Valencia vs Villarreal : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Valencia
  • Simone Zaza returns from suspension for the home side.
  • Goncalo Guedes should be fit to start, after coming off the bench last weekend, but Carlos Soler is out with an ankle problem.
  • Andreas Pereira will continue in midfield, with Ezequiel Garay due to return at centre-back. Jose Gaya has a minor muscle complaint, but should be risked at Mestalla.
Villarreal
  • Cedric Bakambu and Dani Raba are both back after suspension and the former should start up front.
  • Pablo Fornals will feature in behind the strikers, with Samu Castillejo preferred to Roberto Soriano in a deeper midfield role.
  • Carlos Bacca is carrying a knock, but should start, with Javi Calleja unlikely to make many changes after last weekend’s win.

Match Facts

Valenciahave been winning at both half time and full time in 5 of their last 6 home matches (La Liga).

Valenciahavewon 5 of their last 6 home matches (La Liga).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Valencia‘s last 6 home games (La Liga).

Valenciahavescored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 home matches (La Liga).

Prediction

  • Valencia are still unbeaten at Mestalla this season in all competitions, with Marcelino’s men looking to end 2017 with another home victory.
  • Los Che are in desperate need of three points, given that they have recently fallen to consecutive away defeats in league action. For the first time in a while, they have dropped to third place in La Liga.
  • Villarreal ended a three-match losing streak in La Liga with a narrow 1-0 win against Celta Vigo last weekend. The Yellow Submarine are looking for further points to keep them afloat in the Europa League places.
Prediction:

Valencia logo Valencia

2

1

Villarreal
Villarreal logo

Juventus vs Roma : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

  • Paulo Dybala scored in midweek and might be included in the starting XI here after a couple of games on the bench.
  • Juventus short at right-back after another injury to Mattia De Sciglio. Meanwhile, Gianluigi Buffon will watch from the stands as he is still struggling with a muscular problem.
Roma
  • Patrick Schick has featured more regularly of late but is unlikely to start against Juventus.
  • Diego Perotti and Stephan El Shaarawy will instead join Edin Dzeko in the front three.

Match Facts

Roma have won 16 of their last 20 matches (Serie A).

Juventus are undefeated in 37 of their last 38 home matches (Serie A).

Juventus have won their last 7 home matches against Roma in all competitions.

Juventus have kept a clean sheet in their last 4 matches (Serie A).

Juventus have kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 7 home matches against Roma in all competitions.

Prediction

  • Juventus leapfrogged Inter in the table last weekend and comfortably booked their name in the next round of the cup in midweek. The Bianconeri are now only one point off top as they look to put a stuttering start to the season behind them.
  • Roma are unbeaten in their last nine league matches, but were surprisingly eliminated in the Coppa Italia in midweek. Now they owe their fans a good performance here.
  • Juventus may deploy a similar game plan to the one used in the draw with Inter a few weeks ago and that could produce a similar outcome here.
Prediction:

Everton vs Chelsea : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Everton
  • Sam Allardyce could name the same XI that started Monday’s 3-1 win over Swansea, with the Everton boss having no fresh injury issues ahead of the welcome of Chelsea.
  • Ramiro Funes Mori, Ross Barkley, Seamus Coleman, Maarten Stekelenburg and Leighton Baines are all ruled out for the home side.
  • James McCarthy and Yannick Bolasie are both lacking fitness, though the latter will hope to make the bench for the first time in over a year.
Chelsea
  • Alvaro Morata is suspended after his yellow card in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Bournemouth, but Marcos Alonso returns from a ban of his own and should start.
  • David Luiz is sidelined for the Blues, while Charly Musonda is a doubt with a groin problem.
  • Eden Hazard should lead the attack in Morata’s absence, though Michy Batshuayi is also an option.

Match Facts

Chelsea have won 8 of their last 10 matches (Premier League).

Everton have won their last 4 home matches (Premier League).

Chelsea have won their last 4 matches against Everton in all competitions.

Everton have scored at least 2 goals in their last 5 home matches (Premier League).

Chelsea have scored at least 2 goals in their last 4 matches against Everton in all competitions.

Prediction

  • Everton’s form has picked up immensely since Sam Allardyce’s appointment, with the Toffees now unbeaten in five, winning four. They have won their last four home matches, but have lost their last four competitive meetings with Chelsea.
  • The Blues have won eight of their last 10 Premier League games and secured their spot in the next round of the Carabao Cup with a late win over Bournemouth, which should boost morale.
  • A month ago, you’d have backed Chelsea to win this, but Everton should have enough about them to secure a point.
Prediction:

Everton logo Everton

1

1

Chelsea Chelsea logo

Real Madrid vs Barcelona : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Real Madrid
  • Zinedine Zidane doesn’t have any fresh injury concerns heading into this game, with Raphael Varane back fit at centre-back.
  • Casemiro and Sergio Ramos return after suspension, with Isco and Gareth Bale battling to start in behind the front two.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit to start after training away from the group briefly this week, with Los Blancos not altering their formula much at all.
Barcelona
  • Thomas Vermaelen will continue at centre-back for the visitors, and the Belgian has looked solid recently.
  • Andres Iniesta was excellent against Deportivo last time out, and will start once again in midfield for Ernesto Valverde’s side.
  • Sergi Roberto should be preferred to Nelson Semedo at right-back, with Paulinho playing in close support of the front two.

