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Ligue 1 Opta Facts - Matchday 3 - August 23rd-25th
Monaco - Toulouse
Monaco have only lost twice in their last 10 home league games against Toulouse (W6, D2).
Monaco have started the season with three wins in their first three games in Ligue 1 on seven occasions previously.
Toulouse played five games on a Friday in Ligue 1 last season, but failed to win a single one (D3, L2).
Toulouse lost none of their six encounters against promoted teams in Ligue 1 last season (W1, D5).
Toulouse have only won one of their last five away games in Ligue 1 (D1, L3).
The last four games between Monaco and Toulouse in Ligue 1 have produced just three goals.
Emmanuel Rivière has scored four goals in two Ligue 1 games this season, as many as in his 18 league games whilst at his former team Toulouse in 2013/13.
Only four of Wissam Ben Yedder's 16 goals in Ligue 1 have been scored away from home.
Valenciennes - Marseille
Marseille have only won once in their last seven trips to Valenciennes in Ligue 1 (D2, L4).
VA are unbeaten against OM in their last four home games in Ligue 1 (W3, D1).
Valenciennes have won their last three home games in Ligue 1, their joint-best run at Stade du Hainaut.
OM have only lost one of their last six away league games (W3, D2).
Marseille have conceded three goals or more in three of their last four trips to Valenciennes in Ligue 1.
Dimitri Payet has been involved in 28 goals in Ligue 1 since the start of 2012/13 (15 goals, 13 assists) - the highest tally amongst French players in the top five European leagues.
André-Pierre Gignac has scored the opening goal on 10 occasions in Ligue 1 since the start of 2012/13; more than any other player.
Anthony Le Tallec has scored two of VA's last three home goals against Marseille in Ligue 1.
Bordeaux - Bastia
Bordeaux have only lost two of their 30 home league games against Bastia (W21, D7).
These are the only defeats suffered by Bordeaux against Corsican teams in Ligue 1 (W29, D11).
Only Nantes have beaten Bastia more times (29) than Bordeaux in Ligue 1 (28).
Toifilou Maoulida has scored four goals against Bordeaux in Ligue 1, his second-highest tally against a top-flight opponent (five goals v Lens & Nice).
However, Maoulida has failed to score at Bordeaux in Ligue 1 since May 13th 2006 (with Marseille).
Cheick Diabaté has scored Bordeaux's last four goals in Ligue 1.
The Malian international has scored 12 goals in his last 12 competitive games.
Bordeaux have lost four home league games in 2013, three more than in 2012 (1).
Evian TG - Rennes
Rennes have won two of their three competitive games at Evian TG (L1).
Evian TG have only won twice in their last six home games against teams from Brittany in Ligue 1 (D1, L4).
The six competitive encounters between Evian TG and Rennes have averaged 3.8 goals/game.
Rennes have lost seven of their last eight away games in Ligue 1.
None of Rennes' last 56 Ligue 1 games have ended in a 0-0 draw - the longest current run in Ligue 1.
Rennes have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six Ligue 1 games (13 goals conceded).
Julien Féret has scored three goals in four games against Evian TG in Ligue 1, his joint-highest tally against a top-flight opponent alongside AC Ajaccio.
Féret has been involved in Rennes' last three goals against ETG in Ligue 1 (one goal, two assists).
Guingamp - Lorient
Lorient have lost none of their last four competitive encounters against Guingamp (W2, D2).
Guingamp are winless in their last seven league games (D2, L5).
Lorient have failed to win in their last seven trips to a newly-promoted side (D3, L4).
Lorient have only won four of their last 38 away games in Ligue 1 (D11, L23).
The last time that Guingamp had no points after MD2 in Ligue 1, they were relegated.
The last two meetings between Guingamp and Lorient have produced 15 goals.
Vincent Aboubakar has scored 10 Ligue 1 goal,s but has failed to score in an away game so far.
Jérémie Aliadière has been involved in Lorient's last five away goals in Ligue 1 (four goals, one assist).
Lyon - Reims
Lyon have only lost two of their last 13 home games against Reims in Ligue 1 (W5, D6).
