29.11. (Tue) 21:00 Arsenal - Manchester City

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ARSENAL Fabianski Djourou, Squillaci, Miquel, Yennaris Coquelin, Benayoun, Rosicky Oxlade-Chamberlain, Park, Arshavin

MANCHESTER CITY Pantilimon Zabaleta, Kolo Toure, Savic, Kolarov De Jong, Razak, Yaya Toure Johnson, Dzeko, Nasri

Both managers will have tough choices to make after disappointing results at the weekend. Though City can claim to have picked up a difficult point away at Anfield, it is still a case of two dropped points, whereas Arsenal know that is the case with their home draw against Fulham.

Arsene Wenger is likely to revert to his normal policy where the League Cup is concerned and select the cream of the academy crop, with players such as Francis Coquelin and Ignasi Miquel likely to feature.

For Roberto Mancini, it will probably be a more straightforward task of rotation to ensure all of his players are ready for if and when they are needed in the title run, though there may be a few more familiar faces than in the hosts' squad.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester City have taken an average of 2.66 points per game against opponents in the top half of the Premier League table compared to Arsenal's 1.16.

• Both sides have won the competition twice, with Manchester City's two wins coming in 1970 and 1976 and Arsenal's triumphs in 1987 and 1993.

• The closest either side has come to winning since then was in last year's final where Arsenal were beaten by a late Obafemi Martins strike for Birmingham to take a 2-1 victory.

• Arsenal have been runners up in the competition on five occasions, whereas City have been beaten in the final once.

Prediction

This game will be Manchester City's for the taking. That's not to say that Arsenal will be humiliated, but City will edge it.
With the quality City have in depth, they can field a second string team that would quite easily stay in the Premier League. Arsenal, however will mostly be fielding young players.
While those players do not tend to show any fear, they are likely to get found out against players of the calibre of Johnson or midfielders such as Nigel de Jong.

Editor's Prediction

Arsenal 1-2 Man City

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29.11. (Tue) 21:00 Barcelona - Rayo Vallecano

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

BARCELONA Valdes Dani Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas Pedro, Messi, Villa

RAYO VALLECANO   Cobeno Tito, Labaka, Jordi, Casado Movilla, Fuego Lass, Michu, Piti Tamudo

Carles Puyol is expected to partner Gerard Pique in the centre of defence after being rested during the 1-0 defeat to Getafe on Saturday, so Eric Abidal is likely to start at left back.

Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta have both returned to training and are in contention for starts against Rayo. Expect the former to be given the nod ahead of Thiago in midfield with Iniesta due to start the game on the substitutes bench.

After Alexis Sanchez struggled to impress over the weekend, Pep Guardiola could rotate his attack with Pedro given a start alongside Lionel Messi and David Villa, after returning from a knee problem.

For the visitors, Raul Tamudo could be given the lone frontman role in place of Andrija Delibasic who struggled in the 2-1 defeat to Valencia over the weekend. Elsewhere, Michel Labaka is expected to return to the centre of defence in place of Javi Arribas.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Barcelona are currently six points behind fierce rivals Real Madrid and will be desperate for victory against Rayo.

• The fixture has been brought forward as Pep Guardiola's men will be heading to Japan in December to take part in the Club World Cup.

• Lionel Messi has grabbed 15 Liga goals this season, the same amount as the entire Rayo team combined.

• Rayo Vallecano have had a successful return to La Liga so far, with Jose Ramon Sandoval's men currently ninth in the table.

• The last time the two teams met in May 2003, Barcelona ran out 3-0 winners at Camp Nou.

• The average age of Rayo's squad is 26.6 years old, compared to Barcelona's which is 24.5.

Prediction

Despite the defeat to Getafe at the weekend, it is hard to imagine anything other than a comfortable win for the reigning Liga champions when they meet Rayo at Camp Nou on Tuesday.

