21.03. (Wed) 22:00 Villarreal - Real

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

VILLARREAL Diego LopezMario, Gonzalo, Musacchio, Oriol Borja, Senna, Bruno, Cani Nilmar, Ruben

REAL MADRID Casillas Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho, Marcelo Khedira, AlonsoOzil, Kaka, Ronaldo Benzema

Jose Mourinho will be missing winger Angel Di Maria for the match at El Madrigal as the Argentine has not featured for Los Blancos since February 18th due to a thigh problem. However, he has returned to training this week and could be available to compete in the coming weeks.

Fabio Coentrao recently returned to training after a hamstring injury but was not deemed fit enough for the La Liga match against Malaga. However the Portuguese may make the squad against Villarreal.

Villarreal have made a managerial change in the last few days as Migual Angel Lotina replaced Jose Molina in the hotseat at El Madrigal.

Giuseppe Rossi is still missing for Villarreal and has not featured since suffering a cruciate ligament injury in October. Carlos Marchena will miss the match through suspension after picking up a red card in the weekend loss to Levante.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Miguel Angel Lotina will make his managerial debut for Villarreal in this match after taking over from Jose Molina this week.

• Villarreal are currently perilously placed 17th in La Liga, just three points above the relegation zone.
  
• The Yellow Submarine have not been in the Segunda Division since the year 2000. They achieved promotion after finishing second and have been a member of the Spanish Primera Division since.

• The last match between Villarreal and Real Madrid ended in a comfortable 3-0 victory for Jose Mourinho's men, with Karim Benzema, Kaka, and Angel Di Maria on the scoresheet.

• Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more league goals this season than the entire Villarreal squad. The Portuguese has notched up 32 goals, compared to Villarreal's 27.

• Real Madrid's lead at the top of the table was cut to eight points at the weekend as they could only manage a 1-1 draw against Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Prediction

The Villarreal players will be looking to impress their new boss Miguel Angel Lotina, and what better way that to produce a good display against Real Madrid. However, the frailties of the home side are well documented and it is unlikely they will be able to hold off the wave of Madrid attacks that will likely happen in the game. Expect a relatively comfortable win for Jose Mourinho's men.

Editor's Prediction

Villarreal 1-3 Real Madrid

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21.03. (Wed) 21:00 Everton - Arsenal

PROBABLE LINEUPS

Everton HowardHibbert, Distin, Jagielka, Baines Coleman, Fellaini, Neville, Pienaar Cahill Stracqualursi

Arsenal SzczesnySagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs Song, Arteta Walcott, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain Van Persie

Everton have busy fixture schedule with Swansea on Saturday and then an FA Cup replay against Sunderland next week, which may be in David Moyes' mind. Therefore, after naming a strong line-up in the initial quarter-final tie against Martin O'Neill's side, a few changes may be made.

Nikica Jelavic could be rested after playing the whole game on Saturday, with Denis Stracqualursi or Victor Anichebe possible replacements.

Steven Pienaar should start, with the South-African cup-tied for both games against Sunderland, while Phil Jagielka and Tony Hibbert are in-line to feature at the back or in midfield.

Arsene Wenger is likely to named an unchanged side from the one that beat Newcastle at the Emirates last Monday, with no fresh injury worries and the team on a good run of form.

The Arsenal boss does have Aaron Ramsey and Gervinho available if he choses to mix things up, while Andre Santos could make the squad after playing an hour for the reserves. Long-term absentees including Jack Wilshere and Per Mertesacker remain out.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Everton have lost seven and won none of their last nine meetings with Arsenal.

• Tim Cahill (pictured) has managed to score three in his last four appearances against the north London team.

• Moyes' side did not muster a single shot on target when the clubs met at the Emirates in December.

• The Toffees have conceded 31 goals this season, a record only bettered by Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.

• The visitors have become the first team in the Premier League era to win from behind in four successive matches, after doing it in their last four games.

• Wenger's men are also the team to have recovered the most points from losing positions in the league (19).

• The Gunners have netted 13 goals in their last four trips to Goodison Park, and 80 against the home side in Premier League history - more than against any other club.

• Wednesday's clash will be officiated by Lee Mason who awarded Everton a controversial offside goal when the teams met at the Emirates last season.

