Saturday, February 2, 2013

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03.02. (Sun) 20:45 Milan - Udinese

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

AC MILAN
Abbiati
Abate, Bonera, Zapata, Constant
Flamini, Montolivo, Boateng
Niang, Pazzini, El Shaarawy

UDINESE
Padelli
Benatia, Danilo, Domizzi, Pasquale
Basta, Pinzi, Allan, Lazzari
Muriel
Di Natale

Regardless of the result on Sunday, in years to come the last seven days will always be remembered for the signing of Mario Balotelli.

The arrival of the former Inter man was a timely and symbolic reminder that AC Milan still have the ambition and allure to attract players of the highest quality to San Siro, at a time when many supporters feared quite the opposite.

Balotelli is likely to start on the bench for the Rossoneri, which means Giampaolo Pazzini will be handed the opportunity to continue his run of three goals in his last three Serie A appearances.

Udinese welcome back Mehdi Benatia from AFCON duty, with the defender set to go straight into the starting XI, while Luis Muriel should partner Antonio Di Natale upfront.

DID YOU KNOW?

AC Milan have won six of their last seven league games at San Siro.

The Rossoneri splashed out a reported €22 million on Mario Balotelli on Tuesday as they bid to continue their rise up the Serie A table.

Massimiliano Allegri's side go into the game sat in fifth spot in the league table and only three points adrift of arch-rivals Inter.

Udinese finished third last season but have been inconsistent this term and sit in ninth place ahead of Sunday's trip to San Siro.

Antonio Di Natale now has 14 goals for the campaign at the grand age of 35-years-old.
The Zebrette were 2-1 winners in the first meeting between the two sides back in September.

Prediction
Buoyed by the signing of Mario Balotelli and riding high on the back of six wins in their last seven home games, AC Milan should have enough to run out winners at San Siro on Sunday.
Editor's Prediction
Milan 2-0 Udinese

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03.02. (Sun) 19:30 Burkina Faso - Togo

PROBABLE LINEUPS

TOGO
Agassa
Bossou, Nibombe, Akakpo, Mamah
Djene, Amewou, Wome, Ayite
Adebayo, Gakpe

BURKINA FASO
Soulama
Kone, Koulibally, Pananteguirui, K Sanou
Kabore, D. Kone, Pitroipa,
Bance, Dagano

The Hawks of Togo will battle it out with the Stallions of Burkina Faso at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit as both countries eye a semi-final berth in the ongoing 29th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

These two west African countries have laboured in the history of the tournament with Burkina Faso's best being their fourth-place finish on home soil in 1998 and they held the country with the longest run in the tournament (17 games) without a win until they broke that jinx against Ethiopia with an emphatic 4-0 win.

Togo on the other hand are in the quarter-final of the tournament for the first time in seven appearances and this crunch encounter promises nothing than fireworks.

This is the first time they are locking horns in the history of the tournament despite the fact that they were billed to face each other in Group B of the 2010 edition in Angola, but the Togolese withdrew after gunmen attacked their team bus in Cabinda on the outskirts of Angola which saw some of their players losing their lives.

As far as this tournament is concerned, both countries have served fans and spectators with delightful attacking football laced with quick counter-attack, however, the side which will prove resolute at the back will have the urge. Burkina who have conceded just one goal look very solid in defence with the likes of Olympique Lyonnais centre-back Bakary Kone, Saidou Panantedegurui, Paul Koulibally and Mohammed Koffi.

They are yet to face a team with a well drilled attacking force like Togo. The men between the sticks will be very crucial in the game with Togo's shot-stopper Kossi Agassa who is arguably the best in the tournament and his opposite number Soulama Abdoulaye who was superb in the first game against Nigeria until he slipped in the game against Ethiopia. Serge Gakpe, Dove Wome, Jonathan Ayite and skipper Adebayor will be the key men to lead the Hawks to fly high whilst the presence of Jonathan Pitroipa, Charles Kabore, Kone and Djakaridja Kone will be very crucial if the Stallions are to make it to the semis for the second time in their history.

DID YOU KNOW?
Togo have not lost to Burkina Faso in their last four games dating back to 1999.

The all-time games record between them are as follows: played 19, Togo won nine, drew six, lost four, Burkina won four, draw six, lost nine.

Burkina Faso coach Paul Put was banned three years in Belgium by the FA for his involvement in the Ye-Zheyun match fixing scandal.