Reims have only failed to score in one of their last 10 Ligue 1 games against Lyon.
Lyon have only lost one of their six competitive games this season, winning the other five.
Lyon have only lost one of their last nine Ligue 1 games (W6, D2).
Lyon have recovered 18 points in from losing positions in Ligue 1 since 2012/13; more than any other team.
Yoann Gourcuff has been involved in 50% of Lyon's last 14 league goals (four goals, three assists).
Alexandre Lacazette has scored three goals in his last two league games, as many as he had managed in his 33 previous appearances.
Reims have only won two of their last 40 away games in Ligue 1 (D10, L28).
Montpellier - Sochaux
Montpellier are unbeaten in their last eight Ligue 1 encounters against Sochaux (W7, D1).
Sochaux have been defeated 14 times by Montpellier in Ligue 1, more than against any other team.
Montpellier have only lost one of their last 16 home games (W11, D4).
Montpellier have won 27 home league games since 2011/12, joint-highest tally alongside PSG.
Montpellier are winless in their last five Ligue 1 games (D2, L3).
Sochaux have only won twice in their last 14 trips to Montpellier in Ligue 1 (D2, L10).
Sochaux have lost their last four trips to Montpellier, conceding two goals in each.
Emanuel Herrera scored in his two league games against Sochaux last season.
Lille - St Etienne
Lille have lost none of their last 12 home league games against St Etienne (W8, D4).
Lille have scored in each of their last 10 games against St Etienne in the league.
Lille have only lost once in their last 10 home league (W5, D4).
Lille have scored 149 goals against St Etienne in Ligue 1, their highest tally against a top-flight opponent alongside Sochaux.
Only PSG have earned more points (47) than St Etienne (42) in Ligue 1 in 2013.
Five of Lille's last eight home goals in Ligue 1 have been scored by Salomon Kalou.
Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored as many goals as Salomon Kalou in Ligue 1 in 2013 (12).
Brandao is involved in four of St Etienne's last five goals in Ligue 1 (2 goals, 2 assists).
Ajaccio - Nice
Ajaccio have only won once in their last 10 Ligue 1 encounters against Nice (D3, L6).
Dario Cvitanich has averaged a goal every 2.7 shots, best ratio in Ligue 1 in 2013 (min. 5 goals).
Ajaccio have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine Ligue 1 games, worst current run.
None of Nice's last 12 away games in Ligue 1 have ended in a draw (W6, L6).
Ajaccio have failed to score in their last three home league games.
Ajaccio have failed to win any of their last five home encounters against Nice (D2, L3).
Eduardo has scored Ajaccio's two goals against Nice in their last eight Ligue 1 games.
Ajaccio have won 20% of their Ligue 1 games with Adrian Mutu, 30% without him.
Nantes - Paris SG
Nantes have only won once in their last 11 games against Paris SG in Ligue 1 (D3, L7).
PSG have only lost three of their last 37 trips to promoted teams in Ligue 1 (W17, D17).
Nantes have only won once in their last 11 league games against the reigning title holder (D2, L8).
Nantes have failed to score once in their last 13 home league games.
PSG are unbeaten in their last 13 Ligue 1 games (W9, D4), best current run.
PSG have scored in each of their last 13 Ligue 1 games, best current run.
Filip Djordjevic has scored four of Nantes' last seven competitive goals.
PSG's last four goals in Ligue 1 have been scored in the last 30 minutes.
