15.02. (Wed) 20:45 Milan - Arsenal

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AC MILAN AbbiatiAbate, Mexes, Thiago Silva, Mesbah Ambrosini, Van Bommel, Nocerino Boateng Ibrahimovic, Robinho

ARSENAL SzczesnySagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Gibbs Arteta, Song, Ramsey Oxlade-Chamberlain, Van Persie, Walcott

Alessandro Nesta has resumed full training for AC Milan but is not expected to be rushed back for the match, as is the case with Alexandre Pato too. Kevin-Prince Boateng could well be given the nod though after impressing coach Massimiliano Allegri in training. Maxi Lopez could miss out with, with Robinho starting in the usual 4-3-1-2 formation. Clarence Seedorf or Urby Emanuelson have the potential to also slot into the midfield, but Liverpool loanee Alberto Aquilani is still out injured and will play not part at San Siro on Wednesday. Mark van Bommel and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were unavailable through suspension in the team’s last Serie A game but should be in the starting line-up against Arsenal. Ibrahimovic could step in for promising young striker Stephan El Shaarawy, who scored at the weekend in their away win against Udinese. Antonio Cassano is still out of action for the Italian giants after undergoing heart surgery in November 2011.
Arsenal head to Italy without defender Per Mertesacker, who picked up an ankle injury in this weekend’s Premier League win over Sunderland. Kieran Gibbs could see a speedy return from injury as a result, with Thomas Vermaelen shifted back into centre-back where he is most comfortable. Aaron Ramsey started on the bench on Saturday and is likely to be drafted into the side’s 4-3-3 formation in place of Tomas Rosicky.
Abou Diaby is out with a muscle problem, Carl Jenkinson remains absent with a stress fracture in his back and Jack Wilshere is yet to make an appearance for the Gunners this season with a persistent ankle injury. Brazilian Andre Santos is over a month away from returning after surgery on his ankle and Thierry Henry is unlikely to make the starting eleven but could feature in the San Siro showdown in the second half if he is fully fit. Gervinho is unlikely to feature after losing the African Cup of Nations final on Sunday – the Ivory Coast national team were defeated on penalties after a 0-0 draw against Zambia.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Arsenal qualified for the last-16 top of their group but with just two points between them (on 11) and Olympiakos in third (on nine). The Greek side beat the north London club 3-1 in the last set of matches for the group, but Marseille’s extraordinary comeback away to Borussia Dortmund from 2-0 down to 3-2 up sent the French side through instead.

• Milan’s route to the knock-out stages of the Champions League was not as close a call but not as successful either. The Italian side held reigning champions Barcelona to a draw at Camp Nou in their first match of the group stage, but they had to settle for second place behind the Catalan giants.

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic (pictured right) has had 10 attempts on target so far this tournament – Robin van Persie is the highest placed Gunner with one less than him on nine.

• Arsenal were the first club to beat AC Milan at San Siro when Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor scored in this stage of the Champions League four years ago to win 2-0.

• AC Milan are currently perched at the top of Serie A, having overhauled Juventus. However, they have played two more matches than the Turin giants whom they hold a two-point lead over.

• The Gunners, on the other hand, are fourth in the Premier League, but they are the highest-placed club in the top flight that are still in the Champions League (Chelsea, who face Napoli in the last 16, are below them on goal difference in fifth).

• Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino has been fouled 19 times in European competition this season, the third most of all players.

• Both clubs were knocked out at the last-16 stage last campaign – the Italian club at the hands of bitter Arsenal rivals Tottenham, while the Gunners were shown the door by Barcelona

• Robin van Persie has scored seven goals in his last six games and team-mate Thierry Henry has scored three goals in his six appearances under Arsene Wenger since the start of his loan spell in early January.

Prediction

The Gunners have hardly been in fine form but a spirited victory away at the weekend should put the wind in this side’s sails. AC Milan will be no pushovers, however, and their wealth of attacking options will likely prove tough for a defence that is far from famed for its ability to keep clean sheets.
The Italians have been in a bit of a slump of late but an away win against Udinese at the weekend should soften the streak of poor form. Should Robin van Persie or Arsenal legend Thierry Henry find that single spark of magic they need though, a win for Arsene Wenger’s men could be on the cards this Wednesday.

