14.01. (Sat) 22:00 Valencia - Real Sociedad

Roberto Soldado - Valencia

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

VALENCIA Alves Miguel, Rami, Ruiz, Jordi Alba Banega, Costa Feghouli, Jonas, Mathieu Soldado/Aduriz

REAL SOCIEDAD Bravo Estrada, Demidov, Gonzalez, Cadamuro Elustondo, Arranburu Vela, Zurutuza, Griezmann Agirretxe

Sergio Canales and Hedwiges Maduro are still out for Unai Emery as both suffered injuries earlier in the season, and will look to return before the conclusion of the term.

On the suspension front, David Albelda returns after sitting out against Villarreal last week.

Valencia may begin the match with Aritz Aduriz up top, allowing Roberto Soldado to rest after his goal versus Sevilla sent his side through to the last eight of the Copa del Rey.

In goal, Vicente Guaita is still a bit banged up. Diego Alves, who looks to have taken the lead at Mestalla as the No. 1 goalkeeper, looks set to start.

For Real Sociedad, who will be looking to bounce back from a stunning 6-1 loss to Mallorca in the cup in midweek, Asier Illarramendi has been out since November and will not participate. The same rings true for Markel Bergara.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Valencia sit in third place in La Liga with 34 points, eight behind leaders Real Madrid.

• Los Che lost to Sevilla 2-1 on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey round of 16 but advanced on aggregate thanks to a crucial away goal from Soldado. The second-half goal was only the striker's second away from home all season.

• Last season, Emery's side took down Zaragoza twice, winning 2-1 and 3-0.

• Real Sociedad are in 16th place with 18 points, two above the relegation zone. 

• The visitors were knocked out of the Copa del Rey this week after being thrashed 6-1 by Mallorca, losing 6-3 on aggregate.

• Sociedad, led by coach Philippe Montanier (pictured right), are fifth in the league in goals scored as visitors with nine. Real Madrid have the most with 27, while Barcelona are second with 12.

Prediction

After an intense match versus Sevilla on Wednesday, Unai Emery's men should be able to maintain their focus and bounce back for a home victory against a side shellshocked from their midweek humiliation.

Editor's Prediction

Valencia 2-0 Real Sociedad

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14.01. (Sat) 21:00 Montpellier Herault - Olympique Lyonnais

Panoramic

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

MONTPELLIER Jourden Bedimo, Hilton, Yanga-Mbiwa, Bocaly Marveaux, Estrada Cabella, Utaka, Dernis Giroud

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

Montpellier coach Rene Girard has no major injury concerns ahead of the visit of Lyon in Saturday night's clash at Stade de la Mosson.

La Paillade might have exceeded expectations in the first half of the season, but with up to four key players being selected for next week's Africa Cup of Nations, Montpellier will have to overcome a severe test to their unlikely title credentials.

Abdelhamid El-Kaoutari, Younes Belhanda (Morocco), Souleymane Camara (Senegal), and Jamel Saihi (Tunisia) miss out for the next few weeks, with 13-goal Olivier Giroud once again the focal point in attack.

Meanwhile, Lyon are still hamstrung by injuries to their defence. Anthony Reveillere and Dejan Lovren both missed Wednesday's morale-boosting 2-1 win over Lille, and with Cris already sidelined, Samuel Umtiti may continue his unlikely run in the first-team.

Guieda Fofana and Michel Bastos are set to return to the fold and could replace Clement Grenier and Alexandre Lacazette as Remi Garde looks to build on les Gones' fourth place standing.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Montpellier were defeated 4-2 by Evian in their previous league game last month.

• La Paillade have dropped just five points out of 27 at Stade de la Mosson in 2011-12.

• Despite their second place standing, Rene Girard's men are winless in their last three games.

• Lyon lost in Valenciennes 2-1 on matchday 19.

• Les Gones are unbeaten in their last seven against Montpellier.

• Despite that, Remi Garde's men have been defeated in five of their last seven games on the road in Ligue 1.

• Lyon have been drawn to face FC Lorient in the Coupe de la Ligue semi-finals on 31 January.

