02.02. (Sat) 22:00 Granada - Real

PROBABLE LINEUPS

GRANADA
Roberto
Nyom, Lopez, Mainz, Siqueira
Iriney, M Rico
El-Arabi, Brahimi, Buonanotte
Ighalo

REAL MADRID
Lopez
Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao
Khedira, Alonso
Di Maria, Modric, Ronaldo
Benzema

New Granada boss Lucas Alcaraz could hand a debut to Diego Buonanotte in Saturday's Primera Division encounter against Real Madrid at Los Carmenes.

Youssef El-Arabi is available after returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty, but fellow striker Fabian Orellana has been loaned out to Celta Vigo.

Winger Dani Benitez is still sidelined with a hamstring injury while defender Pape Diakhate is suspended.

Sergio Ramos, Fabio Coentrao and Angel Di Maria all return for Madrid after the trio missed the 1-1 Copa del Rey draw against Barcelona through suspension.

Iker Casillas (hand) and Pepe (ankle) remain out, while Mesut Ozil serves a one-match ban for accumulating five yellow cards.

DID YOU KNOW?

Granada have won just two of their last eight Liga matches (W2, D3, L3).

The Andalusian side have lost their last three encounters against Real Madrid by an aggregate score of 10-2.
Granada have scored just 18 goals in their 21 Liga matches this season.

Real Madrid have won just one of their last five away games in all competitions (W1, D2, L2).

With just 20 goals conceded this term, Los Blancos boast the second best defensive record in La Liga.

Alvaro Arbeloa played his 150th game for Madrid in the 1-1 Copa del Rey draw against Barcelona.

Prediction
Real have been in desperate form away from home recently but they should comfortably beat Granada, who will be keen to improve their organisation and discipline in Alcaraz's first game in charge.
Editor's Prediction
Granada 0-2 Real Madrid

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Ligue 1 Opta facts Feb 1st - 3rd

Toulouse - Paris SG

Paris SG have won their last seven competitive games against Toulouse.
Paris SG have scored at least two goals in their last five league games against Toulouse.
PSG have only lost one of their last 12 away games in Ligue 1 (W8, D3, L1).
Toulouse have only lost one of their last six competitive games (W3, D2 ,L1).
Toulouse have only lost two of their 11 home games in the top-flight this season (W5, D4, L2)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored in each of his eight away games for PSG in L1 this season (13 goals).
Salvatore Sirigu has not conceded a goal in Ligue 1 in his last 776 minutes of play.

Lorient - Rennes

Lorient have only won four of their 17 fixtures against Rennes in Ligue 1 (W4, D4, L9).
Lorient have only lost one of their 11 home league games this season (W6, D4, L1)
Rennes have won six of their last eight away games in the top-flight (W6, L2).
Enzo Reale is involved in four of Lorient's last seven goals in Ligue 1 (1 goal, 3 assists).
Romain Alessandrini is involved in six of Rennes' last seven league goals (3 goals, 3 assists).

Bastia - Evian TG

Evian TG have won their three games against promoted teams in Ligue 1 this season.
Bastia have won two of their last 18 away competitive games (W2, D5, L11).
Bastia have failed to score in 10 of their 22 league games this season, no other team have failed to score in more game.
Evian TG are winless in their last five games in the top-flight (D2, L3), their longest drought this season.
Jérôme Rothen is involved in four of Bastia's last seven goals in Ligue 1 (1 goal, 3 assists).

Bordeaux - Valenciennes

Valenciennes have lost 10 of their last 12 trips to Bordeaux in Ligue 1 (W1, D1, L10).
Valenciennes have scored one goal in each of their last six trip to Bordeaux in the top-flight.
Bordeaux are unbeaten in their last five league games against Valenciennes (W2, D3).
Bordeaux have failed to score in their last three home league games.
Valenciennes have only kept one clean sheet in their last 17 league games.
Henri Saivet has scored three of Bordeaux's last four goals in Ligue 1.

Brest - Nice

Nice have won their two competitive games against Brest this season (4-2 each time).
Nice have failed to score a goal in their four trips to Brest in Ligue 1 (D1, L3).
Brest have lost their last four home league games, their longest drought in the top-flight.
Nice have only lost one of their last five away games in Ligue 1 (W2, D2, L1).
Eden Ben Basat has scored four of Brest's last six goals in Ligue 1.
Valentin Eysseric has scored in both competitive games against Brest this season.

Lille - Troyes

Lille are unbeaten in their last three encounters against Troyes in Ligue 1 (W1, D2).
Lille have only lost once in their last 30 league games against promoted clubs (W22, D7).
Lille have failed to score in five of their last 10 Ligue 1 games.
Troyes have failed to win any of their last 20 away games in Ligue 1 (D5, L15).
Dimitri Payet is involved in 10 of Lille's last 14 goals in Ligue 1 (5 goals, 5 assists).
Only two of Troyes' last 11 league goals have not been scored or assisted by Fabien Camus or Stéphane Darbion.