Prediction

You wouldn't bet against Arsenal at the moment, they're in good form and most things seem to be going their way. Robin van Persie is a man on top of his game and seems to be scoring whenever he wants just now, not to mention the Gunners' record against Everton in ominous for the home fans.
Expect Moyes' side to put up a good fight and battle hard in midfield but I think the north London side will provide the cutting edge in the final third to maintain their impressive run and continue their pursuit of Tottenham, who are currently just a point ahead.

Editor's Prediction

Everton 1-2 Arsenal

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21.03. (Wed) 21:00 QPR - Liverpool

PROBABLE LINEUPS

QPR KennyOnouha, Ferdinand, Hill, Traore Barton, Diakite, Traore Wright-Phillips, Zamora, Cisse

LIVERPOOL ReinaKelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique Kuyt, Adam, Spearing, Downing Gerrard Suarez

QPR boss Mark Hughes could recall the fit again Adel Taarabt as he looks to add more creativity to a side desperate to bounce back from their narrow 2-1 loss against Bolton. The mercurial Moroccan could take the place of Shaun Derry.

Taye Taiwo could be pushing for a start at left-back against Armand Traore, although the former Arsenal man may just about hold onto the position. Long-term injury absentees Alejandro Faurlin and Heidar Helguson again miss out.

As for the Reds, Kenny Dalglish is unlikely to tinker too much from the side which defeated Stoke to reach the FA Cup semi-finals at the weekend. Daniel Agger (cracked rib) and Glen Johnson (hamstring) are close to a return but are likely to be saved for the game against Wigan at the weekend.

Charlie Adam could be handed a recall in place of former Atletico Madrid man Maxi Rodriquez, while Dirk Kuyt may well get the nod over Andy Carroll. This would then hand Steven Gerrard the chance to play just in behind Luis Suarez.

DID YOU KNOW?

• QPR have managed to win just one of their last 16 Premier League matches - a 3-1 victory against Wigan back in January.

• The home side have struggled to keep clean sheets since getting promoted back to the top-flight, with their last shutout in the Premier League coming 20 games ago when they beat a nine-man Chelsea side 1-0.

• Djibril Cisse (pictured right) has already scored more league goals for QPR (2 in 3 matches) than he managed in Serie A for Lazio (1 in 18).

• The Hoops have only managed to win one game in nine league against Liverpool since the start of the Premier League -  a 2-1 win on 31 October 1994.

• The reverse fixture this season finished in a narrow 1-0 Liverpool win at Anfield with Luis Suarez scoring the goal.Liverpool’s top goalscorers in the league are Luis Suarez and Craig Bellamy, who both have six goals apiece.

• The Reds have the second best defensive record in the Premier League (26 goals conceded) behind Manchester City (20).

• Kenny Dalglish’s side have won just one of their last six away games in the league.

Prediction

QPR head into match having not played at the weekend, while Liverpool were pushed all the way in their FA Cup win over Stoke City. The home side know they need to start picking up points and fast if they are to retain their top-flight status. With plenty of attacking talent on display goals could well be aplenty in an open and entertaining encounter.

Editor's Prediction

QPR 2-2 Liverpool

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21.03. (Wed) 20:50 Paris Saint Germain - Olympique Lyonnais

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN Sirigu Jallet, Alex, Sakho, Tiene Matuidi, Sissoko Menez, Pastore, Nene Gameiro

OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS Lloris Reveillere, Lovren, Kone, Cissokho Kallstrom, Grenier, Gonalons, Bastos Lacazette, Lisandro

Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti has Mohamed Sissoko and Nene both back from suspensions, after the pair missed Saturday's 2-2 draw at Caen. The Ligue 1 leaders are still without Maxwell, with Siaka Tiene expected to deputise again on the left-side of defence.
Clement Chantome and Thiago Motta participated separately in training, with the pair expected to be rested for the Coupe de France tie.
Lyon's Remi Garde has been dealt a blow with the news that captain Cris is sidelined with a thigh injury, and will miss the next few weeks of action, with the fit-again Dejan Lovren back to replace the Brazilian. Clement Grenier and Alexandre Lacazette's recent extended run in the first-team could see them feature once again at Parc des Princes.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Paris Saint-Germain have won the Coupe de France on eight occasions, most recently in 2010.

