' last six Premier League penalties have come in away games.

Prognoze na blic

ŽELJKO BRKIĆ
(UDINEZE, ITALIJA 1)
Palermo - Đenova 1X
Sampdorija - Kjevo X
Atalanta - Roma 2-3
Bolonja - Fiorentina 1
Kaljari - Torino 0-2
JUVENTUS - SIJENA 1
PARMA - KATANIJA 1
Inter - Milan 2-3
Udineze - Napoli 1X
Lacio - Peskara 1

HUSNIJA FAZLIĆ,
SKAUT VERDERA
Frajburg - Ajntraht 1X
BAJERN - VERDER 1
Augsburg - Hofenhajm 12
Majnc - Volfsburg 12
Hanover - Hamburg 12
Štutgart - Nirnberg 1
ŠALKE - DIZELDORF 1
Menhengladbah - Dortmund 1X2
GROJTER - LEVERKUZEN 2

DAVID RUIZ,
NOVINAR ŠPANSKE „MARKE”
Bilbao – Sosijedad 12
Majorka – Hetafe 1
Saragosa – Valensija 2
Deportivo – Real M. X2
BARSELONA – SEVILJA 1
R. Valjekano – Valjadolid 1
Selta – Granada
ATLETIKO M. – ESPANJOL 1
Betis – Malaga 1X
Levante – Osasuna 1

PREDRAG JOKANOVIĆ,
TRENER MADEIRE
Estoril - Sporting 1X
SETUBAL - BEIRA MAR 1
BRAGA - GIMARAEŠ 1
PORTO - RIO AVE 1
Moreirense - Žil Visente 1X
Nacional - Olehanense 1
BENFIKA - FEREIRA 1
Akademika - Maritimo 1X

NEBOJŠA GUDELJ,
TRENER BREDE
VILJEM - NEC 2
Herakles - Vitese 1
Groningen - Cvole X
Venlo - RKC X
Herenven - Tvente 2
Fejenord - PSV 2
UTREHT - RODA 1
AJAKS - DEN HAG 1
Alkmar - Breda X

Statistika Nizovi pobeda , remija ,poraza

Nepredvidivost jednako uspeh. Jeovil je dugo bio u donjem delu tabele, da bi serijom od osam uzastopnih pobeda u engleskoj Ligi 2. istakao ozbiljnu kandidaturu za ulazak u Šampionat. Nešto slabiju statistiku u istoj kategoriji ima ponos Bavarske Bajern sa pet, kao i češki Plzenj i brazilski Flamengo.

Specijalista za nerešene ishode je francuski trećeligaš Šerbur. Sastav sa La Manša prednjači po broju mečeva koji su završeni podelom plena, što je rezultiralo strepnjom za opstanak. Sušta suprotnost su Rajo Valjekano i Den Boš, koji „ne umeju” da remiziraju. Član Cvajte Herta, pokazala je negostoljubivost u poslednjih 20 utakmica. Berlinci ne znaju za neuspeh željni ekspresnog povratka u Bundes ligu. Mrvicama se ne zadovoljavaju ni portugalski velikani Benfika i Porto, koji nisu osetili gorčinu poraza u prvenstvu na prethodnih 19 mečeva, uprkos igrama na tri fronta. Keviliju je pobeda, ove sezone, sanak pusti. Francuski trećeligaš je poslednji trijumf ostvario još prošle sezone i siguran je putnik u niži rang. U „kanalu” je i nekadašnji premijerligaš Portsmut. Tim sa „Fraton Parka” drži fenjer u Ligi 1 i plaća danak činjenici da 20 utakmica nije osetila slast pobede.
M. C.

POBEDE
Jeovil (Liga 1) 8
Bajern (Nemačka 1) 5
Flamengo (Brazil, Karioka) 5
Plzen (Češka) 5

PORAZI
Albion (Divizija 2) 6
Herez (Španija 2) 6

BEZ POBEDE
Kevili (Francuska 3) 23
Portsmut (Liga 1) 20
Telford (Konferencija) 20

BEZ PORAZA
Herta (Nemačka 2) 20
Benfika (Portugal 1) 19
Porto (Portugal 1) 19
Belenenses (Portugal 2) 19

Statistika predstojeceg fudbalskog vikenda

Da li je sigurnije igrati na domaćina ili gosta - večita je dilema kladioničara. Pogled na statistiku liga jasno pokazuje da je najbolje igrati kečeve u Primeri i dvojke u Austriji 1 i Poljskoj.

Više od 50 odsto utakmica u elitnoj ligi Španije, tačnije 52.1, završi se pobedom domaćina. Rekli bi mnogi da nije ni čudno kada u tom prvenstvu igraju Barselona i Real, na koje ne može mnogo da se zaradi jer su kvote na jedinice mizerne. Ipak, tu je otkrovenje sezone, Atletiko iz Madrida, koji ove sezone ima stoodstotan učinak na „Visente Kalderonu”.
Posle Primere, najviše kečeva dolazi u škotskoj Diviziji 2. Domaćinske lige su i italijanska Serija A i španska Segunda, kod kojih kečevi dolaze skoro 50 odsto.
Ž. M.

DOMAĆIN-NEREŠENO-GOST
Liga 1 X 2
Argentina 35 35 30
Austrija 1 44.7 18.4 36.9
Austrija 2 44 22.5 33.5
Belgija 1 43.7 24.8 31.5
Belgija 2 45 28.8 26.2
Češka 47.7 31.2 21.1
Engleska Premijer 43.3 30.6 26.1
Engleska Šampionat 44.8 24.7 30.5
Engleska Liga 1 38.3 26.6 35.1
Engleska Liga 2 39.8 26.6 33.6
Engleska Konferencija 41.4 25.7 32.9
Francuska 1 44.4 29.2 26.4
Francuska 2 43.8 31.3 24.9
Francuska 3 44.1 31.3 24.6
Nemačka 1 44.4 24.7 30.8
Nemačka 2 38.9 30.3 30.8
Nemačka 3 44 27.8 28.2
* u procentima

Čuvajte se Španaca

Da li i kladionice nameštaju mečeve? Prethodnog vikenda pokrenuli smo temu o kojoj malo ko priča. A sumnjaju, verovatno, svi oni koji se zanimaju sportskim klađenjem. Ako se, posle najnovijeg skandala sa režiranim utakmicama, tvrdi da kriminalci preko fudbala dolaze do miliona, možemo samo da zamislimo koliki je novac u opticaju kada je u pitanju poslovanje kladionica. Logično, kada neko mnogo može da dobije, ili izgubi, spreman je na sve.