Prediction
Editor's Prediction 
Montpellier Herault 1-1 Olympique Lyonnais

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14.01. (Sat) 20:45 Catania - Roma

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

CATANIA Campagnolo Izco, Belluschi, Legrottaglie, Spoli, Llama Almiron, Lodi, Delvecchio Barrientos, Lopez

ROMA Stekelenburg Taddei, Juan, Heinze, Jose Angel Pjanic, De Rossi, Gago Lamela Bojan, Totti

Luis Enrique's Roma side are enjoying a decent run of form at the moment, but head into the match without striker Pablo Osvaldo, who is likely to be out until the beginning of March with a thigh strain. Defender Marco Cassetti is also likely to miss out.

The home side have no major injury concerns to contend with, but their problems lie with suspension. Giovanni Marchese and Marco Biagianti will be serve one-match bans in this contest.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Catania collected victory in the corresponding fixture last May, celebrating a 2-1 triumph.

• Indeed, Roma have failed to win in their last five visits at the Stadio Angelo Massimino, stretching back to 2008.

• However, the hosts have tasted victory in just one of their last six outings, and suffered a 2-0 defeat to Bologna last time out.

• Roma are currently enjoying a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

• Erik Lamela (pictured) struck a brace in midweek to help his side to a 3-0 Coppa Italia win over Fiorentina.

Prediction

This is very much a case of two sides in contrasting form; Roma are enjoying a resurgence of late, and it is difficult to see past an away victory.

Editor's Prediction

Catania 0-2 Roma

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14.01. (Sat) 20:00 Mallorca - Real

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

MALLORCA Aouate Cendros, Chico, Ramis, Bigas Tissone, Pina Pereira, Nsue, Castro Victor

REAL MADRID Casillas Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo Xabi Alonso, Diarra Ozil, Kaka, Ronaldo Higuain

Mallorca have no new injury problems heading into their home fixture with Real Madrid although Joaquin Caparros does have a few selection dilemmas after a rotated starting line-up defeated Real Sociedad 6-1 in the Copa del Rey in midweek.

Emilio Nsue is likely to come back into the starting XI in place of Marvin Ogunjimi while Victor Casadesus could return with Tomer Hemad dropping to the bench, despite the Israeli international's brace against la Real.

Jose Mourinho has a few injury concerns as his side head to Mallorca with Ricardo Carvalho and Sami Khedira both ruled out the fixture. Angel Di Maria has resumed training yet is expected to start the game on the substitute's bench.

With Khedira out, Lassana Diarra could partner Xabi Alonso in the centre of midfield with Mesut Ozil likely to start the game after not making the starting line-up for Madrid's 1-0 win over Malaga in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday.

Despite Karim Benzema coming on midweek to score the winning goal, the French forward has been training lightly due to a knock picked up last weekend, meaning Gonzalo Higuain may start the game upfront on his own.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Mallorca picked up their biggest win of the season on Tuesday when they defeated Real Sociedad 6-1 in the Copa del Rey to qualify for the competition's quarter-finals.

• The Balearic Island club have scored the joint-fewest goals in the second half of games this season in Liga (six).

• Joaquin Caparros has drawn only one of his 20 meetings with Real Madrid (five wins, one draw and 14 defeats).

• Real Madrid have the best away record in Liga this season, picking up 22 points on the road from a possible 27.

• Jose Mourinho's side are on a run of six straight away victories and are three away from equalling their record of nine, set in the 2009-10 campaign.

• Madrid have only failed to score on one of their last 10 visits to Mallorca, a 0-0 draw in August 2010.

Prediction

Real Madrid have been in top form on the road this season and are clear favourites for Saturday's game. However, Jose Mourinho's men will face a stern test against Mallorca and will need to be at the top of their game to claim all three points.

