Championship Opta Facts – Sept 14-15

Burnley v Blackburn Rovers
Burnley have lost just one of their last eight league games, winning five and drawing two.
Since the start of last season, Jordan Rhodes has scored more goals in English's top four divisions than any other player (33).
90% of Rovers’ Championship goals so far have come from open play (9 out of 10).
Blackburn’s Alan Judge has fired in eight shots without directing a single one on target, more than any other player.
Blackburn’s David Dunn has scored in three of the last four league meetings between the two rivals.
Burnley haven’t won any of the last 10 meetings in all competitions between these sides (D3 L7), a run dating back to 1979.
The last two meetings between the Lancashire sides have ended in 1-1 draws.

Bolton Wanderers v Leeds United
Five of Bolton's seven goals this season, in all competitions, have come in the first-half while all three of the Trotters' league goals have also come before the break.
Leeds United have already recovered seven points from losing positions this season; a high in the Championship.
All but one of the goals that Wanderers have conceded this season have come from open play, with the tother coming from the penalty spot.
The Whites are the only team yet to score the opening goal in a Championship match this season.
Only Yeovil Town (1) have scored fewer goals than Dougie Freedman's side this season (3).
All of United's five goals this season have come from open play.

Bournemouth v Blackpool
Bournemouth are the only Championship side to have conceded from two penalties in this campaign so far.
Blackpool have gone on to win four of the five Championship matches this season in which they scored first.
Only Barnsley (13) have conceded more goals than the Cherries so far this season (12).
A league-high five of Blackpool's seven goals have come in the final 15 minutes of their games this season.
The Cherries last beat Blackpool 1-3 in 2005 when both sides were in League One, with that victory their only win against the Tangerines in the last seven meetings.
Blackpool are the only Championship side yet to concede in the first half in 2013-14 so far.
Despite topping the Championship, Blackpool have registered the fewest shots (excl. blocked) this season (30).

Huddersfield Town v Doncaster Rovers
Huddersfield Town are unbeaten at home this season in all competitions (W3 D1 L0)
Doncaster Rovers have scored more headers than any other team in the Championship so far this season (5).
The Terriers have netted a joint-league-high three goals in the 15 minutes before half-time.
Paul Dickov's side have scored from three free-kick situations this season, more than any other side in the Championship.
Huddersfield have failed to beat Doncaster in their six meetings in all competitions (D3 L3), last beating their Yorkshire rivals in 2005.
James Vaughan has netted eight goals in his last six games (in all competitions) for Huddersfield Town.

Ipswich Town v Middlesbrough
Ipswich Town have lost two of the three Championship games in which they've led this season.
Middlesbrough have drawn all three of their Championship fixtures this season in which they've conceded first.
Dean Whitehead has made a division-high 358 passes so far, completing an impressive 90% of them.
Boro last tasted victory at Portman Road in the inaugural Premier League season in 1992/93. Since then, they've drawn and lost four times in all competitions.
The Tractor Boys have lost just four times at home this calendar year (W8 D1 L4).
Middlesbrough have conceded the fewest amount of fouls this season in the Championship, just 43.

Leicester City v Wigan Athletic
Leicester City were involved in the only 0-0 draw in the Championship this season, against Leeds United on August 11th.
Wigan Athletic have both attempted and won the fewest number of tackles in the Championship so far, 60 and 46 respectively.
City have lost just once in their last six home games in all competitions (W3 D2 L1)
A division-high 70% of the Latics' Championship goals this season have come from set-pieces.
There have been just two competitive meetings between the sides, in 2004/05, with the Foxes yet to beat the Latics or score against them (D1 L1).
Owen Coyle's side have been caught offside 27 time this season, a division-high.

Millwall v Derby County
Millwall have posted the worst shooting accuracy in this season's Championship, finding the target just 33% of the time.
Derby County have been at their most potent in the 15 minutes before half-time, scoring a joint-league-high three goals in this period.
There have been just two goals scored at the Den this season, a Championship low, with both of these coming in the second-half.
The Lions have the worst pass completion rate in the Championship, finding their intended target with a pass just 67% of the time.
The Rams have registered just two wins in their last eight games against Millwall (in all comps), losing two and drawing four.
County last recorded a win at the Den in December 1995, drawing three and losing five since (in all comps).