Prognoze Insajdera 23.-26. Avgust (Poljska,Grčka,Česka,Slovačka,Mađarska)
GORNJIK - RUH 1
Zaglebje - Krakovija 1
Jagielonija - Pogon 1
Legija - Lehija 1X
Zaviša - Podbeskidzje 1
Slask - Viđev 1
Visla - Leh 1
Korona - Pjast X2
ŽELJKO KALAJDŽIĆ (OFI, GRČKA)
Panaitolikos - PAOK X2
Verija - OFI X, 0-2
Janjina - Apolon 1
Ksanti - Pantrakikos 1
PANIONIOS - PANATINAIKOS 2
Platanjas - Asteras X
Aris - AEL Kaloni 12
Ergotelis - Levadijakos 1X
OLIMPIJAKOS - ATROMITOS 1
MILOŠ KARIŠIK (LIBEREC, ČEŠKA)
Ostrava - Brno 1X
Dukla - M. Boleslav 1
SIGMA - JABLONEC 1
Slovačko - Plzen 2
Liberec - Bohemians 1
SPARTA - PRIBRAM 1
Znojmo - Slavija 1X
Teplice - Jihlava 1
BORIS SEKULIĆ (KOŠICE, SLOVAČKA)
Bistrica - Nitra 1
Košice - Trenčin 0-2
Ružomberok - Senica 3+
Žilina - Slovan 0-2
SPARTAK MIJAVA - D. STREDA 1
Z. Moravce - Trnava X2
LAZAR ARSIĆ (LOMBARD, MAĐARSKA)
KEČKEMET - HALADAŠ 3+
Lombard - Diožđer 1
MTK - Peč 1
Puškaš - Kapošvar 2
UJPEŠT - MEZOKOVEŽD 1
Debrecin - Ferencvaroš 2
Pakš - Honved 1
Đer - Videoton X
21.08. (Wed) 23:00 Atletico Madrid - Barcelona
Written By maxtv on Tuesday, 20 August 2013 | 23:00
Gerardo Martino's reign at Camp Nou got under way in stunning fashion on Sunday as Barca thrashed Levante 7-0.
Lionel Messi showed no sign of the hamstring injury that had hampered his pre-season, scoring twice, and will hope to add to his career tally of 20 goals against Atleti, having netted more against them than any other club.
Cesc Fabregas also returned from an ankle injury to star against Levante, although Martino is still without experienced defender Carles Puyol (knee), while young attacker Cristian Tello (hamstring) remains a doubt.
Atletico started their season with an impressive 3-1 win away to Sevilla as Diego Costa netted a double.
The Brazilian rejected advances from Liverpool to sign a new deal at the Vicente Calderon in the close-season and will hope to replace the goals previously scored by Radamel Falcao for Atleti, after the Colombian's move to Monaco.
All eyes, however, will be on David Villa, who will be taking on
Despite a strong start to the season, however, Atletico manager Diego Simeone was not so enthused.
The former Argentina midfielder believes Barca and Real Madrid are too strong for any Liga sides to catch, which makes the Spanish top flight a "boring" competition.
When asked if his side could compete domestically this term, Simeone firmly said: "No, absolutely no. Madrid and Barcelona play in a different league.
"This is a boring championship for the rest of the supporters who can only aspire to be third or fourth.
"We'll have to wait for a different distribution of television money because now the league is only of two."
21.08. (Wed) 20:45 Fenerbahce - Arsenal
The Frenchman has won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups with the London club since his arrival in 1996, but has seen his standing diminish over the course of eight trophyless years.
Recent failures in the transfer market, which have seen several high-profile targets missed and only 20-year-old forward Yaya Sanogo arrive, have also served to compound fans' frustrations.
The situation came to a head on Saturday as Arsenal suffered an embarrassing 3-1 opening-day defeat to an Aston Villa side who spent much of last season battling against relegation from the English top flight.
And so there is little doubt that Wenger needs a win when his team make the daunting trip to Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in the first leg of their play-off encounter against Fenerbahce.
Unlike their next opponents, the Turkish side have been busy in the market of late, bringing in the likes of Emmanuel Emenike, Michal Kadlec and Bruno Alves during the close-season period.
However, that did not prevent them from allowing a two-goal lead to slip in the final 13 minutes of their first 2013-14 league fixture against Konyaspor as they slumped to a 3-2 defeat.
Manager Ersun Yanal will at least be buoyed by the fact that the visitors face a number of injury worries as well as morale issues following their humbling by Villa.
Thomas Vermaelen (back), Mikel Arteta (hamstring), Nacho Monreal (back) and long-term absentee Abou Diaby (knee) all missed that fixture, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Bacary Sagna (neck) and Kieran Gibbs (head) picked up their injuries during the match.
