23.11. (Wed) 20:45 Milan - Barcelona

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

AC MILAN Abbiati Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini Nocerino, Van Bommel, Aquilani Boateng Ibrahimovic, Pato

BARCELONA Valdes Puyol, Pique, Mascherano, Abidal Busquets, Xavi, Fabregas Sanchez, Villa, Messi

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri will be without the services of Antonio Cassano who is recovering from heart surgery while Philippe Mexes is still nursing a broken wrist.

Alexandre Pato came on as a substitute in the goalless draw against Fiorentina at the weekend and could be handed a starting role up front in Wednesday's encounter.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola faces a selection headache at right-back as Dani Alves is suspended and Adriano is injured. Carles Puyol could slide over to full-back and Javier Mascherano to the centre of defence to compensate for the Brazilian duo's absence.

Andres Iniesta will miss the crunch clash with a thigh strain, but Pedro recently returned from an ankle problem and could see some action off the bench.

DID YOU KNOW?

• AC Milan have only won three out of their last 10 home games in the Champions League.

• Massimiliano Allegri's men have won six out of their last eight matches in all competitions.

• The Rossoneri have picked up two wins at San Siro against Barca in the Champions League (W2 D1 L2).

• Alexandre Pato scored the fifth fastest goal in the history of the competition (24 seconds) at Camp Nou in the 2-2 draw on September 13, 2011.

• Barcelona have scored more goals than any other club in this season's tournament so far (13).
  

• The holders have succumbed to only one defeat in their last eight Champions League encounters away from Camp Nou.

• The Blaugrana's overall record against Italian teams in Europe is W5 D6 L5.

• Pep Guardiola's side have outscored their opponents 9-0 in their last two away matches in Group H.

Prediction

Both teams are already assured of a place in the round of 16 but will battle hard nonetheless to advance as group winners. Their first match in September ended in a thrilling draw and more of the same can be expected at the Giuseppe Meazza on Wednesday.

Editor's Prediction

AC Milan 1-1 Barcelona

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23.11. (Wed) 20:45 Arsenal - Borussia D.

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

ARSENAL Szczesny Djourou, Koscielny, Vermaelen, A. Santos Ramsey, Song, Rosicky Walcott, Van Persie, Chamakh

BORUSSIA DORTMUND Weidenfeller Piszczek, Santana, Hummels, Schmelzer Bender, Kehl Gotze, Kagawa, Grosskreutz Lewandowski

Arsenal know a victory will secure them qualification to the knockout stages of the competition and will therefore look to field a strong team. After another poor showing over the weekend, Per Mertesacker could be dropped for Laurent Koscielny while Gervinho and Mikel Arteta could be rested in place of Tomas Rosicky and Marouane Chamakh.

The Gunners have no new injury concerns but still lack the expertise of long-term absentees Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby.

Visiting boss Jurgen Klopp may well want to continue with a similar side to that which beat their title rivals Bayern Munich 1-0 at the Allianz Arena on Saturday. Their main injury concern involves defender Neven Subotic, who is likely to be out of action until the new year due to a facial injury suffered against Wolfsburg earlier in the month.

DID YOU KNOW

• Arsenal are so far undefeated in the group stage of the Champions League, winning two and drawing two. Every other team in Group F has lost at least one match.

• Tomas Rosicky, who could feature against his former team, scored against Arsenal when he played for Borussia Dortmund in the 2002-03 season.

• Both Arsenal and Dortmund had poor starts to the season but have regained form of late; the German outfit are unbeaten in eight games while the Gunners have won five of their last six in all competitions.

• Arsenal’s captain Robin van Persie has scored 31 goals in 2011, averaging 1.07 strikes per game.

• Dortmund were the first German team to win the Champions League after the reformation of the tournament in 1992, triumphing in 1997.

• The first game between the sides ended in a 1-1 draw after Dortmund snatched a late equaliser.

