26.10. (Wed) 22:00 Real - Villarreal

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

REAL MADRID Casillas Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo Xabi Alonso, Khedira Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo Higuain

VILLARREAL   Diego Lopez Zapata, Gonzalo, Musacchio, Catala Cani, Borja Valero, Bruno, De Guzman Ruben, Rossi

Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol is an absentee as he is still recovering from a fractured cheekbone. Nuri Sahin is working back to fitness from a knee injury, while Ricardo Carvalho remains a major doubt after failing to shake off a back injury.

Sami Khedira may be given the nod next to Xabi Alonso, and with Kaka disappointing against Malaga, Mesut Ozil may return to the starting line-up. With Gonzalo Higuain again on the scoresheet at the weekend, he will likely be chosen up front ahead of Karim Benzema.

Nilmar remains a long term absentee for Villarreal. The Brazilian is still recovering from a knee injury. Marcos Senna, Marco Ruben, and Javi Camunas all returned to the squad for the 3-0 home defeat to Levante, and are in contention for an appearance against Madrid.

DID YOU KNOW?

• In this fixture last season, Real Madrid fought to a 4-2 victory at Santiago Bernabeu, with Cristiano Ronaldo netting a hat-trick.

• Iker Casillas' outing against Malaga on Saturday moved him onto 428 league appearances for Madrid, edging him above Paco Gento into fifth place on the all-time list.

• Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain has scored more goals in La Liga this season than the entire Villarreal squad.

• Villarreal have won only two games out of 11 in competitive matches this season.

• Juan Carlos Garrido's side have had four different goalscorers in La Liga this campaign - half the amount of Real Madrid.

• Villarreal have notched up seven goals in eight games in the league this season. Madrid, on the other hand, have netted 28 times.

Prediction

Real Madrid are in scintillating form at the moment and when you compare that with the awful start to the season from Villarreal, it is difficult to see past a comfortable win for Jose Mourinho's men in this game. Juan Carlos Garrido's side have been terribly unorganised recently, and although the Yellow Submarine definitely have the quality to get something from the contest, their defensive frailties could once again come to the fore.

Editor's Prediction

Real Madrid 3-0 Villarreal

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26.10. (Wed) 21:00 Everton - Chelsea

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

EVERTON Mucha Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines Barkley, Neville, Fellaini, Rodwell, Drenthe Saha

CHELSEA Cech Ferreira, Alex, David Luiz, Bertrand Romeu, McEachran, Meireles Kalou, Torres, Malouda

Buoyed by Everton’s late league win over Fulham, David Moyes will be looking to maintain momentum in a tough home tie. Given their lack of squad depth, Everton have thus far fielded strong teams in this competition with backup keeper Jan Mucha being the most notable reserve to feature throughout.

Impressive youngster Ross Barkley is likely to be given more time to aid his development in the Toffees’ midfield, hoping to provide ammo for a lone striker, most probably Louis Saha.

Andre Villas-Boas has the suspensions of three players - Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa – to consider ahead of this tie but can now select Fernando Torres after the Spaniard completed his three-match ban.

Chelsea picked a weakened side in their previous League Cup tie this season and may well do the same in order to give their youth prospects some vital minutes at Goodison Park.

Former Barcelona starlet Oriol Romeu could start alongside highly-rated England under-21 midfielder Josh McEachran in an inexperienced Blues outfit.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Chelsea and Everton faced each other just two weeks ago at Stamford Bridge with the Londoners running out 3-1 winners on that occasion.

• These two sides met in domestic knockout competition last season as Everton dumped Chelsea out of the FA Cup on penalties in the fourth round.

• The last time the two sides faced each other in the League Cup, Chelsea secured a 3-1 aggregate win in the semi-final of the 2007-08 edition of the competition.

• Everton have never won a League Cup match against Chelsea in seven attempts, drawing two and losing five.

• Everton have never won this trophy, finishing as runner-up on two occasions.

• Chelsea have also lost in two League Cup finals but have lifted the trophy four times.

