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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07.01. (Sat) 22:00 Malaga - Atletico Madrid

Ruud van Nistelrooy - Malaga

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MALAGA CaballeroSanchez, Demichelis, Mathijsen, Monreal Toulalan, Apono Cazorla, Fernandez, IscoVan Nistelrooy

ATLETICO MADRID CourtoisPerea, Godin, Dominguez, Filipe Tiago, KokeSalvio, Diego, Turan Falcao

Portuguese midfielder Tiago could make a return to the Atletico Madrid starting line-up as Diego Simeone looks to kick off his reign at the capital club with a positive result.

Koke and Eduardo Salvio are also in contention for starting berths, while Luis Perea is set to make a return at right-back. The Argentine coach will be without Jose Antonio Reyes after sanctioning his move to Sevilla in a €3.5 million deal on Thursday.

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini has no fresh injury concerns and could field the same team that narrowly lost the midweek Copa del Rey match against Real Madrid.

Long-term injury absentee Julio Baptista remains out of the first team picture, while Spanish winger Joaquin misses out with a muscle tear. Defensive duo Helder Rosario and Kris Stadsgaard sit out with calf injuries.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Malaga are on a three-game winless streak in all competitions.
  

• Santi Cazorla (pictured) is Malaga's top scorer this season with four goals.

• The Andalusian club have a sizeable British following due to the large number of British expatriates residing on the Costa del Sol.

• Atletico Madrid have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions.

• Colombian ace Radamel Falcao is the capital club's leading scorer this season with nine goals.

• Diego Simeone, who began his coaching career in 2006, is in his seventh managerial job at Atletico Madrid.

Prediction

It is Diego Simeone's first game in the Atletico dugout and the new coach syndrome may well have the desired effect on Saturday. Add to this the fact that Atletico are the fresher team and they should have enough to hold their affluent hosts.

Editor's Prediction

Malaga 2-2 Atl. Madrid

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07.01. (Sat) 20:45 Inter - Parma

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

INTER Julio Cesar Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, NagatomoZanetti, Motta, Cambiasso, Alvarez Pazzini, Milito

PARMA Mirante Zaccardo, Santacroce, Paletta, Gobbi Biabiany, Morrone, Galloppa, Modesto Giovinco Floccari

Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder is still sidelined with a thigh injury and will miss Saturday's clash. Diego Forlan sustained an ankle knock in training earlier in the week and is also likely to sit out the encounter, while Jonathan and Cristian Chivu will have to pass late fitness tests in order to feature at San Siro.
Parma coach Franco Colomba has the luxury of choosing from a fully-fit squad, with Cristiano Lucarelli the only absentee as he is serving a suspension.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Inter have kept four clean sheets in their last six Serie A matches and have conceded just two goals during that span.

• The Nerazzurri have won six out of their last seven league encounters and are currently enjoying a four-game winning streak.

• The Coppa Italia holders have outscored their opponents 8-3 in their last four matches at San Siro.

• Parma are winless in their last five games (D4 L1).
  

• Franco Colomba's men have conceded six goals in their last two encounters.

• Parma have picked up just two wins in their last 10 league matches.

Prediction

The Nerazzurri should kick off the New Year in style with a comfortable win over the visitors at San Siro, and continue their recent run of good form.

Editor's Prediction

Inter 3-1 Parma

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07.01. (Sat) 20:00 Real - Granada

Copa del Rey: Real Madrid-Málaga: Karim Benzema y Gonzalo Higuain

PROBABLE LINEUPS

REAL MADRID Casillas Diarra, Ramos, Albiol, Marcelo Xabi Alonso, Khedira Ozil, Kaka, Ronaldo Benzema

GRANADA Roberto Nyom, Lopez, Diakhite, Siqueira F. Rico, M. RicoJara, Abel, UcheIghalo

Jose Mourinho will be boosted by the return of Sergio Ramos who has shrugged off a hamstring injury. The Spanish international will replace Pepe, who is suspended, meaning Raul Albiol is likely to keep his place at centre-half.

After their dramatic 3-2 Copa del Rey victory over Malaga, Los Blancos are expected to ring the changes with Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil and Karim Benzema all likely to return to the starting line-up after impressive performances off the bench on Tuesday evening.

Angel Di Maria misses out with a thigh strain so Kaka will stay in the team while there are no places in the squad for Alvaro Arveloa and Fabio Coentrao so Lassana Diarra is likely to start at right-back.

Returning after the winter break, Granada have no major injury concerns going into the game, but one man who will not feature is Yohan Mollo who has left the club to go on loan to Nancy.

Pape Diakhite is expected to continue at centre-half alongside Inigo Lopez, while Odion Ighalo is likely to line up as a lone frontman, with support coming courtesy of Gonzalo Jara and Ikechukwu Uche.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Real Madrid have won their first Liga game of the new year for the past 20 seasons (since a 3-0 defeat to rivals Atletico Madrid in 1991).

• If Mourinho's men keep up their current goals per game ratio this season of 3.5, they would break their existing record of 107 goals in a single campaign, set in 1989-90.

• Barcelona ended Madrid's run of eight straight league wins at home back in December.

• Granada are the lowest scoring side in Liga this season (10) yet possess the joint-third strongest defence (conceding only 16 goals).
  
• The newly-promoted club are unbeaten after taking the lead this season (five wins and one draw).
  
• Nine different players have scored for Fabri's side this campaign, with Guillherme Siqueira the club's top scorer with two goals.

Prediction

It is difficult to see anything other than a convincing home victory on Saturday as Jose Mourinho's men look to extend their lead at the top of the table. Granada have done well since their promotion but will struggle to keep up with the superstars of Madrid.

Editor's Prediction

Real Madrid 4-0 Granada

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