Editor's Prediction

Barcelona 3-0 Rayo Vallecano

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29.11. (Tue) 20:45 Chelsea - Liverpool

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CHELSEA Turnbull Bosingwa, Alex, Ivanovic, Bertrand Romeu, McEachran, Lampard Kalou, Torres, Malouda

LIVERPOOL Reina Kelly, Coates, Carragher, Agger Kuyt, Spearing, Lucas, Henderson, Maxi Carroll

Andre Villas-Boas has a full squad to choose from, with the exception of suspended captain John Terry and long-term injury absentee Michael Essien. The Blues boss is likely to ring the changes though, with the only survivors from Saturday’s encounter with Wolves likely to be Branislav Ivanovic and Oriol Romeu. Fernando Torres could start against his former club, having been only used as a late substitute in the recent defeat to the Reds in the Premier League. Liverpool are unlikely to recall Craig Bellamy, who missed Sunday’s clash with Manchester City following Gary Speed's death. Kenny Dalglish is likely to hand a start to youngsters Martin Kelly and Jay Spearing, while Andy Carroll could get the nod after spending the last two matches on the bench.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Chelsea have had their worst start to a season since Roman Abramovich took control of the club in 2003.

• Dalglish (right) is unbeaten against the Blues in 11 games as Liverpool manager.

• In the last seven seasons, this will be the 30th encounter between the two sides. Chelsea have won 12 and Liverpool 10.

• The Reds are unbeaten in their last 10 matches in all competitions.

• Villas-Boas’ men have scored in only two of their last five meetings with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

• Dalglish’s men have won the competition a record seven times, with their last success coming in 2003.

• The hosts have won the competition four times, once in 2005 with a victory over Liverpool in the final.

Prediction

The recent run of form shown by the two sides suggests that there might only be one winner on the night. However, considering the fact that both will make a number of changes and Liverpool had to face the tough test of Manchester City just 48 hours ago, expect a narrow home win.

Editor's Prediction

Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool

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29.11. (Tue) 20:45 Cardiff City - Blackburn Rovers

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

CARDIFF CITY Marshall McNaughton, Gerrard, Turner, Taylor Cowie, McPhail, Gunnarson, Whittingham Earnshaw, Mason

MANCHESTER UNITED Robinson Lowe, Hanley, Dann, Givet Hoilett, N’Zonzi, Dunn, Rochina Roberts, Goodwillie

Filip Kiss missed Cardiff's win over Nottingham Forest with a slight knock, allowing Steven McPhail to come in and captain Mark Hudson, who couldn’t recover in time from a hamstring strain, was replaced by Anthony Gerrard once again.

Joe Mason may be rewarded for his winner at the weekend with a starting place as both sides think about resting players due to their current positions in their respective league tables.

Blackburn players Chris Samba, Martin Olsson and Michel Salgado all have hamstring problems, although the Spaniard could be available. Ryan Nelson is fit again and is being lined up for a place on the bench should he come through training unscathed. David Dunn returns after serving his one-match suspension for his red card against Wigan.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Blackburn have not kept a clean sheet in the league.

• They have conceded at least three goals in half their Premier League matches.

• They haven’t registered an away victory all season and haven’t won in eight matches.

• Their only league win this year came against Arsenal.

• Rovers got into the fifth round of the League Cup with a dramatic 4-3 win over Newcastle where they conceded twice in injury time only to win in extra time.

• They won this competition in 2002 with a 2-1 win over Tottenham.

• Cardiff are unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions.

• They average two goals at home in the Championship.

• City are third in the league (although they have played a game more than most other teams) and have the third best home record, losing only once.

• These two sides have met five times in cup competitions, with Cardiff winning two matches, including the 1925 FA Cup semi-final although they lost the final 1-0 to Sheffield United. Blackburn have one win.

Prediction

Cardiff are flying high in the league and are in a great run of form, but Blackburn need the win much more so I’m expecting them to edge a thriller due to the attacking talent they undoubtedly have in their squad.

Editor's Prediction

Cardiff City 2-3 Blackburn

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29.11. (Tue) 20:45 Napoli - Juventus

PROBABLE LINEUPS

NAPOLI De Sanctis Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Zuniga Hamsik, Lavezzi Cavani

JUVENTUS Buffon Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini Vidal, Pirlo, Pazienza Pepe, Matri, Vucinic

Walter Mazzarri will be expecting a significant improvement in his side's performance levels after only collecting a disappointing 1-1 draw with Atalanta over the weekend. The result also came in stark contrast to their triumphant display midweek against Manchester City in the Champions League.

