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Jedinica na derbiju Željko Kalajdžić (Platanjas, Grčka)
Written By maxtv on Friday, 12 April 2013 | 17:59
13.04. (Sat) 17:00 Troyes - Paris Saint Germain
ESTAC TROYES
Thuram-Ulien
Colin, Jarjat, Brechet, Othon
Yamissi, Thiago
Faussurier, Nivet, Camus
Marcos
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Sirigu
Van der Wiel, Sakho, T. Silva, Maxwell
Lucas Moura, Verratti, Matuidi, Pastore
Lavezzi, Gameiro
Troyes could be without up to four players for the visit of Paris Saint-Germain to Stade de l'Aube on Saturday.
Jean-Christophe Bahebeck was already ineligible to face his parent club and Corentin Jean, Granddi N'Goyi and Stephane Drouil are all sidelined for the bottom side.
Meanwhile, PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti is likely to rotate his side following their Champions League exit to Barcelona in midweek. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will serve a one-match suspension.
The likes of Blaise Matuidi - suspended against the Catalans - Kevin Gameiro, Mamadou Sakho and Gregory van der Wiel are all in line for starts, as the Parisiens turn their attentions to domestic honours.
DID YOU KNOW?
Troyes sit in 20th position in Ligue 1, with 25 points amassed. They are six points adrift with seven games to go.
The hosts lost 1-0 to fellow relegation strugglers Nancy last weekend, their only defeat in the last four games.
Troyes have only ever lost one league fixture at home to PSG, and are unbeaten in last two - the last of those coming in a 1-1 draw in 2006.
Paris Saint-Germain will be searching for a win to take them further clear of Olympique de Marseille at the top of the table.
Should Marseille lose to Lille this weekend and PSG beat Troyes, Carlo Ancelotti's side would only require two further victories to seal a first title since 1994.
PSG's Champions League exit at midweek means they have only the Coupe de France and Ligue 1 to fight for. They face Evian in the Coupe next week.
Prediction
Paris Saint-Germain return to Ligue 1 proud of their achievements following the Champions League exit to Barcelona and with bottom-side Troyes lying in wait for them on Saturday, Ancelotti and his men will have to consider this a sure victory if they are to go ten points clear of Marseille come Sunday. Ibrahimovic may be suspended, but this should be a walk in the park.
Editor's Prediction
Troyes 0-3 PSG
13.04. (Sat) 16:00 Arsenal - Norwich
ARSENAL
Fabianski
Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Monreal
Arteta, Ramsey
Gervinho, Cazorla, Podolski
Giroud
NORWICH CITY
Bunn
Martin, Turner, Bassong, Garrido
Bennett, Howson, Johnson, Snodgrass
Hoolahan
Holt
Arsenal's Theo Walcott (groin) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) are in contention for the visit of the Canaries, though whether or not Arsene Wenger risks them from the off remains to be seen, even with last week's matchwinner Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) described as "50-50" for the match by the Gunners boss.
Otherwise, the home side will be missing Per Mertesacker after he was sent off against West Brom last week, while Abou Diaby (knee) remains sidelined for the foreseeable.
With John Ruddy (hip) still out, Norwich manager Chris Hughton will be sweating on the fitness of Mark Bunn (groin) after third-choice goalkeeper Lee Camp was called into action after just 15 minutes last week against Swansea.
Andrew Surman (knee) continues to miss out for the visitors, though fellow midfielder Anthony Pilkington (hamstring) is available for selection.
DID YOU KNOW?
Since Christmas, Arsenal have scored in every game bar the 2-0 loss to Manchester City.
The Gunners have won seven of their last nine games and are second only to runaway leaders Manchester United in the form table.
When Arsene Wenger's side have scored first in the league this season, they have never lost a game.
90 per cent of Olivier Giroud's Premier League goals this season have been scored at the Emirates Stadium.
The last time the two teams met at the Emirates Stadium the game ended in a 3-3 draw, with Steve Morison firing in a late equaliser for the visitors.
Norwich have just two players who have scored five Premier League goals this season (Holt and Snodgrass), whereas the Gunners have six (Walcott, Giroud, Podolski, Cazorla, Gervinho, Arteta).
The visitors have won only once in the Premier League since Christmas, drawing seven of their last 11 games.
The Canaries have also only scored just twice away from home since the start of the year.
If the Premier League were based solely on second-half results, Norwich would be 18th in the table, with just 33 points.
Arsenal are 9/1 to beat Norwich 3-1 with bet365.
13.04. (Sat) 16:00 Reading - Liverpool
READING
Federici
Kelly, Mariappa, Morrison, Gunter
Robson-Kanu, Karacan, Guthrie, McAnuff
Le Fondre, Pogrebnyak
LIVERPOOL
Reina
Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique
Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson
Coutinho, Sturridge, Suarez
Reading continue to be without Jason Roberts (thigh) and Jimmy Kebe (groin), while Hope Akpan is struggling with a knock picked up in the defeat to Southampton last week.
Pavel Pogrebnyak may replace him, joining Adam Le Fondre in a two-pronged attack.
Liverpool have doubts over Stewart Downing (illness), with Daniel Sturridge set to step up to Brendan Rodgers' front-line.
Youngster Raheem Sterling (thigh) has been ruled out, while Fabio Borini, Joe Allen and Martin Kelly will all miss the rest of the season.
DID YOU KNOW?
Reading last hosted Liverpool in the Premier League in December 2007, where goals from Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle and James Harper gave the eventually relegated Royals a 3-1 win over the Reds. Steven Gerrard struck for the visitors.
From that matchday squad, only Nicky Shorey and Adam Federici remain at the club.
Only Wigan have conceded more goals at home than Reading this season.
The Royals' central-midfielders have only contributed two goals in the Premier League this season, while Liverpool captain Gerrard already has nine to his name.
Only Manchester United and Tottenham have scored more goals away from home in the league than the Reds this season.
There has never been a goalless draw between these two sides in nine meetings.
Liverpool are 10/1 to beat Reading 3-1 with bet365.
13.04. (Sat) 15:30 Greuther Furth - Borussia D.
