01.02. (Wed) 21:00 Valencia - Barcelona

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PROBABLE LINEUP

VALENCIA Alves Barragan, Rami, Ruiz, Mathieu Albelda, T Costa Feghouli, Jonas, AlbaSoldado

BARCELONA Pinto Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas Sanchez, Messi, Adriano

Valencia boss Unai Emery has something of an injury crisis heading into Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final clash with Barcelona, with Mehmet Topal (concussion) and Ever Banega (thigh strain) rated doubtful to feature after being taken off the field of play in Sunday's bruising 2-2 draw at Racing Santander.

Defensive duo Miguel and Adil Rami are also nursing knocks, although the latter is likely to play, while Aritz Aduriz has been declared fit after suffering a blow to the head against Racing.

The visitors have injury problems of their own, however, with Pedro and Andres Iniesta both ruled out with thigh problems.

The duo join long-term absentees David Villa, Ibrahim Afellay and Andreu Fontas in the treatment room, while Seydou Keita is competing with Mali at the African Cup of Nations.

On a positive note for Pep Guardiola's side, Alexis Sanchez has made a speedy recovery from the collarbone injury he sustained in Wednesday's Clasico against Real Madrid, and is expected to start at the Mestalla.

Defender Gerard Pique is also expected to feature, having trained normally on Monday after coming off with a knee problem in Saturday's goalless draw at Villarreal.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Valencia have a solid record at Mestalla this season, having won all but five of their games there in all competitions, and losing just two.

• Los Che and Barcelona last met each other in the Copa del Rey in the semi-final stage in 2008, which the Mestalla club won 4-3 on aggregate before going on to lift the cup with victory against Getafe in the final.

• However, that was the last time Valencia came out on top against the Catalan club, and they are yet to beat the reigning European champions in seven attempts under Unai Emery.

• Barcelona are the most successful club in Copa del Rey history, having won the tournament 25 times.

• Argentine superstar Lionel Messi (pictured) leads the Catalan club's goalscoring charts this season with 36 strikes.

• Despite their stuttering league form on the road this season, Barcelona have won all three of their away games in the Copa del Rey.

Prediction

Valencia will be encouraged by their opponents' poor form on the road, but unsurprisingly, they are the underdogs here. While the Catalans have struggled in some of the less glamorous away fixtures, they invariably raise their game for the big occasions, and should be able to get the win they need to put a frustrating week behind them.

Editor's Prediction

Valencia 1-2 Barcelona

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01.02. (Wed) 21:00 Bolton vs Arsenal

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

BOLTON Bogdan Steinsson, Wheater, Knight, Robinson Eagles, Reo-Coker, Muamba, Petrov Ngog, K Davies

ARSENAL Szczesny Djourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, VermaelenRamsey, Song, ArtetaOxlade-Chamberlain, Van Persie, Walcott

Owen Coyle’s first choice goalkeeper Jussi Jasskelainen remains doubtful for the clash with the Gunners and should be expected to be replaced once more by Adam Bogdan who has done a decent job since being called up. Ricardo Gardner still looks like a week or two away from fitness and isn't thought to be under consideration for the game. With the odd player rested at the weekend for the Trotters’ FA Cup victory over Swansea City, a few names could be recalled to the starting line-up, including Zat Knight, Gretar Steinsson, Paul Robinson and captain Kevin Davies - who has been heavily linked with a deadline day move to Sunderland.
January signing Tim Ream joined the Bolton ranks in the week from American side New York Red Bulls and could make his debut appearance for the Lancashire outfit.
Wednesday’s visitors to the Reebok Stadium continue to have problems at the back and will be forced to send out a make-shift defence, especially at the full-back positions. Johan Djourou and Thomas Vermaelen are expected to fill in once again, whilst the pairing in the middle of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny should continue.
Bacary Sagna did make a cameo appearance in the dying moments of the Gunners’ Cup win over Aston Villa on Sunday, but shouldn’t expect to see much first-team action over the next couple of games and may come on once more late in the fixture.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Arsenal are on the back of a three-match losing streak in the Premier League, with defeats to Manchester United, Swansea City and Fulham. Bolton however have won their last three in all competitions.

• The Trotters were the victors in this fixture last season thanks to goals from Daniel Sturridge and match winner Tamir Cohen. The win was Bolton’s first over Arsenal since November 2006.

• These two haven’t drawn a game in the league since February 2006.

• Goal machine Robin van Persie (pictured right) has 19 netted efforts this season, but has 11 more to grab before he matches club legend Thierry Henry's record of 30 in one campaign.

