TFT Issue 520!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
AFC Ajax Amsterdam vs Twente Enschede – home win at 4/5.
Today’s featured game is the Eredivisie heavyweight encounter at the Amsterdam ArenA between Ajax and Twente.
Although their statistics so far don’t truly reflect it, Ajax have actually been very good this season. That’s not very common for them; they’re usually slow starters. There are still things for de Boer’s young team to learn, especially in defence, where they give away too many stupid goals now that Vertonghen has left. Still, you can’t fault this awesome attack of theirs. They look confident and extremely dangerous on the attack and that’s especially true in front of their vociferous and demanding fans. Ajax already average scoring three goals per home game and with arguably the best midfield in the Netherlands right now, it’s hardly a surprise. This midfield is so strong that they allowed Theo Janssen to return to Vitesse Arnhem, which speaks volumes. Serero has finally come of age and alongside de Jong and new signings Sana and Schone, Ajax look very threatening in the middle of the park, especially with Eriksen dictating the tempo and Poulsen mopping up behind them. Signing Babel on a free transfer was a great move; he gives them pace and width and it’s hard to say a free transfer is bad, even at the worst of times! Lukoki and Boerrigter are threats from wide positions too so even the continued absence of hitman Sigthorsson shouldn’t be a big problem today.
Visitors Twente are good at grinding out the results but they’re not playing good football; far from it, in fact. They seem to have lost confidence in their own ability to play football and although that won’t matter much in most Eredivisie games, it should matter at venues like this. Twente know how hard Amsterdam is to play at; they’ve lost three out of their last four visits here. If they are to get a favourable result today, they’ll have to do it without the influential Fer, who is still injured. Twente without Fer lack leadership and consistency. Target man Bulykin misses out too so only young Castaignos looks fit to lead the line and even he isn’t the same forward now as he was at Feyenoord, although there’s plenty of time for that to change. Chadli and Tadic will provide the majority of Twente’s threats and Ajax’s defence will most likely let them, too. However, Twente are not scoring enough goals to get a result against sides like Ajax right now, in my view. Twente were crap against Heerenveen and against VVV and even against amateur side RVVH lately, winning all three games 1-0. I won’t criticise a side for winning games but I will take into account where their weaknesses are just in case that opportunity arises to oppose them and I believe that’s the case today. Twente may be solid at the back but they’re facing a side with a tremendous pass-and-move game; I don’t see them being able to cope with Ajax here.
For me, the home win at 4/5 has to be a good value bet today.
Verdict: AFC Ajax Amsterdam to win at 4/5.
Additional games
Lierse SK vs Zulte-Waregem – away win with draw no bet at evens.
Lierse may be perfecting the art of not getting beat but boy are they becoming a bore to watch! Janssens’ team has no ambition, no drive, and no adventure right now. I can sort of understand their approach as Hazurov is their best forward, who isn’t especially good, even by Bulgarian standards. This defensive football is madness, though. You need to take your chances and hold leads to win games playing this way but Lierse have had the lead just twice this season and have let it slip both times. I’ll give them credit for fighting hard against the likes of Anderlecht and managing to turn zero points into one point but the fact is that their playing style makes them very vulnerable, in my view. We’re getting to the stage now where if they concede the first goal, you’re almost guaranteed that they won’t win the game.
To me, the question here is whether Zulte-Waregem will score the first goal or not and having watched how well they play under hero Dury, I have no fears about their ability to take the lead in this game. Zulte-Waregem are far from the best away side in Belgium but they’re playing under a manager that always gets the best out of his players. You will never see a Zulte-Waregem side play with the belief that they have now under Dury if a different manager was at the helm. I can’t explain it, really – some managers were simply born to coach certain clubs and Dury’s club is Zulte-Waregem. Habibou is looking better now his old manager is back (although Leye is still ahead of him when possible) and Naessens has looked very good too. Berrier is still the heartbeat of the team, of course, but what I am trying to say is that Zulte-Waregem look a very good side under Dury and they play with tremendous belief because of him. The only games that they’ve lost this season have been against sides that have scored lots of goals against them. Lierse simply don’t have that capability, in my eyes.
Therefore, taking the away win with draw no bet cover looks a great bet at evens.
