11.01. (Wed) 22:00 Sevilla - Valencia

Roberto Soldado - Valencia

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

SEVILLA Palop/Javi Varas Coke, Spahic, Escude, Navarro Rakitic, Medel Perotti, Reyes, Del Moral Negredo

VALENCIA Alves Miguel, Rami, Ruiz, Jordi Alba Albelda, Banega Feghouli, Jonas, Mathieu Soldado

The home side look set to enter the round of 16 clash without Jesus Navas, who did not train on Monday as he is still suffering from the leg injury that saw him miss his team's last league encounter, a 2-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. The Spain international has worked apart from the team as he looks to reach full fitness.

There are worries too over the goalkeeping situation, as both Andres Palop and Javi Varas are suffering knocks and trained lightly on Monday, though at least one of the two should be ready for the game. Jose Antonio Reyes, meanwhile, is eligible to play following his return from Atletico Madrid last week.

Valencia are still without the services of Hedwiges Maduro and Sergio Canales, who have been out since October with injuries and are still recovering.

With poor performances as of late from Mehmet Topal, David Albelda may get a chance in midfield in the clash.

Another player who may see minutes is Tino Costa. The Argentine missed the last few games of December with an injury but is now physically ready to compete and played a part in the 2-2 draw with Villarreal at the weekend.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Sevilla have lost their last two games, a 1-0 result in the first leg against their opponents for Wednesday, and a 2-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano over the weekend in league play. It marks the first time this season that the team have lost consecutive games.

• This season, not counting the Europa League play-off in mid-August, the club have lost just as many games at home (three) as on the road.

• The hosts have won the cup five times, earning the titles most recently in 2007 and 2010.

• Valencia hold a 1-0 advantage in the tie thanks to a goal by Jonas in the first leg.

• Roberto Soldado, who is the team's leading goalscorer with 17 goals this term, still continues to struggle on the road. The former Real Madrid striker has only scored one goal away from home all season.

• The visitors have won the tournament seven times, with the last title coming in 2008.

Prediction

If Jesus Navas misses out, it will prove difficult for Sevilla to bag a victory. But even if the talented midfielder plays, Valencia should have enough, with their first-leg advantage in tow, to secure their spot in the next round.

Editor's Prediction

Sevilla 1-1 Valencia

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11.01. (Wed) 20:50 Olympique Lyonnais - Lille Metropole

Panoramic

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

LYON Lloris Dabo, Umtiti, Gonalons, Cissokho Kallstrom, Fofana Briand, Gourcuff, Bastos Lisandro Lopez

LILLE LandreauDebuchy, Chedjou, Rozehnal, BeriaBalmont, Mavuba, Pedretti Cole, Jelen, Hazard

Olympique Lyonnais are facing a defensive crisis ahead of the visit of Lille to the Stade Gerland on Wednesday evening.

Dejan Lovren and Anthony Reveilliere are both doubtful after struggling with achilles tendon problems, with the latter replaced after an hour in Sunday's 3-1 Coupe de France victory over minnows Lyon-Duchere.

With central defender Cris sidelined, and Bakary Kone, Sidy Kone and John Mensah all departing for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, Remi Garde may need to again rely on the unusual partnering of Samuel Umtiti and Maxime Gonalons in the heart of defence.

Meanwhile, les Gones' attack will again be spearheaded by the resurgent Lisandro who struck a hat-trick at the weekend, with Michel Bastos and Yoann Gourcuff set to be handed starting berths.

Ligue 1 holders Lille face no such injury worries, but may look to rotate their side ahead of a vital clash on Sunday against Marseille at the Stade Velodrome.

On-loan Liverpool winger Joe Cole, who dazzled in the 6-0 weekend win over US Chantilly is set to continue in the starting XI, alongside Ireneusz Jelen and Eden Hazard. Top scorer Moussa Sow departs on international duty with Senegal.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Lyon found it slightly difficult in eliminating near neighbours Lyon-Duchere in the Coupe de France on Sunday, winning 3-1.

• Remi Garde's men beat rivals Saint Etienne 2-1 in the last 16.

• Les Gones have only won this tournament once, in 2001, beating Monaco in the final. They were losing finalists in both 1996 and 2007.