• Currently in fifth position, the north London side haven’t finished outside of the top four since the 1995/96 season when they finished in their present spot in the league.

• Bolton have conceded the most goals at home (25) than any other side.

• A late goal could easily be on the cards as there has been at least one scored in the last 15 minutes of each of the past nine league meetings between these two outfits.

Prediction

Owen Coyle's side have hit a rare hot streak, but with Arsenal buoyed by their FA Cup comeback victory over Aston Villa and still with the bit between their teeth due to a run of three Premier League losses on the trot, I expect Arsene Wenger's men to grab all three points at the Reebok.

Editor's Prediction

Bolton 1-1 Arsenal

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01.02. (Wed) 20:45 Napoli - Cesena

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

NAPOLI De Sanctis Campagnaro, Fernandez, Aronica Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Dossena Hamsik, Pandev Cavani

CESENA Antonioli Comotto, Bergen, Moras, Rossi Guana, Colucci, Parolo Ceccarelli, Rennella, Mutu

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri is expected to name his best possible XI after unsuccessfully rotating his side in the 3-2 loss to Genoa last weekend.

Edinson Cavani is assumed to start in place of the suspended Ezequiel Lavezzi, whilst Federico Fernandez is likely to come in for the injured Pablo Cannavaro.

Elsewhere, Juan Zuniga, Blerim Dzemaili and Miguel Britos are likely to lose the starting places they earned in that loss to Genoa, being replaced by Gokhan Inler, Christian Maggio and Salvatore Aronica respectively.

For the Seahorses however, Daniele Arrigoni will look to name the same side that were unlucky to lose 1-0 at home to Atalanta in their previous game.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Napoli are unbeaten in their last 23 meetings with Cesena in Serie A.

• At the San Paolo, the Partenopei have won 10 out of their past 11 games with the Seahorses.

• In fact, Cesena have lost more games against Napoli than against any other Serie A opponent.

• Napoli though, have only managed three wins in their past 12 Serie A matches.

• Cesena, on the other hand, have lost 13 games in the league already this season - more than any other side.

• Napoli's talisman, Edinson Cavani, has scored four goals in his last four appearances against Arrigoni's side.

Prediction

It's difficult to envisage anything other than a home victory, and with Mazzarri looking likely to name his strongest possible XI, the Partenopei will have too much firepower for the Seahorses to handle.

Editor's Prediction

Napoli 3-0 Cesena

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01.02. (Wed) 20:45 Cagliari - Roma

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

CAGLIARI Agazzi Pisano, Canini, Astori, Agostini Ekdal, Nainggolan, Dessena CossuIbarbo, Larrivey

ROMA Stekelenburg Rosi, Juan, Heinze, Taddei Pjanic, Greco, Gago Lamela, Totti, Borini

Cagliari will entertain the Giallorossi without the services of Lorenzo Ariaudo, with the former Juventus youth still nursing the back injury that has seen him miss the club's last two encounters, while long term casualties Sebastian Eriksson and Nene will also miss out.
Luis Enrique's Roma will go into Wednesday's clash without long-term absentees Dani Osvaldo and Nicolas Burdisso, with the pair still suffering from a muscle strain and a ligament problem respectively.

However, the capital club could be boosted by the potential return of Daniele De Rossi and Marco Cassetti, and although the duo are unlikely to start the match, they may well make an appearance from the bench.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Cagliari have won only one of their last seven league games.

• The hosts have only managed to win two of their home games in Serie A this season.

• Only Cesena have scored less goals than the Rossoblu this term.

• Roma have won four of their last five league games.
  

• However they have only managed to win one of their last three games in all competitions.

• The Giallorossi have conceded the same amount of goals as the hosts have this season, yet remain eight places and eight points above the Rossoblu.

Prediction

With the Giallorossi recording four victories in their last five league games, along with the host's poor run of form, a comfortable victory for the visitors seems the likely outcome.

Editor's Prediction

Cagliari 0-2 Roma

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01.02. (Wed) 20:45 Lazio - Milan

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

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

AC MILAN Abbiati Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini Ambrosini, Van Bommel, NocerinoSeedorf, Ibrahimovic, Robinho

Lazio coach Edy Reja will be without the services of midfield enforcer Cristian Brocchi and striker Libor Kozak. Lorik Cana is out for six weeks with a back injury, while Stefano Mauri is still sidelined with a thigh problem.

