03.03. (Sat) 22:00 Sevilla - Atletico Madrid

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SEVILLA Palop Coke, Spahic, Fazio, Navarro Navas, Medel, Rakitic, Reyes Kanoute, Manu

ATLETICO MADRID Courtois Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Filipe Tiago, Gabi Arda, Adrian, Koke Falcao

For the hosts, Frederic Kanoute will appear in attack, with Jesus Navas and Gary Medel taking charge in the middle.

The defence, one that which looks revived under Michel, has Federico Fazio in training with no issues on Thursday after missing last weekend's match with Valencia. Diego Perotti is still out after suffering injury last month.

For the visitors, Radamel Falcao returns from international duty a bit delayed after his long flight from Miami did not take off on time, along with team-mate Luis Perea.

The rest of the team appears to be fit, aside from Diego, who will miss a month after suffering a right leg injury a little over a week ago.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Sevilla currently sit in 10th place in the league with 32 points but sit just two behind their opponents for Saturday, who are in fifth place.

• The hosts are coming off a 2-1 victory over Valencia last weekend, their third win over Los Che this season.

• Michel Gonzalez's men have a chance to win their third consecutive league game, something they have failed to do all season.

• Atletico Madrid have not won a La Liga match since the end of January, having drawn three games before last week's 2-1 defeat to Barcelona.

• Falcao, who found the net in the 2-0 win for Colombia in an international friendly over Mexico on Wednesday, has 15 league goals this season.

• In their first meeting in October, the teams played out a 0-0 draw.

Prediction

Coming off a huge win at Valencia, the powerful hosts should be able to find enough chances in attack with two strikers to slip past Diego Simeone's capital club.

Editor's Prediction

Sevilla 2-1 Atl. Madrid

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03.03. (Sat) 20:45 Juventus - Chievo Verona

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JUVENTUS Buffon Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie Giaccherini, Pirlo, Marchisio Quagliarella, Matri, Vucinic

CHIEVO Sorrentino Sardo, Andreolli, Acerbi, Drame Bradley, Rigoni, Hetemaj Thereau, Cruzado Palsochi

Coming off earning a crucial point against title rivals AC Milan courtesy of Alessandro Matri's late strike at San Siro, Antonio Conte's side will hope to put even more pressure on the leaders this Sunday as they still have a game in hand despite being one point behind.

However, with midfielder Arturo Vidal suspended after picking up a late red card versus Milan and Pepe also banned, Juve are likely to drop their 3-5-2 experiment and utilise a 4-3-3 with the previously mentioned goalscorer Matri back in the starting XI at the expense of Marco Borriello.

Former Cesena star Emaneule Giaccherini will return to the midfield alongside Italy internationals Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio while Martin Caceres and Stephan Lichtsteiner will battle it out for a spot at right-back.

After a couple wins on the trot, Chievo sit in midtable and are nine points above the relegation zone, but veteran striker Sergio Pellissier is suspended so Italy Under-21 international Alberto Paloschi will likely have to toil on his own in attack.

Furthermore, coach Domenico Di Carlo will also be without Nikola Gulan. A serious muscle injury to the young Serbian midfielder is expected to keep the player on loan from Fiorentina out for the next few weeks.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Juventus are the only remaining team with an unbeaten record in Italy's top flight during the 2011-12 campaign (W13 D11 L0).

• The Bianconeri drew Chievo 0-0 earlier this season in Serie A at the Stadio Bentegodi.

• Mirko Vucinic has not scored for Juventus since a 1-1 draw with Cagliari on January 15.

• Chievo have scored just 21 goals this season in Serie A, and only Cesena have scored fewer.

• The Flying Donkeys have won three of their last five Serie A matches.

• Chievo have not lost to Juventus in their past four meetings, last winning 1-0 in January 2010 after a goal from Gennaro Sardo and drawing the following three encounters.

