05.01. (Thu) 19:00 Equatorial Guinea - South Africa (Match Preview)

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

EQUATORIAL GUINEA Ovono Bokung, Sipo, Rui, Edjogo Eyama, Konate, Doe, Viera Ekedo, Ekanga

SOUTH AFRICA Mpontshane Arendse, Gould, Mathoho, Gaxa Claasen, Letsholonyane, Mahlangu, Lebese Nontshinga, Grobler

After the dramatic failure to secure their ticket for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa is now looking to the future and aiming to move forward and improve with the 2013 Afcon and the 2014 World Cup in mind. Equatorial Guinea are set to co-host the Afcon this month, and they will be welcoming South Africa for a friendly on January 5 that is aimed at sharpening their skills ahead of the continental tournament.

Bafana Bafana have suffered a major blow ahead of their trip to Equatorial Guinea, as Orlando Pirates, Golden Arrows and Mamelodi Sundowns have withdrawn their players from the squad.

The players withdrawn from the Bafana squad include Wayne Sandilands, Katlego Mphela, Teko Modise, Themba Zwane, Thanduyise Khuboni, Siyabonga Sangweni, Andile Jali, Moeneeb Josephs, Daine Klate, Anele Ngcongca and Oupa Manyisa.

Pitso Mosimane announced during a press conference in Johannesburg that he will take a strong team to Equatorial Guinea, despite the absence of those key players.

Receiving his first call-up is Bidvest Wits midfielder Sibusiso Vilakazi, who has been in fine form for the Clever Boys this season. Goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo has also been given his first call-up.

Guinea Equatorial coach Henri Michel resigned from his post recently, citing poor conditions of work as the reason, but he did not give details of the situation surrounding the national team, with less than four weeks left before the Africa Cup of Nations was to be co-hosted by the central African nation.

The Nzalang Nacional is therefore in a difficult position ahead of the Afcon competition beginning on January 21, and they will be looking to this friendly to help prepare their side for their Group A matches against Libya, Senegal and Zambia.

DID YOU KNOW

• Equatorial Guinea will be making their Africa Cup of Nations debut when they host the 2012 edition later this month.

• South Africa have failed to qualify for the last two Afcon tournaments.
• Bafana did not progress past the group stages of the 2010 World Cup, which they hosted.

• Mosimane has given First Division goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo a call-up, after the withdrawal of Sandilands and Josephs.

• More than a dozen Spanish-born players are being prepared to play their international football in the former Spanish colony.

• Equatorial Guinea is nicknamed the Nzalang Nacional while South Africa is known as Bafana Bafana.

• Guinea Equatorial are pitted against Libya, Senegal and Zambia in Group A and will open the tournament against the Mediterranean Knights on January 21 in Bata.

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04.01. (Wed) 22:00 Barcelona - Osasuna

Alexis Sanchez y Lionel Messi - Barcelona

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BARCELONA Pinto Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Maxwell Xavi, Busquets, IniestaFabregas, Messi, Alexis

OSASUNA Fernandez Bertran, Flano, Sergio, Raitala Cejudo, Punal, Nekounam Lamah, Ibrahima, Masoud

Barcelona start 2012 with a home match in the Copa del Rey against Osasuna and Pep Guardiola may be set to field a strong line-up to get the year off to a good start.

The first training session of the year for the Catalan club took place on Tuesday and a number of players look to have shook off niggling injuries over the festive period.

Andres Iniesta is fit again for Barcelona after recovering from an injury he suffered against Hospitalet in the previous Copa del Rey match. Carles Puyol missed training on January 1 with an abductor injury but should return to training within a few days. Eric Abidal worked out in the gym as he attempts to shake off a flu bug.

Lionel Messi and Dani Alves returned to training on Tuesday after spending Christmas in South America.

However, Guardiola's men are still without David Villa and Ibrahim Afellay, who are absent with long-term injuries.

Jose Luis Mendilibar is sweating over the fitness of a few key Osasuna players going into the match. Brazilian defender Roversio withdrew from training on Tuesday after suffering some discomfort in his right calf muscle. Ion Echaide, Kike Sola, Raul Garcia and Ruben all trained individually and did not complete the full session.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The last time Barcelona played Osasuna, Pep Guardiola's side won the match 8-0 and Lionel Messi grabbed a hat-trick to help the Catalan Club to an astonishing victory.