By contrast, Fenerbahce could welcome back Gonul Gokhan following his recovery from surgery, though they will still be without Erten Ersu (knee).
The Super Lig outfit do know, however, that they could yet be thrown out of the Champions League even if they win their tie against Arsenal, as they await a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding accusations from Uefa of match-fixing.
The teams last met in the group stages of this competition in the 2008-09 season, and shared a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium after Arsenal had ran out 5-2 winners in Turkey.
21.08. (Wed) 20:45 Chelsea - Aston Villa
Paul Lambert's side go into the game having secured the shock of the Premier League's opening day, winning 3-1 away to Arsenal, but face the team who inflicted their heaviest defeat of last season.
Chelsea will also be in confident mood ahead of their second game at home in four days. They brushed aside new boys Hull City on Sunday in Jose Mourinho's Premier League return and will be hoping to do the same with Villa.
The fixture was originally scheduled for August 31, but was moved due to Chelsea's involvement in the Uefa Super Cup a day earlier.
Villa have taken a win and a draw from two of their last four visits to Stamford Bridge, however the two defeats have been heavy - 8-0 and 7-1 - and they have not recorded a cleansheet at the ground since 1998.
The pair's head-to-head league record is exactly even with each having recorded 50 wins and Villa captain Ron Vlaar believes his side can spring a surprise and make up for last season's embarrassment.
"If you can win at the Emirates, of course it is a great start. We want to do it again on Wednesday now," Vlaar said. "We all know what happened last year, so we want to put that to rest.
"We learnt a lot and we still have to learn a lot, but mentally we became a stronger team.
"But it is the start of the season and nobody really knows a lot about each other."
Mourinho only lost once to Villa during his first spell in charge, in the penultimate Premier League game of his first tenure, and his return to England got off to the perfect start with the victory over Steve Bruce's side.
The Portuguese coach has an almost fully fit squad to choose from, with David Luiz a doubt having also missed Sunday's triumph and Nathaniel Chalobah having picked up a knock while representing England Under-21s a week ago.
Nathan Baker is the only new injury concern for Paul Lambert, the central defender limped out of the Arsenal victory with an ankle injury that leaves him a doubt for Wednesday.
Yacouba Sylla, Chris Herd and Charles N'Zogbia all missed the opening day and are unlikely to feature at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea v Aston Villa / Barclays Premier League Opta Facts – August 21
Written By maxtv on Monday, 19 August 2013 | 20:45
Aston Villa suffered their biggest ever defeat in the Barclays Premier League on their last visit to Stamford Bridge (8-0).Chelsea have won each of their last three Barclays Premier League clashes with Aston Villa, scoring 14 goals.
The Villains have won just one of their last 11 league visits to the Stamford Bridge, losing seven (D3).
Chelsea's all-time leading scorer Frank Lampard has scored 13 times against Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League; more than against any other side.
Christian Benteke scored and was then sent off in the last meeting between the two teams. Villa striker Benteke is the leading goalscorer in the Barclays Premier League in 2013 so far (16 goals).
Aston Villa have lost three and won none of their last four Premier League matches on Wednesdays.
Branislav Ivanovic has bagged three goals in the Barclays Premier League against Aston Villa; more than against any other side.
Only against Tottenham (77) have Chelsea scored more goals in the Barclays Premier League than against Aston Villa (66).
Jose Mourinho has won none of his last four Premier League matches against Aston Villa (D3 L1).
Fernando Torres has scored four goals in his last for Barclays Premier League starts against Aston Villa.
20.08. (Tue) 17:00 Shakhtyor Karagandy - Celtic
Neil Lennon's side, who are facing opposition from Kazakhstan for the first time, will be confident of successfully negotiating their final qualification obstacle and secure a highly sought-after berth in the group stages along side Europe's elite.
The Bhoys can take a big step towards earning a place in Thursday week's draw if they can maintain their unbeaten start to the season in the Kazakh capital but will face a stern test as their opponents aim to make history of their own.
