Midday -
Cottbus v St Pauli - 2.62 away - St Pauli return to Bundesliga 2.
HEAD TO HEADS
LEAGUE POSITION - 9th v 4th
HOME TEAM - Cottbus
RECENT HOME FORM - WLWD - all matches would have been successful over 2.5 goal trades - the 2-0 saw a 22nd minute 2nd goal. Last draw 3-3 v Eintracht Frankfurt saw Cottbus 2-0 and 3-1 up.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - WWLWWDDLL - -all losses so far have come against current 3rd, 4th and 6th - just coincidence? Remember only 9 matches played. But if this is not coincidence then may be vulnerable to 3rd placed St Pauli.
GOAL TRENDS - -all matches bar 2 would have been successful over 2.5 goal trades. All matches bar one would have been successful over 1.5 goal bets.This season, COttbus have had 3 overs matches followed by 3 unders matches ending with 3 overs matches. They have failed to score in only 2 matches this season.
STREAKS - the inconsistency of late has seen streaks come in 2's WWDDLL. 2 without defeat at home.
AWAY TEAM - St PAuli
RECENT AWAY FORM - DWLW -- loss 1-0 to Brauchsweig.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - WDWWWLWWL - only 1 draw this season - losses against current 5th and 10th. 5 wins in last 7 matches and their odds today suggest value?
GOAL TRENDS - 2 of last 4 matches over 2.5 goals but 5 of last 7 matches over 2.5 goals. HAve kept a clean sheet in all bar 2 matches and scored in all bar 1 this season - again it goes with a 1.5 goal trade. 3-2-2-0-4-2-2 scored by St PAuli in last 7 matches.
STREAKS -- 3 away without a draw, 7 overall without a draw.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - the odds suggest the market are unsure who will win. This suggests a neutral goals bet ( if indeed you want to get involved)-St Pauli have been consistent goal scorers and enhanced traders note if Cottbus score first. Perhaps 2.62 is enticing enough to trust St Pauli to score first? Remember though they are away from home.
1245pm - Everton v Liverpool - 2.52 away
HEAD TO HEADS
Lots of personnel changes for both sides since the last head to head may make these irrelevant to today's match. Local derbies are often " one offs" where the best performers on the day take the spoils ( as opposed to the best performer of the season based on form.
LEAGUE POSITION - 11th v 5th. Everton have played 5 matches to Liverpool's 6. In fact if Everton win today they culd be around Liverpool's position in the market.
HOME TEAM - Everton
RECENT HOME FORM -LDW - a bit early in the season to get a real tag on Everton at home. 0-2 loss to QPR, 2-2 draw Villa ( when everton lead 1-0 and 2-1) and 3-1 win v Wigan
RECENT FORM OVERALL - LWDWL - last loss v Man City. 68th and 89th minute goals Inconsistency at present from Everton.
GOAL TRENDS - last 2 matches over 2.5 goals saw 2 and 3 scored and Everton also conceded . Everton have conceded in all home matches. 4 of Everton's 6 goals have come in 2nd half.
STREAKS - conceded all home matches.
AWAY TEAM - LIverpool
RECENT AWAY FORM - win v Arsenal and losses v Stoke and Tottenham - Liverpool have conceded 6 goals in 2nd half. Expect 2nd half action today?
RECENT OVERALL FORM - DWWLLW - 1 win away and last 2 wins at home.3 of last 4 matches over 2.5 goals, the exception v Stoke away hardly surprising.
GOAL TRENDS - as above re overs.Liverpool have conceded in 5/6 matches this season and failed to score in their 2 recent losses.
STREAKS - 3 away without a draw, have conceded in all of last 4 matches.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - I don't like derbies because we have the unexpected factor. There is nothing in the form which leads me in any one direction. Liverpool obviously have had the most positive changes in the transfer market, strengthening while Everton weakened. Note though that Everton's signings helped them to a win last time out, so perhaps these signings can have an impact today. Not a match at the top of my list I'm afraid.
230pm - Dortmund v Augsburg - 1.27 home
HEAD TO HEADS - no head to heads suggest Augsburg are the newcomers.
LEAGUE POSITION - 8th v 16th after 7 matches.
HOME TEAM - Dortmund
RECENT HOME FORM - -WWL - beat Hamburg 3-1, Nurnberg 2-0, and lost 1-2 v Hertha Berlin
RECENT FORM OVERALL - WLWDLLW - 2 of the 3 losses have been away.
