19.01. (Thu) 21:30 Valencia - Levante

Ever Banega - Valencia

PROBABLE LINEUPS

VALENCIA Alves Bruno, Rami, Ruiz, Mathieu Banega, Topal Feghouli, Jonas, Alba Soldado

LEVANTE MunuaVenta, Ballesteros, Nano, Del Horno Torres, FarinosEl Zhar, Barkero, Juanfran Kone

Victor Ruiz, Jonas and Jordi Alba are all set to return to the Valencia line-up after being rested for Saturday's defeat to Real Sociedad. Roberto Soldado also makes a return after serving a one-match suspension.

Miguel misses out with a hamstring injury, with Bruno likely to be retained at right-back ahead of Antonio Barragan. Also ruled out is young striker Paco Alcacer, who suffered a muscle tear while playing for the B-team.

Meanwhile, skipper David Albelda is suffering from flu symptoms and is a doubt for the match.

Levante coach Juan Ignacio Martinez will be without Cape Verde midfielder Valdo, who has been sidelined for upto four weeks with a hamstring injury.

Defender Nano, who agreed a move to Chinese side Guizhou Renhe earlier in the week, is expected to partner Sergio Ballesteros in the heart of the Levante defence. Long-term injury absentee Juanlu remains on the sidelines.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Valencia are on a three game winless streak in all competitions.

• Prior to Saturday's defeat to Real Sociedad, Los Che had won five matches on the bounce at the Mestalla, scoring 16 goals and conceding just one in the process.
  
• Unai Emery's side are on a five-game unbeaten streak against Levante (W3 D2) - a run that stretches back to January 2008.

• Levante have lost their last seven matches away from home.

• Ivorian striker Arouna Kone (pictured) is the east coast club's leading scorer this season with seven goals.

• Should Levante get through to the semi-finals, they will face the winner of the Real Madrid-Barcelona tie.

Prediction

After a difficult week, Valencia will be desperate to return to winning ways and quell murmurs of discontent among the home faithful. Soldado's return gives the home side a clear edge, and they should win this with something to spare.

Editor's Prediction

Valencia 2-0 Levante

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19.01. (Thu) 21:00 Inter - Genoa

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

INTER Castellazzi Zanetti, Lucio, Ranocchia, Chivu Faraoni, Poli, Thiago Motta, ObiMilito, Zarate

GENOA Lupatelli Mesto, Granqvist, Marchiori Rossi, Biondini, Kucka, ConstantPratto, Gilardino, Jankovic

Following the 1-0 win over city rivals AC Milan, Inter boss Claudio Ranieri is likely to employ plenty of alterations as the Nerazzurri start their Coppa Italia campaign at the last 16 phase.

Goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who trained apart from the squad on Monday, will be replaced by Luca Castellazzi. Meanwhile, Italy international Andrea Ranocchia should stand in for one of Lucio or Walter Samuel at centre-back and youngsters Davide Faraoni, Andrea Poli, and Joel Obi may all be given space in midfield.

Wesley Sneijder could once again be on the bench but Diego Forlan's presence remains in doubt after he felt discomfort to the quadricep of his right leg during training.

Mauro Zarate, whose loan spell with the Nerazzurri could already be coming to an end, is likely to start alongside Diego Milito after Giampaolo Pazzini was keft out of the matchday squad. Dejan Stankovic remains sidelined for two months with an achilles problem.

Meanwhile, new Genoa boss Pasquale Marino has a bit of a defensive crisis with Cesare Bovo, Kakhaber Kaladze, Dario Dainelli and Luca Antonelli all sidelined, so teenager Alberto Marchioni will get a chance to impress at centre-back. Hard-working captain Marco Rossi will feature in midfield since he is suspended for the weekend trip to Palermo, but star striker Rodrigo Palacio will be rested after returning from injury to score the winner against Udinese last Sunday.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Inter have been in the Coppa Italia final six of the last seven years, winning the trophy on four of those occasions, including when they defeated Palermo 3-1 to lift the trophy last season.

• Diego Milito (twice) and Thiago Motta both had successful spells with Genoa before joining Inter in the summer of 2009.

• The hosts are on a hot streak, having won six consecutive matches, only conceding one goal during that time.

• Genoa were defeated by the Nerazzurri at the same stage (Round of 16) and same venue (The Giuseppe Meazza) last season by a score of 3-2.

• Overall, the Rossoblu have lost four consecutive matches against Inter, last earning a 0-0 draw in March 2010.

• The Grifoni have already played two times in the Coppa Italia this season, earning a 4-3 victory over Nocerina and also beating Bari 3-2 in extra time.

Prediction

Despite changing a number of players from the starting XI that was successful against AC Milan, Inter, playing on home soil, should still be too much of a challenge for the Grifoni. Expect Ranieri's side to book a quarter-final date with Napoli as they look to defend their title.

Editor's Prediction

Inter 2-1 Genoa

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