• Arsenal’s only two clean sheets in their last eight games have come in the Champions League while Dortmund have kept five in their last eight fixtures.

Prediction
Editor's Prediction
Arsenal 3-1 Borussia Dortmund 

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23.11. (Wed) 20:45 Olympique Marseille - Olympiakos

Panoramic

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MARSEILLE Mandanda; Azpilicueta, Diawara, N'Koulou, Morel Lucho Gonzalez, Diarra, Cheyrou, Ayew, Remy, Valbuena

OLYMPIAKOS Costanzo Torosidis, Papadopoulos, Mellberg, Holebas Fejsa, Modeste  Fuster, Fetfatzidis, Mirallas Djebbour

Olympique de Marseille boss Didier Deschamps is set to recall Mathieu Valbuena to the starting line-up after the diminutive winger sat out Saturday evening's 1-0 defeat to Montpellier. Lucho Gonzalez, who scored the winner when the sides met on matchday one in September, is also likely to return to the fold after coming off the bench at Stade de la Mosson.
Stephane Mbia has been out since August with a broken metatarsal, but the Cameroonian defender could be in contention after making the substitutes bench at the weekend. Rod Fanni is also out after breaking a toe against Arsenal last month, with Nicolas N'Koulou deputising in defence.
Ernesto Valverde has various injury concerns to contend with ahead of his side's do-or-die trip to France. Ariel Ibagaza, Jean Makoun (both knee) and Pablo Orbaiz (groin) have not made the journey, with Lubomir Fejsa overcoming a strained foot to take his place. Kevin Mirallas makes his second trip west after featuring for Belgium against France last week.
Tassos Papazoglou underwent surgery for a knee injury, with David Fuster and Djamel Abdoun travelling after recovering from recent knocks as the Greek champions look to prolong their stay in the Champions League.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Olympique de Marseille have won two out of four Champions League group games so far, with a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal their last outing.

• L'OM are aiming to qualify for the last 16 for the second time in seven attempts. They achieved this last season on matchday five against Spartak Moscow, winning 3-0. 

• Didier Deschamps' men won their last fixture at home against Olympiakos, 3-0 in the 1994-95 season.

• Olympiakos were defeated 1-0 away to Borussia Dortmund on matchday four.

• Ernesto Valverde's men have only won once in the Champions League this season, beating the German champions on matchday three.

• Olympiakos could be eliminated from all European competition if they are defeated and Borussia Dortmund beat Arsenal. They won't be able to qualify for the last 16 if they do not win.

• Similarly, Marseille can qualify on Wednesday if they defeat Olympiakos and Dortmund drop points against Arsenal. A draw will suffice if the English side beat Dortmund at the Emirates.

Prediction

Despite a slight setback in form, Marseille are favourites to oust the Greeks, especially when there is a last 16 place at stake. After a gritty 0-0 draw against Arsenal in London displayed their credentials, OM have the talent and guile to seal the deal. For the Kikkoni, they have an atrocious record in France, and it doesn't look to be getting any better.

Editor's Prediction

Marseille 2-0 Olympiakos Piraeus

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23.11. (Wed) 20:45 Valencia - Racing Genk

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

VALENCIA Alves Miguel, Rami, Ruiz, Alba Albelda, T. Costa Feghouli, Jonas, Mathieu Soldado

GENK   Koteles Ngongca, Vanden Borre, Nadson, Pudil Buffel, De Bruyne, Hyland Tozser Vossen, Barda

For Valencia, goalkeeper Diego Alves will feature in consecutive games after starting in the 3-2 loss to Real Madrid on Saturday, with Vicente Guaita currently sidelined through injury.

In defence, the team is at full strength, but the midfield area is where the squad has been weakened. Ever Banega is out for the remainder of the group stage after straining ligaments in his knee on matchday four. Sergio Canales will be absent until April after tearing a knee ligament at the end of October, while Hedwiges Maduro looks set to return in February after suffering torn ligaments in his ankle.