GOAL TRENDS - last 3 matches over 2.5 goals. All home matches over 1.5 goals. 2/3 matches at home over 2.5 goals. Dortmund have scored in all home matches. The last 4 Dortmund goals have all been scored after the hour mark. Signs of a lack of consistency which was so apparent last year.
STREAKS - 3 at home without a draw. Only 1 draw overall. Last 3 matches over 2.5 goals.
AWAY TEAM - AUGSBURG
RECENT AWAY FORM - DLD - draws were both score draws against Kaiserslautern and Hertha Berlin. Loss was 1-0 v Nurnberg
RECENT OVERALL FORM - DDLLLDD -no win and 2/3 draws were score draws
GOAL TRENDS - 2 of last 3 matches over 2.5 goals. Have only kept one clean sheet and that was the last match.
STREAKS - 3 away without a win. 7 overall without a win.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - the market expects Dortmund to regain the winning thread against an Augsburg team without a win this season. Worse case I suspect will be a draw. It is still early in the season. Dortmund only lost by one goal in the sole loss at home. I expect them to continue scoring at home.
230pm - Hoffenheim v B Munich - 1.53 away
HEAD TO HEADS
Bayern unbeaten in recent head to heads and have won the last 3 encounters. Note away both sides have scored and the scorelines far tighter than the home matches which saw Bayern win without conceding.
LEAGUE POSITION - 4th v 1st
HOME TEAM - Hoffenheim
RECENT HOME FORM - WLW - no draw at home. Wins against Dortmund and Wolfsburg - against Dortmund 1-0.1-2 loss v Werder Bremen.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - LWWLWWL - no draw yet for Hoffenheim.Losses against Hannover, Werder and FC Koln.Wins against Dortmund, Augsburg, Mainz,and Wolfsburg. How these equate with Bayern Munich is difficult to quantify.
GOAL TRENDS - last 2 home matches over 2.5 goals. Hoff have scored in all home matches. 3 of last 4 matches have been over 2.5 goals with last match a 2-0 (loss to Koln). Hoff have only failed to score in their last match.
STREAKS - no draw in 7, they have scored in last 3.
AWAY TEAM - Bayern Munich
RECENT AWAY FORM - WWW against Wolfsburg, Kaiserslautern and Schalke - clean sheets in all matches.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - LWWWWWW - - superb form and 6 clean sheets. 4 of last 5 matches over 2.5 goals with the exception 0-2. Bayern have scored in both the first half and 2nd half in their last 5 matches.
GOAL TRENDS - as above - outstanding defensive performances recently. Can this run of clean sheets continue.
STREAKS - 6 without conceding.Have scored in last 6. No draw yet this season.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - Another clean sheet for Bayern will mean another win for Bayern. We must see Gomez in the team. This is likely to be one of the toughest matches for Bayern this season. No draw yet for Hoffenheim or for Bayern is an angle in. A recent over 2.5 goals trend for both sides. In their current form, Bayern must be sided with, and if the clean sheets continue, of course Bayern will be the team to score first. If Hoff score first, enhanced bettors get ready.
3pm - Aston Villa v Wigan - 1.69 home
HEAD TO HEADS
LEAGUE POSITION 8th v 15th after 6 matches.
HOME TEAM - Aston Villa
RECENT HOME FORM - WDD - 3-1 v Blackburn. 0-0 draw v Wolves and 1-1 v Newcastle.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - DWDDDD - slight problem for Old 'Eck. 10 dropped points. Villa are priced today to end this draw sequence and I like looking for moments when sequences have a chance of ending. Last 3 matches score draws.
GOAL TRENDS - 3 of last 4 matches under 2.5 goals. Villa have scored and conceded in last 3.
STREAKS - no defeat in 5, 4 match draw streak. Last 3 matches are score draws.
AWAY TEAM - Wigan - it seems to me that Wigan are opposable against established sides.
RECENT AWAY FORM - DLL - draw 0-0 v Swansea. Lost 3-0 to Man City. Lost 3-1 v Everton.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - DDWLLL - sole win was home win 2-0 v QPR and the losses v , yes you guessed it, 3 estabished Premier Leagues sides.
GOAL TRENDS - last 3 matches over 2.5 goals saw Wigan concede 3-3-2.
