12.01. (Thu) 22:00 Osasuna - Barcelona

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

OSASUNA Fernandez Damia, Flano, Sergio, Satrustegui Nekounam, Raul Garcia, Timor Lamah, Ibrahima, Torres

BARCELONA Pinto Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Adriano Iniesta, Busquets, ThiagoCuenca, Fabregas, Pedro

Jose Luis Mendilibar has several injury problems going into the game and will be without Roversio, Kike Sola, Ruben, Jukka Raitala and Ion Echaide, although Raul Garcia could pass a late fitness test to start in midfield.

The home side could give a number of younger players an opportunity, with Roberto Torres and Eneko Satrustegui in line for starts against the Primera Division giants.

With Barcelona holding a commanding lead going into the second leg, Pep Guardiola could use the game to rotate his squad. Jose Manuel Pinto will replace Victor Valdes in goal to resume his usual starting role in Copa del Rey fixtures.

Adriano could start at left-back in place of Eric Abidal with Maxwell apparently close to moving to French club Paris Saint-Germain. Seydou Keita has now joined up with his Malian team-mates for the African Cup of Nations, and Thiago could come into the midfield.

The Catalan club are likely to go into the game with a rotated frontline with the newly crowned Ballon d'Or, Lionel Messi, in line for a rest. Isaac Cuenca could also start the game after rejoining the Barcelona first squad after a recent spell training with the B team.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Osasuna have never won the Copa del Rey title yet the club were runners-up in 2005, losing to Real Betis 2-1.

• The side from Navarre are currently fifth in La Liga, four points behind Levante who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.

• Jose Luis Mendilibar's team have conceded 12 goals against the reigning European and Liga champions this season in only two meetings.

• Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas both grabbed braces to give Barcelona a commanding 4-0 lead heading into the second leg of the tie.

• Despite their loss in last season's Copa del Rey final to Real Madrid, the Catalans are the most successful side in Spanish cup history, with 25 triumphs.

• In three Copa games this season, Guardiola's men have scored 14 goals and are yet to concede.

BARCELONA



Pinto
Montoya, Fontas, Pique, Muniesa
Sergi Roberto, Busquets, Thiago
Pedro, Rafinha, Fabregas

Prediction

It is difficult to see anything other than a comprehensive victory for Barcelona. With the Catalan club holding a 4-0 lead from the first leg, Osasuna will essentially be playing for pride, bu with an injury-plagued squad, expect more goals for Pep Guardiola's men.

Editor's Prediction

Osasuna 0-3 Barcelona

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12.01. (Thu) 21:00 Napoli - Cesena

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

NAPOLI De Sanctis Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Zuniga Hamsik, Dzemaili Pandev

CESENA Antonioli Comotto, Von Bergen, Rodriguez, RossiParolo, Guana Ceccarelli, Mutu, Candreva Eder

Walter Mazzarri is expected to make some changes to the side that defeated Palermo 3-1 on Sunday evening, with Edinson Cavani among others expected to be rested for the cup clash. The hosts will also be without the injured Ezequiel Lavezzi, with the Argentina international still suffering from the muscle strain that has seen him miss the Azzurri's last two matches.

Cesena make the trip to Naples without the injured duo of Raphael Martinho and Dominique Malonga, with the pair ruled out of the tie with muscle problems. However, Jorge Martinez looks set to return to the squad after recovering from a calf injury, although he is unlikely to start the game - the Uruguay international may well feature from the bench.

DID YOU KNOW

• Napoli have lost only one of their last 10 matches in all competitions.

• The last time the two sides met in this competition, the Azzurri triumphed with a 4-0 victory.

• If Napoli lift the trophy this season, it will be 50 years since the first time they won the competition.

• Cesena have yet to concede a goal in the Coppa Italia this season.

• The visitors are averaging two goals a game in the competition this term.

• Cesena will travel to Naples, on the back of a three game losing streak.

Prediction

Even with some key players missing out, the Azzurri should still have more than enough quality to see off the visitors, and a comfortable home victory seems a safe bet.

Editor's Prediction

Napoli 2-0 Cesena

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