Verdict: Zulte-Waregem to win with draw no bet at evens.
Inter Zapresic vs Slaven Koprivnica – home win with draw no bet at evens.
Are Inter Zapresic better than Slaven Koprivnica? Nope. Not a chance in hell!
However, Inter will never have a better chance to beat Slaven than they have today. Slaven’s counter-attacking game is not working right now because they’re shipping too many goals by sitting back in the first place and they’re not scoring enough of the chances that they create, something that will not be aided by the potential absence of star striker Vugrinec today. The whole spine of Slaven’s team is in doubt today, though, because of the sheer numbers of regular players that are not available. Their best midfielder Rak is out, as is his fellow midfielder Delic, both of which cause big problems for Slaven as it is. However, the news that three of their back four miss out today throws their whole tactical approach into question as there’s no way they can keep a clean sheet with Maras, Kokalovic, and Puric all missing! Slaven do still have good players and they won’t lie down and die here but I’ll be staggered if they manage to win this one with five, possibly even six regular players missing out. Inter Zapresic are good at home if nothing else and they won their last Prva Liga game 1-5 at Zadar. At home this season, they’ve held a good Hajduk Split side to a 1-1 draw and have beaten high-flying Rijeka so they are a capable side. One thing Inter are notorious for in Croatia is presenting a united front, though. If they do that here, they really should be able to beat a very average-looking Slaven side.
For me, the value has to be on the home win with draw no bet cover.
Verdict: Inter Zapresic to win with draw no bet at evens.
AC Horsens vs FC Copenhagen – away win at 9/10.
I think these odds are based more on how the odds should have been for the game last season because if they were based on this season then FC Copenhagen would be around 3/4 or possibly even 4/6 to win this game, in my opinion.
AC Horsens were a good side last season. They had two very good forwards and they’d score goals because of it, not to mention playing with plenty of belief. However, their lethal strike duo has been split in two with Brazilian forward Macena having left for Shandong Luneng last season. The majority of their other cornerstones remained so I’m surprised to see Horsens as vulnerable as they are right now. As good as Macena unquestionably was, I really didn’t think they’d struggle without him so much. Horsens are hardly a bad side now but they’re not playing like a good side, if that makes sense! They’ll give as good as they get if they’re underestimated but they’re shipping so many goals and are lacking a cutting edge in front of goal, irrespective of what the statistics show.
I think a rejuvenated Copenhagen side can really take advantage of Horsens today, in a nutshell. They’re coping perfectly well without their departed players and they look good again, you know? All the great Copenhagen sides had belief and that winning mentality that led to them winning games even when they didn’t play well. Well, this Copenhagen side has rediscovered that swagger under Jacobs and to be blunt, they look unstoppable at the moment. I’ve not seen Nicolai Jorgensen play as well as this for some years and with Cesar Santin orchestrating attacks up front and young hotshot Cornelius displaying composure that is far beyond his years, you have a trio of players that simply cannot be stopped in the Superligaen. These three are so good that even Abdellaoue can’t get in the squad and he’s a good forward! There’s plenty of experience in midfield and leadership throughout the squad although I would question their defence as it leaks goals under sustained pressure. Still, this Copenhagen side looks very good, especially with young Cornelius doing far more than anyone expected of him.
For me, the value has to be on the away win at 9/10, especially with Horsens still yet to win a home game this season in five attempts.
Verdict: FC Copenhagen to win at 9/10.
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur – home win with -1 Asian Handicap at evens.
Yeah, you guys know I am a United fan but I won’t blindly back my team; I’ll do it when I think they’ll win and this one that I think we’ll manage today.
It has been pointed out that United’s defence is not as strong as it was, which is true. I think it’s receiving a lot more attention than usual, however, due to absentees rather than complacency or a lack of quality. Vidic’s new injury means that United do miss that dominant central defender in the air but then again, will that really be a big problem against Spurs? Against Stoke, Newcastle etc. – yes, it’s a big problem. Spurs won’t be using a big target man today, though – Adebayor is out, according to reports. That means Defoe will play and as good (and in-form) as Defoe is, he’s the type of striker that United shouldn’t have many problems against because he only has one way to goal.