Da podsetimo. Pre nedelju dana izdvojili smo 24 sigurice. Mečeve u kojima na favorite bukvalno igra ceo svet. Prema rasporedu susreta i vremenu njihovog početka pretpostavili smo da kladionice ne mogu da budu na gubitku ako barem pet velikih favorita ne pobedi. „Skrenulo” ih je upravo toliko. Dalje. Izdvojili smo pet klubova u subotu i četiri u nedelju, za čije smo kikseve tvrdili da bi izuzetno odgovarali „bukmejkerima”. Everton i Bešiktaš su „odradili” posao u subotu, a Pari Sen Žermen je dan kasnije „upropastio” kladioničare.
Ponavljamo. Naša pretpostavka je da kladionice neretko utiču na ishode mečeva od kojih im zavisi ogroman deo profita ili gubitka. Po pravilu su to utakmice svetski poznatih ekipa, koje ljubitelji klađenja često imaju na svojim tiketima.
Upravo zbog toga, pred vama je ponovo spisak „najljućih” favorita predstojećeg vikenda. Opet ćemo da pokušamo da pogodimo čiji bi neuspeh najviše pogodovao kladionicama.
D. Ar.

SUBOTA
Bajern – Verder 1 1.20
Šalke – Dizeldorf 1 1.45
Arsenal – Aston Vila 1 1.35
KPR – Mančester J. 2 1.45
Deportivo – Real M. 2 1.35
Barselona – Sevilja 1 1.20
Porto – Rio Ave 1 1.20

La Liga Opta Facts - 22-25 February

Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad
Athletic have won seven of their last eight derbies against Real Sociedad at the San Mames (1D).
Sociedad have not won at the Cathedral since their first visit in the league this century (3-1 in June 2001).
Real Sociedad will visit the San Mames for the last time; only away at Sporting Gijon (12) have they won more often than at Bilbao (11) in their top-flight history.
Three of the four goals that Aritz Aduriz has scored against Real Sociedad in La Liga have come whilst wearing the Bilbao shirt.
Real Sociedad have benefited from more own goals against Athletic than any other team since their most recent promotion (two).
Markel Susaeta scored his only previous La Liga brace against Real Sociedad at the San Mames last season (2-0 win).
Marcelo Bielsa's side have lost their last two league games without scoring a goal, a run that included their heaviest ever home defeat under the Argentinean (0-4 v Espanyol).
Montanier's side have only lost one of their last 14 league games (W7 D6), and that was at the Bernabeu (4-3 in January).
Aduriz has scored 12 league goals already this season, equalling his best ever record for a single La Liga campaign (12 with Mallorca in 2009/10).

Mallorca v Getafe
Mallorca have won six of their eight La Liga home games against Getafe, losing only one (1-2 last season).
The Blues have won three games against the Balearic side over the last three seasons; against no side have they won more.
Abdel Barrada scored his first and so far only brace in Getafe's last victory on the island in the top-flight.
Mallorca have gone eight home league games without a victory (3D 5L), they have never gone nine in a row on home soil without one within the same season.
Getafe have lost their last four league games, conceding a total of 17 goals and scoring just four themselves.
Mallorca's last three league draws have all come at the Iberostar and have been achieved thanks to goals in the last five minutes of the game.
Getafe have conceded a joint-high 13 goals in the final 15 minutes of games this season (level with Deportivo).
Ex Mallorca keeper Moya has made 86 saves and faced 120 shots on target this season, considerably more than counterpart in this game Dudu Aouate (73 and 110).

Real Zaragoza v Valencia
Zaragoza have won three of their seven league meetings with Valencia since their promotion (1D 3L).
The last four Valencia victories at La Romareda have all come via the same scoreline (1-0).
In three of the home side's last four victories over Valencia in Aragon, they have netted exactly four goals.
Zaragoza have gone seven league games without a win (D2 L5), their worst run under Manolo Jimenez.
Valencia have won all four away league games under Valverde, netting seven goals of which four have been headers.
Helder Postiga has scored more league goals this term thanks to assists by Victor Rodriguez (three) than thanks to the help of any other teammate.
Of the three top scoring Spaniards this season on 12 league goals, Roberto Soldado has needed the fewest shots on target (23).
Zaragoza have lost 14 league games having conceded the first goal this season, the most of all teams in La Liga.
Valencia are the only La Liga team yet to score a goal from outside the area this season.
Manolo Jimenez's side have already lost five games this calendar year, no team in Europe's top five leagues has lost more.

Deportivo v Real Madrid
Deportivo have lost five of their last six league meetings with Real Madrid (1D), but only one of those defeats was at the Riazor.
With their 3-1 victory in 2009/10, the Whites ended a run of six consecutive league defeats at the Riazor.
If they fail to win this game, the Riazor will become the only ground that Jose Mourinho has visited more than once in La Liga without recording a victory.
The Galician side have lost their last five league games; they have not lost six in a row in the same campaign since 1964/65.
Real Madrid have already lost five away league games this season, their worst record on the road in a single campaign under Mourinho.
Karim Benzema scored his first ever away goal against Deportivo in January 2010 after a memorable assist from Guti.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored six goals in four league games against Depor, but all six goals have come at the Bernabeu.
Of the 10 teams to have created the most chances in La Liga this season, Deportivo have scored the fewest goals (28 from 241).
Real Madrid have hit the woodwork more often than any other team in Europe's top five leagues this season (20).
Deportivo have conceded a league-high 13 headed goals already this term.

Barcelona v Sevilla
Sevilla have not beaten Barcelona in La Liga since Dani Alves scored the winning goal for them in a 2-1 victory in March 2007; since then they have failed to win in 11 (D3).
This fixture last season was the last time Barcelona failed to score in La Liga in the Camp Nou (0-0), and also ended a run of seven straight home wins for Barca against Sevilla.
The Andalusian side have conceded an average of three goals per game in their last six away league games against Barcelona.
Unai Emery's side have taken 10 of the last 15 points available to them (3W 1D), but have not won away from home since September 2012 (L7 D2).
Since their last home defeat, Barcelona have averaged 3.69 goals per game (12W 1D) on home soil, scoring at least three in each of their last seven games.
Sevilla have been shown three red cards in their last three away games against Barcelona.
Beto has conceded at least once in each of his four games (league and cup) for Sevilla, shipping eight in total.
Barcelona have conceded fewer goals than any other team in the first 15 minutes of games this season (one), while Sevilla have conceded a joint-high nine in the first 15 minutes after the break.
Messi has now scored in a record 14 consecutive league games.
Barcelona, together with Levante, have recouped a league-high 14 points having conceded the first goal this season and overturned a 0-2 deficit to beat Sevilla earlier this season.
Unai Emery has never won in 10 league games against Barcelona (D4) and has lost all five at the Camp Nou.

