12-01-2011 22:00 Barcelona - Betis

The Golden Team

Knock-out football is known for its ability to throw up shock results, so Barcelona will approach their Copa del Rey tie against Betis with a great deal of respect.

The Blaugrana may have been dominant in the league this term, but even one poor performance can spell disaster in the cup, though even these are something of a rarity when it comes to the Camp Nou side. Athletic Bilbao proved extremely stubborn opponents for Barca in the previous round, and the Catalans were ultimately forced to rely on an away goal from defender Eric Abidal to push them through by the narrowest of margins.

It was back to being business as usual at the weekend, though. Faced with a tricky away match against a usually obstinate Deportivo La Coruna side, Barcelona made the Galicians look distinctly second rate by smashing their way to a 4-0 victory, with four different scorers and another irresistible performance from Lionel Messi.

Each new week seems to be a historic one for Barca. Recently the focus has been on the Ballon d’Or, the top three spots of which were all claimed by players from the Blaugrana’s youth academy – the first time a single club has produced all the podium finishers. Messi took the ultimate prize ahead of Andres Iniesta and Xavi, but such is the ethic around the squad, there are unlikely to be any hints of jealousy.

Copa del Rey action means that the big names may take a back seat, but with plenty of talent waiting in the wings, Guardiola’s men are still formidable opponents.

Lofty Ambitions

Betis may be a Segunda Division club at present, but they’re making waves back towards the top flight and won’t be fazed by the challenge that Barcelona will present on Wednesday evening.

Four points clear of their nearest rivals at the summit of Spanish football’s second tier, they boast the best scoring record and tightest defensive record at their level. And Betis have shown an ability to step up in the big games, having already eliminated Getafe and Zaragoza from the Copa del Rey this season.

Last week’s win over los Azulones was particularly stirring. Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, los Beticos travelled to Madrid with only limited hopes of progress. With the game goalless at half-time, the Andalucians’ prospects looked even bleaker, but a goal from Jorge Molina was complimented by a late brace from Ruben Castro, which helped them to a 3-1 success on the night and put the Sevilla side through 4-3 overall.

Regulars in the top flight – Betis have spent almost two-thirds of their existence amongst the elite – los Verdiblancos can also call upon recent fond memories of the Copa to inspire them ahead of their toughest challenge this season. In 2005, a year in which Barca were embarrassingly defeated by Segunda B side UDA Gramenet, the crown was lifted by Betis for the second time in their existence.

Victory on Wednesday evening would surely better the achievement of June 11, 2005, and would certainly rank as a greater surprise, especially as they could only draw with Barca's B team when they met earlier in the season.

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

Pep Guardiola's side are in the happy position of having a complete squad, including the best three players in the world, to select from. The Copa del Rey tends to see the coach rotate, however.

Betis

After five months out, Jonathan Pereira could return for Wednesday's big match. Achille Emana, the Segunda side's key side, and Dorado continue to miss out, while Salva Sevilla, Roversi and Belenguer will require checks.

Momo and Miguel Lopes are both fine.

Prediction

Betis must be considered dangerous opponents for Barcelona. The Segunda Division side are used to winning and will be bubbling with confidence after eliminating two top flight opponents. Matching Barca is a different matter altogether, and even if Pep Guardiola only deploys a second string, the Primera Division champions should have enough to earn the win.

Barcelona 3-1 Betis

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12-01-2011 21:00 Inter - Genoa

Maintaining The Momentum

Heading into the new year Inter were a disaster. The Italian and European champions may have won the Club Word Cup but the dismissal of Rafael Benitez as coach and the introduction of Leonardo, who has just one season of top-flight football management experience, did invite a large cloud of doubt over the Nerazzurri’s ambitions this campaign.

But two wins in two matches under the 41-year-old Brazilian have refurbished the Beneamata and have made them re-adopt hope again. Perhaps it would be pre-mature to suggest that Inter are back in the Scudetto race or have resurrected themselves, but the comprehensive victory over Napoli at San Siro and then the hard-fought win against Catania who had lost just one home game all season prior to Sunday's defeat does exhibit the rediscovery of confidence of the players.

Inter will start today's match as favourites against Genoa and playing at home will give them an added advantage. The Nerazzurri have a formidable record at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza and a victory over a side who have not won for over a month is expected.

Leonardo, though, is not eager to shake hands with the demon of complacency and says, "Right now, after two victories, the team is growing. We can expect an important match tomorrow. Also because every time you are down on the field you have the opportunity to send signals and teach the team. This is why we treat every game in the same way."

