TFT Issue 398!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
Elfsborg Boras vs AIK Solna – home win at 4/5.
Today’s featured game is the Allsvenskan encounter between league leaders Elfsborg Boras and title challengers AIK Solna.
Although the Allsvenskan table would have you believe that there’s not much between these two sides, I’m personally of the opinion that there is a lot between these two sides because Elfsborg are a better side than AIK.
AIK do as well as they do because they’re very well organised tactically, which is something that not many Allsvenskan sides can actually say. Defensively, this side bluntly refuses to concede goals on a regular basis and thus any goals that they score themselves tend to be rather final and match-winning goals, depending on the opponent.
Elfsborg, on the other hand, look to be everything that AIK Solna are not. They have a wealth of attacking options that combine experience with youth whilst always demonstrating a ruthless efficiency when it comes to winning games. Elfsborg are the side that AIK aspire to be, as strange as that might sound, especially with AIK actually being the bigger club. Elfsborg haven’t played as well at home in Boras this season as their record indicates, having been outplayed by GAIS Goteborg and Djurgarden respectively, not to mention being given a tough game by IFK Goteborg. What do all three of those games have in common, though? That’s right – Elfsborg won them all. Champions win ugly and I can’t see another Allsvenskan side playing as much like champions as Elfsborg are right now.
On their beloved artificial turf, Elfsborg are virtually untouchable and I expect that to show today. Last season, AIK uncharacteristically scored two goals in Boras and claimed a shock 2-2 draw here thanks to the help of the two Sierra Leone strikers, both named Bangura. Both have since left AIK Solna and it’s worth noting that Elfsborg absolutely pulverised AIK in that game but AIK goalkeeper Turina had the game of his life in that encounter, keeping Elfsborg from scoring five or six goals. I doubt AIK will be able to be as fortunate today, especially with Turina a big doubt for this game, alongside defender Milosevic.
I saw AIK’s derby with Djurgarden and they were ineffectual at best, as per usual. They don’t concede many chances and thus don’t concede many goals but their only attacking threat comes from Celso Borges so you can see why AIK don’t score many either. They can win 1-0 etc. against lesser sides but they’re going to concede goals against better or similar sides to themselves and therefore I find it very hard to envision them winning here as Elfsborg always score at home. AIK only equalised against Djurgarden thanks to a freak own goal anyway and prior to the derby had looked similarly unimpressive for a number of games. They’re an efficient side, AIK, but only in the right games, and this isn’t one of them, in my view. The only advantage I will give to AIK is that Elfsborg miss regular defenders Jonsson and Fridgeirsson today but as AIK possess very little firepower, I can’t say I’m too concerned with that news.
For me, taking Elfsborg to win at home at 4/5 is pure value anyway, but taking it against a side that doesn’t score goals is just ludicrously good value! The only failing I can see for this tip is if Elfsborg don’t score and with Hult, Claesson, Ishizaki, Elm, Nilsson, and Jawo in the Elfsborg squad, I can’t really see that happening. Therefore, my call is for the league leaders to increase their impressive lead at the top of the Allsvenskan even further by beating boring AIK Solna today.
Verdict: Elfsborg Boras to win at 4/5.
Additional games
Swansea City vs Liverpool – home win with draw no bet at 7/5.
This game doesn’t matter to either club so approach it with caution. However, I still have to favour Swansea here because they work hard in every single game whereas Liverpool…well, they’re a bit of an enigma, really. They work bloody hard when they face a side that’s better than they are and usually manage to beat them or outplay them as a result. When it comes to sides that are smaller or deemed to be not as good as they are, however, Liverpool tend to disappear. Liverpool crushed Chelsea 4-1 in their last game so they do bring momentum into this game. However, Swansea at home is another matter entirely as they’ve outplayed the vast majority of sides at home this season, including Manchester United, Manchester City, and Arsenal, irrespective of their results. Swansea play some of the absolute best football in the Premier League and I expect them to give a good show for their loyal fans today, especially after a great season. Liverpool have claimed the League Cup trophy this season so their fans won’t be down in the dumps either, although I do think that Liverpool will need motivation to win a game like this and I just don’t see where they’ll get it from. It’s very hard to play football without the ball but that’s the task that awaits any side taking on Swansea in Wales. For me, it’s well worth taking the home win with draw no bet cover at 7/5 today.
Verdict: Swansea City to win with draw no bet at 7/5.
