02.05. (Thu) 21:05 Chelsea - Basel

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CHELSEA
Čech
Azpilicueta • Cahill • Terry • Bertrand
Lampard • Luiz • Ramires
Moses • Torres • Hazard

BASEL
Sommer
Degen • Schär • Sauro • Park
Nenny • Die • Frei
Salah • Streller • Stocker

Chelsea will be without Ashley Cole due to suspension after the left-back picked up a yellow card in the first leg, meaning that Ryan Bertrand will once again deputise.

Further up the pitch, Rafael Benitez has no new selection concerns as long-term absentees Oriol Romeu (knee) and Marko Marin (thigh) and the ineligable Demba Ba will all sit out.

Basel boss Murat Yakin is also expected to name a similar line-up to the one which played at St Jakob-Park, with few players missing from their squad.

Kay Voser is the only player currently ruled out due to injury, while the front six could be exactly the same as in the first leg.

The only anticipated change will be at the centre of the defence, where Gaston Sauro could replace the suspended Aleksandar Dragovic.

DID YOU KNOW?

Chelsea have scored at least two goals in each of their last four Europa League matches.

Fernando Torres has been fruitful in the competition, scoring four goals in seven appearances.

The last team to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in Europe was Manchester United in April 2011.

Basel have conceded two goals or more in their last three matches in Europe.

Marco Streller is Basel's joint-top goalscorer in the Europa League with defender Fabian Schar. Both have four goals.

Yakin's side have played six away matches in the Europa League so far this season, winning none of them.

Basel have scored seven of their 17 goals in the final 15 minutes of matches - 41.2 per cent.

Basel are 13/1 with Coral to be drawing at half-time but winning at full-time.

Prediction
Chelsea's home record in Europe speaks for itself, while Basel are yet to win away from St Jakob-Park, so a comfortable home win looks to be the most likely outcome.

Editor's Prediction
Chelsea 3-1 Basel

02.05. (Thu) 21:05 Benfica - Fenerbahce

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BENFICA
Moraes
Almeida • Garay • Jardel • Pereira
Matić • Pérez
Salvio • Lima • Gaitán
Cardozo

FENERBAHCE
Demirel
Gönül • Yobo • Korkmaz • Ziegler
Şahin • Baroni
Kuyt • Ucan • Erkin
Sow

Benfica are likely to consider welcoming back Enzo Perez, who was suspended for the first leg in Turkey where the Portuguese outfit went down to a Egemen Korkmaz header.

The Eagles have no injury worries to contend with, though, Ola John picked up a booking in the first leg and will miss the clash which could mean Nicolas Gaitan may get a chance to stake his claim.

Meanwhile, for the visitors, Mehmet Topal and Pierre Webo are both suspended while Raul Meireles was stretchered off at the Sukru Saracoglu, meaning his season is over.

Youngster Salih Ucan, 19, is expected to replace the Portuguese midfielder, with Cristian Baroni dropping back into a more defensive role.

DID YOU KNOW?

Benfica have won 12 of their 13 home games in the Europa League
The Eagles' defeat to Fenerbahce last week ended their 38-game unbeaten run across all competitions - before that they lost to Barcelona in October.

Eduardo Salvio is the tournament record holder for most appearances (32) and is also a two-time winner of the Europa League with Atletico Madrid.

Fenerbahce suffered their heaviest ever defeat in Europe when they were trounced 7-0 by Benfica in Lisbon back in the 1975-76 season.

The Turkish club are targeting their first ever appearance in a final, their previous best was reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2008.

Aykut Kocaman's charges are yet to lose in any of their six away Europa League matches this campaign (W4, D2).

Prediction
This semi-final clash is finely poised and there is reason to believe it could go either way, however, Benfica have demonstrated the Estadio da Luz is a fortress and given Fenerbahce's suspension and injury problems, the Portuguese should progress to the final.

Editor's Prediction
Benfica 2-0 Fenerbahce

Bundesliga Opta-facts 03-05 May

Borussia Monchengladbach - FC Schalke 04
Monchengladbach have won their last five home games against Schalke (four Bundesliga games, one in the German Cup).
Schalke's last away victory at Monchengladbach came back in November 2006 (2-0).
There hasn't been an away victory between these sides in more than six years: Nine of the last eleven competitive matches have resulted in a victory for the respective home team (D2).
Monchengladbach haven't lost any of their last nine home games in the Bundesliga (W6 D3). They've kept five clean sheets in these games, with each of the last three home matches ending in a 1-0-victory for Monchengladbach.
Lucien Favre's team have failed to score more than one goal in each of their last 10 Bundesliga matches. Only Frankfurt (5) have scored fewer goals in their last 10 games than Monchengladbach (7). Conversely, Schalke have scored 21 goals in their last 10.
Schalke have scored at least two goals in eight of their last 10 Bundesliga matches.
Both teams haven't lost a games on a Friday in more than two years. Monchengladbach have won five of their last seven games played on a Friday (D2) and Schalke have won four of their last six (D2).
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored three goals and assisted one in his comeback last week against Hamburg (4-1), after missing five games due to an injury. Never before has the striker been involved in four goals in a Bundesliga match.
Juan Arango was involved in nine goals in the first half of the season (five goals, four assists). However, he has only been involved in two goals in his last 11 games (two assists).
Arango hasn't scored a Bundesliga goal in 1062 minutes (12 games). Patrick Herrmann has been waiting 756 minutes for a goal (nine games).

VfB Stuttgart - SpVgg Greuther Furth
There have been three competitive matches between Stuttgart and Furth since 1963/64; Stuttgart have won all three.
Furth failed to score in each of these three games (total goal difference: 0-8).
Stuttgart won their last meeting earlier this season 1-0, this despite their defender Serdar Tasci being sent off. Vedad Ibisevic missed a penalty but Shinji Okazaki netted the rebound to score the only goal of the game.
Furth's relegation was confirmed when Augsburg won against Stuttgart (3-0) on matchday 31.
Only in 2005/06 did Stuttgart score fewer goals in their opening 31 matches (32) than this season (33). Only in 1974/75 (which resulted in their relegation) did they have a worse goal difference (-29) than this season (-17).
Only four teams in Bundesliga history have had a worse record after 31 games than Furth (currently 18 points, three wins and only 22 goals).
Stuttgart have scored two goals in the final 15 minutes of their games - last season, they scored as many as 19.
Only two teams have scored fewer goals than Stuttgart (33 goals) this season in the Bundesliga.
Stuttgart have received six red cards this season; a joint-league-high alongside Furth and Bremen.
Vedad Ibisevic will miss the game due to suspension. He has scored 39% of Stuttgart's Bundesliga goals this season; a higher proportion than any other player.
Sven Ulreich has currently played 99 consecutive Bundesliga games without missing a single minute; the current longest run of any player in the Bundesliga.