Rayo Vallecano v Real Valladolid
Rayo have lost their last three league games against Valladolid; they have never lost four in a row against them in the top-flight.
Valladolid have won exactly the same number of games as they have lost in Vallecas in their top-flight history (four).
Los Franjirrojos have won their last four home league games; their best record since a run of nine home wins achieved in their first ever top-flight campaign (1977/78).
Valladolid have gone four league games without a win (D2 L2), they have not gone five without one this season.
Paco Jemez's side have averaged 56% possession this campaign; only Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid have averaged more.
Valladolid have won none of nine games without Patrick Ebert in La Liga this term (D4 L5).
Leo Baptistao has participated in more goals than any other Rayo player this season (seven goals and five assists).
Oscar (two goals, two assists) and Manucho (two goals, two assists) participated in five of Valladolid's six goals against Rayo in the reverse fixture this season.
Excluding Real Madrid and Barcelona players, only two midfielders have completed over 1000 passes this season: Trashorras (1,163) and Alvaro Rubio (1,008).

Celta Vigo v Granada
Celta Vigo have won just two of their last 10 top-flight clashes with Granada (D3 L5).
Celta have, however, won five and lost none of their last seven top-flight clashes with Granada at the Balaidos.
Granada have failed to score a single goal in any of their last five trips to the Balaidos in La Liga, though they have picked up two points in this run.
Celta are winless in six league games (D2 L4), with their last victory coming back in January in their first game of 2013 (3-1 v Valladolid).
The Andalusian side have already won as many away league games this year as they won last term (four).
Celta top scorer Iago Aspas has gone six league games without scoring; his worst ever run in the Primera Division.
Since Lucas Alvarez took charge of Granada, Odion Ighalo has scored two goals from just three shots on target. Before that, he had scored just one from 12 this season.
Granada have won all three away games in which they have scored the first goal this season.

Atletico Madrid v Espanyol
Atletico have only won two of their last six league clashes with Espanyol (D1 L3).
The Red-and-Whites have won three of their last four against los pericos at the Calderon, however (1L), scoring at least three times in each win.
Over the last seven seasons, Espanyol have won three away games against Atleti; against no side have they won more away games in this period.
Diego Simeone's side have won 12 home league games already this season; only Man Utd have won as many across Europe's top leagues.
Espanyol have won their last their last three league games; they have not won four in a row since May 2009.
Atleti have won seven of the nine games in which both Falcao and Diego Costa have both started in La Liga this season.
The Catalan side have kept two successive clean sheets on the road; they have not managed three in a row since November 1995 (four).
Falcao has scored 29 goals in 29 home games for Atletico in La Liga.
Sergio Garcia has scored more goals than any other Espanyol player under Javier Aguirre (four).
Koke has made a club-high nine assists in La Liga since Cholo Simeone took charge of Atletico.
Former Atleti manager Javier Aguirre has already won at the Vicente Calderon as an away manager; his Osasuna side won 1-0 there in 2006.

Real Betis v Malaga
Real Betis have only won one of their last seven league meetings with Malaga (3D 3L), and that victory came at La Romareda (2-0 last season).
The South Coast side have gone four away games against Betis without a win (3D 1L); they have never gone four in a row against them without one in La Liga.
Malaga have won their last two away league games, they have never won three in a row under Manuel Pellegrini.
Betis are winless in five league games (2D 3L) but are unbeaten in three on home soil (1W 2D).
If they fail to score in this game, Betis will equal their worst ever run of games without a goal in La Liga (five, set in November 2012).
The side from Seville have not won a league game without Ruben Castro in the starting eleven this season (1D 3L), including a defeat to Malaga in the reverse fixture.
Joaquin has scored two goals in just 461 minutes of football against former club Real Betis and has only lost one of seven games against his old side.
No Betis substitute has scored a home goal in La Liga this season, while Malaga have only conceded one goal to an opposition substitute all campaign (a league-low).
Javier Saviola has scored seven goals against Betis in his La Liga career, against no club has he netted more.

Levante v Osasuna
Levante have lost their last three league games against Osasuna without scoring a single goal, conceding a total of eight.
The Reds have won just two of their five trips to the Ciutat in the Primera (L3), though they did win there last season (2-0).
JIM's side have gone three league games without a win (1D 2L), their worst run of the season.
Mendilibar's side, meanwhile, have gone five away league games without a win (D3 L2).
Osasuna have not lost any of the six games in which Kike Sola has scored this season (W4 D2).
Nino, together with Pandiani and Soldado, has scored more goals in this fixture in La Liga than any other player and is also the only player to have scored for both clubs in this fixture (four in total).
Levante have scored a league-high percentage of their goals in the 15 minutes after half-time (27%) this season, while Osasuna have netted a joint-low of just two in this period.
The Reds are the lowest scorers in La Liga this season having netted a total of just 20 goals so far (Levante 30).

Bundesliga Opta Facts: Matchday 23

SC Freiburg v Eintracht Frankfurt
Freiburg have won only one of their last six competitive matches against Frankfurt (D1 L4 along with a 1-0-victory at Frankfurt in September 2010).
Frankfurt have collected 1.63 points on average against Freiburg which makes them their second favourite opponent (of all current top flight teams) after Dusseldorf (1.74 points on average; only including only clubs which they have met at least two times).
Freiburg can overtake Frankfurt with a victory, due to their better goal difference, and move into fourth spot. They haven't been in the top four since 2010/11 (matchday 12).
Freiburg have lost only one of their last nine competitive matches (W5 D3 and a 2-1 loss at Hoffenheim on matchday 20).
Freiburg have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six home games. They haven't conceded a goal at home in 281 minutes (three games in a row) and the team could now set a new club record with their fourth clean sheet in a row at home.
Frankfurt haven't scored for 234 minutes. This is the first time this season that they haven't scored in two games in a row.
Collecting 37 points so far, Frankfurt are enjoying their best season in 20 years (1992/93: 41 points after 22 games).
No club has scored more goals from distance than Freiburg (eight). However, Frankfurt have conceded only one of their last 20 goals from long-range.
Max Kruse has been involved in five of Freiburg's last eight goals (two goals, three assists) which makes him their top scorer. However, Kruse has lost all his three previous Bundesliga clashes with Frankfurt.
Frankfurt's top striker Alex Meier (twelve goals) hasn't scored in 372 minutes of action. This is his longest run without scoring a goal this season.

FSV Mainz 05 v VfL Wolfsburg
Mainz haven't lost any of their last three clashes with Wolfsburg (W1 D2).
However, Mainz have lost four of their six home games in the league against Wolfsburg (D1 W1), with their only victory coming on December 4th, 2005 (5-1).
Mainz have failed to score in their last three Bundesliga home games against Wolfsburg.
Neither side has enjoyed a home win in the last seven Bundesliga clashes between Mainz and Wolfsburg (D3 and four victories for the away side).
On August 28th, 2010, Mainz won 4-3 Wolfsburg after initially going 3-0 behinf. Wolfsburg playmaker Diego made his debut in this game, celebrating it with a goal.
Against no other team have Mainz scored as many Bundesliga goals as they have against Wolfsburg (25 goals in 13 meetings).
Wolfsburg's results on the road have alternated between a victory and a defeat in their last eight Bundesliga away games. To continue the sequence, they will need to lose this weekend.
Wolfsburg have only scored 22 goals in 2012/13 (one per game on average), their joint-lowest goal tally after 22 games in the Bundesliga ever (they also netted 22 in 2005/06 and 2006/07).
Only former Mainz player Mohamed Sedan scored more Bundesliga goals for the club (29) than Andreas Ivanschitz, Adam Szalai and Andre Schürrle have managed (20 goals each).
In his Bundesliga career for Mainz, Andreas Ivanschitz scored the opening goal twelve times. Mainz eventually won nine of these games (D1 L2).
Diego is Wolfsburg's top scorer (five goals, five assists). He scored all of his goals and assists in 14 games under coach Dieter Hecking and under Lorenz-Günther Köstner (who succeeded former head coach Felix Magath).
Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking has won only one of his nine clashes (as a coach) with Thomas Tuchel (L3 D3 and a 2-0-victory with Nurnberg in April 2010).

