04.12. (Sun) 20:00 Corinthians - Palmeiras

Nikefutebol Flickr

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CORINTHIANS Julio Cesar Alessandro, Paulo Andre, L. Castan, Fabio Santos Wallace, Paulinho Willian, Alex Jorge Henrique, Liedson

PALMEIRAS Deola Cicinho, Henrique, Thiago Heleno, Gabriel Silva Assuncao, Marcio Araujo Patrik, Valdivia Ricardo Bueno, Fernandao

Corinthians will be without the suspended trio of Ralf, Emerson and Danilo as they look to secure the title, so Wallace, Alex and Jorge Henrique come into the side. Paulinho could be set to play his last game for the club if he gets the move to Europe that he has been regularly linked with. Adriano missed a training session with illness earlier this week but is likely to recover and take his place on the bench.

Marcos is close to a return between the sticks for Palmeiras but Deola will continue to start after proving himself a more-than-capable understudy. Dead-ball specialist Marcos Assuncao has been singled out by Tite as they key man for Palmeiras. The midfielder has impressed despite an extremely underwhelming campaign from his team.

With their top-scorer Luan looking unlikely to play a part in the game, Fernandao, Ricardo Bueno and Maikon Leite will all fight for the starting berths. The former Santos player was also absent at training in midweek, so is unlikely to be in the first eleven.

DID YOU KNOW

 

• Corinthians can secure the title if they match Vasco da Gama's result against Flamengo - or, more simply, if they win here against their local rivals.
  
• The two sides last came up against each other in Round 19 of the Brasileiro. Goals from Luan and Fernandao gave Palmeiras a 2-1 victory after coming from behind.

• Liedson is the hosts' top goalscorer this season with 12 strikes, and has scored in both of his previous two outings.

• The Musketeers have been involved in five previous Sao Paulo derbies this year. They have won only once, drawing two and losing two.

• Without Luan in attack, Verdao struggle for goals. Ricardo Bueno and Fernandinho have scored just twice each this season.

• The visitors have the chance to win three games on the trot for the first time this season after previous victories over Bahia and Sao Paulo.

• Palmeiras have taken 10 points from a possible 15 in their previous derby-day fixtures this year.

Prediction
Editor's Prediction 
Corinthians 2-0 Palmeiras

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04.12. (Sun) 19:30 Maghreb Fes - Club Africain

Mahmoud maher

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CLUB AFRICAIN Zniti Hajji, Kone, Mrani, Hamouni Baamar, Elbasri Faracha, Chtibi Bourezzou, Halhoul

MAGHREB FES Ayoub Iffa, Rssaissi, Yaakoubi, MeriahZiadi, Alexis Dhaouadi, Regii, MouihbiNdouassel

After a 1-0 loss at Rades Stadium, the Moroccans will be in the delicate situation of knowing that they absolutely must score to have a chance of lifting the title, but must also avoid conceding what would be a killer goal on their end of the pitch. Complicating matters for Rachid Taossi's side is the fact that one of his best central defenders, Sami Zekroumi is suspended for this encounter after receiving a red card in the first leg.
It is also still not clear whether Mohamed Ali Bemammer will be available for the encounter as he's on duty with the Moroccan Olympic team.
Meanwhile, Faouzi Benzarti has absences of his own with which to contend. The 'Biancorosso' will not be able to rely on the services of left-back Ousamma Haddedi who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation, and midfielder Nafaa Jebali was hospitalised with appendicitis a few days ago.
It is expected that Mehdi Meriah will replace Haddedi on the left side of defence while Hamza Messaadi may take a seat so that in-form forward Chadian Ezechiel Ndouassel can start. Furthermore, Wajdi Mechergui and Aymen Soltani have both passed fit for the game.

DID YOU KNOW?

• This is the third Tunisian-Moroccan confrontation in a Caf Confederation Cup final. In 2006, Etoile beat FAR Rabat and last year FUS Rabat overcame CS Sfaxien.

• Club Africain haven't won an African title since 1991, and they haven't been in a continental final since 1999.

• If Club Africain lift the trophy, they will set up an all Tunisian Caf Super Cup final against 2011 Caf Champions League winners and rivals Esperance.

• This is Maghreb Fes' maiden appearance in an African final.

• Biancorosso coach Faouzi Benzarti is no stranger to big games. He has already won this competition during his time at the helm of Etoile in 2006 and another continental title in 1994 with Esperance.
• Even though they lost 1-0, Maghreb Fes were arguably the better side in the away fixture. Club Africain had two shots hit the crossbar and are hoping that their missed chances won't come back to haunt them in the second leg.

Prediction
Editor's Prediction 
Maghreb Fes 1-0 Club Africain

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04.12. (Sun) 15:00 Juventus - Cesena

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

JUVENTUS Buffon Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie Vidal, Pazienza, Marchisio Pepe, Matri, Vucinic

CESENA Antonioli Rodriguez, Benalouane, Von Bergen, Lauro Ghezzal, Guana, Parolo, Martinho Bogdani, Mutu

Bianconeri coach Antonio Conte is expected to make two changes from the side that participated in the thrilling 3-3 draw against Napoli, as Paolo De Ceglie is set for a surprise start at left-back in place of Giorgio Chiellini, who in turn replaces Leonardo Bonucci. In addition, Andrea Pirlo will also be forced to sit the encounter out after accumulating a one-match ban, thus paving the way for Michele Pazienza to partner Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio in midfield.
Meanwhile, for the visitors, Cesena boss Daniele Arrigoni will be without Gianluca Comotto, Jorge Martinez and Giuseppe Colucci due to injury, while Luca Ceccarelli and Nicola Ravaglia are both suspended.
Unsurprisingly, the former Cagliari trainer will ring the changes from the XI that comprehensively disposed of Gubbio in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday. The alterations should see Ceccarelli, Luca Ricci, Tommaso Arrigoni, Antonio Candreva and Eder sacrified for the talents of Steve von Bergen, Marco Parolo, Abdelkader Ghezzal, Raphael Martinho and top scorer Adrian Mutu.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Juventus winger Simone Pepe's goal against Napoli was the first time he had scored in three consecutive Serie A games.

• Striker Alessandro Matri has had a direct involvement in an impressive nine of his team's 22 goals.

• The Old Lady remain the only unbeaten side in Serie A this season, with seven wins and five draws.

• Despite collecting just three points from their previous 10 games, Cesena have tripled their points tally in the last two games.

• Three of Cesena's six goals in this campaign have been scored by Adrian Mutu.

• However, Cesena have won just two of their last 22 meetings against Juventus in the top-flight.

• The Seahorses' only win in Turin came in the 1987-88 campaign; they were awarded a 2-0 win after the game was abandoned.

Prediction

An Andrea Pirlo-less Juventus should dispose of the Seahorses with relative ease if they are serious about their title aspirations. Some of their more prominent performers have begun stepping up to the plate in recent weeks, therefore giving less cause for concern about the absence of the gifted playmaker in the middle of the pitch.

Editor's Prediction

Juventus 2-0 Cesena

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