Hannover 96 - 1.FSV Mainz 05
Hannover haven't won any of their last four competitive matches against Mainz (L2 D2). Their last victory came more than two years ago (2-0 at home, April 9th 2011).
Mainz haven't won any of their six Bundesliga away games at Hannover (L3 D3).
Hannover haven't won any of their last three home games (L1 D2). Their last home victory came on February 23rd against Hamburg (5-1); the longest home run without victory under coach Mirko Slomka.
Mainz have won only one of their last twelve Bundesliga games (D7 L4).
No side have attempted fewer shots in the second half of the season than Mainz (138) and Hannover (126).
Hannover have faced 18 shots per game in the second half of the season on average; more than any other side.
Both sides will most likely miss their respective top scorers for the rest of the season due to injuries (Adam Szalai, 13 goals, 3 assists and Szabolcs Huszti, 9 goals, 9 assists).
Mame Diouf hasn't scored a goal in 589 minutes (six games); his longest run without a goal in the Bundesliga.
No player in Hannover's history has appeared in more Bundesliga games for the club than Steven Cherundolo (289 games, like Jürgen Bandura).
Mirko Slomka's first Bundesliga game as Hannover coach came in January 2012 at Mainz (a 0-1 defeat).

Werder Bremen - 1899 Hoffenheim
Bremen haven't lost any of their last four games against Hoffenheim (W3 D1) and have lost only one of their last 10 competitive matches against them.
Hoffenheim haven't won any of their five competitive away matches at Bremen (L4 D1).
Bremen would definitely avoid relegation with a victory over Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim have lost only one of their four games under coach Markus Gisdol (W2 D1).
Bremen have collected 32 points and have a goal difference of -15; their worst record in Bundesliga history.
No side have conceded as many goals as Bremen and Hoffenheim (60).
Bremen haven't won any of their last 10 games (L6, D4); the current longest winless run in the Bundesliga.
Bremen's last victory came on matchday 21 (4-1 at Stuttgart). Their longest run without victory came back in 1995/96 (12 games).
Marko Arnautovic who has been suspended by the club, has scored five goals in his five games against Hoffenheim. He scored a brace against them earlier this season to secure Bremen's 4-1 victory at Hoffenheim.
Sejad Salihovic has been involved in three of Hoffenheim's last five Bundesliga goals (two goals, one assist).

FC Nurnberg - Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Leverkusen won their last trip to Nurnberg; 4-1 on matchday 34 last season. Stefan Kießling scored three goals against his former side in this match.
Kießling also secured a 1-0 home victory for Leverkusen against Nurnberg earlier this season.
Leverkusen haven't lost any of their last five Bundesliga games (W3 D2). However, they have won only one of their last seven away matches (L2 D4).
Nurnberg have lost only one of their last twelve home games (W6 D5).
Michael Wiesinger lost all of his seven competitive meetings Leverkusen as a player with Nurnberg and 1860 Munich (goal difference: 3-24).
Stefan Kießling has scored 22 Bundesliga goals this season; only Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski (23) has scored more.
Indeed, no Leverkusen player has scored more than 22 Bundesliga goals during one season.

Eintracht Frankfurt - Dusseldorf
Frankfurt haven't lost any of their last 13 competitive matches against Dusseldorf (W8 D5). They haven't lost a game against Dusseldorf in more than 33 years (January 26th, 1980).
Dusseldorf's lead over 16th place (relegation play-offs) has shrunk from 11 points (matchday 22) to zero after collecting only three points in their last nine games.
Only Bremen (10) have gone more games without winning than Dusseldorf (9). They've collected only three points in their last nine games; fewer than any other side.
Frankfurt have scored only two goals in their last five home games (that's an average of 0.4 goals per home game; compared to 2.5 in their first 10 home games).
No side has scored fewer goals in their last 10 Bundesliga games than Frankfurt (5). No side has lost more games in this period as Dusseldorf (6, like Furth and Bremen).
Only Bayern (7) have conceded fewer goals in the second half of the season than Frankfurt (15).
Dusseldorf haven't won any of their last 12 away matches in the Bundesliga (L10 D2).
Stefan Aigner has been substituted off the pitch in 22 Bundesliga games this season. Only four players in Bundesliga history were substituted off in more games during one season.

Borussia Dortmund - FC Bayern München
Bayern haven't won any of their last five Bundesliga games against Dortmund (L4 D1).
After losing five competitive games in a row against Dortmund, Bayern haven't lost any of their three competitive fixtures with Dortmund this season (victories in the Supercup and in the German Cup and a 1-1 in the Bundesliga).
Bayern (11 championships) and Dortmund (5) are the only sides to have secured more than one championship within the last 20 years.
Both sides are the only German Champions League winners (Bayern in 2001, Dortmund in 1997).
Dortmund have won their last six Bundesliga matches.
Bayern have won their last nine Bundesliga away matches, which is a new Bundesliga record. Indeed, they haven't lost any of their last 17 away matches (W16, D1). Their last away loss came on April 11th, 2012 at Dortmund (0-1).
Bayern have gained 84 points from only 31 games. Never before in Bundesliga history has a side won more than 81 points in an entire season (Dortmund 81 points in 2011/12).
Bayern have won their last 14 Bundesliga games. Never has a side won more than 15 consecutive Bundesliga games (Bayern from March till September 2005).
No other side has scored as many goals as Bayern (90) or Dortmund (76). Both teams have also conceded the fewest goals (Bayern 14, Dortmund 36).
33% of the goals Dortmund have conceded this season have been headers (12 of 36).
No side has scored more headers as Bayern Munich (15).

SC Freiburg - FC Augsburg
Augsburg have won only one of their 15 matches against Freiburg in the Bundesliga and the second division (L9 D5).
Freiburg have won each of their seven competitive home games against Augsburg. Augsburg failed to score in any of these games.
Freiburg have lost three consecutive competitive games for the first time under coach Christian Streich.
Freiburg have lost only one of their last seven home games (W4 D2), keeping five clean sheets in the process.
Augsburg won 3-0 against Stuttgart last week; equalling their highest victory in Bundesliga history (Hertha BSC, February 2012).
Augsburg have won 21 points in 2013; twelve more than in the first half of the season (9). Only the top four teams in the table have gained more points in 2013 than Augsburg.
No side has led as many duels as Freiburg (4403, duel success rate 49.9%) and Augsburg (4431, 48.3%).
Only Leverkusen's Stefan Kießling (172) has been involved in more shots than Max Kruse (150) this season. Kruse is Freiburg's top scorer with 10 goals.
Dong-Won Ji scored three of Augsburg's last five goals. He has scored all his four Bundesliga goals at home.

Hamburger SV - VfL Wolfsburg
Hamburg haven't won any of their last five Bundesliga home games against Wolfsburg (L2 D3).
Wolfsburg have scored more Bundesliga goals against Hamburg (51) than versus any other side.
Only Dortmund (32) and Bayern (43) have gained more points from their away games than Wolfsburg (24).
Wolfsburg haven't lost any of their last seven games. This is currently the second-longest run in the Bundesliga (Bayern 22 games).
Only Dortmund (18) and Bayern (21) have gained more points from their last seven games than Wolfsburg (13).
Wolfsburg haven't lost any of their last five away games (W3 D2). Their club record is six (1999/00 and 2009/10).
Hamburg have won only one of their last four home games (L2 D1). They've conceded exactly one goal in each of these games.
Wolfsburg have scored in each of their last nine Bundesliga games. They haven't failed to score since their 0-2 home defeat against Bayern Munich.
Diego has been involved in four goals in his last two games (2 goals, 2 assists). He is Wolfsburg's top scorer this season (9 goals, 7 assists).
Maximilian Arnold scored the opening goal for Wolfsburg in each of his last three appearances.

