20.03. (Sun) 21:00 Valencia - Sevilla

DID YOU KNOW?

* Valencia sit in third place. Second place looks out of reach for them, as they trail Real Madrid by 16 points. Depending on this result and others, they could be leapfrogged by Villarreal which would leave them in fourth place.

* Los Che have won two of their last five games, losing two and drawing one.

* They also found themselves dumped out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, courtesy of German side Schalke.

* Valencia have won 10 of their last 12 league meetings with Sevilla.

* Sevilla are currently in eighth place in La Liga after enduring a disappointing campaign so far. This weekend could see them move up to sixth, but they cannot drop any further.

* Los Nervionenses have also won only two of their last five games, picking up two draws, including last weekends 1-1 draw with league leaders Barcelona, and one loss.

* Before Jesus Navas' goal against Barcelona, the last time a Spanish player that wasn't Alvaro Negredo found the net for Sevilla was against Valencia.

* Goalkeeper Andres Palop has returned to full training for Sevilla after a long injury lay-off, though it is widely expected that Javi Varas will start between the sticks in this game. January signing Gary Medel is a doubt for the match, as he was allowed to return to his native Chile during the week.

LAST MEETING

November 8th, 2010: Sevilla 2-0 Valencia

Goals from Alfaro and Negredo sealed an important home victory for Sevilla, and sent Valencia home empty handed.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Valencia: Guaita; Mathieu, R. Costa, Stankevicius, Bruno; A. Costa, Topal, Banega, Joaquin; Mata, Soldado

Sevilla: Varas; Navarro, Alexis, Fazio, Caceres; Perotti, Zokora, Rakitic, Navas; Kanoute, Negredo

Prediction

Valencia 1-1 Sevilla

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20.03. (Sun) 21:00 Olympique Marseille - Paris Saint Germain

DID YOU KNOW?

* OM and PSG have clashed 30 times in Ligue 1 at the Stade Velodrome. The home side have won 19, drawn six and lost just five.

* Last season PSG old boy Gabriel Heinze scored the only goal of the game with a 25th-minute header.

* Marseille's tally of 39 goals is the fifth-best total in Ligue 1, while only Rennes (20) have conceded fewer goals than OM (23).

* In Week 27, Loic Remy and Lucho Gonalez scored either side of half-time to record a precious 2-0 win away to Rennes at the Stade de la Route de Lorient. Andre Ayew set up the first goal and younger brother Jordan Ayew set up the second. The Ayew brothers are sons of former Marseille and Ghana great Abedi Pele.

* Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda is the only player to have featured in all 27 games to date while Lucho and Ayew have missed just a single game each.

* PSG head into Week 28 in fifth place, seven points behind leaders Lille, and three points adrift of fourth-placed Marseille.

* PSG have scored 41 goals - the third-highest total in Ligue 1 (Lille 47, Lyon 46). PSG's defence has conceded 28 goals in 27 games, the equal seventh-best in the division.

* Nene scored 50 seconds into PSG's 3-2 defeat at home to Auxerre earlier this season - it remains the fastest goal scored in the division in the current campaign.

* Ludovic Giuly is the club's leading assists giver with six. Hoarau has five while Nene has five.

* While Marseille, with 23 points, are the best away team in France, PSG are fourth with 19 points from 13 games, one less than OM.

LAST MEETING

November 7, 2010: Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Olympique de Marseille

PSG won the previous Derby de France encounter by a 2-1 margin over their great rivals, largely thanks to a lightning quick start to the encounter. Mevlut Erding and Guillaume Hoarau both struck inside 20 minutes, and though Lucho Gonzalez quickly pulled on back for OM, it was not enough.


PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Olympique de Marseille: Mandanda; Fanni, Diawara, Heinze, Taiwo; Mbia, Gonzalez, Cisse; A. Ayew, Remy, Gignac. Marseille

Paris Saint-Germain: Apoula; Jallet, Sakho, Armand, Tiene; Makelele, Clement; Giuly, Bodmer, Nene; Hoarau

Prediction

Both teams will be on a low after crashing out of Europe, but les Parisiens are a side on the slide. OM will start as favourites, particularly if Lucho Gonzalez is ready to start after an armed robbery at his house. PSG have been tenacious this term, but they appear to be running out of steam, and this could be a further nail in their title hopes.

