Strong finishes or surprise endings? (AA)

Strong finishes or surprise endings?
(FIFA.com) Wednesday 16 December 2009
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The final menu of the year for FIFA World Leagues Predictor is set to end 2009 on a high note. FIFA.com takes a look at some of the major clashes.

Match of the week
Benfica-Porto (Portugal)
Portugal’s classic derby headlines the menu in Matchday 16 with second-place Benfica hosting third-placed Porto in Lisbon. Benfica have won their previous five home fixtures while Porto have proved shaky on the road of late (three wins, two losses and one draw). With a home scoring average of four goals, Benfica are looking menacing this season. Will Porto push past them, or will this Christmas be a red celebration?

The longshots
Bayer Leverkusen-Borussia Monchengladbach (Germany)
Bayer Leverkusen could enter the New Year undefeated in the first 17 games of the Bundesliga 2009/10 season. Standing in their way is mid-table Borussia Monchengladbach. The visitors have proved weak on the road, losing four of their last six away fixtures. Don’t right them off to quickly though, as they proved in their 5-3 win over Hannover 96 - this is a side that can be deadly on attack. A Borussian surprise would return 92 points.

Maccabi Haifa-Bnei Yehoda (Israel)
Approaching this season’s halfway mark in Israel’s Ligat ha-Al, Maccabi Haifa have racked up a commanding lead and are nine points ahead of runner-up Hapoel Tel Aviv. Third-placed Bnei Yehoda have the opportunity to cut Maccabi Haifa's lead from 11 to eight points this weekend. A Bnei Yehoda win returns 92 points, a draw 89 points and a Maccabi Haifa victory 20 points.

All stars in South Africa
Platinum Stars-Free State Stars
The Free State Stars travel to Rustenburg hoping to extend their two game winning streak. The visitors will fancy their chances against a home side that are on a three game losing streak and looking a little battle weary after back-to-back matches with South African heavyweights Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. The home side remain the favourites, however, at 51 per cent to win. Should the Free State Stars inflict a fourth defeat on their hosts, backers will claim 82 points.

Big city clash
Melbourne Victory-Sydney FC (Australia)
Second-placed Sydney could close the gap at the top of the Hyundai-A League this weekend when they travel to league leaders Melbourne Victory. A win for the visiting team would level the two sides at the top of league, and return a hefty 81 points for backers. However, should the Victory live up to their name this weekend, they will pull six points clear at the top (40 points).

To all our predictors: enjoy the festive season and please note that World Leagues Predictor takes a break during the holiday season. We will be back in the New Year with Round 17’s games taking place on 9 and 10 January.