Nottingham Forest v Barnsley
Nottingham Forest have scored three times in the opening 15 minutes of Championship fixtures this season, a division-high total.
Barnsley have shipped 13 goals in the Championship this season, more than any other side.
Forest are one of two teams, the other being Blackpool, who have yet to concede the opening goal in a Championship game this season.
The last three meetings at the City Ground between the two have ended in draws.
Forest are unbeaten against the Tykes in the last five meetings (W1 D4).
Only Almen Abdi (18) has created more chances from open play than Forest's Andy Reid this season (13).

Queens Park Rangers v Birmingham City
Queens Park Rangers are the only Championship side yet to concede in the second half this season.
Birmingham City's Paul Robinson is the Championship's most booked player, being shown yellow four times so far this season.
Harry Redknapp's men have won all four of the games in which they've taken the lead this season.
Prior to losing to QPR the last time the two sides met in the league (0-1 October 2008), Birmingham had remained unbeaten against the Hoops for 14 games.
Charlie Austin has mustered the most shots this season without scoring (15).
QPR have scored just twice in the last six fixtures between the sides, winning one, drawing two and losing three.

Sheffield Wednesday v Yeovil Town
Sheffield Wednesday have dropped a league-high nine points from leading positions in the Championship this season.
Yeovil Town are the division's lowest scorers so far, with only one goal scored in total from their five games so far.
Only Blackburn Rovers have had more different goalscorers (7) than Wednesday this season (6).
The Somerset club have never won against the Owls, losing four of their six meetings (in all comps).
Wednesday have never failed to score against the Glovers in league competition, scoring nine times in four games.

Watford v Charlton Athletic
Watford have scored nine goals in the second half this season: a league-high haul.
Charlton Athletic have conceded five headed goals so far this season; more than any other Championship side.
Troy Deeney has scored five times in as many appearances for Watford this season.
Chris Powell's men have shipped five goals in the opening 30 minutes of Championship games this season, a divisional-high.
The Addicks have won just once in their last eight clashes with the Hornets (W1 D4 L3), although that victory did come last time out - 4-3 in January.
Almen Abdi has created the most goal-scoring chances so far season (21).

Reading v Brighton & Hove Albion
Reading have won just one of their last eight home league matches.
Only Watford boast a better pass completion rate (84.9%) than Brighton & Hove Albion (82.7%) this season.
The Royals have won their last six games against Brighton, keeping four clean sheets in the process.
Brighton have scored the opening goal in four of their five Championship games this season, but won only two of those four matches, losing the other two.
Reading had the best defence during their Championship promotion season in 2011/12, shipping just 41 goals.
Albion have mustered just one goal in their last five meetings with Reading.

League Two Opta Facts – 13-14 September

Southend v Scunthorpe
Southend have won three of their last four league matches at home against Scunthorpe (D1).
The Iron have failed to score in three of their last five league matches against the Shrimpers.
No player has scored more goals this term than Freddy Eastwood (4).
Scunthorpe have scored four headed goals this season, the joint most in the league.
The Iron have conceded all six of their goals in the second half of matches this season.

Burton v Portsmouth
Burton have won five of their last nine league matches (inc. play offs), losing two and drawing two.
Patrick Agyemang has scored three goals in six League Two fixtures for Pompey this season, equalling his goal tally for the 2012/13 campaign.
No side have scored more goals in the first half of matches this season than Portsmouth (8).
This will be the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides.
Portsmouth have lost nine points from winning positions this term; a joint-league-high alongside Scunthorpe.

Cheltenham v Oxford Utd
Cheltenham have lost only once in their last seven league games against Oxford (W2 D4).
No side have scored more goals inside the box than Oxford United this season (12).
14 goals have been scored in the last five competitive meetings (all comps) between the teams, average at 2.8 goals per game.
The Robins have conceded a league-high 13 goals this season.