Welcoming Cup Distraction

Davide Ballardini doesn’t have to fear for his job at Genoa as he was enthroned just a few weeks ago but Genoa's ambitions for a top-six finish in Serie A look largely over. With 23 points from 18 matches in the league, the Grifoni are eight points off a Europa League slot.

Tonight's Coppa Italia tie will come as much as a welcoming distraction as a cause to lift themselves, although the trip to Milan to take on an in-form Inter side buoyant by back-to-back league victories this new year under Leonardo doesn't promise to be easy.

Genoa last won in the first week of December when they defeated Lecce 3-1 away. Since then they have lost one and drawn two of their games, failing to score in any of these encounters.

So far in the Coppa Italia Genoa have confronted lower league opposition, winning 2-1 against Grosseto in the third round and 3-1 against Vicenza in the fourth round, both times playing at home.

TEAM NEWS

Inter

Leonardo has called up 21 players for tonight’s match against Genoa. Julio Cesar once again misses out because of injury and so does Sneijder. Thiago Motta is unavailable as well. Eto’o and Milito are expected to line up in attack.

Genoa

The Grifoni will travel to Milan with 20 players. In a 4-4-2 line-up, Rudolf and Sculli are expected to be the two forwards.

Prediction

Inter have won both their matches under Leonardo this year while Genoa last won a game in the first week of December and have not scored in their last three matches. This is a Cup tie and anything’s possible but a victory for the Beneamata is the most likely outcome.

Inter Milan 2-0 Genoa

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12-01-2011 20:00 Villarreal - Sevilla

Confident Customers

Villarreal are still a side fighting for honours on several fronts. Though they are not going to catch Real Madrid and Barcelona in the race for the Spanish crown, Champions League qualification remains a distinct possibility, while the east coast club are still very much in the mix to win the Europa League this term. The Copa del Rey, however, perhaps offers the Yellow Submarine their best chance of success.

Domestically, Juan Carlos Garrido’s side have been virtually flawless at their El Madrigal home for almost a year. Only Barcelona have won at the venue since the former reserve team coach took over in the spring of 2010, allowing the Yellow Submarine to genuinely fancy their chances against any opponent over the course of two legs.

A tough Sunday fixture away to Real Madrid did little to build the confidence of Villarreal on their travels, though the coach was broadly pleased with his side’s performance in a 4-2 reverse at the Bernabeu. He was not, however, impressed with the officials, lamenting: “There was a decisive move which made the game 3-2 in which there were two offsides. I say this because it seems to detract from Real Madrid, and that is not what I want because we have both created a very good game.”

The fixture list is largely kind to Villarreal over the course of the next couple of months, even if it is a little crowded. A busy schedule at this stage of the campaign should be deemed a sign of success, so Villarreal won’t be displeased about being well occupied but will be aiming to put this tie firmly in their favour on Wednesday evening.

Picking Up At Last?

Sevilla finished last term on a high, claiming the Copa del Rey with a victory over Atletico Madrid in the final and sneaking into the Champions League spots to boot. The Andalucians have dived sharply downhill from there, eliminated from the top tier of European competition before even meeting with one of the continent’s best and struggling for any kind of positive momentum in the league.

Gregorio Manzano was appointed in place of Antonio Alvarez early in the campaign to address pertinent issues in the side but has struggled to make the kind of impact he would wish. The winter break has been a chance for the club to collect their thoughts and start afresh, and though it’s not been full steam ahead from los Nervionenses, they have certainly enjoyed some improved form.

While wins over Osasuna and Real Sociedad ended an ugly five game losing streak in the top flight, a comfortable 3-0 win away against Malaga allowed los Rojiblancos to progress to the last eight of the cup at the expense of their Andalucian brothers.

Instead of courting success following the bright start to January, former Mallorca boss Manzano has chosen to play down the three successive wins, telling his players to refocus ahead of Wednesday night’s encounter because any lapse will lead to the team’s deficiencies once again being made clear.

Sevilla are at something of a juncture at present, though their route does appear to be becoming easier. Wednesday’s match gives them the chance to re-establish themselves in the minds of their fans as a major force.

TEAM NEWS

Villarreal

Cani may have been dismissed last weekend, but his red card has been rescinded and he is involved in the squad. Carlos Marchena, Nilmar, Marcos Senna and Angel are all injured.

Sevilla

Luis Fabiano has suffered from adductor discomfort this week, and though an ultrasound has shown there is no risk to the striker, he's not involved in the squad. Andres Palop is also missing.