Editor's Prediction

Mallorca 0-2 Real Madrid

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14.01. (Sat) 18:00 Sevilla - Espanyol

Marcelino Garcia Toral - Sevilla

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

SEVILLA Varas Coke, Spahic, Fazio, Caceres Trochowski, Medel Navas, Rakitic, Moral Negredo

ESPANYOL Casilla Lopez, Moreno, Rodriguez, Didac Romaric, Forlin Weiss, Verdu, Bifouma Alvaro

Sevilla coach Marcelino welcomes back Manu del Moral who served his one match suspension, and the team's top scorer should be restored to the starting XI. Defender Fernando Navarro, however, was shown his fifth yellow card of the campaign against Rayo Vallecano last weekend and as a result misses the match through suspension, while Martin Caceres expected to recover in time.

Jesus Navas featured against Valencia despite a slight knock and he will be expected to shake off any problems ahead of Saturday's match, while Frederic Kanoute is the only other injury doubt but is likely to be named amongst the substitutes.

Mauricio Pochettino's side secured a 1-1 draw in the Catalan derby last Sunday but his side face a similarly challenging test when they visit the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Espanyol are missing Felipe Mattioni and Javier Marquez and goalkeeper Cristian Alvarez.

The Catalan side's first choice keeper suffered a muscle tear and Pochettino is expected to put his faith in the unknown Kiko Casilla.

Sergio Garcia is also absent from the squad after the striker picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and will serve his suspension on Saturday.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Sevilla have won more Liga matches against Espanyol than any other side in the history of Primera Division, winning an incredible 59 matches against the Catalans.

• The Andalusians are yet to pick up a single point in a match where they have conceded the opening goal.

• Jose Antonio Reyes scored his first-ever goal for Sevilla against Espanyol and could repeat this feat as he is likely to be on the substitutes bench.

• Espanyol have taken the second-most points over the last three matchdays, with two wins and a draw, whilst their opponents have taken the fewest (0).

• If Espanyol are to win history says that there will be goals. In all but one of the last nine wins the Catalans have had at Sevilla they have netted at least two times.

• The Barcelona-based side have scored less goals away from home than both Sporting Gijon and Real Sociedad who are embroiled in a relegation battle.

Prediction

Sevilla will be looking to stop a streak of three pointless matches but will find it difficult, against a confident Espanyol side, to win the match.

Editor's Prediction

Sevilla 1-1 Espanyol

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14.01. (Sat) 16:00 Tottenham - Wolves

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

TOTTENHAM FriedelWalker, Kaboul, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto Lennon, Livermore, Modric, Bale Van der Vaart Adebayor

WOLVES HennesseyFoley, Johnson, Berra, Ward Hunt, Henry, Frimpong, Jarvis Milijas Doyle

Tottenham look likely to name the same side that defeated Everton 2-0 on Wednesday night. The in-form north London outfit put in a convincing display against the Toffees and the same XI should feature at White Hart Lane.

The only doubt lies with the fitness of Aaron Lennon who has only just returned to the fray following injury. Should he miss out, expect Spurs to alternate to a 4-4-2 formation, with Jermain Defoe joining Adebayor in attack.

Wolves head to Spurs much the fresher of the two teams, with Mick McCarthy having rested a number of players in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Birmingham City in the FA Cup.

Kevin Doyle and Steven Fletcher have shared the goalscoring burden recently for the Molineux side but the Irishman's ability to hold the ball with his back to goal could see him get the nod over his Scottish counterpart. Roger Johnson is also set to start having recovered from an ankle knock.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Wolves have won just five games at White Hart Lane.

• Spurs have kept three consecutive clean sheets.

• Mick McCarthy's side arrive in north London without a win in their past seven games.

• If Tottenham win on Saturday, three points would take them level with league leaders Manchester City, who play Wigan on Monday.

• Spurs have scored in 19 of their 20 Premier League games this campaign - a club record.

• Wolves have only conceded two goals in their previous three away games in all competitions.

• Steven Fletcher is Wolves top goalscorer with eight in all competitions while Jermain Defoe (pictured right) leads the way for Spurs with 11.

• Eyes will be on on-loan midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong who has frequently tweeted his disdain for Tottenham in his Arsenal guise. Expect a hostile reception.