Marseille 2-0 PSG

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20.03. (Sun) 20:45 Napoli - Cagliari

DID YOU KNOW?

* Napoli are unbeaten in their last 10 games at the Stadio San Paolo (W8, D2).

* The Azzurri haven't conceded a goal in their last five home matches.

* They have scored seven goals in their past five home games.

* Edinson Cavani leads the team in scoring with 20 goals in Serie A.

* Cagliari have conceded seven goals in their last five road matches.

* Davide Astori will miss the match due to a ban.

LAST MEETING

November 10, 2010: Cagliari 0-1 Napoli

The tight encounter seemed destined for a scoreless draw until Ezequiel Lavezzi beat Cagliari goalkeeper Michael Agazzi deep into injury time.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Napoli: De Sanctis; Cannavaro, Cribari, Ruiz; Zuniga, Pazienza, Yebda, Dossena; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Cavani

Cagliari: Agazzi; Perico, Canini, Ariaudo, Agostini; Biondini, Conti, Nainggolan; Cossu, Lazzari; Acquafresca

Prediction

Cagliari have played many of the big boys in Serie A very tough but they lack the big game acumen to take down Napoli on Sunday. The San Paolo has been a fortress this year and the hosts will pick up all three points.

Napoli 2-0 Cagliari

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20.03. (Sun) 19:00 Athletic Bilbao - Villarreal

DID YOU KNOW?

* Villarreal sit in fourth place, the last qualifying spot for the Champions League. The top two places appear out of reach as they trail second placed Real Madrid by 19 points, but they could draw level on points with third placed Valencia depending on results this weekend. With eight points separating them from fifth place, they will definitely stay in the Champions League places this weekend.

* The Yellow Submarine have won just one of their last five games in La Liga, drawn three and lost one.

* They did however progress into the quarter-finals of the Europa League in midweek, defeating a tough Bayer Leverkusen side.

* Giuseppe Rossi has scored the only goal in each of Villarreal's last three league games.

* El Amarillo have won eight of their last nine league clashes with Athletic.

* Athletic Bilbao currently occupy sixth place, a position that would see them qualify for the Europa League. Depending on results this weekend, they could climb to fifth or drop two places to eighth.

* Athletic have also won just one of their last five league games, although they have lost three and drawn one, picking up just four points of a possible 15.

* Los Leones have lost every home game in which they have conceded more than one goal this season.

LAST MEETING

November 7th, 2010: Villarreal 4-1 Athletic

Athletic took the lead early on through Fernando Llorente, but Nilmar, Cazorla, Rossi and Montero took the game by its horns and each found the net to grab a big win for Villarreal.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Athletic: Iraizoz; San Jose, Amorebieta, Koikili, Iraola; Gabilondo, Javi Martinez, Orbaiz, Lopez; Llorente, Susaeta

Villarreal: D. Lopez; Capdevila, Musacchio, Gonzalo, A. Lopez; Cazorla, Marchena, Valero, Cani; Rossi, Nilmar

Prediction

Athletic Bilbao 2-2 Villarreal

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20.03. (Sun) 17:00 Chelsea - Manchester City

DID YOU KNOW?

* Chelsea lost only twice in their first 24 Premier League meetings against Manchester City.

* The two teams in question have locked horns 131 times in the league, so the upcoming game will be the 132nd league clash between them.

* Of the 65 home games in the league at the west London club, the hosts have won 32, drawn 20 and lost 13 matches against these opponents.

* And during this time, the Blues have scored 111 goals against City, while conceding 71 in the process.

* Carlo Ancelotti’s charges have conceded only 24 goals this season, which is the fewest number of goals shipped in by any side in the top-flight. But City (25) have let in only one more than their opponents.

* In recent times, Manchester City have managed to get the better of their opponents, winning the last three Premier League meetings between the two teams.