FURTH
Grun
Nehrig, Sobiech, Mavraj, Baba
Klaus, Furstner, Prib, Petsos
Djurdjic, Sercan
DORTMUND
Weidenfeller
Grosskreutz, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer
Kehl, Sahin
Kuba, Leitner, Reus
Schieber
Greuther Furth will be without a host of players for the visit of last season's champions. Zoltan Stieber and Michael Hefele are both in training, but unfit, Matthias Zimmermann is suspended and Sebastian Tyrala has a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Dortmund, meanwhile, will make a host of changes from their team against Malaga in midweek, with Kevin Grosskreutz, Nuri Sahin, Sebastian Kehl, Moritz Leitner and Julian Schieber all making starts.
Mats Hummels should get a run out in defence after making his comeback from injury. Patrick Owomoyela remains sidelined.
DID YOU KNOW?
Greuther Furth have yet to win a home game in the Bundesliga this season.
A fourth-tier Furth ran out 3-1 winners against Borussia Dortmund in the first round of the 1990 DFB-Pokal.
The Bavarians need six more points to avoid recording the lowest-ever Bundesliga points total.
Borussia Dortmund beat Furth in last season's DFB-Pokal semi-final thanks to a last-second Ilkay Gundogan goal.
Robert Lewandowski has scored in his last 10 Bundesliga games, leaving him six off Gerd Muller's all-time record of 16.
Dortmund recorded a 3-1 home victory over Furth back in November, with Lewandowski scoring the only penalty of his Bundesliga career.
Prediction
Greuther Furth are longed for the 2. Bundesliga, and although Dortmund will be resting a host of stars, the deposed champions should have no problem in seeing off inferior opposition at the Trolli Arena.
Editor's Prediction
Greuther Furth 0-2 Dortmund
13.04. (Sat) 15:30 Bayern Munchen - Nurnberg
BAYERN
Neuer
Rafinha, Boateng, Dante, Alaba
Javi Martinez, Tymoshchuk
Robben, Muller, Shaqiri
Gomez
NURNBERG
Schafer
Balitsch, Nilsson, Klose, Pinola
Simons
Chandler, Kiyotake, Feulner, Esswein
Pekhart
Bayern Munich are set to rest a host of players with Tuesday's DFB-Pokal clash with Wolfsburg on the horizon. Tom Starke may replace Manuel Neuer in goal, but at the back, Jerome Boateng is certain to replace Daniel Van Buyten, who limped off against Juventus in midweek.
Rafinha could also start ahead of Philipp Lahm at right-back, while Diego Contento could replace David Alaba on the opposite side of defence. Bastian Schweinsteiger is likely to to be rested, and with Luiz Gustavo suspended, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk is in line for a rare start in midfield.
Franck Ribery should get a break on the left flank, while Mario Gomez will start ahead of Mario Mandzukic. Toni Kroos (thigh) and Holger Badstuber (knee) are both out.
Meanwhile, Nurnberg will be without Adam Hlousek and Marcos Antonio, who are both struggling for fitness and Timo Gebhart, who has a thigh issue.
DID YOU KNOW?
Bayern Munich have scored 24 goals in their five home games since the resumption of action after the winter break.
The Roten are also in search of their 100th Bundesliga win at the Allianz Arena. Their current record stands at 99 victories in 133 matches.
Bayern ended up reaching their third Champions League semi-final in four years after knocking out Juventus in midweek.
Nurnberg have lost to Bayern more times than to any other opponent in the Bundesliga.
Markus Feulner started his career at Bayern. He represented Koln, Mainz and Dortmund before moving back to Bavaria in 2011.
No Bundesliga defender has scored more times than Per Nilsson this season. The Swede has found the net five times.
Prediction
Bayern may be set to rest a host of stars, but even with Nurnberg in good form, die Roten will be simply too good for their opponents and should chalk up Bundesliga victory No.100 at the Allianz Arena with ease.
Editor's Prediction
Bayern 2-0 FC Nürnberg
FA Cup Semi-Final Opta Facts: 13-14 April
Written By maxtv on Thursday, 11 April 2013 | 18:45
Wigan have reached the last four of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.
The Latics are the 78th different team to reach the semi-final stage of the FA Cup.
Millwall were last in the semi-finals in 2004 when they made it to the final before losing to Manchester United.
The one and only meeting between Millwall and Wigan in the FA Cup was back in 1935. Millwall won a third round tie 4-1.
Wigan are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Millwall in all competitions, without conceding a goal (W2 D1).
The Lions have won just one of their last 13 clashes with top flight opposition in the FA Cup (D4 L8). However, that victory came in this year's competition when they eliminated Aston Villa.
Wigan have failed to score just once in their last 11 FA Cup matches against opponents from lower divisions.
Of those 11 matches, Wigan have lost just two, winning five and drawing four.
Millwall have won four and lost just one of their last six FA Cup matches played at a neutral venue.
This will be Wigan's first game at Wembley since 2000 when they lost 3-2 to Gillingham in the then Football League Second Division Play-Off.
Millwall have conceded just one goal in their five FA Cup matches so far this season.
Jordi Gomez has scored three goals and assisted two more in the FA Cup this season. The Spaniard played a part in two of their three goals against Everton in the quarter-final.
Chelsea v Manchester City
Chelsea (2012) and Manchester City (2011) are the last two teams to win the FA Cup.
The London side have lifted the trophy four times in the last six years.
Excluding penalty shoot-outs, Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 29 FA Cup matches; winning 23 and drawing six.
This will be the first meeting between these two teams in the FA Cup since the Fourth Round of the 1971 FA Cup; when Manchester City advanced.
City have won two of their three meetings in the FA Cup; with Chelsea winning the other. All three games have been won to nil.
Chelsea have won just two of their last eight meetings with Manchester City in all competitions, losing five and drawing the other (excluding Community Shield).
Manchester City are yet to concede a goal in the 2013 FA Cup.
No team has reached the FA Cup final without conceding since Everton in 1966.
Chelsea have won all seven FA Cup games that they have played at the new Wembley.