Prediction
Editor's Prediction 
Everton 0-1 Chelsea 

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26.10. (Wed) 20:45 Wolverhampton - Manchester City

PROSHOTS

PROBABLE LINEUPS

WOLVES Hennessey Stearman, Berra, Johnson, Ward Guedioura, Henry, O'Hara, Jarvis Vokes, Doyle

MANCHESTER CITY Hart Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy De Jong Johnson, Milner, Hargreaves, Nasri Balotelli

Wolves have no new injury worries after their game against Swansea but Steven Fletcher looks set to miss his third straight game with a calf injury. Ronald Zubar, who has been struggling with a groin problem, looks likely to sit out due to a lack of fitness.
Manager Mick McCarthy could also favour Sam Vokes over Sylvan Ebanks-Blake up front after the Wales international has impressed recently.
Manchester City do not have any new injury concerns either, but will probably rest Micah Richards, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Sergio Aguero, who all played a key part in Sunday's 6-1 demolition of Manchester United.

Nonetheless, manager Roberto Mancini has capable replacements and may look to bolster Mario Balotelli's confidence further by starting the striker against Wolves.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester City have failed to make the quarter-finals in eight of the last 10 years.

• Wolves have won two of their last three home games against Manchester City.

• City have scored 40 goals in 14 matches this season in all competitions.
• Wolves have not reached the last eight of the League Cup since 1995-96.

• City have failed to score in only one of their last 19 League Cup games: the 2-0 home defeat to Spurs in the quarter-finals in December 2007.

• Mick McCarthy's men were knocked out of the League Cup by Manchester opposition last year, losing 3-2 to Manchester United in the fourth round.

• Wolves have lost only one of their last 10 League Cup games at Molineux, a 3-1 defeat to Morecambe in the second round in August 2007.

• City's most successful period in this competition came in the 1970s, where they were victorious twice (1970 and 1976), as well as being runners up in the 1974 final.

Prediction
Editor's Prediction 
Wolves 1-3 Man City

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26.10. (Wed) 20:45 Atalanta - Inter

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

ATALANTA Consigli Masiello, Capelli, Lucchini, Peluso Schelotto, Cigarini, Padoin, Bonaventura Moralez Denis

INTER Julio CesarMaicon, Lucio, Chivu, Nagatomo Zanetti, Motta, Stankovic SneijderZarate, Milito

Atalanta have made quite a stir since returning to Serie A this season, winning four out of seven matches and, even more impressively, would be joint second with Lazio if not for their six-point deduction.

Coach Stefano Colantuono has a settled squad at his disposal for the visit of Inter, with Adriano Ferreira Pinto and Thomas Manfredini being the hosts' only absentees, meaning they should be unchanged from the side that beat Parma 2-1 on Sunday.

Meanwhile for their Milanese opponents, Claudio Ranieri is forced to manage without squad members Andrea Ranocchia, Andrea Poli, Philippe Coutinho, Diego Forlan and Walter Samuel , who are all out with various injuries.

However, the ex-Roma boss will have been extremely pleased by the way his team dug out an important three points against Chievo at the weekend, and will look to sustain their new-found form by promoting Diego Milito and Dejan Stankovic to the line-up, in favour of Esteban Cambiasso and Giampaolo Pazzini.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Atalanta have won just one of their last 12 meetings with Inter, but the Coppa Italia holders have been victorious only once in their last four visits to Bergamo.

• The hosts have lost just once this season; a 3-1 reverse at Roma, and remain unbeaten at home so far, winning two and drawing one.

• Argentine pair German Denis and Maxi Moralez have scored eight of Atalanta's 10 league goals this season, bagging four each.

• Meanwhile, Inter have lost three of their last four trips away from home this campaign, with the win at Bologna the only exception.

• In addition, they have conceded in all of their last nine Serie A fixtures away from home.

• The last six Serie A meetings between these sides have been fiery encounters, with three red cards being brandished; two for Atalanta and one for Inter.

Prediction

It should be a tight encounter in northern Italy, with a share of the spoils arguably the most expected outcome. However, there is potential for a free-flowing exhibition at the Azzurri d'Italia, with both sides possessing some of the league's most creative players in the final third, so it remains to be seen how effectively their supply lines are serviced.