The nickname Les Etalons, which means “The Stallions” of the Burkinabe team is in reference to the legendary horse of Princess Yennega.

Three of the first 11 players of the Togolese national team are either from different countries or of mixed race (Alexys Romao - Brazilian Togolese. Emmanuel Adebayor -Nigerian, Jonathan Ayite - Ghanaian Togolese).
The last time both countries met was in a friendly in 2012 where Togo won 3-0 at the Stade Municipal.

Prediction
This crunch game will witness a lot of physical attack. Both goalkeepers will have a lot to do which includes organising their backlines. A one all draw is the likely results after 120 minutes of football of which the game will be decided by the lottery of penalties.
Editor's Prediction
Burkina Faso 1-1 Togo

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03.02. (Sun) 19:00 Valencia - Barcelona

PROBABLE LINEUPS

VALENCIA
Alves
Pereira, Rami, Ruiz, Cissokho
Albelda, T Costa
Piatti, Banega, Guardado
Soldado

BARCELONA
Valdes
Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba
Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas
Pedro, Messi, Villa

Valencia forward Roberto Soldado has returned to training following a thigh injury and could start Sunday’s encounter against Barcelona at Mestalla.
However, Dani Parejo (hand) and Jonas (thigh) are unlikely to feature, while Nelson Valdez (calf) is a minor doubt.

Left-back Jeremy Mathieu has recovered from his ankle injury but will not be involved, while winger Sofiane Feghouli has returned from the Africa Cup of Nations and may start on the bench.

Barcelona welcome back Gerard Pique after he missed last weekend’s 5-1 win over Osasuna through suspension.

Striker Isaac Cuenca will play no part after he was loaned out to Ajax on transfer deadline day.

DID YOU KNOW?

Valencia have won four of their last five Liga matches.

Los Che have lost their last three encounters against Barcelona by an aggregate score of 8-1.

Valencia’s last home win over Barca was a 3-2 success in the Copa del Rey in March 2008.

Barcelona have won just two of their last five games in all competitions.

With 71 goals scored in their 21 Liga matches, the Catalans possess the most potent attack in La Liga.

Lionel Messi has scored in a record 11 consecutive Liga games.

Prediction
Barcelona played well against Real Madrid on Wednesday and will be in confident mood heading into the weekend. Valencia did well to beat Deportivo La Coruna after an erratic defensive display in the 5-0 hammering at the hands of Real, but they are weakened by the absence of some key personnel.
Editor's Prediction
Valencia 1-2 Barcelona

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03.02. (Sun) 17:30 Bayer Leverkusen - Borussia D.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

LEVERKUSEN
Leno
Carvajal, Wollscheid, Toprak, Boenisch
Bender, Reinartz, Rolfes
Castro, Kiessling, Schurrle

DORTMUND
Weidenfeller
Piszczek, Santana, Hummels, Schmelzer
Gundogan, Kehl
Blaszczykowski, Gotze, Reus
Lewandowski

Both teams come into this fixture with a minimum of injuries. For Leverkusen, the only notable absence is young attacker Karim Bellarabi.

Sebastian Boenisch is expected to continue on the left-hand side of defence ahead of Michal Kadlec.

Meanwhile, Felipe Santana will deputise for Neven Subotic at the heart of the Dortmund defence once again, as the Serbian continues his road back to full fitness from a hamstring injury.

Patrick Owomoyela remains sidelined. Nuri Sahin will have to continue his wait for a first Bundesliga start since returning to the club, while Sven Bender will also start on the bench.

DID YOU KNOW?

Leverkusen are currently unbeaten at home in the Bundesliga this season, and have won their last five BayArena clashes.

What's more, they have only lost two of their last 16 games. Ominously, these both came on a Sunday afternoon.

Werkself midfielder Lars Bender could face his twin brother Sven in the centre of the park on Sunday. The Leverkusen man has never beaten his sibling.

Dortmund have only lost one of their last 11 games against Leverkusen - a 2-0 home reverse on the opening day of the 2010-11 season.

Robert Lewandowski has scored 12 Bundesliga goals this season. Only Stefan Kiessling, his opposite number on Sunday, has scored more.

Jakub 'Kuba' Blaszczykowski has provided eight assists this season, his personal best-ever tally.