• Lille beat minnows US Chantilly 6-0 in the Coupe de France round of 32 at the weekend, with Joe Cole (pictured right) scoring a hat-trick.

• The Ligue 1 holders have never won the Coupe de la Ligue.  Rudi Garcia's side have never contested the final, either.

• The current holders are Olympique de Marseille, who won both the 2010 and 2011 editions.

Prediction

With the hosts facing a defensive crisis, through injury and the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, the onus is certainly on the visitors to take full advantage and march onto the semi-finals of a tournament they've never had the honour of reaching the final.
Les Gones were shaky against minnows at the weekend, whilst Lille were relentess in dispatching their opponents, with the momentum likely to take them into the last four. A narrow victory for les Dogues on the cards.

Editor's Prediction

Lyon 1-2 Lille

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11.01. (Wed) 20:45 Manchester City - Liverpool

Roberto Mancini - Manchester City

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY Hart Zabaleta, Savic, Lescott, Clichy De Jong, Barry Milner, Silva, Johnson Balotelli

LIVERPOOL Reina Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique Spearing, Adam Henderson, Gerrard, Bellamy Carroll

Roberto Mancini has been given a further selection headache following the dismissal of defender Vincent Kompany in their FA Cup loss with rivals Manchester United on Sunday, with the Belgian currently banned for four games. City have lodged an appeal, but the chances of them having the decision overturned is unlikely and with fellow defender Kolo Toure on duty with Cote d'Ivoire, Mancini will most likely be forced to bring in youngster Stefan Savic.
Kolo’s brother Yaya Toure is also participating in the Africa Cup of Nations and he should be replaced by Gareth Barry, who didn’t see any game time at the weekend as he served his suspension for his red card picked up in the 3-0 league win over Liverpool. Sergio Aguero could be rested for the midweek League Cup tie, which could see Mario Balotelli return to the starting XI, with Edin Dzeko having picked up a knee problem that is expected to keep him out until next week.
The visitors to the Etihad Stadium have no fresh injury worries, but will have striker Luis Suarez miss the third of his eight-match ban, leaving Andy Carroll to step into the Uruguayan’s boots after a good cameo showing against Oldham on Friday evening.
Stewart Downing’s weekend escapades may have manager Kenny Dalglish believing the former Villa man not to be in the right frame of mind to feature, allowing Jordan Henderson the possibly of a place in the starting line-up.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester City could be League Cup finalists for the fourth time if they dispose of Liverpool. Their previous three appearences were in the 1970s, winning twice (’70 and ’76) and runners-up once (’74). This is the Blues’ sixth semi-final.

• Wednesday’s visitors hold a host of records in the competition, including most tournament wins (seven), most appearances in the final (10) and biggest win (10-0 against Fulham in 1983).

• The competition was founded over 50 years ago. It originally begun in 1960, thanks mainly to the clubs of the Football League setting up floodlights in their grounds, allowing for midweek evening fixtures.

• Liverpool were the last side to win the tournament before it took on a sponsor in 1981, with backer Dairy Crest coming in and the competition becoming The Milk Cup.

• Current Reds boss Kenny Dalglish (pictured right) shares the record for most appearances in the final for an individual, playing in five, the same amount as fellow Liverpool legend Ian Rush.

• This is Liverpool’s 13th semi-final and they have succeeded in seven first legs at this stage.

Prediction

Although losing comprehensively last Tuesday to City in the league, Liverpool will no doubt take positives from the game in which they found themselves with a decent amount of the ball, especially in the second half. The Reds’ 5-1 win in the FA Cup on Friday will also give them a confidence boost in front of goal.
Mancini’s side will still be hurting from their Sunday afternoon defeat to Manchester United and will be the less rested side. City still have enough power in reserve though to push Liverpool all the way, but a chance to get to Wembley and book a place in Europe should galvanise Dalglish's men and they will not go down easily and will look to head back to Anfield for the second leg with a good result.

Editor's Prediction

Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool

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11.01. (Wed) 20:45 Tottenham - Everton

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR Friedel Walker, Kaboul, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto Van der Vaart, Livermore, Modric, Bale Adebayor, Defoe

EVERTON   Howard Hibbert, Heitinga, Distin, Baines Gueye, Neville, Fellaini, Anichebe Cahill Saha

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is unable to call on the services of William Gallas (calf), Tom Huddlestone (ankle), Ledley King (hamstring) or Sandro (calf) due to their respective injuries. Scott Parker sustained a knee problem during the 1-1 draw with Swansea City and Redknapp has said he is a big doubt for the game.