• Les Parisiens lost last year's final to Lille, going down to Ludovic Obraniak's late winner at the Stade de France.

• This is one of two competitions that are still winnable for Carlo Ancelotti's men along with Ligue 1. They sit top of the division, two points ahead of Montpellier.

• Lyon are four-time winners of the Coupe de France, having last won in 2008, against PSG.

• Les Gones are in the Coupe de la Ligue Final, and will face Marseille on April 14 at Stade de France.

• The two sides played out an enthralling league match 24 days ago, with Lyon letting slip a 4-2 lead to draw 4-4.

Prediction

The hosts are in decent form of late, and have displayed their grit and character with a string of late fightbacks in recent weeks, and as such it would be hard to see them exit the Coupe de France on Wednesday. Expect les Gones to put up a fight, though Ancelotti's men should see the game through.

Editor's Prediction

PSG 2-1 Lyon

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21.03. (Wed) 20:45 Manchester City - Chelsea

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY HartRichards, Kolo Toure, Lescott, Clichy Yaya Toure, BarrySilva, Aguero, Nasri Balotelli

CHELSEA CechIvanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole Lampard, Essien Sturridge, Mata, RamiresDrogba

Carlos Tevez could complete his surprise Premier League return on Wednesday from the substitutes' bench. The Argentine is unlikely to start though, given that he has only played in two games for the reserve team thus far.

Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta are unlikely to return in time for this fixture but the City defence could be boosted if Joleon Lescott becomes available after a groin strain. If not, Stefan Savic should continue alongside Kolo Toure.

Gareth Barry is also in contention for a place in the starting XI – he should be ready to play following a back injury – but faces competition for his spot in the form of Nigel de Jong and David Pizarro.

Roberto Di Matteo is likely to stick with the Chelsea side that beat Napoli 4-1 in the Champions League. Fernando Torres' two goals in the FA Cup will have put him in his manager's thoughts but Didier Drogba will probably get the nod here.

The Blues have no fresh fitness concerns and so remain injury and suspension free.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester City have not lost at home to Chelsea since September 2008, although they have suffered two consecutive defeats at Stamford Bridge.

• City will be looking for their 15th home league win of the season on Wednesday, which would leave them four victories away from a perfect record at the Etihad Stadium.

• Only one team, Tottenham, have scored more than one goal when visiting Manchester City in the Premier League this season, although Manchester United and Sporting Lisbon have done so in cup competitions.

• Three players – Sergio Aguero (23, pictured right), Edin Dzeko (18) and Mario Balotelli (15) – have outscored Chelsea's top goal scorer, Frank Lampard, who has 13 goals in all competitions.

• Carlos Tevez will be looking to add to an impressive City goal scoring record of his own. The 28-year-old scored 19 goals in 63 league games for Manchester United but improved dramatically on that figure upon joining City; he has scored 44 in 69 for them so far in the Premier League.

• Chelsea have won all four of their matches since the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, scoring 12 goals and conceding three.

• Their current run is their first four match unbeaten run since they beat West Brom in their second fixture of the season to trigger a similar streak of victories.

• Ominously, that four match winning run ended in Manchester – the Blues suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford.

• Fernando Torres scored twice against Leicester City in the FA Cup on Sunday to end a run of 1566 minutes without a goal for Chelsea. His last strike came against Genk in the Champions League in October.

• Torres hasn't scored in the Premier League since the end of September, when he followed up a goal against Swansea City with a red card.

Prediction

Roberto Di Matteo has put Chelsea in better spirits and they will put up a fight at the Etihad Stadium but Manchester City should have too much for them. There is a lot at stake and Roberto Mancini's team must keep cool under pressure but they should have enough attacking quality to just separate themselves from the Blues and preserve their perfect home record.