After shocking Bate Borisov in the second qualifying round, Viktor Kumkov's men then eased past Albanian title holders KS Skenderbeu to book a date with the Bhoys and are just two games away from becoming the first club from the eastern European country to reach the Champions League group stages.
While the hosts will be able to draw on additional encouragement from a five-match unbeaten home run in Europe for the visit of their superior opponents, Celtic have the wherewithal and experience to safely negotiate the tricky ties that the qualification process throws up.
The 1967 European Cup winners have competed in the group stages seven times previously and will be eager to repeat last year's memorable campaign, which saw them reach the knock-out stages before eventually losing 5-0 on aggregate to Juventus.
However, they have had mixed fortunes in the qualifying stages in recent years and will be desperate to avoid falling at the final hurdle for the third time in four years.
The SPL champions headed straight from Pittodrie to Aberdeen Airport following Saturday's Scottish Premiership encounter with the Dons but Lennon insists that they have taken every precaution to ensure their Champions League ambitions are not ruined by travel weariness.
"It's difficult," he told reporters. "It's a six- or seven-hour flight and we arrive very early in the morning. Sunday will be important in terms of rest and recovery, getting up to speed with the time difference and getting enough nutrition and fluids into the players, so that they are not dehydrated, and also acclimatising to the weather."
Unlike their opponents, Shakhter will have no worries about fatigue or weariness ahead of the game. The Kazakh champions rested their entire team but still enjoyed a morale-boosting victory over the second-top team in the league.
Coach Viktor Kumykov admitted: "We decided to divide our squad into two groups because we have a lot of games coming up. So the players who will meet Celtic were all rested."
Meanwhile, the Shakhter boss has banned his players from speaking ahead of the game with the Scottish champions, explaining: "I would prefer if my players didn't talk to the media before playing this game. It would only serve as a distraction and could be used against them."
Their latest result gives Shakhter hope of retaining their league title and they are now in third place, three points behind leaders Aktobe.
First-choice goalkeeper Mokin, top-scorer Sergei Khizhnichenko, who were both part of the national side that defeated Georgia earlierin August, and Lithuania international Gediminas Vicius all watched from the stands at the weekend ahead of Tuesday's first leg. Also left out were captain Andrei Finonchenko and Colombia-born Roger Canas.
Meanwhile, the Hoops boss expects most of his injured players to declare themselves fit for the first leg with strikers Amido Balde and Anthony Stokes both nursing calf strains and wingers James Forrest and Derk Boerrigter struggling with ankle knocks.
Dutch centre-half Virgil van Dijk has an ongoing foot problem although he made a substitute appearance in the win over Aberdeen while Australian midfielder Tom Rogic is also expected to be fit despite ankle ligament problems.
19.08. (Mon) 21:00 Manchester City - Newcastle Utd
Written By maxtv on Sunday, 18 August 2013 | 21:00
The Chilean replaced Roberto Mancini as City boss back in June and he could hardly have asked for a better first competitive fixture if recent history is anything by which to go.
Monday's hosts have not lost against Newcastle in the top flight since September 2005 - when a Michael Owen goal handed the Tyneside club a 1-0 win at St James's Park.
Their chances of extending that record are also boosted by the fact that the Magpies head to the Etihad Stadium have never enjoyed victory on the ground.
For Pellegrini, the clash represents the first true test of his reign in charge of City and he will be hoping to build on an encouraging pre-season that included victory in the Asia Trophy.
However, Newcastle are unlikely to give any quarter - although manager Alan Pardew's selection plans have been hampered by the club's early-season injury list.
Newcastle will be without new signing Loic Remy (calf), while Ryan Taylor (knee) has been ruled out for almost the entirety of the 2013-14 campaign.
And, while Jonas Gutierrez (calf) could return, an injury to Davide Santon (hip) means that Pardew is toying with the idea of handing 21-year-old left-back Paul Dummett a daunting debut.
"Davide has a problem and I think he's doubtful for the game," Pardew told reporters. "I gave [Mark] Noble, [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain and [Jonjo] Shelvey debuts at 16 so I have no problem with age.