* The Eastlands outfit have not been able to put together two consecutive victories in the league this year.

* Roberto Mancini’s men have also had trouble on their travels of late, as they have won only one of their last five matches away from home.

* A defeat at Stamford Bridge would see Mancini’s men slip to fourth place, having played a game more than fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. Should Spurs beat West Ham United on Saturday and City lose on Sunday, it would see Harry Redknapp’s men come within two points of fourth place with a game in hand.

* City skipper Carlos Tevez has an excellent record against Chelsea, as the Argentine has hit the back of the net on six occasions in his last five appearances against the London-based club.

LAST MEETING

September 25, 2010: Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea

Back in September, Chelsea were in cruise control as they had begun the season on a stellar note. But their trip to Eastlands proved to be tricky, as they were up against a resolute and well organised defence that stifled the opponents' strike force.

Roberto Mancini's men hit home just shy of the hour mark, when skipper Carlos Tevez ran half the length of the pitch to coolly put the ball past goalkeeper Petr Cech.

That was the only goal scored during the game, but one that handed the Eastlands outfit all three points.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Essien, Lampard; Malouda, Anelka, Torres.

Manchester City: Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Boateng; Silva, Barry, De Jong, Yaya Toure, Kolarov; Tevez.

Prediction

Manchester City have had the advantage in recent times, and manager Roberto Mancini will likely know that a defeat could have potentially disastrous ramifications for the club’s ambitions this season. And a loss at Stamford Bridge could very well dent the confidence of his charges so much that Tottenham Hotspur could overtake them in fourth place.

But on the other side of the fence, Chelsea have a chance to reduce the gap to six points between themselves and league leaders Manchester United. And having beaten United once already, they will likely have a good deal of confidence ahead of their Champions League double-header against the Red Devils. And should they send United out of the continental competition, a potential dent to the confidence of the Old Trafford outfit and a boost for Ancelotti and Co may see the tables turn in their favour on the domestic circuit – where yet another game against a Manchester-based club awaits them.

So looking at the game in prospect, Chelsea appear to have the advantage as they are playing on their own turf.

Chelsea 2-1 Man City

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20.03. (Sun) 16:00 Celtic - Rangers

DID YOU KNOW?

* Celtic destroyed the Ibrox side in the first Old Firm League Cup final meeting, when a hat-trick of headers by Billy McPhail, a double from Neil Mochan and goals from Sammy Wilson and Willie Fernie secured a 7-1 win for the Bhoys during the 1957-58 season

* The last time the sides met in the final at Hampden in 2009, it was extra-time goals from Irish internationals Darren O’Dea and Aiden McGeady that helped Celtic claim the trophy, while the Ibrox side had Kirk Broadfoot sent off.

* Celtic claimed the record for the most consecutive Scottish League Cup final appearances, with the Parkhead side visiting Hampden 14 times between 1965 and 1978.

* Neil Lennon’s side will be looking to claim their fourth Old Firm victory of the season, having beaten the Ibrox men twice in the League and also sending them crashing out of the Scottish Cup at the start of the month.

* Celtic secured their passage to the final with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Aberdeen, with Kris Commons, Charlie Mulgrew, Thomas Rogne and Anthony Stokes all scoring for the Parkhead side, while Scott Vernon claimed a consolation for Craig Brown’s men.

* Rangers currently hold a 12 trophy lead over their Old Firm rivals, having claimed the cup 26 times while the Parkhead team have only been able to get their hand of the League Cup 14 times.

* The Ibrox side also hold the advantage when it comes to Old Firm League Cup finals, having beaten Celtic eight times, while only losing five times to the Hoops in the 13 games in which they have met

* Walter Smith’s side have been involved in the last three League Cup finals, beating Dundee United in 2008 and St Mirren in 2010, while suffering defeat at the hands of Celtic in the 2009 final.

* The first ever League Cup was claimed by Rangers on April 5 1947, when a double from Jimmy Duncanson and goals from Torrance Gillick, Billy Williamson saw the Ibrox side defeat Aberdeen in the final.