Editor's Prediction

Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea

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21.03. (Wed) 20:45 Napoli - Siena

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NAPOLI De Sanctis Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica Maggio, Gargano, Inler, Zuniga Hamsik, Lavezzi Cavani

SIENA Pegolo Vitiello, Terzi, Rossettini, Del Grosso Giorgi, Vergassola, Gazzi, Brienza Gonzalez, Bogdani

Napoli have just one definite absentee in Marco Donadel, who is still around a month away from making a comeback, but coach Walter Mazzarri is set to name a full-strength side for the visit of the Coppa Italia semi-finalists.
Salvatore Aronica, Christian Maggio, Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi all missed the 2-2 draw with Udinese at the weekend, but should start on Wednesday in place of Miguel Britos, Andrea Dossena, Blerim Dzemaili and Goran Pandev.
Meanwhile, Siena are set to name an unchanged XI from Sunday's 2-0 home defeat to Novara. Claudio Terzi's yellow card against Attilio Tesser's side means he has accumulated a one-match ban, but he will still be eligible for the cup contest.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Napoli had won six on the bounce, but have not won their last two games, losing to Chelsea in the Champions League and drawing with Udinese in Serie at the weekend. 

• Ironically, their last defeat before the recent winning spree came against Siena in the first-leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final tie.

• Napoli have lost all six of their previous away matches in the cup, dating back to 2006.

• Prior to Sunday's 2-0 loss to Novara, Siena had won three consecutive matches, including keeping two clean sheets.

• The Bianconeri have the upper hand in 10 previous meetings with Napoli, winning four of them compared to their opponents' three.

• Interestingly, neither side have not scored more than two goals against each other.

Prediction

Despite their 2-1 deficit, Napoli should find the two goals without reply to put them through to the final of the Coppa Italia at the expense of Siena, who will be weakened without the vision and playmaking talents of Gaetano D'Agostino and the goals of Emanuele Calaio in their XI.

Editor's Prediction

Napoli 2-0 Siena

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21.03. (Wed) 20:30 Borussia MG - Bayern Munchen

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MONCHENGLADBACH Ter Stegen Jantschke, Dante, Brouwers, Daems Wendt, Neustadter, Nordtveit, Arango Reus Hanke

BAYERN MUNICH Neuer Lahm, Boateng, Badstuber, Alaba Gustavo, Kroos Robben, Muller, Ribery Gomez

The good news for Borussia Monchengladbach is that Tony Jantschke is back to take his place on the right side of defence after missing Satuday's win over Bayer Leverkusen through suspension.

Patrick Herrmann is set to be involved after recovering from a lengthy collar bone problem, but is likely to only take a place on the bench, with Oscar Wendt continuing to fill his berth on the right-hand side of midfield.

Meanwhile, despite scoring a late winner in the weekend's clash, Igor De Camargo is unlikely to start, with Lucien Favre likely to continue with his preferred striking pair of Marco Reus and Mike Hanke.

After encountering problems with who to play in defence all season, Jupp Heynckes' side have found some stability of late with David Alaba at left back, Philipp Lahm on the right-hand side of defence and Jerome Boateng partnering Holger Badstuber in the centre.

However, Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to miss the encounter with a minor ankle injury sustained in his recover from torn ligaments.

Daniel Van Buyten has a broken foot sustained the last time these two sides met, while Breno has a knee injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Borussia Monchengladbach's 3-1 victory over Bayern in January completed the club's first ever league double over the Bavarians.

• Lucien Favre's side are one of just two clubs, the other being Hannover, to have an unbeaten home record in the Bundesliga this season.

• Since the Borussia Park club last reached the DFB-Pokal final in 1995, Bayern Munich have won the competition seven times, and were losing finalists on one other occasion.

• Bayern Munich were victorious in the 1984 edition of this tournament, beating Borussia Monchengladbach in the final.

• The Allianz Arena club's coach, Jupp Heynckes is a legendary figure around Borussia Park, having scored almost 200 Bundesliga goals across two spells with the club, more than any other player.

• Bayern have scored 20 goals in their last three games, with Mario Gomez (pictured) and Arjen Robben bagging 15 of those.

Prediction

Bayern Munich's return to form has been well-documented, but Borussia Monchengladbach are a different proposition from Hoffenheim, Basel and Hertha Berlin. Lucien Favre's side are capable of hitting teams on the break with devastating effect, but have stuttered in recent weeks. Accordingly, I'd expect Bayern to win the game, but not by the convincing margin we've seen over the last few matches.

