On Saturday, Rangers host Celtic in the 290th league installment of the all-Glasgow clash ‘The Old Firm’. The two sides are first (Celtic) and second (Rangers) in the Scottish table and will likely decide the title as they have divided it amongst themselves in every season since 1985/1986.
Rangers have won a world record 51 domestic league top flight titles.
Among European clubs, Celtic are ranked in the top three, having won 42 Scottish league crowns. Mc Donald goal seemed to define another Championship...
The last side to snatch the Scottish title other than Rangers or Celtic were Aberdeen in 1984/1985.
European clubs with most domestic league top flight championship titles
# Club Nation
51 Rangers Scotland
48 Linfield Northern Ireland
42 Celtic Scotland
36 Olympiacos Greece
33 Rapid Wien Austria/Germany
31 CSKA Sofia Bulgaria
31 Sparta Praha Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic
31 Benfica Portugal
31 Real Madrid Spain
29 Anderlecht Belgium
29 Ajax Netherlands
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Happy Liverpool at Christmas
Liverpool are the 2008/2009 FA Premiership table leaders at Christmas time, making them the frontrunners on December 25th for the 16th time in league history, equalling Manchester United’s English top flight record.
The Reds are the leaders at Christmas for the first time since 1996/1997, according to Infostrada. From the previous 15 times they led the way on 25 December, they have gone on to win the league title on 10 occasions. The last time they accomplished that feat was in 1987/1988.
Most often leading English top flight at Christmas
# Club
16 Liverpool
16 Manchester United
12 Arsenal
9 Everton
5 Aston Villa
4 Blackburn Rovers
4 Burnley
4 Newcastle United
4 West Bromwich Albion
4 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Seasons in which Liverpool led English top flight table at Christmas
Season P W D L Pts GF GA Final rank
2008/2009 18 11 6 1 39 27 12 TBD
1996/1997 19 11 5 3 38 36 18 4th
1990/1991 17 14 2 1 44 37 14 2nd
1987/1988 19 14 5 0 47 44 11 1st
1983/1984 18 11 4 3 37 31 13 1st
1982/1983 19 12 4 3 40 45 17 1st
1980/1981 23 11 10 2 32 46 27 5th
1979/1980 20 12 6 2 30 45 14 1st
1978/1979 20 14 3 3 31 44 9 1st
1972/1973 23 14 6 3 34 45 26 1st
1968/1969 25 17 4 4 38 44 14 2nd
1965/1966 22 14 4 4 32 48 20 1st
1949/1950 22 11 9 2 31 40 23 8th
1922/1923 21 15 1 5 31 46 21 1st
1921/1922 20 9 9 2 27 29 18 1st
1905/1906 19 12 2 5 26 44 29 1st
The Reds are the leaders at Christmas for the first time since 1996/1997, according to Infostrada. From the previous 15 times they led the way on 25 December, they have gone on to win the league title on 10 occasions. The last time they accomplished that feat was in 1987/1988.