TPS Turku vs VPS Vaasa – under 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Well, TPS Turku are streets ahead of VPS Vaasa when it comes to being able to put the ball in the net. Defensively, though? They’re probably on a par. VPS are simply very hard to score against. Admittedly, this is more often the case in Vaasa rather than on the road but they’re still a tough nut to crack.
Before you start going nuts about the home win here, take a look at how VPS and TPS have played so far this season. TPS Turku have beaten sides with counter-attacks. Deadly counter-attacks, but counter-attacks nonetheless. This is because they’re not especially good at breaking through solid banks of four. They’ve got some top-drawer players that can produce some magic, such as Kolehmainen and Aaritalo, but they much prefer facing sides like Honka or JJK as they’ll attack TPS. TPS have played in two Veikkausliiga games so far this season where their opponents have “parked the bus” and have lost 0-1 against MyPa Anjalankoski and beaten Haka Valkeakoski 2-0 in those two games, just to back-up what I’ve already said.
VPS’ only tactical approach on the road is to defend because that’s all they’re good at. Their recent away record makes them look like world-beaters although that’s some distance from the truth, really. They claimed a 1-1 draw with an unrecognisable FC Honka Espoo side and a 0-2 hit-and-run win at JJK Jyvaskyla, whom they seem to hold a voodoo curse over as they always do well against JJK, whether it be in Vaasa or Jyvaskyla. VPS’ acquisition of former HJK Helsinki youngster Parikka has given them a better option up front alongside Jamaican striker Morrissey but neither are great and I think a solid TPS defence (organised by ex-VPS Vaasa centre-back Tanska) should be able to keep them out.
Be wary here, guys. I do expect TPS Turku to win this game as they’re the better side and they’ve looked good this season. However, I could also understand if this was a 0-0 or 1-1. I’d much rather avoid the 1×2 market here with VPS loving to cause upsets. Instead, taking under 2.5 goals looks much more favourable at decent odds of 4/5
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Diosgyori VTK vs Budapest Honved – home win with draw no bet at 4/5.
In my eyes, this is one is all about managers. It was no accident that it came out that Diosgyori’s future manager was in the stands for their game with Pecsi MFC and would you believe it – Diosgyori won the game 1-2 to end a barren run of form. Well, I don’t know if the management at Disogyori are going to keep playing this card but they’ve said that the future manager of the club is in the stands again today without naming who it is, no doubt hoping to inspire their players. Let’s face it – if they win this game then their hopes of a UEFA Europa League place are very much alive and kicking again. They’ve got the necessary motivation to do it so why not? They’re not the most galvanised of sides right now but they’re on better terms with one another than Budapest Honved are following their recent antics. Coach Supka has fined Tchami for taking a penalty last match that he wasn’t supposed to take, not least because he missed it. Tchami is not feeling the love! Budapest Honved actually missed two penalties last night, thus resulting in a disappointing 0-0 draw with Kaposvari Rakoczi and it could prove to be costly. For this difficult game today, Supka has to do without key attacking players in Delczeg, Faggyas, and Manchester City target Bobal. Add to the mix that they sold Torghelle and Dieng in the January transfer window and we have a Budapest Honved side bereft of attacking options. They’re still well-organised and won’t be easy to beat but I’ll eat my hat if they win this one with no recognisable forwards available to them! For me, there’s value on the home win with draw no bet cover at 4/5.
Verdict: Disogyori VTK to win with draw no bet at 4/5.
SSC Napoli vs Siena – home win with -1.5 handicap at 9/10.
The rumours were circling earlier this week that Siena will be fielding a B/C team for this game. I’ve not had this confirmed so it is probably wise to wait for the line-ups before taking this bet. If that’s the case, then I’m all over this tip, even though Napoli are without Cavani. If that is not the case then please disregard this bet as I’ve no faith in Napoli beating the first team of any side in Serie A by two clear goals if their opponents are fielding their first-team because Napoli have a nasty habit of conceding stupid goals.
Verdict: SSC Napoli to beat the -1.5 handicap at 9/10.
Twente Enschede vs RKC Waalwijk – away win with +1.5 handicap at 9/10.