Chesterfield v Wimbledon
The Spireites have won all three of their home matches this season; a joint-league-high alongside Exeter and Wimbledon.
AFC Wimbledon have attempted more shots (including blocked) than any other team so far this season in League Two (87).
The two sides met for the first time last season in League Two, with each team recording a victory apiece, with the Spireites winning their home fixture against the Dons 2-0.
Chesterfield have scored four goals in the final fifteen minutes of matches this season; a joint-league-high alongside Oxford United.

Dag & Red v Bristol Rovers
Only one of Dagenham and Redbridge's three league victories over Bristol Rovers has come at home, with the Daggers losing twice on home soil.
Bristol Rovers are yet to lose a point from winning positions or gain any from losing positions.
There has never been a draw between these two sides in a competitive league fixture.
The Daggers have conceded five headed goals so far this season; a league-high.

Fleetwood v Bury
Fleetwood have netted five times in the opening fifteen minutes of matches; a league-high.
No player has assisted more goals this season than Bury's Craig Jones (4).
This will be the first ever competitive match between the two sides.
Only Michael Smith (18) has attempted more shots this season than Fleetwood's David Ball (17).

Hartlepool v Accrington
Since the turn of the century, Hartlepool have won both league matches, with both matches taking place in the 2006/07 season.
Accrington and Hartlepool are both yet to score in the first half this season, a joint-league-low alongside Torquay.
Accrington's last victory over Hartlepool was back in February 1961 (3-0), in the old Division Four.
Hartlepool scored their first league goal of the season last weekend in a 2-1 defeat at home to Wycombe.
Neither side have a won a league match this season.

Newport v Morecambe
Chris Zebroski has netted four goals in six league games for Newport this season.
Morecambe have salvaged six points from losing positions this season, more than any other side.
This will be the first ever competitive match between the two sides.
Morecambe have scored three goals from outside the area this season; a league-high.

Northampton v Exeter
The Cobblers have won six of their last seven league matches against the Grecians (L1).
Sam Parkin has netted twice this season for Exeter with both strikes arriving in the 80th minute.
Northampton are yet to keep a clean sheet this season; a joint-league-low alongside Accrington Stanley.
No side have received more red cards this campaign than the Cobblers (3).
The last five league matches have produced a total of 17 goals, averaging at 3.4 a game.

Plymouth v Wycombe
The Pilgrims have won three of the last four league matches at home against Wycombe (L1).
Matt McClure netted twice in two matches for the Chairboys against Plymouth last season.
Plymouth have netted 83% of their goals in the first half of matches this season; a league-high proportion.
Wycombe's Dean Morgan has been booked more times than any other player this season (4).

Rochdale v Torquay
Rochdale have won seven of the last 10 league games against Torquay (L3), with five of those victories coming at home.
Torquay have salvaged four points from losing positions on the road this term; a league-high.
None of Torquay's last three league victories over Rochdale have come away from home.
Torquay are yet to score in the first half this season, a joint-league-low alongside Accrington and Hartlepool.

York v Mansfield
York haven't keep a clean sheet in the league against Mansfield in 14 matches.
Mansfield have won the last two football league matches against the Minstermen (1-2 & 2-0).
Mansfield are the only side in League Two yet to concede a goal in the second half this season.
York's Ryan Jarvis has netted four goals in six league appearances.

11.09. (Wed) 02:00 USA - Mexico

Mexico begin life without Jose Manuel De La Torre when they take on the USA on Tuesday.

The coach was sacked following his side's shock 2-1 home defeat to Honduras on Friday, a result that left the Central American outfit in fourth place in the CONCACAF qualifying section for Brazil 2014.

Luis Fernando Tena will take charge for the clash with Jurgen Klinsmann's side, who will be out to bounce back after being knocked off top spot following a 3-1 loss to Costa Rica.

Clint Dempsey scored a first-half penalty for the US in San Jose on Friday, but the hosts seized the initiative in the group thanks to goals from Jhonny Acosta, Celso Borges and Joel Campbell.

And Klinsmann will have to try and inspire his players to respond to this disappointment without a number of his key men.