Editor's Prediction

Atalanta 1-1 Inter Milan

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26.10. (Wed) 20:45 Milan - Parma

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

AC MILAN AbbiatiAbate, Nesta, Yepes, Antonini Nocerino, Van Bommel, Aquilani Boateng Ibrahimovic, Cassano

PARMA Mirante Zaccardo, Paletta, Lucarelli, Gobbi Biabiany, Morrone, Jadid, Modesto Giovinco Floccari

The home side will still be without Brazilian duo Alexandre Pato and Thiago Silva through injury; the former has not featured since September 21 against Udinese. Long-term absentee Mathieu Flamini continues his recuperation, but Clarence Seedorf should return for the Rossoneri after a spell out with a knee problem.

Captain Massimo Ambrosini's place may be at risk after being hooked at half-time in the astounding comeback against Lecce, with Alberto Aquilani an option and Kevin-Prince Boateng is likely to be included after his heroics on Sunday. Gennaro Gattuso has however been devastated by the news that an eye problem will keep him out for up to six months.

Parma's Franco Colomba should have a full squad to choose from with, Hernan Crespo likely to return to the squad. The Argentine is unlikely to start the match but could well feature from the bench after recovering from a thigh problem.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Both AC Milan and Parma have won three games in Serie A this season.

• Antonio Cassano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have scored a total of 15 goals against Parma in their careers.

• Kevin-Prince Boateng has scored four goals in his last two games for the Rossoneri including a second half hat-trick against Lecce on Sunday

• Parma's last win at San Siro in Serie A was back in 1996.

• Parma are the only team in Italy's top flight not to have drawn a game this season.

• Parma have only won one of their last 14 fixtures against AC Milan.

Prediction

Milan's recent form suggests that they will have too much for Parma on Wednesday with both home advantage and the champions coming off the back of three straight wins filling them with confidence as they look to climb the table.

Editor's Prediction

AC Milan 2-1 Parma

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26.10. (Wed) 20:00 Zaragoza - Valencia

Roberto Soldado, Valencia vs Racing Santander (Getty)

PROBABLE LINEUPS

REAL ZARAGOZA RobertoJuarez, Mateos, Silva, Paredes Ponzio, MeiraBarrera, Garcia, Lafita Postiga

VALENCIA GuaitaMiguel, Ruiz, Costa, Mathieu Hernandez, Banega, Albelda, PiattiJonas, Soldado

For home boss Javier Aguirre, fellow countrymen Efrain Juarez and Pablo Barrera will likely start. Helder Postiga will be the lone striker up top and Leonardo Ponzio will command the middle of the pitch.

The biggest injury news for the visitors comes in the form of Sergio Canales, who is likely to be out for the majority of the season after suffering a serious cruciate ligament injury in the 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao on Sunday evening.

With Adil Rami serving his second game of suspension, Ricardo Costa will likely replace the France international once more in the centre of defence. Jonas looks set to join Roberto Soldado up top as Valencia hope to find their scoring touch.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Zaragoza are in 14th place in the Primera Division table, having collected two wins from their eight matches so far this season.

• The Aragon club come into the contest on the back of a 3-0 loss to Osasuna.
  
• Coach Javier Aguirre has taken charge of the Mexico national team on two occasions, while also commanding the hotseat at Osasuna and Atletico Madrid.

• Valencia have only one victory in their last seven games, in all competitions, a 1-0 defeat of Granada.

• Unai Emery's side needed a late goal from Soldado to tie 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, and sit in fifth place in the league.

• The visitors did not beat Zaragoza last season, tying once and losing the other meeting 4-0.

Prediction

The visitors should get back on track with Roberto Soldado leading the way. The big question will be Ricardo Costa's ability to step in for Adil Rami in defence after playing mediocre against Athletic Bilbao. A big game for both sides, but Valencia should secure three points.

Editor's Prediction

Zaragoza 1-2 Valencia

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26.10. (Wed) 17:00 Al Sadd - Suwon Bluewings

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

AL SADD Ahmed Zakaria, Koni, Kasola, Lee JS, Belhadj Al Bloushi, Khalfan, Rizik, Afif Al Haidos

SUWON BLUEWINGS Jung SR Oh BS, Neretljak, Kwak HJ, Yang SM Lee YR, Lee SH Park HB, Oh JE, Yeom KH Geynrikh

Following the first-leg brawl there's a series of suspensions for both sides, with Al Sadd hit hard in attack by the loss of forward duo Mamadou Niang and Kader Keita. Niang scored in the first leg and their quarter-final against Sepahan, and leaves a major hole. Al Sadd boss Jorge Fossati is likely to play a defensive game, so the return from suspension of centre-half Abdulla Koni is timely.

