Michigan vs Louisville April 8, 2013

Tweet

Michigan vs Louisville 34 – Years since Michigan played Louisville in basketball.

27 – Years since Louisville played in the national championship game.

20 – Years since Michigan played in the national championship game.

No. 4 – Michigan's seeding in the NCAA Tournament.

No. 5 – Michigan's seeding in the Big Ten tournament.

NCAA FINALS: Both teams look to end streaks

16 – Years since a No. 4 seed has played in the championship game, going back to Arizona in 1997. Arizona is the only No. 4 seed to ever win the championship game.

6-1 – Odds that Goldencents, a 3-year-old horse partially owned by Rick Pitino, went off in the Santa Anita Derby Saturday. At nearly the same time Louisville was beating Wichita State, Goldencents was winning by 1½ lengths to establish himself as a Kentucky Derby favorite.

6 – No. 1 seeds to win the national championship in the past eight years. Louisville would make it seven of nine.

SEMIFINALS: Controversial calls mar games

7 – Schools with at least three national titles. Louisville is trying to become the eighth.

2-0 -- Louisville's record in national title games.

1-4 -- Michigan's record in national title games.

ANALYSIS: Michigan offense vs. Louisville defense

0-1 – Rich Pitino's all-time record vs. Michigan. The loss was in the 1993 Final Four.

18.2 – Louisville's average winning margin in the NCAA tournament.

13.4 – Michigan's average winning margin in the NCAA tournament.

34 – Louisville bench points against Wichita State Saturday.

38 – Louisville starters' points against Wichita State Saturday.

Source:USATODAY

Roma vs Lazio April 8, 2013

Tweet

Tafferugli a Ponte Milvio fra tifosi, nelle ore che precedono il derby Roma-Lazio. Due dei feriti a Ponte Milvio, romanisti, non sono gravi e hanno rifiutato il trasporto in ospedale. Ferito anche un laziale a Ponte Duca D'Aosta. Maxipetardi all'altezza di un bar. proteste dei residenti. L'appello di Alemanno: stiamo tranquilli

Incidenti a Ponte Milvio fra tifosi laziali e romanisti nelle ore precedenti il derby Roma-Lazio, previsto questa sera alle 20,45.  Duecento tifosi si sono staccati dalla zona dello stadio Olimpico dirigendosi verso gli antagonisti al Ponte Duca d'Aosta, con conseguenti cariche della polizia. Ci sono due accoltellati fra i tifosi romanisti, ma hanno entrambi rifiutato il trasporto in ospedale, e uno tra i tifosi laziali.

Roma vs Lazio

Un petardo molto potente è stato fatto esplodere nella zona del bar River, intorno al quale si sono avuti gli scontri più accesi.  Ci sarebbe un fermato, mentre i blindati bloccano gli accessi a Ponte Milvio e alcune centinaia di tifosi si dirigono verso lo stadio.  Ma la situazione è di estrema tensione, e gruppi di tifosi stanno seminando il panico.

A un'ora dal match c'è stato un nuovo lancio di sassi e bottiglie di vetro da parte di supporter giallorossi nei pressi dell'Obelisco. Polizia e carabinieri hanno risposto con lacrimogeni e nuove cariche. Fumogeni e petardi anche contro le forze dell'Ordine vicino all'entrata della curva Sud dove un'aiuola ha preso fuoco

Manchester United vs Manchester City April 8, 2013

Tweet

Manchester United vs Manchester City: This is gonna be a great night's Manchester derby guest. United will host City at home. City in the highly anticipated big fight after big chance.

Manchester United and Manchester City will play out the latest installment of their rivalry when they clash in the English Premier League on Monday.

Defending champions City have all but surrendered the title this year to United, who lead the Citizens by a whopping 15 points coming into this week.

Manchester United vs Manchester City

And with just seven games remaining after this one, you'd have to think that the Red Devils are capable of holding on for the title either way.


Date: Monday, April 8, 2013

Start time: 3 p.m. ET (8 p.m. local time)

Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester, England

However, just because the title might not be on the line in this one doesn't mean that this growing rivalry game won't be any less significant or carry any less feeling.

Roberto Mancini's men will be desperate to avenge the loss that they suffered at home to United earlier in the year, as the battle for Manchester heats up.

Newcastle United vs Fulham April 7, 2013

Tweet

While all the attention has focused on their noisy new Italian neighbour just down the road at Sunderland, the fact Newcastle are only two points better off than Paolo Di Canio’s team has not escaped Alan Pardew. With Sunderland visiting St James’ Park next Sunday, the Newcastle manager has dubbed this fixture a “must win” game. In an attempt to minimise post-Europa League fatigue, Newcastle stayed in Lisbon on Thursday night following their 3-1 defeat at Benfica rather than flying back to Tyneside in the early hours of Friday morning. (Guardian)

Venue St James’ Park, Sunday 3pm


Newcastle

Subs from Elliot, Perch, Williamson, Anita, Bigirimana, Ameobi, Obertan, Marveaux, Campbell, Gosling

Doubtful Tioté (hamstring), Simpson (ankle)

Injured Haïdara (knee, 13 Apr), Coloccini (back, 13 Apr), Debuchy (hamstring, 13 Apr), R Taylor (knee, 13 Apr), Vuckic (knee, Aug), Ben Arfa (hamstring, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide LLWLWL

Disciplinary record Y58 R2

Leading scorer Cissé 7

Fulham

Subs from Etheridge, Somogyi, Hughes, Frei, Rodallega, Emanuelson, Baird, Mesca, Davies, Enoh


Doubtful Enoh (thigh), Ruiz (hamstring)

Injured Dejagah (ankle, 13 Apr), Petric (adductor, May), Diarra (knee, Aug),

Suspended Sidwell (first of three)

Form guide WWDWDL

Disciplinary record Y36 R2

Leading scorer Berbatov 13

Chelsea vs Sunderland April 7, 2013

Tweet

With the hackneyed Di Canio fascism controversy (hopefully) addressed and out of the way, attention now turns to on-field happenings, where Sunderland will be searching for their first win in eight on Sunday afternoon. Having lost their last three away games consecutively while Chelsea have won their last four at home, things don't look good.

However, with Chelsea having fallen against Southampton in their last league match, their fallibility was once again revealed, giving Arsenal half a chance of overtaking them in the race for fourth place. The Gunners are currently occupying the final Champions League spot after their win against West Brom yesterday, with Rafa Benitez's side having a one point deficit to overcome if they are to reclaim fourth.

Chelsea vs Sunderland

Sunderland's problems come at the other end of the table, with them slipping to within a point of the relegation zone. It is perfectly feasible that at the end of this weekend, they will find themselves in the bottom three. Good fortune has well and truly deserted the Black Cats, who are without a couple of key players. Top scorer Steven Fletcher and captain Lee Cattermole are out until the end of the season, while defensive duo Carlos Cuéllar and Wes Brown remain doubtful.

Chelsea injuries and suspensions

Out: Oriel Romeu (knee), Ashley Cole (hamstring), Gary Cahill (knee)

Sunderland injuries and suspensions

Out: Steven Fletcher (ankle), Lee Cattermole (knee) In doubt: Carlos Cuéllar (ankle), Wes Brown (knee)

Match Date\Time: Sunday, 3 p.m. local, 10 a.m. ET

Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England