The same words that previewed the first leg of this tie are applicable here again today. I watched bits of Twente vs RKC and at no stage did Twente outclass RKC like the odds suggested that they would, which was no surprise. RKC play better football than Twente and they want this more than Twente with Twente already in possession of a UEFA Europa League place for next season. There’s no pressure on RKC as they’ve already exceeded everyone’s expectations of them this season whereas there is a lot of pressure on a buckling and frankly disinterested Twente side. Since the last meeting between these two sides, I’ve heard that there are even more players looking to move on and most of them seem more intent on trying to find new clubs rather than helping Twente win games like these. Twente really struggle to motivate themselves for boss McClaren – watch their games and you’ll see what I mean. With that in mind, it’ll take a special display from Twente to beat RKC today and I just don’t see why that would happen today. My only slight concern is the absence of Sno for RKC, who is the heartbeat of the team. I still don’t envision Twente winning this game by two or more goals, however, so my call is to give RKC a +1.5 handicap at 9/10.
Verdict: RKC Waalwijk to win with a +1.5 handicap at 9/10.
Celtic vs Hearts – home win with -1.5 handicap at 11/10.
Hearts aren’t an easy side to face nowadays and with Celtic having already claimed the SPL title, you might think that I’m nuts for taking this bet. However, I’ve got two reasons for believing that Celtic will be motivated as hell to win this game. The first is that Hearts have a Cup Final with Hibs looming next week and they’d be daft to risk their players unnecessarily here when they know that they can beat Hibs in the final, thus giving them a passage into European football. The second reason is that Celtic desperately want revenge as Hearts are the reason that Celtic aren’t in that particular final following a very controversial game between the two clubs which resulted in Celtic boss Neil Lennon confronting the referee at full-time, furious with the penalty decision both for and against his side. That’s why Celtic will be highly motivated here and Lennon is set to field his strongest side if we’re to believe the rumours. Add all that up and the -1.5 handicap at 11/10 looks a tempting one to take for Celtic today.
Verdict: Celtic to beat the -1.5 handicap at 11/10.
IFK Norrkoping vs Orebro – over 2.5 goals at evens.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – IFK Norrkoping are not a side to trust implicitly when it comes to taking on sides at home that they’re better than. IFK Norrkoping have a habit of becoming a very complacent side in such games and thus concede even more goals than normal and don’t tend to wake up until later in the game. A classic example of this would be their 1-4 defeat against Syrianska Sodertalje lately. Admittedly, they came up against a lethal Sharbel Touma in that game but IFK Norrkoping were just awful at the back. The games to back/handicap IFK Norrkoping in are when they take on the big sides as they tend to cause upsets. IFK Norrkoping are actually a very capable attacking side due to the playmaking of Ajdarevic and their ability to score goals from set pieces moreso than most clubs. Hasani and Thorvaldsson are an experienced attacking duo and aren’t easy to play against as a result. One thing is for sure, though – whichever IFK Norrkoping side shows up, they tend to either score or concede a large number of goals due to their attacking style and shit defence!
Orebro find themselves in a similar position to IFK Norrkoping in the sense that they’re either conceding or scoring a lot of goals. Unlike IFK Norrkoping, however, Orebro aren’t having any joy against…well, anyone. They’ve got a better attack than the Allsvenskan table would have you believe that they have with Tobias Grahn providing all the creativity required in the centre of the park and both Rama and emerging youngster Atashkadeh causing problems in the final third. It’s a shame that Haddad has had so many injury problems and that Paulinho has become a twat or Orebro would have scored even more goals than they already have. Indeed, Orebro have actually gone 4-3-3 lately to try and improve their poor league placing so we’ll see how that goes for them. However, the fact remains that their defence is a joke this season with no leaders and no quality. Their defence is easily as bad as IFK Norrkoping’s but they lack the fight that their hosts have because Orebro don’t expect to be in a relegation battle every season – they expect to be pushing for a UEFA Europa League place. This is unfamiliar territory for them nowadays and they’re floundering at the moment.
On natural turf, I’d normally oppose Orebro but I just don’t have any faith in IFK Norrkoping when they’re hosting a side that they’re expected to beat. This is a game that could go either way as both sides need the points as they’re what I call “attainable points”, which means that it’s not a write-off game for either side. Therefore, instead of taking on the dubious 1×2 market, I’d much rather take over 2.5 goals, which is priced surprisingly generously at evens.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at evens.
Helsingborg vs BK Hacken Goteborg – lay Helsingborg at 4/5.
Helsingborg. Are. Crap!
I don’t know how many times they’re going to make me money this season when I go against them – they’ll probably batter Hacken now though! – but I’m going to keep going against them until I see a dramatic improvement.
I watched HIF’s derby with Malmo earlier this week and Malmo absolutely annihlated them. It was so one-sided that the 3-0 scoreline actually flattered Helsingborg as they could have easily conceded six or seven had Malmo felt like converting their chances rather than being giddy with the current scoreline. Malmo were excellent, it has to be said, but Helsingborg were all over the place. Every ball behind their defence was one that they couldn’t deal with. Every set piece was badly defended and every attack launched was slow and predictable.