STREAKS - 3 match losing streak. 3 matches over 2.5 goals.4 without a draw.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - for me, and I said it earlier, as soon as Wigan hit an established Premier League side, they lose. And Villa have a 4 match draw sequence to end . Playing at home and 1.69, they are certainly capable of ending that draw streak. But the very fact they have had 3 score draws may signal vulnerability as regards conceding at least one goal.
So where do you stand? Villa to end that draw sequence? Then lay the draw, back Villa? Or Wigan to end a 3 match losing streak against established Permiership sides ( and they have conceded 3-3-2)
3pm - Blackburn v Man City - 1.61 away - City always backable in current form and over 2.5 goals seems a natural knee jerk reaction.
HEAD TO HEADS
A new look City side and a forward line quite devastating at present. So are the head to heads really relevant?
LEAGUE POSITION - 18th v 2nd after 6 matches.
HOME TEAM - Blackburn
RECENT HOME FORM - LLW - 1-2 loss v Wolves, 0-1 loss v Everton ( very unlucky 90th minute penalty), and 4-3 win against an Arsenal team contributing 2 goals to Blackburn's cause.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - LLLDWL - draw v Fulham and win v Arse.
GOAL TRENDS - Blackburn have conceded in all matches this season - not good news against Man City. Last 2 matches over 2.5 goals. Blackburn have failed to score in only 1 match this season.
STREAKS - 3 at home without a draw, have conceded in all 3 home matches and 6 in a row.
AWAY TEAM - MAN CITY
RECENT AWAY FORM - WWD - and the draw 2-2 v Fulham saw Man City 0-2 up. City were 0-2 and 1-3 against Bolton before the final score line 3-2. 1-5 against Spurs was awesome.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - WWWWDW - as explained, the draw should have been a comfortable City win.
GOAL TRENDS - 5 of last 6 matches over 2.5 goals with the exception a 2-0 home win v Everton. City have conceded 2 twice away from home. Have kept a clean sheet in 2 of last 3 matches.
STREAKS - 6 match unbeaten run. Man City have scored 2 minimum in all matches this season.Aguero on 8 and Dzeko on 6 - class acts.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - Blackburn have lost last 2 against City at home without scoring. I would like to see the City side before deciding. I want to see a strong side. City likely to score against a Blackburn side who have conceded in all matches this season. Expect overs again?
3pm - C Palace v West Ham - 2.16 away - the last Landan darby innit West Ham was involved in was away at Millwall and that finished 0-0, cor blimey luv a duck etc etc.
HEAD TO HEADS
no recent relevant head to heads
LEAGUE POSITION 9th v 4th after 9 matches
HOME TEAM - Palace
RECENT HOME FORM - WWDL - wins v Burnley 2-0, 2-1 v Coventry, 1-1 v Blackpool, loss 0-1 v Boro. Win against City was very lucky - 2 90 minute goals
RECENT FORM OVERALL - LWWWDLLLW - last 2 losses 1-0's with 2 65 minute goals. 1-3 win away to Brighton last time was a good result .
GOAL TRENDS - 4/9 matches over 2.5 goals only . have failed to score in 2 of last 3 matches.
STREAKS - have conceded in last 5 matches. No draw in 4.
AWAY TEAM - West Ham - Jekyll and Hyde - West Ham have been great away from home.
RECENT AWAY FORM - WWWD - the draw was against Millwall 0-0 and today is another London Derby. Only conceded 1 goal away from home. 3 clean sheets for the Hamsters.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - LWWDWWDWL - losses were home losses 0-1. General perception that West Ham will not lose away. Last 3 matches have seen West Ham fail to score twice. West Ham have kept a clean sheet in 2 of last 3, and only conceded an 89th minute goal at home v Ipswich. West Ham have scored first in 3 of 4 away matches and scored 4 goals in 2 matches.
GOAL TRENDS - 2.25 scored on average away and 0.25 conceded on average away
STREAKS - 4 away without defeat.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - another London derby and that has to be factored into any decision regarding getting involved. From a strictly form perspective, I would look for West Ham to score first. Incongruent goal trends but the West Ham one looks stronger. Have only conceded 1 in 4 matches.
3pm - Man Utd v Norwich - 1.18 home - the last 2 1.18 teams recently were Barca away ( 0-5) and Spuds v Shamrock yesterday ( 3-1 to Spuds after going a goal down) so the pattern is for a 3+ goal win.
