08.01. (Sun) 21:30 Espanyol - Barcelona

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

ESPANYOL Alvarez Galan, Moreno, Forlin, VilaGarcia, Verdu, Romaric, Weiss Thievy, Alvaro

BARCELONA Valdes Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta Messi, Cesc, Alexis

Espanyol go into the Barcelona derby with a number of players suffering from niggling injuries. Walter Pandiani is still a doubt as he continues to battle back from a sore thigh muscle. Javi Lopez may be out until next week with a bruised left fibula and Juan Albin is still recovering from the surgery he underwent in September on his right abdominal muscle.

There is still some concern over the fitness of Raul Baena who is struggling with a left quadriceps injury, but on a positive note goalkeeper Carlos Kameni is back in training after his hamstring problem.

Pep Guardiola only has two injury problems in the Barcelona squad; Ibrahim Afellay and David Villa remain long-term absentess and will be out of action for the foreseeable future. 

Victor Valdes, and Andres Iniesta returned to training on Thursday after sitting out the session on Wednesday.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The last time Barcelona played Espanyol, Pep Guardiola's side won the match 2-0, with Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique both scored to seal the victory.

• Barcelona's first La Liga match of 2011 saw them defeat Levante 2-1 at Camp Nou, with Pedro bagging a brace to see his side to victory.

• The Camp Nou giants have scored well more than double the amount of goals that Espanyol have notched up in the league so far. Pep Guardiola's side have netted 50 times but their rivals have only scored 17.

• Espanyol's entire squad has scored the exact same amount of goals that Lionel Messi has scored in La Liga this season.

• Espanyol's last match saw the Catalan side lose 2-1 against Spanish Seguna B outfit Cordoba in the Copa del Rey.

• Joan Verdu plays his former side in this match. The Espanyol midfielder was a product of Barcelona's youth system and even made an appearance in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Prediction

Apart from a 5-1 victory for Barcelona against Espanyol in December 2010, the Catalan derbies have been relatively tight affairs in recent years with one or two goals usually proving to be the difference. However, if Guardiola's side are in the mood that they displayed against Osasuna in their last match, it will be a long night for the hosts.

Editor's Prediction

Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona

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08.01. (Sun) 18:00 Villarreal - Valencia

Villarreal CF

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

VILLARREAL Lopez Gaspar, Gonzalo, Zapata, Oriol Senna, Bruno Valero, Guzman, Cani Ruben

VALENCIA Alves Bruno, Rami, Ruiz, Alba Banega, Costa Feghouli, Jonas, Mathieu Soldado

Villarreal's end to 2011 was one largely to forget as the Yellow Submarine crashed out of the Champions League after losing every match, while their Copa del Rey hopes came to an end against lower division outfit Mirandes, all the while flirting just one place above the drop zone.

Ultimately, Juan Carlos Garrido's tenure came to an end and he was replaced by Jose Molina, who will be presiding over his first match as a manager of a top-flight club on Sunday.

He will have to do so without Giuseppe Rossi who continues his recovery from cruciate ligament damage, whilst Jose Catala and Wakaso Mubarak are both set to miss the match against Valencia. Alongside those absentees, Molina could be without Mateo Musacchio and Javier Camunas.

Valencia face similiar injury worries, with midfielders Hedwiges Maduro and Sergio Canales out with long term problems. Meanwhile, there are doubts over the fitness of duo Vicente Guaita and Bruno, whilst David Albelda is suspended after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season. 

Los Che have had a satisfying campaign so far and sit third in the table behind Barcelona and Real Madrid with the real intention of thinning the seven-point gap between them and Jose Mourinho's men at the summit of La Liga.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Villarreal's Juan Carlos Garrido was sacked following their humiliating defeat to Segunda Division B Mirandes in the Copa del Rey, with youth coach Molina named as his replacement until the end of the season.

• The Yellow Submarine's points tally is 18 points fewer than that at the same stage last season.

• There has never been a goalless draw played out between these two sides in the 24 meetings in La Liga.

• Valencia have the best away record in La Liga outside of Barcelona and Real Madrid, winning on four occasions, drawing once and losing two on the road.

• Los Che have mustered just one win in their last eight visits to El Madrigal.

• Roberto Soldado is the highest scoring player in La Liga from a club outside of the big two.

