The Bettorlogic Injuries And Suspensions Column: Ronaldo watches from the sidelines

European Leagues / Bettorlogic / 29 January 2010 / 1 Comments

Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off at the weekend and will miss Real Madrid's trip to Coruna.

"There looks to be good value in backing the half-time 0-0 score at about [3.0], particularly given Deportivo haven’t had a first half goal in any of their last six matches at the Estadio Riazor."

As key players from across Europe's major leagues miss out this weekend's action, Bettorlogic tell us how they expect their sides to cope without them.

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Bettorlogic have compiled a report using our player analysis tool Player PRO highlighting the most important players that are likely to be missing across Europe's major leagues this weekend.

NB Player appearances are based on a player starting and completing at least an hour of the match unless otherwise stated. The sample is based on a team's home and away league matches since the start of last season unless otherwise stated.

Deportivo v Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo

Madrid travel to in-form Deportivo this Saturday and will do so without Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese winger was sent off in their 2-0 win over Malaga last weekend.

The former Manchester United player had already scored both the goals in that game, and has had an immediate impact at the Bernabeu since his summer move. The former Man United star is Madrid's leading scorer in all competitions with 15 goals from just 14 starts but has already picked up two red cards in 11 league appearances.

However, while Real have scored 16% more goals per game with Ronaldo - 2.45 compared to 2.12 in the eight matches he's missed - their results are almost identical, winning eight of 11 with him and six of eight without. In fact, they've also conceded more goals with the former World Player of the Year missing, and as a result more of their games have had over 2.5 goals.

Given Deportivo's form and their position in the top six, it is also relevant to note that Real have failed to score a first half goal in any of their four matches against top-half teams that Ronaldo has missed, drawing three and losing one of those four opening halves. As a result there looks to be good value in backing the half-time 0-0 score at about [3.0], particularly given Deportivo haven't had a first half goal in any of their last six matches at the Estadio Riazor.

Round-up
Leverkusen v Freiburg

Leverkusen have been flying this season and are still unbeaten at the top of the Bundesliga. However, just as their captain Simon Rolfes had returned to full fitness, he's been struck down by a knee injury that looks set to keep him out for several weeks. However, the good news for Leverkusen is that they've been unbeaten in the 12 matches he's missed since the start of last season with six wins. Moreover, they've averaged 2.58 goals per game without him - up 51% from the 1.71 they've averaged in the 41 games he's played - and conceded just one goal per game, which represents a 17% drop in goals conceded. Significantly just 13 of the 42 (32%) matches he's played have had four or more goals, compared to eight of 12 without him.

This game looks set to be a high-scoring affair and the [2.32] for over 3.5 goals looks worth supporting.

Napoli v Genoa

Micheles Pazienza is suspended for Napoli, with The Blues currently sitting fourth in the table ahead of their important clash with Genoa this weekend. The Italian midfielder has played 27 and missed 32 of Napoli's games since the start of last season and while his team has generally fared slightly better in his absence, the most significant point is that their games have seen far more goals. Napoli have scored 38% more goals per game and conceded 23% more when Pazienza's been missing, which has resulted in 69% of their games without him having over 2.5 goals compared to just 30% when he's played.

Genoa have the second worst defence and the second best attack this season and given Napoli's tendency for higher scoring games without Pazienza, the [2.06] for over 2.5 goals looks a great price.

Comments (1)

1. Solomon jonah Akawu | 22 March 2010

   The exit of Real madrid from the champios ligue, upon the mega transfer fees of big names doesn't pay up foot is all about team work.