However, the Napoli coach received particular criticism for dropping Ezequiel Lavezzi on Saturday, and the Argentine forward is set to be reinstated in place of Goran Pandev, who failed to impress in his colleague's place as one of the two players supporting Edinson Cavani.

Meanwhile for Juventus, just one alteration is in the pipeline for Antonio Conte, as Claudio Marchisio is suspended for the trip to the San Paolo, and it is likely Michele Pazienza will be given the nod to face his former employers alongside Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo in midfield.

DID YOU KNOW

• Napoli have won just one of their past six Serie A fixtures, with no league victory in their last four.

• They have not achieved consecutive domestic victories all season.

• However, they are unbeaten in their last four league meetings with Juventus, winning three.

• Juventus remain the only side without a defeat in Serie A after 11 matches, including seven wins.

• In addition, they have won their past four on the bounce, but have kept just one clean sheet in the sequence.

• The away team has won just once in their past 11 meetings; a 3-2 triumph for Napoli during the 2009-10 campaign.

Prediction

The San Paolo cauldron will be simmering on Tuesday but Juventus will do just enough to escape with a point and keep their unbeaten record intact.

Editor's Prediction

Napoli 2-2 Juventus

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Carling Cup Opta Facts - 29 and 30 November

Arsenal v Manchester City

Arsenal have reached the quarter finals for the ninth successive season, a record for the competition.
City have only failed to score in one of their last 20 Carling Cup matches.
Arsenal and City have been drawn against each other six times, with the Gunners progressing on the first five occasions, but City winning the last meeting in December 2009.
City have failed to score in their last three matches against Arsenal, but the last two meetings at the Emirates have ended 0-0.
Man City have won none of their last 28 visits to Arsenal in League and Cup, losing 20 times.
Since winning 3-2 at Highbury in October 1975, City have only managed 10 goals in their 28 visits and more than one in a game just once (2-2 April 1991).
Arsenal have won 13 and lost none of their last 14 Carling Cup home games since losing 0-1 to Middlesbrough in 2004.
Of the nine all-Premier League ties in the League Cup this season, only three of the sides drawn at home have won the game in normal or extra time (excl. penalties).
Arsenal have lost just one of 58 midweek matches at the Emirates Stadium in all competitions.

Cardiff City v Blackburn Rovers

Cardiff and Blackburn haven't met since the 2004-05 FA Cup when Rovers won a replay 3-2 at home after drawing 1-1 at Ninian Park.
Rovers have won three and lost none of the last five matches against Cardiff in all competitions.
Blackburn have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight away Carling Cup matches and conceded nine in their last two games on the road.
Rovers have gone nine League Cup games without a clean sheet, conceding 22 goals in that run.
Cardiff have won eight and lost none of their last nine home Carling Cup matches.
Blackburn Rovers have progressed to the next round on the last 14 occasions that they have faced a second-tier side in the League Cup.
Cardiff have lost nine and drawn one of their last 10 Carling Cup matches against top-flight opposition.

Chelsea v Liverpool

The Reds have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 Carling Cup matches.
Chelsea and Liverpool have played each other four times in the League Cup, with two wins apiece.
Last season when Chelsea met Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, Raul Meireles was playing for the Reds and scored the winning goal.
Liverpool have not won three successive meetings in all competitions against Chelsea. The last time that they won four in a row versus the Pensioners was August 1974.
Chelsea have been eliminated at the League Cup quarter final stage on four of the last eight occasions that they have reached this round, including in 2009/10 when they lost on penalties to Blackburn Rovers.
Liverpool have been knocked out of the League Cup at the quarter final stage on the last two occasions that they have got this far, including versus Chelsea (0-2 at Stamford Bridge) in December 2007.

Manchester United v Crystal Palace

Michael Owen has scored 12 goals in his last 12 League Cup appearances.
Manchester United suffered an embarrassing 0-4 away defeat at West Ham in the quarter-final of the Carling Cup last season.
Before that game against West Ham, Manchester United had won five successive League Cup quarter-final ties.
Crystal Palace have won their last three League Cup quarter final ties against top-flight opposition - Sunderland in 2000, Man City in 1994 and Chelsea in 1992.
The Eagles have scored exactly two goals in each of their last four successive League Cup matches.
Palace have failed to score in five of their last six games in all competitions against Manchester United.
The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last 13 matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
Palace's last victory over Manchester United came back in May 1991 at Selhurst Park; 3-0 thanks to goals from Ian Wright and John Salako (2).