The players that caused United the most problems over the past year or so were Modric and van der Vaart, especially the former. Both have moved on, though, which helps United massively. Bale is still a threat but I have mixed feelings about his threat. I don’t doubt his quality but people forget that he still has a lot to learn. I’ve watched Rafael have him in his pocket on more than one occasion but you just can’t write off someone of that quality, I guess. Sigurdsson’s a very capable midfielder and Lennon is always dangerous. For me, this Spurs side is lacking something, though. Villas-Boas knows it, too – he needs a dominant central midfielder that he just doesn’t have right now. That’s the one area that it’s best to attack United in, too – that’s where we lack mobility. Why do you think Barcelona have so much joy against United? Because that’s where they excel with their passing, movement, and pace. Spurs aren’t Barcelona but when Redknapp was in charge, he’d play through the middle and we’d struggle to contain them. Villas-Boas, though – I don’t think he’ll do that.
United are not impressive at the moment but hey, we’re scoring goals. That’s what we do best; we win without playing well. The fact is that we have an awful lot of attacking options and most sides don’t know what to prepare for when visiting Old Trafford because of it. Spurs usually make us work hard until the first goal but tend to capitulate beyond that. In the past, Spurs used to have this horrible habit of scoring the first goal and then conceding at least three as the game went on. They’ve not managed that for a while for varying reasons and if they don’t get that first goal then United really should sew this one up, one way or another.
I’m fed up with people jumping on Nani, to be honest. He’s not having a great time, it’s true, but only morons jump on him because they know he plays on confidence and him not having it + them tuting or booing him does not help! I’m in a minority that believes Nani is a our best player when it comes to winning games because he makes things happen that nobody else does. Rooney is a goalscorer, van Persie is a goalscorer etc. and they always reap the plaudits. Not many praise the ones who make it happen, though, and I’d love to show you the statistics of how many goals Nani has scored and made over the past few seasons because I think a lot of you would be surprised at how much he does for United. Trust me – not everything is seen on Match of the Day, gents!! It’s interesting to see that people aren’t jumping on Valencia, incidentally – he’s not played well since last season but I don’t see anyone crying about that.
Anyway, I digress. United have some defensive problems but they’re problems that will be more glaringly obvious against other opponents, in my view. United have more than enough firepower and creativity in their side to trouble a Spurs side that may be riding a bit of a wave at the moment but could and should have been felled earlier in this run, had the sides that they’d faced taken their chances better. Spurs have a lot to learn under Villas-Boas and I think United will demonstrate that today. United have an absolutely amazing record against Spurs and I think it’ll continue in this one today.
Verdict: Manchester United to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at evens.
Paksi SE vs Fehervar – away win at 5/6.
So – what do we know about Paksi SE, ladies and gentlemen? Well, we know that they’re a good attacking side. This side can and will score goals if allowed to. Take them on in an open game of football and you’ll concede a lot of goals because that’s how they love to play. Paksi SE are a very inspired and inspiring bunch of home-grown players, the only side in the Soproni Liga to be entirely composed of Hungarian players. This gives them a sense of pride and they use that to aid their cohesion. They made some smart signings pre-season in Simon, Bori, Tokoli, and Kulcsar. Indeed, when they get used to their new boss, the wily Sivic, they’ll undoubtedly cause problems for most of their opponents this season. They’re not there yet, though – they’ve still not entirely got over the sales of Montvai, Magasfoldi, Hrepka, Szatmari, and especially the star of last season – Bode. Paksi SE have great cohesion and they’re working hard to bring their new players into the squad properly but it naturally takes time. Subsequently, Paksi SE struggle more than ever against well-organised sides, hence defeats against Eger and Disogyori VTK, two solid sides.
Well, guess what? They don’t make sides more solid and reliable than Paulo Sousa’s Fehervar in this division, I can assure you. Patient is not even the word; they just know that they’ll score at some point and they know that they’ll hold it too. They rarely lose their heads; they’re the epitome of composure and unlike most sides in Hungary, Fehervar have the ability to rotate their squad and maintain their quality level. Lumbering target man Torghelle is absent today but that’s only a problem if it’s 0-0 in the 70th minute as he gives Fehervar a long ball option or a set piece threat. Nikolic and Gyursco will do the majority of the damage against a cohesive but fairly weak Paksi SE defence today. There’s plenty of good passers of the ball in this side and they’re very good at keeping other sides out. Unless Paksi SE get right under their skin then Fehervar should do what they always do by controlling the game and winning it in narrow fashion.