Both of Manchester City's games at Wembley in the 2011 FA Cup ended in 1-0 victories.
Carlos Tevez has scored five goals in four FA Cup matches this season, including a hat-trick against Barnsley.
Juan Mata has laid on five goals for his team-mates in five FA Cup appearances this season.
Serie A Opta Facts: 13-15 April
This will be the 100th meeting between these two sides in Serie A: the Viola lead by 41 wins to 26.
In their last five meetings, Atalanta and Fiorentina have never repeated the same result twice in a row.
Atalanta have won only twice in their last 12 games against Fiorentina in the league, although both wins have come in the last two meetings in Bergamo.
Against Atalanta, Luca Toni scored his first ever Serie A goal, in October 2000 when he was at Vicenza.
Atalanta have won three of their last five Serie A games, including last Sunday against Inter (coming from 3-1 down to winning 4-3).
However, Atalanta have won only one of their last seven league fixtures on home soil (4D 2L).
Last time out, Fiorentina drew their first game after nine Serie A fxtures where they had won five and lost four.
The Viola have scored in each of their last seven league games, but have also conceded two goals in each of the last three.
Fiorentina have lost five of their last six away games, winning the other one.
Last Sunday, Germán Denis netted his third Serie A hat-trick, taking his scoring tally for this season to 15 goals.
No sides have been awarded more penalties than Fiorentina so far in this campaign (nine, including two in the last game against AC Milan).
Cagliari - Inter
Cagliari have conceded 110 goals in Serie A against Inter - more than against any other opponent so far.
Cagliari have beaten Inter only once in their last 25 meetings in the league.
Their last two league meetings both ended 2-2 - previously, Inter had recorded five wins in a row against the Sardinians.
Inter have scored in each of their last 23 league games against Cagliari (on average two goals per game).
Cagliari have lost only one of their last 12 Serie A fixtures (6W 5D).
The Sardinians are unbeaten in their last six home games (4W 2D), and won the last three.
However, they have conceded in each of their last nine games played at home.
Inter have lost three of their last four games in Serie A, and have won only four times in the last 15 match-days.
The Nerazzurri have won their last two away games, after they had picked up only a point from their previous seven games on the road.
In the reverse fixture, Marco Sau scored his first Serie A brace - he is currently the Sardinians' top-scorer on 11 goals.
Last Sunday, Tommaso Rocchi scored his 100th Serie A goal.
Chievo - Catania
Chievo lead by five wins to three in Serie A against Catania, with three draws completing the record.
In their last eight meetings, both sides have always scored.
Catania have found the net in each of their 11 previous meetings against Chievo in the league, but never more than twice in a single game.
The head to head record between the two sides in Verona sees the hosts remain unbeaten, courtesy of three wins and two draws.
Sergio Pellissier has scored six goals against Catania, only against Lazio (seven) has he bagged more in the top-flight.
Chievo have lost six of their last nine league fixtures, with two wins and a draw.
Chievo have won only one of their last five home games, losing two and drawing two in the process.
Catania have won only one of their last five Serie A fixtures, and only one of their last five away from home too.
Chievo are the only side yet to concede a goal from penalty in this Serie A campaign.
Cyril Théréau has been directly involved in five of Chievo'ò last six home goals (three scored, two assisted).
Gonzalo Bergessio and Alejandro Gomez are both currently enjoying their 3rd respective Serie A seasons and they are both also having their most prolific campaigns so far, having netted eight and seven goals respectively.
Genoa - Sampdoria
This will be the 74th derby between Genoa and Sampdoria - the Blucerchiati lead by 25 wins to 23, including a 3-1 win in the reverse fixture this season.
These two sides haven't drawn any of their last eight meetings, with Genoa winning five and Sampdoria three.
Genoa have won the last three Serie A derbies when playing as the host side, and have not conceded more than one goal in any of the last nine clashes with their local rivals.
In the reverse fixture, Mauro Icardi scored his first ever Serie A goal.
Genoa have collected only one point from their last five league games, conceding a total of 12 goals in the process.
Genoa have a record of three wins, two draws and one loss over the course of their last six home games.
The Grifoni have conceded exaclty two goals in four of their last five home fixtures.
Sampdoria have picked up only a point in total from their last four Serie A games, conceding eight goals in the process.
Samp have won just one of their last 13 league games on the road (five draws, seven defeats).
Away from home, the Blucerchiati have scored only one goal in their last five league games - losing two and drawing three 0-0..
Ciro Immobile scored a goal in the reverse fixture, but has failed to find the net in his last 10 Serie A appearances.
Lazio - Juventus
Juventus are unbeaten against Lazio in the league since December 2003 - since then, there have been 11 wins for the Old Lady and five draws (incl. the 0-0 in the reverse fixture this season).
Lazio have netted only four goals in their last nine meetings against the Bianconeri.
Juve have won their last three games at Lazio's ground without conceding a single goal.
Lazio are one of only two current sides in Serie A (alongside Atalanta) against whom Sebastian Giovinco is yet to score a goal.
Mirko Vucinic has already scored seven goals in Serie A against Lazio - his favourite opponent after Udinese (10 goals).
Lazio have won just two of their last 11 Serie A fixtures (three draws, six losses).
Lazio have won only two of their last five home games, losing two.
Juventus have recorded five wins and a draw in the last six Serie A match-days.
Antonio Conte's side have lost only one of their last eight away games in the league, winning five in the process.
Juventus have never conceded more than a single goal in any of their last 28 games on the road in this Serie A, since a 3-3 draw at the San Paolo against Napoli in November 2011.
AC Milan - Napoli
Five of the last eight meetings between these two sides have ended in a draw, including the last two.
AC Milan are unbeaten in their last 18 home games against Napoli (10W 8D).
Napoli have scored only one goal in total in their last four visits to AC Milan in the league.
Giampaolo Pazzini has scored only one goal in his 10 league appearances against Napoli in Serie A.
Edinson Cavani has bagged four goals in Serie A against AC Milan, including one of his six hat-tricks (in September 2011).
AC Milan are still unbeaten in Serie A in 2013 (9W 4D).