"In terms of where [Dummett] is at and the pre-season he has had, he has put himself in real contention, but Man City away would be a tough call for him having not made his debut for us yet.
"You're either ready or you're not and throwing into the deep end sometimes works but up against him would be [Jesus] Navas, who, in my opinion, is probably the best signing of the summer. He's a little bit special.
"That's something we'll think about but, going forward, I'd expect him to make 10 first-team starts this season."
Even without considering his vastly deeper squad, by contrast Pellegrini has few injury worries ahead of City's opener.
Matija Nastasic is likely to be replaced by Joleon Lescott in defence having suffered an ankle injury but the 59-year-old has an otherwise fully fit squad from which to choose.
That means that close-season arrivals Alvaro Negredo, Navas, Fernandinho and Stevan Jovetic could all be handed Premier League debuts.
18.08. (Sun) 21:00 Real - Betis
Written By maxtv on Saturday, 17 August 2013 | 21:00
Last season Real Madrid saw the league crown stolen from their grasp by Barcelona.
Defeat to Atetico Madrid in the Copa del Rey final saw them finish the campaign without a major trophy and 15 points behind their fierce rivals in La Liga and they will need to demonstrate significant improvement under new coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian, who led Paris Saint-Germain to their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years last term, has already made his mark on the squad with a host of new signings.
The former Chelsea boss acted quickly to bring in Isco from Malaga, while fellow midfielder Asier Illarramendi - who is a doubt for the Betis game through injury - has also been drafted in from Real Sociedad, both for sizeable fees.
Cristiano Ronaldo is certain to be part of Ancelotti’s starting line-up on Sunday, but a number of first-team regulars are doubtful, including Xabi Alonso, Raphael Varane, Fabio Coentrao and Pepe.
Betis enjoyed their best league finish in six years when they placed seventh last term, earning a spot in the Europa League play-off round.
Pepe Mel does not have the same resources at his disposal to strengthen in the same way as his Madrid counterpart, but the Betis boss has still brought in 13 new recruits.
Most have arrived on free transfers, but Mel did dip into the club’s coffers to lure Getafe midfielder Xavi Torres.
However, the departure of Benat Etxebarria from Athletic Bilbao will have come as a significant blow to their hopes of building on last season’s achievements.
And Betis’ chances of getting a positive result at the Santiago Bernabeu have been lessened by the absence of Ruben Castro - who scored 18 Liga goals last season - with a hamstring injury.
18.08. (Sun) 21:00 Paris Saint Germain - Ajaccio
The champions' defence of their title - which they regained last term after a 19-year drought - did not get off to a flying start as they were held to a 1-1 at Montpellier last Friday.
But PSG boss Laurent Blanc will hope that home advantage will give them the edge over Fabrizio Ravanelli's Ajaccio, who were beaten by Saint-Etienne in their opening game of the season.
The visitors will be without midfielder Benjamin Andre after the 23-year-old was sent off in stoppage time at the Stade Francois Coty last week, but Blanc has concerns of his own.
Seven PSG players represented their countries in mid-week friendlies and they will need to be assessed ahead of the game, with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, captain Thiago Silva and Argentina international Ezequiel Lavezzi facing fitness tests.
New signing Edinson Cavani - who arrived from Napoli for a fee of around €64million last month - is also set to feature for his home debut, with Blanc confirming his availabilty prior to the match.
"Certainly. But the question is will he start?" he said when asked if the Uruguay international is in line for selection.
"That is a decision we will take. He is a little bit behind with his preparation and has had some fitness problems."
Ajaccio's major close-season recruit, midfielder Benoit Pedretti, is sure to be among Ravanelli's starting XI as they look for a repeat of last season's encounter at the Parc des Princes, when they held PSG to a 0-0 draw.
18.08. (Sun) 21:00 Juventus - Lazio
Antonio Conte's side are the current holders of the curtain-raiser and won their second consecutive Serie A title by nine points last season, finishing six places ahead of Sunday's opponents.
While they may have finished last in the recent International Champions Cup, ending the competition without a win, Conte believes his side are ready for action at the Stadio Olimpico.