Most often leading English top flight at Christmas
# Club
16 Liverpool
16 Manchester United
12 Arsenal
9 Everton
5 Aston Villa
4 Blackburn Rovers
4 Burnley
4 Newcastle United
4 West Bromwich Albion
4 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Seasons in which Liverpool led English top flight table at Christmas
Season P W D L Pts GF GA Final rank
2008/2009 18 11 6 1 39 27 12 TBD
1996/1997 19 11 5 3 38 36 18 4th
1990/1991 17 14 2 1 44 37 14 2nd
1987/1988 19 14 5 0 47 44 11 1st
1983/1984 18 11 4 3 37 31 13 1st
1982/1983 19 12 4 3 40 45 17 1st
1980/1981 23 11 10 2 32 46 27 5th
1979/1980 20 12 6 2 30 45 14 1st
1978/1979 20 14 3 3 31 44 9 1st
1972/1973 23 14 6 3 34 45 26 1st
1968/1969 25 17 4 4 38 44 14 2nd
1965/1966 22 14 4 4 32 48 20 1st
1949/1950 22 11 9 2 31 40 23 8th
1922/1923 21 15 1 5 31 46 21 1st
1921/1922 20 9 9 2 27 29 18 1st
1905/1906 19 12 2 5 26 44 29 1st
Friday, December 19, 2008
UEFA Champions League schedule: Round of 16
First knockout round, to be played 24th, 25th February and 10th, 11th March
Team named first at home in first leg
Chelsea FC (ENG) v Juventus (ITA)
Villarreal CF (ESP) v Panathinaikos FC (GRE)
Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR) v FC Bayern München (GER)
Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP) v FC Porto (POR)
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) v FC Barcelona (ESP)
Real Madrid CF (ESP) v Liverpool FC (ENG)
Arsenal FC (ENG) v AS Roma (ITA)
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v Manchester United FC (ENG)
Team named first at home in first leg
Chelsea FC (ENG) v Juventus (ITA)
Villarreal CF (ESP) v Panathinaikos FC (GRE)
Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR) v FC Bayern München (GER)
Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP) v FC Porto (POR)
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) v FC Barcelona (ESP)
Real Madrid CF (ESP) v Liverpool FC (ENG)
Arsenal FC (ENG) v AS Roma (ITA)
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v Manchester United FC (ENG)
Arsenal – Liverpool preview: the match of the week
Arsenal welcome Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool team to the Emirates on Sunday, in the knowledge that they have the best record in Premier League matches between the Big Four sides over the last three seasons.
According to Infostrada, since the start of 2006/2007 season, Arsenal have picked up 23 points from 14 Premier League matches against the other Big Four sides – one more point than Manchester United.
This season, Arsenal and Liverpool have both won their league matches against Manchester United and Chelsea, and are thus unbeaten in Big Four clashes in the 2008/2009 season.
Premier League record in matches between the Big Four clubs since the start of 2006/2007
Club P W D L GF GA Pts
Arsenal 14 6 5 3 20 17 23
Manchester United 15 6 4 5 19 14 22
Liverpool 14 4 4 6 12 16 16
Chelsea 15 3 7 5 11 15 16
Arsenal vs Liverpool in Premier League since 2006/2007
Season Date Match Result
2007/2008 05 Apr 2008 Arsenal - Liverpool 1-1
2007/2008 28 Oct 2007 Liverpool - Arsenal 1-1
2006/2007 31 Mar 2007 Liverpool - Arsenal 4-1
2006/2007 12 Nov 2006 Arsenal - Liverpool 3-0
According to Infostrada, since the start of 2006/2007 season, Arsenal have picked up 23 points from 14 Premier League matches against the other Big Four sides – one more point than Manchester United.
This season, Arsenal and Liverpool have both won their league matches against Manchester United and Chelsea, and are thus unbeaten in Big Four clashes in the 2008/2009 season.
Premier League record in matches between the Big Four clubs since the start of 2006/2007
Club P W D L GF GA Pts
Arsenal 14 6 5 3 20 17 23
Manchester United 15 6 4 5 19 14 22
Liverpool 14 4 4 6 12 16 16
Chelsea 15 3 7 5 11 15 16
Arsenal vs Liverpool in Premier League since 2006/2007
Season Date Match Result
2007/2008 05 Apr 2008 Arsenal - Liverpool 1-1
2007/2008 28 Oct 2007 Liverpool - Arsenal 1-1
2006/2007 31 Mar 2007 Liverpool - Arsenal 4-1
2006/2007 12 Nov 2006 Arsenal - Liverpool 3-0
Thursday, December 18, 2008
FC Barcelona can equal a Spanish top flight record if they beat Villarreal CF
If they beat Villarreal CF on Sunday, 21 December, FC Barcelona can equal a Spanish top flight record.
Barcelona are on a streak of six consecutive away wins in La Liga. The record of seven away wins in a row was set by Real Madrid in the 1960/1961 season and later equalled by Real Madrid (1991) and Villarreal CF (2007). This is Barça’s fourth streak of six away wins in La Liga.