New winter signing Emiliano Alfaro will have to wait another week to make his debut as he is still nursing a calf injury.

The injury list is long and daunting for Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri as he will have to make do without a plethora of first-team regulars. Kevin-Prince Boateng is sidelined with a thigh injury, while Alexandre Pato out for three weeks with another muscle complaint.

Alexander Merkel has been ruled out for two months with a knee injury sustained in training earlier in the week. Antonio Cassano, Gennaro Gattuso and Alberto Aquiliani are all still dealing with long-term injury concerns.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Lazio have won two out of their last three matches in Serie A, scoring six goals in the process.

• The Biancocelesti have won four out of their 10 home games this term.

• The capital city club have won three games by a three-goal margin.

• Milan have scored the most goals (43) and kept the most clean sheets (11) in Serie A so far this season.
  

• The Rossoneri are unbeaten in their last five league road games, outscoring their opponents 11-2 during that period.

• Massimiliano Allegri's men advanced to the Coppa Italia semi-finals at Lazio's expense following a 3-1 win at San Siro last week.

Prediction

Milan have scored nine goals in their last three games in all competitions and their offensive barrage will continue as they secure three valuable points in a wild affair in the capital city.

Editor's Prediction

Lazio 2-3 Milan

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01.02. (Wed) 20:45 Inter - Palermo

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

INTER Julio Cesar Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Nagatomo Zanetti, Cambiasso, Motta, AlvarezPazzini, Milito

PALERMO Viviano Pisano, Silvestre, Mantovani, Balzaretti Migliaccio, Donati, BarretoIllicic Miccoli, Budan

Attempting to get back on track from their loss to Lecce, Inter coach Ranieri has received the positive news that Thiago Motta (should he not leave before the end of the transfer window) has recovered from a knock to his calf and is available for selection in midfield, the player having rejoined training alongside his team-mates.

Ranieri himself stated that Inter look more solid in a 4-4-2 formation, meaning Wesley Sneijder could drop to the bench - or Giampaolo Pazzini and Diego Milito will vie for the lone forward role ahead of the Netherlands international.

As for the absentees, Diego Forlan and Dejan Stankovic remain on the sidelines and Sulley Muntari is at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana.

On the other side of the pitch, Palermo are looking for their third win in a row and in-form veteran Fabrizio Miccoli should line up alongside Igor Budan with Josip Ilicic in the trequartista role once again for boss Bertolo Mutti. Goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano, still co-owned by Inter, impressed in the recent 2-0 win over Novara and will be looking to do the same against the Nerazzurri.

Young Uruguayan striker Abel Hernandez is nearing full fitness, but should still miss this particular encounter and midfielder Luigi Della Rocca has picked up a fever, defensive midfielder Armin Bacinovic is still a month away from a comeback due to an injury to his left meniscus.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Inter ended a run of seven consecutive league victories in a row on the weekend when they suffered a 1-0 defeat away to Lecce.

• Diego Milito has struck five times against Palermo since joining Inter in 2009, his favourite target as a member of the blue-and-black squad along with AC Milan.

• Juventus were the last side to score more than one goal against Inter in league play, during a 2-1 triumph for the Turin-based side in October.

• Palermo have won their last two matches (over Genoa and Novara) after enduring a spell of seven matches without a victory.

• The Rosanero's 4-3 win over Inter on the opening day of the 2011-12 campaign was their first victory against the Nerazzurri since 2005.

• The Sicilian outfit have yet to win on the road this season, collecting three draws and seven defeats. They have only scored twice away from home this campaign.

Prediction

Although Palermo have had a recent mini-revival, they have yet to prove they can win on the road and despite matches typically showcasing plenty of excitement when they face Inter, they often come up short. The Sicilians may make it interesting at first, but expect the quality and experience of Ranieri's side to decide the match in the end.

Editor's Prediction

Inter 3-1 Palermo

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01.02. (Wed) 19:00 Ghana - Guinea

PROBABLE LINEUP

GHANA Kwarasey Paintsil, Mensah, Vorsah, Boye Annan, Badu, Asamoah, Muntari Gyan, A. Ayew

GUINEA Yattara Zayatte, Diallo, Kalabane, Camara Balde, Feindouno, Diallo, Yattara Bangoura, I. Traore

Pre-tournament favourites Ghana are yet to concede defeat or any goals in this tournament, hence they are on top of Group D with six points. The Black Stars were given a great deal of competition in their opening group fixture against debutants Botswana, but managed to outpace the Zebras with a narrow 1-0 win.