"It has been an intense pre-season so far, but it has certainly been excellent," he said.
"We've worked very hard for 10 days, with double training sessions, and we are pleased with having achieved our target."
The former Juve midfielder has a fully fit 27-man squad to choose from for the clash, with Andrea Barzagli set to be involved despite missing Italy's 2-1 defeat to Argentina on Wednesday due to an Achilles problem.
"We're also very happy from the point of view that we haven't suffered any injuries and we're keeping our fingers crossed that continues," Conte added.
Lazio's Coppa Italia win over city rivals Roma in May ensured they will face the champions on Sunday, with Vladimir Petkovic's side having rounded off their pre-season with a 1-0 win over Premier League newcomers Crystal Palace.
The former Samsunspor boss believes his team will go into the match as underdogs but is confident they can come out on top.
"Finals are not made to play well in - just to win," he told Lazio Style Radio .
"Juve again this year will be the absolute favourites in Serie A - they have more quality and the best players.
"But, in single games, we are not afraid of anybody and we can play well against everybody. We have made progress, we have been working in this direction."
Lazio, who get their league campaign started on August 25 against Udinese, have seen striker Louis Saha retire during the close-season while captain Stefano Mauri was banned for six months due to his part in a match-fixing scandal.
However, they have been boosted by the addition of midfielders Lucas Biglia and Felipe Anderson from Anderlecht and Santos respectively, while they have retained in-demand duo Hernanes and Antonio Candreva despite plenty of speculation regarding their futures.
Petkovic, who saw his side draw away at the Juventus Stadium last season before losing at home in the reverse fixture, added: "The squad has been completed and we can make a good impression."
Lazio have not won the competition since 2000 when they beat Inter 4-3, although they have been runners-up twice since then.
Juventus will hope for a similar result to last year's final, when they overcame Napoli 4-2.
18.08. (Sun) 19:00 Barcelona - Levante
The 26-year-old sustained a minor thigh strain during the Spanish champions' pre-season tour of the Far East - an injury that kept him out of Argentina's 2-1 win over Italy in Rome on Wednesday.
Messi has undergone rehabilitation training with Barcelona's medical personnel in a bid to be fit for selection in Gerardo Martino's first competitive fixture in charge.
But with a hectic schedule in the next two weeks, which includes a two-leg Supercopa de Espana final with Atletico Madrid on August 21 and 28, Martino may decide to rest his star player.
Manchester United target Cesc Fabregas is also doubtful after he sprained his ankle in the club's 3-1 pre-season victory over a Malaysia XI on August 10.
Nevertheless, history is on the side of Martino - who took over from Tito Vilanova last month - as six of Barcelona's eight previous managers have tasted success in their first league match, with only Pep Guardiola losing in a 1-0 defeat away to Numancia in 2008.
And the new boss could hand a competitive debut to Brazil international Neymar, who signed from Santos in May in a move worth around £50million.
Levante have never won at the Camp Nou, but they were unlucky in their last visit when a late Fabregas goal consigned them to a 1-0 defeat on April 20.
After a sixth-placed finish and subsequent UEFA Europa League qualification in 2011-12, Levante slipped to 11th last time around.
In a bid to improve on that performance, the club brought in Joaquin Caparros to replace former manager Juan Ignacio Martinez.
And Caparros has been busy in the transfer window so far, bringing in the likes of forward David Barral from Orduspor, midfielder Jordi Xumetra from Elche and goalkeeper Javi Jimenez from Murcia.
However, the new manager may not be able to call on ther services of Ruben Garcia and Papakouli Diop at the Camp Nou, as both are struggling for fitness.
18.08. (Sun) 17:30 Borussia D. - Eint. Braunschweig
Jurgen Klopp's side have won all three of their competitive fixtures this season, following up a 4-2 German Super Cup triumph over Bayern Munich with a 3-0 success against Wilhelmshaven in the DFB-Pokal and a 4-0 Bundesliga victory over Augsburg.
New signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the star of the show against Augsburg, announcing his arrival with a hat-trick in the one-sided affair.