Ligue 1 Opta Facts - May 3rd - 5th

St Etienne v Bordeaux
St Etienne have won only two of their last 18 L1 games against Bordeaux (8D, 8L)
St Etienne have won five of their last six L1 home games (1D)
Bordeaux have drawn 15 games this season, highest tally in the European Top 5. Seven of these draws have finished 0-0, another record in Europe this season.
Bordeaux are winless in their last 5 away Ligue1 games, worst streak for them since March-August 2011.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored in three of his last five competitive games against Bordeaux.
Cheick Diabaté has scored three goals in five games against Saint Etienne in L1, his favourite victim alongside Montpellier.

Marseille v Bastia
OM have won six of their last seven competitive games against Bastia.
Bastia have lost 18 of their 23 top-flight visits to Marseille (1W, 4D),
Bastia have won only three of their 20 games played outside their Furiani stadium this season (6D, 11L)
OM have won 12 times by a 1-0 scoreline in L1 this season, equalling PSG's record in 2003/04.
OM are unbeaten in their last eight L1 games (5W, 3D), their best streak since November 2011-February 2012 (9 games).
OM haven't conceded a goal in their last seven L1 games, best streak in the competition currently.

Montpellier v Brest
Montpellier are unbeaten in their last 10 L1 games against Brest (4W, 6D).
Montpellier have lost four games after having led in a L1 game this season, highest tally with Troyes and Valenciennes.
Montpellier have only lost one of their last 13 home L1 games, against Lyon (1-2 on 19th April).
Montpellier have scored in each of their last 21 home competitive games, their last one without scoring was on 26 August vs OM (0-1).
Brest have lost all of their four league games since Corentin Martins took over as manager without scoring a goal and conceding nine.
Brest are the worst L1 team in 2013 with only eight points grabbed in 15 games.

Reims v Ajaccio
Reims have lost their three games against Corsican clubs in L1 this season
Ajaccio are unbeaten in their last seven official games against Reims (4W, 3D).
Ajaccio have failed to win in Reims in Ligue 1 (1D, 2L).
Reims have failed to score in their last two L1 games. Only Brest (29) have scored fewer goals than Reims (31) in L1 this season.
Ajaccio have won three games from losing positions in L1 this season, only Lille have done better (4).
Grzegorz Krychowiak has scored three of Reims' last five league goals at home.

Sochaux v Lorient
Lorient have failed to win any of their last seven visits to Sochaux in L1 (5D, 2L).
There has never been a 0-0 draw between these two teams in any of their 17 L1 encounters.
Sochaux have failed to win their last four home L1 games (3D, 1L).
Lorient have failed to score more than one goal in any of their L1 away games in 2013 (8 matches).
Vincent Nogueira is involved in Sochaux's last four league goals (2 goals, 2 assists).
Jérémie Aliadière is involved in eight of Lorient's last 10 away goals in L1 (6 goals, 2 assists).

Toulouse v Lille
Lille are unbeaten in their last 10 L1 games against Toulouse (5W, 5D).
Toulouse and Lille have already played twice each other this season with two Lille wins (in the league and League Cup).
Toulouse have failed to win their last six home games, their worst streak in L1 at home since December 2007-May 2008 (9 games).
Toulouse haven't scored in the last 242 minutes, only Brest are on a longer drought currently in Ligue 1.
Wissam Ben Yedder is involved in Toulouse's last four Ligue 1 goals (3 goals, 1 assist).
Salomon Kalou has scored 10 goals in L1 this season, his best total in a top-flight campaign since 2010/11 (with Chelsea).

Troyes v Evian TG
Evian TG are unbeaten in their last four competitive games against Troyes (2W, 2D).
Troyes have kept a clean sheet only four times this season, worst tally in the competition.
Troyes have lost 22 points after scoring the opening goal in L1 this season, highest tally in the competition.
Evian TG have won only one of their last 10 away games in L1 (3D, 6L).
Evian TG are unbeaten against promoted clubs this season in L1 (3W, 2D).
Saber Khlifa is involved in 50% (7 out of 14) of Evian's away goals this season (6 goals, 1 assist). Evian have won none of the four league games he's missed in 2013.

Rennes v Nice
Nice haven't won any of their last 13 visits to Rennes in L1 (4D, 9L). Their last win was back in August 1990.
Rennes have picked up three red cards in their last three league games against Nice.
Rennes have lost their last three home L1 games, their worst streak since 2007.
Nice have only won one of their eight away games against a Top half team in L1 this season (3D, 4L).
Julien Féret is involved in Rennes' last six L1 goals (3 goals, 3 assists).
20 of 51 of Nice's goals this season have been scored by Argentinians (39% - 15 from Cvitanich and 5 from Civelli).

Nancy v Lyon
Nancy have only won two of their last 23 L1 games against Lyon (4D, 17L).
Nancy are unbeaten in their last two L1 games against Lyon (1W, 1D).
Nancy have already picked up 13 more points than in the entire first half of the campaign, the best progression in L1 this season.
Nancy are unbeaten in their last six L1 games (4W, 2D). They have never trailed at any point during those games.
Lyon have only won one of their last four L1 away games (1D, 2L).
Lyon have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six games, their worst streak in L1 this season.

Paris SG v Valenciennes
PSG have won their last six competitive games against Valenciennes
PSG have won their last five L1 games without conceding a single goal.
PSG have won their last six home games in L1, their best streak at home since 2011.
PSG have picked up 28 points out of 30 in their last 10 home league games.
Valenciennes have lost eight of their last nine visits to top half teams this season (1D).
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is involved in six of PSG's last seven home goals in L1 (4 goals, 2 assists). He scored a hat-trick in the first-leg at Valenciennes' Hainaut stadium.

Čuvajte se Švajcaraca NAPADAČ PARTIZANA I REPREZENTACIJE SRBIJE, NENAD RAKOVIĆ, ANALIZIRA SVETSKO PRVENSTVO U HOKEJU NA LEDU

Maj je tradicionalno mesec hokeja na ledu. U Švedskoj i Finskoj  počinje Svetsko prvenstvo najdinamičnijeg zimskog i najbržeg kolektivnog sporta. Prošlogodišnji šampion Rusija, Kanada, Češka i koorganizator Švedska su glavni favoriti za zlato. Sudeći po Nenadu Rakoviću, reprezentativcu Srbije koje nema na najvećoj globalnoj smotri, iz prikrajka vreba Švajcarska.

- Početak prvenstva obeležiće neigranje najvećih evropskih zvezda, kojima je tek počeo plej-of u najjačoj svetskoj ligi, američkoj NHL. To znači da će Kanada biti lišena pomoći Sidnija Krozbija, a Rusija bez Jevgenija Malkina i Aleksandera Ovečkina... Ipak, Kanada i Rusija će u prvom kolu sa lakoćom savladati Dansku, odnosno, Letoniju sa više golova razlike.