Match Facts

Barcelonahavewon 20 of their last 23 matches (La Liga).

Barcelonahavescored at least 2 goals in 21 of their last 23 matches (La Liga).

Real Madridhavescored at least 2 goals in 20 of their last 23 home matches (La Liga).

Real Madridareundefeated in 30 of their last 32 home matches (La Liga).

Real Madridhave been winning at both half time and full time in their last 5 home matches (La Liga).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Real Madrid‘s last 4 home games (La Liga).

Real Madridhavescored at least 2 goals in their last 4 matches against Barcelona in all competitions.

Prediction

  • Real Madrid have spent the last week or so at the Club World Cup, with victories against Al Jazira and Gremio bound to have boosted their confidence levels.
  • Los Blancos have won their last five home games in La Liga, keeping four clean sheets during that time. Sevilla were recently demolished 5-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu and Zidane’s men have recaptured their mojo a little.
  • Barcelona are still protecting an unbeaten record at the summit of La Liga and haven’t lost a league game since a 2-0 loss at Malaga back in April.
Prediction:

Real Madrid logo Real Madrid

2

2

Barcelona Barcelona logo

The reasons why Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is so popular in his native Egypt

Liverpool supporters have got used to the sight of Mohamed Salah scoring goals for the Reds, but what he is doing back home in Egypt is far more important.

The forward, who was never allowed to show his true quality during a spell at Chelsea, has taken the Premier League by storm this season, returning to the division to score 14 times going into this weekend.

He’s also scored 20 goals in all competitions for his new side, but back home he is famous for more than just that.

In an exclusive piece by the Daily Mail from Salah’s home town of Nagrig, just over 100km north of Cairo, the extent to which the 25-year-old gives back to his community was revealed.

Salah has paid for an all-weather football pitch at his former school and equipment for the community gym. He will regularly visit to present children with football awards, and even contributes towards couples from the area getting married.

In an interview with Liverpool’s official website earlier this week, Salah revealed that he’d travel for as much as nine hours, potentially using 10 different buses, to get to and from training when he was a youngster .

 

In October, the entire country came to a standstill when Salah fired in the injury-time penalty against Congo to send Egypt to their first World Cup since 1990 .

While the country celebrated him in the days that followed, it was revealed that Salah’s family had been robbed when he was playing in the match. But instead of pressing charges, the forward instead gave the thief money and tried to help him find work.

His popularity is such that he regularly wins online votes thanks to the number of Egyptians taking part.

At Liverpool this season he’s already won three of four Player of the Month awards, with the only other one given to Dejan Lovren as a gesture of goodwill after threats to his family.

He’s also been the Champions League player of the week twice, the Premier League player of the month for November and BBC African Player of the Year.

 After his first player of the month gong, Roma tweeted Liverpool to tell them to get used to him winning awards.

Having not played for either of Egypt’s big two – Al-Ahly or Zamalek, two clubs who dislike either other and each other’s players with a passion – Salah remains a uniting force for all of Egypt.

And clearly one the the people love.

ADO Den Haag vs PEC Zwolle : Match Preview& Prediction

Team News

ADO Den Haag
  • Ricardo Kishna is out for the remainder of this season and is joined on the sidelines by Wilfried Kanon and Melvyn Lorenzen for ADO Den Haag.
PEC Zwolle
  • Dico Koppers, Nicolas Freire and Philippe Sandler are the only absent players for PEC Zwolle on Friday night.

Match Facts

PEC Zwollehavewon their last 5 matches against ADO Den Haag in all competitions.

PEC Zwollehavescored at least 2 goals in their last 7 matches against ADO Den Haag in all competitions.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 8 of ADO Den Haag‘s last 10 home games (Eredivisie).

ADO Den Haag have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 5 matches (Eredivisie).

PEC Zwollehavewon their last 3 away matches (Eredivisie).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in PEC Zwolle‘s last 3 away games (Eredivisie).

PEC Zwollehavescored at least 2 goals in their last 3 away matches (Eredivisie).