Prediction
These two teams are certainly capable of providing one thing-goals. Both have been in exceptional form of late, and led by Kiessling and Lewandowski, have provided some extraordinarily exciting matches. Dortmund probably possess more quality, but Leverkusen's strong home record could deny them another victory.
Editor's Prediction
Leverkusen 2-2 Dortmund

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03.02. (Sun) 17:00 Manchester City - Liverpool

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY
Hart
Zabaleta, Nastasic, Lescott, Clichy
Barry, Garcia
Milner, Silva, Aguero
Dzeko

LIVERPOOL
Reina
Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson
Henderson, Lucas
Suarez, Gerrard, Sterling
Sturridge

The game is likely to have come too soon for Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany (calf), while the same can be said about Micah Richards (knee) who is edging closer to a return.

Brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure remain on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Ivory Coast, meaning Roberto Mancini is unlikely to make too many changes.

Phillip Coutinho could feature from the bench on Sunday after completing his switch from Inter whilst Jose Reina (hip) is set to continue in goal after returning against Arsenal in midweek.

Andre Wisdom will probably continue at right-back despite the probable return of Jose Enrique, with Glen Johnson filling in at left-back despite his battles with a hamstring strain.

Martin Kelly (knee) is a long-term absentee, and is only expected back at the end of March.

DID YOU KNOW?

Manchester City have won two and lost just one of their last eight Premier League meetings with Liverpool, with five of those ending in a draw.
City have kept six clean sheets in succession in all competitions for the first time since August 1999.

Mancini's side are five points and 18 goals worse off than they were at this point last season.

Edin Dzeko is 5/1 to score the first goal in the game with bet365.
Luis Suarez is integral to Liverpool's goal output - he has 22 in all competitions, and his nearest team-mate is Steven Gerrard with just six.
Liverpool are the most accurate long passers in the Premier League this season (69%).

Steven Gerrard is the only midfielder or striker to play every minute of every Premier League game this season.

Liverpool have scored in their last 11 Premier League games, only Man Utd (12) are on a longer current run.

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03.02. (Sun) 16:00 Ivory Coast - Nigeria

PROBABLE LINEUPS

NIGERIA
Enyeama
Ambrose, Oboabona, Omeruo, Elderson
Igiebor, Mikel, Nankwo
Musa, Emenike, Moses

COTE D'IVOIRE
Barry
Eboue, Bamba, K. Toure, Tiene
Ya Konan, Y. Toure, Zokora
Kalou, Drogba, Gervinho

Without doubt, the Super Eagles of Nigeria are the underdogs in this Africa Cup of Nations encounter and the manner of qualification from Group C showed why they are considered so. On the other hand, the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire are the overwhelming favourites and showed how strong they are by making nine changes in their last group match against Algeria on Wednesday.

And to further underline their readiness to win this title at last, they came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Algeria, so with all this in mind it is clear that the Eagles will have a tough task on Sunday. But that is the beauty of football – though Didier Drogba and his team are favourites, they must still prove it over 90 minutes or beyond on Sunday in Rustenburg.

The all-time head to head record is in Cote d’Ivoire’s favour with five wins against four for Nigeria and in the Afcon history, they have played five times with two wins each but the Ivorians have had the better in the recent past with two 1-0 victories in 2006 and 2008.

Sunday is another day, however, and the Eagles need to raise their game to match and fight the Elephants for a semi-final place.

The Ivorians will be pinning their transition in attack on Gervinho, as he has been in fine form for the Elephants, scoring two goals in two matches. There is also the powerhouse, Yaya Toure, who will most likely win the midfield battle against the Eagles.

But the Elephants have a dubious central defensive pairing of Soulemanye Bamba and Kolo Toure or Didier Zokora, and a slightly above average goalkeeper in Boubacar Barry. So the only chink in Cote d'Ivoire’s armour is targeting the middle of their defence, but will the Nigerians get that far in order to exploit this weakness?

It can be done but the players must completely buy into the concept that they will have to defend for 90 minutes and must be very disciplined in marking the spaces that Salomon Kalou and Gervinho will be looking to exploit. The Ivorians also have an inexperienced coach in Sabri Lamouchi – so if there is a hiccup to the favoured scenario, he could panic.

So it is defence into attack, using the classic grab and run format because man for man, Nigeria cannot withstand the Elephants.

Fegor Ogude will be absent, which is a body blow to the Eagles as he would have relished the battle with Yaya Toure, Didier Zokora and Ya Konan, who are expected to be the midfield trident for Cote d’Ivoire, but Mikel has been cleared for the match by Caf.