HEAD TO HEADS - no recent relevant head to heads
HOME TEAM - Man Utd
RECENT HOME FORM - WWW scoring 3-8-3. Rooney has scored 5 of those goals -check if he is injured
RECENT FORM OVERALL - WWWWWD - latest draw 1-1 away at Stoke after United opened the scoring.
GOAL TRENDS - all matches over 1.5 goals. 5/6 over 2.5 goals All home matches over 2.5 goals.
United have scored in all matches this season and have kept a clean sheet in only 2 matches.
STREAKS - unbeaten this season. 3 home wins . Have scored 3 or more in all home matches . Scored 2 or more in all matches bar the last match.
AWAY TEAM - Norwich.
RECENT AWAY FORM - DLW - 1-1 draw v Wigan, 3-1 loss v Norwich and 1-2 draw v Bolton. The Chelsea match should serve as a pointer to today's match.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - DDLLWW - wins against Bolton and Sunderland both 2-1 . 3 of last 4 matches over 2.5 goals. Have conceded in all matches this season. Have failed to score in only one match.
GOAL TRENDS - 5/6 matches over 1.5 goals. 3/4 matches over 2.5 goals. Sole match against established top 4 over 3.5 goals.
STREAKS - inconsistent DDLLWW.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - 1.18 again and should be 3 goals scored by United minimum. What chance they feck up another home match ( they were 2-0 up against Basle) Team news important re the forward line. Shrek out I think and he has had a superb season. A strong team will green light the goals bet - over 3.5, 4.5 goals.
3pm - Rangers v Hibernian - 1.23 - rock solid defensively at present - will the clean sheets continue?
HEAD TO HEADS
For a team on a great defensive run, Rangers are meeting a team who have not scored against them in the last 5 head to heads
LEAGUE POSITION 1st v 10th after 9 matches.
HOME TEAM - Rangers
RECENT HOME FORM - DWWW - 1-1 draw v Hearts corrected with a 2-0 v Aberdeen, 4-2 v Celtic, and 2-0 v Kilmarnock.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - DWWWWWWWW - can't say better than that, and beating Celtic too.
GOAL TRENDS - 7/8 matches clean sheets - the only recent concessions against Celtic were I suppose not a surprise. 4 2-0's and a 1-1 somewhat scupper the over 2.5 goals figures. 2 of last 3 over 2.5 goals.
STREAKS - 8 match winning streak. Have scored in all 9 matches. And if we eliminate Old Firm, then it's 7 clean sheets on the trot for Rangers. Rangers have scored in the 2nd half in all of their matches this season.They have scored 7 in the 2nd half of their last 3 matches.
AWAY TEAM - HIBS
RECENT AWAY FORM - WLLD - 0-1 win v Inverness. Draw was 2-2- v Dunfermline ( and Rangers just beat Dunfermline 4-0)
RECENT OVERALL FORM - LWLLLDDDW - lost 2-0 to Celtic and that could be the crucial scoreline to take out of today.
GOAL TRENDS - last 3 matches over 2.5 goals.2-2, 3-3 and 3-2. 5 of last 7 matches over 2.5 goals. The 2 exceptions were 2-0 and 0-0.
STREAKS - unbeaten in 4. no defeat in 4 overall.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - the normal rule is that Old Firm results have to be taken in isolation.2-0 loss for Hibs v Celtic should augur well for Rangers. Another clean sheet? Hibs have scored 2-3-3 last 3 matches but again not against an Old Firm side. Faith in the superb clean sheet run of Rangers to at least replicate Celtic?
3pm - Southampton v Watford - 1.61 home
HEAD TO HEADS
no recent relevant head to heads
LEAGUE POSITION - 1st v 15th after 9 matches
HOME TEAM - Southampton
RECENT HOME FORM - WWWW -scoring 3-1-3-4 - has Le Tiss returned? - Confidence will be high consequently and that confidence is reflected in the odds. Southampton have scored 8 of their goals in the first half.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - WWWWLWWDL - losses against likely Championship contenders in Leicester and Cardiff. Not really a feeling that Watford can be lumped in with those 2. Against bottom 12, it is 6 wins and a 1-1 draw for Soton. Watford are in that bottom 12.
GOAL TRENDS - 4 of last 5 matches over 2.5 goals. 3 of 4 matches over 3.5 goals. Southampton in fine goalscoring form. 1.6 though does not necessarily reflect 3/4 goals but you never know.Southampton have scored in all matches this season and have only kept a clean sheet in 2 .
STREAKS - 4 match winning streak at home. Scored in all 9 matches.
