22.01. (Sun) 21:30 Real - Athletic Bilbao

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

REAL MADRID Casillas Arbeloa, Ramos, Carvalho, Coentrao Xabi Alonso, Diarra Callejon, Ozil, Ronaldo Benzema

ATHLETIC BILBAO IraizozIraola, Martinez, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe Iturraspe, Ander Susaeta, De Marcos, Muniain Llorente

Jose Mourinho has a few selection issues going into the game at Santiago Bernabeu. Pepe looks set to miss two weeks of action after picking up a hamstring strain in the Clasico during the week.

There are also some doubts over the fitness of Sami Khedira, who sprained his ankle in the match against Malaga, and Angel Di Maria, who picked up an injury in training.

Alvaro Arbeloa returns from his suspension and should slot in at right-back, while Jose Callejon may be given a chance on the right-hand side with Di Maria out injured.

Athletic have a number of players currently being treated for a variety of problems. Aitor Ocio, Carlos Gurpegi, Xabi Castillo, Igor Martinez, and Igor Gabilondo are all currently undergoing physiotherapy, and all are doubtful.

Fernando Amorebieta has a minor sprain in his left ankle and trained apart from his team-mates during the week , but is likely to be included in the starting XI for this huge match.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The last time Real Madrid played Athletic Bilbao, Jose Mourinho's side came away with a 3-0 away victory at San Mames, with Kaka grabbing a brace and Cristiano Ronaldo scoring to seal the win.
  

• Iker Casillas will make his 600th appearance for Real Madrid in this match.

• Cristiano Ronaldo has scored just five goals less than the entire Athletic Bilbao squad so far this season in La Liga. The Portuguese has netted 21 times and the Basque outfit have scored 26 times.

• Athletic Bilbao are currently in fifth place in La Liga on 26 points, just four away from the coveted Champions League positions.

• The Basque side last defeated Real Madrid in January 2010, thanks to an early Fernando Llorente goal which gave them a narrow 1-0 victory.

• Llorente is Athletic's top goalscorer this season with seven goals in 14 appearances.

Prediction

Athletic Bilbao are in a decent run of form, but Madrid remain formidable at home despite their inability to defeat rivals Barcelona. They should record victory and maintain their advantage over their rivals.

Editor's Prediction

Real Madrid 2-0 Bilbao

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22.01. (Sun) 20:45 Inter - Lazio

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

INTER Julio Cesar Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Nagatomo Zanetti, Poli, Cambiasso, AlvarezSneijder Milito

LAZIO Marchetti Zauri, Dias, Biava, Radu Gonzalez, Ledesma, Lulic HernanesKlose, Rocchi

After Wesley Sneijder played 80 minutes against Genoa in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday without any physical issues, the Dutchman will likely start in support of a lone forward with the in-form Diego Milito to get the nod ahead of Giampaolo Pazzini in attack, although Ricky Alvarez could make way instead if a 4-3-1-2 formation is utilised by Inter coach Claudio Ranieri.

Thiago Motta is suspended due to a booking in last weekend's Milan derby victory, so Andrea Poli should be given a berth in midfield after scoring his first goal for the club in midweek.

Diego Forlan's time at Inter seems to going from bad to worse as he suffered another thigh injury and could miss several weeks, while veteran Dejan Stankovic is out for a couple of months with an achilles problem and Sulley Muntari is at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana.

For Lazio, influential midfielder Hernanes looks set to start despite picking up a knock in last weekend's 2-0 win over Atalanta and, in spite of a minor injury contracted during training, captain Tommaso Rocchi should be able to start up front with summer signing Miroslav Klose, who has nine goals in 17 matches. Centre-back Andre Dias will face a late fitness test but is expected to be available.

However, Biancocelesti boss Edy Reja is likely to have to do without ex-Inter midfielder Cristian Brocchi, Lorik Cana, and Libor Kozak. Stefano Mauri's return from injury is not expected for at least one more month.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Inter have won six straight matches in Serie A, conceding only one goal during that stretch.

• Striker Mauro Zarate is on loan at Inter from Lazio, and the Nerazzurri have an option to buy the player at the end of the season.

• Diego Milito has scored four times in his last three Serie A matches.

• Lazio have only beaten Inter once in their past 15 attempts in Serie A, defeating the Nerazzurri 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico last season.

• The visitors are one point above Inter in the standings, sitting in fourth place on 33 points, and have picked up more points on the road (17) than at home this season (16).

