15-02-2011 20:45 Valencia - Schalke 04

Keep It Tight

While Barcelona and Real Madrid continue to catch the headlines in Spain, the steady performances of Valencia are easy to overlook. But los Che are one of the Primera Division’s form teams, having won seven of their last eight fixtures. Unai Emery’s outfit will be aiming to maintain their form in Europe as they aim for the Champions League quarter-finals.

Victory over Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon came by a 2-1 margin on Saturday evening. Jose Antonio Reyes gave los Colchoneros a third-minute lead, but Valencia were drawn back into the game thanks to goals from Joaquin in either half. Typical of los Che in recent weeks, the winner came late on, with the winger striking four minutes from time.

Speaking after the game, Valencia’s match-winner stressed the importance of the new-found resilience in his side, which allowed them to rebuff the advances of Atleti. “The step we have taken is important,” he told the media. “We have learnt how to suffer.”

The east coast club will attempt to take this form into Europe, with centre-back Ricardo Costa, a defender with experience of Bundesliga football, highlighting the importance of keeping a clean sheet at the Mestalla. “We want to win, but we have to think that there are two matches. We will try to win at home and avoid our opponents scoring,” he explained to Marca.

Valencia’s only Champions League defeat of the season came at home against Manchester United, but after negotiating the group stage in pretty convincing fashion, los Che will be confident of making further progress against their German opponents.

High Hopes

Schalke’s appeal this season has been in their erratic and unpredictable nature. Felix Magath’s side were given a big build-up going into the campaign, but having made great changes to the club’s personnel, they initially struggled to find form. Die Knappen came good in the autumn, easing their Bundesliga worries and progressing in the Champions League, and though the winter shutdown has rather hampered their momentum, the Gelsenkirchen side will be confident of coming good at the right time.

A weekend win was recorded over Freiburg, keeping the relegation wolf a relatively comfortable six points from the door. Jefferson Farfan was the only scorer on that occasion, finding the net four minutes into the second half to gift the Ruhr club the win.

“I am very optimistic,” Raul explained to Schalke’s official website when asked to consider Tuesday’s fixture. “Valencia are undoubtedly one of the biggest clubs in Spain and have in recent years has been to qualify for the Champions League. Nevertheless, I think we have very good chances of reaching the next round.

“In the group phase, our team has already shown what services they can perform. We also have the advantage that the return match is in the Veltins-Arena. Our fans are a very important factor in such games.”

Historically, the Mestalla is not a venue that should hold too many fears for Schalke, who have previously earned a 1-1 draw at the Spanish arena to progress in the UEFA Cup. This encounter has a good deal more riding on it, and has the potential to make or break the Germans’ season.

TEAM NEWS

Valencia

Several players are doubtful heading into this clash, including Juan Mata, Jeremy Mathieu and Cesar. Miguel Moya and Marius Stankevicious are definitely missing, while David Albela is banned.

Schalke

Christoph Moritz is Schalke's main injury absentee, though there are a string of squad men, including new signing Angelos Charisteas, who don't make the trip.

Anthony Annan and Tim Hoogland are ineligible for the fixture.

Prediction

Valencia would do well not to underestimate Schalke, who have proven themselves to be a dangerous force. The Bundesliga outfit have largely saved their best football for the Champions League this term, which makes then a dangerous prospect, but the Spaniards should have too much on Tuesday.

Valencia 2-1 Schalke 04

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15-02-2011 20:45 Milan - Tottenham Hot.

Experience Holds The Key

Milan qualified for the last 16 stage as runners-up in Group G behind Real Madrid and, with a strong attacking unit, they will aspire to repeat their performance of 2006-07 in which they defeated Liverpool in the final to lift the Champions League.

On paper the Italian giants are the overwhelming favourites for this fixture. With their rich history combined with European experience and fearsome strikeforce upfront, Milan will be confident of seeing off the challenge of Champions League debutants Tottenham Hotspur over the two legs in this last 16 tie.

However, having watched their city rivals and defending Italian and European champions Inter almost capitulate to Spurs at San Siro in a group stage game earlier this season, Diavolo coach Massimiliano Allegri is not taking the risk of dismissing Spurs even though Inter's nemesis Gareth Bale is out injured of tonight's clash.