AWAY TEAM - Watford
RECENT AWAY FORM - DDWD - decent away unbeaten form although the questionable strength of opponents when compared to today's. In fact all opponents in current bottom 11 of league so puts it in some perspective. Watford have scored first in 3 of the 4 away matches they have scored in.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - DLLDDWDLW - wins against Reading and most recently beat Millwall 2-1 at home, coming from 0-1 down. Losses against Derby, West Ham and Forest. And in 2 of these teams at least, we have possible Championship contenders ( much like Southampton?)
GOAL TRENDS - Only 1 of last 4 matches over 2.5 goals, Last 3 away matches under 2.5 goals.
STREAKS - 4 away without defeat.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - we must acknowledge that Watford are unbeaten this season but the teams they have played have been bottom 11 sides, and against bottom 12, Southampton have won 6 and drawn 1 1-1. It suggests that Watford have not yetmet any of the major players this season away from home. When they have met them at home ( West Ham and Forest) they have lost.
3pm - Sunderland v West Brom - 2.34 home
HEAD TO HEADS
LEAGUE POSITION - -14th v 19th
HOME TEAM - Sunderland
RECENT HOME FORM - LLW - 4-0 win over Stoke unexpected by me at least. "Tit" us Bramble probably out at present will weaken the defence.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - DLDLWL - losing in turn. Lack of consistency.Sole win v Sunderland and the new signings played their part.
GOAL TRENDS - first 3 matches under 2.5 goals and last 3 matches now over 2.5 goals. The 2 losses were 2-1 and Sunderland scored 89th and 90th minute consolations in those matches.
STREAKS - 3 without a draw at home.
AWAY TEAM - West Brom
RECENT AWAY FORM - LWL - win was 1-0 v Norwich. Lost 3-0 to Swansea and 2-1 v Chelsea after scoring first. Have only scored 2 away
RECENT OVERALL FORM - LLLWLD - draw was 0-0 v Fulham.
GOAL TRENDS - have failed to score in 3 of their last 4 matches. Not scored more than 1 in a match this season. Have kept a clean sheet in 2 of last 3 matches.
STREAKS - 3 without a draw away and no goal scored in 2.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - so what do we make of the sudden Sunderland ability to score 4 goals in one game - that was unexpected. April saw a humdinger. Another match for me at the bottom of the pile.Both sides have only won 1 match. Now if West Brom can only score a single goal maximum this season in a match, they become vulnerable. If they do score first, there is a chance they will lose that lead - best case therefore today a 0-1 away win, 1-1 draw . West Brom have failed to score in 3 of last 4. Where are the goals going to come from against a Sunderland side with a heavy defensive bent?
3pm - Wolves v Newcastle - 2.56 home
HEAD TO HEADS
last 2 head to heads of relevance see both sides scoring.
LEAGUE POSITION 12th v 4th
HOME TEAM - Wolves
RECENT HOME FORM WLL - win 2-0 against Fulham, then 2 losses 0-2 v Spuds and 0-3 v QPR. Concern at a lack of goals recently.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - WWDLLL - losses against Spuds, QPR and Liverpool - worrying run for Wolves. Longest losing streaks for Wolves last season was 4 matches so scope for another loss before a likely positive result.
GOAL TRENDS - last 2 matches over 2.5 goals. Have failed to score in 3 of last 4 matches. Have conceded 2-3-2 in last 3 matches. Sudden leaky defence. Interesting that wins were against current 4th and 3rd from bottom.
STREAKS - 3 at home without a draw. No goal scored in 2 at home.
AWAY TEAM - Newcastle
RECENT AWAY FORM - WDD - win 0-1 v Sunderland, 0-0 draw with QPR and 1-1 with Villa
RECENT OVERALL FORM - DWWDDW - unbeaten this season and last match saw a hatrick from Ba. 2 of 3 wins have come at home.
GOAL TRENDS -only 2 over 2.5 goals matches this season, both at home.
STREAKS - 3 away without defeat - 6 overall without defeat.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - Wolves have failed to score in 3 of their last 4 matches. Check team news re injured strikers? Add to that, no overs matches away for Newcastle and we might have a tight match this afternoon. Another I am afraid where there are simply no strong angles in. The standout stat is the fact that Newcastle are unbeaten this season, and the longer they remain unbeaten , the more confident they will become. This Ba could be a problem for Wolves this afternoon. A lack of confidence in Wolves at present. Will they score today at home? 2 matches is quite a streak at home without scoring. THis must end soon or playing at home will be a negative and not a positive. All wins for Newcastle have come against current bottom 7 and 2 0-0 draws against teams on either side of Wolves in the league. Yes only 6 matches gone so these patterns are weak.
