30.01. (Mon) 21:00 Osasuna - Atletico Madrid

Diego Simeone - Atletico Madrid

PROBABLE LINEUPS

OSASUNA Andres Bertran, Sergio, Flano, Satrustegui Garica, Nekounam, Punal Lamah, Cejudo Nino

ATLETICO MADRID Courtois Juanfran, Godin, Dominguez, Filipe Tiago, SuarezSalvio, Adrian, Turan Falcao

Osasuna are likely to be without Ion Echaide, Roversio and Ruben Rocha for the visit of Atletico Madrid on Monday evening in a contest that pits seventh against eighth.

Midfielder Javad Nekounam is doubtful after picking up an injury in his side's 1-1 draw against Valencia, but is likely to feature after being withdrawn from that match as a precaution. Meanwhile, Jose Luis Mendilibar is sure to be without the suspended Damia and long-term absentee Masoud Shojaei.

Newly-appointed Diego Simeone continued his revival at Atletico Madrid with a 4-0 win last time out but will be without the suspended duo Gabi and Diego for the trip to the Reyno de Navarra. Portugal's Tiago, returning from suspension, is touted to slot in alongside Mario Suarez in Atleti's midfield, whilst Eduardo Salvio or Koke could come in for the Brazilian playmaker.

Antonio Lopez is certain to miss the the tie through injury, whilst fellow defender Silvio remains a doubt but may be fit enough for a spot on the substitutes' bench.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Osasuna are on a six-game winless run in all competitions (D3 L3).
  

• Mendibiliar's side have suffered defeat on just one occasion at the Reyno de Navarra in La Liga so far this season, a 2-0 loss against Racing Santander.

• The Pamplona-based outfit have the worst defensive record of any team in the top half of the table, their opponents the second.

• Atletico Madrid recorded their premiere win on the road last time out, a 4-0 drubbing of Real Sociedad.

• Colombian striker Falcao (pictured) netted a brace in that match, taking his tally for the season to 14 in La Liga.

• Los Rojiblancos have failed to win two consecutive away games in La Liga for three years, having last achieved such a feat in 2008-09.

Prediction

The Reyno de Navarra is not an easy place to go to and win and Osasuna are currently a wounded animal, failing to take maximum points in their last three matches, the last two of which were at home. However, under Diego Simeone, Atleti have rediscovered themselves but may be shut out by a resolute Navarran defence.

Editor's Prediction

Osasuna 0-0 Atl. Madrid

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30.01. (Mon) 19:00 Sudan - Burkina Faso

Sudan | goal.com

PROBABLE LINEUP

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

BURKINA FASO Diakite Tall, Koulibaly, B Kone D Kone, Koffi, Rouamba, Kabore, A Traore Pitroipa, Dagano

At the moment Sudan are third in Group B with just a point to show from their two games. Their chances of qualifying are quite slim, but they could sneak into the knock out stage with a good win while hoping that the result of the other group game that will be played concurrently goes in their favour.

The Falcons of Jediane will at all cost have to win against the Stallions of Burkina Faso, who have lost all both of their Afcon games and lie at the bottom of the group without a point. The west Africans have nothing to lose, but could at least strive for a win to depart the tournament with some grace.

Burkina Faso go into Monday's final group match with uncertainty regarding the future of their coach Paulo Duarte, who has threatened to quit if the national football federation does not change. He is upset over the way the federation handled a number of nationality issues, with Cameroon-born Herve Zengue missing the finals and Abdou Razak Traore unable to play.

Sudan will be using a full strength side in the hope that a result comes their way, while Bukina Faso have a strong side available, but they will have little at stake other than a bit of pride and a good result to exit the tournament with their heads held high.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Sudan are ranked 120th on the Fifa monthly rankings.
  
• The Falcons of Jediane will advance to the quarter-finals as the second-placed team in the group if they defeat the Stallions and the Elephants defeat the Palancras Negras, while the combined margin of the two wins needs to be at least three goals.
  
• The east Africans came into the tournament as one of the top two runner-ups during qualifying.

• Burkina Faso are out of the tournament after losing two games against Cote d'Ivoire and Angola.

• The Stallions are making their eighth appearance at the continental showpiece and their best was a
  fourth place finish in 1998.
  
• The national team was once known as the Upper Volta.

Prediction

It appears this may be an open game as both sides look set to outdo each other in a match that means a great deal to the north Africans, but one that will only save the face of the west Africans. It could end up in a stalemate.

Editor's Prediction

Sudan 1-1 Burkina Faso

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30.01. (Mon) 19:00 Ivory Coast - Angola

Panoramic

PROBABLE LINEUPS

COTE D'IVOIRE Barry Lolo, K Toure, Bamba, Tiene Gosso, Y Toure, Tiote Kalou, Drogba, Gervinho

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

The last group fixture between Ivory Coast and Angola is a battle for group supremacy. The west Africans are at the summit of Group B with six points while the southern Africans follow with four. The Elephants have already earned their slot in the knockout stage, but the Black Antelopes, have to fight for at least a point to progress.

The odds favour the star-studded Ivorians – pre-tournament favourites – and judging from their performances in their last two games it is clear coach Francois Zahoui’s side are aiming for glory. This could be a test game to try out a few new faces for his side since they have already progressed, but the same cannot be said for coach Lito Vidigal and his charges.

The experienced Palancas Negras find themselves in a tricky position and need not rely on the Sudan-Burkina Faso game to qualify, but they will do their best to at least steal a point in this game so that they make it to the quarter-finals.

Angola keeper Carlos Fernandes collected yellow cards in the last two games, so he will be suspended for this encounter and could be replaced by Primeiro de Agosto shot-stopper Wilson.

Chelsea and Cote d'Ivoire striker Salomon Kalou left the pitch injured against Burkina Faso, clutching his hamstring in what seemed to be a muscle pull, but the team doctors have said that it is a minor problem that subsided and he is expected to start the game against Angola.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Cote d’Ivoire have not conceded a goal or lost a game yet in this tournament.

• The man in charge of the Elephants’ is a local coach who could make a name for himself with this competition after they have tried out several expatriate coaches with poor results.

• The last time the west Africans won the Afcon trophy was in 1992 in an 11-10 marathon penalty shootout against Ghana in Senegal.

• Angola will crash out of the tournament if they lose this game and Sudan win their match against Burkina Faso convincingly.

• The 2010 Nations Cup hosts have won one game, drawn one, scored four goals and conceded three.

• The Palancas Negras finished at the quarter-final stage in the last two editions of the tournament.

Prediction

It will be a tight game with both sides aiming to finish on a high note. A win means a great deal for the Angolans, but the Ivorians will not want to lose a single game to live up to their billing as pre-tournament favourites.

Editor's Prediction

Cote d'Ivoire 1-1 Angola

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