The last time both teams met at the Nations Cup in 2008, Salomon Kalou scored the only goal of that encounter. The Elephants, who are favourites for the title, will be hoping to re-enact that score line. This time the score line could be a mirror image of what has happened recently between both teams.

DID YOU KNOW?

Nigeria has won the Nations Cup twice while Cote d’Ivoire have won it once.

Didier Drogba has scored 60 goals for Cote d'Ivoire.

Joseph Yobo has now been capped by Nigeria 90 times.

Didier Zokora (pictured) is the most capped Elephant with 109 caps.

Nigeria will be hoping to make it a 10th semi-final appearance in 17 outings.

Cote d’Ivoire is the first national team coaching job for 44-year old Sabri Lamouchi.

Prediction
The Elephants are going into this encounter as overwhelming favourites with their array of experienced stars. It has always been a close game between both sides and this one will not be different even though the Nigerians are playing with a vastly young team. Expect the Ivorians to edge this one.
Editor's Prediction
Cote d'Ivoire 1-0 Nigeria

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03.02. (Sun) 15:00 Siena - Inter

PROBABLE LINEUPS

SIENA
Pegolo
Terlizzi, Paci, Felipe
Angelo, Vergassola, Della Rocca, Rubin
Rossina, Reginaldo
Bogdani

INTER
Handanovic
Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, Chivu
Schelotto, Gargano, Cambiasso, Nagatomo
Guarin
Cassano, Palacio

Siena have few injury worries to contend with, as striker Nicola Pozzi (muscle strain) is the only player out of action for this weekend's clash at the Artemio Franchi.

Bianconeri centre-back Neto looks set to move to Zenit St Petersburg, so new signing Christian Terlizzi is likely to be preferred in defence. Head coach Giuseppe Iachini will be without midfielder Francesco Valiani due to suspension.

Inter boss Andrea Stramaccioni has a far lengthier injury list, however, and is without Luca Castellazzi (shoulder), Walter Samuel (Achilles), Dejan Stankovic and Gaby Mundingayi (Achilles).

New signing Ezequiel Schelotto should be fit enough to slot straight into first-team action at right midfield. Antonio Cassano will be paired with Rodrigo Palacio up front for the Nerazzurri, with top goalscorer this season Diego Milito (knee) still not fully fit to start.

DID YOU KNOW?

Inter have only won one of their last seven matches in all competitions. The last time Stramaccioni's men won away from home in the league was November 3, at Juventus Stadium.

Antonio Cassano has seven assists in Serie A this campaign, leaving him fourth overall behind Marek Hamsik, Francesco Totti and Borja Valero.

The Nerazzurri are currently top of the fair play table, with 45 yellows and two red cards in their 22 games to date. They topped last year's table, too.
Siena won the last clash 2-0 against the Milan-based side at San Siro - Simone Vergassolo and Valiani were the goalscorers in that unexpected triumph.

Iachini's team have won just the one game in their last five matches, which came against Sampdoria; their other eight Serie A games ended in defeat.

Inter sit fourth in the division on 40 points, while the Bianconeri are rooted to the bottom of the league with just 14 points.

Prediction
Inter have not been in good form and have struggled to turn draws into wins. However, against the team which are rooted to the foot of Serie A, the Nerazzurri should have a fair amount of joy, especially with the attackers at their disposal and potentially new signings out to make an impression.
Editor's Prediction
Siena 0-3 Inter

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03.02. (Sun) 14:30 West Brom - Tottenham

PROBABLE LINEUPS

WEST BROM
Foster
Jones, Olsson, McAuley, Ridgewell
Dorrans, Mulumbu, Brunt, Thomas
Morrison
Lukaku

TOTTENHAM
Lloris
Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto
Dembele, Parker
Lennon, Holtby, Bale
Defoe

Steve Clarke has no fresh injury problems and should be able to call on midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu after his nation DR Congo were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations. Liam Ridgewell may also return at the back in place of Goran Popov

Elsewhere Shane Long is pushing for a start after his goal against Everton, but Romelu Lukaku's form makes him a hard man to drop, with Marc-Antoine Fortune, Steven Reid and Claudio Yacob all in contention.

After a bizarre transfer deadline day in which he travelled to QPR without permission, only to be refused entry to the ground, Peter Odemwingie remains a West Brom player so is available, but is unlikely to feature on Sunday.

Andre Villas-Boas, meanwhile, remains without Emmanuel Adebayor and after failing to sign another striker in the January window Jermain Defoe will carry on up front.