“It doesn't matter if Bale doesn't play because Tottenham have done well recently without him,” warns Allegri. “They are a tough side, very well organised with a good team spirit. Some of their players have real quality.

“The best teams are in this competition, so from now on we can't afford to make any mistakes or we will be eliminated. In the last two seasons Milan were eliminated by English sides so we have to be careful. Statistics mean nothing to me now and I think that my team have a great chance to qualify for the quarter-finals.”

Star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is more positive, and enthuses: "The experience that Milan have in Europe makes the difference. It's an advantage for me – many of the players here have won the Champions League and this gives confidence to us all.”

Completing The Italian Job

Tottenham Hotspur return to the scene of one of their finest second half performances in history as they are back in Milan, this time to confront the Rossoneri. In the group stage of the Champions League this season, the London-based club shook Inter to the core. After going 4-0 down at the break, they staged a scintillating near-comeback spearheaded by Gareth Bale to eventually reduce the deficit to 4-3.

Back at San Siro, Harry Redknapp's team will hope to invoke the spirits of that great night and pull off a coup against Milan tonight. The manager says that his players are enjoying the European stage and is hopeful of stretching the adventure further.

“The atmosphere in these international competitions is always very good, and we already proved that we can do well in Europe,” enthuses Redknapp. “We have a few players out, but Milan also have some injured players.

"Tottenham are writing a beautiful story this term in the Champions League, it's another level of football. The Premier League is a great league but this atmosphere is really wonderful, especially for the supporters.”

Spurs have scored 18 goals in six group stage matches in the Champions League this campaign but have also conceded more than they should have. However, the Premier League side will be emboldened by the fact that Milan have won none of their past five matches in European competition against English opposition and have been eliminated at this stage by English teams in the last two seasons.

TEAM NEWS

Milan

January signings Urby Emanuelson, Mark van Bommel and Antonio Cassano are ineligible to play in the Champions League for Milan having already featured in the competition with their respective former clubs.

Captain Massimo Ambrosini is out with a thigh problem, Andrea Pirlo has a knee injury and Kevin-Prince Boateng is suffering from an Achilles problem. Gianluca Zambrotta is unavailable as well.

Regular centre-back Thiago Silva could be moved to the midfield with Mario Yepes replacing him at the heart of the defence and playing alongside Alessandro Nesta, who like Nicola Legrottaglie, Ignazio Abate, Luca Antonini and Marco Amelia have recovered from injury.

Tottenham Hotspur

Wingback Gareth Bale is out of the fixture but Rafael van der Vaart has been passed fit to feature against Milan. Luka Modric has travelled to Italy but remains a doubt as he had his appendix removed just under a fortnight back.

Peter Crouch too is doubtful with a back injury and will face a late fitness test. Younes Kaboul, Ledley King and Tom Huddlestone are long-term injury concerns while Jermaine Jenas is suspended.

Prediction

Tottenham Hotspur have shown that they are not afraid of taking on the big guns and in Milan tonight the Premier League club will attempt to showcase their calibre. However, the Rossoneri will have home advantage and given their return to winning ways they will eke out a victory. Spurs, though, could get a valuable away goal.

Milan 2-1 Tottenham

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Champions League Opta Facts - Last 16 1st Leg

AC Milan v Tottenham Hotspur

* Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored four goals in five Champions League starts for Milan.
* Spurs have already played once at the San Siro this season, losing 4-3 to Inter in the Group Stage.
* Spurs and Milan met in the 1971-72 UEFA Cup semi-final where Tottenham won the home leg and drew away to progress to the final.
* Tottenham have scored a joint-competition-high 18 goals in the Champions League this season.
* Harry Redknapp's side scored with 28% of their goal attempts, the best percentage in the competition.
* Milan have the worst disciplinary record in the Champions League picking up 17 Yellow Cards.
* Milan drew the first two, won the next pair and have lost the last two home matches in the Champions League against English opposition.
* Milan have won none of their last five matches in European competition against English opposition.
* Peter Crouch has scored three goals from just five shots on target in the Champions League this season.
* Spurs have lost two and drawn one of their three trips to Italy in European competition.
* Milan have been knocked out at this stage by an English team in the last two seasons.