• Cristian Ledesma and Senad Lulic are the only players to appear in all 18 of Lazio's Serie A matches so far during the 2011-12 campaign.

Prediction

Having won six league matches in a row, Ranieri's men are looking quite solid, especially in defence and midfield, and, despite Lazio's penchant for doing well on the road this season, they have just two wins in their last five Serie A matches and are lacking consistency of late. The visitors have some weapons of their own but should still succumb as the latest victims of the hosts' victorious run.

Editor's Prediction

Inter 2-1 Lazio

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22.01. (Sun) 20:00 Burkina Faso - Angola

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BURKINA FASO Diakite Gnanou, Tall, Kere, B. Kone Pitroipa, Rouamba, Koffi A. Traore Kebe, Dagano

ANGOLA Carlos Zuela, Dany, Mingo Bile, Andre Macanga Dédé, Gilberto, Miguel Quiame, Mateus Djalma, Manucho

The scramble for points in the early stages of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations continues this Sunday between Group B contenders Burkina Faso and Angola.

The Stallions have had to go through a great deal of mental stress fuelled by qualifying group opponents Namibia ahead of the tournament. A last minute ruling by the Court of Arbitration of Sports saved them after the Brave Warriors filed a protest against an alleged ineligible player, Herve Zengue, who was fielded against them.

Now, the Stallions may feel that they have to prove why they deserve a slot amongst the final 16 teams after all the legal issues with the Namibian FA.

But that will not come easy. The Palancas Negras will also want to make up for their painful quarter-final finish at the 2010 edition, which they hosted. Lito Vidigal is parading his stars in an obvious mission aimed at going beyond their best quarter-final finishes in the 2008 and 2010 editions.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Since the 1996 edition Burkina Faso have qualified for every tournament aside from the 2006 event, and this feat was reached after their long absence in the continental showpiece following their maiden appearance in 1978.

• Burkina Faso’s best finish was the fourth place they achieved in 1998 when they hosted the event.

• Burkina Faso youngsters Bertrand and Alain Traore are brothers, who play their club football for Chelsea and Auxerre respectively.

• Neither team has ever won the Afcon trophy before, but Angola have a more impressive record in the tournament compared to their opponents.

• Angola reached the 2012 finals by winning their qualification pool on the final day of matches.

• Angola hosted the previous Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2010, with Egypt taking their third title in a row in the final match.

Prediction

Angola look organised and well psyched up for this tournament and ready to make their mark with an opening victory.

Editor's Prediction

Burkina Faso 0-1 Angola

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22.01. (Sun) 18:30 Arsenal - Man Utd.

Mahmoud maher

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ARSENAL Szczesny Djourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Miquel Song, Ramsey, Benayoun Walcott, Van Persie, Arshavin

MANCHESTER UNITED Lindegaard Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra Giggs, Scholes, Carrick Valencia, Rooney, Nani

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is doubtful of being able to field Thomas Vermaelen in this clash, as the defender is recovering from a calf injury. This means that youngster Ignasi Miquel could likely start at left-back if the Belgian is unable to make it in time for this game.

Mikel Arteta missed the 3-2 defeat to Swansea City due to a mild calf strain, and he is expected to remain out of action in this fixture. This should see Yossi Benayoun start again in midfield.

Thierry Henry is a doubt for this game due to a calf injury. He would likely take Andrey Arshavin's place in the line-up if he returns in time.

Meanwhile, Abou Diaby (muscle injury), Francis Coquelin (calf), Kieran Gibbs (hernia), Carl Jenkinson (back), Ryo Miyaichi, Bacary Sagna, Andre Santos and Jack Wilshere (all ankle) are all sidelined with their respective problems. Gervinhoand Marouane Chamakh remain unavailable while on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has Chris Smalling and Phil Jones back in his squad, and the duo will probably return to the starting line-up considering the magnitude of this game - particularly as Rio Ferdinand is regarded as highly doubtful after breaking down in training with a recurrence of a back injury, as exclusively reported by Goal.com. Smalling would go to right-back while Jones could take Ferdinand's place at centre-half.

Paul Scholes could slot in in midfield alongside Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs.

Danny Welbeck is currently nursing a knee injury and remains a doubt for the clash at the Emirates Stadium, which may prompt Sir Alex to push Antonio Valencia and Nani further up the pitch to support Wayne Rooney in their respective wide roles.