The 24-year-old Gabon international, who joined from Saint-Etienne, produced an outstanding individual performance that impressed his fans and team-mates alike as he became just the sixth player to score three goals on his Bundesliga debut.
"He scored three but what impressed me most of all was his defensive work, his work rate," Turkish midfielder Nuri Sahin said.
Aubameyang's partnership with want-away Pole Robert Lewandowski was crucial in the win.
Dortmund have stood firm in the close-season despite Lewandowski's desire to leave, and their stance could pay dividends this campaign.
He scored and provided one assist in the big win, and Eintracht Braunschweig will have their hands full against the 24-year-old.
One player who will not feature for Klopp's men is midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who is set to miss a fortnight after straining his spine in Germany's 3-3 friendly draw against Paraguay on Wednesday.
Dortmund will enter the match as firm favourites after newly promoted Eintracht Braunschweig slumped to a 1-0 home defeat to Werder Bremen last week.
Torsten Lieberknecht's side were valiant in that fixture, but saw their return to the top flight after a 28-year absence spoiled by a late Zlatko Junuzovic goal.
Braunschweig have an inexperienced Bundesliga squad and have not been helped by the injury sustained by Congo striker Dominick Kumbela.
Kumbela was the top scorer in the second tier last term with 19 goals, firing his side to promotion, but has been sidelined since undergoing a thigh operation in May.
Midfielder Marco Caligiuri joined in the close-season from Mainz to give them experience, while Canada international Simeon Jackson moved from Norwich City to sign with the club.
He could cause Dortmund problems with his pace but the 2012-13 Champions League finalists carry an even greater attacking threat.
18.08. (Sun) 14:30 Crystal Palace - Tottenham
Palace – who won promotion from the Championship via the play-off final last term – will battle history in their bid to avoid relegation this season.
Indeed, the club have featured in four Premier League seasons but have been relegated on each occasion.
Ian Holloway has made several additions to his squad, with striker Dwight Gayle, who arrived from Peterborough United for a fee in the region of £4.5 million, the headline arrival.
Midfielders Jose Campana - formerly of Sevilla - and Stephen Dobbie - signed from Brighton and Hove Albion - have also signed on, as has ex-Arsenal forward Marouane Chamakh, while Holloway raided former club Blackpool to sign Elliot Grandin and extend Kevin Phillips's stay for another year.
Defender Florian Marange also completed a switch to Selhurst Park on the eve of the new campaign, penning a one-year deal to bring to an end his long association with Ligue 1 outift Bordeaux.
Phillips, who scored the only goal in Palace's 1-0 play-off final win over Watford while on loan last season, is now 40, meaning that the burden of responsibility to lead the line week in, week out will likely fall to Gayle, Chamakh and Glenn Murray.
Murray scored 30 Championship goals last term but suffered a serious knee injury in the play-offs and is not expected to feature until the second half of the season.
Joining Murray on the sidelines is winger Yannick Bolasie (hamstring) while midfielder Jonathan Parr is a doubt due to an ankle problem.
Conversely, Tottenham have significantly strengthened this summer but they will be without Wales winger Gareth Bale, who is still suffering from a foot injury.
Bale – who has been the subject of a world record bid from Real Madrid – is keen to quit Tottenham and move to the Spanish capital.
Striker Roberto Soldado has joined from Valencia for £25.9 million, winger Nacer Chadli was recruited from Twente, while midfield pair Paulinho and Etienne Capoue arrived from Corinthians and Toulouse respectively, and could all play a part.
Heading the list of departures are attacker Clint Dempsey, who moved to Seattle Sounders, defender Steven Caulker, to Cardiff, and midfielder Tom Huddlestone, to Hull City, but Spurs will still feel confident of achieving a top-four finish.
Soldado scored 30 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions for Valencia last season and arrives at White Hart Lane with a big reputation.
Apart from Bale, Tottenham's only other significant injury worry is Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen (ankle).
The two sides have met just three times since the turn of the century, with the most recent fixture ending in a 3-0 win for Palace in January 2005.
