25.01. (Wed) 22:00 Barcelona - Real

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

BARCELONA Pinto Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta Messi, Cesc, Sanchez

REAL MADRID   Casillas Arbeloa, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo Diarra, Xabi Alonso, Coentrao Higuain, Benzema, Ronaldo

Barcelona will be without Seydou Keita, who is away on African Cup of Nations duty with Mali. Pep Guardiola's side also have three players who have long-term injuries; Ibrahim Afellay and Andreu Fontas are both out with ligament injuries, while David Villa is sidelined for the foreseeable future with a broken leg.

Pedro returned from injury to feature in the 4-1 victory over Malaga at the weekend, but it is unlikely the Spaniard will oust Cesc Fabregas, Lionel Messi, or Alexis Sanchez from Guardiola's preferred front three.

Jose Mourinho's visitors go into the match with a 2-1 deficit from the first leg but the Real Madrid coach could opt for the same formation, with three midfielders and three attackers, albeit with a more positive gameplan than in the first match.

Pepe was left out of the squad for the victory over Athletic Bilbao because of a suspected calf injury and did not train on Monday so it is unlikely that the Portugal international will be fit. There are suspicions that Mourinho may be removing the defender from the limelight for a short period, after the outcry against his cynical stamp on Messi in Wednesday's first leg.

Lassana Diarra and Esteban Granero did not train on Monday either, but it is likely the former will be fit enough to come into the three-man midfield. Sergio Ramos also missed the session, but this was due to personal reasons and he is expected to play. Sami Khedira is unavailable, though, after being ruled out for a month with an ankle injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Barcelona go into the match with a 2-1 advantage over Real Madrid from the first leg. Carles Puyol and Eric Abidal scored to cancel out Cristiano Ronaldo's early strike and seal the win at the Santiago Bernabeu last Wednesday.

• Barcelona maestro Xavi will equal Joan Segarra's record of 31 Clasico appearances for the Catalan side if he plays in this match.

• Lionel Messi equalled Cesar's record for the most league goals scored in the first half of a season for Barca at the weekend. The Argentine netted a hat-trick to take his tally so far to 22 goals in La Liga.

• Cristiano Ronaldo is currently one goal ahead of Lionel Messi in the race for Pichichi award in La Liga.

• Iker Casillas made his 600th appearance for Los Blancos in the 4-1 weekend win over Athletic Bilbao.

• This is the 10th time that Barcelona have faced Real Madrid in just over a year.

Prediction

The fifth Clasico in all competitions this season, and the tie is in the hands of Barcelona. Pep Guardiola's men hold a 2-1 advantage over Real Madrid thanks to the vital win at Santiago Bernabeu last week and it will take a momentous effort from Jose Mourinho's men to overcome the deficit.

Editor's Prediction

Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid

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

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

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

MANCHESTER CITY Hart Richards, Savic, Lescott, ClichyMilner, BarrySilva, Aguero, Nasri Dzeko

Jay Spearing is unlikely to return from injury for Liverpool, meaning Charlie Adam should continue alongside Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson in midfield. Stewart Downing and Dirk Kuyt are also in contention for two of the three forward spots in the starting XI, although expect Kenny Dalglish to stick with Andy Carroll, Craig Bellamy and Maxi despite Saturday's defeat to Bolton.

City have until 6pm on Wednesday evening to appeal the FA charge against Mario Balotelli for violent conduct, however, the league-leaders are expected to accept the four-game ban meaning the Italian will not be available for the trip to Anfield.

Edin Dzeko is therefore likely to start up top, backed up by an impressive attacking line of Samir Nasri, David Silva and Sergio Aguero. Stefan Savic is set to continue alongside Joleon Lescott in defence, with captain Vincent Kompany sitting out the final game of his ban.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Liverpool’s home form bodes well for them going into the second leg. Although they have drawn seven out of their 11 home matches in the Premier League, they are yet to lose at Anfield.