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

• This will be Barcelona's fourth cup match in a row. In their previous match, they defeated Hospitalet 9-0 at Camp Nou in the Copa del Rey. The other two matches saw Barca defeat Al-Sadd and Santos on their way to claiming the Club World Cup title.

• Osasuna defeated Almeria over two legs in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey to make it to this point. A 3-1 away victory and a 1-1 draw at Reyno de Navarra sealed progression.

• Osasuna's first match of 2011 last year saw them lose 1-0 against Sevilla with Freddy Kanoute grabbing the only goal of the match.

Prediction

The last match between the sides ended in a massive 8-0 victory for Barcelona but a number of factors would suggest that such a scoreline may not happen this time. Osasuna have improved a lot since then and find themselves healthily placed fifth in La Liga. Both teams may be slightly rusty after the Christmas break but expect Barcelona to cruise to victory again and bag a few goals in the process. Osasuna must aim not to have a repeat of the shambolic performance in the previous meeting but Barca have enough in their locker for a comfortable victory, but not a win of the magnitude of the match from earlier in the season between the clubs.

Editor's Prediction

Barcelona 4-0 Osasuna

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04.01. (Wed) 21:00 Newcastle - Man Utd.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

NEWCASTLE UNITED Krul Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon R Taylor, Cabaye, Tiote, Jonas Best, Ba

MANCHESTER UNITED De Gea Rafael, Smalling, Jones, Evra Valencia, Carrick, Park, Nani Rooney Welbeck

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew’s ever depleting squad was hit with another blow on Friday night when right winger Gabriel Obertan was forced off with a reoccurrence of a toe injury during the 3-1 defeat at Liverpool. This opens the door for a variety of different possibilities and formations as regular left-back Ryan Taylor could now take Obertan’s place on the right wing, with Davide Santon coming in to fill the gap in defence. Another option is the return of exciting youngster Shane Ferguson to that right-wing role. Pardew could throw us another curveball, something he isn’t afraid to do after such decisions to play Shola Ameobi on the right, and could reinstate Peter Lovenkrands and put him on the right.
It was a very unhappy birthday for Sir Alex Ferguson on Saturday as he saw his side collapse to a 3-2 defeat to bottom club Blackburn. Strange tactical decisions, such as putting Rafael in centre midfield, and another goalkeeping error from David de Gea did not help matters, but Sir Alex must have thought his selection were good enough to beat Steve Kean’s men.
Wayne Rooney is expected to return after he, Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson were reportedly fined and subsequently dropped from the squad for Saturday’s game after poor training performances following a Boxing Day night out.
Chris Smalling, to quote Sir Alex, “should” be ready for kick-off after overcoming tonsillitis. De Gea should keep his place between the posts despite being at fault for Blackburn’s third goal last time out.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Newcastle have only lost once when Chieck Tiote and Yohan Cabaye have started a game, and that was last Friday’s 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.

• Demba Ba (pictured right) scored 21 goals in just 26 Premier League starts in 2011.

• Newcastle have won just two of their last 13 home games against Manchester United.

• Newcastle are yet to win in front of their home fans since the stadium was renamed to the Sports Direct Arena, losing two of three games.

• Manchester United haven’t lost their opening game of a calendar year since 1996.

• Manchester United are the only team to score in every game so far this season.

• Wayne Rooney has scored six goals in his last six appearances away to Newcastle.

• The visitors are unbeaten in their last 18 Premier League games against Newcastle, winning 13 of them.

Prediction

Last time these two met, Newcastle managed a fortuitous 1-1 at Old Trafford, with the hosts managing 29 shots to their opponents’ eight. The home side have suffered a slump of late winning just one, and losing four, of their last six games and I cannot see them turning that record around on Wednesday.
The champions suffered arguably the shock of the season on Saturday, losing to bottom club Blackburn at home, but, as is always with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, they right a wrong immediately and will be looking to get back into gear ahead of their FA Cup tie against rivals Manchester City.

Editor's Prediction

Newcastle United 1-3 Man Utd.

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03.01. (Tue) 21:00 Manchester City FC vs Liverpool

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY Hart Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy Milner, Toure, Barry, Nasri Silva Aguero

LIVERPOOL     Reina Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique Henderson, Gerrard, Adam, Downing, Suarez, Bellamy

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini should make changes to his team and bring back David Silva following the defeat to Sunderland. Micah Richards was on the bench during that game, and should likely be handed a starting role against the Reds.