Prediction

El Madrigal will host a match that last season saw these two sides competing for a spot in the Champions League, but entering 2012 they are at opposite ends of the table and Unai Emery's side should have enough quality to overcome Villarreal as a result.

Editor's Prediction

Villarreal 1-2 Valencia

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08.01. (Sun) 16:00 Chelsea - Portsmouth

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CHELSEA Turnbull Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole Romeu, McEachran, Ramires Sturridge, Lukaku, Malouda

PORTSMOUTH   Henderson Ben Haim, Mokoena, Pearce, Mattock Lawrence, Norris, Mullins, Huseklepp Kitson Futacs

John Terry faces a fitness test on a knock to his knee on Saturday after playing with a painkilling injection against Wolves, but he should be fit to take his place at the heart of the defence.

He could be partnered by Branislav Ivanovic at the back after boss Andre Villas-Boas revealed he could make a comeback. Gary Cahill could well be a Chelsea player by kick-off on Sunday, but probably won't be in the squad to face Portsmouth.

Romelu Lukaku has said that he is looking to stamp his place in the squad with Didier Drogba's departure to the African Nations Cup, and is in line for a role in the team.

Portsmouth will be looking to name as strong a squad as possible, and have placed their hopes on the sizeable shoulders of their 6ft 5in striker Marko Futacs, who is likely to be supported by Dave Kitson in a 4-4-1-1 formation.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Chelsea have won the cup on six occasions, in 1970, 1997, 2000, 2007, 2009, and 2010.

• Portsmouth won the cup before their opponents as they picked up the trophy for the first time in 1939, and won it for a second time in 2008.

• The last time these two met in the competition was in the final in 2010, which Chelsea won 1-0 after Kevin-Prince Boateng saw a penalty saved and Frank Lampard also missed from the spot late in the game.

• The last time these sides met was three months after that final, with Chelsea thumping Portsmouth 5-0 at Fratton Park.

• Chelsea have won nine, drawn two and lost four of their home games this season, but Portsmouth have only won once on the road this term.

• The last time Portsmouth won at Stamford Bridge was in 1955, and the last time they avoided defeat there was in 1990 in a goalless draw in the League Cup.

• Since their last meeting in 2010, Portsmouth have suffered the plight of administration as well as relegation, but could have new owners in the near future, according to administrators.

• Daniel Sturridge (pictured above) is Chelsea's top goalscorer this season with 10 to his name.

Prediction

It's a common cliche that 'anything can happen' in the FA Cup, but I don't think Chelsea will be a major 'cupset' this weekend. They should have enough quality to beat Pompey, but the visitors can draw hope from the hosts' poor recent form at Stamford Bridge, with the stadium becoming less of a fortress and more of a sandcastle lately.

Editor's Prediction

Chelsea 3-0 Portsmouth

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08.01. (Sun) 15:00 Lecce - Juventus

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

LECCE Benassi Oddo, Tomovic, Ferrario Cuadrado, G'mazzi, Obodo, Olivera, Brivio Muriel, Di Michele

JUVENTUS Buffon Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio Pepe, Matri, Vucinic

Lecce are tipped to line up with an unchanged squad on Sunday from the side that were defeated 4-1 by Inter, but will be without duo Manuel Giandonato and Luigi Falcone, both of whom are currently nursing injuries.

Meanwhile, for the league leaders, a Juventus are set to name a full-strength side as coach Antonio Conte has no pressing injury worries or suspicions to contend with. Mirko Vucinic, for whom Marcelo Estigarribia deputised during the 0-0 draw with Udinese prior to the winter break, is available for selection once more.

An experimental line-up was utilised in the 7-1 thrashing of Saudi club Al Hilal in a recent friendly clash, but up to five changes will be made for the trip to the Via del Mare on Sunday - Frederik Sorensen, Luca Marrone, Eljero Elia, Fabio Quagliarella and Alessandro Del Piero look set to be replaced by Andrea Barzagli, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio and Vucinic.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Lecce ended a run of six consecutive losses against Juventus after their 2-0 win over the Old Lady last February.

• However, Lecce are still winless at home and have picked up just one point at the Via del Mare so far.

• The Salentini have not kept a clean sheet in their last 10 games at home since beating Udinese 2-0 back in April.

• Juventus remain the only unbeaten side among the 'top five' European leagues this season.