At home, Massimiliano Allegri's side are on a run of eight consecutive wins during which they have conceded only five goals.
Napoli have won their last three league games - the Partenopei have yet to win four games in a row in the league this season.
Before beating Torino in their last away game, Napoli had lost three times in a row on the road.
AC Milan have seen nine opposition players sent off this season, the joint-most in Serie A (level with Juventus).
Last Sunday, Riccardo Montolivo scored his fourth goal this season - he has never scored five in a single Serie A season.
Palermo - Bologna
Palermo and Bologna haven't drawn any of their last eight league meetings with the Rosanero winning five.
Bologna have scored in each of their last 10 meetings against Palermo.
Bologna have managed to beat Palermo only once in their 22 meetings at the Barbera, back in November 1934 - since then the hosts have won 14 times, including the last five against the Felsinei.
Bologna have never scored more than a single goal at Palermo's ground in Serie A.
Alberto Gilardino has already scored eight goals against Palermo, including a brace - though he has only found the net once in his last eight Serie A appearances.
Palermo have won back-to-back games against Roma and Sampdoria - the last time the Sicilians won three games in a row in the league was in November 2010.
The Rosanero scored five goals in those two games, as many as they had netted in their previous eight league fixtures.
At the Barbera, Palermo have won only one of their last eight league games, losing four.
Bologna are winless in their last three league fixtures, and have kept a clean sheet in three of their last five games.
Bologna have drawn only one of their last 17 away games in Serie A, losing 11 times in the process.
Palermo have scored five goals in their last two games, as many had they had netted in their previous eight Serie A match-days.
Parma - Udinese
Parma lead by 16 wins to 12 in Serie A against Udinese, with nine draws.
Udinese have won only one of their last eight league games against Parma in the top-flight.
Udinese have scored only one goal in total in their last four trips to Parma in Serie A.
Eight of Amauri's 10 goals in this campaign have been scored on home soil.
Last Sunday against Chievo, Antonio Di Natale scored goals no. 169 and 170 in his 351 Serie A appearances, with those strikes coming in his 22nd top-flight brace.
Parma have lost only one of their last four league games, and have kept clean sheets in the last two.
The Ducali have now won back-to-back games at home after picking up only two points from their previous four fixtures at the Tardini.
Udinese scored three goals in their last game against Chievo, as many as they had netted in their previous six Serie A matches.
Francesco Guidolin's side have never repeated the same result in consecutive games over the course of the last 12 match-days.
Pescara - Siena
The only previous meeting between these two sides was the reverse fixture this season, won 1-0 by the Tuscans.
Pescara have taken only one point from their last 12 Serie A fixtures, failing to score in eight of those games.
Pescara have lost their last five games at home, conceding on average two goals per game.
Siena are unbeaten in the last four Serie A match-days, but have drawn the last three.
Siena have only won one of their last 13 away games, losing eight in the process.
Siena's last nine league goals have been scored by either Emeghara (five) or Rosina (four).
Pescara have the worst attack (just 22 goals scored) and the worst defence (63 conceded) in Serie A this season.
Mattia Perin has made the most saves in Serie A this season (110).
Only Juventus (14) have kept more clean sheets than Siena (12) this season.
Torino - Roma
Roma have won their last four league games against Torino, and 10 of the last 12.
In seven of their last 12 meetings against Roma, Torino have failed to score.
Roma are unbeaten in their last 11 games at Torino's ground in Serie A.
The Giallorossi have won four of their last five visits to Torino and have conceded only one goal in these games.
Torino have won only one of their last six league games, conceding an average of 2.5 goals per game.
At home, the Granata have won four of their last seven games but lost last time out against Napoli 5-3.
The last time before that where they had conceded five goals at home in Serie A came in May 1993 (Torino v Cagliari 0-5).
Roma have won just one of their last four Serie A games (2D 1L).
Roma have only won one of their last eight away games, losing five - however, the Giallorossi did score in each of those games..
Francesco Totti has played nine games in Serie A against Torino, scoring three goals.
Converting a penalty against Lazio last time out, Totti took his scoring tally to 12 goals this season, but only two of them have come away from home.
Roma are one of just three current teams in Serie A against whom Rolando Bianchi has never scored in his career.
Premier League Opta Facts: 13-14 April
Arsenal are unbeaten in four Barclays Premier League home meetings with the Canaries (W2 D2), averaging four goals per game over the last three.
Norwich won 4-2 at Highbury in their first ever Premier League game in August 1992; since then, only four other away teams have netted four times in a league game against the Gunners and no side has netted more.
Grant Holt has scored in both of his last two meetings with Arsenal.
The Emirates has seen more goals (59) than any other Premier League ground this term.
Only league leaders Manchester United have taken as many points from their last six Premier League games as Arsenal (both 15).
Norwich City are without a win in seven away league games (D2 L5).
Overall, Chris Hughton's side have won only one of their last 15 league games (D7 L7).
If only second-halves counted, Arsenal would be top of the Premier League with 61 points this season (Man Utd third on 53).
The Gunners have scored a league-high seven fast break goals this season.
Grant Holt has conceded a league-high 70 fouls this season.
Aston Villa v Fulham
Fulham have never won a Barclays Premier League game at Villa Park, mustering just four points from 33 available at the West Midlands venue.
The Whites have netted just five times in these 11 league games at Villa Park, failing to score in three of their last four trips there.
Indeed, Fulham last won a top-flight away game against Aston Villa in March 1966, when they trounced the Villans 5-2.
There have only been two goals scored in the last three clashes between Villa and Fulham combined.
Fulham have recouped just four points from losing positions this season, a league-low.
Aston Villa have not managed a single clean sheet in any of their last 16 league games, including their last eight at Villa Park.
Christian Benteke has scored in four successive Premier League games and in eight of his last 10 (nine goals in total).
Dimitar Berbatov has scored five goals in his last five league games combined.
No Premier League team has conceded more goals from penalties than Aston Villa this season (6).
The Whites have seen their woodwork struck a league-high 18 times this season.
Everton v Queens Park Rangers
Everton have only won two of their 11 previous Barclays Premier League meetings with Queens Park Rangers (D3 L6).