Prediction

  • PEC Zwolle go into their final league game of 2017 unbeaten in five matches having collected 11 points from a possible 15.
  • As for ADO Den Haag, they are looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 3-0 humbling at PSV.
Prediction:

ADO Den Haag logo ADO Den Haag

1

2

PEC Zwolle PEC Zwolle logo

Norwich vs Brentford : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Norwich
  • After a fairly ineffectual performance against Leeds, Marley Watkins could be dropped from the starting XI. Wes Hoolahan is the most logical candidate to replace him.
  • Louis Thompson remains sidelined, as does former Everton striker Steven Naismith, whose return is eagerly anticipated.
Brentford
  • A switch to a 4-3-3 formation is on the cards for Dean Smith’s side, with Romaine Sawyers making way for the inclusion of Nico Yennaris and Kamohelo Mokotjo in the centre of midfield.
  • Lasse Vibe remains a doubt up top, so Neal Maupay will start again.
  • Henrik Dalsgaard is also out, as are full-back Rico Henry and attacking midfielder Alan Judge.

Match Facts

Norwichhave seen over 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches against Brentford in all competitions.

Prediction

  • Daniel Farke’s side have won just one of their last nine games in the league and are stumbling towards a lower mid-table finish this season. This game is certainly winnable, but Norwich will have to be more adventurous going forward than they were against Leeds.
  • After an upturn in form a couple of months ago, many expected Brentford to kick on, but Dean Smith’s Brentford side are languishing in mid-table. A response to last weekend’s sub-par draw against Barnsley is vital here.
  • This is a clash between two sides struggling for momentum, but it also offers an excellent opportunity to kickstart one side’s season.
Prediction:

Norwich logo Norwich

1

2

Brentford Brentford logo

Top Facts

Arsenal have won 13 of their last 14 home matches (Premier League).

Liverpool have won their last 4 away matches (Premier League).

Fiorentina have drawn their last 3 away matches (Serie A).

Gaziantepspor have lost their last 7 away matches (TFF 1. Lig).

Eupen have drawn their last 3 matches (Jupiler League).

PEC Zwolle have won their last 5 matches against ADO Den Haag in all competitions.

Atletico have won their last 4 matches (La Liga).

Siah Jamegan have lost 8 of their last 9 matches (Persian Gulf Pro League).

Naft Tehran have lost their last 5 away matches (Persian Gulf Pro League).

Alcorcon have drawn their last 3 home matches (Segunda División).

Sepidrood Rasht have lost their last 5 matches (Persian Gulf Pro League).

Liverpool have won their last 3 matches against Arsenal in all competitions.

Nacional have drawn their last 3 matches (Liga Vitalis).

PEC Zwolle have won their last 3 away matches (Eredivisie).

Lugo have won 6 of their last 7 home matches (Segunda División).

Academica have won 6 of their last 7 matches (Liga Vitalis).

Anderlecht have won their last 3 home matches against Eupen in all competitions.

Fleetwood have won 5 of their last 6 matches against Gillingham in all competitions.

Cagliari vs Fiorentina :Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Cagliari
  • Luca Cigarini is suspended. Simone Padoin will move into central midfield as a result, with Senna Miangue taking his spot on the left flank.
Fiorentina
  • Giovanni Simeone and Khouma Babacar continue to battle for one spot up front.
  • Federico Chiesa and Cyril Thereau will hold down spots on either side of the lone frontman.

Match Facts

Fiorentinahavedrawn their last 3 away matches (Serie A).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Cagliari‘s last 5 home games (Serie A).

Fiorentinahave kept a clean sheet in their last 3 matches (Serie A).

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Fiorentina‘s last 3 away games (Serie A).

Prediction

  • Cagliari are winless in four matches and now only three points above the bottom three.
  • Fiorentina, meanwhile, are unbeaten in five, though have only won two games in that sequence. The away side’s season has been average so far and would improve with three points here.
  • The teams in the top half of the table are dropping points and Fiorentina need to take advantage if they want to finish in a European place.
Prediction:

Cagliari logo Cagliari

1

2

Fiorentina Fiorentina logo

Chievo vs Bologna : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Chievo
  • Lucas Castro and Riccardo Meggiorini are sidelined until 2018.
  • Sergio Pellissier is favourite over Manuel Pucciarelli to start up front.
Bologna
  • Federico Di Francesco has returned to training but his comeback will not be rushed.
  • Rodrigo Palacio is also lacking fitness and might skip this match.

Match Facts

Chievohave seen under 2.5 goals in 9 of their last 10 home matches against Bologna in all competitions.

Chievohavefailed to score in their last 3 matches (Serie A).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Bologna‘s last 6 games (Serie A).

Chievoareundefeated in 12 of their last 13 home matches against Bologna in all competitions.

Prediction

  • Chievo missed the chance to draw level with Atalanta and AC Milan in seventh place last weekend after slipping to a shock 1-0 defeat to Crotone.
  • Bologna also lost but that was expected as they faced Juventus. Both sides will be happy with how the first half of the season has gone and will want to finish 2017 strongly, starting here.
Prediction:

Chievo logo Chievo

1

0

Bologna Bologna logo