HIF missed a lot of defenders last match and although I only know that Andersson is confirmed as still being out, there are others that are still out that HIF currently haven’t divulged. This side isn’t as strong as it was last year; it can’t afford these absentees. HIF’s strongest area is defence and if they don’t have that to fall back on then they won’t win games; it really is that simple. HIF can score goals every now and then as they’ve got some good forwards but they lack in creativity, determination, and belief – three pretty big problems for a side that’s expected to win most of their games.
Hacken aren’t as good as HIF but you wouldn’t know that from watching both sides this season. Unlike HIF, Hacken are playing with lots of spirit and also unlike HIF, they’re scoring a lot of goals as a result. Without being especially good, Hacken have surprised a lot of sides this season by playing with belief and scoring goals when the opportunity comes their way. The sale of Ranegie was supposed to damage their attack rather than enhance it but here Hacken are as the leading goalscoring side in the Allsvenskan. Say what you will about their suspect defence – if your side is scoring goals, they stand a pretty good chance of winning more games than they’ll lose. I admire the way that they score goals from anywhere, too. Take Drugge’s volley against Atvidaberg, for example, or the poacher goals that Waris gets on the end of. They’re a very hard side to defend against because there aren’t any real stars in the Hacken side and thus it’s hard to know where they’ll be attacking from from one game to the next. Makondele has been outstanding this season and will be instrumental if Hacken are to do well here although Waris, Chatto, and playmaker Ericsson have also been very good. What can I say? Hacken are my favourite underdog side right now because nobody seems to be able to stop them from scoring!
This is a very different game if HIF are at full-strength and are playing with confidence. However, HIF are neither of those things right now and they’re entertaining a side that are scoring goals for fun and playing with confidence. The pace and movement of the Hacken attack will cause a makeshift HIF defence a lot of problems today and thus I think that laying HIF is a great bet at 4/5.
Verdict: Lay Helsingborg at 4/5.
Team news
Belgian Eerste Klasse:
AA Gent – El Ghanassy, Soumahoro, Smolders, and M’Sila are absent.
Racing Genk – de Bruyne, Joneleit, Barda, Hubert, Camus, Ayub, Buffel, and Vanden Borre are absent.
Anderlecht – Vargas is absent. Lots of doubts but no names given.
Standard de Liege – Tchite, Cyriac, Buzaglo, Bolat, Pocognoli, and Vainquer are absent.
Club Brugge – Stenman, de Jonghe, Deschilder, Rafaelov, Vazquez, and Blondel are absent.
Kortrijk – van Hout, Vandenbroeck, Tambe, Mulemo, Martin, and Demets are absent.
Bulgarian A PFG:
Montana – Lichkov and Koparanov are absent.
Lokomotiv Sofia – Al.Mladenov is absent.
Slavia Sofia – No news.
Svetkavitsa – No news.
Danish Superligaen:
Lyngby – No news.
Aalborg BK – Bogelund and Ahlmann are absent.
HB Koge – Madsen is absent. Runsewe returns.
Silkeborg – No absentees.
SonderjyskE – Troest and Jensen are absent.
FC Copenhagen – Larsson and Delaney are absent.
AGF Aarhus – S.Larsen and Eckersley are absent.
Brondby – Stenderup, Femi, and Rommedahl are absent. Krohn-Deli returns.
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
TPS Turku – Lehtovaara is a doubt.
VPS Vaasa – Koskimaa, Bjork, Henriksson, and Coundoul are absent. Fowler, Koskela, and Strandvall are doubts.
IFK Mariehamn – Byskata and Jagne are doubts. Niskala returns.
FC Lahti – Taulo is a doubt. Rafael may return.
Finnish Ykkonen:
KooTeePee Kotka – Lomidze is absent. Jarviniemi, Jammeh, and Ositashvili are doubts.
Hameenlinna – Hakanen and Suomalainen are doubts. Suhonen and Mononen return.
Greek Super League:
AEK Athens – Sialmas and Kontoes are absent.
Atromitos – Itanje, Giannoulis, and Skondras are absent.
Panathinaikos – Leto, Ioannidis, Kapino, Karnezis, Seitaridis, Spyropoulos, Rudolf, and Ninis are absent.
PAOK Salonika – No absentees.
Hungarian Soproni Liga:
Fehervar – No news.
Gyori ETO FC – No news.