* Rangers claimed their place in the League Cup final with a 2-1 victory over Motherwell. Maurice Edu and Steven Naismith were on the scoresheet for the Ibrox side, while Keith Lasley scored for the Lanarkshire men.

LAST MEETING

March, 2 2011: Celtic 1-0 Rangers

A second half Mark Wilson strike claimed a Scottish Cup replay victory for the Parkhead side in the most controversial Old Firm derby of the season, as Steven Whittaker, Madjid Bougherra and El Hadji Diouf were all sent off, while Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist and Celtic gaffer Neil Lennon both received bans for a confrontation after the final whistle.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Celtic - Emilio Izaguirre: The flying Honduran full-back has been a revelation since his summer move from Motagua in his homeland. A crowd favourite for the Parkhead side, Izaguirre will be a key figure for Celtic during the final.

Rangers - El Hadji Diouf: The on-loan Blackburn forward scored his first SPL goal last week for the Ibrox side in their victory over Kilmarnock, and the Senegal international will be looking to redeem himself after being sent off in the previous Old Firm clash.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Celtic: Forster; Wilson, Rogne, Mulgrew, Izaguirre; Brown, Kayal, Ledley, Commons; Hooper Samaras.

Rangers: Alexander; Whittaker, Weir, Bougherra, Papac; Naismith, Davis, Edu, Wylde; Diouf Jelavic. 

PREDICTION

The Rangers squad was already at breaking point before Walter Smith’s side lost both Kyle Bartley and Kyle Lafferty during their Europa League defeat to PSV Eindhoven, while Celtic can welcome back both Mark Wilson and Scott Brown to strengthen their squad even further after their victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Wednesday, which will make Neil Lennon even more confident about claiming his first trophy as Celtic manager.

Celtic 2-0 Rangers

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20.03. (Sun) 15:30 Bayer Leverkusen - Schalke 04

DID YOU KNOW?

* Bayer Leverkusen have had the upper hand over Schalke in recent years, winning four of the sides' last six meetings. The other two games have ended in a draw and a win for die Knappen in March 2010.

* In the Bundesliga, die Werkself have scored 94 goals against Schalke with die Koenigsblauen scoring 75 in response.

* Despite flying high in the Bundesliga, Leverkusen have performed better away from the BayArena with 30 points being won on the road in comparison to 22 points at home.

* The two teams have met 26 times at the BayArena with the home side picking up 15 wins and their Gelsenkirchen counterparts taking all the points on five occasions.

* Bayer coach Jupp Heynckes was in charge of Schalke during the 2003-04 campaign and led die Knappen to a seventh-placed finish before leaving the club at the beginning of the following season.

* So far this season, Schalke have scored 31 goals, with the same amount being conceded, leaving the club as the only team in the Bundesliga with a goal difference of zero.

* Schalke's 1-0 home defeat to Leverkusen back in October left the side second bottom with only one victory in their first 10 Bundesliga games of the season.

* Following the departure of head coach Felix Magath, former Hoffenheim boss Ralf Rangnick will take the helm for Sunday's encounter with the Werkself.

* None of the players expected to start for the Champions League quarter-finalists have ever scored against Leverkusen.

* If top scorer Raul scores this weekend, the legendary Spaniard will have a dozen Bundesliga goals to his name in his debut season in Germany.

LAST MEETING

October 30, 2010: Schalke 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen continued their impressive start to the season and condemned Schalke to another defeat back in October with a 1-0 away win against die Koenigsblauen, Sidney Sam scoring the only goal of the game on 65 minutes.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Bayer Leverkusen: Adler; Schwaab, Hyypia, Reinartz, Kadlec; Rolfes, Ballack; Sam, Renato Augusto, Castro, Kiessling.

Schalke: Neuer; Uchida, Metzelder, Papadopoulos, Escudero; Edu, Annan, Kluge, Jurado; Raul, Gavranovic.

Prediction

Leverkusen 1-1 Schalke 04   

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20.03. (Sun) 15:00 Udinese - Catania

DID YOU KNOW?