Either way, I can only see value on the away win at 5/6.
Verdict: Fehervar to win at 5/6.
Gaz Metan Medias vs Universitatea Cluj – home win at 9/10.
Call this one a hunch, if you wish; I don’t mind. It’s an inspired one, though, if that makes any difference!
Basically, Gaz Metan are always strong at home in Romania, even against the big sides. They’ve looked a bit poor in front of goal this season with only Astafei finding the net with any kind of consistency for them. However, they did something lately that both surprised me and impressed me; they re-signed Eric da Oliveira. Now, he left the club a season or so ago in bad blood because he wanted to leave or have higher wages and Gaz Metan refused him both. He sulked, went AWOL to Brazil, refused to play etc. and eventually moved on. However, he’s back in town now and as unruly as he’s capable of being, the fact is that he’s one of the best players in Romania when he’s playing well. He makes goals, he scores goals, he takes a lethal set piece, and he inspires his team. He played for Gaz Metan in the Cup earlier this week and they won 2-1. He may not be at full fitness here but his presence in this team makes them a much stronger attacking side. Gaz Metan are still better than Universitatea Cluj without him but with him, they really should win the game. Their opponents lack firepower and even composure at the back so Gaz Metan have the perfect game on which to re-launch Eric’s career. They need to do it, too – they’ve got Dinamo Bucharest and Vaslui coming up in the near future and they’ll get nothing from either game without momentum. The fact is that if Gaz Metan approach this game properly then it’ll be them who decides the outcome of the game and if Eric is playing then they’re going to have enough to win it. With that in mind, taking the better of these two sides to win this game at 9/10 appeals to me a lot.
Verdict: Gaz Metan Medias to win at 9/10.
Vojvodina Novi Sad vs Partizan Belgrade – away win at 11/10.
Does anyone really know what’s going on in Novi Sad? They’ve certainly embraced the mafia lifestyle with their recent changes so it’s hard to know whether their lacklustre display against their “friends” Donji Srem was what we can expect again here or not. However, what I do know is that Partizan are the better side here, both on paper and in the flesh. Former Partizan attacker Moreira is doubtful to face his old club today and Vojvodina need players like him to provide the spark that is required in order for them to get results off the big sides in Serbia. His absence would be noticed today, especially with Poletanovic out too. They’re a slow and predictable side, Vojvodina – a pacey and closing-down game damages them more than can be said. Partizan have the facility to play that way and they’re fresh enough to do it too, having rested all their team for their Cup game mid-week, which their youngsters won in style. Partizan have the match-winners and the composure to do the damage here and as long as they score the first goal, taking them to win at 11/10 looks very appealing indeed.
Verdict: Partizan Belgrade to win at 11/10.
Sevilla CF vs Barcelona – under 3 goals at 4/5.
Risk? You know nothing about risk until you take a Barcelona game to go under!!
Still, I do like this one an awful lot. Sevilla have become horrible to play against yet again and credit must go to Michel for it. They’ve got rid of the egos and lazy players and are now packed to the brim with enthusiastic, hard-working, and motivated players. That’s very important here as complacency and laziness were the reasons that Sevilla were so poor over the last couple of years. I’ve seldom seen them as defensively secure as they have been this season; they’ve really impressed me. I think Barcelona will struggle here, although most likely not to the degree that Real Madrid did. This Sevilla side has a lot of confidence at the moment and it’ll take a braver man than me to oppose them here, irrespective of how good Barcelona are.
The one side who has totally bamboozled Barcelona this season and possibly over the past few years has been Valencia. That’s not a statement I make in relation to anything that Valencia have shown in the past but purely based on what they did to Barcelona at Nou Camp earlier this season. Valencia have suddenly become defensively smart under Pellegrino, at least in the big games. They did the same shit to Real Madrid and it worked in both games. They defend as one, close down when necessary, and let them cross into the box because Valencia have bigger centre-backs than both Barcelona and Real Madrid have in their attackers. Now, Real Madrid drew 1-1 with Valencia at home and Barcelona won 1-0 thanks to a wonder-strike but nothing more than that as Valencia did their job perfectly against Barcelona.