Editor's Prediction

Mönchengladbach 1-3 Bayern

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21.03. (Wed) 20:00 Valencia - Zaragoza

Unai Emery, Valencia

PROBABLE LINEUPS

VALENCIA Diego AlvesBarragan, Rami, Victor Rui, Jordi Alba Albelda, Tino Costa Feghouli, Jonas, PiattiSoldado/Aduriz

REAL ZARAGOZA RobertoAlvarez, Mateos, Paredes, Obradovic Apono, Dujmovic Garcia, Oriol, Lafita Aranda

Unai Emery still has several injury woes to deal with, as Sergio Canales and Ever Banega are out with serious injuries, but Hedwiges Maduro may feature in the coming games after missing several months with an ankle injury.

The team is boosted by the return of Tino Costa into the starting XI after the Argentine missed last Sunday's match against Athletic Bilbao due to suspension.

Emery may end up resting Roberto Soldado in this one in favour of Aritz Aduriz, looking to give the former Mallorca a bit more time.

In goal, the rotation of Diego Alves and Vicente Guaita could see either start, but Emery will likely go with the Brazilian after the Spaniard started last time out.

For the visitors, the team seems fairly healthy entering the match, but Paulo da Silva is not fully fit after picking up a small injury and may not play. Defender Maurizio Lazano did not play in the team's last game due to suspension and may see action in this game.

Helder Postiga, who took off his jersey after scoring a goal over the weekend and was awarded his fifth yellow card, is suspended for the match. In addition, fellow Portuguese player Ruben Micael will also miss the clash due to suspension.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Valencia, coming off a 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, sit in third place in La Liga with 47 points, six above Levante.
  

• Los Che faced their opponents for Wednesday earlier this season, winning 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Jordi Alba.

• Soldado entered the match against Marcelo Bielsa's men having only scored three goals away from home all season. The former Getafe star managed to double the number after bagging a hat-trick.

• Zaragoza are in last place in the league with 19 points and are coming off a draw with Osasuna where they scored the game's opener with just under 10 minutes from time, only to leave with a point after conceding a goal in the dying minutes.

• The last time the club beat Valencia was last season and in dominant fashion, winning 4-0.

• Sitting in the relegation zone, the visitors are eight points away from safety.

Prediction

Riding high after thrashing Athletic Bilbao last weekend, Valencia should have no trouble doing the same to the league's last-ranked team at Mestalla.

Editor's Prediction

Valencia 3-1 Zaragoza

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21.03. (Wed) 20:00 Atletico Madrid - Athletic Bilbao

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

ATLETICO MADRID CourtoisJuanfran, Miranda, Godin, Filipe Suarez, GabiSalvio, Adrian, Koke Falcao

ATHLETIC BILBAO Iraizoz De Marcos, Amorebieta, Martinez, Aur'netxe Perez, Iturraspe, HerreraSusaeta, Llorente, Muniain

Atletico Madrid will be without injured trio Silvio, Diego and Tiago when they entertain Athletic Bilbao at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday.

Diego (thigh) and Tiago (hamstring) trained outside the group on Monday, but are not expected to be fit in time for the clash.

Fernando Llorente could return to the Athletic starting line-up, having missed Sunday's defeat against Valencia with a hip problem.

Fernando Amorebieta and Gaizka Toquero are back from suspension, but Andoni Iraola misses out after his dismissal against Valencia.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Atletico Madrid's 2-1 loss at Real Mallorca on Sunday was only their second defeat since Diego Simeone took charge of the club in December.

• Los Colchoneros have won just one of their last seven matches in La Liga - a 2-0 home success over Granada.

• Atletico face German side Hannover in the quarter-finals of the Europa League on March 29 and April 5.

• Athletic Bilbao have won just two of their last 10 away matches in La Liga.

• However, the Basques have emerged victorious on three of their last four visits to the Vicente Calderon.

• Fernando Llorente (pictured right) has netted eight times in his last nine league appearances for Athletic.

Prediction

The Athletic players looked visibly drained at the weekend and it will worry Bielsa, who does not have the biggest of squads to work with. Atleti were perhaps a little unfortunate to lose at Mallorca on Sunday, but they should make amends against the battle-weary Basques at the Vicente Calderon.

Editor's Prediction

Atl. Madrid 2-1 Bilbao

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