Anderson, Tom Cleverley (ankle), Fabio (hamstring), Darren Fletcher (illness), Michael Owen (thigh) and Nemanja Vidic (knee) are all out of action and will play no part in the game against Arsenal.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Arsenal have managed to keep only one clean sheet in their last six games in the Premier League.

• Their last two matches have ended in defeats, as they stumbled against Fulham and then Swansea City. But their home record provides for better reading as they have gone nine league games without a loss at the Emirates Stadium.

• Robin van Persie (pictured right) leads the goalscoring charts with 18 to his name in the league and 22 overall. His importance to the team is showcased by the fact that no other Gunner even makes the top 20 goal scorers in the top-flight this season.

• In the last 10 league games between these two sides, the team playing at home has lost only on one occasion. That was the Red Devils' 3-1 victory in north London in 2010.

• Manchester United's 8-2 win over the Gunners in the last league game between the two sides was a new record. Until that point, no match between these two teams had resulted in 10 goals being scored in a single game.

• But prior to that, there had been a nine-goal thriller back in 1958, when the Red Devils managed to secure a 5-4 win away from home in their last domestic match before the Munich Disaster.

• If all games ended at half-time, United would have been at the top of the table while Arsene Wenger's men would have slipped to sixth in the standings.

• Throughout the course of history, both sides have scored and conceded over 300 goals against each other. To be precise, the Red Devils have scored 329 times and conceded 305 goals.

Prediction

Both teams are strong and have had pitfalls recently. The Gunners lost to Fulham and Swansea while Sir Alex Ferguson's men fell to Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United. The visitors have since recovered, but the Scot will know that it will be a great boost to register a positive result to put those two defeats in the past.
But the north London side have the home advantage and should be able to secure a draw on the day.

Editor's Prediction

Arsenal 1-1 Man Utd.

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22.01. (Sun) 18:30 Bayer Leverkusen - Mainz 05

Christof Koepsel

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

LEVERKUSEN Leno Schwaab, Toprak, Friedrich, Kadlec Bender, Rolfes Castro, Ballack, Schurrle Derdiyok

MAINZ Wetklo Popsech, Bungert, Noveski, Fathi Baumgartlinger, Polanski, Malli, Soto Choupo-Moting, Ujah

Michael Ortega, Tranquillo Barnetta, Rene Adler and Renato Augusto all remain unavailable for Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt as they nurse their long term injuries, while Sidney Sam will miss the game with a hamstring problem. Gonzalo Castro is set to move forward to replace the 23-year-old on the right side of midfield, with Daniel Schwaab slotting in at the back.

Mainz's plight is not aided by their extensive injury list. Bo Svensson, Andreas Ivanschitz, Marcel Risse, Jan Kirchoff, Zoltan Stieber and Deniz Yilmaz have all been ruled out, while goalkeeper Heinz Muller will also be missing. Sami Allagui is on international duty at the African Cup of Nations.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Leverkusen stars Andre Schurrle (right) and Manuel Friedrich both left Mainz for the BayArena.

• Bayer Leverkusen have failed to score in their last two matches. The last time they had a three-match goalless run was in 2002-03.

• Robin Dutt's side have won just three of their eight home games in the Bundesliga this season.

• Mainz won this fixture last season 1-0, courtesy of an Andreas Ivanschitz goal.

• These two sides met on the opening day of the season, and Mainz triumphed 2-0.

• Mainz have 26 points going into the second round. Eintracht Frankfurt were relegated with the same number of points, while Wolfsburg went on to win the league from that figure.

Prediction

Not only are Bayer Leverkusen ostensibly stronger than Mainz, but they have home advantage and a slimmer injury list. The visitors have too many key players out to mount a serious challenge against Robin Dutt's men, who should run out easy victors at the BayArena.

Editor's Prediction

Leverkusen 3-0 Mainz

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22.01. (Sun) 18:00 Malaga - Barcelona

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

MALAGA Kameni Sanchez, Demichelis, Mathijsen, Monreal Cazorla, Toulalan, Duda, Eliseu Buonanotte Rondon

BARCELONA   Valdes Alves, Puyol, Pique, Adriano Thiago, Mascherano, Iniesta Messi, Cesc, Cuenca

Malaga could hand a debut to goalkeeper Carlos Kameni who has recently joined the club from Espanyol. One player who will not be playing is Apono who has joined Real Zaragoza on loan for the rest of the season after failing to see eye-to-eye with coach Manuel Pellegrini.