Now, I am not saying that it’s easy to do that and I’m not saying that Sevilla are Valencia but they play a similar way right now. Would you believe me if I said that the Spanish game was becoming more influenced by the English game? It’s a curious thought, isn’t it? Sevilla are doing what Valencia are doing and as long as they work hard then Barcelona will struggle here, with or without Messi. He’s an amazing player and if they win in Andaluscia then it’ll be him they owe thanks to, I am quite sure. Xavi is timelessly brilliant but his legs are beginning to desert him nowadays. Villa is a dynamic finisher but he needs service and with two banks of four around him, I think he’ll find it hard here. Barcelona will sorely miss Iniesta here as his passing and movement would be instrumental for them. I don’t see them having much joy against Sevilla without him, though. Barcelona actually miss almost all of their defence tonight so the braver amongst you may even take Sevilla to beat Barcelona. Me? I’m not that taken with Sevilla’s ability to put the ball in the net but I am impressed with how they’re frustrating their opponents. I think Barcelona will monopolise possession but with little end product as long as Sevilla play as they have done all season long.
As crazy as it may sound, I do fancy the cheeky bet of taking under 3 goals at 4/5.
Verdict: Under 3 goals at 4/5.
Team news
Argentinian Primera Division:
San Lorenzo de Almagro – Romagnoli and Voboril are absent.
All Boys – No absentees.
Atletico Lanus – Regueiro is absent.
Godoy Cruz de Mendoza – Olmedo is a doubt.
Estudiantes De La Plata – Brana and Zapata are absent. M.Gonzalez is a doubt.
Atletico Rafaela – Fraire and Gandin are absent. Juarez is a doubt.
Argentinos Juniors – Garce and J.Fernandez are absent. N.Fernandez and Capurro are doubts.
Brazilian Serie A:
Cruzeiro – Tinga, Lucas Silva, Alex Silva, Willian Magrao, Wellington Paulista, Wallyson, Sandro Silva, Charles, and Fabinho are absent. Everton and Leandro Guerreiro return.
Internacional – Dagoberto, Rafael Moura, and Juan are absent.
Nautico – Kim, Marlon, Ramirez, and Alemao are absent. Jose and Araujo return.
Atletico Goianiense – Bida, Joilson, Rafael Cruz, Leonardo, Felipe Brisola, and Adrian Pimenta are absent. Gustavo, Marinho, Diego Giaretta, and Danilinho return.
Portuguesa – Gustavo, Leandro Silva, and Heverton are absent.
Atletico Mineiro – Rever and Richarlyson are absent. Bernard returns.
Vasco da Gama – Jorge, Renato Silva, Auremir, and William Matheus are absent. Carlos Alberto, Ninon, and Douglas return.
Figueirense – Joao Paulo, Almir, Fernandes, Heber, and Ricardo are absent. Abreu returns.
Palmeiras – Luan, Correa, Fernandinho, Joao Vitor, and Wesley are absent. Obina and Artur return.
Ponte Preta – Gustavo and Wescley are absent. Giancarlo is a big doubt. Cicinho returns.
Bulgarian A PFG:
Lokomotiv Plovdiv – Stankov is absent.
Ludogorets – M.Ivanov is absent.
Pirin Gotse Delchev – No absentees.
Botev Plovdiv – Karaslavov is absent.
Lokomotiv Sofia – Telkiyski, Bornosuzov, G.Hristov, Velev, and D.Iliev are doubts. Neutral venue.
Levski Sofia – Starokin, Vesalov, and Opuku are absent. Pinto returns.
Litex Lovech – G.Ivanov returns.
Slavia Sofia – Popara, C.Yankov, Lopez, and Gaal are absent.
Croatian Prva Liga:
Cibalia Vinkovci – Mazalovic, Matkovic, and Jonjic are absent. Line-up named – Paradzikovic, Muzenjak, Zuparic, Mitrovic, Rugasevic, Culic, Vitaic, Terzic, Bartolovic, and Misic.