FC Augsburg v 1899 Hoffenheim
Augsburg haven't won any of their seven competitive matches against Hoffenheim in the top flight, second division or German Cup (D3 L4).
Augsburg have collected only 16 points in their 22 games. No side in the Bundesliga has ever avoided relegation having picked up 16 or fewer points at this stage of the season (since the three points for a win system was established in Germany).
With Augsburg 11 points off 15th place in the table and Hoffenheim 10 points away from 15th, this clash could prove vital for each side's hopes of survival (16th spot secures a relegation play-off berth).
Augsburg have only won one of their eleven home games this season, making them the second worst home team in the league. Hoffenheim, on the other side, are the worst away side (one win in ten away games).
Augsburg haven't won any of their last seven home games (D4 L3), their longest run without a home victory in the top flight.
Hoffenheim haven't won any of their last seven games on the road (D1 L6).
Only Augsburg have scored fewer goals from set-piece situations (3) than Hoffenheim (4, like Fürth). On the other hand, no other team has conceded as many goals after a set-piece as Hoffenheim (19 - no other club more than 14).
Hoffenheim have conceded a goal in the first eight minutes of each of their last three games.
Sascha Mölders is Augsburg's top-scorer in their Bundesliga history (13 goals), scoring five of their last seven goals. Overall, he has been involved in 44% of their goals this season (8 of 18).
Kevin Volland is Hoffenheim's joint-top-scorer (four goals,along with Joselu) and top assist provider (5). He has scored their last three goals and has been involved in six of their last nine (3 goals, 3 assists).
Hoffenheim's Boris Vukcevic was seriously injured in a car accident before the last meeting with Augsburg. Back then, Vukcevic's family wanted the game to take place (it had been considered to cancel the game due to his life-threatening injuries).

Bayern Munich v Werder Bremen
In this fixture, Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes will be involved in his 1000th Bundesliga game (including both as a player and a coach). Only Otto Rehhagel has been involved in more games as a coach and active player in the Bundesliga (1037).
Bremen's Thomas Schaaf is the longest-serving coach in the top flight (since May 1999). Only six men have racked up more Bundesliga games in charge than Schaaf - 468.
Bayern haven't lost any of their last ten competitive matches against Bremen (W7 D3), winning their last five games against Werder.
Bremen's last victory over Bayern came on September 5th 2008 at Munich (5-2).
However, Bayer have won only one of their last six Bundesliga home games against Bremen (D4 L1).
Against no other team have Bayern lost more Bundesliga games (26) and conceded more goals (116) than they have against Bremen.
Bayern's current record of 57 points and their goal difference of +50 has never been reached before by another team in the Bundesliga after 22 games.
No other team has ever managed to concede only seven goals after 22 games in Bundesliga history (the next best teams have conceded at least ten goals after 22 games).
No other team in Europe's top five leagues have conceded as few as Bayern's 0.32 goals per game.
Bayern haven't lost any of their last 19 competitive matches, since losing against Leverkusen in October (1-2), winning 15 of those games (D4).
Since drawing 0-0 against Mainz in April 2012, Bayern have scored in each of their last 40 competitive games. In 2012, they scored 87 goals in 33 competitive games (on average 2.6 goals per game).
Manuel Neuer has faced only one opposition shot in the last 281 minutes of action in the top flight (a free kick by Wolfsburg's Diego on matchday 22).
Mario Mandzukic tops the goal-charts in the top flight (15, like Leverkusen striker Stefan Kiessling). He has scored six goals in only four Bundesliga games in 2013.
Bremen's top goal scorer, Nils Petersen (11 goals), is on loan from Bayern Munich. He has netted braces in two of his last three games.

Hannover 96 v Hamburger SV
In this clash, Hannover and Hamburg will meet for the 50th time in the top flight. Only against Bremen have Hannover played as many Bundesliga games (50 as well).
Hamburg have lost only one of their last eight Bundesliga games against Hannover (D4 W3 and a 3-2-victory at Hannover in 2010/11).
However, Hamburg have won only one of their last ten away games at Hannover in the top flight (D4 L5 and a 1-0-victory in 2007/08).
Hamburg, like last week (1-0 against Monchengladbach), will go head to head against an opponent who will have played a Europa League game only two days before the match.
Hannover played only two days after a Europa league in November 2012 - and lost 5-0 at Bayern Munich.
Hannover have gained 77% of their points from home games (23 at home, 7 on the road), a league-high proportion in the top flight.
Bundesliga games which involved Hannover have an average of 3.7 goals this season. This is the highest goals per game rate in the top flight.
Only three teams have scored more goals than Hannover (41 goals). Only Hoffenheim (46) have conceded more goals than Hannover (41, like Bremen).
Hannover have won their last four home games. They haven't enjoyed such a long home winning streak since 2011 (five home victories from February - April).
No other keeper has made as many saves as Hannover's Ron-Robert Zieler (95).
Only Bayern's Manuel Neuer (86%) has posted a higher save percentage than Hamburg keeper Rene Adler (76%).
Hamburg striker Artjoms Rudnevs is the only Bundesliga player who has been involved in more than 50% of his team's goals (14 of 27; 10 goals, 4 assists).
None of the 135 substitutes sent onto the pitch by Thorsten Fink (as Hamburg's coach) have ever scored a goal in their cameo appearance.