MOJ TIP
Francuska - Slovačka 2, 6+
Češka - Belorusija 1
Finska - Nemačka 0-6
Švedska - Švajcarska 2
SAD - AUSTRIJA 1
Norveška - Slovenija 2
RUSIJA - LETONIJA 1
KANADA - DANSKA 1-1, 6+

Europa League Opta Facts - May 2

Benfica v Fenerbahce
Benfica have won their last five European home games, though three of these have been by the odd goal.
Going back further, the Portuguese giants have lost only two of their last 15 at the Estadio de Luz (W11 D2), with those defeats coming against Barcelona and Chelsea.
Benfica's one previous home meeting with Fenerbahce was back in September 1975 - they won 7-0.
Since that victory, the Eagles have only twice hosted Turkish opposition; they beat Altay S.K. 4-0 in 1980 but lost 0-2 against Galatasaray in 2008.
Indeed overall, Turkish teams have won three and lost none of their last four trips to Portugal (excluding qualifiers) in Europe.
Fenerbahce have won 13 and lost just two of their last 20 European games.
The Yellow Canaries have kept five clean sheets in their last seven games in the Europa League, conceding just two goals in total in this run.
Away from home, Aykut Kocaman's side are unbeaten in Europe this term, winning four, drawing two and conceding just three goals.
Oscar Cardozo has scored six goals in Europe this season, despite only starting six games.
Despite playing only seven games in the competition, Benfica have seen their woodwork hit a joint-high seven times in the Europa League this term.

Chelsea v Basel
Chelsea only managed 39% possession in their first leg against Basel, but still managed twice as many shots on target (6-3).
Fernando Torres has scored seven goals in 13 appearances in Europe this season; he has managed seven in 32 in the Premier League.
Chelsea are unbeaten in 12 European home games (W10 D2) and in 16 against non-English sides (W13 D3).
The Blues have only managed one clean sheet in their last nine at Stamford Bridge in Europe, however, shipping exactly one in each of their last four.
In 28 European home games played by English sides against teams from Switzerland in Europe (excluding qualifiers), there has only ever been one away win: West Brom 1-3 Grasshoppers Zurich in September 1981.
Despite this, the last three clashes between English and Swiss sides on English soil have ended level, with Basel themselves drawing two of those encounters.
The Swiss side have only won one of their last 12 European away games (D7 L4).
Despite only entering after the Champions League group stages, Chelsea have conceded a joint-high four penalties in the Europa League this season.
Basel have received more cards than any other team in the Europa League this term (30 yellows, three reds).
Fernando Torres has scored six goals in his last five European home games.

01.05. (Wed) 20:45 Barcelona - Bayern Munchen

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BARCELONA
Valdés
Alves • Piqué • Abidal • Correia
Xavi • Busquets • Iniesta
Pedro • Messi • Sánchez

BAYERN MUNICH
Neuer
Lahm • Boateng • Dante • Alaba
Martínez • Schweinsteiger
Robben • Müller • Ribéry
Mandžukić

Barcelona defender Adriano is available for the crunch Champions League clash against Bayern Munich after completing a one-match ban.

Javier Mascherano (knee) has returned to light training and has an outside chance of being involved, but Carles Puyol (knee) is still sidelined and Jordi Alba is suspended.

Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes has confirmed he will not be resting players who are at risk of missing the final should they get booked on Wednesday.

Javi Martinez, Mario Gomez, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luiz Gustavo, Dante and Philipp Lahm are all just one yellow card away from missing the Wembley showpiece.

Midfielder Toni Kroos (thigh) remains out but striker Mario Mandzukic returns after missing the first leg through suspension.

DID YOU KNOW?

Barcelona have lost just once in 26 home games this season, falling 3-1 to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey in February.

The Blaugrana have won their last 10 home games against German visitors and their overall home record against Bundesliga opposition is W19, D1, L6.

No team in European Cup history has successfully overturned a four-goal first-leg deficit.

Alex Song and Gerard Pique's next bookings will incur a ban.

Bayern Munich are on a 17-match winning run away from home across all competitions.

The Bavarian giants are the top scorers in this season's Champions League with 26 goals.

Bayern's away record against Spanish clubs in European competition is W5, D5, L10.

Mario Gomez is Bayern's all-time top scorer in the Champions League with 23 goals.

Prediction
Barca came back from the dead against AC Milan in the round of 16, but it will take something truly spectacular to repeat the feat against this Bayern side. Indeed, such is the amount of confidence the visitors will have drawn from their total superiority in the first leg that they will step out at Camp Nou expecting another victory.

Editor's Prediction
Barcelona 2-2 Bayern

League 1 and 2 Opta Facts - play-off semis

Sheffield United v Yeovil
The two sides have met just four times in their history, with the Blades winning three (L1). However, Yeovil won the most recent meeting this season 2-0, courtesy of a Paddy Madden brace.
The Blades are without a win in four games (D2 L2). Indeed, over the final 10 games of the League One season, only Stevenage (8) and Tranmere (7) have picked up fewer points than United (10).
After scoring 15 goals in his first 17 games of 2013, Paddy Madden has failed to score in his last four.
Yeovil forward James Hayter has netted three times in his last five games.
The Blades have failed to score in three successive matches and have failed to net in five of their last eight.

Swindon v Brentford
Brentford won both previous fixtures against Swindon this season (2-1 & 1-0), with Clayton Donaldson scoring in both games.
The Bees have picked up 23 points from losing positions this season in League One; a league-high.
Bradley Wright-Phillips has scored four goals in his last five games for Brentford.
Marcello Trotta's dramatic miss from the penalty spot against Doncaster was the fifth penalty the Bees have missed this season (scored 4); a league-high.
Over the 46 game League One season, Swindon conceded a league-low 39 goals.
The Bees have scored 20 goals in the final fifteen minutes of matches this season; a joint-league-high with fellow play-off contenders Yeovil.


Bradford City v Burton
Burton have never picked up a win at Valley Parade against Bradford, drawing three and losing twice.
Heading into the play-offs, Bradford have lost just once in their last nine games (W5 D3).
Burton ended the season without an away win four attempts (D2 L2).
Despite not scoring in his last two appearances, Bradford striker Nakhi Wells has scored four goals in his last six league games.
Over the 46 game season, Burton salvaged 23 points from losing positions; a league-high.
At Valley Parade this season, Bradford have lost just three points from winning positions; a league-low.

Northampton v Cheltenham
The Cobblers are without a win against the Robins in six games (D2 L4).
Cheltenham striker Darryl Duffy has netted five goals in his last three appearances against Northampton.
The Robins have lost 26 points from winning positions this season; the most in the division.
Over the last 10 league games, only Bradford (18) have picked up more points going into the play-offs than Cheltenham (17).
Northampton striker Adebayo Akinfenwa has scored a goal in three of his last four games against Cheltenham.

30.04. (Tue) 20:45 Real - Borussia D.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

REAL MADRID
López
Arbeloa • Ramos • Varane • Coentrão
Khedira • Alonso
María • Özil • Ronaldo
Higuaín

BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Weidenfeller
Piszczek • Subotić • Hummels • Schmelzer
Gündogan • Bender
Błaszczykowski • Götze • Reus
Lewandowski

Real Madrid are likely to welcome Alvaro Arbeloa back into the defence after his suspension for the first leg. Pepe will drop to the bench, leaving Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane to partner one another at centre-back.

Angel Di Maria will start on the wing after the birth of his daughter confined him to the bench in Germany. Cristiano Ronaldo has been training on his own as he looks to overcome a thigh injury and, although he is classed as a doubt, the Portuguese is likely to make the XI.

Finally, Gonzalo Higuain is likely to retain his place up front ahead of Karim Benzema.

Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, should name the same team who won so impressively at Signal Iduna Park. Lukasz Piszczek has been struggling with a groin problem but should start in defence alongside Neven Subotic, Mats Hummels and Marcel Schmelzer.

The likes of Felipe Santana, Mitchell Langerak, Moritz Leitner, Oliver Kirch and Julian Schieber were given a run-out against Fortuna Dusseldorf but will drop out as BVB name a more familiar line-up.

DID YOU KNOW?

Real Madrid are bidding to reach their 13th European Cup final. The last time they lost in the showpiece was in 1981. BVB have reached one final in their history, beating Juventus in 1997.

Cristiano Ronaldo's goal against the Germans in the first leg was his 50th in the competition.

Jose Mourinho's side lost to German opposition - Bayern Munich - in last season's semi-finals. This is the third straight year that they have reached this stage.

Only one team have progressed having lost the first leg 4-1, with Deportive La Coruna recording a 4-0 second-leg win in Spain against AC Milan.

Borussia Dortmund overcame Spanish opposition in the last round of the competition, beating Malaga 3-2 on aggregate.

BVB lost at this stage of the competition to Real Madrid in 1998, with the Spaniards going on to win the competition.

Robert Lewandowski became the first player to score four goals against Madrid in the Champions League in the first leg.

Prediction
Real Madrid certainly have their work cut out in getting through to the next round and although they will feel confident of beating Dortmund, the visitors should progress. What's more, Jurgen Klopp's side will also feel confident of scoring in Spain.

Editor's Prediction
Real Madrid 2-1 Dortmund

Champions League Opta Facts: SF Second Legs

Real Madrid - Borussia Dortmund
Only one team has managed to overturn a 4-1 deficit after the first leg of a Champions League knockout game - it was Deportivo La Coruna against AC Milan in the quarter-finals of the 2003/04 campaign. They won 4-0 at the Riazor in the second leg.
Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten in their last four encounters with Real Madrid (two wins, two draws). They have met three times in the Champions League this season with Dortmund winning 2-1 and 4-1 at home and drawing at the Bernabeu (2-2).
Real Madrid have won two and drawn one of their three home games against Dortmund in the Champions League.
Borussia Dortmund are the only team unbeaten in the Champions League this season (seven wins, four draws).
Four of Dortmund's five away games in the Champions League this season have ended in a draw.
Real Madrid haven't reached the Champions League final since 2002 while Dortmund's only final appearance was back in 1997 - they were the eventual winners, beating Juventus (3-1).
Real Madrid's games have produced 42 goals (24 for, 18 against), the most in the Champions League this season.
Real Madrid have conceded seven goals in their last two CL games (three v Galatasaray and four v Dortmund).
Real Madrid have won 14 of their 17 Champions League games at the Bernabeu under Jose Mourinho. 10 of these games have been won by at least three-clear goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scorer in this season's Champions League with 12 goals. It beats his previous best tally in the competition (10 goals in 2011/12).
Ronaldo has scored in each of his last six Champions League games, equalling the record previously set by Marouane Chamakh and Burak Yilmaz.
Ronaldo and Dortmund's Marcel Schmelzer are the only outfield players to have featured in every single minute of this season's Champions League campaign.
Robert Lewandowski has been directly involved in 52% of Dortmund's goals in the Champions League this season, 12 out of 23 (10 goals, two assists). He became the first ever player to score four goals in a European Cup/Champions League game against Real Madrid.

Barcelona - Bayern Munich
No team has ever overturned a 4-0 deficit after the first leg of a Champions League knockout game.
Barcelona's 4-0 defeat in Munich in the first-leg was their heaviest in a Champions League game since their defeat by the same scoreline against Dinamo Kiev back in November 1997.
If Bayern Munich qualify, it will be the third time they have reached the final of the Champions League in the last four seasons. They were beaten finalists in each of their last two appearances (v Inter Milan in 2010 and Chelsea in 2012).
Barcelona have only won one of their seven competitive encounters with Bayern Munich (two draws, four defeats).
Barcelona have won only one of their last six Champions League games (three draws, two defeats).
Worse, they have won only one of their last seven knockout games in the competition (4-0 v AC Milan in this season's last 16), drawing three and losing three.
Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 21 Champions League games at Camp Nou (16 wins, five draws), their last defeat dating back to October 2009 against Rubin Kazan (1-2).
Barcelona's last three home games in the CL knockout stages against German sides have all seen the Catalans win by at least four clear goals: 4-0 v Bayern Munich in April 2009, 4-0 v Vfb Stuttgart in March 2010 and 7-1 v Bayer Leverkusen in March 2012.
Bayern Munich have scored more goals than any other side in the Champions League this season (26).
Bayern Munich have won their last three Champions League games without conceding a single goal, the best current run in the competition.
Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny is the last player to score against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, it was 275 minutes ago.
Thomas Müller has been directly involved in 54.5% of Bayern Munich's goals in the knockout stages of the Champions League this season, six out of 11 (four goals and two assists).
Since 2008/09, Lionel Messi has scored 51 goals in the Champions League, which is 37 more than any other Barcelona player over that period (Pedro, 14 goals).

League 2 Opta Facts: 27 April

Accrington v Oxford
Accrington have failed to beat Oxford in the league in five attempts; losing twice (D3).
Defender Lee Molyneaux has scored six goals in his last eight games for Accrington.
No side have lost more points from winning positions at home this campaign than Accrington Stanley (14).
Stanley are unbeaten in five games, winning three (D2).

Wimbledon v Fleetwood
The two sides have met once in the Football League, with that match ending in a 1-1 draw earlier this season.
Fleetwood haven't won for five games, losing three and drawing twice.
Wimbledon are also without a win in five games, losing three and drawing twice.
No side have picked up more yellow cards this season than Fleetwood (86).

Burton v Gillingham
The Gills have won three of the five previous meetings in the league. Incidentally, Burton's only victory over the Gills came at the Pirelli stadium last season.
The Gills have scored 13 goals in the opening fifteen minutes of games this season; a joint-league-high alongside Bristol Rovers.
Gills top scorer Danny Kedwell has scored four goals in his last seven appearances.
After conceding seven against Port Vale, Burton have kept two clean sheets in their last three games (conceding just one goal in total).

Cheltenham v Bradford
Before this season's defeat (1-3), Cheltenham had won their previous three games against Bradford.
The Robins have lost 26 points from winning positions this season; the most in the division.
Cheltenham's 1-0 victory over Exeter last weekend means that no side have won as many points than Cheltenham (19) in their last 10 League Two games.
Bradford have scored eight penalties this season; a joint-league-high alongside Dagenham and Redbridge.

Chesterfield v Exeter
Chesterfield have won four of the last six meetings with Exeter (L2).
The Grecians have gone six games without a win; the longest current winless streak in the division.
After scoring four in five for Exeter, Jamie Cureton has scored just once in his last eight games.
The Spireites are the only side in the division yet to score a penalty this campaign.

Dagenham & Redbridge v York
The two clubs have met once in the Football League with York City winning 3-2. Both York City's Ashley Chambers and Dagenham's Luke Wilkinson scored braces in that game.
York have scored 63% of their goals in the first half of games this season; a league-high proportion.
The Daggers have failed to score in three of their last five league games.
Only Exeter (6) have picked up fewer points over the last 10 games than Dagenham and Redbridge (9).