Meanwhile, Everton manager has to assess the fitness of several players as he has many who are doubtful for this clash.

Ross Barkley was ruled out of the FA Cup clash with Tamworth due to a knee problem, and could make it in time to push for a place in the squad. Tim Cahill also missed the FA Cup game, and remains doubtful for this one. Seamus Coleman, Tony Hibbert, Leon Osman and Jack Rodwell are also concerns.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Tottenham Hotspur are undefeated in their last five games in the Premier League, and sit in third place behind Manchester City and Manchester United.

• The unbeaten streak has been an alternating series of wins and draws. Their last game - against West Bromwich Albion - was a victory.

• After Manchester City and Liverpool, Spurs have the joint third best defence in the top flight, having let in only 20 goals so far.

• The north London club have also lost only one league game in their own backyard this season, which was a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

• Everton have won three of their last five league games at White Hart Lane, and also beat Spurs in the league at Goodison Park last season.

• If all games ended at half-time, the Toffees would have been at the rock bottom of the table.

• Everton are only slightly behind in the overall record between the two teams, as Spurs have won 59 matches with the visitors having 53 wins to their name. A further 49 fixtures ended in draws.

• The Toffees have won four, lost four and drawn one on their travels in the league so far.

• This game was originally scheduled to take place on the opening weekend of the season but was postponed due to rioting in Tottenham.

Prediction

The tie leans slightly towards Redknapp's men due to home advantage, but history shows that the Toffees have had some success at White Hart Lane in recent years.
Unless one or two players can make a decisive difference for either side, expect this to end tied.

Editor's Prediction

Tottenham 1-1 Everton

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11.01. (Wed) 20:45 Roma - Fiorentina

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

ROMA Stekelenburg Taddei, Juan, Heinze, Jose AngelPjanic, De Rossi, Greco Lamela, Totti, Bojan

FIORENTINA Boruc Gamberini, Natali, Nastasic Cassani, Lazzari, Montolivo, Kharja, Vargas Jovetic, Ljajic

Injuries to defenders Marco Cassetti and Nicolas Burdisso will see Taddei move into a full-back role and Gabriel Heinze partner Juan in central defence. Leading scorer Pablo Osvaldo will likely miss the match with a thigh injury he sustained in training last week. Fiorentina coach Delio Rossi could rest Valon Behrami after the Switzerland international picked up a knock at the weekend, while Khouma Babacar is still not yet ready to feature for the Viola.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Roma are currently enjoying a four-game unbeaten streak following their 2-0 victory over Chievo on Sunday.

• The Giallorossi have scored seven goals in their last three encounters.

• The capital city club have made the Coppa Italia final three times in the last five years, winning the trophy twice during that span.

• Fiorentina have picked up only one win in nine road games this season.
  

• The Viola have been held scoreless in seven matches away from home this term.

• Rossi's men beat Roma 3-0 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Serie A action in December.

Prediction

Roma have put their poor start to life under Luis Enrique behind them and are playing some good football. They should dispose of a Fiorentina side who are very poor away from home.

Editor's Prediction

Roma 2-1 Fiorentina

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Tottenham Hotspur v Everton Opta Facts – January 11th

Six of the eight goals scored in the last three meetings between Everton and Spurs have been netted in the opening 30 minutes.Rafael van der Vaart scored an equalising goal in both matches against Everton last season.
Spurs have won just one of their last eight Premier League games against the Toffees (W1 D4 L3).
Everton have won three and lost just one of their last five Premier League trips to White Hart Lane.
Everton have only won back to back away games once in the last two and half seasons of Premier League football.
Tottenham have conceded 999 goals in Premier League history.
Spurs have more points after 19 games (42) than any team had managed at the same stage of season 2010-11.
Tottenham have only once had a better league record after 19 games in the top flight (W13 D3 L3), that was 1960-61 (W17 D1 L1), the last time they won the league title.
Spurs have lost just one of their last 17 Premier League matches.
Harry Redknapp's side have earned 22 points from the last 24 available at White Hart Lane and kept four clean sheets in their last five on home soil.

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