This Europa League match sees the two top sides in Group H battle it out as Red Star Belgrade host Arsenal. Red Star are on a decent run of form at the moment with six wins from their last seven matches in all competitions. In fact, in terms of the Europa League they will feel they should be level with Arsenal at the top of the group following dropped points against Belarusian side BATE Borisov on matchday one. Crvena Zvezda have been sublime at both ends of the pitch in that aforementioned good run of games with 16 goals scored…
These two sides are battling out for the playoff spot in Group F as England are pretty much guaranteed to top the group in the final standings. After a miserable start to the qualification campaign which saw them take just four points from four games, the pressure was mounting on Scotland manager Gordon Strachan and it looked to be another fruitless campaign for the Scots. However, they have now taken 10 points from a possible 12 in their last four competitive matches – putting them right back in the mix. The Tartan Army have managed to add goals to a…
With these two sides sitting on the same number of points (16) in Group E, they will both feel they have a decent chance of reaching the playoff round of the World Cup qualifiers. One of them could still finish top of the group and qualify automatically for Russia 2018, but that honour is likely to go to Poland who are three points clear at the summit. Montenegro have been on a fantastic run of late and have now taken maximum points from each of their last three qualifiers. However, they need a result against Denmark on Thursday as they…
Having made a very good start to life in the Bundesliga, newly promoted Hannover will be looking keep their run going when visiting Borussia Park on Saturday afternoon. Manager André Breitenreiter, who made 72 appearances for Hannover as a player, has seen his side go unbeaten in the first six weeks of the campaign, winning three and drawing three along the way. Such results showcase the progress that Die Roten have made under Breitenreiter. Saturday’s hosts had also made a fairly reasonable start to the new campaign, though, things turned very sour indeed last weekend as they were embarrassed 6-1 by league…
These two will be relatively happy with their seasons so far with Rostov pushing the European spots whilst SKA, although in the relegation zone, will still feel they have a decent chance of survival. SKA had been on a really good run of no defeats in seven competitive matches until their loss against Amkar Perm last time out and they can consider themselves unfortunate to still be in the relegation spots. Recent matches for Aleksei Poddubskiy’s side have contained quite a few goals. This is mainly due to a rather leaky looking defence which has failed to keep a clean…
These two sides have had very contrasting starts to the season with Manchester United flying high in second whilst Crystal Palace sit rock bottom of the table. Manchester United cruised through their Champions League Group A match against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday night, coming out 4-1 winners, which stretches their winning run to five games. Jose Mourinho’s men have been fantastic in both boxes this season with 17 goals scored and just two conceded in six Premier League matches. United have also kept a clean sheet in all but one of their top flight outings so far this term. United have…
Both of these sides looked to be in a bit of trouble a few weeks ago, however, whilst Villa have improved dramatically to push up to eighth, Bolton still prop up the table. Steve Bruce’s Villa side have gone on a marvelous recent run in the Championship with no defeats in their last seven and three wins from their last three outings. After struggling to find their shooting boots in the opening weeks of the campaign, Villa now have them firmly laced onto their feet with nine goals scored in their last three matches. They have also been defensively sound…
After securing a respectable draw against an in-form Augsburg side last Saturday, Hannes Wolf’s next assignment as Stuttgart manager is a trip to face Frankfurt at Commerzbank-Arena; a fixture that could very easily prove to be problematic. The newly promoted club have made a reasonable start to season – seven points from their opening six games is a decent return – but their problems on the road are clear, while Frankfurt are a side who’re tough to beat on their own patch. As things stand after six games in the Bundesliga, Frankfurt also have seven points to their name. On that fact…
The West London derby hits our TV screens on Friday night as QPR play host to Fulham at Loftus Road. After a rocky start to the new season, the visitors are starting to gather momentum as they aim to move into the coveted top six. However, facing a QPR side who’ve performed respectably in recent weeks won’t be easy. In fact, this match will probably be far less easy for the visiting side than the early betting suggests. QPR may well be without a win in three league matches, but they’ve lost none of those and have been playing reasonably…