Meanwhile, Gael Clichy and James Milner are also likely to get the nod ahead of Aleksandar Kolarov and Adam Johnson. Mario Balotelli was thought to have sustained a knock, due to his absence from the squad against the Black Cats. He could come into the fray if his fitness is not in doubt.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish could hand skipper Steven Gerrard a start, at the expense of Jay Spearing, in this clash after a strong substitute performance against Newcastle. Likewise, Craig Bellamy may start after getting a brace in the 3-1 win. Luis Suarez should be available as his eight-game ban is pending an appeal and he may start ahead of Andy Carroll.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester City have beaten these opponents only once in their last 13 Premier League meetings.

• City have won all nine of their league games at home this season.

• Roberto Mancini's men have been the most prolific in the attacking third of the pitch, scoring 53 goals this season.

• City had been undefeated until they met Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. They have now lost twice in five matches.

• The Eastlands club may have scored the highest number of goals in the league so far, but they have gone two games without scoring a single goal.

• Liverpool have the best defensive record in the Premier League, having conceded only 15 goals so far.

• If all matches ended at half-time, the Merseyside club would have move up one place to fifth in the standings, whereas City would have fallen to second.

• The Reds have won 29 of the Manchester meetings between the sides while the hosts have emerged victorious on only 25 occasions . A further 21 matches have ended as draws.

• Liverpool have scored 297 goals against City throughout the course of the two clubs' histories, conceding 207 in the process.

Prediction

Liverpool are playing well and getting the results they need to move up the table, and now come across a City side that has not scored in two games. Moreover, confidence may not be as high as it used to be in the Eastlands camp, having lost two matches in their last five in the league. It should provide the platform for the visitors to probe for three points, but it would appear unlikely considering the hosts' record at home.
City have won every single league game at home, but could be stopped as this should likely end in a draw.

Editor's Prediction

Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool

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03.01. (Tue) 20:45 Tottenham vs West Bromwich Albion

PROBABLE LINEUPS

TOTTENHAM Friedel  Walker, Kaboul, Gallas, Assou-Ekotto Pienaar, Sandro, Modric, Bale Van der Vaart Adebayor

WEST BROM Foster Jones, McCauley, Dawson, Shorey Thomas, Scharner, Morrison, Tchoyi Long, Odemwingie

High flyers Tottenham will welcome West Brom to White Hart Lane without the ever reliable Scott Parker in midfield after he picked up a knee injury, meaning Harry Redknapp is likely to bring in Steven Pienaar for a rare start. Rafael van der Vaart’s goal against Swansea means Jermain Defoe is likely to be on the bench whilst Redknapp will likely remain without Aaron Lennon (hamstring), Tom Huddlestone (ankle) and Ledley King (hamstring).
West Brom are likely to be without Jonas Olsson after the Swede picked up a knock against Everton, so Craig Dawson, who started the last game at left-back, is likely to partner Gareth McCauley in the heart of defence.
Chris Brunt picked up an injury late on against Everton so Somen Tchoyi is expected to play left-midfield.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The last meeting between the two sides at White Hart Lane finished 2-2 with Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko netting for Spurs and Simon Cox and Peter Odemwingie for the Baggies.

• Tottenham have not lost at White Hart Lane in the Premier League since their opening game against Man City.

• Of the six Premier League games that West Brom have won this season, four of them have come away from the Hawthorns.

• In the last 10 meetings between the sides, Tottenham have won four and West Brom just two.

• This fixture in the Premier League has seen an average of 2.82 goals per game.

• Of players still at the clubs, Defoe has scored more (three) than any other in this fixture.

• Bale has scored seven times in the Premier League this season, which is as many as he managed in the whole of the 2010/11 campaign.

• West Brom’s backup goalkeeper Martin Fulop is the only player in the two squads that has been on the books of both sides.

Prediction

Tottenham have been ruthless in front of their home fans this season and with their attacking players in fine form and injuries to the West Brom defence, I am sure this will not end goalless. West Brom are dangerous up top with Long and Odemwingie but you just can’t look past Redknapp’s men for the win as they push for the title.

Editor's Prediction

Tottenham 3-1 West Brom

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