Prediction

While the Turin giants have often struggled against the smaller teams this season and been held to draws, Chievo's lack of firepower, especially without the suspended Pellissier, is a cause for concern for the visitors and Juventus should be able to take all three points on home soil even if the Flying Donkeys may prove difficult to break down.

Editor's Prediction

Juventus 1-0 Chievo

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03.03. (Sat) 20:00 Barcelona - Real Sporting

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BARCELONA Valdes Alves, Puyol, Mascherano, Adriano Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta Sanchez, Cesc, Pedro

SPORTING PabloLora, Botia, Gregory, Canella Cases, Rivera Carmelo, Castro, Cuevas Barral

The main concern for Barcelona is the absence of Lionel Messi due to suspension after the Argentine picked up his fifth yellow card this season and will miss the match at Camp Nou.

Pep Guardiola also has some injury problems going into the match. Eric Abidal and Thiago both returned from international duty having picked up problems; the Frenchman is out for 10 days due to a hip concern and the young Spaniard suffered an knock to his right tibia. David Villa and Ibrahim Afellay are long-term absentees and will also miss the match.

Javier Clemente will be missing Adrian Colunga for the match as the striker has been suffering from thigh and groin pains, and will be out for three weeks.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Barcelona and Sporting have met each other 40 times in Barcelona in La Liga. Barca have won 35 times, Sporting only once.
  

• Lionel Messi is suspended for the match. The last time the Catalans lost a match without Messi making an appearance was in a 1-0 defeat against Osasuna at Camp Nou in May 2009.

• Barcelona have scored 131 goals in 44 official matches this season. The Catalans have 16 matches remaining this season to break the club record for most goals, which is 158 in 62 matches in 2008-09.

• Barcelona have scored 131 goals in 44 official matches this season. The Catalans have a minimum of 16 matches remaining this season to break
  the club record for most goals which is 158 in 62 matches in 2008/09.
  Javier Clemente's side, along with Real Zaragoza, have conceded the most goals in La Liga this season (45).

• Sporting’s last win against the Catalans was on September 4, 1994 in a 2-1 victory at home.

• Sporting Gijon suffered their biggest ever La Liga defeat against Barcelona, on 10 February 1952 (9-0 at Camp Nou).

Prediction

The absence of Lionel Messi will certainly have a detrimental affect on Barcelona. However, they have been outstanding at Camp Nou this season and should have the quality to dispatch of a struggling Sporting side, even without the prolific Argentine.

Editor's Prediction

Barcelona 3-0 Sporting G

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03.03. (Sat) 19:00 Olympique Marseille - Toulouse

Panoramic

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MARSEILLE Mandanda Azpilicueta, Diawara, Nkoulou, Morel Kabore, Diarra, Cheyrou Amalfitano, Brandao, J. Ayew

TOULOUSE  Ahamada Ninkov, Congre, Abdennour, M'Bengue Capoue Regattin, Sirieix, Didot, Machado Riviere

Marseille's Didier Deschamps remains without star striker Loic Remy, with the France international picking up a hamstring injury and is not expected to return for another 10 days.

Mathieu Valbuena may also miss the visit of Toulouse to the Stade Velodrome after picking up a strain in France's 2-1 win over Germany in Bremen on Wednesday evening, and the playmaker faces a late fitness test.


Andre Ayew has a shoulder injury and could be rested with Deschamps keeping an eye on the club's  Champions League return leg against Inter. Stephane Mbia remains sidelined, but Andre-Pierre Gignac is in line for a first-team return, having come off the bench in last weekend's defeat, his first appearance since December.

Toulouse have no pressing injury worries ahead of their trip to Provence. Adrien Regattin's run in the first-team of late looks set to continue, with Pantxi Sireix also likely to be given the nod ahead of Moussa Sissoko. Emmanuel Riviere, who has three goals in his last five league games, is set to lead the line ahead of Umut Bulut and Daniel Braaten.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Marseille were defeated for the first time since mid-November when they succumbed to a 1-0 reverse to Brest.

• L'OM have hit the post four times in their last two games.

