14.02. (Tue) 20:45 Bayer Leverkusen - Barcelona

Bongarts

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BAYER LEVERKUSEN Leno Corluka, Schwaab, Friedrich, Kadlec Castro, Reinartz, Rolfes BenderKiessling, Schurrle

BARCELONA Valdes Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal Xavi, Mascherano, IniestaFabregas, Messi, Sanchez

Michael Ballack suffered a calf injury during training on Sunday and will miss Bayer Leverkusen's round of 16 first leg clash with Barcelona on Tuesday. The news comes as a blow to Bayer coach Robin Dutt, who is already without his two top scorers, Eren Derdiyok (foot) and Sidney Sam (thigh).

Defender Danny da Costa should be fit after suffering a knock to his shin during training.

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, who has been missing from action with a bruised knee since 4 February, is included in the squad travelling to Germany, and may feature at the BayArena.

Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas could all start for the Catalan outfit after the trio were left on the bench for Saturday's defeat at Osasuna.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Bayer Leverkusen and Barcelona have met each other six times in European competition, with the Catalan club notching three wins to Bayer's two.

• Leverkusen, who are sixth in the Bundesliga table, are bidding to reach the last eight of the Champions League for the first time since 2002, when they went on to lose to Real Madrid in the final.

• The German club's overall home record against Spanish opposition is W5 D3 L4.

• Barcelona have avoided defeat in their last seven trips to Germany (W4 D3).

• However, Leverkusen were the last German side to beat the reigning European champions on German soil - a 2-1 win in the 2001-02 Champions League first group stage.

• With six goals to his name, Lionel Messi (pictured) was joint-top scorer of the Champions League group stages along with Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez.

Prediction

Leverkusen would probably have wanted Barcelona to win at the weekend, as a defeat means they have to contend with the prospect of a backlash from the visitors. The Catalans have some key personnel returning to action and should have too much for their hosts on what looks set to be another freezing night of football in Germany.

Editor's Prediction

Leverkusen 0-2 Barcelona

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14.02. (Tue) 20:45 Olympique Lyonnais - APOEL

Panoramic

PROBABLE LINEUPS

LYON Lloris Reveilliere, Kone, Umtiti, Cissokho Briand, Gonalons, Kallstrom, Bastos Lisandro Lopez, Gomis

APOEL Chiotis Poursaiditidis, Jorge, Jahic, Oliveira  Morais, Pinto  Charalambidis, Marcinho, Manduca  Ailton

Lyon coach Remi Garde has no pressing injury concerns ahead of their Champions League Round of 16 first leg clash against APOEL Nicosia.
Despite a shock 2-1 defeat to Caen in Ligue 1 on Saturday, Kim Kallstrom is expected to regain his place in midfield after the Sweden international was left out at the weekend due to suspension. Dejan Lovren's achilles problems continue to hinder his anticipated return to the first team, with youngster Samuel Umtiti ready to deputise.
It's been little over two months since les Gones performed the greatest of escapes by thrashing Dinamo Zagreb 7-1 to sneak into the last 16 at the expense of Ajax in Group D.
Bafetimbi Gomis, who scored the competition's fastest-ever hat-trick on matchday six, will lead the attack, alongside Lisandro Lopez.
For APOEL, the incredible journey continues. The Cypriot side, minnows in the group stage, spectacularly topped Group G ahead of three of their last four Europa League winners in Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St Petersburg and Porto.
Ivan Jovanovic's men are at full-strength in what is arguably the biggest match in their history. Brazilian Ailton, who has three goals in this season's tournament, will lead the line from the front.
Former Chelsea midfielder Nuno Morais will anchor the side in midfield, with Gustavo Manduca set to continue his record of starting every Champions League game for Tuesday's visitors.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Olympique Lyonnais hit back from a goal down to beat Dinamo Zagreb 7-1 to move into the last 16 for the ninth straight season.

• Remi Garde's men will be seeking to qualify for the quarter-final for only the second time in six years, and the first since 2009-10.

• At this stage of the competition, Lyon have only fallen once at the Stade Gerland, beaten 2-0 by AS Roma in 2006-07. 

• Les Gones have bowed out of the tournament at this stage in four out of the last five seasons.

• This will be the first ever meeting between Lyon and APOEL.

• APOEL, the first Cypriot side to reach the last 16 of the Champions League, topping Group G with nine points ahead of Zenit St Petersburg.

• Ivan Jovanovic's men have drawn all three of their away games in the group stage. 

• The Nicosia-based club have also only conceded just three goals in six away games in the Champions League this season (including qualifiers), keeping three clean sheets in the process.

Prediction

Experience counts at this level, and Lyon, who have qualified for this stage for the ninth straight season, will be tipped as the overwhelming favourites. The Cypriots, for all of their attacking football are yet to win away in the competition proper this season.
With a tantalising second leg in prospect in Cyprus on March 7, the onus will be on APOEL to restrict Lyon in the first leg, before doing damage at GSP in three weeks. However, with Gomis in form for the hosts, expect a comfortable victory.

Editor's Prediction

Lyon 2-0 APOEL

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Italian Serie A Opta Facts - 15th February

Atalanta v Genoa

Atalanta have won 15 of their 55 Serie A meetings against Genoa, 11 of which were in Bergamo.
The Grifoni have already won seven games at Atalanta's ground, a record for them in Serie A with the exception of the Genoa derby.
Genoa are unbeaten in their last five league meetings against Atalanta (two wins and three draws).
Atalanta have won just one of their last six league games, losing four times.
Atalanta have failed to score in their last three home games: two 0-2 defeats and one goalless draw.
Genoa have not shared the points in their last 15 Serie A games (seven wins and eight losses).
The Grifoni have conceded two or more goals in each of their last seven league games.
Genoa have lost each of their last four trips, conceding on average 4.5 goals per game.
In the reverse fixture, Maxi Moralez scored a brace on his Serie A debut.

Parma v Juventus

This will be the 40th meeting between these two sides in Serie A: Parma are on target for their 10th win, the Old Lady have won 17 so far.
Parma have drawn 13 games against Juve, more than against any other Serie A opponent so far.
Parma have won three of their last four meetings with Juve, but just one of the last seven at the Tardini.
Parma are unbeaten in their last four league games (two wins and two draws) and have lost just one of the last nine.
At home the Ducali are unbeaten in their last six games (three wins and as many draws).
Juventus have not lost any of their last 25 games in all competition: their last defeat came right at Parma last May.
Sebastian Giovinco has already scored four goals in his last three meetings against his former team, Juventus: against no other opponent has he bagged more goals in Serie A.
Parma are the team against which Andrea Pirlo has scored the most goals (six), including one of his two braces so far.
In the reverse fixture the Old Lady won 4-1, and Pirlo assisted two goals.

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