Valencia v Schalke 04

* Valencia have played Schalke four times in European competition, drawing both of the home games at the Mestalla.
* Valencia have drawn seven of the last 10 matches played against German opposition including the last three in a row.
* Valencia have only won four of their last 17 Champions League matches.
* The Spaniards have only won one of their last 12 European games against German opponents, but that was a 1-0 away victory against Schalke in the 2007-08 Champions League.
* Schalke have not won any of their last seven European games against Spanish opposition, failing to score in six of those matches.
* Schalke have only conceded seven goals in their last 13 Champions League matches and not more than one in any of those fixtures.
* Schalke have scored 14, but failed to score in eight of their last 14 Champions League games.
* Schalke had failed to score in their previous six Champions League away games prior to beating Benfica in their last away match of the Group Stage.
* Valencia have not beaten any of the three German sides to visit the Mestalla in the Champions League.
* Only three teams scored more goals than Valencia (15) in the Group Stage.

AS Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk

* Shakhtar won 103 fouls in the Group Stage, more than any other team.
* Roma are the only one of the teams qualified for the Last 16 who have not kept a clean sheet in the Champions League this season.
* Eduardo has scored three goals from just six shots in the competition so far.
* Six of the seven shots attempted by Luiz Adriano have been on target and three have resulted in goals.
* Roma have won five of their last six Champions League home matches.
* Shakhtar have only scored in one half of each of their six matches in the Champions League this season.
* Roma were drawn against Shakhtar in the 2006-07 Champions League Group Stage, winning at home and losing away.
* Roma have won three and lost three of their six Champions League games against Ukrainian teams, failing to score in all three defeats.
* Shakhtar have won only two and lost 10 of their 12 matches in European against Italian teams, but one of those was against Roma.
* Shakhtar have lost all six away European games in Italy, conceding four or more in each of the last four.
* Marco Borriello has scored in four of his last five Champions League appearances.

Arsenal v Barcelona

* Arsenal have scored a joint-competition-high 18 goals in the Champions League this season.
* Arsenal and Barcelona have been drawn together three times in Europe, the 1999-2000 Group Stage, the 2006 final and last season's quarter final, with Arsenal winning none and losing three of the five games.
* There have been red cards in three of the five matches between Barcelona and Arsenal.
* No team from continental Europe has won away at Arsenal in the Champions League since Inter beat the Gunners 3-0 in September 2003 - a run of 36 games with the only defeats coming against English sides (Chelsea and Manchester Utd).
* Only two teams (Barcelona and Manchester United have scored more than once in 33 Champions League games at the Emirates, with 21 sides failing to score at all.
* Arsenal have won penalties in eight of their last 11 Champions league games at the Emirates Stadium and each of their last five.
* Arsenal have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight Champions League games.
* Lionel Messi has scored 13 goals in his last 11 Champions League starts including four in one game against Arsenal.
* Arsenal hit the target with 63% of their shots in the Group Stage, the highest percentage in the competition.
* Barcelona had the tightest defence in the group stage, allowing their opponents just eight shots on target against them.
* Marouane Chamakh has scored three goals from just six shots in Europe this season.
* Barcelona have made the semi-finals of the Champions League in the last three seasons.

FC København v Chelsea

* Nicolas Anelka has scored five goals from just seven shots on target in the Champions League this season.
* Anelka has scored eight times in his last 10 Champions League starts.
* FC København posted the worst shooting accuracy figures of any of the teams who qualified for the Last 16, hitting the target with just 29% of their shots.
* The Danish side met Chelsea in the 1998-99 Cup Winners Cup, drawing at Stamford Bridge and then losing 0-1 at home.
* Chelsea have only won two of their last 15 Champions League away games in the knockout stages.
* Chelsea have kept just two clean sheets in their last 11 Champions League games in the knockout phase.
* FC København have won four and drawn two of their six Champions League home games.
* FC København have only won one of their six European matches against English opposition.
* Chelsea have drawn Danish opposition twice winning three games and losing none of the four legs.
* Three of København's seven goals in the Champions League so far have come from shots from outside the box.