Diosgyori VTK – New coach is in the stands.
Budapest Honved – Tchami has been fined for missing a penalty that he wasn’t supposed to take last match. Delczeg, Bobal, and Faggyas are absent.
Italian Serie A:
Atalanta Bergamo – Brighi, Capelli, Consigli, Marilungo, and Stendardo are absent. Schelotto and Peluso are doubts.
Bologna – Casarini, Gillet, Gimenez, Krhin, Morleo, and Perez are absent. Mudingayi is a doubt.
Cagliari – Cossu, El-Kabir, Pisano, and Rui Sampaio are absent. Pinilla and Eriksson are doubts.
Catania – Potenza, Lodi, Llama, Biagianti are absent. Barrientos, Bergessio, Campagnaro, and Paglialunga are doubts.
Cesena – Colucci, Iaquinta, Martinez, Martinho, and Pudil are absent. Mutu, Comotto, and Lauro are doubts.
Chievo Verona – Andreolli, Cruzado, Dainelli, Mandelli, Sorrentino, and Drame are absent. Gulan and Moscardelli are doubts.
Fiorentina – Amauri, Gamberini, Jovetic, Kroldrup, Ljajic, Montolivo, Nastasic, and Vargas are absent. Behrami is a doubt.
Genoa – Antonelli, Bovo, Kucka, and Palacio are absent. Kaladze and Jankovic are doubts.
Internazionale – Castaignos, Chivu, Julio Cesar, and Stankovic are absent. Ranocchia, Pazzini, Alvarez, Obi, and Forlan are doubts.
Juventus – Vidal and de Ceglie are absent.
Lazio – Brocchi, Dias, Hernanes, Matuzalem, Marchetti, Radu, and Stankevicius are absent. Rocchi, Alfaro, and Biava are doubts.
Lecce – Corvia, Delvecchio, Ingrosso, Julio Sergio, Petrachi, Tomovic, and Miglionico are absent. Esposito is a doubt.
AC Milan – Abate, Abbiati, Bonera, De Sciglio, Muntari, Pato, Thiago Silva, and Roma are absent. Zambrotta, van Bommel, Mesbah, Inzaghi, Emanuelson, Antonini, and Ambrosini are doubts.
SSC Napoli – Aronica, Cavani, Donadel, and Dzemaili are absent. Rosati and Campagnaro are doubts.
Novara – Coser, Marianini, Mascara, and Ujkani are absent. Radovanovic, Paci, Mazzarani, and Caracciolo are doubts.
Palermo – Acquah, Della Rocca, Ilicic, Miccoli, and Silvestre are absent. Tzorvas is a doubt.
Parma – Mariga and Mirante are absent. Modesto and Brandao are doubts.
AS Roma – Juan, Burdisso, Stekelenburg, and Taddei are absent. Lobont, Kjaer, and Cassetti are doubts.
Siena – Angelo, Calaio, and Pesoli are absent. Giorgi, Gonzalez, Rossettini are doubts.
Udinese – Ferronetti and Isla are absent. Pinzi, Barreto, and Badu are doubts.
Lithuanian A Lyga:
Siauliai – Kirhners and Lunskis are absent. Eliosius is a doubt.
Suduva Marijampole – No absentees.
Zalgiris Vilnius – No news.
Kruoja Pakruojis – Cistjakov is absent. Lendiel and Kislekov have left.
Dutch Eredivisie:
Vitesse Arnhem – Piiroja is absent.
NEC Nijmegen – Nijland, Wellenberg, George, Conboy, and Goossens are absent.
Twente Enschede – Rendla, John, and Bengtsson are absent.
RKC Waalwijk – van Dijk, Sno, Ramos, Janssen, and Bandjar are absent.
Norwegian Eliteserien:
Haugesund – Maeland and Pozniak are absent.
Fredrikstad – Horn, Holm, Ramberg, Rafn, Dure, and Hussain are absent.
Honefoss – Riski is absent. Gjermundstad returns.
Odd Grenland Skien – Semb, Lekven, Andersson, and Jonassen are absent.
Sandnes Ulf – Holmvik and Westlye are absent.
Rosenborg BK – Chibuike, Henriksen, and Holm are absent. Braathen, Prica, Ankersen, and Larsen are doubts.
Sogndal – Flo, Rudolfsen, Roed, Naess, Lund, and Mecinovic are absent.
Viking Stavanger – Bjerdal, Cardozo, and Ingelsten are absent. Andersson may return.
Aalesund FK – Arnefjord, Matland, Sellin, and James are absent.