The R's have scored 24 times in these 11 games against Everton; against no other side have they scored more than 17 in the Premier League.
The Londoners have won three of their five previous Premier League trips to Goodison Park (D1 L1); they have never won four away games v one opponent in the Premier League.
Kevin Mirallas has netted in three of his last four league games.
Queens Park Rangers have lead at half-time just twice all season and failed to win both of them (1D 1L).
Loic Remy has scored in four of his last five Premier League appearances.
Everton are the only Premier League team to have reached 100 headed shots this season.
Since the start of last season, QPR have been shown 12 red cards; at least four more than any other side (Arsenal and Man City eight).
No top-flight side has scored more goals from outside the area than QPR this season (12).
No side, meanwhile, has scored more headed goals this term than Everton (13).
Reading v Liverpool
Liverpool have won four of their previous five league meetings with the Royals, all played in the Barclays Premier League, though they did lose their last trip to the Madejski in December 2007.
In nine previous clashes with the Reds in all competitions, Reading have never managed a clean sheet.
Reading have lost seven successive Premier League games, just one short of their top-flight record of eight straight defeats.
The Reds have scored in their last 10 away league games, the longest current run of its kind in the top-flight.
Reading have lost eight games in a row in all competitions; a club record.
Hal Robson-Kanu is the only Reading player to have scored in any of the Royals' last six Premier League games (also one own goal).
Liverpool have won four of their last 13 away league games (D5 L4).
The Reds have won 61% of games that Jamie Carragher has played in this season, and just 14% without him.
Reading have conceded the first goal on 20 occasions this season; more than any other team.
Liverpool have attempted 435 shots this season, a league-high, but 249 of them have been off target, another league-high.
Southampton v West Ham United
Mark Noble has scored three goals in his last two league games against Southampton, with two coming from the penalty spot.
After three draws in the first five Barclays Premier League meetings between Southampton and West Ham, only one of the last 16 has ended level.
The Hammers have only won one of their last 10 away league games against the Saints (D3 L6.)
West Ham are the only Premier League team to have lost every game they have fallen behind in (10 matches) away from home in 2012-13.
The Saints have lost a league-high 22 points in games that they have scored the first goal in this season.
Southampton have benefited from more goals from English players (32) than any other team in the top-flight this term.
Mauricio Pochettino's side have won their last three Premier League games; they have not won four in a row in the top-flight since March 2001 under Glenn Hoddle (five wins).
Jay Rodriguez has scored in three successive top-flight appearances for the first time in his career.
If only second-halves counted, West Ham would be second-bottom on 30 points, four adrift of safety (Reading bottom on 27).
Jussi Jääskeläinen has made 134 saves this season, at least 14 more than any other goalkeeper.
Newcastle v Sunderland
Shola Ameobi has scored seven goals in 13 Barclays Premier League meetings with Sunderland; against no other side has he netted more than three.
With seven goals in this fixture, Ameobi is by some way the top scoring player in the Tyne-Wear derby in the Premier League era (Kevin Nolan and Kevin Phillips next on four).
There have been five red cards in the last five league meetings between Newcastle and Sunderland; with four of these being given to the Black Cats.
Sunderland are without a win in seven league trips to St James Park (D3 L4) and have never kept a clean sheet there in the Premier League era (10 matches).
Overall, the Black Cats have won only one the last 16 Premier League Tyne-Wear derbies, drawing seven and losing eight.
The away side has netted exactly once in eight of the last nine meetings between Newcastle and Sunderland, including the last seven in a row.
Sunderland are without a win in nine league games (D3 L6).
The Magpies have scored a 90th minute winner in three of their last four home league games.
Sunderland have scored just two headed goals all season, a league-low.
Sunderland have averaged just 0.87 points per game on a Sunday in the Premier League era; the worst record of any of the 18 teams to have played 50+ games on this day.
Stoke City v Manchester United
Robin van Persie has netted seven goals in six Barclays Premier League games against Stoke City, including one on his only appearance against them for the Red Devils.
Robin van Persie has now failed to score in 685 minutes of football for Manchester United in all competitions.
Javier Hernandez has scored four goals in just four Premier League starts against the Potters.
Manchester United have won eight and lost none of nine previous Premier League games against Stoke and have not lost to them in the league since December 1984.
Antonio Valencia has ended up on the winning side in all 16 Premier League games he has scored in so far - no player has scored in more games and maintained a 100% win rate.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side have scored 27 goals in the opening 30 minutes of games this season, just one fewer than Stoke have managed in total (28) in the 2012-13 PL campaign.
The Red Devils have scored a league-high 13 goals from corner situations in 2012/13, while Stoke have scored a league-high proportion of their goals this way (25% - 7/28).
Manchester United are unbeaten in eight away league games (W6 D2); if they avoid defeat here, they will set the longest unbeaten run on the road this season.
Stoke have only mustered two goals in their last six league games combined, and one of those came from the penalty spot.
Manchester United have had 17 different goalscorers and 17 different players with assists this term; both league-highs.
Forsel čuva titulu Počinje najbolja liga Finske - Helsinki favorit, TPS najviše promenio sastav
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Prethodne sezone, najozbiljniji rival Helsinkiju bio je Inter iz Turkua, koji u novi šampionat ulazi znatno oslabljen. Klub je napustio Meksikanac Antunjez, koji je pojačao američki Čivas, a Mika Ojala je prešao u švedske Haken. Ekipu su popunili igrači iz drugog tima, a od pojačanja iz inostranstva tu je samo Turinen, koji je stigao iz Trelerborga.
Ž. M.
KVOTE ZA ŠAMPIONA
Helsinki 1.40
Inter 5.00
TPS 7.00
La Liga Opta Facts: 12-15 April
Written By maxtv on Wednesday, 10 April 2013 | 22:00
Sevilla have only lost two of their last 12 top-flight derbies played as the visiting side (W2 D8), and are unbeaten in their last four (1W 3D).