In attack, Jonas will play behind Roberto Soldado. The Brazilian came on as a substitute on Saturday after playing two games with Brazil during the international break, but will start on Wednesday.

For Genk, Abel Masuero has not returned to action since a calf muscle injury in training in late October. David Hubert (stomach) and Jeroen Simaeys (broken toe) have both been sidelined for more than a month and look set to miss the game, while Torben Joneleit could be out until April with torn knee ligaments, suffered against KV Mechelen in late August.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Valencia sit in third place in Group E with five points, coming off a 3-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in their fourth group match on November 1. 

• The Spanish sit one point behind the Germans, who play Chelsea in the section's other match.

• Emery's men will secure at least a spot in the Europa League with victory over the Belgians.

• A Valencia win and a draw or loss from Leverkusen would see the Spanish move into second place with one game to go.

• Genk have two points in the group and sit three behind Valencia in third. 

• A loss to Valencia would see the visitors' chances of making the last 16 vanish.

• A defeat will also eliminate them from Europa League classification, which is given to each third-placed team in the group stage.

• The first match the teams played in September finished 0-0.

Prediction

Roberto Soldado should find the net against the Belgians as Valencia march towards the knockout stage.

Editor's Prediction

Valencia 2-0 KRC Genk

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23.11. (Wed) 20:45 Shakhtar - Porto

Vitor Pereira (Porto)

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

SHAKHTAR DONETSK Rybka Kobin, Rakytskiy, Kucher, Rat Hubschmann, Mkhitaryan Douglas Costa, Teixeira, Willian Luiz Adriano

PORTO Helton Fucile, Otamendi, Rolando, A. Pereira Fernando Moutinho, Belluschi Hulk, Kleber, J. Rodriguez

Porto coach Vitor Pereira has included right-back Alvaro Pereira, in his plans for the match after the Uruguayan recovered from tendinitis, while centre-back Eliaquim Mangala has been left out of the squad. Cristian Rodriguez has also made the squad after missing the club's weekend defeat to Academica Coimbra in the Portuguese Cup.

Shakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu will be without the services of captain Darijo Srna, who is serving a one-match ban, and vice-captain Dmytro Chyrgynskiy, currently recovering from a thigh muscle tear. Fernandinho, Willian and Andriy Pyatov are all in doubt and their involvement in Wednesday's game will depend on a late fitness test.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Shakhtar Donetsk are second in the Ukrainian league, one point shy of leaders Dynamo Kiev.

• Coach Mircea Lucescu has won three matches and lost four against Portuguese opposition with Shakhtar.

• The Ukrainian side are still without a win in the competition after four matches, having so far posted two draws and two defeats.

• Porto are joint leaders with Benfica in the Portuguese Liga, with 24 points from 10 matches.
  

• They were eliminated in the Portuguese Cup at the weekend after a surprise 3-0 defeat at Academica Coimbra.

• Hulk has sent 17 shots off target, the joint highest total in the competition along with Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

• Vitor Pereira's men have collected 15 yellow cards in the current Champions League edition, the joint highest total along with Napoli.

Prediction

The Portuguese champions' weekend defeat has raised even more doubts about the players' state of mind, and with reports of a rebellious dressing room emerging, this match could not have come at a worse time for Vitor Pereira's side.

Editor's Prediction

Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 Porto

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23.11. (Wed) 20:45 Bayer Leverkusen - Chelsea

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

BAYER LEVERKUSEN Leno Castro, Friedrich, Toprak, Kadlec Bender, Rolfes Sam, Ballack, Schurrle Kiessling

CHELSEA Cech Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole Mikel Ramires, Lampard Mata, Drogba, Malouda

Leverkusen's Andre Schurrle was sidelined with influenza on Friday, but is expected to return to action for the Chelsea match. Karim Bellarabi and Hanno Balitsch are also anticipated to be left out of the matchday squad due to thigh problems. Long-term casualties Renato Augusto, Michael Ortega, Tranquillo Barnetta, and Rene Adler are all ruled out of the game due to knee injuries.