Jozy Altidore, Matt Besler and Geoff Cameron are all suspended, while Roma midfielder Michael Bradley also misses out after picking up an ankle injury while warming-up for the game against Costa Rica.

Still, the US - who reached the last 16 of the World Cup in 2010 - will be confident of taking maximum points in Columbus, with Mexico winless in the last three meetings between the teams.

11.09. (Wed) 02:00 Venezuela - Peru

Venezuela and Peru will both be aiming to keep their hopes of World Cup 2014 qualification alive when they meet on Tuesday.

Cesar Farias' men sit sixth in the South American qualification section, just three points behind Uruguay, who currently occupy the all-important fifth spot that will earn a play-off against either Jordan or Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, Peru travel to Puerto La Cruz just two points behind Venezuela, although their chances of finishing fifth took a severe blow when a Luis Suarez double condemned them to a 2-1 home defeat to Uruguay on Friday.

Sergio Markarian's side have now lost their last two qualifiers, but will be buoyed by the fact they came from behind to beat Venezuela 2-1 in the reverse qualifying fixture in Lima last September.

Jefferson Farfan netted twice on that occasion after Juan Arango's opener for Farias' team and the Schalke forward - along with Bayern Munich striker Claudio Pizarro - is again likely to be their main threat.

Venezuela go into the match in desperate need of a positive result to snap their sequence of four Conmebol qualification fixtures without a win.

They were beaten 3-0 by an in-form Chile in Santiago on Friday and slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay in their previous home qualifier in June.

11.09. (Wed) 02:00 Jamaica - Costa Rica

Costa Rica can take another step towards the World Cup finals when they face a Jamaica side on the brink of elimination on Tuesday.

Jorge Luis Pinto's team moved into first place in the final stage of Concacaf qualifying group for Brazil 2014 thanks to a 3-1 win over the United States on Friday.

Goals from Jhonny Acosta, Celso Borges and Joel Campbell in San Jose put Costa Rica one point clear of Jurgen Klinsmann's side at the top.

Costa Rica have now scored 10 goals in the final round of qualifying, and they should be confident of adding to that tally against Jamaica, who have yet to taste victory in any of their seven games so far.

Winfried Schafer's men did manage to hold on for a goalless draw with Panama at the weekend, despite the dismissal of Rodolph Austin, but history in this clash is very much against them.

They have not beaten Costa Rica since 1997, and slipped to a 2-0 defeat in San Jose back in March, Michael Umana and Diego Calvo getting the goals on that occasion.

The Caribbean outfit's poor form has left them at the foot of group with just two goals to their name, leaving their hopes of reaching the finals for the first time since 1998 in tatters.

Jamaica will be eliminated if they lose and Mexico beat the United States, and they will look to the likes of Marlon King, Jobi McAnuff and Garath McCleary to delay their likely exit a little longer.

However, Costa Rica have been beaten just once in this round of qualification, and are well placed to qualify for their fourth World Cup. 

11.09. (Wed) 00:00 Uruguay - Colombia

Colombia could book their place at next year's World Cup if they avoid defeat to Uruguay at Estadio Centenario on Tuesday.

A 1-0 win over 10-man Ecuador on Friday guaranteed Jose Pekerman's side a place in the AFC-Conmebol play-offs at the very worst.

Despite having a one-man advantage for a majority of the game, Colombia were made to work hard for their seventh-consecutive home win and had James Rodriguez to thank for what proved to be a decisive first-half strike.

The result leaves Colombia on the verge of qualifying for their first World Cup since 1998.

Speaking after the game, Peckerman said:  "I feel that Colombia won fairly, did important things, took on the role, overcame the difficulties and won well against a very good team.

"Colombia needs to go to the World Cup. We are not there yet, but we've taken a giant step."

Many onlookers will undoubtedly be looking forward to watching two of the biggest names in world football going head-to-head, as Radamel Falcao and Luis Suarez both take to the field.

Despite a ban ruling him out of the start of the new Premier League season, Suarez put in a talismanic performance for Uruguay as they picked up a vital 2-1 win over Peru in Lima on Friday - although he once again courted controversy.