VfB Stuttgart v 1. FC Nurnberg
Nurnberg have won five of their last nine away games at Stuttgart (D1 L3). Against no other team have Nurnberg won as many away games as they have against Stuttgart (8).
Nurnberg suffered two devastating defeats against Stuttgart in 1983/84: A 7-0 mauling at Stuttgart, which remains their heaviest Bundesliga loss to this day, and a 6-0 defeat at home, which is their heaviest every home loss.
Nurnberg last won on the road on matchday three at Monchengladbach (3-2). They haven't won away from home in nine games since then (3D 6L).
Stuttgart will have played in the Europa League only two days before the match. They have won their last two games which came only two days after a Europa League game (3-1 against Schalke earlier this season and 7-0 against Monchengladbach in 2010/11).
Stuttgart have lost their last four games played on a Saturday. They would equal their club record of five consecutive losses in Saturday games (1974/75) with another defeat.
Stuttgart's Cacau (2001 - 2003) and Daniel Didavi (2011 - 2012) are both former Nurnberg players.
Nurnberg's Raphael Schäfer (2007 - 2008) and Timo Gebhart (2009 - 2012) are former Stuttgart players.
Sebastian Polter scored all six of his Bundesliga goals in home games (two of them as a Wolfsburg player), four of them as a substitute.
Polter scored his first-ever Bundesliga goal against Stuttgart (2011/12, matchday 17).
Stuttgart striker Vedad Ibisevic hasn't scored in 479 minutes (five games). His longest goal-scoring drought (as a Stuttgart player) came between April and September 2012 (7 games).
As a player, Michael Wiesinger won three of his four games against Bruno Labbadia (L1).
Stuttgart coach Bruno Labbadia met with Nurnberg twelve times as a Bundesliga player, scoring seven goals in the process.

FC Schalke 04 v Fortuna Dusseldorf
Schalke have won only two of their last ten home games against Dusseldorf (D5 L3). Their last home victory came on April 14th, 1987 (4-2).
Based on the the last eleven matchdays only, Schalke would only rank 16th in the league table (W1 D4 L6). Only Fürth (five points) and Hoffenheim (four) gained fewer points from their last eleven games.
Dusseldorf have gained only one point from their last seven Bundesliga games on the road (1-1 at Dortmund). They have lost their last three games away from home.
Dusseldorf have collected as many points (27) as Augsburg (15) and Furth (12) combined.
Dusseldorf are 11 points clear of the the relegation play-off place (16th) more than they have ever been before this season.
Schalke have conceded twelve goals so far this year, no Bundesliga team has shipped more (Bremen also twelve).
In the 2012/13 campaign, Schalke have conceded more goals (37) than Augsburg (35) and Furth (36), teams who who rank 17th and 18th in the table.
Schalke have failed to score in only one of their last 25 home games in the top flight (0-2 against Bayern Munich).
Only two teams have kept more clean sheets this season than Dusseldorf (8; Bayern 16 and Freiburg 9).
In making a sub appearance last week against Mainz, Schalke's Max Meyer became the second-youngest Schalke player to appear in a Bundesliga game (17 years, 4 months, 29 days). In that game, he instantly made a name for himself, providing an assist.
Michel Bastos, who was transferred to Schalke this winter, has scored each of Schalke's last three Bundesliga goals.
Schalke have won only one of their nine Bundesliga games this season with keeper Timo Hildebrand on the pitch (D4 L4). While no other current Bundesliga keeper shas posted as low a save percentage rate as Hildebrand (47.5%).

Borussia Monchengladbach v Borussia Dortmund
Monchengladbach have gained 18 points from their last 18 Bundesliga meetings with Borussia Dortmund, collecting 17 of them at home.
Dortmund's 5-0-victory in the first half of the season remains not only Monchengladbach's biggest loss this season but also Lucien Favre's biggest defeat as Monchengladbach's coach.
Monchengladbach have won three of their last four home games (D1). Dortmund have won their last three games on the road.
Both teams have already both conceded more goals than in their entire 2011/12-campaign: Dortmund currently 26 (25 last season), Monchengladbach 33 (24 last season).
No other team has scored more goals following a set-piece than Monchengladbach (15, along with Hannover).
Monchengladbach need, on average, 17 corners to score a goal from one of those situations, fewer than any other c lub.
Dortmund have played three Bundesliga games without the suspended Robert Lewandowski on the pitch - they have won all three with a goal difference of 10-0.
Dortmund's Marco Reus has scored the opening goal in eleven competitive games this season.
Reus (a former Monchengladbach player) has even become more effective than last season with Monchengladbach (currently involved in 19 goals after 22 games, last season 18).
Mario Götze has had a hand in 17 goals (8 goals, 9 assists) during his last 14 competitive games.
Monchengladbach's Martin Stranzl is the top goal scorer among all Bundesliga defenders this season (4 goals). He scored his first Bundesliga goal in September 2000 in a game against Dortmund (as a player for 1860 Munich, now a second division side).
Last week Dortmund defender Mats Hummels was booked for the first time since August 2011 (49 games without a yellow).

SpVgg Greuther Furth v Bayer Leverkusen
This will be only the second competitive game between Furth and Leverkusen. Bayer won the meeting in the first half of theisseason 2-0 (courtesy of a brace by Sidney Sam).
In 50 years of Bundesliga history, no team has ever avoided relegation after gaining only 12 points from their first 22 games (which is Furth's current record).
Furth are still bwaiting for their first home victory. There have only been three teams prior to Furth who haven't won any of their first eleven home games.
No team has scored as low a number of goals as Furth (13 goals). They have also registered the lowest conversion rate (7.6%) and the lowest duel success rate (46.9%) while only Augsburg (21) have had as low a number of big chances.
Leverkusen had the second-highest number of big chances (65) in the top flight after Bayern (68). Only two teams have scored more goals this season than Leverkusen (43 goals).
Leverkusen has scored at least twice in 15 of their last 18 Bundesliga games. They failed to score at all in only one of these 18 games (0-0 at Freiburg).
Leverkusen haven't won any of their last three games away from home (D2 L1).
Leverkusen have won their last eight meetings with teams from Bavaria (goal difference 20-5) - including two victories over Bayern Munich.
No other team have conceded as many fouls as Furth (436), they have also been shown a joint-league-high five red cards (along with Stuttgart and Bremen, 5 each).
No player has scored more goals in the top flight this season than Leverkusen striker Stefan Kiessling (15, along with Bayern's Mario Mandzukic).
Kiessling has been involved in 529 duels this season which is by far the highest number for a Bundesliga player in 12/13 (success rate: 48%).
Gonzalo Castro has been involved in twelve goals this season (6 goals, 6 assists). This is a new personal record for the Leverkusen midfielder who played almost exclusively as a defender prior to this season.

Ligue 1 Opta Facts - 22-24 February

Nice v Reims
Reims have only won once in their last 13 away games against Nice in Ligue 1 (D3, L9).
Nice have only lost once in their last 12 home league games (W7, D4).
28 of Nice's 37 goals in Ligue 1 this season have been scored in the 2nd half, highest tally.
Reims have only won one of their last 17 league games.
Reims have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine league games (14 goals conceded).
Valentin Eysseric's four goals in L1 this season have been scored at home and in the last 30 minutes.
Gaetan Courtet is involved in 41% of Reims' goals in Ligue 1 this term (9 out of 22).

Rennes v Sochaux
Rennes have won their last three games against Sochaux in L1 (8 goals scored, 2 conceded).
Sochaux have lost seven of their last nine trips to Rennes in L1 (W2).
Sochaux have only won four of their last 29 away league games (D7, L18).
Sochaux have only scored six goals in 12 away games in Ligue 1 this season, lowest tally.
Mevlut Erding has scored six goals in six starts against Sochaux in Ligue 1.
Sébastien Roudet (4) and Cédric Bakambu (5) have scored 36% of Sochaux's league goals this term (9 out of 25).