They added some spark to their second game against fellow west Africans Mali and that 2-0 result gave them some respite at the top, however, a 1-6 victory for Guinea against the Zebras in their second group match puts the Syli National in a good position to progress to the knock out stage should they win this third west African derby in Group D.

It is a tricky situation for all four teams in this group, but Ghana only need a draw to comfortably hold on to their ticket for the quarter-finals. Guinea are on the same points as the Malians, so if they were to both win, Mali would progress due to their 1-0 win over the side in their first Afcon match.

One of Ghana’s key defenders, Isaac Vorsah, has finished serving his suspension and could start against Guinea. Captain John Mensah, who was given a red card in their opening fixture is also available, but may start from the bench due to injury concerns.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Ghana last met Guinea at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations and the Black Stars won 2-1.
  
• Ghana equalled the African record at the 2012 World Cup in South Africa, progressing to the quarter-final stage of the competition to join Cameroon and Senegal in the record books.
  
• Ghana are four-time African champions and last won the trophy in 1982.

• Guinea have been disqualified from the continental showpiece twice for various offences.

• Between the 2004 and 2008 editions, the Syli National have always finished at the quarter-final stage.
  
• The Syli National’s best record in the competition was to finish as runners-up in 1976.

Prediction

Coming into the tournament with a convincing 2-0 win over Mali, the Ghanaians have made a definite statement that they are ready to justify why they deserve the tag as pre-tournament favourites. A bid to keep a clean sheet in the group could spur them on for victory.

Editor's Prediction

Ghana 1-0 Guinea

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01.02. (Wed) 19:00 Botswana - Mali

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

BOTSWANA Marumo Thuma, Gabonamong, Ohilwe, Ramohibidu Mogorosi, Mongala, Mafoko, Moatlhaping Moloi, Ramatlhakwane

MALI   Diakite Coulibaly, Tamboura, Berthe, Kante A. Traore, Keita, Kone, M. Traore Maiga, Diabate

Botswana were the surprise team of the first round of matches when they gave World Cup quarter-finalists Ghana a run for their money on Tuesday. Even though the Zebras lost 1-0, they proved that they were not pushovers and showed how much the smaller African countries have developed. They could not keep that momentum up in their second match, however, as Guinea thrashed the Zebras 6-1 following the sending off of Patrick Motsepe.

Mali got their 2012 Afcin campaign off to a flying start with a 1-0 victory over neighbours Guinea in Franceville to join Ghana at the top of Group D following the first round of matches, but the Eagles were brought down to earth when the Black Stars beat them 2-0 in the second game, leaving them on three points ahead of their match with the Zebras.

While for Botswana there is little more than pride on the line, due to the fact that they have no points after two games, Mali are in with a good chance of progressing to the quarter-finals, as they will continue in the tournament if they beat their opponents. Guinea face Ghana and are currently on the same points as the Malians, so if they were to both win, Mali would progress due to their 1-0 win over the side in their first Afcon match. If the Eagles were to lose or draw, however, they would need Ghana to do them a favour against Guinea in the other Group D fixture.

Botswana substitute Patrick Motsepe was sent off against Guinea for a dangerous tackle on Pascal Feindouno, so he will be suspended for the encounter. Mali had issues with injuries on the eve of the tournament, losing midfielder Kalilou Traore and defender Mohamed Fofana, but replacements Ousmane Berthe and Souleymane Keita have done well, and the squad is not suffering from any major injury concerns ahead of this match.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Botswana were the first country to qualify for the Afcon finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

• The coach of the Zebras, Stanley Tshosane, is a former army officer who has declared a no sex ban on his players throughout the tournament.

• Botswana is making their Afcon debut after qualifying from a group that contained Tunisia, Togo and Malawi.

• All the players of the Zebras play their football in the local league or across the border in South Africa's PSL.

• Mali are known by their nickname, the Eagles.

• Mali are currently placed 69th on the Fifa Rankings, while their opponents in this match are 94th.
  
• The Eagles have produced some of the best defensive midfielders on the continent in the last decade, which include Seydou Keita, Mahamadou Diarra and Momo Sissoko.

• Mali were involved in one of the most dramatic matches at the last tournament in Angola when they came back from 4-0 down with 15 minutes left to draw with the hosts in the opening match.

Prediction

The Zebras are determined to show that their Afcon qualification was not a fluke, but the Eagles may prove too tough for the debutants.

Editor's Prediction

Botswana 1-3 Mali

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