Sonstiges » BettingBournemouth are Sky Bets 11/10 favo

MADRID -- A meaningless goal is still a goal, especially for someone who really needs a boost.Neymar had been enduring his worst scoring drought since arriving in Barcelona, but he got one in his teams 5-3 friendly win over Al Ahli in Qatar on Tuesday.That could be just the spur he needs.In Sundays Spanish league game against Espanyol, Neymar will be trying to score his first goal in an official match since he signed a three-year contract extension with Barcelona almost two months ago.Neymars last goal for the Catalan club came in the 4-0 win over Manchester City in the group stage of the Champions League on Oct. 19, two days before the new contract was signed to keep the Brazil striker in Barcelona until June 2021.Neymar failed to find the net in the eight matches since then, the longest scoreless streak in his four seasons in Spain.He also hasnt scored since finding out about a month ago that he and his father are each facing a two-year prison sentence and a fine of more than $10 million on corruption charges related to alleged irregularities during his transfer from Brazilian club Santos to Barcelona. They deny wrongdoing.In his debut season in 2013-14, Neymar went six consecutive games without scoring a goal two separate occasions. He never went more than four games without a goal the following season, and in 2015-16 he didnt score in five games in a row late in the season.Although Neymar hasnt been playing poorly, his missed chances have attracted attention. None more than the one in the 68th minute of the clasico against Real Madrid at Camp Nou a few weeks ago, when he had an open shot from close range to give Barcelona a 2-0 lead but sent his strike over the crossbar. Madrid scored an equalizer in the 90th.Neymars missed opportunity might have cost Barcelona the game, but it also kept him from showing his support for Brazilian club Chapecoense, whose players and delegation members died in a plane crash in Colombia.If I had scored I would have shown a Chapecoense jersey, Neymar said. Its what I could have done at that moment to show my support to the relative of those who died.Its been a sub-par season for Neymar compared to a year ago, when he scored 14 goals in his first 17 games. He ended with 31 goals and made the short list for the best player of the year award, finishing behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the voting.The 24-year-old Neymar has only six goals after 17 official games this season. He did not make FIFAs shortlist this time, and finished fifth in the Ballon dOr award announced Monday.Neymar started the season with Barcelona later than usual because he played for Brazil at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, leading the hosts to their first soccer gold medal.He didnt play the last two games for Barcelona because of suspensions -- against Osasuna in the Spanish league and Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Champions League. The coinciding yellow-card suspensions led to some criticism in Spanish media as they gave Neymar extended time off, although he had to spend time undergoing physiotherapy for a minor muscle ailment.Another Barcelona striker who could benefit from the friendly in Qatar is Paco Alcacer, who finally scored his first goal since being signed by the Catalan club this season. He hadnt scored in 10 games with Barcelona and many fans had already been criticizing him.Barcelona is six points behind Spanish league leader Madrid, which is off this weekend because its in Japan for the Club World Cup.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni Scott Bull Jersey . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Matt Cassel Jersey . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. http://www.custompatriotsjersey.com/custom-steve-nelson-jersey-large-381f.html .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. Mike Wilson Jersey . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Jim Nance Jersey . The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum.Bournemouths match against Stoke comes too soon for captain Tommy Elphick as the Cherries look to pull clear of the relegation zone. Eddie Howes side were convincingly beaten at home to Arsenal last time out, leaving them five points clear of the bottom three.Ahead of Saturdays encounter at the Vitality Stadium, Howe has had to defend his new striker Benik Afobe, after claims from his former club Wolves that he was not trying in the final months of his spell at Molineux. Meanwhile, Stoke travel to the south coast in disappointing form, having won just once in their past six league matches, and they havent scored a goal in their last four.Potters boss Mark Hughes was handed a boost ahead of Saturdays match, with forward Bojan signing a new deal that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2020.Team news Marko Arnautovic (left) takes on Matt Ritchie Howe has no fresh injury or suspension worries but Elphick, who played a game behind closed doors in midweek, will not be back in time.Max Gradel, who has been out since August with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, returned to training this week but is yet to kick a football, although Howe is confident he will play before the season ends.Ryan Shawcross (back) and Geoff Cameron (ankle) are not yet ready to return to action, but Hughes is hopeful Jonathan Walters, sidelined last time due to a virus, will be available.Opta stats Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says he is delighted with Benik Afobes work ethic and progress after he was criticised this week by his former club Wolves None of the previous 12 meetings between Stoke and Bournemouth in all competitions has ended as an away win (10 home wins, two draws).Stoke earned their first Premier League win of the season in the reverse fixture in September, beating Howes men 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium.Bournemouth have won just three of their 12 Premier League games at home this season (D4 L5) - they have won more often away from home in 2015-16 (four).Stoke have lost their last three Premier League games - they havent lost four in a row in the Premier Leaguee since February 2012.ddddddddddddThe Potters are without a goal in their last four successive league games and havent scored in the competition for six hours and 12 minutes now.The last time Stoke failed to score in five successive top-flight league games was March 1985 (eight games).Jack Butland has been forced into making a league-high 88 saves in the Premier League this season. Bojan has been a big hit since arriving at the Britannia Callum Wilson is still Bournemouths top scorer in the Premier League this season (five), yet hasnt played since the end of September.Eddie Howes side have scored a league-high tally (eight) and proportion (28 per cent) of their goals in the opening 15 minutes of games this season.The Cherries Dan Gosling has averaged a league-high 13.0kms per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season.Mersons predictionIve watched Stoke a couple of times recently and theyve gone! Theyve lost their last two games 3-0, teams at the bottom of League Two dont even do that - that is some going. I thought Bournemouth showed Arsenal too much respect in the first half on Sunday but they did improve after the break. I fancy them to win here as long as they put in a similar display as they did against the Gunners.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Most popular Super 6 prediction: 2-1) Jamie Redknapp looks ahead to Chelseas Saturday Night Football clash with Newcastle before previewing the 3pm kick-offs BettingBournemouth are Sky Bets 11/10 favourites with Stoke 5/2 shots to complete the double over the Cherries, while the draw is priced at 12/5. The hosts are regarded as unlikely 14/1 shots for the drop in their first season in the top flight, while Stoke remain 7/4 for a top-half finish despite a recent run of three straight 3-0 Premier League defeats, a 18/1 chance on Saturday.Check out tips from our Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp, Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier here. Bournemouth are also one of the picks in this Saturdays Soccer Saturday Price Boost. Back the Cherries, Everton and Southampton all to win enhanced from 7/1 10/1. ' ' '