Most consecutive away wins in La Liga
# Club Last match before streak Match that ended streak
7 Real Madrid RCD Mallorca - Real Madrid (20 Nov 1960) 1-1 Real Oviedo - Real Madrid (19 Mar 1961) 0-0
7 Real Madrid Osasuna - Real Madrid (19 May 1991) 3-3 Real Zaragoza CD - Real Madrid (15 Dec 1991) 1-1
7 Villarreal CF Getafe CF - Villarreal CF (15 Apr 2007) 3-0 Osasuna - Villarreal CF (07 Oct 2007) 3-2
6 FC Barcelona Numancia - FC Barcelona (31 Aug 2008) 1-0 Still running
6 FC Barcelona Real Madrid - FC Barcelona (25 Feb 1984) 2-1 CR Murcia - FC Barcelona (12 Oct 1984) 1-1
6 Real Madrid FC Barcelona - Real Madrid (23 May 1987) 2-1 Athletic Bilbao - Real Madrid (31 Oct 1987) 0-0
6 FC Barcelona Racing Santander - FC Barcelona (04 Jan 2004) 3-0 Real Betis - FC Barcelona (14 Apr 2004) 1-1
6 FC Barcelona Deportivo La Coruña - FC Barcelona (15 Oct 2005) 3-3 Valencia CF - FC Barcelona (12 Feb 2006) 1-0
Current away winning streak FC Barcelona
Date Match Result
29 Nov 2008 Sevilla FC – FC Barcelona 0-3
16 Nov 2008 Recreativo Huelva – FC Barcelona 0-2
01 Nov 2008 Málaga CF – FC Barcelona 1-4
19 Oct 2008 Athletic Bilbao – FC Barcelona 0-1
27 Sep 2008 RCD Espanyol – FC Barcelona 1-2
21 Sep 2008 Sporting Gijón – FC Barcelona 1-6
Barcelona are on a streak of six consecutive away wins in La Liga. The record of seven away wins in a row was set by Real Madrid in the 1960/1961 season and later equalled by Real Madrid (1991) and Villarreal CF (2007). This is Barça’s fourth streak of six away wins in La Liga.
Most consecutive away wins in La Liga
# Club Last match before streak Match that ended streak
7 Real Madrid RCD Mallorca - Real Madrid (20 Nov 1960) 1-1 Real Oviedo - Real Madrid (19 Mar 1961) 0-0
7 Real Madrid Osasuna - Real Madrid (19 May 1991) 3-3 Real Zaragoza CD - Real Madrid (15 Dec 1991) 1-1
7 Villarreal CF Getafe CF - Villarreal CF (15 Apr 2007) 3-0 Osasuna - Villarreal CF (07 Oct 2007) 3-2
6 FC Barcelona Numancia - FC Barcelona (31 Aug 2008) 1-0 Still running
6 FC Barcelona Real Madrid - FC Barcelona (25 Feb 1984) 2-1 CR Murcia - FC Barcelona (12 Oct 1984) 1-1
6 Real Madrid FC Barcelona - Real Madrid (23 May 1987) 2-1 Athletic Bilbao - Real Madrid (31 Oct 1987) 0-0
6 FC Barcelona Racing Santander - FC Barcelona (04 Jan 2004) 3-0 Real Betis - FC Barcelona (14 Apr 2004) 1-1
6 FC Barcelona Deportivo La Coruña - FC Barcelona (15 Oct 2005) 3-3 Valencia CF - FC Barcelona (12 Feb 2006) 1-0
Current away winning streak FC Barcelona
Date Match Result
29 Nov 2008 Sevilla FC – FC Barcelona 0-3
16 Nov 2008 Recreativo Huelva – FC Barcelona 0-2
01 Nov 2008 Málaga CF – FC Barcelona 1-4
19 Oct 2008 Athletic Bilbao – FC Barcelona 0-1
27 Sep 2008 RCD Espanyol – FC Barcelona 1-2
21 Sep 2008 Sporting Gijón – FC Barcelona 1-6
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Barcelona 2 - Real Madrid 0: goals and highlights
Video of El Clásico: Samuel Etoo and Lionel Messi scores against Real Madrid and Barca maintain top position.