The Liverpool striker scored from the spot after going over in the penalty area under minimal contact, before his theatrical tumble led to Victor Yotun's red card prior to his emphatic winning strike.

That result left Oscar Tabarez's side with a tightened grip on fifth place, with only two points separating them from Ecuador in fourth - the final automatic qualifying spot.

Despite suffering a 4-0 defeat in the reverse fixture, history appears to favour Uruguay, who have not lost a competitive home match to Tuesday's opponents since 1973.

Colombia will also be aware that no team has managed to come away from Uruguay with three points since October 2009.

10.09. (Tue) 20:45 Austria - Ireland

Republic of Ireland and Austria go head-to-head on Tuesday night with both sides desperate for the three points that will give their World Cup 2014 qualification hopes a massive boost.

Both sides are currently level on 11 points in Group C, three points behind second-placed Sweden, who came away with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Giovanni Trapattoni's side in Dublin on Friday.

Austria, meanwhile, go into the game in Vienna on the back of a 3-0 defeat to runaway leaders Germany.

A place in the play-off round for Brazil 2014 is still possible for both sides, but both need three points from the clash at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion to keep their hopes of catching Sweden alive.

Ireland's task will be made all the more difficult by the fact that  they have not won a competitive fixture in Austria since 1958, but Marcel Koller's men had to rely on a late David Alaba equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture in Dublin in March. 

10.09. (Tue) 20:45 Wales - Serbia

Wales and Serbia meet in Cardiff on Tuesday after both sides saw their World Cup qualification chances end on Friday.
Wales' slim hopes of reaching Brazil 2014 finished with a 2-1 loss to Macedonia in Skopje, while Serbia were held 1-1 by second-placed Croatia in Belgrade.

Those results leave Wales second-bottom of Group A while Serbia sit in third place, some nine points adrift of Croatia with just two games remaining.

The last meeting between the sides in Novi Sad last September ended in the hosts running out emphatic 6-1 winners.
Wales' goalscorer on that occasion, Gareth Bale, completed his £86 million transfer from Tottenham to Real Madrid last week but was not fit to play for his country in Macedonia due to a foot injury.

And while the 24-year-old will not start the match against Serbia at the Cardiff City Stadium, Wales manager Chris Coleman has revealed his star man may be able to make a substitute appearance.

"He's never going to be ready to start, it's as simple as that," he told BBC Sport.

"The fact he's turned up and is trying to be fit for us is such a huge positive and if he's ready then he may play a part.

"We'll see how he reacts between now and Tuesday."

Sinisa Mihajlovic's side, meanwhile, will be hoping for a win to secure third place in the group and a favourable seeding for the 2016 European Championships qualifying campaign.

However, they will not be able to call on midfielder Nemanja Matic as he is suspended after being sent off against Croatia. 

10.09. (Tue) 20:45 Ukraine - England

Group H leaders England can take a huge step towards World Cup qualification if they can see off the threat of Ukraine on Tuesday.

Roy Hodgson's side, who are level with Montenegro on 15 points but ahead on goal difference, ran out 4-0 winners against Moldova on Friday and they remain the only unbeaten side in the Group H.

But Ukraine, who hammered San Marino 9-0, are only a point behind and they will sense an opportunity to overhaul their visitors in Kiev.

England have problems up front, too, with Wayne Rooney (head), Daniel Sturridge (thigh) and Danny Welbeck (suspended) all consigned to a watching brief.

That leaves Southampton's Rickie Lambert as their main threat and his international career has got off to a flying start, with two goals in as many games.

Hodgson has experience to call on in other areas of the pitch, though, and he has cited Manchester City midfielder James Milner as a key player for the tricky trip to eastern Europe.

"We know what James will do," Hodgson said. "He isn't, and doesn't pretend to be, as exciting as some of the wingers we sometimes use these days.

"After a long period of time where I've not seen many wingers in the country, I'm now seeing lots of them. But we are going to need experience in Kiev. Milner is not a winger, but the qualities he brings could be very useful."