Northampton v Barnet
Barnet have 10 league wins over Northampton, who have five. They have shared six draws.
The Cobblers have scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of matches than other team in League Two this season (19).
Jake Hyde has scored three goals in his last two appearances for Barnet; the same number that he had managed in his previous 11 appearances for the club.
Clarke Carlisle's 2nd minute goal for Northampton against Port Vale last weekend ended his sides' run of 367 minutes without a goal in League Two.

Rochdale v Plymouth
The last five games between Rochdale and Plymouth have produced 14 goals averaging at 2.8 goals per game.
After netting five times in seven games, George Donnelly has failed to score in his last three for Rochdale.
Rochdale have lost just once in their last seven games (W3 D3).
Only Barnet (11) have conceded more goals from the spot than the Dale this season (9).

Rotherham v Aldershot
Rotherham are unbeaten in five league clashes (excluding play-offs) against Aldershot, winning three (D2).
The Shots have recovered four points from losing positions this season; a joint-league-low alongside York City.
Rotherham's Kieran Agard has scored three goals in his last three appearances; the second time he has scored in three consecutive league games this season.
The Shots are without an away win in nine games (D7 L2); the current longest winless streak of that kind in the division.

Southend v Morecambe
Southend are yet to beat Morecambe in the league, losing four (D1).
The Shrimpers have amassed 21 points from losing positions this season; a league-high.
Morecambe have conceded 70% of their goals in the second half of games; a league-high proportion.
Southend have scored 69% of their goals in the second half of games this campaign; a league-high proportion.

Torquay v Bristol Rovers
The Gulls are without a win in three at home against the Pirates (D2 L1).
Torquay striker Rene Howe has scored twice in his last three games against the Pirates.
Torquay have conceded more goals in the final 15 minutes of games than any other side this season (20).
In juxtaposition, Bristol Rovers (5) have conceded fewer goals in the final 15 minutes of games than every other team in League Two.

Wycombe v Port Vale
The Chairboys are without a win in four against the Vale (D2 L2).
Wycombe have scored just six time in the final 15 minutes of games this season, fewer than any other side.
Port Vale have gone seven games unbeaten; the longest current unbeaten run in the league.
Wycombe have won two and lost just one of their last five home league matches.

Opta Facts La Liga 2012-13 Matchday 33

Rayo Vallecano v Osasuna
Rayo have only scored in one of their last four top-flight meetings with Osasuna, but that was in a 6-0 hammering at home last season.
That 6-0 win remains Rayo's biggest ever La Liga victory, and was also the last game in which Michu netted (twice) for side from Madrid.
Osasuna have only won one their seven trips to Vallecas in the Primera (1D 5L), only scoring in two of those seven games.
Rayo have lost successive league games on home soil; they have not lost three in a row at home since 2002/03, the last season they were relegated.
The Reds have only won one of their last seven league games, losing five of them (1D).
Rayo captain Piti has scored four of his team's last six league goals.
Ex-Rayo player Emiliano Armenteros has had more shots than any other Osasuna player this season (62), but has only scored three goals.
Only Barcelona (70%) average more possession than Rayo Vallecano (57%) in La Liga this season.
Osausna have only scored 26 league goals all season; only in one previous campaign have they ended with fewer goals (24 in 1985/86, when they played only 34 games).

Levante v Celta Vigo
Levante have not lost any of their three top-flight clashes with Celta (1W 2D).
The Galician side have scored exactly one goal in each of their three meetings with Levante in La Liga, with two of them ending 1-1.
Levante have only scored three goals in five games since the departure to the MLS of Obafemi Martins (1D 3L).
Celta Vigo are the only team in La Liga yet to win consecutive league games this term.
Las Granotas have lost three successive league games; they have never lost four in a row under Juan Ignacio Martinez.
Levante have scored a league-low of just two goals in the first 15 minutes of games this season.
Celta, meanwhile, have only scored five set piece goals this term; a league-low.
Only Lionel Messi (55%) has directly contributed to a higher portion of his team's goals than Iago Aspas (52%) this season.

Athletic v Barcelona
Athletic are without a win in six meetings with Barcelona at the San Mames in La Liga (D3 L3), their second-worst ever home run against the Catalans (eight).
Bilbao's last victory over Barcelona in the league, however, was recorded at the San Mames back in May 2006 (3-1).
Barcelona have logged more draws at the San Mames than any other away team in Spanish top-flight history (18).
Athletic Bilbao recorded a legendary 12-1 victory over Barcelona in 1931, their biggest ever home league win.
Only one of the eight goals Lionel Messi has netted against Athletic in La Liga has come at the San Mames, though that did earn his team a 2-2 draw there last season.
Ibai Gomez is one of only two players (with Piotr Trochowski) to have scored against both Barcelona and Real Madrid this season.
Cesc Fabregas (four goals, one assist) and Thiago (one goal, two assists) have contributed to eight of Barcelona's nine goals in Lionel Messi's absence.
Barcelona are unbeaten in six league games, winning five.
Barca have only scored three headed goals all season, a league-low.
Athletic Bilbao have conceded more set piece goals than any other side in La Liga this season (29).

Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid
Atletico are winless in 22 league meetings with Real Madrid (6D 16L), the longest run without a victory by any side in any Spanish top-flight derby.
Real Madrid have won their last five trips to the Calderon in La Liga, their best ever away run against Atleti in the league.
Real Madrid are the only team Atletico have not beaten in the league since their promotion in 2002.
Atletico have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 16 home derbies with Real (2.3 goals per game on average).
The Whites have scored their first goal in the 14th minute of the game on average in their 10 trips to the Calderon since Atletico last won promotion.
Only in 1991/92 (16) have Atletico won more home games than they have in 2012/13 so far (14).
Gonzalo Higuain scored his first La Liga goal at the Calderon in February 2007 (1-1), in the only derby that Fernando Torres netted in for Atletico.
Since that day, only Lionel Messi (202) and Cristiano Ronaldo (143) have scored more La Liga goals than Higuain (104).
Atletico and Real Madrid have been given a joint-high eight penalties this term.
Falcao has become the first player since Diego Forlan in 2008/09 (32) to reach 25 league goals in a single campaign for Atletico.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored six of Real's last 10 derby goals, with five coming from dead ball situations (three penalties, two direct free kicks).
Only Atletico (25) have conceded fewer league goals than Real (30) so far this term.

Zaragoza v Mallorca
Zaragoza have only won one of their last 10 top-flight meetings with Mallorca (D3 L6).
Gregorio Manzano has only won one league game as a manager at La Romareda (D4 L2), but this was in his last visit.
In the last 10 years, at no other away ground have Mallorca won more often than they have at La Romareda (three).
Zaragoza are without a win in 15 league games (D5 L10), they have never gone 16 games without a win in the top-flight.
Victor Casadesus has scored in the last three league meetings between Zaragoza and Mallorca (three goals in total).
Helder Postiga has scored 38% of Zaragoza's league goals this season; only Falcao (45%) and Messi (43%) have scored higher proportions.
Alejandro Alfaro has scored more goals in the last two months (five) than he managed in his previous two seasons combined (four).
Zaragoza are the only team in La Liga to have won more away points (14) than home points (13) this term.
Mallorca have lost a joint-league-high 13 points from winning positions on the road in 2012/13.