Didier Drogba returned to action for Chelsea on Sunday, having recovered from an elbow knock. He will be available for selection, as will Alex and John Obi Mikel, who have shaken off back problems. The big absentee from CFC's line-up is Michael Essien, who has been out since the pre-season due to knee ligament damage.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Bayer Leverkusen have won just two of their 16 matches against English opposition, losing 10.

• Bayer midfielder Michael Ballack left Chelsea in the summer of 2010 after four seasons with the Blues, and now is in his second spell at the Bundesliga side.

• B04 have won their first two matches at the BayArena in the Champions League. In their last foray in Europe's elite competition, which came seven years ago, they won all three home games in the group stage.

• Chelsea striker Fernando Torres' solitary strike in the Euro 2008 final condemned Ballack to defeat in the last international tournament game of the German's career.

• Andre Villas-Boas' side have won seven of their 12 matches against German opposition, losing just three.

• The Blues have lost just one of their last nine Champions League group games, winning and drawing four apiece.

• CFC have reached the Champions League knock-out rounds for eight consecutive seasons. They could confirm their advancement with a win on Wednesday.

Prediction

Based on form, the hosts just might be able to escape with a draw. In their first match at Stamford Bridge the Germans had one goal controversially disallowed, and had many other chances to equalise before Juan Mata's last-gasp strike to make it 2-0. Chelsea have a considerable pedigree in the Champions League, though, and go into the match as favourites.

Editor's Prediction

Leverkusen 2-2 Chelsea

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23.11. (Wed) 19:00 BATE - Viktoria Plzen

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

BATE BORISOV Gutor Baga, Simic, Yurevich, Bordachev Volodko, Bressan, Kontosevoi, Olekhnovich Rudik Kezman

VIKTORIA PLZEN Pavlik Limbersky, Bystron, Sevinsky, Rajtoral Petrzela, Jiracek, Horvath, Kolar, Pilar Bakos

BATE Borisov boss Viktor Goncharenko has a few selection issues heading into the match. Defender Yegor Filipenko is likely to miss the rest of the group stage after injuring his back on international duty with Belarus against Romania in October.

Striker Vitali Rodionov will be out of action until at least April after rupturing knee ligaments at the end of August. Defender Evgeni Kuntsevich underwent knee surgery in the summer and has his sights set on a new year return.

Viktoria Plzen stopper David Limbersky had been missing since 6 November with a thigh injury but was passed fit to start his side's 3-2 win against Mlada Boleslav on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Marek Cech has not seen action since matchday three when he suffered a knee injury. However, he did manage to make the substitutes bench in the same win at the weekend. Marian Cisovsky is suspended for this match, having been sent off in matchday four.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The previous encounter between BATE Borisov and Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League group stage ended in a 1-1 draw in Prague, and was the first time in history the sides had met.

• The two teams are battling one another for a Europa League spot, as both AC Milan and Barcelona have already achieved qualification for the Champions League knockout stage.

• BATE have lost only one out of five European home games this season, and it came at the hands of Barcelona in a 5-0 defeat.

• Viktoria Plzen's only Champions League point to date came courtesy of their draw with BATE in the previous encounter in this group.

• Plzen have lost both of their away matches 2-0 in the section, against AC Milan and Barcelona, but won all their away matches in the qualifying rounds.

• Along with Villarreal, Genk and Dinamo Zagreb, BATE Borisov and Viktoria Plzen have conceded the joint highest amount of goals in the competition, with each team having shipped nine so far.

Prediction

The last match in Prague was a tight affair, with the score eventually ending 1-1. If BATE win then they will continue playing European football this season, but if Viktoria Plzen collect the spoils they go ahead of the Belarusian side in the race for the Europa League position. A draw, however, may be the outcome once again.