Barcelona – Real Madrid: the match of the week
On Saturday, FC Barcelona host Real Madrid in the 157th edition of ‘El Clásico’. La Liga leaders Barça have a nine point advantage over Real Madrid after 14 matchdays.
If all points are recalculated to three points for a win, the biggest gap (13 points) in favour of Barcelona after 15 matchdays was in the 1929/1930 season.
Barcelona can hand Real Madrid their third consecutive defeat in La Liga.
According to Infostrada, the last time Real lost three league matches in a row was when they set a club record of five straight defeats between April and May 2004.
Biggest gap between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid after 15 matchdays
# Season Points Barça Points Real
13 1929/1930 31 18
11 1990/1991 38 27
9 2004/2005 38 29
8 1947/1948 24 16
7 1973/1974 28 21
7 1984/1985 35 28
7 1995/1996 32 25
Note: all points recalculated to three points for a win
If all points are recalculated to three points for a win, the biggest gap (13 points) in favour of Barcelona after 15 matchdays was in the 1929/1930 season.
Barcelona can hand Real Madrid their third consecutive defeat in La Liga.
According to Infostrada, the last time Real lost three league matches in a row was when they set a club record of five straight defeats between April and May 2004.
Biggest gap between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid after 15 matchdays
# Season Points Barça Points Real
13 1929/1930 31 18
11 1990/1991 38 27
9 2004/2005 38 29
8 1947/1948 24 16
7 1973/1974 28 21
7 1984/1985 35 28
7 1995/1996 32 25
Note: all points recalculated to three points for a win
Manchester United unbeaten streak reached 19 matches: They go for a new record
On Wednesday, Manchester United drew AaB 2-2 at home, bringing their Champions League unbeaten streak to 19 matches.
United join Ajax and Bayern München for most successive matches in the CL without a defeat.
AC Milan are the last team that beat Manchester (02 May 2007).
Milan won in the semifinal of the 2006/2007 CL replay at home against Manchester (3-0).
According to Infostrada, the Red Devils also recorded two streaks of 16 matches without a defeat earlier.
Longest undefeated streaks in Champions League
# Club Start date W D Match that ended streak
19 Manchester United 19 Sep 2007 11 8 Still running
19 Ajax 14 Sep 1994 14 5 Ajax - Panathinaikos (03 Apr 1996) 0-1
19 Bayern München 14 Mar 2001 13 6 Real Madrid - Bayern München (10 Apr 2002) 2-0
16 Manchester United 04 Mar 1998 7 9 Olympique Marseille - Manchester United (19 Oct 1999) 1-0
16 Manchester United 23 Oct 2001 10 6 Maccabi Haifa - Manchester United (29 Oct 2002) 3-0
15 FC Barcelona 14 Sep 2005 10 5 Chelsea - FC Barcelona (18 Oct 2006) 1-0
14 FC Barcelona 25 Nov 1998 10 4 Chelsea - FC Barcelona (05 Apr 2000) 3-1
14 FC Barcelona 01 May 2002 11 3 FC Barcelona - Juventus (22 Apr 2003) 1-2
14 Liverpool 08 Dec 2004 8 6 Benfica - Liverpool (21 Feb 2006) 1-0
14 Olympique Lyon 08 Dec 2004 10 4 AC Milan - Olympique Lyon (04 Apr 2006) 3-1
Hoffenheim goes for the winter title
After this weekend, the Bundesliga is halfway through its season and heads into a winter break for more than a month. On 31 of 45 previous occasions (76%), the leaders at the winter break eventually won the league title in Germany.
Hoffenheim currently are the table leaders in Germany. Bayern München had the same amount of points as Hoffenheim, but Hoffenheim have a better goal difference. Bayern drew at VfB Stuttgart, Hoffenheim host Schalke 04.