• The Reds have not suffered defeat at Anfield against City in nine matches in all competitions, their last defeat coming back in 2003 when former Liverpool strikers Robbie Fowler and Nicolas Anelka led the line for the visitors.

• Liverpool are the most successful side in League Cup history, having won the trophy seven times. Their most recent victory came in 2003.

• They have not won a trophy, however, since 2006, when they lifted the Community Shield following a 2-1 victory over Chelsea.

• Kenny Dalglish’s team have slipped up since securing a 1-0 victory in the first leg. A draw with Stoke preceded their 3-1 loss to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

• Manchester City have not been flawless in recent weeks either. Since Christmas, they have won only three of their seven matches in all competitions.

• Prior to winning the 2011 FA Cup, the League Cup was the last trophy City had lifted. They won the tournament in 1970, were runners-up in 1974 and emerged victorious again in 1976. They have not been to the final since.

• Before beating Wigan Athletic 1-0 in the Premier League, City had not won in four matches in a row away from the Etihad Stadium.

• Roberto Mancini’s team have not played out a score draw in nine league matches.

Prediction

Liverpool are a difficult side to break down and beat at Anfield, and City will need to dig deep into their energy reserves following a tough game at the weekend if they are to deliver a performance that eliminates the one-goal advantage the Reds picked up at the Etihad Stadium.

Editor's Prediction

Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City

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25.01. (Wed) 20:45 Napoli - Inter

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

NAPOLI De Sanctis Fernandez, Cannavaro, Britos Maggio, Dzemaili, Gargano, Zuniga Pandev, LavezziCavani

INTER Julio Cesar Maicon, Lucio, Ranocchia, Zanetti Faraoni, Poli, Thiago Motta, Alvarez Sneijder Milito

Napoli will be looking for a repeat result from their last fixture against Inter, having beaten them 3-0 at San Siro in Serie A action earlier this season.

As such, coach Walter Mazzarri will only be employing limited turnover. Ezequiel Lavezzi is likely to play from the start after returning from injury during the 1-1 draw with Siena with attacking midfielder Marek Hamsik being given a rest. Wing-back Juan Camilo Zuniga will be handed a place on the flank and Federico Fernandez should step into the three-man defence.

Meanwhile, Inter boss Claudio Ranieri will likely have to do without the service of full-back Yuto Nagatomo as the Japan international suffered a slight injury to his right foot. Centre-back Andrea Ranocchia should replace one of Lucio or Walter Samuel and youngsters Marco Faraoni and Andrea Poli may be given the chance to shine in midfield once again as was the case during last week's 2-1 victory over Genoa.

Playmaker Wesley Sneijder could start in support of a lone striker with in-form duo Diego Milito and Giampaolo Pazzini up for the role, but the former Roma boss could also turn to Mauro Zarate or Luc Castaignos.

Veterans Diego Forlan and Dejan Stankovic remain sidelined due to a thigh and achilles problem respectively while young midfielder Coutinho and defender Cristian Chivu are both doubtful. Sulley Muntari is away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Napoli have won the tournament on three occasions, their last triumph coming in 1987 when they defeated Atalanta by a 4-0 aggregate score over a two-legged final.

• Mazzarri's side faced Inter at the same stage of the competition (quarter finals) last season at the same venue (Stadio San Paolo) and lost 5-4 on penalties following a 0-0 draw due to Lavezzi's miss.

• Striker Edinson Cavani has an impressive 16 goals in 24 appearances in all competitions this season, including a strike in the Round of 16 victory over Cesena.

• Inter have won eight matches in a row in all competitions, conceding just three goals during that time.

• Milito (five) and Pazzini (four) have scored a combined nine goals during that span, though neither forward featured in the Round of 16 triumph against Genoa last week.

• The Nerazzurri have been in six of the last seven Coppa Italia finals, claiming the trophy on four of those occasions.

Prediction

The Stadio San Paolo can be a fairly intimidating place, just ask Manchester City, and you can expect this match to be similar to last season's domestic cup encounter between the two sides, possibly going to extra-time and even penalties once again. A tough match to predict, but Inter's depth might just see them through.