England will need to break a pattern that has emerged during their qualifying campaign if they are to earn some breathing space at the top of the group. On each of the previous three occasions that they have won, they have followed it up with a draw.

They are, however, the group's top scorers, with a commanding 25-goal tally from their seven games, with Ukraine's 19-goal haul the next-best total.

Ukraine are enjoying an excellent run of form, with 15 goals and four clean sheets from their last four matches.

Mykhaylo Fomenko's men were impressive against England at Wembley last September, when it took Frank Lampard's late penalty to deny them all three points following Yevhen Konoplyanka's first-half opener.

They will be eager to lay to rest bitter memories of their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, which ended in disappointment after they finished runners-up to England.

Despite qualifying for the play-offs, they were beaten 1-0 on aggregate by Greece, denying them the chance to try to better their performance at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where they reached the quarter-finals.

10.09. (Tue) 20:30 FYR Macedonia - Scotland

Macedonia will have their sights set on third spot in Group A as they seek to end their home qualifying campaign with a win over Scotland.
Cedomir Janevski's men have three games left but Tuesday's visit of the group's bottom side signals their final match on home soil.

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil is already beyond their reach but third-placed Serbia are just one point ahead, having played a game more.

Macedonia are fresh from Friday's 2-1 victory over Wales, their fifth win in six games at their national stadium.
Ivan Trickovski and Aleksandar Trajkovski were on target as Gareth Bale, the world's most expensive player, remained on the bench for the visitors.

The result saw Scotland slip to the foot of Group A, as they were overcome 2-0 by a superior Belgium side at Hampden Park, with Macedonia moving up two places.

And Scotland manager Gordon Strachan admitted that the Belgians were simply too good a proposition for his side.

"That's the best team we've played since I took over," he said. "Belgium were magnificent.

"It was like a heavyweight boxer up against a flyweight. They've got speed, height, strength - and we don't."

Scotland come into this game having only won once during their campaign, and Strachan will be keen to rectify that in order to avoid finishing at the bottom of the group.

Macedonia are sure to pose a challenge, though, as they look for their third straight international victory.

The two sides played out a well-contested 1-1 draw when they met at Hampden Park last September, after Kenny Miller cancelled out Nikolce Noveski's early opener.

10.09. (Tue) 13:00 South Korea - Croatia

South Korea will go in search of revenge when they take on Croatia in a friendly on Tuesday.

Igor Stimac's side thumped the Taegeuk Warriors the last time the two sides clashed back in Februrary, powering to a 4-0 win at Craven Cottage thanks to goals from Mario Mandzukic, Darijo Srna, Nikica Jelavic and Mladen Petric.

However, South Korea have since qualified for World Cup 2014, with the 2002 semi-finalists progressing to the tournament in Brazil despite a 1-0 defeat to Iran in their final game in June.

Hong's side will also have home advantage on their side for the game at the Jeonju World Cup stadium and face a Croatia team that has struggled for consistency in recent times.

Stimac's charges are five points adrift of Belgium in their qualification group and appear set to face a play-off for a place in the finals after their 1-1 draw with Serbia on Friday.

That result made it just three wins from six for Croatia, with a defeat against Scotland - who have already been eliminated from the World Cup - in June underlining their current problems.

10.09. (Tue) 12:20 Japan - Ghana

Ghana travel to Japan for an international friendly on Tuesday following their crucial World Cup qualifying victory over Zambia.

Kwesi Appiah's side went into the crucial match in Kumasi one point ahead of their visitors knowing that anything other than a defeat would take them through to the third stage of the CAF qualifying section for Brazil 2014.

Ghana, whose only defeat in Group D came in the reverse fixture against the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions, secured a narrow 2-1 win as Abdul Waris and Kwadwo Asamoah gave them a two-goal lead before Emmanuel Mbola pulled one back for the visitors.

But while Ghana have another stage of qualifying to go through to seal their place in next year's showpiece, Japan were the first side to reach Brazil 2014 after their 1-1 draw with Australia on June 4.