The Green-and-Whites, who are unbeaten in six home games (3W 3D), will face a Sevilla side with the second-worst away record in La Liga; only Celta (four) have taken fewer points than them (seven) on the road.
Real Betis recorded their biggest win of the season against Granada last time out (5-1); Sevilla, meanwhile, recorded theirs in the reverse fixture v Real Betis (also 5-1).
That 5-1 victory at the Sanchez Pizjuan was the second-biggest in this fixture in La Liga after Sevilla's 5-0 win back in January 1943.
This match will see the top two Spanish goalscorers in La Liga this season meeting off; Negredo (17) and Ruben Castro (15).
72% of the last 18 goals scored by Real Betis in La Liga (13) have been netted by either Ruben Castro (six), Dorlan Pabon (four) or Jorge Molina (three).
Alvaro Negredo and Robin van Persie have both missed 22 "big chances" this season; the most across the top five European leagues.
Federico Fazio has scored three league goals against Real Betis; against no side has he bagged more in La Liga.
Only one of the 43 goals Real Betis have conceded in La Liga this season has come from outside the area.
Unai Emery has already won the same number of games in charge of Sevilla as Michel this season (six) despite taking charge of 11 games fewer.
View our full range of La Liga betting
Real Valladolid v Getafe
Valladolid have only won two of their seven top-flight meetings with Getafe (D2 L3).
In the three previous meetings between Real Valladolid and Getafe at the Zorrilla, only one goal has been scored and it resulted in a home win.
The Madrid-based side have never won at the Zorrilla in the top-flight, though two of their three trips there have ended level (1L).
Djukic's side have lost their last three league games and are winless in five, their worst run without a victory this term.
If Getafe avoid defeat here, they will equal their record of eight games without defeat in La Liga set between 2004/05 and 2005/06.
Oscar has reached double figures for goals this season, equalling his best ever season in La Liga set in his last campaign with Valladolid (2003/04).
Getafe have not conceded in 516 minutes of league football; Mallorca were the last team to net against them back in February.
Only Real Madrid have scored as many goals in the opening 15 minutes of games as Valladolid (12).
Valladolid have lost more games having scored the first goal this season (five) than any other team, while Getafe are yet to lose one having netted the opener.
Levante v Deportivo La Coruna
Levante have won their last two clashes with Deportivo in the Primera, though both of those victories came at the Riazor.
The Galician side have won their last two visits to the Ciutat de Valencia in the top-flight.
Levante have only won one of their last nine league games (D4 L4) but that was in their last home game (1-0 v Sevilla).
Deportivo have won their last three league games, their best run of the campaign.
Deportivo have scored more goals in their last three games (nine) than they had mustered in the rest of 2013 combined (eight goals in 10 games).
Levante have conceded more penalties than any other team in La Liga this season (nine).
Deportivo are yet to keep a clean sheet on the road this season and have conceded an average of 2.6 goals per game away from home this term.
Michel has participated in more goals than any other Levante player this season (five goals and six assists).
Espanyol v Valencia
Espanyol have won only one of their last seven meetings with Valencia in La Liga (D1 L5); 4-0 in the clash at Cornella last season.
Espanyol have won three of their last five home meetings with Valencia in the Primera, however (D1 L1).
Espanyol are unbeaten in eight home league game (W5 D3), a run that coincides with the arrival of Javier Aguirre as manager.
Valencia have lost just one of their last seven away league games (4W 2D) but are without a win in three.
Sergio Garcia has directly participated in each of Espanyol's last five home league goals (three goals, two assists).
Roberto Soldado has scored three goals in three league games for Valencia against Espanyol.
The side from Barcelona have conceded nine goals from corner situations this season, a league-high figure.
No side has drawn more league games than Espanyol (nine) this term.
Malaga v Osasuna
Malaga have not beaten Osasuna in the league since April 2009, losing two and drawing five since then, with the last three all ending level.
The Reds have scored at least one goal in each of their last five trips to La Rosaleda in La Liga.
Malaga have only won one of their last six games on home soil (D3), with that win coming against Athletic Bilbao.
Osasuna's last five away victories in the league have all come by a margin of two or more goals.
The last time Osasuna had scored fewer than 26 goals after 30 games played was back in 1993/94 (21), when they were relegated.
Jose Luis Mendilibar has only won one of eight top-flight meetings with Malaga as a coach (D4 L3), though that win did come against Manuel Pellegrini.
The last seven goals scored by Malaga in the league have all been the work of South American players.
In his first three La Liga games, Pedro Morales has collected two goals and two assists.
Osasuna have not lost any of the eight games in which Kike Sola has netted this season (W6 D2).
Osasuna are the only team in La Liga for whom a defender has not netted this season.
Rayo Vallecano v Real Sociedad
Rayo Vallecano have won seven and lost none of their last eight home games in La Liga against Real Sociedad (1D).
The Basque side have won their last two league games against Rayo, however, they have not won three in a row against them in La Liga since 1989/90.
Rayo have scored at least twice in four of their last five home games against Real Sociedad in La Primera.
Paco Jemez's side need only victory to equal the record of most wins set by a Rayo Vallecano side in a single campaign (15 in 1999/00).
Real Sociedad are unbeaten in 12 league games (7W 5D), the second best unbeaten run of any team all season (Barcelona 19).
Piti has directly participated in four of the last five goals scored by Rayo in the league (three goals, one assist).
Real Sociedad defenders have netted 10 goals already this season; a joint-high with Barcelona defenders.
The side from Madrid have won all eight home league games in which they have scored the first goal this term.
Atletico Madrid v Granada
Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in eight matches against Granada in La Liga (W5 D3).
Atleti have won 10 of their last 11 home games against Granada in the top-flight, drawing the other.
Granada have not scored a single goal against Atletico in three clashes with them since their promotion to La Liga.
Atletico have only failed to net in one of their home league games this season, coincidentally in their only home defeat of the campaign (v Real Sociedad).
Granada are without a win in seven league games, their worst run in a single top-flight campaign since 1975/76 (nine).
Diego Simeone's side have scored the most penalties this season (eight), while Granada have converted the most spot kicks on the road (four).