• Both sides are steeped in tradition (though little in the way of recent success) and have often met in the latter stages of cup competitions - Spurs won the FA Cup in 1921, defeating Wolves in the final, and knocked them out of the same competition at the semi-final stage in 1981, another cup winning year.

• The success of Tottenham's famous double winning side of 1960/61 was crowned after usurping the great Wolves side of the late 1950s. After finishing second behind Wolves in 1959/60, Spurs went one better the year after, leaving the Midlands team in third as they claimed their second title.

Prediction

It's very hard to look past a home win here. Wolves are not in great form whereas the home side are coupling great attacking football with an unexpectedly rigid defence. It is by no means an impossible task for McCarthy's men though, they won 1-0 here two seasons ago, but it will require a heroic defensive performance. For me, I see nothing but a win for Spurs.

Editor's Prediction

Tottenham 2-0 Wolves

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14.01. (Sat) 16:00 Liverpool - Stoke

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

LIVERPOOL ReinaJohnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique Downing, Adam, Spearing, Maxi GerrardCarroll

STOKE CITY SorensonWoodgate, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson Shotton, Palacios, Whelan, Etherington WaltersCrouch

Liverpool have just one new injury worry ahead of their clash with Stoke, after midfielder Jay Spearing limped off with a tight hamstring in Wednesday's League Cup clash with Manchester City.

Manager Kenny Dalglish was quick to assure fans that the youngster felt tightness in his hamstring, rather than a pull, meaning he could well return for this fixture.

However, fellow midfielder Jordan Henderson may well miss out, with this game coming so soon after an impressive, energy-sapping, performance against City.

Forward Craig Bellamy is also unlikely to start as he is often rested for multiple games over short periods due to long-term knee issues. This could mean a return for Argentine Maxi Rodriguez, who has a fine goalscoring record for the Reds in recent times.

For the visitors, a familiar, and equally formidable, back four is likely to face the Anfield barrage.

Boyhood Evertonian Jon Walters could form part of the Potters' attack, despite featuring in last weekend's FA Cup win at Gillingham, and should partner former Red Peter Crouch.

Ryan Shotton is expected to feature on the right hand side of midfield, in order to provide further defensive cover with winger Matthew Etherington bombing forward on the other side.

DID YOU KNOW?

• This game marks the 113th league meeting between these two sides.

• They have played each other twice already this season with Liverpool triumphing in the League Cup and the Potters in the league.

• Saturday's game will be Kenny Dalglish's (pictured right) 50th in charge of the Reds since his return as boss and his 348th overall.

• Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez made his Liverpool debut in this fixture last season, coming on to score, but will not feature here as he continues his eight-match ban for racial abuse.

• Stoke forward Peter Crouch could face his former club for the ninth time since leaving but has yet to score against them.

• Stoke have scored just eight goals away from home so far this season. Only Fulham have a worse record having netted just six times on their travels.

• Equally worrying for the Potters is the fact that Liverpool have conceded just eight times at home in the league, a statistic bettered only by Arsenal and Manchester City.

Prediction

Stoke possess all the ingredients to unsettle a Liverpool side that has struggled to break teams down at Anfield this season.
Their physicality and threat from set-pieces in particular could cause the Reds trouble and, though the hosts are likely to net given the attacking boost of Gerrard, they could well suffer a familiar fate here.
If Stoke can marshal Gerrard and ensure Andy Carroll's woes continue, they will go a long way to securing a valuable point.

Editor's Prediction

Liverpool 1-1 Stoke City

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14.01. (Sat) 16:00 Chelsea FC - Sunderland

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CHELSEA Cech Bosingwa, Luiz, Terry, Cole Ramires, Meireles, Lampard Sturridge, Torres, Mata

SUNDERLAND   Mignolet Bardsley, O'Shea, Kilgallon, Richardson Larsson, Vaughan, Cattermole, McClean Sessegnon Bendtner

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas will not be able to select strikers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou for this clash, with the Cote d'Iviore internationals having left to participate in the African Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile, Michael Essien was is reported to be making progress in his return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, but is thought to be about a week away from fitness. Branislav Ivanovic and John Obi Mikel (both hamstring) are also sidelined for this clash.