Ajaccio v Lille
Lille have won their last four league games against Ajaccio (11 goals scored, 3 conceded).
With Saint-Etienne, Ajaccio are the only unbeaten team in L1 in 2013 (W2, D4).
Ajaccio have only lost three of their last 23 home games in Ligue 1 (W10, D10).
Lille have only won twice in their last 12 away games in Ligue 1 (D6, L4).
Lille have only kept one clean sheet away from home this season in Ligue 1.
Dimitri Payet is involved in 14 of Lille's last 20 goals in L1 (6 goals, 8 assists).
Adrian Mutu has scored five goals in his last five league games at the François-Coty stadium.

Evian TG v Montpellier
15 goals have been scored in the three previous encounters in Ligue 1 between these teams.
Evian TG are winless in their last eight league games (D4, L4), longest current drought in the top-flight.
Evian TG have only won twice in their last 14 home league games (D6, L6).
Montpellier have only kept a clean sheet once in their 12 away games in L1 this season.
None of Montpellier's last 12 league games has ended in a draw (W8, L4), longest current run.
Montpellier have scored in 92% of their league games this term, highest ratio in Ligue 1.
Saber Khlifa has scored four goals against Montpellier, more than against any other team in L1.

Nancy v St Etienne
St Etienne have only lost once in their last 10 encounters against Nancy in L1 (W6, D3).
Nancy have only won once in their last 12 home games in L1 (D5, L6).
Nancy have scored in each of their last seven home games in L1.
St Etienne have only lost once in their last 11 trips in Ligue 1 (W4, D6).
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored in each of his last four L1 games, best current run.
Brandao has scored four goals against Nancy in L1, more than against any other team.

Troyes Bastia
Bastia have won their three games against their fellow promoted teams in Ligue 1 this season.
11 goals have been scored in the last two league fixtures between Troyes (3) and Bastia (8).
Bastia have failed to score in their last six trips to Troyes in Ligue 1.
Troyes are unbeaten in their last four league games (W1 D3), their longest run this season.
Bastia are winless in their last five games in the top-flight (D1 L4).
Benjamin Nivet has scored 8 goals in Ligue 1 this season, 7 of which have been scored at home. It's his most prolific top-flight campaign.

Valenciennes v Toulouse
Valenciennes are the only team to have won all their home games against a side in the lower half of the division this season (5).
Valenciennes have lost only two of their last 13 home league games (W8 D3 L2).
Valenciennes have kept one clean sheet in their last 20 league games.
Toulouse have won none of their last seven away games in Ligue 1 (D2 L5).
Toulouse have failed to keep a clean sheet in their six league games in 2013.
Wissam Ben Yedder is goalless in his last 659 minutes in Ligue 1, his longest drought in the top-flight.

Lyon v Lorient
Lorient have lost 11 of their league games against Lyon (W2 D4 L11), more than against any other side in the top-flight.
Lorient have won none of their eight trips to Lyon in Ligue 1 (D2 L6) and have never kept a clean sheet in this run.
Lorient have won only three of their last 30 away games in Ligue 1 (W3 D10 L17).
Lyon have won 21 of their last 31 home games in the top-division (W21 D5 L5).
Bafetimbi Gomis has scored six goals against Lorient in Ligue 1.
Jérémie Aliadière is involved in 18 of Lorient's 41 goals in Ligue 1 this season (44%, 10 goals, 8 assists).

Bordeaux v Brest
Brest are unbeaten in their last three trips to Bordeaux in Ligue 1 (W2 D1).
Bordeaux are unbeaten in their last four league fixtures against Brest (W2 D2).
Bordeaux have lost three of their last five league games, which is as many defeats as during their 32 previous games in the top-flight.
Brest are winless in their last five league games (D1 L4).
Brest have won four of their last 45 away games in Ligue 1 (W4 D15 L26).
Florian Raspentino has scored Brest's last two league goals.

Paris SG v Marseille
Marseille have lost their last three competitive games at the Parc des Princes against PSG.
Marseille have won three of their last 15 competitive trips to Paris SG (W3 D4 L8).
Marseille have scored in each of their last 13 fixtures against Paris SG in Ligue 1.
Paris SG have conceded only one goal in their last six home league games.
Paris SG have lost only four of their last 45 home games in Ligue 1 (W29 D12 L4).
Paris SG have scored in 21 of their last 22 games in the top-flight.
Andre Ayew has scored three games in his last four starts against Paris SG.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has converted all of the last 15 penalties he's taken in top-flight.
PSG's Marco Verratti is the most booked player in this season's Ligue 1 campaign (9 yellow cards in 18 games).

Branko Grahovac, golman Ocelula, prognozira rumunsku ligu

Branko Grahovac golman po profesiji, već četvrtu sezonu uspešno brani boje Ocelula. Imao je sreću i privilegiju da se sa sadašnjim klubom oproba u Ligi šampiona. Dva puta je izabran za najboljeg čuvara mreže u komšiluku, a po glasovima publike najbolja je „jedinica” u istoriji Ocelula.

- Najgora liga za klađenje, svako svakog može da iznenadi. Posle dužeg vremena, desilo se da se jedan klub izdvojio na čelu tabele. Steaua je uzela stvar u svoje ruke i po mom mišljenju sigurno će biti prvak - rekao je Grahovac.
Da li se neki klub posebno pojačao u zimskoj pauzi?
- Prestala su ulaganja, kriza je uzela danak. Najveći transferi ne prelaze pola miliona evra, a iskreno za tu sumu novca ne može da se dovede zvučno pojačanje.
Na koji tim uložiti novac na startu sezone, kladioničari čeznu za fiksevima?
- Bez obzira što su imali meč sa Ajaksom, „žuti” su po mom mišljenju profesori za fudbalere Univerzitatee. Šalu na starnu, ali trebalo bi da ih dobiju zatvorenih očiju. Domaćina muče finansije, pa su glavni konkurenti za ispadanje. Dvojka je sigurica kola.
Ž. U.

MOJ TIP
CSMS - Rapid 2
OCELUL - PETROLUL 1
Dinamo - Brašov 1-1
Ploešt - Konstanca X-1
UNIVERZITATEA KL.- STEAUA 2

21.02. (Thu) 21:05 Liverpool - Zenit

PROBABLE LINEUPS

LIVERPOOL
Reina
Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique
Gerrard, Lucas, Allen
Sterling, Suarez, Downing

ZENIT ST PETERSBERG
Malafeev
Anyukov, Neto, Hubocan, Lombaerts
Witsel, Danny, Denisov
Shirokov, Kerzhakov, Hulk

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will be forced to make at least two changes from the side which beat Swansea City 5-0 on Sunday - with both Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho cup-tied after appearing in Europe earlier in the season for Chelsea and Inter respectively.