Espanyol v Granada
Espanyol have won their last three home meetings with Granada in La Liga, with the last two both ending 3-0.
Granada have only won away at Espanyol once in their La Liga history; 3-2 in 1971/72, when they recorded their joint-best top-flight finish (sixth).
Four of the last five draws between Espanyol and Granada in La Liga have ended goalless, including this season's reverse fixture.
Espanyol are unbeaten in nine home league games (W5 D4), a run that coincides with the arrival of Javier Aguirre.
Granada have only won two of 11 league games with Alcaraz in charge this season (18%), a worse record than they managed under Anquela (five in 23, 24%).
Three of the last four Granada league goals have been headers, with all three logged by different players: Nolito, Aranda and El-Arabi.
Sergio Garcia has scored four of Espanyol's last seven home goals, having scored just once at Cornella all season before this run.
Granada's midfielders have contributed just five goals all season, a La Liga-low figure.

Malaga v Getafe
Malaga have won exactly half of their six home meetings with Getafe in La Liga (W3 D2 L1), with each victory coming by the odd goal.
The side from Madrid are without a win in seven league trips to Andalusia (D3 L4), with their last win coming in December 2010 against Almeria (3-2).
Malaga have only won two home league games in the year 2013, with both ending 1-0 (D3 L2).
Getafe have lost their last two league games; they have not lost three in a row all season.
The only time a Getafe player has scored a brace at La Rosaleda was also the only time the Blues won there in La liga (2-1 with goals from Veljko Paunovic).
Julio Baptista, who has scored each of Malaga's last two league goals, has also scored in his last two against Getafe in La Rosaleda.
Getafe have been shown six red cards in La Liga against Malaga; only against Zaragoza (seven) have they seen more players dismissed.
Malaga have conceded just four goals in the final 15 minutes of games this season; a league-low with Real Madrid.
Of all goalkeepers to have played 10+ games this season, Willy Caballero has the best save percentage (74.5%).

Valladolid v Sevilla
The last time Sevilla won in Pucela in La Liga was back in October 1996; a season in which they were relegated. Since then they have drawn three and lost four.
Valladolid have only won one of their last seven league games (D3).
Sevilla have the second-worst away record in La Liga this season (eight points), and have not won away since September (3D 10L).
Valladolid have scored five of their last six goals against the Andalusians in La Liga before the half-time break.
Beto is yet to manage a clean sheet in 12 games for Sevilla in all competitions (10 league, two cup).
Real Valladolid were shown six yellow cards in their return fixture against Sevilla; the joint-most they have been shown in one game this season.
Jesus Navas (213) and Antonio Rukavina (143) have made the most open play crosses in La Liga this term.
Real Valladolid have scored a league-high three own goals this term.
Unai Emery has faced Valladolid six times as a La Liga coach and has never drawn (W4 L2).

Real Sociedad v Valencia
Real Sociedad have won three successive league games against Valencia; they have not won four in a row against them since 1991/92.
Los Che have, however, won three of their last four trips to the Anoeta in La Liga, losing only their latest trip there (0-1 last season).
Real Sociedad have not won two successive home meetings with Valencia in the top-flight since they abandoned their former stadium Atocha (three between 1990/91 and 1992/93).
The Basque side have only lost one of their last 22 league games (W12 D9) and that was in the Bernabeu against Real Madrid (4-3 in January).
Valencia are winless in four away league games, though they have drawn three of those.
Roberto Soldado has scored four goals against Real Sociedad in La Liga since he moved to Valencia, but all four have come at the Mestalla.
Valencia and Real Sociedad have both won exactly 35 points since Ernesto Valverde took over at the Mestalla.
Valencia have won a league-high eight points thanks to goals netted after the 89th minute this season.

Real Betis v Deportivo La Coruna
Betis have only won one of their last 10 home games against Deportivo in La Liga (D3 L6), failing to score in eight of these games.
The Green-and-Whites have remained unbeaten in seven home league games (W3 D4), their best run on home soil since their most recent promotion.
Deportivo are unbeaten in five league games (W4 D1), they have not gone unbeaten in six in La Liga since 2009.
If they win in Seville, Depor will have won three successive top-flight away games for the first time since 2006 under Joaquin Caparros.
The Blue-and-Whites have conceded a joint-high 64 league goals this season, and have also conceded the most first-half goals (35) and the most headed goals (15).
Real Betis are the only La Liga team yet to have lost a point following a goal scored in the final 10 minutes this term, while Deportivo are the only team yet to win one in this period.
Excluding the own goal by Inigo Lopez, Ruben Castro (seven goals, four assists), Dorlan Pabon (five goals, two assists) and Jorge Molina (four goals) have participated in 19 of Real Betis's last 20 league goals.
Deportivo have lost a league-high 23 points from winning positions this season.

25.04. (Thu) 21:05 Fenerbahce - Benfica

PROBABLE LINEUPS

FENERBAHCE
Volkan
Gonul, Yobo, Korkmaz, Ziegler
Meireles, Sahin, Baroni
Kuyt, Erkin
Webo

BENFICA
Arthur
Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Melgarejo
Matic, Perez
Salvio, Lima, Gaitan
Cardozo

Fenerbahce boss Aykut Kocaman has no pressing injury issues ahead of the first-leg of his side's Europa League semi-final against Benfica on Thursday evening.

Dirk Kuyt and Pierre Webo are expected to continue their striking partnership, despite the 2-0 defeat to Gençlerbirligi in their Super Lig last weekend. Moussa Sow and Salih Ucan are pushing for starts, though Kocaman isn't expected to differ too much from Sunday's fixture.

Meanwhile, Benfica coach Jorge Jesus has been boosted by the news that Ezequiel Garay has recovered from a slight knock suffered in last weekend's 2-0 win over Sporting.

Oscar Cardozo started that fixture, with Jesus mulling over whether to field the Paraguay international up front in Istanbul, with Ola John waiting in the wings.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fenerbahce have qualified for their first-ever major continental semi-final, after beating Lazio in the previous round.
The Turkish outfit have won three of their six games against Portuguese opposition - with a two out of three record on home soil.

Aykut Kocaman's side are unbeaten in the Europa League since the turn of the year - winning three and drawing three of their six fixtures.

Benfica are the only side left in the competition to not have lost a Europa League game this term.
The Portuguese outfit are hoping to reach the final in Amsterdam - the scene of their European Cup triumph in 1962 over Real Madrid.

The last time these two sides faced each other in European competition Benfica won 7-1 on aggregate. That scoreline in the first leg remains Fener's heaviest European defeat to date.

Benfica's Eduardo Salvio holds the joint-highest number of appearances in the Europa League, amassing total of 31 since the competition was re-branded in 2009-10

Prediction
Benfica are unbeaten since February but Fenerbahce's desire to reach a first European final, coupled with their home support, could see them edge the first leg.

Editor's Prediction
Fenerbahce 2-1 Benfica

SPL Opta Facts: 26-28 April

Ross County v Dundee United
Ross County are yet to beat Dundee United in three attempts this season (D2 L1).
No side have picked up more yellow cards this season than Ross County (66). Despite picking up 66 yellow cards the Staggies are yet to receive a red card this campaign.
Steffen Wohlfarth has scored three goals in his last five games; having gone seven goals without scoring for the Staggies.
Dundee United have picked up one win in their last seven (D5 L1).