Dinamo Zagreb – Tomacek is absent. Ibanez is a doubt.
Hajduk Split – Andrjiasevic, Maglica, Jozinovic, and Ozobic are absent.
Inter Zapresic – No news.
Istra 1961 – Linic and Pamic are absent.
NK Zagreb – Pelaic and Dedic are absent. Line-up named – Livakovic, Jurendic, Pavlovic, Nadarevic, Stiglec, Orsulic, Strok, Sovsic, Mitrovic, Abdulrahmi, and Medic.
Osijek – Sorsa, Jugovic, Pusic, and Petrovic are absent.
Rijeka – Mierzejewski is absent.
Slaven Koprivnica – Rak, Puric, Delic, Maras, Kokalovic are absent.
Zadar – Boss Zebic has left.
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Banik Ostrava – Sverkos and Vomacka are absent.
Mlada Boleslav – Kysela, Smejkal, Zahustel, Rolko, and Chramosta are absent. Ondrejka is a doubt.
Ceske Budejovice – Lengyel is a doubt.
Teplice – Ljevakovic is absent.
Slavia Prague – Dobrotka is absent. Vosahlik is a doubt.
Sparta Prague – Vidlicka is a doubt.
Estonian Meistriliiga:
Tammeka – Sinilaid is absent. Pato may debutise.
Viljandi – No absentees.
Nomme Kalju – No absentees.
Flora Paide – No absentees.
Trans Narva – No news.
Tallinna Kalev – No news.
Sillamae Kalev – Volodin is absent.
Kuressaare – No news.
Flora Tallinn – Luts is absent. Boss Reim has said he’ll leave at the end of the season. Financial problems.
Levadia Tallinn – No absentees.
French Ligue 1:
Paris Saint-Germain – Menez, Lavezzi, Bodmer, Chantome, Thiago Motta, Lugano, and Tiene are absent. Luyindula may debutise.
Sochaux – Privat, Dias, Carlao, Lopy, Mikari, and Daf are absent. Cros and Nogueira return.
AC Ajaccio – Mutu returns.
Stade Brestois – Ferradj, Guidileye, Alphonse, Brou Apanga, Dernis, Mendy, Martial are absent. Coulibaly and Benschop return.
Evian Thonon Gaillard – M’Barki, Govou, Tie Bi, Bugnet, and M’Madi are absent.
Lorient – Bourillon, Jouffre, Traore, Coutadeur, and Ecuele Manga are absent.
AS Nancy-Lorraine – Rachid, Efoulou, and Helder are absent. Haidara returns.
Montpellier HSC – Bedimo and Utaka are absent.
OGC Nice – M’Bow, Hennion, and Fofana are absent.
Bastia – Marque, Cioni, El-Azzouzi, Moizini, and Ilan are absent.
Troyes – Bahebeck, Drouin, Psaume, Enza-Yamissi, and Bettiol are absent.
Toulouse – Zebina is absent.
Hungarian Soproni Liga:
Szombathelyi Haladas – Kulcsar, Toth, and Rado are absent.
Debreceni VSC – Mate and Novakovic are absent.
Paksi SE – Kulcsar is a doubt.
Fehervar – Torghelle is absent.
Kecskemeti TE – Ramos is absent. Horvath’s first game in charge.
Budapest Honved – No absentees.
Kaposvari Rakoczi – No news.
Eger – No news.
Israeli Ligat Ha’al:
Hapoel Tel-Aviv – Gordana and Abutbul are absent. Shirazi has resigned on medical grounds. First game in charge for Abuksis.
Bnei Sakhnin – Abu-Salah is absent.
MS Ashdod – Peti is a doubt. Sirostein may debutise.
Maccabi Netanya – No absentees.
Hapoel Haifa – Berkovic is absent. Klinger needs a win or he’ll be fired.
Ironi Kiryat Shmona – Tasevski and Tsedek are absent. Gerzicich returns.
Hapoel Acre – No absentees.
Maccabi Haifa – Davidovic is absent. Cocalic returns.
Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv – Galvan may be benched due to his attitude.
Ironi Ramat Hasharon – Yitzhak returns.