Japan's latest fixture came in a friendly against Guatemala at Nagai Stadium on Friday and goals from Keisuke Honda, Masato Kudo and Yasuhito Endo swept aside Sergio Pardo's side.
And following his side's 3-0 win, coach Alberto Zaccheroni called on the team to keep up their level of intensity in their next matches.

"We put good pressure on our opponents, particularly in midfield, while keeping our backline high. Our forwards pressed their opponents well, too, which kept Guatemala from moving up-field," he said.

"I hope we can continue doing that against other, high-ranked opponents in our upcoming games."

His Ghanaian counterpart Appiah was also in a content mood after his team's vital victory over Zambia.

"We needed to either get a win or get a draw and the most important thing our aim was to try and get a win which I think the players did very well," he explained.

"Zambia have got a very good team and it was not going to be easy game and we saw that."

Since earning qualification for the World Cup, Japan have been inconsistent as they have beaten nations such as Korea Republic, Australia and Iraq, but succumbed to three losses at the FIFA Confederations Cup.

Ghana, on the other hand, have lost only twice in their last nine matches.

International Opta Facts (UK teams) – September 10

Macedonia v Scotland
Macedonia and Scotland have a perfectly even record in previous clashes, winning one apiece with one draw.
Macedonia collected a 1-0 victory in their one previous home clash against Scotland, back in qualification for the 2010 World Cup.
The Red Lynx have won five and lost just one of their last six home internationals.
Aleksandar Trajkovski has scored a goal inside the final 10 minutes of each of Macedonia's last two internationals.
No team has been shown more yellow cards in European World Cup qualification than Macedonia (23).
Scotland have lost four of their last five internationals.

Wales v Serbia
Serbia's 6-1 hammering of Wales in Novi Sad back in September 2012 came in their first meeting against Chris Coleman's side as an independent nation, although they did do the double over them as Serbia and Montenegro back in qualification for Euro 2004.
Wales have conceded more goals from outside the box than any other European side qualifying for the 2014 World Cup (six).
Gareth Bale has scored four of Wales' seven goals in World Cup 2014 qualifications.
Serbia have lost three consecutive away internationals; they have never lost four in a row as an independent nation.
Indeed, the White Eagles have won none and lost four of their last five competitive away games.
Just one of Wales' last 48 international games has ended in a draw.

Austria v Republic of Ireland
Austria have won four and lost just one of seven competitive meetings with Ireland (D2).
In six previous away games against Austria, Ireland have won none, lost five and conceded 19 goals, scoring just twice themselves.
In each of the last three games that Austria have scored in, Bayern Munich defender David Alaba has been one of the scorers.
After defeat to Germany in their opening home game, Das Team have won three consecutive qualifiers in Vienna, scoring 12 in the process.
Ireland have scored just one goal in their last four away games combined (D3 L1).

Luxembourg v Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland have won one and drawn one of two previous internationals against Luxembourg.
Luxembourg have won just one of their last 13 internationals (D3 L8).
Aurélien Joachim has scored in two consecutive internationals for the Red Lions.
The Red Lions have only won five home games in all competitions since 1995, and all four have ended 2-1.
Michael O'Neill's side have won just one of their last 15 internationals, drawing five and losing nine.
On the road, Norn Iron have not won a game since September 2010, when they won 1-0 in Slovenia (D3 L7).
Northern Ireland have been caught offside more often than any other team in European World Cup qualification this time around (33).

Ukraine v England
This will be England's seventh meeting with Ukraine, and their third already under Roy Hodgson. The Three Lions have won four and lost just one of their previous six (D1).
England's only away game in Ukraine ended in defeat (excluding neutral venues), however, though Fabio Capello's side had already qualified for the 2010 World Cup when they lost there in October 2009.
England have only lost one of their last 13 competitive away games (excluding neutral venues), but that defeat came in Ukraine (W9 D3).
The Three Lions have found the net in 15 of their last 16 competitive away games, but once again the blank in this run came in Ukraine (0-1).
Injured striker Wayne Rooney has netted in each of England's last three World Cup qualifiers on the road and also netted in England's last away friendly in Brazil.
Roy Hodgson's side have found the net in 29 of their last 30 internationals in all competitions, with the exception being a 0-0 draw with Italy in Euro 2012 that ended in a penalty shootout defeat.
Excluding that shootout defeat, England have not lost a competitive game since the 2010 World Cup hammering by Germany (W11 D8).
Roy Hodgson has, however, seen his side alternate between a win and a draw in their last nine competitive fixtures. For this run to continue, this game must end level.
Frank Lampard could make his 100th international appearance in this game, becoming the eighth player to reach the milestone.
Since Lampard's debut in 1999, 99 different players have debuted for the Three Lions.
Ukraine have won seven and lost none of their last eight internationals, keeping four consecutive clean sheets and conceding just two in total in this run.