* Udinese are currently fourth in the Serie A table with 53 points from 29 matches.

* The last time the Bianconeri finished in the top four in the league was in 2004-05.

* Francesco Guidolin’s side have not lost a single match in the Italian top flight in 2011 – 12 matches without a defeat.

* The Zebrette have scored more away goals in the league than they have scored at home (22 at home, 32 away).

* Catania are placed in 14th spot in the league standings at the moment with 32 points from 29 matches.

* The Sicilians are the only side in Serie A who have yet to win an away match this season.

* Diego Simeone’s team have scored just seven goals in 14 away league fixtures – the joint lowest record in the championship.

* The Etnei will be without the services of Pablo Alvarez as he is suspended.

LAST MEETING

November 10, 2010: Catania 1-0 Udinese

Catania defeated Udinese 1-0 to continue their stupendous home form. A Maxi Lopez header on the hour-mark proved to be the difference between the two sides. Both teams ended with ten men each after Giovanni Pasquale was sent off for the visitors on 83 minutes and then Pablo Ledesma saw red just three minutes later.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Udinese: Handanovic; Benatia, Zapata, Domizzi; Isla, Pinzi, Inler, Asamoah, Armero; Di Natale, Sanchez

Catania: Andujar; Schelotto, Silvestre, Spolli, Marchese; Carboni, Lodi; Gomez, Ricchiuti, Bergessio; Maxi Lopez

Prediction

An easy win for Udinese should be the eventual outcome of this fixture.

Udinese 3-0 Catania

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20.03. (Sun) 15:00 Sampdoria - Parma

DID YOU KNOW?

* Sampdoria head into Week 30 placed 15th in the Serie A standings with 31 points, just three more than third-from-bottom Lecce.

* The Blucerchiati have a uniform record at home in the league this season – won five, lost five and drawn five.

* Alberto Cavasin’s side have lost their last three league encounters and four of their last five, drawing the other one.

* Parma are just two places and one point above the relegation zone, and two points behind Sampdoria.

* The Ducali have not won any of their last eight Serie A encounters.

* On home form alone Pasquale Marino’s side would be placed 15th. On away form too, they would be stationed in 15th.

LAST MEETING

November 11, 2010: Parma 1-0 Sampdoria

Valeri Bojinov's goal in the 84th minute saw Parma win their first game in Serie A since August 29 and lift themselves off the foot of the table.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Sampdoria: Curci; Volta, Gastaldello, Martinez; Mannini, Dessena, Koman, Poli, Ziegler; Guberti; Maccarone

Parma: Mirante; Zaccardo, Paci, Paletta; Valiani, Morrone, Dzemaili, Modesto; Candreva; Crespo, Palladino

Prediction

Sampdoria have plummeted towards the relegation zone and will hope to get something from their encounter against Parma. However, given their poor run of results a draw is the most they can aspire for.

Sampdoria 1-1 Parma

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20.03. (Sun) 15:00 Juventus - Brescia

DID YOU KNOW?

* Juventus are winless in their last four matches.

* The Bianconeri have only scored two goals in their last four encounters.

* Juve have been held scoreless in eight games this season.

* Vincenzo Iaquinta has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign due to a thigh injury sustained in training on Thursday.

* The Old Lady have won six out of their 14 home games this season (W6, D3, L5).

* Brescia have picked up four draws in row.

* The Rondinelle's last win came on February 6.

* Jonathan Zebina, Andrea Caracciolo and Perparim Hetemaj are all suspended for Sunday's clash in Turin.

LAST MEETING

November 10, 2010: Brescia 1-1 Juventus

Juventus jumped into a second-half lead courtesy of a Fabio Quagliarella strike in the 71st minute but the visitors were not able to hang on to their advantage as Alessandro Diamanti's goal 12 minutes from time gave Brescia a share of the spoils.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Juventus: Buffon; Grygera, Bonucci, Chiellini, Traore; Krasic, Marchisio, Aquilani, Pepe; Matri, Del Piero

Brescia: Arcari; Mareco, Bega, Zoboli; Zambelli, Kone, Cordova, Vass, Acardi; Diamanti, Eder

Prediction

Juve have been less than convincing lately but Brescia are missing three first-team regulars and won't be able to handle the Old Lady in Turin.