Group F is the only Europa League group without a goal so far – something that these two teams will try to sort out on Thursday night. After a fantastic start to the season, Lokomotiv Moscow have tailed off in recent weeks – winning just once in their last five competitive outings. Having said that, they are still second in the Russian Premier League. The Railroaders have been beset by injuries this season, particularly in the forward line, and it is no surprise that they have scored over 1.5 goals in just one of their last five games. Defensively though,…
After their thrilling derby win on Sunday, Sheffield United will be riding high ahead of this fixture against a Wolves side who’ve been tipped by many for promotion. Chris Wilder’s men may also have their sights set on promotion after their impressive start. Having seemingly made the transition from League One to the Championship with ease, and it’s fair to say that the Blades , who’re currently in a lofty 4th position, are more than worthy of their place at this level. Wolves have also made a very pleasing start to the campaign as they sit in 2nd place, behind…
These two teams are currently stuck in midtable as neither of them have been able to put a consistent run together. Oxford were close to claiming a playoff place last season, howe but they will have to turn their inconsistent form around quickly if they are to make a charge for the top six this time around. This inconsistent form is demonstrated by the fact that the U’s have failed to win back-to-back matches this season. The main problem for Pep Clotet’s side has been their back line which has now kept just one clean sheet in their last seven…
These two sides have been in relatively decent form of late with no defeats in their last two for Millwall and no defeats in their last five for Preston North End. Preston showed fantastic character in their last match as they turned a 1-0 half time deficit into a 3-1 victory away at Birmingham City – costing Birmingham manager Harry Redknapp his job. North End are one of those sides that generally go under the radar and they will hope to do so again this season – they currently sit fourth in the Championship table. Alex Neil’s side have been…
These two teams are in rather contrasting form at the moment with Manchester United having won their last three whilst Southampton have picked up just one win in their last four. Southampton finally picked up their first win since 19th August last time out as they beat Crystal Palace 1-0. However, despite their aforementioned poor run of form, they are still in the top half of the table with a total of eight points after five games. That goal against lowly Crystal Palace was the Saints’ first goal in three matches and so it is no surprise that they are…
This match is almost an exact replica of the League Cup match which took place midweek with Leicester City hosting Liverpool although this time we are back to the bread and butter of the Premier League. The League Cup meeting finished in a 2-0 victory for Leicester. This latest victory against Liverpool was Leicester’s first win in any competition since 22nd August with their last Premier League win coming even further back on 19th August. This poor run of form has put Leicester 15th in the table, however, there will be easier fixtures to come so no need to panic…
Having taken a short while to come to the boil this season, Augsburg continued on an upward trajectory on Tuesday night as they defeated last season’s runners-up RB Leipzig 1-0 in front of a home crowd. That’s now three wins on the bounce for Manuel Baum’s men, but they might not be done just yet. Against a Stuttgart side who’ve not created an amazing impression since regaining their top flight status, the visitors will surely fancy their chances of recording a fourth consecutive victory. Stuttgart have by no means been abysmal since returning to the Bundesliga, but they’ve looked just…
The new season has so far gone swimmingly as far as Borussia Dortmund are concerned; they’re unbeaten under new manager Peter Bosz, winning four of their five matches, scoring an impressive 13 goals and conceding none. Such form is very promising indeed and, at this moment in time, BVB are deserving league leaders. However, with Bayern looking likely to dismantle Wolfsburg in front of a home crowd on Friday night, and this match against a useful opposition coming at a slightly inconvenient time, things could soon change at the top. The hosts have indeed made a fine start to the…
Having qualified for the Europa League last season, the expectations on Koln to perform again this time around would’ve been fairly high, but, as of yet, the Rhineland club have flattered too deceive. Four matches in and Peter Stoger are without a win, or even a single point. After what the worse possible start, this match against Frankfurt is already a massive game for the hosts. It could also be construed that Frankfurt have struggled at the start of this season, though, even if they’ve not hit top gear yet, they’ve fared considerably better than their hosts, picking up four…