330pm - Dinamo Moscow v FK Krasnodar - 1.32 home
HEAD TO HEADS
LEAGUE POSITION
HOME TEAM
RECENT HOME FORM
RECENT FORM OVERALL
GOAL TRENDS
STREAKS
AWAY TEAM
RECENT AWAY FORM
RECENT OVERALL FORM
GOAL TRENDS
STREAKS
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS
445pm - FC Basel v Servette - 1.33 home
HEAD TO HEADS
LEAGUE POSITION - 4th v 6th after 10 matches in a league of only 10 teams.
HOME TEAM - Basel
RECENT HOME FORM - WDLWW - Loss v Zurich.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - DWDDLLWWWD - losses against top away and 8th. scored 2-4-6 in the 3 match winning streak. all draws score draws.
GOAL TRENDS - 7 of last 8 matches over 2.5 goals. Last 4 home matches over 2.5 goals
STREAKS - 2 match winning streak at home, 3 without a draw.
AWAY TEAM - Servette
RECENT AWAY FORM - WDDWD - unbeaten away from home.Draws against 7th and 10th both 0-0.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - LWDWDLWLLD - inconsistent form overall. Last 3 losses at home. Far better away than at home.
GOAL TRENDS - 60/40 overs overall. Have failed to score in last 3 , 2 of which were home matches. 7-4-2-2-0 the total goals in Servette's last 5 matches. a gradual drop.
STREAKS - 5 without defeat away from home. No goal scored in 3.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - no goal scored in 3 ( albeit 2 at home) may make Servette vulnerable to a Basel team who have scored in all matches in the league. They will be extra buoyed with the 3-3 v Man Utd ( or will that affect them tiredness wise?) and should score first. Over 2.5 goals has a chance here but might be over reliant on Basel scoring? A league of only 10 sides always presents problems regarding consistency of form.
5pm - Fenerbahce v Istanbul BB - 1.45 home
HEAD TO HEADS
Clean sheets for Fener in last 2 head to heads.
LEAGUE POSITION 2nd v 1st after 4 matches
HOME TEAM - -Fenerbahce
RECENT HOME FORM - WD - 1-0 win and 1-1 draw fenerbahce were unbeaten at home in the league last season.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - WWDW - 2 1-0's and a 1-1 might hint at sparcity up front? But them fener beat Gazientepspor 1-3 away.Fener have kept 2 clean sheets and conceded 1 in each of the other 2 matches.
GOAL TRENDS - Fener have scored in all 4 matches. Only 1 over 2.5 goals match.
STREAKS - unbeaten this season , albeit 4 matches. have scored 1 in both home matches.
AWAY TEAM - Istanbul BB
RECENT AWAY FORM WW - both without conceding a goal and beat Trabzonspor 0-1 which is a good guide for Fenerabahce as Trab and Fener were only separated from the league title last season on goal difference.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - WWDW - identical form to Fener.Istanbul have kept a clean sheet in 3 of their 4 matches this season which signals a mighty tussle this afternoon and to be honest it is quite a surprise to see Fenerabahce at such short odds! ( fener did keep a clean sheet in last 2 head to heads
GOAL TRENDS - have scored in all matches this season. All matches under 2.5 goals. Clean sheets in 3 of 4 matches.
STREAKS - unbeaten in 4 matches.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - there is nothing to suggest that the Fenerbahce price of 1.45 is worth backing this afternoon. It seems Istanbul are defensive bulls. Under 2.5 goals looks obvious here and perhaps a back of 0-0 for as long as you dare might pay off as these 2 fight not to lose their unbeaten streaks.
5pm - Villarreal v Zaragoza - 1.67home
HEAD TO HEADS
LEAGUE POSITION - 14th v 15th
HOME TEAM - Villareal
RECENT HOME FORM - DW - 2-2 v Sevilla and 2-0 v Mallorca. Villareal have scored 2 goals in 2 home matches. Rossi and Nilmar the key forwards for Villareal and if they are missing, then Villa will be weakened.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - LDLWD - both losses away to Barca and Granada , the latter a good old fashioned park the bus and pray for a 1-0.