Juventus 2-0 Brescia

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20.03. (Sun) 15:00 Inter - Lecce

DID YOU KNOW?

* Inter played out their first Serie A draw under Leonardo last week since he took the reigns near the end of December (W11, D1, L2).

* The Nerazzurri are currently riding a five-game unbeaten streak (W4, D1).

* The champions have scored 17 goals in their last five games at San Siro.

* Samuel Eto'o leads the team in scoring with 19 Serie A goals.

* Ivan Cordoba will miss the clash due to suspension.

* Lecce's last win came on February 6 against Juventus.

* The Serie A newboys have one win in their last five games away from home (W1, D2, L2).

* David Di Michele leads the team in scoring with five goals.

LAST MEETING

November 10, 2010: Lecce 1-1 Inter

An injury-ravaged Inter side took a 76th minute lead thanks to a goal by Diego Milito but the champions were unable to fend off a spirited rally by Lecce who equalised through Ruben Olivera's header 10 minutes from time.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Inter: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Rannochia, Chivu; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Stankovic; Sneijder; Pazzini, Eto'o

Lecce: Rosati; Tomovic, Ferrario, Fabiano, Brivio; Giacomazzi, Vives, Bertolacci; Olivera, Mesbah; Corvia

Prediction

Inter might start slowly against Lecce after coming off their dramatic Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich but once they get going against the Serie A newboys they should have their way with them. Inter have scored a ton of goals at San Siro under coach Leonardo and Sunday should be no different.

Inter Milan 3-0 Lecce

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20.03. (Sun) 15:00 Bologna - Genoa

DID YOU KNOW?

* Bologna have taken seven points out of a possible nine in their last three encounters.

* Bologna have only suffered one loss in their last five home games (W3, D1, L1)

* Marco Di Vaio leads the team in scoring with 17 goals in Serie A.

* Genoa have conceded ten goals in their last five matches.

* Genoa have one win in their last five games away from the Marassi (W1, D1, L3)

* Rodrigo Palacio leads the team in scoring despite having only five goals to his name.

LAST MEETING

November 10, 2010: Genoa 1-0 Bologna

Davide Ballardini won his first game in charge of Genoa as Omar Milanetto netted the winner in the 81st minute in what was a rough and tumble affair at the Marassi.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Bologna: Viviano; Casarini, Portanova, Britos, Rubin; Perez, Mudingayi, Della Rocca; Busce; Di Vaio, Ramirez

Genoa: Eduardo; Mesto, Kaladze, Dainelli, Criscito; Konko, Veloso, Kucka, Rossi; Palacio, Floro Flores

Prediction

Expect some goals in this encounter with Bologna squeaking out a slim victory thanks to their talisman Marco Di Vaio.

Bologna 2-1 Genoa

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20.03. (Sun) 15:00 Bari - Chievo Verona

DID YOU KNOW?

* Bari held league leaders Milan to a draw in the last round.

* The Galletti haven't won in the last eleven games.

* Bari's last victory came on January 6 against Lecce.

* Chievo are winless in their last six matches.

* The Flying Donkeys have only one win in their last 10 road games.

* Marco Andreolli, Bostjan Cesar and Andrea Mantovani will miss out through suspension.

LAST MEETING

November 10, 2010: Chievo 0-0 Bari

The two goalkeepers stood out as the Flying Donkeys and Galletti played out a drab draw at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentigodi.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Bari: Gillet: A.Masiello, Glik, Belmonte, Rossi; Almiron, Gazzi, Bentevoglio; Alvarez, Ghezzal; Rudolf

Chievo: Sorrentino; Frey, Morero, Mandelli, Jokic; Fernandes, Rigoni, Marcolini; Bogliacino; Pellissier, Thereau

Prediction

Chievo have really struggled on the road this season and Bari will do just enough to send the their fans home happy on Sunday.