Radamel Falcao needs just two more goals to equal the 24 he netted last season, his first in La Liga.
Guilherme Siquiera has participated in four of his side's last six away league goals (three goals, one assist).
Only Aritz Aduriz (eight) has scored the first goal of the game on more occasions than Falcao (seven) this season.
Real Zaragoza v Barcelona
Zaragoza have lost nine consecutive games against Barcelona in La Liga, conceding an average of 3.3 goals per game in this run of defeats.
Los Manos have not beaten Barcelona in La Romareda in La Liga since April 2007, when a Diego Milito goal earned them a 1-0 win.
Barcelona have won their last four trips to La Romareda, their best ever run of wins there in La Liga.
Zaragoza are without a win in 13 league games (D5 L8), though they are unbeaten in three at home (D3).
The Catalans have won the same number of away games this year as they managed in the whole of last season (11) but have only won one of their last five on the road (D2 L2).
At no other away ground has Lionel Messi netted more goals than he has at La Romareda (seven).
Helder Postiga has now netted 11 league goals this season, his best return in La Liga.
Cesc Fabregas (three) and Alexis Sanchez (two) scored the goals as Barcelona won 5-0 last weekend in the first game Lionel Messi had missed this term.
Messi has scored eight more away goals (23) than the whole Zaragoza team have managed at home (15) in La Liga this season.
Since he joined Barcelona, Cesc Fabregas is the top scoring midfielder in La Liga (18 goals).
Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid
Real Madrid have won 14 of their last 15 league meetings with Athletic (1L), winning 3-0 on each of their last two trips to the San Mames.
Athletic have kept a clean sheet in each of their last six league wins.
If the Lions win this game, they will set a new record for consecutive home league wins under Marcelo Bielsa (currently on two).
If they avoid defeat here, Real Madrid will set their best unbeaten run of this league season (currently eight, seven wins and one draw).
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a headed goal in this fixture at the San Mames last season; he has not scored a headed goal on the road in La Liga since.
Gorka Iraizoz is the last goalkeeper to save a Ronaldo penalty in the league.
Despite that, only Javi Varas (10) has conceded more goals to Ronaldo than Iraizoz in his La Liga career (eight).
Athletic were shown seven cards (six yellows, one red) last weekend, their most in a gameweek this term.
Real Madrid have been caught offside more times than any other team across the top five European leagues this term (130).
Jose Mourinho's side have scored 34 goals from the midfield this season, the most in La Liga (Real Sociedad next on 26).
Mallorca v Celta Vigo
Mallorca are unbeaten in three top-flight meetings with Celta Vigo (1W 2D).
The Galician side have won three of their last five visits to Mallorca in La Liga but are without a win in two (1D 1L).
The Islanders have lost their last three league games, conceding an average of 4.3 goals per game in this run.
Alejandro Alfaro has participated directly in six of the last nine league goals netted by Mallorca.
Celta Vigo have won none of their two league games without top scorer Iago Aspas this season (1D 1L).
Both Mallorca and Celta have lost 18 league games already this season, a joint-league-high.
Tomer Hemed has already netted eight goals this season, equalling his return in his first La Liga campaign last term.
Augusto Fernandez has netted three of Celta Vigo's last four away league goals.
No goalkeeper has conceded more goals in front of his own fans than Dudu Aouate in La Liga this season (23).
Opstaće Deportivo Andrija Delibašić, centarfor Rajo Valjekana i reprezentacije Crne Gore
Ovog vikenda Rajo Valjekano dočekuje najprijatnije iznenađenje ove sezone, ekipu Sosijedada.
- Mi smo rasterećeni, a naš rival «juri» četvrto mesto i kvalifikacije za Ligu šampiona. Očekujem otvorenu igru sa obe strane i dosta golova.
Šta još da preporučimo našim čitaocima?
- Hetafe je obezbedio opstanak, dok bi Valjadolid pobeda približila istom cilju, pa mislim da će domaćin uspeti da trijumfuje. Uveren sam i da će Deportivo da izbegne poraz od Levantea, jer je u seriji od tri pobede i igra sjajno od kako je promenio trenera. Navijači ponovo pune stadion Deportiva, a počeli su masovno da idu i na gostovanja.
MOJ TIP
Betis – Sevilja 1
VALJADOLID – HETAFE 1
Espanjol – Valensija 2
LEVANTE – DEPORTIVO X2
Malaga – Osasuna 1X
R. VALJEKANO – SOSIJEDAD 3+
Atletiko M. – Granada 1
SARAGOSA – BARSELONA 2
Bilbao – Real M. 1X
Majorka – Selta 1
11.04. (Thu) 21:05 Basel - Tottenham Hot.
BASEL
Sommer
Steinhofer, Voser, Dragovic, Schar
Salah, Cabral, F Frei, Stocker
Strellar, A Frei
TOTTENHAM
Friedel
Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto
Sigurdsson, Parker, Dembele, Holtby, Dempsey
Adebayor
After being punished for their complacency at White Hart Lane, Tottenham are in need of a stellar showing to seal victory on their travels for the first time in six outings.
And with William Gallas (calf), Aaron Lennon (knee) and talisman Gareth Bale (ankle) all becoming fresh additions to the Spurs treatment table after last week’s encounter, Andre Villas-Boas will be forced into a number of changes to the starting line-up.
With Jermaine Defoe aggravating an ongoing pelvic injury, Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to lead the line on Thursday, whilst Kyle Naughton is expected to make way for Kyle Walker as the bustling right-back returns from suspension.
Gylfi Sigurdsson is likely to be handed a start after his late equaliser against Everton, alongside Michael Dawson who is expected to fill in for the injured Gallas and Brad Friedel will once again come in for Hugo Lloris.
Basel were little short of a revelation in the first leg, with Marco Strellar, Valentin Stocker and Mohamad Salah all asking a number of questions of the Tottenham rearguard.
The tricky trio are all expected to start Thursday’s clash and may be joined by the experienced Alexander Frei if coach Murat Yakin elects to field two strikers on home turf.
Park Joo-Ho and Marcelo Diaz are both back in contention after returning from suspension, whilst the now-fit Cabral could claim a place in the starting eleven after his second half-cameo at White Hart Lane.
