25.04. (Wed) 20:45 Real - Bayern Munchen

Bongarts

PROBABLE LINEUPS

REAL MADRID CasillasArbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo Khedira, AlonsoDi Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo Benzema

BAYERN MUNICH NeuerLahm, Boateng, Badstuber, Alaba Gustavo, SchweinsteigerRobben, Kroos, Ribery Gomez

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has the luxury of selecting from a nearly full-strength squad for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, with only Ricardo Carvalho (thigh) rated as an injury doubt. Gonzalo Higuain and Kaka could return to the starting line-up for the must-win game, while the Marcelo may be preferred to Fabio Coentrao at left-back.
Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes rested several of his stars for Saturday’s win at Werder Bremen and will play his strongest XI as he looks to build on his side’s 2-1 lead from the first leg.
Influential midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to retain his place in the starting XI, but defenders Daniel Van Buyten (foot) and Breno (knee) are both out.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Real Madrid have a 100 per cent home record in the Champions League this term and have won 10 of their last 11 European games at the Santiago Bernabeu.

• Los Blancos have lost just twice against Bayern Munich in Spain, winning six times and drawing once. Their overall record against German visitors is W17, D3, L2.

• Real Madrid have secured aggregate triumphs in 22 of the 35 European ties in which they have lost the first leg away from home.

• Gonzalo Higuain, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos and Fabio Coentrao will incur a one-match ban with their next bookings.

• Bayern Munich have won just one of their last four away games in the Champions League, but have triumphed in 11 of their last 13 matches in all competitions.

• The Bavarians’ 2-0 victory at Villarreal in the group stages in September was their first success in Spain since 2001. Their record away to La Liga opposition is W5, D4, L9.

• Bayern have recorded home first-leg victories 46 times in Uefa competitions and have triumphed in all but eight ties.

• Philipp Lahm, Holger Badstuber, David Alaba, Jerome Boateng, Toni Kroos, Luiz Gustavo and Thomas Muller will incur a ban with their next bookings.

Prediction

It is all about pressure and tempo for Bayern. If they can flood the midfield and press Real out of their comfort zone just like in the first leg, then they have an excellent chance. That said, the hosts will be on a high after finally vanquishing Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in La Liga and will back themselves to get the win they need to reach their first final since 2002. It is a tight call, but the sheer attacking talent at Mourinho’s disposal could make the difference when extra-time comes around.

Editor's Prediction

Real Madrid 3-1 Bayern

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25.04. (Wed) 18:00 Milan - Genoa

Panoramic

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

AC MILAN Abbiati Abate, Nesta, Yepes, Antonini Gattuso, Van Bommel, Nocerino Emanuelson Ibrahimovic, Cassano

GENOA Frey Moretti, Granqvist, Kaladze, Alhassan Jankovic, Biondini, Kucka, Sculli Gilardino, Palacio

AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri will be without the services of Alexandre Pato who is still nursing a muscle injury but Thiago Silva and Kevin-Prince Boateng trained with the rest of the first team and could be available on Wednesday.

Massimo Ambrosini is not yet ready to return and underwent a personalised training programme while Daniele Bonera will miss out after picking up a red card in the Rossoneri's 1-1 draw with Bologna last weekend.

Meanwhile, Genoa sacked Alberto Malesani for the second time this term after the club's 4-1 setback to Siena on Sunday. The club announced on Monday that Luigi De Canio will take the helm for the remaining five matches.

De Canio will not be able to call on Giandomenico Mesto and Marco Rossi who are both suspended.

The club will also be forced to play their last two home games of the season behind closed doors after their supporters caused a 40-minute delay when they threw missiles and fireworks onto the pitch on Sunday.

DID YOU KNOW?

• AC Milan have picked up eight points in their last five games, while their title rivals Juventus have secured 15.
  

• The Rossoneri are winless in their last two matches at San Siro.

• Allegri's men have emerged winners in four games by a three-goal margin this season.

• Genoa are winless in their last 12 league encounters (D6, L6).

• The Rossoblu have conceded 13 goals in their past five games.

• De Canio's side currently hover just one point over the relegation zone.

Prediction

Milan need all three points on Wednesday following their disappointing display at the weekend and relief will come in the form of Genoa who have struggled mightily in the last two months.