GOAL TRENDS - last 3 matches under 2.5 goals. Have conceded in all bar 1 match this season.
STREAKS - unbeaten at home. Scored 2 in each home match.
AWAY TEAM - Zaragoza
RECENT AWAY FORM - DL - loss was 4-3 v Betis. A hint at goalscoring problems -2 of those goals came in the 77th and 79 minutes, and in the match before , one goal came in 90th minute.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - LDWLD - sequentially a win expected . Losses against Real Madrid and Betis. Both draws 0-0's
GOAL TRENDS - 2 of last 3 matches over 2.5 goals.
STREAKS - no win in 2.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - it is difficult to get any angles in after only 4 matches. Instinct says that the Villareal forward line is threatening enough to get something here - Rossi and Nilmar must play. General trend to late goals for Zaragoza hint that perhaps Villareal can score first?
7pm - Gent v Oud-Heverlee Leuven - 1.32 home
HEAD TO HEADS
LEAGUE POSITION - 3rd v 9th
HOME TEAM - Gent
RECENT HOME FORM - LWWL - losses v Cercle Brugge and Anderlecht both 1-0. Currently 2nd and 4th in the league.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - LDWWWWLW - 5 wins in last 6 strong form. Loss was 1-0
GOAL TRENDS - 5 of last 7 matches over 2.5 goals. Only failed to score in those 2 0-1 losses.
STREAKS - 4 without a draw at home, 6 without a draw overall. Have conceded in all bar 1 match this season
AWAY TEAM - OH Leuven
RECENT AWAY FORM - LLWL - no draw away - losses against 1st, 8th and 12th currently and win v 13th of 16.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - WLLLWWLD - 2 of the wins at home against 2nd and 6th.
GOAL TRENDS - Only 1 clean sheet this season.
STREAKS - no draw away
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - no draw away hints at a home win . 3 losses in 4 away hints at a home win. Sole win away v 13th of 16. Losses at home for Gent against 1st and 3rd and only by a single goal. Should have too much for Leuven today and the chance of another over 2.5 goals? Gent only failed to score in the 0-1 losses.
7pm - Valencia v Granada - 1.36 home
HEAD TO HEADS - no head to heads.
LEAGUE POSITION 7th v 17th
HOME TEAM -
RECENT HOME FORM - Valencia - WWD - 2-2 draw v Barca should instil some confidence as newbies arrive at the Mestalla.1-0 and 2-1 up against Barca. Beat Ath Madrid 1-0 too so solid recent home form.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - WWWDL - loss 1-0 away at Sevilla.
GOAL TRENDS - only 2 over 2.5 goals matches happened to be at home. Have failed to score in only 1 match, v Sevilla last time away.
STREAKS - no win in 2 but tough teams. Unbeaten at home. Scored 2 goals at home against 2 of the newcomers last year.
AWAY TEAM - Granada
RECENT AWAY FORM - LL - have failed to score away. Lost 4-0 v Malaga and 1-0 v Sociedad.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - LLWLD - a single over 2.5 goals match signals Granada's tactics this evening. Keep it tight and get the prayer mat out. Worked at home v Villareal with a 1-0.
GOAL TRENDS - only 1 over 2.5 goals. Have failed to score in 3 of their 5 matches this season. have kept a clean sheet in 1 match at home v Villareal.
STREAKS - no goal scored in 2 away.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - for me Granada will be hard to beat at home, but likely vulnerable away. They could be typical of newbies who keep things tight and then eventually succumb. Chance for valencia to score 2 minimum as they did against 2 newbies last season at home ( winning those matches) - 0-0 a possibility if Granada have one of those defensive displays. But a team that can lead 1-0 and 2-0 against Barca at home can surely get something from this match.
745pm - Inter v Napoli - 2.08home
HEAD TO HEADS
LEAGUE POSITION - 16th v 4th
HOME TEAM - Inter - 2 wins out of 2 since the new manager has been installed , scoring 3 against Bologna and CSKA Moscow away. This ends the horrendous run with the old manager at the start of the season. We must therefore take this into account in the form analysis. Things have changed with a key position ( manager)
RECENT HOME FORM - 0-0 v Roma.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - LDLW - won 1-3 away v Bologna under new manager.
GOAL TRENDS 3/4 matches over 2.5 goals but 2 of those were under old manager. Have conceded in 3 of 4 matches this season.