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Championship Opta Facts - November 29th

Burnley v Ipswich

Ipswich are unbeaten in seven meetings with Burnley, though five of the seven have ended in draws.
The Tractor Boys have won their last two trips to Turf Moor, netting five goals in total and conceding just one.
Burnley's five Championship games in November have seen 19 goals scored - more than any other side in the division.
Jay Rodriguez has scored 15 goals in the Championship in 2011, only Hull's Matty Fryatt has scored more (16).
Ipswich have lost their last five league games, with the last three league games all ending in a 2-3 scoreline.

Derby v Brighton

Derby have won four and drawn two of their last six meetings with Brighton (in all competitions), not losing to the Seagulls since November 2002.
Brighton have never won at Pride Park; their last victory away at Derby came at the old Baseball Ground back in March 1984 (3-0).
Derby have lost all four of their league games in November so far.
Brighton defender Lewis Dunk has been given seven yellow cards in the Championship already this term; no player has been given more.

Leicester v Blackpool

The last six meetings between the Foxes and the Seasiders in all competitions have been won by the odd goal, with Leicester winning the last two meetings 2-1.
Leicester have only lost one of their last six home meetings with Blackpool; a 0-1 defeat in August 2007.
Blackpool have scored more goals than any other side in the Championship so far in November (10).
Eight of Leicester's last nine league goals have arrived in the second half.

Middlesbrough v West Ham

The Hammers are unbeaten in five league meetings with ‘Boro, winning four and drawing one.
These sides last met in the league outside the top flight in 1990/91 (the Old Second Division) and both meetings ended goalless.
West Ham have collected a league-high 20 points in away games this season in the Championship.
Middlesbrough have drawn eight games in the Championship this season; more than any other side.
However, Tony Mowbray's side have also lost the fewest games this season (2).

Millwall v Doncaster

Doncaster have only won one of their last five trips to the home of Millwall, losing three times.
Only two of the last 12 clashes between the Lions and Rovers have ended in draws.
Of players to have scored three or more goals, Darius Henderson has the best shot conversion rate in the Championship this season (38.1%).
Doncaster have only scored more than one goal in a Championship game on two occasions this season.
Millwall have only managed to score a first-half goal in two of their last 15 league games.

Nottingham Forest v Leeds

Leeds are unbeaten in the last 10 meetings with Forest, winning four and drawing six (five of which finished 1-1).
The Whites are also without defeat on their last five trips to the City Ground, though four of the five have ended in draws.
Both of these Championship heavyweights have found the net in eight of the last nine clashes.
Robert Snodgrass has assisted nine goals in the Championship so far this season; a league-high.
Forest have won three of their last four home games in the Championship.

Southampton v Hull

The last three clashes between the Saints and the Tigers have seen a combined total of 15 goals.
Hull haven't won away at Southampton since February 1951, losing six and drawing five of 11 trips since that win.
Southampton have won all nine of their league games at home this season, collecting seven more points in home matches than any other Championship side.
Hull striker Matty Fryatt has scored 16 Championship goals in 2011; more than any other player.

Watford v Bristol City

Only one of the last eight meetings between Watford and Bristol City have been won by the home team.
Despite this, none of the last five clashes between the Hornets and the Robins at Vicarage Road have ended in draws, with Watford winning two and losing three.
Watford have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four Championship matches, conceding only one goal in the other game in this run.
Watford will be looking to win four successive home games for the first time since January.
On the last occasion that Watford kept three successive clean sheets in the league at home, the third game in that run was against Bristol City (Feb 2010).

Reading v Peterborough

There have been 18 goals netted in the last four clashes between Reading and Peterborough combined.
The Royals are unbeaten in 10 home meetings with the Posh in all competitions, winning four and drawing six.
The Posh are the only side in the Championship yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
Peterborough midfielder Grant McCann has scored five goals from outside the box in the Championship this season; more than any other player.

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