The Tottenham boss will have to make a decision, however, in midfield as Lewis Holtby was impressive off the bench against Norwich, but with Gylfi Sigurdsson and Clint Dempsey also vying for an attacking midfield role.

William Gallas returned to the substitutes bench for the draw with the Canaries and could be in with a chance of starting as well.

DID YOU KNOW?

West Brom have scored just 30.3% of their goals against top-ten teams, the third worst in the league behind Swansea and Liverpool.

Despite their impressive start to the campaign the Baggies are now without a win in their last seven games.
In just nine Premier League starts for the Midlands side, Romelu Lukaku has scored seven times and assisted one goal.

The Baggies are 10/1 to win 1-0 with bet365.

Tottenham's Moussa Dembele has the third-best pass completion rate of all Premier League midfielders - 91.77% of his attempted passed ending successfully - but has the best in the final third - completing 88%.
Spurs have now gone eight Premier League matches without defeat, however they have drawn half of those fixtures.

Following his goal against Norwich Gareth Bale has now netted 10 times in a Premier League season for the first time.

However, the Welshman has only managed one assist in the league compared with seven by the end of January 2012.

A late James Morrison equaliser rescued a point for Clarke's men in the return fixture between these two sides at White Hart Lane, Benoit Assou-Ekotto opening the scoring.

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03.02. (Sun) 12:30 Chievo Verona - Juventus

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CHIEVO
Puggioni
Dainelli, Andreolli, Cesar
Vacek, Guana, Rigoni, Cofie, Jokic
Thereau, Paloschi

JUVENTUS
Buffon
Barzagli, Marrone, Caceres
Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, De Ceglie
Quagliarella, Giovinco

The Bianconeri are still reeling from Sergio Floccari's last-gasp header which knocked them out of the Coppa Italia semi-final in midweek and they are aware that they cannot afford to drop any more points in the race for a second successive Scudetto title.

Antonio Conte has a lengthy list of absentees for the trip to Chievo. Mirko Vucinic picked up his fourth booking of the season in the 1-1 draw against Genoa, meaning that he is suspended. Conte himself and Leonardo Bonucci are also suspended for two games for dissent towards officials against Genoa, whilst Giorgio Chiellini is banned for one match. Claudio Marchisio is expected to be out of action for between seven and 10 days with a hip injury sustained in the 2-1 defeat to Lazio and Kwadwo Asamoah is away at the Africa Nations with Ghana.

However, there is good news for the Old Lady, as influential midfielder Andrea Pirlo has fully recovered from injury and he should start in the centre of midfield alongside Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba. Fabio Quagliarella is expected to partner Sebastian Giovinco up front, with new signing Nicolas Anelka likely to start on the bench. Luca Marrone will be drafted into the heart of the Bianconeri defence.

Eugenio Corini has several injury worries of his own with Gennaro Sardo, Boukary Drame, Luciano and Sergio Pellissier all sidelined, whilst Mamadou Samassa is on international duty with Mali.

The 42-year-old coach is expected to name a similar side to the one which sprung an upset in the 1-0 victory over Lazio last week, but he is forced into one change with Kamil Vacek most likely to replace the injured Sardo. New signings Francesco Acerbi, Mario Sampirisi, Nikolaos Spyropoulos and Augustin Hauche are all pushing for starts but will most likely feature amongst the substitutes.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Bianconeri possess a strong record at the Stadio Bentegodi, slipping to just one defeat in nine encounters contested to date.

Chievo are undefeated in their last eight home matches in Serie A. The run stretches back to September 26 when they were defeated 2-0 by Inter.

David Trezeguet remains the only player to net a hat-trick in this fixture. His came during Juventus’ 4-1 win in 2002-03.

Juventus are undefeated in 18 of their last 19 matches against Chievo in all competitions.

Chievo coach Eugenio Corini made 64 first-team appearances for Juventus between 1990-1992, scoring four goals from midfield.

In the reverse fixture back in September, the Old Lady secured a 2-0 victory courtesy of a double from Fabio Quagliarella.

Prediction
The Stadio Bentegodi has become a fortress for the Gialloblu since Eugenio Corini took over from Domenico Di Carlo back in October, but I expect Juventus to bounce back from that last-gasp Coppa Italia semi-final defeat to Lazio in midweek, to end Chievo's eight-match unbeaten streak at home in Serie A.
Editor's Prediction
Chievo 0-1 Juventus