Martin Skrtel could come in to face his former club in place of Jamie Carragher, while Joe Allen and Raheem Sterling may well also get an opportunity to impress from the start. Fabio Borini misses out after being ruled out for the rest of the season after dislocating his shoulder against the Swans.

For the visitors, Luciano Spalletti could well name the same starting line-up as that which started the first-leg tie in Russia. This would mean scorer Sergey Semak will again have to settle for a place on the bench.

Axel Witsel is poised to start in midfield alongside Danny and Igor Denisov, while Hulk will again be expected to support Aleksandr Kerzhakov by coming in from his wide position.

DID YOU KNOW?

Liverpool have lost three games in the Europa League this season - with fellow Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala and Serie A outfit Udinese joining Zenit in beating the Reds.

Martin Skrtel made 92 appearances and scored three goals for Zenit before moving to Anfield in 2007.
The Reds have won the Uefa Cup (now the Europa League) three times - back in 1973, 1976 and 2001.
Luis Suarez is 4/1 to score the first goal in the game with Coral.

Aleksandr Korsakov , has an impressive scoring record for the club - he has netted 52 times in 94 matches so far.

Zenit won the Uefa Cup back in 2008 - when they beat Rangers 2-0 in the final at Manchester City’s stadium.

Current boss Luciano Spalletti has been in control of the club since taking over in December 2009. He has previously managed a host of Italian sides including Sampdoria, Udinese and Roma.

Prediction

The hosts head into the match on the back of a convincing win in the Premier League but are likely to face a much tougher task in the Europa League. The first goal could be important and if the visitors can grab an away goal then that could well be enough to send them through. Liverpool to win on the night but Zenit to progress overall.

Editor's Prediction
Liverpool 3-1 Zenit

21.02. (Thu) 21:05 Chelsea - Sparta Praha

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CHELSEA
Cech
Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Bertrand
Ramires, Lampard
Marin, Mata, Oscar
Torres

SPARTA PRAGUE
Vaclik
Zapotocny, Hybs, Svejdik, Pamic
Vacha, Matejovsky, Jarosik, Husbauer, Krejci
Lafata

For the home side, Demba Ba is cup-tied having appeared for Newcastle in the competition this season, so Fernando Torres should lead the line.

Chelsea may start with a strong side as they look to wrap up the tie, with manager Rafael Benitez expected to rotate if a victory is secured.

Meanwhile, the Blues have no new injury or suspension worries ahead of this game, with David Luiz available again.

For Sparta, Jiri Jarosik missed the first leg with injury but should be fit for this game and, despite his poor finishing in the first leg, striker David Lafata should continue up front.

DID YOU KNOW?

The first leg of this tie was Chelsea’s first game in this competition since the 2002-03 season.
Brazilian Oscar was on the pitch for less than a minute before he scored the winning goal in the first leg last week.

Before the first-leg clash, these teams last met in the group stage of the 2003-04 Champions League, with the Blues taking four points from the two games.

Chelsea are 5/1 to win the game 2-0 with Coral.

Sparta Prague have never won a major club competition organised by Uefa.

Sparta captain Marek Matejovsky spent two seasons with Reading in the Premier League, making 51 appearances for the Royals and scoring twice.

The club’s most famous run in a European competition came in the first ever Champions League in the 1991-92 season, when they defeated Rangers and Marseille to reach the semi-final stage.

Prediction

They may have struggled in the first leg, but the Blues will be confident of securing victory in front of their home fans. Things may be difficult if Sparta score an early goal, but regardless Chelsea should take a relatively comfortable win.

Editor's Prediction
Chelsea 2-0 Sparta Prague

21.02. (Thu) 19:00 Metallist - Newcastle United

PROBABLE LINEUPS

METALIST KHARKIV
Goryainov
Villagra, Gueye, Torsiglieri, Fininho
Torres
Marlos, Blanco, Cleiton, Willian
Cristaldo

NEWCASTLE UNITED
Krul
Santon, Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Haidara
Tiote, Anita,
Marveaux, Sissoko, Obertan
Cisse

Metalist, like the first leg, are playing outside their league season so have no fresh injury concerns or suspensions to contend with.

The home side’s only Ukrainian-born player from last week’s starting line-up, goalkeeper Olexandr Goryainov, impressed on Tyneside last week and will line up between the sticks once more.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are still without Youan Gouffran (shin) and Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring), so Alan Pardew is likely to name the same XI that drew a blank in the first leg.

There are no fresh injury worries for the Magpies, but Danny Simpson (toe) is sidelined alongside Dan Gosling, Ryan Taylor and Haris Vuckic (all knee).

DID YOU KNOW?

Last week’s match was the first meeting between these two sides in Uefa club competition.
The last time Metalist faced English opposition was in the 2007/08 Uefa Cup when Myron Markevich's side lost 4-3 on aggregate to Everton
.
The hosts have only lost at home once in their last 11 European games; the last of which came in last year’s last 16 against Olympiakos.

Metalist like to leave it late: five of their nine goals since the start of the group stages have come on or after the 75th minute.

Newcastle are without a win in five European away games, having drawn three and lost two.
Papiss Cisse had two goals disallowed in the first leg, meaning he failed to add to his only strike in this year's competition, against Bordeaux in October.

Cisse is 6/1 to score the first goal in the game with Coral.
Last week's 0-0 draw ended Newcastle's run of scoring in each of their previous 14 home games; a run which goes back to 2004.

Prediction

Alan Pardew felt somewhat aggrieved after last week’s tie, when Papiss Cisse had two goals ruled out, but will have been encouraged by what he saw and will believe his side can get on the scoresheet. They take on a Metalist side lacking in match practice, and they were visibly tiring towards the end of last week’s match, but the added fervour of the home crowd could have an impact. However, Newcastle could sneak this one on away goals.

Editor's Prediction
Metalist 1-1 Newcastle United

21.02. (Thu) 19:00 Olympique Lyonnais - Tottenham Hot.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

LYON
Vercoutre
Reveillere, Bisevac, Lovren, Umtiti
Fofana, Gonalons
Lacazette, Grenier, Lopez
Gomis

TOTTENHAM
Friedel
Walker, Gallas, Caulker, Naughton
Dembele, Parker
Lennon, Dempsey, Bale
Adebayor

Lyon manager Remi Garde has no fresh injury concerns ahead of Les Gones’ second-leg clash with Tottenham, though Yoann Gourcuff (hamstring) remains sidelined.

Steed Malbranque was not in the squad for Lyon's 4-0 win over Bordeaux on Sunday, while his replacement, Clement Grenier, grabbed two goals and an assist which could see him start against Spurs.

Tottenham are without their top scorer in the Europa League Jermain Defoe (ankle), while Younes Kaboul (knee) is still several weeks away from returning to first-team duty.

With Tom Huddlestone (knee) a doubt for the match and Brazilian enforcer Sandro (also knee) out for the remainder of the season, Scott Parker and Mousa Dembele are likely to continue in midfield.