Editor's Prediction

BATE 2-2 FC Viktoria Plzeň

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23.11. (Wed) 18:00 Zenit - APOEL

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

ZENIT ST PETERSBURG MalafeevAnyukov, Alves, Lombaerts, Criscito Bystrov, Denisov, Zyryanov, ShirokovBukharov, Danny

APOEL Pardo Poursaitidis, Jorge, Jahic, Oliveira Morais, Pinto Marcinho, Manduca Trickovski, Solari/Ailton

Nicolas Lombaerts returned from injury to feature in Friday's 0-0 draw with Anzhi and is expected to feature once again for the visit of the Cypriots, who currently lead Group G. Danny also made a return from a spell on the sidelines in that match, having been out with ligament damage, and will take his place in the starting XI.

One absentee, however, is Aleksandr Kerzhakov, who has been out for six weeks with an ankle problem and is unlikely to be passed fit for this contest.

Nektarios Alexandrou missed the weekend victory over Ermis Aradippou after returning from international duty with a calf knock, while Ailton also missed out due to a thigh injury and faces a struggle to be ready in time for the trip to Zenit.

Paulo Jorge and Ivan Trickovski both returned to action from ankle and thigh problems respectively, and will feature, but Dionisis Chiotis and William Boaventura are sidelined.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Zenit fell to APOEL in Nicosia on matchday one, but have a formidable home record, winning their last nine European ties on home soil.

• The Russian side's next European victory will be their 50th triumph in European competition.

• APOEL have lost just once in five away trips in this season's Champions League qualification, including the qualifying rounds.

• Victory over Zenit would see APOEL through to the knockout stages as winners of Group B, and could perhaps progress with a draw if Porto fail to defeat Shakhtar Donetsk in Portugal.

• This is only the second time that both Zenit and APOEL have competed in the Champions League group stages.

Prediction

It's difficult to write off the Cypriots, who have been so impressive in this campaign so far, but Zenit are a superior team, and not only will they look to make amends for their defeat on matchday one, their excellent home record will also stand them in good stead.

Editor's Prediction

Zenit 2-1 APOEL Nicosia

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23-11-2011 Wednesday Preview

Zenit - Apoel Nicosia 1.50 - 8.98

The team that everyone, especially the bookmakers, continue to underestimate, Apoel from Cyprus. This time you can back them as 8.25 away outsiders. Apoel, bossing their group, have drawn their two away games and won their two home fixtures. In all honesty, who thought that they would obtain draws at Shaktar and Porto? Apoel are sweating on the fitness of their top striker Ailton. Defence man Boaventura is already sidelined.

Zenit have a 100% home record and they are motivated favourites but are hugely underpriced. Bystrov was back for Zenit in their last league game joining force with Bukharov upfront. Danny came on as second half substitute and only the injured Kerzhakov is missing at the moment. Home win, I guess, but unbackable.

Bate Borisov - V Plzen 2.04 - 4.13

Which side will play in the Europa League? Just to remind you that both sides will be 100% motivated for this game. The first encounter ended in a 1-1 draw in the Czech Republic.

Bate have more experience in Europe, but surely V Plzen, at least some of their players, will be full of confidence after the Czech victory in the play offs for the EURO 2012. I refer to their many Czech internationals. Missing, however, their central defender Cisovsky.

Backing the better odds. Away win.

Bayer Leverkusen - Chelsea 3.62 - 2.25

The Luiz penalty miss against Genk may prove costly for Chelsea, or it has at least complicated matters for them in this group. Chelsea are for once under huge pressure in Europe. A loss in this match and their remaining fixture against Valencia will be decisive, Champions League or the Europa League. Almost unthinkable. The Chelsea form is highly questionable, their coach does not seem to know his best eleven and Chelsea are playing rather slowly again, like last season. OK, I admit, maybe I am being too negative. I expect F Torres to play from the start tomorrow.