‘Herbstmeisterschaft’ titles by club - Bundesliga
# Herbstmeister Won title Missed title
16 Bayern München 14 2
6 Werder Bremen 3 3
4 Borussia Mönchengladbach 4 0
3 1. FC Köln 2 1
3 Hamburger SV 1 2
2 Borussia Dortmund 2 0
2 1. FC Kaiserslautern 1 1
2 Eintracht Frankfurt 0 2
2 Schalke 04 0 2
1 1. FC Nürnberg 1 0
1 1860 München 1 0
1 Eintracht Braunschweig 1 0
1 VfB Stuttgart 1 0
1 Bayer Leverkusen 0 1
45 Totals 31 14
Note: ‘Herbstmeisterschaft’ is awarded to club that tops the table at the season’s halfway point
Hoffenheim currently are the table leaders in Germany. Bayern München had the same amount of points as Hoffenheim, but Hoffenheim have a better goal difference. Bayern drew at VfB Stuttgart, Hoffenheim host Schalke 04.
‘Herbstmeisterschaft’ titles by club - Bundesliga
# Herbstmeister Won title Missed title
16 Bayern München 14 2
6 Werder Bremen 3 3
4 Borussia Mönchengladbach 4 0
3 1. FC Köln 2 1
3 Hamburger SV 1 2
2 Borussia Dortmund 2 0
2 1. FC Kaiserslautern 1 1
2 Eintracht Frankfurt 0 2
2 Schalke 04 0 2
1 1. FC Nürnberg 1 0
1 1860 München 1 0
1 Eintracht Braunschweig 1 0
1 VfB Stuttgart 1 0
1 Bayer Leverkusen 0 1
45 Totals 31 14
Note: ‘Herbstmeisterschaft’ is awarded to club that tops the table at the season’s halfway point
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Diego Maradona visiting Mother Teresa of Calcutta Center, India
Video of Maradona visiting Mother Teresa of Calcutta Foundation in India.
Take a look at people watching him by the trees...
Take a look at people watching him by the trees...
Friday, December 5, 2008
Cristiano Ronaldo named European Footballer of the Year by France Football, as Eusebio and Figo
Cristiano Ronaldo was named European Footballer of the Year for 2008 by France Football magazine on Tuesday. He is the third Portuguese player to win this award and the first English-based player since Michael Owen in 2001.
According to Infostrada, Cristiano Ronaldo is the fourth Manchester United player to be named European Footballer of the Year and the first United player to win for 40 years.
Portuguese players winning the European Player of the Year award
Year Name Club
According to Infostrada, Cristiano Ronaldo is the fourth Manchester United player to be named European Footballer of the Year and the first United player to win for 40 years.
Portuguese players winning the European Player of the Year award
Year Name Club
2008 Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United
2000 Luis Figo Real Madrid
1965 Eusébio Benfica
English-based players winning the European Player of the Year award
Year Name Nation Club
2000 Luis Figo Real Madrid
1965 Eusébio Benfica
English-based players winning the European Player of the Year award
Year Name Nation Club
2008 Cristiano Ronaldo POR Manchester United
2001 Michael Owen ENG Liverpool
1968 George Best NIR Manchester United
1966 Bobby Charlton ENG Manchester United
1964 Denis Law SCO Manchester United
1956 Stanley Matthews ENG Blackpool
AS Roma goes for 1000th win
On Saturday, AS Roma hopes to celebrate their 1000th win in the Serie A when they face Chievo in Verona.
AS Roma recorded their first win in the Serie A on 13 October 1929 when they thrashed Cremonese 9-0. Acording to Infostrada, Roma have secured 51 wins against Torino, the most against a specific Serie A club. Juventus have recorded the most Serie A wins (1336).
Most wins in Serie A
Won Club Matches Drawn Lost
1336 Juventus 2522 718 468
1264 Internazionale 2560 727 569
1194 AC Milan 2500 752 554
999 AS Roma 2515 784 732
922 Fiorentina 2340 726 692
847 Torino 2246 722 677
794 Lazio 2202 682 726
772 Bologna 2082 664 646
755 Napoli 2062 673 634
590 Sampdoria 1759 570 599
Most wins AS Roma against specific Serie A clubs
# Club
51 Torino
44 Atalanta
44 Lazio
43 Napoli
42 Internazionale
41 Fiorentina
41 Sampdoria
39 Bologna
36 Bari
36 AC Milan
35 Juventus
AS Roma recorded their first win in the Serie A on 13 October 1929 when they thrashed Cremonese 9-0. Acording to Infostrada, Roma have secured 51 wins against Torino, the most against a specific Serie A club. Juventus have recorded the most Serie A wins (1336).