Ivica Dragutinovic is training with the first team, but he won't be ready to return to action for some time yet.

Prediction

While Sevilla have been hit-or-miss on the road all season, there can be little arguing with the strong home form of Villarreal, which makes the Yellow Submarine strong favourites to claim an advantage ahead of the second leg. Indeed, it would be a shock if los Nervionenses earned even a draw from this match given their lamentable recent performances. 

Villarreal 3-1 Sevilla

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12-01-2011 17:30 Palermo - Chievo Verona

Coppa Adventure Beckons

Palermo have been looking very good as far as the league standings are concerned as the Aquile are very much in with a chance of finishing in the top-four in Serie A this season and qualifying for next season's Champions League.

With 31 points from 19 matches, Delio Rossi's side are fifth in the table and are just a point off the fourth spot. Unbeaten in their last five competitive fixtures, Palermo will now aspire to embark on the Coppa Italia adventure on a positive note.

Today's clash with Chievo at the Renzo Barbera will see Palermo face the Flying Donkeys twice in the space of four days. On Sunday in the league the Rosaneri were held to a goalless draw in Verona and today they will be aware that Stefano Pioli's side can be as tough and resilient.

Taking Encouragement From The Weekend

Chievo are in a wretched run of form as the Veronese club have not won in their last six competitive matches. Granted, two of those encounters include credible draws with Roma and Juventus, but defeats to Bologna and Lecce show that Pioli needs to inject more confidence and alter their shape to return to winning ways.

On Sunday afternoon the Flying Donkeys did show their resilience as they held Palermo to a goalless draw in Verona. The one point gained means that Chievo are 14th in the league standings with 22 points from 19 matches and are just four points above the relegation zone.

Chievo have already embarked on their Coppa Italia campaign and dispatched Sassuolo 2-0 in the third round and Novara 3-0 in the fourth round. Today's visit to Palermo will be the first time that they would have to confront a top-flight opposition in the Cup and it will be tough for them.
 

TEAM NEWS

Palermo

Delio Rossi has called up 23 players for today’s game. Miccoli is expected to start upfront with Pastore and Ilicic playing behind him as the creative minds from the midfield.

Chievo

26 players were named in the squad yesterday evening. Pellissier and Moscardelli are expected to be the two strikers upfront. Constant is likely to line up just behind them as the side’s playmaker.

Prediction

Chievo held Palermo to a goalless draw on Sunday afternoon and they will be confident of achieving a positive result today. However, today is a Cup tie and anything’s possible. Palermo have proved themselves to be strong at the Renzo Barbera this campaign and they are likely to win today’s match.

Palermo 2-0 Chievo

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12-01-2011 20:45 Ipswich Town - Arsenal

Eyeing a shock

Ipswich are undoubtedly eyeing a shock against much stronger opponents at Portman Road, but are between managers at the moment. Roy Keane was shown the door after a very poor league campaign that sees them only inches away from dropping down into the relegation zone in the Championship. And their recent 7-0 defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup would have dented their confidence even further.

Recovering from such a difficult defeat against opponents like Arsenal will be no small feat, but the unpredictable nature of the cup means that the hosts have a chance of springing a surprise.

But the league campaign will likely be their priority, since relegation is obviously not a good sign for any club.

Paul Jewell will soon take charge of the club’s affairs, despite having been out of management for the past two years. His last job at Derby County ended in ignominy in 2008, but the 46-year-old has in the past guided Bradford City and Wigan Athletic to the Premier League.

In this first leg, however, it will be coach Ian McParland who will be in charge - but Jewell is expected to be in the stands at Portman Road.

Gunning down lesser opposition

If an out of sorts Chelsea side could record an emphatic 7-0 result against these opponents, then so can Arsenal. Manager Arsene Wenger’s defence may look shaky in the absence of Thomas Vermaelen, Sebastien Squillaci and Bacary Sagna, but it may not prove to be a significant problem against the Championship strugglers.

Ideally speaking, the former Monaco boss will want the tie to be wrapped up in the first leg, so he can give many of his younger charges a run out in the semi-final of the tournament - since he has been fielding relatively strong line-ups in comparison to previous years.

The stronger line-ups have been seen as a sign that the north London club are taking the League Cup seriously, due to their silverware drought that stretches way back to Patrick Vieira’s penalty against Manchester United in 2005 - which won them the FA Cup.

The emphasis on the contest at hand takes a more serious tone when it is noted that the Gunners drew their FA Cup tie against Leeds United at the weekend.