Duda could be set to to start the game in central midfield alongside Jeremy Toulalan while Pellegrini may opt to drop Ruud van Nistelrooy in favour of another midfielder, with Diego Buonanotte the player could come into the team.

Ruben and Julio Baptista both miss out through injury while Helder Rosario and Joaquin look to have shrugged off knocks and should be available for selection if needed.

The visitors have several players out for the encounter including Seydou Keita who is away at the 2012 African Cup of Nations. David Villa, Andreu Fontas and Ibrahim Afellay are also ruled out through long-term injuries.

Pedro, however, has been passed fit to play after taking part in Saturday morning's training session.

With another meeting against Jose Mourinho's side coming up this Wednesday, Pep Guardiola may rotate his squad with Adriano, Thiago, Javier Mascherano and Isaac Cuenca all vying for starts.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Malaga are the last team to score five goals against Barcelona in La Liga (in a 5-1 win in December 2003). Since then, they have scored only four goals versus the Catalan giants in 11 meetings.

• Manuel Pellegrini's men have went five league games without a victory, their worst run of the season.

• The big-spending Andalusians are the only team in the Primera Division this campaign to not have a defender score for them.

• Barcelona have dropped as many points on the road this season as they did for the whole of the 2010-11 campaign (11).

• Pep Guardiola's side have the best defensive record in Liga, conceding 11 goals from 18 games so far.

• Lionel Messi has only scored one away goal in the league this season, in the 2-2 draw against Athletic Bilbao.

Prediction

Barcelona are in good form and after their Clasico Copa del Rey victory on Wednesday, the team from Catalunya will be brimming with confidence. Malaga on the otherhand are on a five-game winless streak so expect the visitors to pick up a relatively straightforward win.

Editor's Prediction

Malaga 0-2 Barcelona

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22.01. (Sun) 18:00 Ivory Coast - Sudan

PROBABLE LINEUPS

COTE D'IVOIRE Barry Eboue, Kolo Toure, Boka, Tiene  Zokora, Yaya Toure, Tiote Kalou, Drogba, Gervinho

SUDAN   Mohjob Khaliefa, Al Basha, Massawi, Mosab Badreldien, Hamed, Kamal, Yousif    Mudather, Agab

On paper, many believe that Cote d’Ivoire will need only to show up for this game against Sudan and they will be assured of victory. They have one of the best strikeforces in the competition and the reigning African footballer of the year leading their midfield.
True to their name, the Elephants are a team that make others shiver at the thought of their array of stars. Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Yaya Toure, and Gervinho are among a slew of players who can cause a headache for opposition coaches. However, the Ivorians have been known to crumble when it matters most.
The Sudanese come into this game with the confidence gained from surviving in a qualifying group that included Ghana, which they gave a tough time. The Falcons of Jediane will be filled with pride and will feel that they can stand up to any opposition on their day.
Unlike the other teams at this tournament, Sudan will be the only one drawing players exclusively from their domestic league as they look to replicate the form that saw their team progress to the semi-finals of the 2011 Africa Championship of Nations (Chan), which they hosted last January. This cohesion could be the key that will help them withstand the Elephants’ charge.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Both teams have won the Afcon title once before. Sudan took the trophy it in 1970 and Cote d'Ivoire were victorious in 1992.

• Sudan have not progressed past the first round in three attempts since their 1970 victory.

• Cote d'Ivoire are among the favourites for this tournament alongside Senegal and Ghana.

• Since their 1992 triumph, the Ivorians have only progressed as far as the final once, when they lost to Egypt in 2006.

• While Fifa ranks the Elephants 18th in world football, the Falcons are placed 120th on the global list.

• This tournament could be the final opportunity for the 'golden generation' of Cote d'Ivoire to write their names in gold.

Prediction

The Elephants are one of the strongest teams at the tournament and, as favourites, they will be expected to thrash the east Africans and begin their campaign comfortably.

Editor's Prediction

Cote d'Ivoire 3-0 Sudan

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22.01. (Sun) 15:30 Hamburger SV - Borussia D.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

HAMBURG Drobny Diekmeier, Bruma, Westermann, Aogo Ilicevic, Rincon, Tesche, Jansen Petric, Guerrero

BORUSSIA DORTMUND Langerak Piszczek, Subotic, Santana, Schmelzer Bender, Kehl Kuba, Kagawa, Grosskreutz Lewandowski

Thorsten Fink will have a nearly full-strength squad at his disposal with the exceptions of Marcus Berg and Gokhan Tore, who are recuperating from injuries. Heung Min-Son is in with a chance to displace Mladen Petric from the starting XI as it is yet unclear who will partner Jose Paolo Guerrero in attack.