• The Bianconeri have drawn their last three games on the road thus far.

• Antonio Conte will face Lecce, the club of his birthplace where he played between 1985 and 1992, as coach for the first time.

Prediction

After three draws in their last six league matches, normal service looks set to be resumed for Juventus, as a domineering display against the basement boys should be expected if they are serious about pipping AC Milan and the like to the title in several months time.

Editor's Prediction

Lecce 0-3 Juventus

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08.01. (Sun) 15:00 Atalanta - Milan

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

ATALANTA Consigli Masiello, Ferri, Manfredini, Peluso Schelotto, Cigarini, Padoin, Bonaventura Marilungo Denis

AC MILAN Abbiati Bonera, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini Aquilani, Van Bommel, Nocerino Boateng Ibrahimovic, Robinho

Two changes for Stefano Colantuono's side should see Ezequiel Schelotto and Simone Padoin return to replace Adriano Ferreira Pinto and Carlos Carmona in midfield. In addition, young hitman Guido Marilungo is expected to be rewarded for his brace against Cesena with a starting berth ahead of Argentine attacker Maxi Moralez once more.
However, no such luck is in the offing for Daniele Capelli, who is out for the season with an injury setback, and the indefinitely-suspended Cristiano Doni. Matteo Brighi, however, requires a late fitness test ahead of the encounter.
Regarding table-toppers Milan, coach Massimiliano Allegri will be without the services of the banned Massimo Ambrosini, as well as injured quartet Ignazio Abate, Mathieu Flamini, Mario Yepes and Antonio Cassano.
Fortunately for the visitors, Alessandro Nesta comes back into the fold after missing the 2-0 win at Cagliari prior to the winter break, replacing Philippe Mexes, while Luca Antonini and Mark van Bommel should replace then-starters Taye Taiwo and Ambrosini.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Atalanta would have 26 points without their six-point penalty - their best return after 16 rounds of a Serie A season.

• In their previous game, a win against Cesena, Atalanta ended a run of five consecutive league draws.

• The Bergamese side are still unbeaten at home in this campaign.

• Meanwhile, AC Milan are undefeated in their last 11 Serie A games.

• The Rossoneri boast the division's best attack with 35 goals so far, while they kept 21 clean sheets in 2011, more than any other side in the league.

• However, Milan have managed just one win in their last four visits to Atalanta, a 1-0 victory in October 2008.

• Only German Denis has scored more than Zlatan Ibrahimovic so far in this campaign - the Argentine striker has netted 12 times, compared to Ibra's 11.

Prediction

Despite Atalanta's prolific attack, which is sure to pose problems for the Rossoneri rearguard, Milan should eventually come through the fixture unscathed and accomplish their task in a professional manner with a strong performance at the Azzurri d'Italia.

Editor's Prediction

Atalanta 1-3 Milan

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08.01. (Sun) 15:00 Roma - Chievo Verona

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

ROMA Stekelenburg Taddei, Juan, Heinze, Jose AngelPjanic, De Rossi, Greco Lamela, Totti, Bojan

CHIEVO Sorrentino Frey, Andreolli, Cesar, Jokic Luciano, Bradley, Hetemaj Thereau Paloschi, Pellissier

Roma coach Luis Enrique will likely be without the team's leading scorer Pablo Osvaldo after the striker was stretchered off during Wednesday's training session with a thigh injury. The Spanish boss will have to reshuffle his backline due to injuries to Marco Cassetti and Nicolas Burdisso.
Chievo coach Domenico Di Carlo will be unable to call on defensive midfielder Marco Rigoni who is out through injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Roma are unbeaten in their last three encounters (W2 D1), collecting seven points during that span.

• The Giallorossi have scored five goals in their last two matches.

• Luis Enrique's men have kept five clean sheets this season but only one in their last six games.

• Chievo have picked up only one win in their first eight road encounters this term (W1 D2 L5).
  

• The Flying Donkeys have lost four games by a one-goal margin in the current campaign.

• Chievo have conceded five goals in the last 15 minutes of their games this season.

Prediction

Luis Enrique’s men should have no problem grounding the Flying Donkeys at the Olimpico on Sunday.

Editor's Prediction

Roma 2-0 Chievo

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08.01. (Sun) 14:00 Manchester City - Manchester Utd.