• Saturday's hosts have only beaten Toulouse once in the league since 2006.

• Toulouse are seventh in Ligue 1, above Marseille after their second straight victory last week.

• Le Tefece have only won once away at Stade Velodrome in their last 21 trips, and not since 2007.

• Seven of the last eight games involving these sides have been drawn.

Prediction

The hosts face a potentially tricky encounter against the side from the Pink City on Saturday, but three points is vital after failing to win their last three league games.
With seven points separating Marseille and Lille in third, the most likely outcome is a narrow victory as L'OM seek to close the gap.

Editor's Prediction

Marseille 1-0 Toulouse FC

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03.03. (Sat) 18:30 Borussia D. - Mainz 05

Bongarts

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BORUSSIA DORTMUND Weidenfeller Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer Gundogan, Bender Kuba, Kagawa, Grosskreutz Lewandowski

MAINZ Wetklo Caligiuri, Bungert, Noveski, Zabavnik Baumgartlinger, Polanski, Soto Ivanschitz Szalai, Zidan

Jurgen Klopp will be glad to welcome back Sven Bender, who has recovered from a serious head injury he picked up in the 3-1 win against Hannover in the last round after he was kicked by Mame Biram Diouf.

Captain Sebastian Kehl, however, is banned for the game after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season, while Mario Gotze is not expected to return to first-team action for at least two weeks. Julian Koch is also unavailable as he is still recovering from his long-term injury.

For Mainz defender Jan Kirchhoff is automatically banned for Saturday's clash after accumulating five yellow cards. Thomas Tuchel will also be unable to rely on Stefan Bell, Zdenek Pospech, Marcel Risse and Bo Svensson, who are recovering from injuries.

DID YOU KNOW

• Borussia Dortmund have not won at home against Mainz for almost seven years.

• Goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller is set to make his 250th appearance in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

• Mats Hummels' last legue goal was scored against Mainz nearly a year ago.

• Mainz are on a five-game unbeaten streak, and picked up their biggest win of the season in last round as they trashed Kaiserslautern 4-0.

• The man at the heart of the Oh-Fives' resurgence of late is Mohamed Zidan, who transferred to Thomas Tuchel's team from no other than Dortmund in January. In six games for Mainz, the striker has bagged 4 goals and one assist.

• Six of the last 12 games between the Oh-Fives and BVB have ended in a draw.

Prediction

BVB's run cannot last forever, they have won seven games on the trot and are unbeaten since the middle of September. Mainz' season is finally looking up for good, and with Zidan fired up to punish his former team, the Oh-Fives can get a point.

Editor's Prediction

Dortmund 1-1 Mainz

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03.03. (Sat) 18:00 Palermo - Milan

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PALERMO Viviano Munoz, Migliaccio, Mantovani Pisano, Barreto, Donati, Della Rocca, Bertolo Budan, Miccoli

AC MILAN Abbiati Abate, Bonera, Thiago Silva, Antonini Nocerino, Van Bommel, Muntari Emanuelson Ibrahimovic, Robinho

Palermo will want to put any memories of the 4-1 defeat by Siena behind them as they host the champions at the Renzo Barbera on Saturday, but must contend with a few noticeable absences.

Coach Bertolo Mutti has a bit of a defensive crisis on his hands with left-back Federico Balzaretti suspended due to his early red card in last Sunday's heavy loss and injury to Matias Silvestre, so he may switch to a 3-5-2 and push Eros Pisano forward into midfield and drop Giulio Migliaccio into the middle of the defence.

Playmaker Josip Ilicic has struggled for form in recent weeks, so Igor Budan should retain his place in attack alongside club hero Fabrizio Miccoli. Uruguayan striker Abel Hernandez may be fit enough for a place on the bench.

Meanwhile, Milan receive a welcome boost as Zlatan Ibrahimovic has served his three-match ban for slapping Napoli's Salvatore Aronica and will immediately be back in the starting XI as Alexandre Pato's injury nightmare continues with the Brazilian suffering yet another muscle strain.