Editor's Prediction

Milan 0-1 Arsenal

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15.02. (Wed) 18:30 Parma - Juventus

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PARMA Mirante Paletta, Lucarelli, Zaccardo Valiani, Morrone, Mariga, Modesto, GobbiFloccari, Giovinco

JUVENTUS Buffon Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini L'steiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Ceglie Matri, Vucinic

Both teams have been afforded some extra rest due to their weekend fixtures being called off following the cold snap in Italy as new coach Roberto Donadoni looks to continue a positive start to his Parma tenure.

The former Italy national team coach has yet to be defeated in charge of the Gialloblu and can count on the return of defender Gabriel Paletta. The major doubt for his team remains in goal, where he will have to choose between Nicola Pavarini or Antonio Mirante.

Meanwhile, Juve coach Antonio Conte will once again be without winger Simone Pepe and should opt for a 3-5-2 formation with full-backs Stephan Lichtsteiner and Paolo De Ceglie pushed up into midfield.

Up front, the Bianconeri will have at their disposal Mirko Vucinic, who has recovered from injury. The former Roma striker should edge out Fabio Quagliarella for a spot in the starting XI alongside striker Alessandro Matri.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Parma have not lost in Serie A since the appointment of new coach Donadoni, picking up two wins and two draws.

• Sebastian Giovinco has scored four goals in his last three league appearances against Juventus.

• The Gialloblu have not conceded more than a single goal in any of their last four matches.

• Juventus can jump back to the top of the Serie A table with a win at the Tardini, as they currently trail Milan by two points but have two matches in hand.

• Conte's side remain the lone unbeaten team in Serie A and have the best defensive record, conceding only 13 goals in 21 matches.

• Andrea Barzagli and Stephan Lichtsteiner have started every league game this campaign for the Bianconeri.

Prediction

Although Parma have been rejuvenated under Donadoni, they have yet to face a team of the calibre of the Old Lady and despite wanting revenge for the 4-1 drubbing at the beginning of the season, they may fall just short once again.

Editor's Prediction

Parma 1-2 Juventus

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15.02. (Wed) 18:00 Zenit - Benfica

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ZENIT Zhevnov Anyukov, Alves, Hubocan, Lombaerts Zyryanov, Denisov, Shirokov Faizulin, Kerzhakov, Lazovic

BENFICA Artur Amorim, Luisao, Garay, Emerson Matic, Witsel Gaitan, Aimar, Nolito Cardozo

Portuguese playmaker Danny will be missing for the hosts after it was confirmed that he would be unavailable for the rest of the season after tearing knee ligaments. Elsewhere, Vyacheslav Malafeev has been ruled out with a calf problem and Domenico Criscito was hospitalised over the weekend with food poisoning.

Aleksandr Anyukov, Danko Lazovic, Roman Shirokov and Aleksanr Bukharov have all nursed minor injuries in recent weeks, but should be fit to start, while Aleksandr Kerzhakov, who hasn't featured in a competitive match since October, is back in contention, having been prominent in the club's winter friendlies.

For Benfica, Emerson and Luisao started the weekend clash against Maritimo, after both shaking off thigh injuries. However, Javi Garcia will miss the match after sustaining a knock last week, with Nemanja Matic set to step into the Spaniard's stead.

Elsewhere, Yannick Djalo, Joan Capdevila and Andre Almeida have all been added to Jorge Jesus' squad for the competition.

DID YOU KNOW?

• These two sides have never met before in European competition.

• However, Zenit have already hosted Portuguese opposition this season, beating Porto 3-1 in September.

• Additionally, the Russian side have never lost at home to a side from Portugal - having won two and drawn one of the three fixtures.

• Zenit defender Bruno Alves (right) is an international colleague of Benfica's Eduardo.

• Benfica goalkeeper Artur played under current Zenit coach Luciano Spalletti for Roma in 2008-09.

• The Portuguese side last won in Russia in 1996 - a 3-2 Cup Winners' Cup victory over Lokomotiv Moscow.

Prediction

Despite Zenit's formidable record against Portuguese teams, and Benfica's woes in Russia, I'd expect these two sides to play out a draw. Zenit have not played a competitive match for quite some time, and additionally, have a number of key players unavailable. Jorge Jesus' men, meanwhile, are still unbeaten in their domestic league and qualified in impressive fashion for this stage.

Editor's Prediction

Zenit 1-1 Benfica

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