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY Hart Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy Nasri, De Jong, Milner, Silva Aguero, Dzeko

MANCHESTER UNITED De Gea Valencia, Jones, Ferdinand, Evra Park, Carrick, Anderson, Nani Rooney Welbeck

In a game that is the stand-out match of the round, Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini misses the services of Kolo and Yaya Toure due to their involvement in the African Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast. Gareth Barry is suspended, while Owen Hargreaves is also battling injury.

Mario Balotelli (ankle) is also expected to be sidelined for this fixture, while Edin Dzeko (knee) and Samir Nasri (illness) are doubts.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been enduring some rough weather in recent times in terms of team selection as well as results. Concerning the former, Chris Smalling (tonsilitis) and Jonny Evans (calf) are sidelined along with long-term absentees Nemanja Vidic, Darren Fletcher, Fabio and Michael Owen. Ashley Young is also unavailable through injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester City are the current FA Cup holders, having won the competition last season.

• That 1-0 victory over Stoke City at Wembley proved to be the club's first piece of silverware in over three decades.

• Roberto Mancini (pictured right) has a record of winning a domestic Cup with every club he has managed so far.

• City beat the Red Devils 1-0 in the semi-finals of this competition last season, before going on to lift the trophy.

• Manchester United have met their neighbours seven times previously in the FA Cup, and all games have been decided at the first time of asking; United have won four ties and City three.

• The Red Devils have 11 FA Cup triumphs to their name, with the last one coming in the 2003-04 season.

• United have won their last five away games in this competition, while Mancini's men have not conceded a single goal in their last five FA Cup matches.

• Sir Alex Ferguson's charges are coming into this clash on the back of two consecutive Premier League defeats, against Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.

Prediction

The quality and skill present in both sides coupled with the derby day delight puts this as a lip-smacking contest that should be fiercely fought, as much for local bragging rights as for  progression in the tournament - as well as for psychological pressure in the title race.
Winner takes all, but the question is whether either side will do enough to warrant a win. Both will be wary of making a mistake, and a first ever FA Cup replay between the two neighbours could be on the cards.

Editor's Prediction

Manchester City 1-1 Man Utd.

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08.01. (Sun) 12:00 Rayo Vallecano - Sevilla

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

RAYO VALLECANO Cobeno Tito, Arribas, Figueras, Casado Movilla, Fuego Piti, Michu, Bangoura Tamudo

SEVILLA Varas Coke, Spahic, Fazio, Navarro Trochowski, Medel Navas, Rakitic, Armenteros Negredo

Rayo Vallecano play in their first match since the turn of the year after succumbing to Racing Santander in the Copa del Rey in their final match of 2011. The capital club can now focus their attention on their Liga status which currently has them resting precariously outside the relegation zone in 16th place.

The promoted side have a trio of injury worries ahead of Sevilla's visit to the Vallecas, with Pedro Botelho, Raul Bravo and Dani Pacheco all nursing knocks.

Sevilla's Liga formhas seen them lose their last two matches against Real Madrid and Levante, who are vying for a top four finish along with Marcelino's side.

Top scorer Manu del Moral is absent due to suspension, with Emiliano Armenteros likely to replace the Spaniard. Further attacking issues arise because of injury, with Diego Perotti certain to miss the trip to the capital, whilst Frederic Kanoute is doubtful.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Rayo have the worst home record of any team in La Liga; the capital outfit have amassed a paltry seven points in the same number of matches. 

• Jose Ramon Sandoval's side have lost their last four matches in the league.

• If Rayo are in contention heading into the final five minutes of the game they may have a chance as each of their last three goals have come in the 85th minute or later.

• Sevilla have a poor record at the Vallecas in La Liga, losing seven times in their last 11 visits.

• On their travels Sevilla have been strong in defence, conceding only three goals, but their attack has failed to capitalise, netting on just three occasions. 

• Jesus Navas scoring has acted as a curse for the Andalusians - the last three matches that the winger has been on the scoresheet, Sevilla have failed to win the game.

Prediction

Expect a difficult match for Sevilla against a Rayo side that must get a result. The hosts do have the ability to cause a shock, however, Los Rojiblancos are looking to end a run of three straight defeats in all competitions so these two could cancel each other out,

Editor's Prediction

Rayo Vallecano 1 -1 Sevilla

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