Mario Gotze is the big absentee for Dortmund, and Kuba is expected to deputise for the injured Germany international. First-choice goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller is also sidelined, meaning one of Mitchell Langerak and Johannes Focher will start for the Bundesliga champions.

Neven Subotic is expected to return to the starting XI, displacing Felipe Santana, while Robert Lewandowski will spearhead the attack.

DID YOU KNOW

• Hamburg are unbeaten in nine games, winning three and drawing six matches.

• Thorsten Fink is a native of Dortmund, and spent six years playing for BVB's youth side.

• HSV's Paolo Guerrero has scored in each of the team's last four home matches.

• Borussia Dortmund are undefeated in their last six games against Hamburg.

• BVB and HSV have collectively scored 313 goals in meetings between the two teams, which is a league record.

• Dortmund are on the longest active unbeaten streak in the league as they have not tasted defeat in 11 games.

Prediction

This tie promises goals and it is unlikely to disappoint. Hamburg have gradually improved under Thorsten Fink, and one can see them snatching a draw. Roman Weidenfeller is out of the game for the German champions, so HSV would fancy their chances to test an inexperienced deputy. BVB are missing a key player in Mario Gotze, and his absence is likely to be felt.

Editor's Prediction

HSV 2-2 Dortmund

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22.01. (Sun) 15:00 Novara - Milan

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

NOVARA Ujkani Rinaudo, Centurioni, Garcia Morganella, Jensen, Radovanovic, Gemiti RigoniCaracciolo, Mascara

AC MILAN Amelia Abate, Mexes, Thiago Silva, Antonini Ambrosini, Van Bommel, NocerinoSeedorf Ibrahimovic, Robinho

Novara boss Attilio Tesser will be missing a number of defenders as Massimo Paci and Paolo Dellafiore are suspended and Carlalberto Ludi remains injured. However, he can call in several winter transfer window reinforcements as Leandro Rinaudo, Daniel Jensen and new strike duo Andrea Caracciolo and Giuseppe Mascara are all set to start.

Meanwhile, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri received two pieces of bad news this week as Kevin-Prince Boateng (who would have been suspended) and Alexandre Pato have each been sidelined for four weeks due to knocks suffered in recent matches. The former Portsmouth midfielder suffered a thigh problem during the derby defeat to Inter and the young Brazil striker, despite scoring the winning goal in extra-time of their Coppa Italia clash with Novara on Wednesday, picked up a muscle strain - meaning attacking options are fairly limited.

As such, veteran Clarence Seedorf should return to the starting XI in behind the two strikers and Robinho should pip Stephan El Shaarawy to partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front. Midfielder Alexander Merkel may also get a chance to shine from the bench after returning to the club from Genoa this past week. At the back, Alessandro Nesta is serving a one-match ban, so Philippe Mexes should step in.

Mathieu Flamini, Antonio Cassano, Gennaro Gattuso, Alberto Aquiliani, and Mario Yepes are all dealing with long-term injury concerns and unavailable.

DID YOU KNOW?

• AC Milan have not played Novara in Serie A for over 50 years. The teams last met in league play during the 1955-56 campaign, when the Rossoneri won both matches.

• Milan's loss to Inter last weekend ended a positive run of 12 matches without a defeat in the top flight.

• The champions have the best attack in Serie A this season, having scored 37 goals, four more than closest competitors Napoli.

• Novara have the fewest wins in Serie A, just two, and have not picked up three points in any of their previous six matches. Their last victory was against Parma on November 26.

• The hosts have the worst defensive record in Serie A, conceding a total of 35 goals at an average of 1.94 per match.

• Novara striker Raffaele Rubinho is the only player to have scored in all of Italy's professional divisions with the same club.

Prediction

The hosts, despite sitting at the very bottom of the Serie A standings, have made some shrewd moves in the winter transfer market and will be hoping that they can start making a run in the league to try to avoid relegation back to Serie B. However, despite Milan's long injury list, Allegri's men should have just enough quality to overcome their spirited opponents.

Editor's Prediction

Novara 1-2 Milan

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