Hapoel Ramat Gan – Perl may debutise.
Beitar Jerusalem – Fernandes returns.
Italian Serie A:
Parma – Valdes and Palladino are absent. Santacroce and Belfodil are doubts.
AC Milan – Strasser, Pato, Didac Vila, Muntari, and Flamini are absent. Carmona is a doubt.
Juventus – Pepe and Padoin are absent. Bonucci is a big doubt.
AS Roma – Lobont, Pjanic, and Dodo are absent. Destro is a doubt.
Lithuanian A Lyga:
Kruoja Pakruojis – Skroblas and Pocevicius are absent.
Dainava – No news.
Polish Ekstraklasa:
GKS Belchatow – Gonzalez is absent. Baran is a doubt. Kieres has been fired. Zlomanczuk is the interim boss.
Korona Kielce – Golanski, Kuzera, and Vukovic are absent.
Pogon Szczecin – Bonin, Lawa, and Traore are absent.
Jagiellonia Bialystok – Smolarek, Bandrowski, Porebski, Zahorski, and Frankowski are absent.
Zaglebie Lubin – Banas is a doubt.
Legia Warsaw – Wolski and Vrdoljak are absent.
Polish Liga 1:
Flota Swinoujscie – No news.
Dolcan Zabki – No news.
Miedz Legnica – Wolczek, Ptak, and Luszkiewicz are absent.
Brzesko – No absentees.
Polonia Bytom – No news.
Stomil Olsztyn – Lukasik, Glowacki, Filipek, Niewulis, and Michalowski are absent.
Sandecja Nowy Sacz – Wisniewski, Szymura, and Kosiorowski are absent. Aleksander is a doubt.
Katowice – Kruczek has left.
Zawisza Bydgoszcz – No news.
Warta Poznan – Bartczak is absent.
Portuguse Liga Sagres:
Sporting Clube de Lisboa – Pereirinha, Boulahrouz, Carrico, Pranjic, and Labyad are absent.
Estoril – Hugo Leal, Gomes, and Diguinho are absent.
Rio Ave – Dias, Rodriguez, and Pateiro are absent. Jefferson returns.
Porto – Abdoulaye, Iturbe, Kelvin, and Rafael are absent. Otamendi, Lucho Gonzalez, and Fernando return.
Romanian Liga:
CFR Cluj – Nicoara, Ronny, Sare, Deac, Vass, and Martinez are absent.
Gaz Metan Medias – Alex Muntean, Vitinho, and Llullaku are absent.
Vaslui – Zmeu, Annang, Balaur, and Temwanjera are absent. New boss – Hizo.
Universitatea Cluj – No absentees.
Gloria Bistrita – No absentees.
Concordia Chiajna – Rocha and Cretu are absent.
Scottish Premier League:
Aberdeen – Fallon and Naysmith are absent. Hayes and Fraser are doubts.
Hibernian – No absentees.
Dundee – McBridge, McCluskey, O’Donnell, Grassi, Finnigan, and Stewart are absent.
St.Johnstone – Vine, C.Davidson, and Adams are absent.
Hearts – Prychynenko is absent.
Kilmarnock – Perez, Heffernan, Tesselaar, Bell, and Hay are absent.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle – King, Hogg, Tudur-Jones, Ross, and Sutherland are absent.
Dundee United – Mackay-Steven is absent.
Motherwell – Saunders is absent.
Celtic – Lassad is absent.
St.Mirren – McGregor and Adam are absent.
Ross County – Corcoran and Cooper are absent.
Spanish Primera Liga:
Athletic Club de Bilbao – Gorka, de Marcos, Perez, and Herrera are absent.
Barcelona – Adriano, Pique, Puyol, Iniesta, Abidal, Muniesa, and Cuenca are absent.
Real Betis Balompie – Paulao is absent.
Malaga – Toulalan, Buonanotte, and Baptista are absent.
Real Sociedad – Ifran, Bravo, Angel, Pardo, and Elustondo are absent.
Valencia CF – Costa, Albelda, Piatti, Banega, and Canales are absent.
Real Zaragoza – Pinter, Obradovic, and Loovens are absent.
Sevilla CF – No news.