St Johnstone v Inverness CT
The two clubs have met three times this season with all three fixtures ending in a draw; two of which have been nil-nil draws.
No side have received more red cards this season than St Johnstone (6).
Inverness have scored eight goals from the penalty spot this season; a league-high.
The Saints are unbeaten in nine SPL home games, winning four (D5).

Aberdeen v Kilmarnock
The last 10 meetings between the sides have produced 24 goals, averaging at 2.4 goals per game.
No side have drawn more games nil-nil this season than Aberdeen (7).
The Dons are yet to score a penalty this season; a joint-league-low alongside Motherwell and St Johnstone.
No player has scored 10 or more goals for Kilmarnock this season; top scorers Paul Heffernan and Cillian Sheridan are both on nine.

Dundee v Hearts
This season all three SPL meetings between the two clubs have ended 1-0, with Dundee winning two of those.
Hearts have lost just once in their last five games (W3 D1).
Hearts have kept three clean sheets in their last five games, with two of those coming away from home.
Dundee's Iain Davidson has been booked 11 times this season; the most in the division.

Hibernian v St Mirren
Hibernian's Leigh Griffiths has scored five goals in three games against St Mirren this season; including two braces and one penalty.
St Mirren have conceded six goals from the penalty spot this season; a joint-league-high alongside Dundee.
St Mirren are without a win in six SPL games (D4 L2); they are yet to go seven games without a win this season.
No side have picked up fewer points than Hibernian over the last 10 games (7).

Motherwell v Celtic
Since the turn of the year, Michael Higdon has scored 12 goals in 12 SPL games.
Indeed, Michael Higdon has scored more SPL hat-tricks this season than any other player (2).
Over the last 10 SPL games no sides have picked up more points than Motherwell and Celtic (20).
Motherwell are on a seven match unbeaten run (W5 D2); the current longest unbeaten run in the SPL.

Ligue 1 Opta Facts: 26-28 April

Lille - Sochaux
Sochaux have failed to win any of their last 10 Ligue 1 games in Lille (D3, L7).
Lille have won eight of their last 10 Ligue 1 games (D1, L1). They are the best L1 team in the last 10 matchdays (25 points grabbed out of 30).
Sochaux have only won one of their last eight Ligue 1 games (D4, L3).
50% of Sochaux's goals in Ligue 1 have come following set pieces situations this season (17/34), highest ratio in the competition.
75% of Salomon Kalou's Ligue 1 goals this season have been scored at home (6 out of 8).
Ryad Boudebouz has converted all 10 of the penalties he's taken in Ligue 1.

Lorient - Marseille
Lorient have won their last two L1 games against Marseille but have failed to win three games in a row.
Marseille are unbeaten in Brittany in Ligue 1 this season (W2 v Brest and D1 v Rennes).
Lorient are unbeaten in their last 10 home games in L1, best current run alongside PSG.
OM have won 11 games 1-0 in L1 this season, one less than Ligue 1 all-time record.
Jérémie Aliadière has scored in his last two L1 games but has failed to score in three in a row.
Mathieu Valbuena is involved in Marseille's last three goals against Lorient in L1.

Ajaccio - Montpellier
Montpellier have won their last seven competitive games against Ajaccio.
Ajaccio have scored in their last nine L1 home games, their best streak since 2004.
Ajaccio have only won one of their last 23 L1 games against the title holders (D5, L17).
Montpellier have already conceded nine more L1 goals (43) than during last season (34).
Rémy Cabella has scored in his last three games against Ajaccio in Ligue 1.
Adrian Mutu has scored 6 of his 10 Ligue 1 goals at home (60%).

Bastia - Toulouse
Toulouse have only won one of their last nine Ligue 1 trips to Bastia (D3, L5).
Furiani, Bastia's home stadium hasn't seen a draw this season in Ligue 1.
Bastia have been shown 83 cards this season in L1 (Y76, R7), highest tally in the competition.
Toulouse have only won two of their last 11 away games in L1.
Wahbi Khazri has scored five L1 goals from outside the box this season, the joint-highest tally.
Wissam Ben Yedder is involved in Toulouse's last four L1 goals (3 goals, 1 assist).

Bordeaux - Reims
Bordeaux are unbeaten in their last five competitive games against Reims (W2, D3).
The last three L1 games between Bordeaux and Reims have been goalless.
Bordeaux have only won one of their last 10 home L1 games against promoted teams (D7, L2).
Reims have failed to win any of their last seven trips against a top-half team (D2, L5)
Cheick Diabaté has scored four goals in his last three competitive games.
Grégory Sertic has attempted 98 shots in Ligue 1, scoring only one goal.

Brest - Rennes
Brest have only won once in their last 10 competitive games against Rennes (D5, L4).
Brest have lost their last six Ligue 1 games, worst current run.
Rennes have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine L1 games, worst current run.
Brest are the only Ligue 1 not to have won a single home game in 2013 (D2, L5).
Brest have lost 12 points from winning positions at home in L1 2012/13, more than any other team.
Benoît Lesoimier is involved in four of Brest's last five goals against Rennes in L1 (1 goal, 3 assists).

Valenciennes - Nancy
Valenciennes have only won once in their last 12 oppositions against Nancy in L1 (D6, L5).
VA have failed to score more than one goal in their last 13 Ligue 1 games against Nancy.
Nancy are unbeaten in their last five Ligue 1 games (W4, D1).
Nancy have scored in their last seven Ligue 1 games, best current run.
Valenciennes have scored 11 goals in the first 15 minutes in L1 this season, more than any other team.
Eight of Nancy's last 20 goals in Ligue 1 have been scored by Benjamin Moukandjo (5) and Paul Alo'o Efoulou (3).

Lyon - St Etienne
St Etienne have only won once in their last 27 competitive oppositions against Lyon.
Lyon have won their last five competitive encounters against St Etienne (4 in L1, 1 in Coupe de la Ligue).
St Etienne have failed to score in their last three encounters against Lyon in Ligue 1.
St Etienne are unbeaten in their last seven away games in Ligue 1 (W3, D4), best current run.
Clément Grenier is involved in four of Lyon's last five goals in Ligue 1 (2 goals, 2 assists).
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored six goals in his last six away Ligue 1 games.

Nice - Troyes
Troyes have failed to win and keep a clean sheet in Nice in Ligue 1 (D3, L8).
Troyes have only won four of their 23 games against Nice in Ligue 1 (D8, L11).
None of the 23 encounters between Troyes and Nice in Ligue 1 have ended in a 0-0 draw.
Nice have only lost once in their last six league games against promoted teams (W2, D3).
All of Nice's last five league goals have been scored in the second half.
Only Lionel Messi (43 for Barcelona) and Germán Denis (15 for Atalanta) have scored more goals than Dario Cvitanich (14) amongst Argentinian players in the European Top 5 leagues.

Evian TG - Paris SG
PSG are unbeaten in their four competitive games against Evian TG (W4, D2).
The six competitive encounters between these teams have averaged 3,5 goals per game.
Evian TG have conceded 25 goals in the first half in L1 2012/13, more than any other team.
PSG have won their last four Ligue 1 games without conceding a goal, best current run.
PSG have kept 21 clean sheets this season, more than any other European Top 5 team.
Kevin Bérigaud has scored four goals in his last five competitive home games.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is involved in 56,7% of PSG's goals in L1 this season (27 goals, 7 assists).