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has Marcos Angeleri (knee) sidelined for this fixture, with Titus Bramble (Achilles) and Fraizer Campbell (knee) joining him in the treatment room.

Wes Brown sustained a groin injury during the victory over Manchester City and is a doubt for this game. Craig Gordon is reported to have returned to action for the reserve side, but this clash could be a little early for a return.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Chelsea were on a winless streak of four matches in the Premier League before beating Wolves 2-1 at Molineux in their last game in the league.

• The Blues have lost only one of their last 15 league meetings with Sunderland. But this defeat came in 2010, when the Black Cats triumphed with a 3-0 score line at Stamford Bridge.

• The Blues have not been able to keep a clean sheet in their last six games in the top-flight.

• Andre Villas-Boas' men have also won only two of their last six Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge.

• Sunderland have managed to score a total of 168 goals against the Blues throughout the course of their history. But they have also conceded 197 in the process.

• Martin O'Neill's men are on an unbeaten run of five matches in all competitions, registering four wins.

• The Black Cats have beaten Saturday's opponents only eight times in the league in 54 games away from home.

• If all matches ended at half-time, the visitors would have slipped two places to 12th in the standings.

Prediction

Chelsea returned to form with a 2-1 victory over Wolves followed by a 4-0 result against Portsmouth in the FA Cup. Now the home side will want to keep their season moving in the right direction by taking three points on the Saturday. And considering the quality of the squad and their capabilities, it should not pose as a significant problem despite the Black Cats having been rejuvenated under Martin O'Neill.

Editor's Prediction

Chelsea 2-1 Sunderland

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14.01. (Sat) 16:00 Man Utd. - Bolton

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED Lindegaard Smalling, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra Valencia, Jones, Carrick, Nani Rooney, Welbeck

BOLTON WANDERERS   Bogdan Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Ricketts Davies, Reo-Coker, Muamba, Petrov Ngog, Klasnic

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will not be able to call upon the services of Tom Cleverley, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury. Fabio (hamstring), Darren Fletcher (illness), Michael Owen (thigh), Nemanja Vidic (knee) and Ashley Young (ankle) are all in the treatment room.

Rio Ferdinand is believed to have picked up a stomach bug ahead of this clash, which makes him a doubt, while the United boss will have to again make a big decision about who starts in goal. Anders Lindegaard has conceded five goals in his last two games after replacing David de Gea following the shock home defeat to Blackburn.

Owen Coyle has a few injured players to deal with, as Marcos Alonso (foot), Sean Davis (knee), Stuart Holden (knee), Chung-Yong Lee and Tyrone Mears (both broken leg) are all out of action.

Ricardo Gardner has been out since the game against Stoke City when he picked up a knee problem, but he is now thought to have gained enough fitness to be classified as a doubt instead of being crossed out in the list of those wounded in battle. Jussi Jaaskelainen (thigh) is also a doubt for the upcoming game at Old Trafford.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester United were unable to score a goal in a match in the Premier League for the first time this season when they lost 3-0 to Newcastle United.

• That defeat was their second in succession, with the first being a 3-2 loss to Blackburn Rovers. The Red Devils have not lost three consecutive games since 2001.

• Sir Alex's men have scored in 40 consecutive league games at Old Trafford.

• After Manchester City, United have managed to score the most goals in the Premier League so far.

• Bolton Wanderers have been able to beat United in only three of the last 25 league meetings between the two sides.

• The Trotters had lost eight in 10 matches prior to going on what is a comparatively good run of losing only one of their last five in all competitions.

• Coyle's men are currently languishing in the relegation zone. But if all games had ended at half-time, they would have been sitting pretty in 14th place.

• Bolton have conceded a joint high (with Blackburn Rovers) of 43 goals in the top flight this season.

Prediction

Manchester United are playing at Old Trafford and should have no significant trouble overcoming their opponents, despite the visitors having hit some semblance of form after what was turning into a disastrous season.

Editor's Prediction

Man Utd. 2-0 Bolton

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