Olympique Lyonnais v Real Madrid

* Real Madrid fired in 52 shots on target, more than any other team in the Group Stage.
* Lyon were caught offside 30 times in the Group Stage, more often than any other team.
* Xabi Alonso created 19 goalscoring chances for his team-mates, more than any other player in the Champions League this season.
* Real Madrid fired in 107 attempts (excluding blocked efforts) in the group stage, more than any other team, though Lyon fired in the second-highest tally of 88.
* Lyon and Real have been drawn against each other three times in the Champions League, with the French side winning all three home games and drawing all three at the Bernabeu.
* Real Madrid have not scored in any of their three previous trips to Stade Garland.
* Cristiano Ronaldo has fired in 16 shots on target, more than any other player in this season's Champions League.
* Karim Benzema has scored 16 goals in 23 Champions League starts for Real Madrid and previous club Lyon.
* Only Manchester United (1) have conceded fewer goals than Real Madrid in this season's Champions League.
* Real have lost just one of their last 11 Champions League matches, but that was away at Lyon.
* Real Madrid have been knocked out at this stage in each of the last six campaigns, including by Lyon last season.
* However, the last time they made it to the quarter-finals was also the last time before this season that they went unbeaten in the group stages (2003/04).

Marseille v Manchester United

* Manchester United have the worst conversion rate of all the teams who have made the Last 16 of the Champions League scoring with just 10% of their chances.
* United have lost just one of their last 20 Champions League away games, winning nine of the last 10.
* Sir Alex Ferguson's side have the best defensive record in the competition having conceded just one goal in the Group Stage.
* Marseille have kept clean sheets in their last four Champions league matches.
* Marseille have played English opposition 10 times in the Champions league and all four of their wins have been 1-0 successes.
* Marseille have only scored six goals in their 10 Champions League games against English opposition and never more than once in a match.
* United and Marseille drew each other in the 1999-2000 1st Group Stage with both sides winning their home games by a single-goal margin.
* Man Utd had fewer players shown cards in the Group Stage (3) than any other team.
* United have only lost two of their 24 European matches against French opposition.
* Only one French team (Lyon in 2004) has ever scored more than one goal against Man Utd in European competition.

Internazionale v Bayern München

* Samuel Eto'o has scored seven goals from just 10 shots on target in the Champions League.
* Mario Gomez has scored six goals from just eight shots on target.
* Inter met Bayern in the 2010 Champions League final, with the Italian side winning 2-0.
* Bayern have won both of their European matches against Inter at the San Siro.
* The five meetings between Bayern and Inter have seen two wins apiece, one draw and both sides scoring six goals in total.
* Inter are unbeaten in their last 10 Champions League games at San Siro, winning the last seven in a row.
* Inter have only won two of their last eight Champions League matches against German opposition.
* Bayern have won seven and lost two of their last nine Champions League games, but the two defeats were against Italian sides.
* Bayern have only won two out of 10 Champions league away games against Italian sides.
* Only Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur scored more goals than Bayern in the Group Stage.
* Bayern's last three Champions League defeats away from home have all been by a 2-3 scoreline.

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Europa League Opta Facts - 15 February

Aris v Manchester City

* Manchester City have never faced Greek opposition before (excl qualifiers).
* Aris, however, have played five matches against English sides in Europe (excl. qualifiers), against three teams in total - Chelsea (Cup Winners Cup), Ipswich and Bolton (Both UEFA Cup), winning one drawing two and losing two.
* At home, the Greek side are unbeaten in meetings with English opposition, winning one, (3- against Ipswich in 80/81) and drawing one, courtesy of a 1-1 scoreline versus Chelsea in 1970/71.
* This clash sees the team who have played more of their passes short than any other side in the competition (City - 91%) face the teams who have played more of their passes long than any other side (Aris - 23%).
* The Greeks have been the most effective tackles in the competition so far, winning 92% of their challenges.
* The Citizens have scored in each of their eight UEFA games so far (incl. Qualifiers).
* In the Europa League this season, City have lost just one of their four games on the road, winning two and drawing one.
* Aris have kept four clean sheets in their five home games in the competition (incl qualifiers)this season, conceding only against Jagiellonia Bialystok (2-2) in the Third Qualifying Round.