Bari 2-1 Chievo

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20.03. (Sun) 14:30 Sunderland - Liverpool

DID YOU KNOW?

* Sunderland have won just two of their previous 19 games against Liverpool.

* Steve Bruce’s side are currently on a five-game run without a win; they last tasted victory on January 22 away to Blackpool.

* The Black Cats have only scored once in their last four home meetings against the Reds, with Darren Bent bagging the goal with the assistance of a beach ball.

* Sunderland have gone 259 minutes without scoring in the Premier League.

* The Wearside club have dropped 13 points in the last ten minutes of games - the most in the Premier League.

* Kenny Dalglish can record the 250th win of his managerial career if Liverpool win at the Stadium of Light.

* Liverpool have lost all three of their Premier League away games directly following a Europa League matchday this season.

* Dirk Kuyt is Liverpool’s top scorer this season with seven Premier League goals, three of which came in their last league game against Manchester United.

* The Reds have taken 17 points from their last eight Premier League games.

* Liverpool have conceded six goals in the last minute of matches this season only Wolves have conceded more.

LAST MEETING

September 25, 2010: Liverpool 2-2 Sunderland

The two sides played out a controversial 2-2 draw when a Fernando Torres strike was the talking point of the fixture. Steven Gerrard also netted for the Reds, cancelling out two goals from Darren Bent.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Sunderland: Mignolet; Onuoha, Mensah, Bramble, Bardsley; Sessegnon, Henderson, Muntari, Richardson: Welbeck, Gyan.

Liverpool: Reina; Carragher, Wilson, Skrtel, Johnson; Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Rodriguez; Suarez, Carroll.

Prediction

Sunderland have been good at home this season, losing only three times, while Liverpool have been inconsistent over the last few weeks and have never won after playing in the Europa League this season.

The Black Cats also have a few players returning from injury so they will almost be back to full strength after a horrendous run with injuries which included influential captain Lee Cattermole missing two months of the season. The Reds will be missing Steven Gerrard which will be a huge blow and one which could cost them in a tight game.

Sunderland 2-1 Liverpool

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20.03. (Sun) 12:30 Fiorentina - Roma

DID YOU KNOW?

* Fiorentina head into Week 30 in eighth place in Serie A with 40 points, nine points off the final Europa League slot.

* The Viola have won eight games at home in the league this season, losing three and drawing three.

* Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side have won their last two league encounters without conceding a goal and are unbeaten in their last four Serie A matches.

* The Gigliati have shipped 11 goals at home in the league this campaign –that’s as many as Milan and Udinese and fewer than Inter, Lazio and Roma.

* Roma are sixth in the league standings with 49 points from 29 matches, four points off the final Champions League slot.

* The Giallorossi defeated Lazio 2-0 in Serie A last weekend for what was their fifth successive Rome derby triumph, which also includes a Coppa Italia victory earlier this year.

* Vincenzo Montella has yet to lose a single league encounter in charge of Roma, having led his team to three wins in four.

* The Lupi have the third worst defensive record away from home in the championship, having shipped 27 times.

LAST MEETING

November 10, 2010: Roma 3-2 Fiorentina

Fabio Simplicio broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time for Roma and six minutes into the second-half Marco Borriello doubled the former Italian champions’ advantage. However, Alberto Gilardino halved the deficit in the 69th minute but Simone Perrotta restored Roma’s two-goal cushion minutes later. Gaetano D'Agostino netted the second for the Viola a minute before normal time but Roma held on for a 3-2 victory.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Fiorentina: Boruc; Comotto, Gamberini, Natali, Pasqual; Behrami, Montolivo, Vargas; Santana; Gilardino, Mutu

Roma: Doni; N. Burdiosso, Mexes, Juan, Riise; Pizarro, De Rossi; Taddei, Perrotta, Menez; Totti

Prediction

Roma are back on song and after their defeat of Lazio last week will aspire for all three points in Florence. One suspects that the Lupi will just about get them.

Fiorentina 1-2 Roma

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