The Bluewings need goals in this match, but are without Macedonian forward Stevica Ristic after his red card in the first leg. Uzbekistan international Alexander Geynrikh is likely to replace him in attack, although Ha Tae-Goon, who scored six goals in the group stage could be an option too. Meanwhile Oh Beom-Seok returns from suspension and should start at full-back.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Al Sadd ware the only Qatari club to have ever won the Asian title way back in 1989.

• The Doha-based club have only won four out of 10 ACL matches in 2011, but have had a touch of fortune along the way to reach the final four, after quarter-final opponents Sepahan were handed a 3-0 defeat for fielding an ineligible player.

• Al Sadd only reached the 2011 ACL group phase after progressing through the qualifiers where they defeated Syria's Al Ittihad and India's Dempo.

• Suwon won back-to-back Asian titles in 2001 and 2002 but haven't reached the final since.

• Bluewings were unbeaten in this year's ACL prior to their first-leg 2-0 defeat to Al Sadd.

• The Koreans have played away from home four times in this season's ACL, winning only once after 90 minutes, as they required extra-time to get past Zob Ahan in the quarter-finals.

Prediction

Al Sadd have a handy buffer but are without key forwards so are likely to play a defensive brand of football, which could be hard for Suwon to break down. The Koreans are without striker Stevica Ristic so will need to find a spark from somewhere as they strive to score away from home.

Editor's Prediction

Al Sadd 0-1 Suwon Samsung Bluewings

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26.10. (Wed) 12:00 Jeonbuk Hyu. M. - Al Ittihad Jeddah

PROBABLE LINEUPS

JEONBUK MOTORS Kim MS  Park WJ, Shim WY, Cho SH, Choi CS Jung Hoon, Kim SS Seo JJ, Eninho, Luis Henrique Lee DG

AL ITTIHAD Zaid P. Jorge, Al Mowald, Al Montasheri, Al Saeed Kariri, Abushgeer Al Enzi, Noor, Wendel Hazazi

Jeonbuk clinched the K-League regular season title with a goalless draw with lowly Daejeon Citizen on the weekend, in a game where boss Choi Kang-Hee rested several key players with a view to this fixture.

Striker Lee Dong-Gook remains under an injury cloud after limping out of the first leg with a thigh injury but the problem doesn't seem too serious and he could play. Forward Jeong Seong-Hoon is definitely out with a fractured rib.

It may appear Al Ittihad have a mountain to climb to qualify for the final as they require a two-goal victory in Korea. That won't be easy and so the loss of Algeria international striker Abdelmalek Ziaya is a blow after he was stretchered out of the first leg. Dangerous Kuwaiti winger Fahad Al Enezi is likely to start in his place.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Jeonbuk lifted the Asian Champions League (ACL) in 2006 with current boss Choi at the helm.

• During this year's ACL, Jeonbuk have won all five of their home games, scoring 17 goals and conceding just once.

• Jeonbuk have only been beaten twice at home in all competitions in 2011. Firstly, 1-0 to Chunnam Dragons in their opening game of the K-League season and 2-1 to Busan I'Park in the last 16 of the Korean FA Cup.

• Motors striker Lee has the most goals in the 2011 ACL with nine strikes.

• Al Ittihad are the last West Asian club to win the ACL, when they went back-to-back in 2004 and 2005.

• During this season's Champions League, the Tigers recorded away wins in Uzbekistan and UAE, but lost in Iran and Korea, the latter to FC Seoul in the quarter-finals.

• Al Ittihad have reached three of the past seven ACL finals, losing the decider in 2009 to another Korean club, Pohang Steelers 2-1 in Tokyo.

Prediction

Al Ittihad have to attack to get themselves back in the tie, but that will suit free-scoring Jeonbuk who have the defensive steel, led by captain Cho Sung-Hwan, capable of holding out the Tigers

Editor's Prediction

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 3-0 Al Ittihad

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