Most wins in Serie A
Won Club Matches Drawn Lost
1336 Juventus 2522 718 468
1264 Internazionale 2560 727 569
1194 AC Milan 2500 752 554
999 AS Roma 2515 784 732
922 Fiorentina 2340 726 692
847 Torino 2246 722 677
794 Lazio 2202 682 726
772 Bologna 2082 664 646
755 Napoli 2062 673 634
590 Sampdoria 1759 570 599
Most wins AS Roma against specific Serie A clubs
# Club
51 Torino
44 Atalanta
44 Lazio
43 Napoli
42 Internazionale
41 Fiorentina
41 Sampdoria
39 Bologna
36 Bari
36 AC Milan
35 Juventus
Bayern München vs Hoffenheim: the match of the week
Today, Bayern München and Hoffenheim, the two top teams in the Bundesliga, face each other in München. Bundesliga debutants Hoffenheim are leading the Bundesliga, three points ahead of Bayern.
Bayern have lost 10 times at home against newly promoted teams in the Bundesliga.
The last time Bayern lost to a promoted team at home was against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on 2 August 1997.
That season FCK won the Bundesliga, becoming the only promoted team ever to win the German league title.
On the other nine occasions that Bayern lost at home to a promoted club, they always finished the season above the promoted team in the league table.
Home defeats Bayern München against promoted clubs in Bundesliga
Date Club Result Rank Bayern Rank promoted club
02 Aug 1997 1. FC Kaiserslautern 0-1 2 1
27 Apr 1996 Hansa Rostock 0-1 2 6
15 Feb 1992 Dynamo Dresden 1-2 10 14
05 Oct 1991 Stuttgarter Kickers 1-4 10 17
10 Aug 1991 Hansa Rostock 1-2 10 18
28 May 1983 Schalke 04 0-1 4 16
10 Mar 1979 Arminia Bielefeld 0-4 4 16
12 Nov 1977 1860 München 1-3 12 16
12 Mar 1977 Borussia Dortmund 1-2 7 8
21 Jan 1967 Fortuna Düsseldorf 1-2 6 17
Note: Rank indicates final position at the end of the season
Bayern have lost 10 times at home against newly promoted teams in the Bundesliga.
The last time Bayern lost to a promoted team at home was against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on 2 August 1997.
That season FCK won the Bundesliga, becoming the only promoted team ever to win the German league title.
On the other nine occasions that Bayern lost at home to a promoted club, they always finished the season above the promoted team in the league table.
Home defeats Bayern München against promoted clubs in Bundesliga
Date Club Result Rank Bayern Rank promoted club
02 Aug 1997 1. FC Kaiserslautern 0-1 2 1
27 Apr 1996 Hansa Rostock 0-1 2 6
15 Feb 1992 Dynamo Dresden 1-2 10 14
05 Oct 1991 Stuttgarter Kickers 1-4 10 17
10 Aug 1991 Hansa Rostock 1-2 10 18
28 May 1983 Schalke 04 0-1 4 16
10 Mar 1979 Arminia Bielefeld 0-4 4 16
12 Nov 1977 1860 München 1-3 12 16
12 Mar 1977 Borussia Dortmund 1-2 7 8
21 Jan 1967 Fortuna Düsseldorf 1-2 6 17
Note: Rank indicates final position at the end of the season
Monday, December 1, 2008
Asteras Tripolis FC scored, but then….
On Saturday, Adrian Bastia (Asteras Tripolis) scored against Panathinaikos in the Greek League but then the Argentinian player kicked a football fan. Watch the result...
Related: Nacional was too late for the match
Related: Nacional was too late for the match
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