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FA Cup and Championship Opta Facts - February 15-16

Wigan Athletic v Bolton Wanderers

* The last eight meetings between the sides have produced only 10 goals in total.
* Both league meetings between Bolton and Wigan this season have ended as 1-1 with all the goals being scored in the second half.
* The 0-0 draw at the Reebok Stadium was the first ever FA Cup meeting between these two Lancashire rivals.
* Bolton have only progressed through two of their last 13 ties with Premier League teams in the FA Cup, losing the last four that have gone to a replay.
* The Trotters have only scored nine goals in their last 19 FA Cup matches against Premier League opponents and have not netted more than one in a game since they beat Arsenal 3-1 at Highbury in 1994.
* The Latics have only kept two clean sheets in their last 15 home FA Cup matches, and both came against opponents from the third tier.

Cardiff v Burnley

* The last four meetings between Cardiff and Burnley have seen over 2.5 goals.
* The last meeting between these sides was 0-0 after 73 minutes but finished 3-1 to Cardiff.
* The Bluebirds have gone three hours without conceding a league goal.
* Cardiff's last three goals have come in the 85th minute or later.
* Burnley have conceded exactly one goal in their last four league games.

Doncaster v Ipswich

* The last four meetings between Doncaster and Ipswich have produced an average of 4.3 goals per game.
* Connor Wickham has scored for Ipswich in their last two clashes with Rovers.
* Town are unbeaten in their last four league games, their best run since September.
* Doncaster have lost five of their last six league games and have gone 211 minutes without a goal in the process.

Sheffield Utd v Reading

* Sheffield United have won their last three games against Reading, after losing the previous three to the Royals.
* The Blades have gone nine games without a win, the worst current run in the Championship.
* Reading have kept only clean sheet in their last 10 league games.
* No Championship side has scored fewer goals than Sheffield United this season.
* If Reading lose this game they will have lost three league games in succession for the first time since January 2010.

Watford v Preston

* Watford have won 10 of the 13 league games in which they've scored first this season.
* The Hornets have scored exactly one goal in their last two Championship home games.
* Neither Watford nor Preston has scored more than two goals in any of the last 16 meetings between the sides.
* Preston have gone 272 minutes without a league goal.

Scunthorpe v Nottingham Forest

* Scunthorpe have scored first in only 10 matches this season, fewer than any other Championship side.
* Forest have gained 18 points from losing positions this season, more than any other Championship side.
* No side has conceded more home goals than Scunthorpe this season (26).
* Forest have scored only 14 away goals this season but have collected 20 points on their travels.
* Scunthorpe came from 2-0 down at half-time to draw 2-2 in this fixture last season.

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15-02-2011 18:00 Aris - Manchester City

Safe European Home

Aris have struck a magnificent 24 game unbeaten record at their ground, the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium, in 40 years of playing in Europe, regardless of how big the opponents or stage of the competition. In the group games earlier this season, Aris went up against tough clubs including Atletico Madrid, Rosenborg and Bayer Leverkusen, managing three wins on the way.

However, Manchester City will arrive in Greece as a very strong side on the back of a derby defeat looking to get a positive result to make up for their 2-1 loss against bitter rivals Manchester United. The game’s conclusion was not down to a poor showing either, with the individual performances of such players as David Silva, Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany highlighted for merit.

Not to be forgotten is new man Edin Dzeko, a substitute in the game at Old Trafford and made an immediate impression on the match, even contributing to City’s equaliser and will be looking to do the same against the Greek Super League team.

Some might see City’s Europa League games as unwanted distractions as the team try to pull all the strings in the current domestic campaign to improve their continental status and finally acquire a place in the coveted Champions League. But, as competitors, it will be safe to say Roberto Mancini’s side will not be staying in first gear and coasting their way through this competition, as they look to make a bright start in reaching the last eight.

TEAM NEWS

Aris Thessaloniki

There are no worries in the Aris camp in terms of injuries and will most likely start a similar team that was able to beat Rosenborg 2-0 in the group stages back in December.

Possible starting XI: Sifakis; Lazaridis, Kouloucheris, Vangjeli, Michel; Prittas, Faty, Mendrinos, Toja; Koke, Cesarec.