STREAKS - n/a
AWAY TEAM - Napoli
RECENT AWAY FORM - WL - 1-3 v Cesena and lost 1-0 to Chievo verona via a 72nd minute goal
RECENT OVERALL FORM - WWLD - inconclusive only 4 matches in.Finished 3rd last season but lost away to all of the top 5 last season conceding 3-3-3 against top 4.
GOAL TRENDS - have failed to score in last 2 matches.
STREAKS n/a
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - games where there have been significant personnel changes are difficult to weigh up, but it is clear than since Ranieri came in to manage Inter, they have scored 3 against CSKA away and 3 against Bologna away. This is the first home match under new management and Inter should be confident of getting something against a Napoli team who failed to beat any of the top 4 last season home or away, and have failed to score in last 2. 2.08 again retells us that the market makers are finding this difficult. Speculators will hope the ranieri influence continues.
830pm - Benfica v Pacos Ferreira - 1.18 home
HEAD TO HEADS
LEAGUE POSITION - 2nd v 13th
HOME TEAM - Benfica
RECENT HOME FORM - WWW - 3-1 v Feirense, 2-1 v Guimareas , 4-1 v Academica - all over 2.5 goals and all conceding 1 goal.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - DWWWWD - both draws 2-2 v gil Vicente and Porto. The latter draw tells you where Benfica are this season. They were superb against Man Utd from what I saw and are likely to be a good attacking team.
GOAL TRENDS - 5/6 matches over 2.5 goals this season, the exception was a 0-2 win. Over 2.5 goals in all home matches. Have conceded in all home matches.Scored in all matches this season. 2-3-2-2-4-2 scored in all matches this season. A hint that 2 is the minimum that Benfica will score , especially at home.
STREAKS - have conceded in all but 1, scored in all matches. unbeaten in 6 matches, 3 match winning streak at home.
AWAY TEAM - Pacos Ferreira
RECENT AWAY FORM - LDL - 2-1 v Setabul, 0-0 v Feirense, 1-0 v Nacional. Feirense no surprise as they held even Porto to a 0-0.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - LWDLLL - win was 2-1 v Uniao. Draw was the aforementioned 0-0. All losses have been by 1 goal 2-1, 2-3, 1-0, 1-2. Slight warning for Benfica today ( but Pacos have not played any of the big teams just yet)
GOAL TRENDS -4/6 matches over 2.5 goals. Have only kept a clean sheet 0-0 away to Feirense.
STREAKS - no win in 4, 3 match losing streak.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - yes, Pacos have not played the big boys yet, but their losses have all been by a single goal so enhanced bettors hope that Pacos can score first, for it will be Xmas come early. Yet again another 1.18 -so far 1.18's have seen 0-5 away win, 3-1 home win, and watch out for the United scoreline at home to Norwich earlier in the afternoon.That is 1.18 too.
9pm - Malaga v Getafe - 1.59 home
HEAD TO HEADS
LEAGUE POSITION - 6th v 16th
HOME TEAM - Malaga
RECENT HOME FORM - WW - without conceding 4-0 v granada I suppose expected and 1-0 v Bilbao. Cazorla must play for Malaga if they are to have any chance. Has scored the majority of goals so far albeit only a few matches.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - LWWWD - loss v Sevilla but since then have set themselves up as tough to beat. 4-0, 0-1, 1-0, 0-0. Malaga have kept a clean sheet in their last 4 matches.
GOAL TRENDS - clean sheet in last 4, last 3 matches under 1.5 goals. Have failed to score in only 1 match this season.
STREAKS - unbeaten in 4. 4 match clean sheets.
AWAY TEAM - Getafe
RECENT AWAY FORM - LL - 4-2 v Real Madrid and 1-0 v Espanyol. 3 of Real's goals in the 60th+ minute and the 1-0 Espanyol goal a 90th minute goal.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - DLLLW - last 3 matches have seen 2 1-0 losses and a 1-0 win.
GOAL TRENDS - Only 1 over 2.5 goals match this season. Have failed to score in 2 of last 3. Have only kept a clean sheet in last match.
STREAKS - no draw in 4.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - the form lines, although we must acknowledge the limited number of matches we are working on, point to a negative goal trend.Clean sheet in last 4 for Malaga, last 3 matches under 1.5 goals. Last 3 Getafe matches have seen 2 1-0 losses and a 1-0 win. Getafe have failed to score in 2 of last 3.
This unders form is in contrast to the head to heads. Which do you think is a more accurate reflection of how this match is likely to play out?