Philipp Degen has also recovered from injury, but is unlikely to displace Mohamed Salah in the starting eleven after the Egyptian’s sterling performance in the first leg.
DID YOU KNOW?
Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel is the oldest player left in this year’s competition and, at 41, is older than both Andre Villas-Boas and Basel coach Murat Yakin.
Jan Vertonghen has appeared in all 1020 minutes of Tottenham’s Europa League campaign.
Spurs and Rubin Kazan are the only two survivors from the seven clubs granted automatic entry to the Europa League at the group stage.
Tottenham have not won a game in any competition without the injured Gareth Bale scoring since New Years Day.
Basel have tasted defeat just once since November, when they lost 1-0 away to Zenit St Petersburg in the last-16 of the Europa League.
The Swiss champions have won their last four home Europa League games without conceding a single goal.
Basel have picked up 23 yellow cards and three red cards in this year’s competition, more so than any other side.
Basel and Tottenham are 11/2 to draw 1-1 with Coral.
Prediction
Despite being the heavy favourites to progress going into the first leg, the pendulum of expectation has most certainly swung in favour of the Swiss champions for the second. And despite no longer having the advantage of being a relatively unknown quantity to Villas-Boas' men, Basel have an impressive home record to fall back on at a ground that has witnessed victories against Bayern Munich and Manchester United within the last 12 months.
With Spurs battling to secure their main priority of achieving a top-four finish after some disappointing Premier League results, their depleted squad travel to St Jakob-Park as the favourites to come away empty-handed.
Editor's Prediction
Basel 1-1 Tottenham
11.04. (Thu) 21:05 Lazio - Fenerbahce
LAZIO
Marchetti
Gonazalez, Biava, Cana, Radu
Ledesma
Candreva, Mauri, Hernanes, Lulic
Klose
FENERBAHCE
Demirel
Gonul, Yobo, Korkmaz, Ziegler
Kuyt, Topal, Meireles, Topuz
Baroni,
Webo
Goals from Pierre Webo and Dirk Kuyt last Thursday mean Fenerbahce are firmly in the driving seat ahead of the second-leg of this Europa League quarter-final.
Lazio will need all of the cutting edge they can muster in their quest to produce a comeback and progress to the semi-finals of the competition.
Their cause was dented somewhat in the first leg by the sending off of midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, meaning the Biancocelesti will be without his services at the Stadio Olimpico.
The game will also be played behind doors as part of Lazio's punishment for repeated episodes of racist behaviour from supporters - the latest incident coming in February's last-32 clash with Borussia Monchengladbach.
Fenerbahce will be without the injured Emre and Moussa Sow, while defender Bekir Irtegun is suspended.
DID YOU KNOW?
Lazio have won six, drawn one and lost two of their clashes with Turkish opposition.
The Biancocelesti last reached the quarter-finals of a Uefa competition back in 2002-2003 when they beat Besiktas in the last eight of the Uefa Cup.
Lazio striker Libor Kozak is the top goalscorer in this season's Europa League, with eight goals in nine appearances.
Fenerbahce are unbeaten in five Europa League away games and have not conceded in their last four matches on the road in Europe.
Fener have now reached the quarter-finals of all three major Uefa club competitions - Champions League (2007/2008), European Cup Winners' Cup (1963/1964) and this season's Europa League.
Only two clubs have overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit in the knock-out phase of the Europa League.
Prediction
Lazio need goals and at least two of them if they are to have any hope of reaching the semi-finals, but given Fenerbahce's impressive away record of late, expect them to have enough to hold firm in Italy.
Editor's Prediction
Lazio 1-1 Fenerbahce
11.04. (Thu) 21:05 Newcastle United - Benfica
NEWCASTLE
Krul
Simpson, Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Gutierrez
Cabaye, Anita
Marveaux, Sissoko, Gouffran
Cisse
BENFICA
Arthur
Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Melgarejo
Matic, Martins
John, Lima, Gaitan
Cardozo
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew faces a lengthy absentee list ahead of Thursday's crunch Europa League clash, with Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring), Mathier Debuchy (cup-tied), Davide Santon (hip), Cheikh Tiote (hamstring) and Haris Vuckic (knee) all set to miss the game.
Elsewhere, long-term absentee Ryan Taylor is targeting a return in time for the derby game against Sunderland on Sunday, but Fabricio Coloccini and Massadio Haidara are for a place on the bench against the Portuguese outfit after suffering from back and knee strains respectively.
Benfica boss Jorge Jesus faces very few injury worries ahead of the return leg, with Eduardo Salvio remaining a doubt after picking up a knee problem shortly prior to the first leg between the two sides.
DID YOU KNOW?
Newcastle have beaten Metalist Kharkiv and Anzhi Makhachkala in the knockout stages so far, both by a solitary 1-0 aggregate scoreline.
Papiss Cisse has now scored four goals in the 90th minute this season after his last-gasp winner against Fulham.
The Senegal striker, along with Shola Ameobi, is the Magpies' top scorer in the Europa League with three goals each.
Alan Pardew's side have conceded just once at home in six games in the competition this term - that goal coming during the 1-1 draw with Maritimo in November.
Oscar Cardozo is Benfica's top goalscorer this year with 28 goals, six of which have come in Europe.
The Portuguese outfit have scored 107 goals so far this season in all competitons.
They currently sit four points clear ahead of Porto at the top of the domestic league and are unbeaten in 25 games since the start of the season.
Jorge Jesus' side have won their last eight games in a row going into the clash.
Benfica's last five quarter-finals against English opposition have all resulted in elimination.
Newcastle and Benfica are 14/1 to draw 2-2 with Coral.
Prediction
Stopping the visitors from scoring is going to prove Newcastle's biggest task, with their free-flowing opponents posing a constant threat on the break with the clinical figure of Cardozo up front. They may have to throw caution to the wind, though, with a two-goal deficit to overturn - so expect a game full of goals, but also broken hearts for the English side.
Editor's Prediction
Newcastle United 2-2 Benfica