Sochaux - St Etienne

St Etienne have lost 11 of their last 13 trips to Sochaux in Ligue 1.
Sochaux have won their two home league games played in 2013.
St Etienne have not conceded a goal in their last 467 minutes of play (incl. all competitions).
St Etienne have only lost one of their last nine away games in Ligue 1 (W3, D5, L1)
Romain Hamouma has scored four goals in his last five competitive games against Sochaux.

Ajaccio - Lyon

Ajaccio have lost 14 of their 23 games against Lyon, more than against any other top-flight team.
Four of Lyon's last five away league games in Corsica have ended in a draw.
Ajaccio have only won twice in their last 15 away games in Ligue 1 (D7, L6).
Lyon have won four of their last five away games in Ligue 1.
61% of Ajaccio's goals in L1 have been scored in the 1st half (14 on 23), highest ratio this season.
Adrian Mutu has scored in his last three home games in Ligue 1.

Montpellier - Reims

Reims have never won a competitive game in Montpellier (D4, L3).
Montpellier are unbeaten in their last seven home games in L1 (W6, D1).
Reims have failed to win any of their last 30 away games in Ligue 1 (D7, L23).
Montpellier have scored in 91% of their league games this season (20 on 22), best ratio.
None of Montpellier's last nine league games have ended in a draw (W6, L3), longest current run.
Reims have failed to score in seven of their last eight away games in Ligue 1.
Emanuel Herrera and John Utaka have scored in Montpellier's last two league games.

Marseille - Nancy

Marseille have won their last eight games against Nancy in L1, their longest current run against a top-flight opponent.
None of their last 20 encounters in Ligue 1 have ended in a 0-0 draw.
Nancy have scored in their last 12 Ligue 1 games, longest current run.
However, Nancy have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 21 league games.
With Reims and Troyes, Nancy are the only L1 team not have won away from home this term.
Jordan Ayew has scored in his last three league games for Marseille, best current run in L1.
Paul Alo'o Efoulou has scored four goals in four competitive games for Nancy in 2013.

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02.02. (Sat) 19:30 South Africa - Mali

PROBABLE LINEUPS

SOUTH AFRICA
Khune
Masilela, Khumalo, Sangweni, Gaxa
Phala, Furman, Mahlangu, Parker
Mphela, Majoro

MALI
Samassa
Coulibaly, Tamboura, Diawara, Traore
Traore, Sissoko,Keita,
Diabate, Maiga, Diarra

South Africa were able to reach the quarter-final stage of the tournament after sealing a 2-2 draw in a scintillating tie against Morocco, silencing their critics and finishing top of Group A.
Determined to win over their country’s support and a fan base which has been disappointed for a decade, Bafana Bafana showed a fighting spirit which has led to a burgeoning of praise and belief in a side which many had written off before the tournament began.

Gordon Igesund’s influence has certainly been one of the defining factors behind the host’s new-found confidence in front of goal, but their strength in defence will be tested by their quarter-final opponents.

Bafana set up a clash against Mali, a side also committed to providing their fans with something to hold on to and cherish, during one of the country’s most difficult periods in their history in the form of a bloody and destructive civil war which has torn the Eagles' homeland to shreds.

Football’s ability to heighten spirits and build national pride will be put to the test on Saturday night, as both sides will be motivated to win, but for vastly different reasons.

Bafana Bafana have been boosted by the news of Lehlonoholo Majoro’s recovery from an injury he sustained against Angola, but will have to play without regular starter Anele Ngongca, who has been suspended for the clash due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Kaizer Chiefs full-back Siboniso Gaxa is likely to be handed a start on Saturday and is the obvious replacement for Ngongca due to his international experience and current form.

South Africa has been successful when pushing forward and focusing on using their faster players such as Tokelo Rantie, Bernard Parker and Thuso Phala. They will face a side which plays a slower brand of football, as Mali will look to control the game and manoeuvre their way towards goal, utilising their physicality and technical ability.

The Eagles enter into the match with a full squad at their disposal, with captain Seydou Keita aiming to inspire his team in attack once again. Keita has called upon his team-mates to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the embattled nation.

"This qualification will also give a lot of joy to our country. Giving hope to the country has been priceless,” Keita told reporters.

“There is a crisis in Mali and I did my best to give hope to those who are suffering. We have made an effort to help, but money doesn't matter. You can't imagine what it means to play for Mali at this time. I told my government they could reduce our bonuses. My priority is to play for my country."

The interesting clash of styles should provide the sell-out Moses Mabhida crowd with an intriguing battle and the winner of the match will have to face an even greater test, a semi-final against Cote d'Ivoire or Nigeria.

DID YOU KNOW?

South Africa and Mali have only played each other on one previous occasion, with Mali the victor in the quarter-final of the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations.

Mali captain Seydou Keita will be playing in his 74th international match for Mali. He has scored 20 goals for the Eagles throughout his career.

South African coach Gordon Igesund believes his side will be playing without any pressure on Saturday, as they have achieved their initial goal of qualifying from the group stages.