Editor's Prediction

Milan 3-0 Genoa

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25.04. (Wed) 18:00 Cesena - Juventus

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CESENA Antonioli Comotto, Moras, Rodriguez, Lauro Guana, Arrigoni, Parolo Santana Malonga, Mutu

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

Cesena could finally be mathematically relegated to Serie B on Wednesday, a possibility the club have been facing for some time due to their poor form this season as they sit 14 points from safety with five matches left, going into this fixture against Juventus.

Coach Mario Beretta will have to do without the services of suspended centre-back Steve Von Bergen, who will be replaced by Guillermo Rodriguez. Midfielder Marco Paolo, one of their stars last season, is expected to start after featuring as a substitute during the 2-2 draw with Palermo. Playmakers Jorge Martinez and Martinho are sidelined through injury, as well as Czech defender Daniel Pudil.

Former Juventus player Adrian Mutu will once again provide the bulk of the firepower up front, but Vincenzo Iaquinta, currently on loan at Cesena from the Turin side, will have to settle for a place on the bench.

Meanwhile, Antonio Conte's men are in a rich vein of form and will be boosted by their 4-0 win over Roma on Sunday that saw them extend their lead at the top of Serie A to three points over rivals AC Milan.

They have relatively few worries, with Fabio Quagliarella the only absentee due to suspension. Alessandro Matri is expected to take his place in attack alongside Mirko Vucinic as the in-form trio of Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo, and Claudio Marchisio continue at the heart of midfield.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Cesena have not been able to defeat Juventus for 24 years - last earning a 2-0 victory in November 1987.

• The Seahorses could become the first team to be mathematically relegated to Serie B this term if they lose or draw, or even if they win depending on other results.

• The hosts have scored the fewest goals in the league this season (21).

• Juventus defeated Cesena 2-0 back in their last meeting on December 4, 2011.

• Conte's men now have a three-point lead over AC Milan at the top of the Serie A table with five games remaining after their 4-0 win over Roma on Sunday.

• The Bianconeri have conceded just one goal in their last seven top flight fixtures. That began with a 0-0 draw versus Genoa followed by six successive victories.

Prediction

Cesena have not won in Serie A since January and their slide shows no real signs of stopping and it's only a matter of time before their drop to Serie B is confirmed. Meanwhile, Juventus are on a brilliant run and the hosts simply will not be able to stand up to Conte's side. It should be a routine victory for the visitors.

Editor's Prediction

Cesena 0-2 Juventus

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25.04. (Wed) 15:00 Udinese - Inter

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

UDINESE Handanovic Benatia, Danilo, Domizzi Basta, Pinzi, Pazienza, Asamoah, Pasquale Torje Di Natale

INTER Julio Cesar Maicon, Lucio, Ranocchia, Nagatomo Cambiasso, Stankovic Obi, Alvarez, Zarate Milito

Udinese go into Wednesday's visit of Inter with the absences of Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and Andrea Coda, while Mauricio Isla has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Gelson Fernandes, meanwhile, is suspended following his yellow card in the goalless draw with Chievo over the weekend.

As a result, Maurizio Domizzi, Giovanni Pasquale, Gianpiero Pinzi and Gabriel Torje will come in for Coda, Pablo Armero, Fernandes and Paulo Barreto in Francesco Guidolin's starting XI.

As for Inter, Walter Samuel is not expected to return until the penultimate match of the season, while Castaignos is dealing with a hamstring injury and will miss out on the trip to the Friuli. Also, Javier Zanetti and Cristian Chivu are to take late fitness tests prior to the match.

Consequently, Andrea Ranocchia, Yuto Nagatomo and Dejan Stankovic are ready to come in to take the places of Zanetti, Andrea Poli and Diego Forlan on Wednesday.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Udinese have picked up only one win in their last eight encounters (W1, D4, L3).

• The Zebrette have suffered only one loss in their 16 Serie A matches at the Stadio Friuli this season.

• Guidolin's men have been held scoreless five times in the past 10 games.

• Inter are unbeaten (W2, D2) since Andrea Stramaccioni replaced Claudio Ranieri and have scored nine goals during that span.

• The Nerazzurri have secured only one win in their last seven league matches away from San Siro.

• Inter have found the back of the net on just 16 occasions in 18 fixtures away from home.

Prediction

Udinese are mired in a slump at the moment but are still a very tough nut to crack at home, while Inter have had problems on the road all season. This is a big match for both teams and they will each take a share of the spoils when everything is said and done at the Friuli.

Editor's Prediction

Udinese 1-1 Inter

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