Tuesday, January 17, 2012

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18.01. (Wed) 22:00 Real - Barcelona

Clasico : Real Madrid - Barcelona : Coentrao, Iniesta, Di Maria
Clasico : Real Madrid - Barcelona : Coentrao, Iniesta, Di Maria

PROBABLE LINE-UPS



REAL MADRID



Casillas
Coentrao, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo
Xabi Alonso, Diarra
Callejon, Ozil, Ronaldo
Benzema
  BARCELONA

 
Pinto
Alves, Puyol, Pique, Abidal
Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta
Messi, Cesc, Sanchez



Jose Mourinho will be without the suspended Alvaro Arbeloa who failed in his attempt to get his one-match ban overturned. Fabio Coentrao is expected to deputise at right-back. Pepe is a doubt with a thigh strain although the Portuguese defender is expected to pass a late fitness test.

Sami Khedira is definitely ruled out of the game after spraining his ankle last week against Malaga so Lassana Diarra is in line to keep his place in the Madrid starting line-up.

Jose Callejon should retain his place in the first XI due to Angel di Maria picking up a fresh injury in training.

Barcelona will be without Seydou Keita, who is away at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations while Andreu Fontas looks unlikely to appear again this season after picking up a serious knee injury in the Copa del Rey win over Osasuna last week.

Pedro also picked up a knock in the game and appears to have been ruled out while Pep Guardiola will be without David Villa and Ibrahim Afellay who have long-term injuries.

Dani Alves looks set to return to the starting line-up while Cesc Fabregas is expected to continue his role upfront alongside Lionel Messi and Alexis Sanchez. Jose Pinto will start the game in goal, with the experienced goalkeeper continuing his run in the domestic cup.





DID YOU KNOW?
  • Real Madrid have won only one of their previous 12 meetings with their Catalan rivals (losing eight and drawing the other three).
  • In last month's defeat to Pep Guardiola's men, Karim Benzema scored the quickest goal in Clasico history, finding the back of the net after only 23 seconds.
  • Madrid are the reigning Copa del Rey champions after beating Barcelona 1-0 at Mestalla in last season's final courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo's extra-time winner.
  • Barcelona came from a goal down to defeat Madrid 3-1 in La Liga last month with Alexis Sanchez, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas on the scoresheet.
  • The victory was the first time in six games where Lionel Messi had not netted at the Santiago Bernabeu.
  • The game between the two great rivals will represent the ninth Clasico in just over a year.
Prediction
I'm going to stick my neck out and predict a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid. Barcelona certainly have had the upper hand in this fixture recently yet expect Jose Mourinho's men to be desperate to avenge last month's defeat at home to the Catalans. However, it will be a close call and I'm sure all will be left to play for going into next week's second-leg.
Editor's Prediction
Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona

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18.01. (Wed) 21:00 Milan - Novara

Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Milan (Getty Images)
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINE-UPS


AC MILAN


Abbiati
Abate, Thiago Silva, Nesta, ZambrottaNocerino, Van Bommel, Seedorf
Boateng
Pato, Ibrahimovic
NOVARA


Ujkani
Morganella, Paci, Lodi, Gemiti Marianini, Porcari, Rigoni
Mazzarini
Caracciolo, Meggiorini

The hosts will face Novara without the services of Alberto Aquilani, with the Italy international facing a month on the sidelines with an ankle strain. The Rossoneri remain unsure how long they will be without Gennaro Gattuso, after the former Rangers midfielder contracted occular myasthenia on the club's recent trip to Dubai, but it is hopeful that he will return sooner rather than later. Likewise, Antonio Cassano's recent health problems prohibit him from returning to action.

Clarence Seedorf looks set to start the tie, after impressing as a substitute in the defeat to Inter, with the former Real Madrid midfielder expected to replace compatriot Urby Emanuelson in the starting XI.

Novara travel to Milan without Andrea Lisuzzo, as the former Palermo defender is still suffering from a heel problem. However, the visitors should welcome back Carlalberto Lodi, after the defender recovered from an ankle strain that saw him miss his side's last two encounters.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Sunday's defeat to Inter was the first time that AC Milan have lost since the 3-2 defeat to Barcelona back in November.
  • The last occasion these sides met in this competition, the Rossoneri triumphed with a 2-1 victory.
  • The Serie A holders' next league game is also against the Biancoazzurri.
  • Novara have failed to win any of the six games they have played since knocking Catania out in the last round.
  • The Piedmont club have only managed to win one of their away games in all competitions this season.
Prediction
With the Serie A holders needing to return to winning ways, and with having the home advantage on Wednesday night, a comfortable victory for the Rossoneri seems a likely outcome.
Editor's Prediction
Milan 3-0 Novara