Stromsgodset – Hamoud, Ovenstad, and Hanssen are absent.
Lillestrom – Ramovic, Rodgers, and Moen are absent. Gulbrandsen may return.
Brann Bergen – Jonsson, El-Fakiri, Sokolowski, and Mohus are absent. Demir, Nordkvelle, and Korcsmar are doubts.
Polish Liga 1:
Nieciecza – Jarecki is absent.
Flota Swinoujscie – New boss Klusek’s first game in charge.
Russian Premier League:
Krylya Sovetov Samara – Verkhovtsov is absent.
Terek Grozny – Katzaev, Legear, Mguni, and Komorowski are absent.
Tom’ Tomsk – Portnyagin, Ivanov, Klimov, Malyaka, Ropotan, Makhmudov, and Nakhushev are absent.
Rostov-na-Donu – Elson, Radic, Gatskan, and Chesnauskis are absent.
Amkar Perm’ – Popov, Gio, Smirnov, and Cherenchikov are absent.
Volga Nizhnyi Novgorod – Bondarv, Buyvalov, Bendz, Belozerov, Shulenin, Maksimov, Getigezhev are absent. Boss Cheryshev is also suspended.
Spartak Nal’chik – Schanitisin is absent.
FK Krasnodar – Shipitsin is absent.
Anzhi Makhachkala – No absentees.
Zenit St.Petersburg – Danny, Bystrov, and Shirokov are absent.
Rubin Kazan’ – Kislyak, A.Eremenko, Carlos Eduardo, Orehov, and Valle are absent.
CSKA Moscow – Dzagoev, Gonzalez, and V.Berzeutskiy are absent.
Lokomotiv Moscow – Odzoev, Guilherme, Maicon, Caicedo, Pavlyuchenko, Tarasov, and Tigorev are absent.
Spartak Moscow – Kombarov, Emenike, Kayumov, Makeev, Welliton, Parshivlyuk, Dikan, and Ananidze are absent.
Kuban’ Krasnodar – Kozlov and Ionov are absent.
Dinamo Moscow – Rykov and Sapeta are absent.
Scottish Premier League:
Celtic – Rogne, Ki, and Forrest are absent.
Hearts – Hamill is absent.
Motherwell – Higdon is absent.
Dundee United – Lacny is absent. Neilson, Gunning, and Douglas are doubts.
St.Johnstone – Croft and M.Davidson are absent. Sandaza returns.
Rangers – Goian, Kerkar, Lafferty, and Bocanegra are absent.
Spanish Primera Liga:
Espanyol – C.Gomez, Albin, Mattioni, and Sergio Garcia are absent.
Sevilla CF – Escude, Spahic, and Trochowski are absent. Negredo and Medel return.
Getafe – J.Rodriguez, Cata Diaz, Lopo, Ustari, and Ortiz are absent. Rafa returns.
Real Zaragoza – Lanzaro is absent.
Levante – Munua is absent.
Athletic Club de Bilbao – Aurtenexte, Ocio, Castillo, and Gurpegi are absent.
Malaga – Welliton, Caballero, Toulalan, Maresca, and Baptista are absent.
Sporting Gijon – Botia and de los Cuevas are absent.
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid – Armenteros is a doubt. Javi Fuego and Sueliton return.
Granada – Yebda, Diakhate, Benitez, Geijo, Moises, and Siqueira are absent. Mainz is a doubt.
Real Madrid – No news.
Real Mallorca – Kevin, Alvaro, Nsue, Ogunjimi, and Nunes are absent. Ramis returns.
Racing Santander – Cisma, Arana, Kennedy, Munitis, Bernardo, and Diop are absent.
Osasuna – Punal, Masoud, Echaide, Sola, Lolo, and Annunziata are absent. Lekic, Damia, Roversio, and Sergio return.
Villarreal CF – de Guzman, Rossi, and Martinuccio are absent. Senna, Cani, Cesar, and Marchena return.
Atletico Madrid – Silvio, Perea, and Arda Turan are absent.
Swedish Allsvenskan:
IFK Norrkoping – Tamm and Tankovic are absent. Telo and Frempong return.
Orebro – No news.
Elfsborg Boras – Fridgeirsson, J.Jonsson, Stuhr-Ellegaard, and Augustsson are absent. Mobaeck is a doubt.
AIK Solna – R.Persson is absent. Turina and Milosevic are doubts.
Helsingborg – C.Andersson is absent. Others are absent but no names given.
BK Hacken Goteborg – No news.