The home side is in healthy form and no one is better than the former Chelsea player M Ballack, playing together with Sam and fit again Schurrle on the midfield. L Bender will be joined by Reinartz or Rolfes on the defensive midfield. Bayer matched Chelsea for an hour or so in their previous meeting at Stamford Bridge (0-2 loss) and, right or wrong, they seem to fancy their chances in tomorrow’s game. X2 game.

Valencia - Genk 1.20 - 22.30

I expect Valencia to pick from the same squad that just about lost to Real Madrid at the weekend. It turned out to be a great game with Valencia losing the match 2-3. It will be about recharging their batteries again, but I cannot see Valencia having major problems in this match. They dominated away to Genk, missed numerous scoring chances, but at the end of the day the match ended in a 0-0 draw.

Genk drew 1-1 with Chelsea three weeks ago, but it is one thing obtaining a home draw and succeeding against top sides away from home. Joneleit, Grimi, Simaeys, Hubert and Benteke will miss this match. Too much at stake for Valencia. Home winner.

Arsenal - Borussia Dortmund 2.15 - 4.00

I never expected these quite decent odds on the home win and they have to be backed. I am of course well aware of the outstanding Borussia win against Bayern Munich at the weekend, but I have so far never seen a strong display in Europe from this German side, and definitely not in their away fixtures. Losses more or less everywhere these last two years. They conceded three goals away to Marseille, three against Olympiakos, both quite goal shy sides. Lewandowski, their front runner, backed up by Götze, Kagawa and Grosskreutz..

It looks like Arsenal for once will be able to pick from an unchanged squad. Gervinho, Walcott and of course Van Persie, they are in very good form at this instant. One late change. Diaby will come in for the injured Rosicky. Backing Arsenal.

Marseille - Olympiakos 1.62 - 7.00

This cannot be right. Only 1.62 on the home win? Marseille have to fight for every point this season and there will be no easy points to collect tomorrow either. Or, that is my stand point. Marseille could not score against Arsenal and they also failed to find the net in their first league game after the break, at Montpellier at the weekend (0-1 loss). They are not sparkling, but no denying their excellent situation in this group. They won away to Olympiakos 1-0, but at that time the Greek season had just started and Olympiakos looked very rusty. J Ayew upfront, I guess, supported by, among others, Valbuena.

Olympiakos drew 1-1 with Panathinakos a few days ago, a game they probably wanted to win more than tomorrow’s match. Orbaiz, starter against Panathinaikos, will not play in this match and also Makoun, substitute, will be missing. Also Ibagaza has been left out of the squad. No bet game for this writer.

Milan - Barcelona 5.00 - 1.84

Away win will be my call. Milan like to pass the ball around in Ibrahimovic tempo, rather slow in other words and in Serie A they can have it their way. It is not working against Barcelona, the supreme passing side in the world. Barcelona will dominate the ball possession and they are doing it much faster than Ibra’s Milan. This will lead to Milan using more long balls hoping for Pato to find a route to the Barca net. It has happened before.

In Barcelona Milan reached the most unlikely of draws, more or less outplayed and one of their goals was a Pato specialty. Ibrahimovic will probably find himself in no man’s land for most of the match.

Boateng will be back from his suspension for Milan, while Barcelona have to manage without the injured Iniesta and D Alves. Likely away win.

Shaktar Donetsk - Porto 2.60 - 3.02

Not much has worked for these two in Europe this season. Although Porto are two points ahead of Shaktar in this group, it looks like Porto and their coach have bigger problems at the moment. Their coach is in danger of losing his job after their hurting domestic cup loss at the weekend. Porto miss Guarin, A Sandro, Sapunaru and Mangala, but welcome back both Fucile and Rodriguez for this match.

Chygrynskiy remains on the Shaktar injury list, Srna will be suspended and Fernandinho’s fitness is a case for concern. I expect both Jadson and Fernandinho to play from the start tomorrow. I missed Rat and Eduardo in their squad at the weekend, but I do no think that they are injured. I prefer the home win alternative.

Chris

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