Manchester City

Adam Johnson is definitely ruled out of the tie in Greece and is City’s only major concern after suffering ankle ligament damage in training.

However, it remains to be seen as to whether Nigel de Jong can shift his ankle injury in time for Tuesday’s game, having been missing from the away side’s set-up since the 2-2 draw at St Andrew's against Birmingham in the league earlier this month.

Mario Balotelli could make an appearance on the bench after not featuring against Manchester United in the weekend’s derby, but is still doubtful.

Possible starting XI: Hart; Richards, Kompany, K Toure, Kolarov; Silva, Y Toure, Barry, Milner, Wright-Phillips; Tevez.

Prediction

Regardless of Aris' impenetrable Greek fortress, I can see City getting a narrow win at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium and ending four decades of solid home performances.

Aris Thessaloniki 0-1 Man City

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15-02-2011 20:45 Birmingham City - Newcastle United

Blues Looking For Third Consecutive Win

Birmingham will look to use their game in hand against the teams below them to pull away from the relegation zone and edge closer to safety. Alex McLeish's men are currently in 14th position with 30 points but could climb above Newcastle into the top half of the table with a win on Tuesday night.

Successful runs in both cup competitions at the start of 2011 has boosted Blues' league campaign, with a 2-2 draw against Manchester City being followed up by two hard-fought 1-0 victories against West Ham and Stoke City.

McLeish had previously accused his team of drawing too many home games - but recent victories, inspired by the goalscoring form of Nikola Zigic, has seen Blues edge away from the relegation zone.

Despite their recent form, Alan Pardew's team will not be welcome visitors at St Andrew's. Birmingham have only won once against Newcastle in their 10 Premier League meetings - with no victories in the five matches at St Andrew's.

Magpies Hope To Find The Net Away From Home

Newcastle travel to St Andrew's for this rearrange fixture hoping they can end their recent goal drought away from St James' Park. The Magpies have failed to score in their last two away games, drawing 0-0 at Blackburn and losing 1-0 at Fulham either side of the incredible 4-4 draw with Arsenal at home.

Alan Pardew has steadied the ship at Newcastle and the Magpies currently sit in 10th position with 32 points.

Pardew will be aware that his side are just five points clear of the relegation zone and will be looking for a victory at St Andrew's to climb closer to the magical total of 40 points.

TEAM NEWS

Birmingham City

Scott Dann is the only first team player missing for Alex McLeish - with the centre-back all but ruled out for the rest of the season with the hamstring injury he picked up in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final against West Ham.

Cameron Jerome could come in for new signing Obafemi Martins with the Nigerian unable to complete 90 minutes on the weekend and Jerome impressing from the substitutes' bench - setting up Nikola Zigic for the winner.

Possible starting XI: Foster; Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Ridgewell; Larsson, Ferguson, Gardner, Bentley; Jerome, Zigic.

Newcastle United

Alan Pardew is without a host of first team players for Tuesday's trip to St Andrew's.

After selling Andy Carroll to Liverpool in the January transfer window, Newcastle have been left short in the striking department as Shola Ameobi is still missing with a fractured cheekbone.

Pardew did have some good news for Newcastle fans in mid-week, revealing that Ameobi has been sent to America to be fitted with a protective mask and could be back in action in two or three weeks.

The Magpies are also without Dan Gosling, Stephen Ireland (both knee), Steven Taylor (hamstring), Alan Smith, Ryan Taylor (both ankle) and Hatem Ben Arfa (broken leg) for the trip to the Midlands.

Possible starting XI: Harper; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Enrique; Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez; Best, Lovenkrands.

Prediction

Birmingham are on a brilliant run at the moment and will be confident that they cab continue their climb up the table against Newcastle on Tuesday night. Newcastle are light in the striking department but have players like Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan who are capable of inspiring their team to victory.

Under the floodlights, the atmopshere at St Andrew's can be electric at times and I expect the Birmingham faithful to roar their side to victory on Tuesday night. Nikola Zigic will cause the Newcastle defence problems and the quality of supply from Craig Gardner and David Bentley means that the home side can pin the Magpies back in their own half.

Birmingham 2-1 Newcastle

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