Allegri will have little choice but to field Daniele Bonera at centre-back with Alessandro Nesta yet to fully heal from a knee problem and Philippe Mexes banned for three matches after video evidence caught him giving a punch to Juventus' Marco Borriello during their 1-1 draw.

Kevin-Prince Boateng, Alberto Aquiliani and Clarence Seedorf are all still nursing their respective knocks so Urby Emanuelson will play in behind the two strikers Ibrahimovic and Robinho.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Palermo have picked up 30 of their 34 points on home soil this season with a record of 10 wins and two losses at the Renzo Barbera.

• Miccoli has seven goals in eight Serie A matches since the start of 2012.

• The Rosanero are the team that has scored the most at home the season, hitting the back of the net 31 times and scoring an average of 2.58 goals per game on their Sicilian ground.

• AC Milan were on a three-match winning streak before being halted by Scudetto rivals Juventus in a 1-1 draw last Saturday.

• The Rossoneri have scored 24 times on the road this season, more than any other team in Serie A.
• Pato has only scored once this campaign in 11 league appearances.

Prediction

Palermo's attacking style often makes for entertaining matches and one can expect an open game in Sicily, but with Ibrahimovic's return and Robinho in good form, Milan should be able to get a draw or better despite the Renzo Barbera acting as a fortress for the Rosanero this season.

Editor's Prediction

Palermo 2-3 Milan

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03.03. (Sat) 16:00 West Bromwich Albion - Chelsea FC

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WEST BROM FosterReid, Olsson, McAuley, Ridgewell Morrison, Andrews, Mulumbu, Thomas Odemwingie, Fortune

CHELSEA CechIvanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Cole Lampard, Ramires, Meireles Sturridge, Torres, Mata

Roy Hodgson’s West Brom welcome Chelsea to the Hawthorns on Saturday looking to move into the top half of the Premier League, but the former Liverpool manager is sweating on the fitness of a few key players.
Jerome Thomas (hamstring), Paul Scharner (rib) and Chris Brunt (ankle) are all doubtful for the match and will undergo late fitness tests, but it remains unlikely that they will start.
Chelsea have a number of concerns of their own too. Daniel Sturridge (toe) is doubtful while Didier Drogba (knee) looks set to miss out, meaning that Fernando Torres should start, possibly alongside the England attacker, who is expected to have recovered in time.
Elsewhere, Jose Bosingwa (hamstring) and John Terry (knee) are both definitely out, with the Blues captain set to miss out for the rest of March.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Chelsea have won 18 of their last 20 games with West Brom, drawing the other two.

• West Brom have scored the third least amount of goals at home in the Premier League this season.

• Frank Lampard (pictured right) needs just one goal to reach the 150 mark in the Premier League. 

• Chelsea have drawn six of their last 11 league games, winning three and drawing twice.

• Roy Hodgson’s side have only won three times at home this term.

• The Baggies have scored nine goals in their last two league games.

• Andre Villas-Boas’ team have lost three matches away from home in the league this season, with only Manchester United losing less, only tasting defeat at Newcastle.

• West Brom have scored 30.3 per cent (10) of their league goals in the final 15 minutes of matches.

• Chelsea are looking for their 12th consecutive Premier League win against the Midlands club.

Prediction

The statistics for this meeting strongly point to an away win with the Blues having a decent enough record on the road this season, while the Baggies have only managed to win three times and score 13 goals at home.
The reports of unrest in the Chelsea camp have hardly helped their form of late, but they should have too much for Roy Hodgson’s men on Saturday.