TEAM NEWS

Ipswich Town

Jake Livermore and Rory Fallon are unavailable for this encounter, as the on-loan pair have already played for Tottenham and Plymouth Argyle respectively during earlier rounds of the competition.

Grant Leadbitter is still serving a suspension, while Gareth McAuley could overcome a hamstring injury in time for a start.

Possible starting XI: Fulop; Brown, McAuley, Delaney, Kennedy; Norris, Edwards, Quinn, Colback; Wickham, Scotland.

Arsenal

Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles), Manuel Almunia (ankle), Abou Diaby (calf) and Sebastien Squillaci (hamstring) are all sidelined for this encounter, with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger entertaining defensive worries.

The north London club’s manager has admitted that he may have to dip into the transfer market to bring in cover for Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou.

Bacary Sagna is currently serving a suspension, so Emmanuel Eboue is likely to slot in at right-back.

Possible starting XI: Szczesny; Eboue, Djourou, Koscielny, Gibbs; Walcott, Fabregas, Eastmond, Denilson, Arshavin; Bendtner.

Prediction

Ipswich 1-2 Arsenal  

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12-01-2011 21:00 Blackpool - Liverpool

Eyeing the double

Back in early October, Blackpool sent shockwaves through the Premier League by travelling to Liverpool and conquering Anfield. It was a body blow for the Reds, and was also one of the low points of former boss Roy Hodgson’s short stint as manager.

During that game, Luke Varney went down in the area as the referee pointed to the spot. Charlie Adam converted in front of the Kop to give his side a shock lead on Merseyside, before Varney doubled the advantage. A header from Sotirios Kyrgiakos eventually proved to be nothing more than a consolation as the victory served to justify the Seasiders’ arrival in the top-flight.

A little over three months have passed since then, and the visitors’ boss Ian Holloway probably feels that his charges can do the double over their more illustrious opponents. He fielded a line-up of several fringe players during the club’s recent FA Cup trip to Southampton, in a game that the travellers lost.

But he should call on his regulars for this encounter, in the hope of repeating the performance put in at Anfield to carve out a similar result.

'King Kenny' to the rescue

The latter days of Roy Hodgson’s bitter reign on Merseyside saw him lose the fans completely, as the club’s supporters roundly chanted for his head by calling for the appointment of the legendary Kenny Dalglish.

One could very well argue that the results may not have been a true reflection of the former Fulham manager’s capability, as he was unable to mould the squad to his liking by flexing some muscle in the transfer window. But the Merseysiders have parted ways with the 63-year-old now, and have given the fans what they wanted - King Kenny.

Dalglish’s return to management after a decade-long hiatus began in poor fashion as a controversial penalty coupled with the sending off of his skipper Steven Gerrard ended in a defeat to bitter rivals Manchester United - which in turn meant that the Reds were knocked out of the FA Cup.

However, the feel good factor around the club will have trickled down into the squad as well, and could in turn translate into a positive performance on the pitch.

The Scot will have to capitalise on the initial boost that his appointment has given the team to capture nothing less than all three points at Bloomfield Road to retain hope of salvaging a morose season and qualifying for next season’s Europa League.

TEAM NEWS

Blackpool

The Seasiders have no fresh injury worries ahead of this game, but Elliot Grandin (hamstring), Malaury Martin (knee), Chris Basham (broken leg), Marlon Harewood (hamstring), Matt Gilks (knee) and Billy Clarke (knee) are all expected to remain sidelined.

Manager Ian Holloway fielded several fringe players during the recent defeat to Southampton and will likely revert to his preferred first-choice players once more.

Possible starting XI: Kingson; Eardley, Cathcart, Evatt, Crainey; Phillips, Adam, Vaughan; Taylor-Fletcher, Campbell, Varney

Liverpool

The club’s talismanic skipper Steven Gerrard is suspended for this game, as he saw red in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United.

Jamie Carragher (shoulder) and Jay Spearing (ankle) remain sidelined. The former will remain unavailable for some more time as he recovers from surgery, while the latter is back in training and still working on getting back to full fitness.

Possible starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Aurelio; Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Maxi; Babel, Torres

Prediction

Liverpool will be desperate to avenge their defeat at Anfield earlier in the season but Blackpool are on a good run at home and getting a victory will not be easy for Roy Hodgson’s men. Ian Holloway will be hoping his side can extend their unbeaten run to five matches, and given Liverpool’s vulnerabilities this game that is a strong possibility in what should be a very entertaining scoring draw.

Blackpool 1-1 Liverpool

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