The last time Bafana Bafana reached the quarter-final stage of the Afcon was in 2002 against the same opponents.

Mali finished in third place during the 2012 Afcon and will be hoping to go one step further in South Africa.

Prediction
Mali should have enough in the tank to get past South Africa, but it will be a tough outing for the Eagles due to the hosts passionate "12th man" in the stands.
Editor's Prediction
South Africa 1-2 Mali

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02.02. (Sat) 18:30 Fulham - Manchester United

PROBABLE LINEUPS

FULHAM
Schwarzer
Riether, Hangeland, Hughes, Riise
Dejagah, Sidwell, Karagounis, Kacaniklic
Ruiz
Berbatov

MANCHESTER UNITED
De Gea
Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra
Valencia, Cleverley, Carrick, Kagawa
Rooney, Van Persie

Fulham manager Martin Jol will be without Simon Davies (knee), Kerim Frei (groin) and Mahamadou Diarra (knee) for the clash with the league leaders at Craven Cottage.

Kieran Richardson also remains a doubt with a calf injury and Dimitar Berbatov will require a late fitness test after picking up a slight hamstring strain during the win against West Ham.

The club's two January transfer window loan signings, Urby Emanuelson and Emmanuel Frimpong, could also be involved at some stage from the substitutes bench.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will be missing Darren Fletcher, who is out until the end of the season with illness, while Ashley Young (knee) and Jonny Evans (hamstring) are also both doubtful to make the trip to Craven Cottage.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fulham's 3-1 win against West Ham was their first in eight league outings.

The hosts have picked up eight points from their last five home games in the top flight, winning two, drawing two and losing just one.

They have failed to find the back of the net on just six occasions this term in the league.

The two teams met as recently as January 26, with United winning 4-1 at home in an FA Cup fourth-round clash.

Dimitar Berbatov is 11/8 to score anytime against his former club with bet365.

Manchester United have been ahead at both half-time and full-time in their last five meetings with the Cottagers.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side are unbeaten in their last six games against Fulham.

Manchester United's points tally of 62 from 25 games is the most they have ever achieved at this stage in the campaign during the Premier League era.

They are yet to have a player sent off this season.

Robin van Persie is the Premier League's top goalscorer this term with 18 goals so far.
The eight victories the Red Devils have posted on the road this season is more than any other side in the division.

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02.02. (Sat) 16:00 Newcastle Utd - Chelsea

PROBABLE LINEUPS

NEWCASTLE
Krul
Debuchy, Taylor, Coloccini, Santon
Perch, Cabaye
Gouffran, Sissoko, Gutierrez
Cisse

CHELSEA
Cech
Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole
Ramires, Lampard
Mata, Oscar, Bertrand
Ba

Newcastle's squad remains riddled with injuries, with Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring), Dan Gosling (knee), Danny Simpson (toe), Ryan Taylor (knee) and Haris Vuckic (knee) all sidelined. However, given their ample spending in the January transfer window, the Magpies appear capable of fielding a strong side nonetheless.

Indeed, many of the players brought in over the past few weeks look set to feature against Chelsea as Alan Pardew seems ready to persevere with the same team that overcame Aston Villa 2-1 on Tuesday.

That does, however, appear to suggest that Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa will have to wait longer for his first start for his new club, after Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini both impressed against the Villans.

Rafa Benitez, meanwhile, is likely to rotate from the team that surrendered a two-goal lead to Reading, with Demba Ba set to be given the nod over Fernando Torres against his old club.

Petr Cech will be touch and go approaching kick-off as he attempts to recover from a knock in time to feature, though Benitez will no doubt be eager to have him back as soon as possible, particularly given Ross Turnbull's recent form.

John Terry could return at centre-back after playing 90 minutes against Brentford, whilst Branislav Ivanovic looks set to move to right-back with Cesar Azpilicuenta making way.

Chelsea are, however, missing two more influential figures as David Luiz (ankle) and Eden Hazard both remain ruled out, through injury and suspension respectively.

DID YOU KNOW?

Papiss Cisse has scored two goals in four Premier League games since Demba Ba's departure - he had scored just three in 18 prior to his compatriot's move to Chelsea.

Yohan Cabaye has scored five Premier League goals from outside the box since August 2011 - more than anyone else over that period of time.

Newcastle have conceded in six of their last seven meetings with the visitors, losing their last encounter 2-0.
The home side have also not managed to beat Chelsea at St. James Park since May 2006 - a 1-0 win courtesy of a goal from Titus Bramble.

Rafa Benitez has taken 22 points from his 12 Premier League games at Chelsea; earlier this season, Di Matteo took 24 from twelve.

Juan Mata, who may miss out here, has been involved in 17 goals (nine goals, eight assists) in 19 Premier League starts for Chelsea this season.

Chelsea have opened the scoring 15 times in the Premier League this season, more than any other side.
Frank Lampard has scored nine goals in eleven Premier League starts this season. He is 13/2 to score the last goal in the game with bet365.

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