Editor's Prediction

West Brom 1-2 Chelsea

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03.03. (Sat) 16:00 Manchester City FC - Bolton

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Manchester City HartRichards, Lescott, Kompany, Kolarov Nasri, Toure, Barry, Silva Aguero Balotelli

Bolton Wanderers BogdanSteinsson, Wheater, Ream, Ricketts Eagles, Muamba, Reo-Coker, MiyaichiPratley Ngog

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has no injury worries ahead of Bolton’s visit to the Etihad Stadium. Yaya Toure pulled out of the Ivory Coast team in midweek with a slight knock and should be fine to take his place in the team alongside Gareth Barry. Mario Balotelli did not feature for Italy in their friendly clash with the USA and is likely to be preferred in the starting line up alongside Sergio Aguero.
Samir Nasri is likely to get a recall to the team in place of Adam Johnson, who was involved for England against the Netherlands.
The game possibly comes too soon for Kevin Davies and Mark Davies to return to the starting line-up, though they may be ready for a place on the substitutes' bench.
New signing Tim Ream will keep his place alongside David Wheater in the heart of defence while on-loan winger Ryo Miyaichi has done enough to remain in the team.

DID YOU KNOW?

• With 67 goals scored this season, Manchester City have the best attack in the Premier League. Sergio Aguero (pictured right) is 6/1 to score three or more goals against Bolton.

• In addition to this they have the best defensive record having conceded just 19 goals.

• City have won every home match in the Premier League in the last calendar year.

• Roberto Mancini’s men have won their last three games in the league.

• Having conceded 54 goals in the Premier League this season Bolton Wanderers have the second-worst goalscoring record.

• With four victories, Bolton have won twice as many games away from the Reebok Stadium this season as they have at home.

• Wanderers have lost their last three Premier League games.

Prediction

It is difficult to see anything other than a home banker this weekend. Manchester City haven’t lost at home for over a year and are in good form whereas their relegation-threatened opponents are not. Expect City to win by three or four goals.

Editor's Prediction

Manchester City 4-0 Bolton

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03.03. (Sat) 15:30 Freiburg - Schalke 04

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FREIBURG Baumann Sorg, Diagne, Hohn, Lumb Rosenthal, Makiadi, Flum, Schmid Santini, Jendrisek

SCHALKE Hildebrand Howedes, Papadopoulos, Matip, Fuchs Hoger, Jones Fafan, Raul, Draxler Huntelaar

To add to the problems surrounding their Bundesliga status, Freiburg will be without several players for Schalke's visit. Oliver Barth will be unavailable with a knee injury, while Pavel Krmas and Simon Brandstetter are nursing hamstring and groin problems respectively.

Mensure Mujdza is in advanced training, but is not sufficiently fit to line up against the title challengers.

The major headache for Huub Stevens is whether Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is available to start after sustaining an injury in midweek. The Dutchman collided with Chris Smalling during his country's friendly win over England and left the pitch soon afterwards. However, should there be any chance that he is fit, he will surely start.

Elsewhere, Christoph Metzelder is out with a hamstring problem, while Christoph Moritz has a back injury. Timo Hildebrand will continue in goal, thanks to the long-term absence of both Lars Unnerstall and Ralf Fahrmann.

DID YOU KNOW

• Freiburg have won just one of their last 11 Bundesliga games, but have drawn five times in that span.

• Erik Jendrisek endured an unhappy half-season spell at Schalke before moving on to Freiburg in January 2011.

• Germany coach Joachim Low remains Freiburg's all time top scorer, having scored 81 goals in 252 games across three spells at the club.

• Klaas-Jan Huntelaar became Schalke's highest ever scorer in European competition during his side's Europa League victory over Viktoria Plzen.

• Huub Stevens' men have scored more goals from corners than any other team in the Bundesliga this season.

• The Ruhr club are unbeaten against Freiburg since 2003 - when they lost 2-1 at the Mage Solar Stadion.

Prediction

It's fair to assume that last weekend's defeat to Bayern Munich was nothing more than a blip in what has otherwise been an extraordinary season for the Schalke. Freiburg seem to be a sinking ship at the moment, and I'd expect the visitors to come away with a convincing victory at Mage Solar Stadion, and further strengthen their grip on a Champions League place.

Editor's Prediction

SC Freiburg 0-3 Schalke

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