Andre Villas-Boas may rotate his squad with one eye on Monday night's Premier League clash with West Ham, so Steven Caulker and Kyle Naughton could slot back into the defence.

Spurs' Portuguese boss has opted to rotate his goalkeepers in Europe, which means Brad Friedel is likely to start and thus deny ex-Lyon shot-stopper Hugo Lloris a reunion with his former club.

DID YOU KNOW?

Lyon have beaten Tottenham at home before, securing a 1-0 win over Bill Nicholson's Spurs in the 1967-68 European Cup Winners' Cup first leg – a replica of that scoreline on Thursday would send the French side through.

That 1-0 win over Tottenham was Les Gones' last home win over an English side, over 46 years ago. It is also their only home win over English teams, having drawn five and lost one of the other six encounters.
Lyon have won their last four European home games, recording victories in all three of their Europa League group games at the Stade de Gerland this year and beating APOEL in the last 16 of last season's Champions League.

Les Gones have averaged more shots at home in the Europa League, 20.3 per game, than any other side, with 39.3 per cent of those on target. By comparison, Spurs have averaged just 3.3 shots on target per Europa League away match.

The French club are managed by Remi Garde, who spent three years at Tottenham's fierce rivals Arsenal between 1996 and 1999 (and signed for the club on the same day as Patrick Vieira).

Tottenham are unbeaten in Europe this year after seven matches, recording four wins and three draws. The White Hart Lane outfit have progressed to the next round in 46 of the 49 occasions where they have taken a first-leg lead in European competition.

Gareth Bale's two free kicks at the end of either half handed Spurs victory over Lyon in the first leg; he is 7/1 to score two or more goals in the second leg with Coral.

The 23-year-old became the first Tottenham player since Robbie Keane to score an injury time winning goal in Europe, with the Irishman having struck in the 91st minute in a 3-2 win over Braga in March 2007.

Emmanuel Adebayor spent seven years in France with Metz and Monaco. In his six games against Lyon, including the match at White Hart Lane, he has failed to record a single goal or assist. The only team he has faced more times than Lyon without scoring against is Sunderland (eight without a goal).

Spurs are unbeaten in their last four Europa League away matches, though they have not won away since beating Shamrock Rovers 4-0 in December 2011. Of the side that claimed victory over the Dubliners, only Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Harry Kane and Jake Livermore are still at the club and fit to play against Lyon.

Prediction

Neither keeper was worked especially hard at White Hart Lane, but Lyon, fresh from striking four times against Bordeaux, are more attack-minded at home, while Tottenham have counter-attacked to good effect on their travels this year. Les Gones will have to work hard to penetrate Spurs' increasingly solid defensive shape, and risk being stung on the break if they over-commit. As ever, how Lyon deal with Gareth Bale could decide the match.

Editor's Prediction
Lyon 1-1 Tottenham

20.02. (Wed) 20:45 Milan - Barcelona

PROBABLE LINEUPS

AC MILAN
Abbiati
Abate, Zapata, Mexes, De Sciglio
Montolivo, Ambrosini, Nocerino
Boateng, Pazzini, El Shaarawy

BARCELONA
Valdes
Alves, Pique, Puyol, Alba
Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas
Pedro, Messi, Iniesta


AC Milan will assess forward Stephan El Shaarawy (knee) ahead of the Champions League last-16 clash against Barcelona.

Mario Balotelli is cup-tied and Nigel de Jong is sidelined with an ankle injury, but Giampaolo Pazzini (hamstring) is available.

Elsewhere, Daniele Bonera (thigh) and Robinho (knee) are doubts, while Philippe Mexes returns after serving a one-game European ban.

Barcelona are boosted by the return of playmaker Xavi, who has recovered from a hamstring problem.

However, Adriano (thigh), Eric Abidal and David Villa (both illness) have not made the trip to Italy.

DID YOU KNOW?

AC Milan are on a seven-game unbeaten run in Serie A and have won their last six matches at San Siro in all competitions.

The Rossoneri faced Barcelona four times in the Champions League last season, drawing two and losing two. Their overall home record against Spanish opposition is W11, D6, L6.

Bojan Krkic made 163 appearances for Barca between 2007 and 2011, scoring 41 goals.

Barcelona have won eight of their last 11 away matches in the Champions League and are targeting a sixth straight quarter-final appearance.

The Catalan giants are on a seven-match unbeaten streak against Milan. Their overall record on Italian soil is W6, D7, L5.

Lionel Messi has scored 56 goals in the Champions League, level with Ruud van Nistelrooy and behind only Raul (71).

Prediction

Milan look a much weaker side than the one that bowed out in last season’s quarter-final, while Barcelona have arguably gotten stronger since then. Nonetheless, the Rossoneri are still quite capable of packing bodies in the Barca midfield and stifling their flowing football in heavy traffic, while the likes of El Shaarawy and Pazzini can catch the Catalans’ suspect rearguard on the break.

Editor's Prediction
Milan 1-1 Barcelona

20.02. (Wed) 20:45 Galatasaray - Schalke 04

PROBABLE LINEUPS

GALATASARAY
Muslera
Eboue, Nounkeu, Semih, Riera
Hamit, Felipe Melo, Selcuk
Sneijder
Drogba, Burak

SCHALKE
Unnerstall
Hoger, Howedes, Matip, Fuchs
Jones, Neustadter
Farfan, Draxler, Bastos
Huntelaar

Galatasaray are set to hand Didier Drogba his first start for the club, with the Ivorian having scored on his debut after coming off the bench on Friday against Akhisar.

However, Tomas Ujfalusi and Johan Elmander will miss out due to injury, while Emmanuel Eboue could come back in at right-back, with Sabri Sarioglu dropping to the bench.
Schalke, meanwhile, are expected to welcome back Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, with the Dutch striker having struggled with an eye injury in recent matches.

However, they will be without a host of big-name players, including Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Atsuto Uchida, Ibrahim Afellay and Ciprian Marica all missing out.

DID YOU KNOW?

Galatasaray star Drogba scored just five minutes into his Super Lig debut on Friday. His last Champions League touch won Chelsea the competition.

Hamit Altintop started his career at Schalke, and enjoyed spells at Bayern Munich and Real Madrid before moving to Istanbul.

Burak Yilmaz has scored six of his side's seven Champions League matches.

Schalke have not lost a Champions League match since their semi-final tie at Old Trafford in 2010-11.

The Veltins Arena club have won just once in 2013 - a 5-4 home triumph over Hannover on January 18.

Michel Bastos has scored three goals in as many games for Jens Keller's side since moving there from Olympique Lyonnais in January.

Prediction

Galatasaray will be encouraged by Schalke's appalling run of form, which has seen them win just once since the start of November, and, backed by their raucous home support, should be able to claim a first-leg lead.

Editor's Prediction
Galatasaray 2-1 Schalke