07.09. (Sat) 21:15 Brazil - Australia

Brazil have been weakened by injuries but their depth should still mean they are good enough to overcome Australia on Saturday.

Full-back Dani Alves (knee) and striker Hulk (thigh) have been ruled out of the clash, while the Socceroos are missing star forward Tim Cahill (ankle).

The Confederations Cup holders are also preparing for a friendly against Portugal and may start with a more experimental line-up against Australia - although they are still likely to control proceedings from the off.

Scolari's men have only lost twice this year – including a 1-0 defeat against Switzerland last time out – as they prepare for the World Cup.

Barcelona star Neymar is fit to lead the attack for Felipao's men, while Alves' absence means Maicon may start at right-back with David Luiz and Thiago Silva to command the back four.

Even if some of their bigger names are rested with an eye to the Portugal clash, Brazil are likely to send Saturday's opponents a warning about what to expect from a top side at the World Cup.
Australia have friendlies against the Selecao and France as their next two clashes in what is an ideal build-up to the 2014 finals.

Australia coach Holger Osieck will learn plenty about where his team sits and has named close to a full-strength squad for the encounter in Brasilia.

The Socceroos defence will be tested by a star-studded Brazil side, so Osieck is likely to start his preferred back four in Luke Wilkshire, Lucas Neill, Sasa Ognenovski and Matt McKay.

Under the German, the Socceroos have shown they are capable of sitting back and getting results, highlighted by their 1-1 draw in Japan in a qualifier in June.

With Cahill injured, Josh Kennedy is likely to get a start up front, while Central Coast striker Mitchell Duke, who impressed at the East Asian Cup, may also get an opportunity.

07.09. (Sat) 04:30 Peru - Uruguay

Uruguay welcomed eight of their European-based players into the squad on Monday ahead of the weekend’s World Cup qualifier in Peru.

Among those who arrived were Diego Godin, Alvaro Pereira and Diego Perez as Oscar Tabarez prepares his side for the crucial match in Lima.

Uruguay currently occupy fifth spot, which would leave them having to compete in a two legged play-off with a qualifier from the Asian section - Jordan or Uzbekistan.

Tabarez has one of the world’s strongest forward lines at his disposal with the trio of Edinson Cavani, Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez all available.

The coach should benefit from all three being fully focused, with Cavani having moved to Paris Saint-Germain early in the summer and Suarez still at Liverpool despite speculation about a move during the transfer window.

Uruguay will be hoping for a repeat of the reverse fixture, when goals from Suarez, Maxi Pereira, Cristian Rodriguez and Sebastian Eguren handed them a 4-2 victory.

Tabarez acknowledged the enormity of the game as the qualification process heads towards a conclusion.

“Victory will be a great result for us,” he said.

“If it’s a draw, that benefits us. If we win, I think we will draw a significant advantage because after that there are only three games left.”

Peru currently sit seventh in the standings, just two points behind Uruguay with four games remaining.

Yordy Reyna and Carlos Zambrano were the last players to join up with Sergio Markarian’s squad in Lima, and Reyna was quick to underline his willingness to help the team.

“This game we have to win because we are playing at home,” he said.

“I will contribute to the team when they need me.”

Winger Paolo Hurtado, of Pacos de Ferreira, echoed the sentiments of Reyna.

“The match against Uruguay will be very difficult but we will go above and beyond for the three points,” he said.

“I feel great. If I play or not, that will be determined by the coach, but I always come prepared to play for Peru.”