Editor's Prediction

Napoli 0-1 Inter

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25.01. (Wed) 20:00 Equatorial Guinea - Senegal

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

EQUATORIAL GUINEA Silva Aguirre, Rui, Konate, DoeFousseny, Juvenal, Balboa, Randy Bodipo, Fabiani

SENEGAL Coundoul Sané, Diawara, Mangane, N'Daw Mbengue, Gomis, Diame, Sow Niang, Ba

Senegal, touted as tournament favourites, suffered the heaviest shock on matchday one after a 2-1 defeat against Zambia. That was a psychological blow bearing in mind their second game is against co-hosts Equatorial Guinea.

The Teranga Lions need a win at all costs against the Nzalang Nacional to keep their Africa Cup of Nations dreams alive, or else a surprise exit is imminent if other group results go against them.

The co-hosts have nothing to lose but will be hoping their home support will be as vibrant as in their opening match. Having kicked off their first-ever Nations Cup game against Libya, it will come as no surprise if they are able to neutralise the star-studded attacking set up of the roaring Lions, whose defence appears to be one of the weakest in the tournament.

A win for the co-hosts gives them the upper hand to reach the knockout stage and a similar result could position the west Africans well in the tournament.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Senegal could be kissing the 28th edition of the Nations Cup goodbye if they lose to Equatorial Guinea.
  
• The Teranga Lions are ranked 44th on the Fifa ranking and sixth in Africa.
  
• Senegal’s previous best appearance was in 2002 when they finished as runner-up.
  
• Equatorial Guinea are ranked 151st on the Fifa ranking and 41st on the continent.
  
• Equatorial Guinea will advance to the quarter-final if they defeat Senegal and Libya fail to beat Zambia.
  
• Their debut goal in the tournament came with just three minutes left before the end of regulation time courtesy of Javier Balboa.

Prediction

The Senegalese are highly expected to come into this game with full attacking mindset having in mind a defeat means a probable end of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations journey. They look good on paper to come out victorious.

Editor's Prediction

Equatorial Guinea 0-1 Senegal

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25.01. (Wed) 17:00 Libya - Zambia

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

LIBYA AboudBerrish, Salama, Shibani, Aboubaker Mohamed Esnani, Saad, El Khatoushi Osman, Zuway

ZAMBIA MweeneLungu, Himonde, Sunzu, Musonda Sinkala, Kasonde Katongo, Kalaba, Chansa Mayuka

The Mediterranean Knights’ first appearance at an Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) since 2006 didn’t go according to plan on Saturday. Despite starting relatively well against co-hosts Equatorial Guinea, Libya lost their composure and struggled mightily to create chances until after Javier Balboa’s sublime finish on 87 minutes.
Now it will be up to coach Marcos Paqueta to find a solution to his team’s attacking troubles, specifically how to get his imposing centre-forward, Ahmed Zuway, more involved.
It will be an uphill task against a Zambian side that completely changed the complexion of the group by stunning Senegal with two quick first-half goals before resisting the Teranga Lions’ offensive armada.
Needless to say, Libya don’t have as much going forward as the west African do and the service to Zuway will need to be much more precise against the organised and often ruthless Chipolopolo.
In his post-match press conference, Herve Renard was quick to point out that Emmanuel Mayuka and Rainford Kalaba’s goals were a direct translation of his strategy to play balls in behind Senegal’s tall and athletic defence. The Libyans won’t  pose the same physical challenge but, on their day, the north Africans could cause problems for a Zambian side that they faced in qualifying.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Libya’s last win over Zambia was during 2012 Afcon qualifying when they beat the southern Africans by one goal in Tripoli

• These two countries have faced each other a total of six times, with both nations winning twice and the other two matches finishing in draws.

• Zambia are dedicating their performances in Equatorial Guinea to national team members that perished as a result of a tragic plane crash in 1993.

• Libya's best performance at an Afcon was finishing as runners up in 1982. Zambia finished as second best on two occasions, once in 1974 and another in 1994.

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