02-02-2011 20:45 Cesena - Catania

No Escaping The Drop

Cesena look doomed for the drop. What commenced as a fairytale campaign in which they were even in pole position in the table for a short period of time has degenerated into an expected battle for survival.

Going into Week 23, Massimo Ficcadenti's side find themselves third from bottom with 20 points with 22 matches, just a point from safety. At the weekend they held Lecce to a 1-1 draw away from home, bringing an end to three successive defeats in a row.

Coach Massimo Ficcadenti is hopeful that they can achieve something more against Catania tonight and said, "Considering how the game was going, we cannot be too disappointed with the result. In the end, we claimed a point and that is what counts.

"Now we turn our attention to the game against Catania, knowing that we have another opportunity to climb out of the relegation zone.''

Getting Dragged Into The Quagmire

Catania slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Milan in Sicily at the weekend in what was their second successive league defeat and sixth competitive fixture without a win. At the moment the Etnei are two points above the dropzone with 22 points from 22 matches and are in real danger of getting dragged into the bottom-three.

Catania last won a match in December and are in a wretched run of form. A defeat tonight could force the Elefanti into the relegation zone and they need to be careful especially as they have not won a single match in the league away from home.

Coach Diego Simeone acknowledges the difficult situation Catania are in but remains optimistic and says, "We are in a difficult situation. The team doesn't react and we just have to work as hard as possible to change that trend.

"I am not afraid because the only thing I know is to work hard. Even in my first experience as coach back in Argentina with club Racing we were last with two points and then we managed to defend our status winning the last five games of the season."


TEAM NEWS

Cesena

Lauro and Colucci are out suspended for the Seahorses.

Catania

Biagianti, Izco, Alvarez, Capuano, Carboni and Potenza are injured and will miss the match against Cesena.

Prediction

This is going to be a scrappy game and nowhere near entertaining. A narrow win for Catania shouldn't be illogical even though they are away since Cesena are low on confidence.

Cesena 1-2 Catania

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02-02-2011 22:00 Real - Sevilla

Looking Ahead After Defeat

A place in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona is likely to be what’s on offer to Real Madrid and Sevilla when they kick-off the second semi-final at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening. Unlike Barca’s tie, nothing is yet settled before this fixture, though los Blancos start as strong favourites after a 1-0 victory at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan a week ago.

Since that fixture, Jose Mourinho’s side have suffered a real body-blow in the league, going down 1-0 against Osasuna on Sunday night. If talk of Barca having opened up a decisive four-point advantage prior to that game may have been a little over-hyped, the league would certainly appear to be the Catalans’ to throw away now they have a seven mark cushion.

“Tomorrow is a new day. There will be another match and we will be there,” Mourinho explained optimistically to the media on Sunday night.

Silverware in knockout competition remains a distinct possibility for los Merengues, though. Still in the Champions League, Madrid will first focus on Wednesday’s Copa encounter against Sevilla. A Karim Benzema strike presently separates the sides, giving the capital side real hope that they can progress to the final, where they could potentially gain some measure of revenge against Barca.

If los Blancos have been a little unconvincing away from home, at the Bernabeu they have been imperious under Mourinho, winning every match they’ve played. On Wednesday they really need to bounce back and give their fans a lift, and the odds are in favour of them doing just that.

Route To Europe

Sevilla are a side also struggling to match their supporters’ expectations in the Primera Division, though these are not as lofty as those in Madrid. European football is anticipated at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan next season, though presently stationed eighth in the standings, it’s difficult to see such hopes being matched by way of a strong Liga finish.

The Copa del Rey offers los Nervionenses another way into the Europa League, and Gregorio Manzano’s side will be doubly determined to win the competition because they are the defending champions, having negotiated their way past Barcelona last term to life the trophy.

Repeating that feat presently looks unlikely. Sevilla’s strength is generally their home form, so after losing the first leg 1-0, their hopes look slim. Los Rojiblancos certainly pushed their opponents all the way last Wednesday night and were controversially denied a goal when Raul Albiol cleared off the line from Luis Fabiano. It was a decision so tight, even television replays were inconclusive.

If the character of the Sevilla side was being questioned previously, Saturday night’s encounter against Deportivo La Coruna should have silenced any critics as the Andalucians bounced back from 2-0 and 3-1 down to secure a draw against the Galicians, despite playing the final 30 minutes with only 10 men after Andres Palop had been dismissed.

Manzano will have to whip up similar enthusiasm if a remarkable recovery is to be achieved against Madrid.

TEAM NEWS

Real Madrid

Marcelo returns to the squad after flu, but Pepe, Gonzalo Higuain and Jerzy Dudek remain injury issues. Pedro Leon, Sergio Canales and Fernando Gago are all overlooked by Jose Mourinho.

Sevilla

Gregorio Manzano is taking his entire panel to Madrid aside from Tiberio Guarente, Ivica Dragutinovic and Arouna Kone miss out due to injury. Andres Palop travels with the squad but is suspended, while Daniel Jimenez will probably start on the bench. New signings Ivan Rakitic and Gary Medel could debut.

Prediction

Sevilla were stubborn opponents for Real Madrid in the first leg, and they will prove to be so again. Los Blancos are a tired looking side, but they will summon up the energy to progress through on Wednesday night, though a scare at some point in the evening should be considered likely.

Real Madrid 3-1 Sevilla

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02-02-2011 20:45 Birmingham City - Manchester City

Blues Looking To Take Cup Form Into Premier League

Birmingham fans will be hoping their side can record a third straight home victory when they face Manchester City this Wednesday. Alex McLeish's men beat West Ham and Coventry City in their previous two games but both were in cup competitions - and the Scot will be hoping his players can take confidence gained from this performances into a difficult game against high-flying City.

Whilst they have been impressive in the domestic cups, Birmingham's league form has been a worry - winning just four games in the Premier League.

Survival last season was build on a solid defence but the Blues have not kept a clean sheet in their last eight league matches - recording just one victory. McLeish will need the fans to get St Andrew's rocking like it was for the League Cup semi-final victory over West Ham if Blues are to stand a chance of taking all three points.

City Hoping It Is Third Time Lucky In The Midlands

Manchester City fans will travel to St Andrew's on Wednesday hoping their side can record a victory in their third visit to the Midlands within a month - after defeat against Aston Villa in the league and a draw at Notts County in the FA Cup last Sunday.

City have to go back five-and-a-half years for their last win at Birmingham but will be confident they can leave with the victory after picking up 21 points on their travels this season - a number only bettered by Arsenal with 24.

Whilst scoring goals has been a problem for City recently, with Mancini's men yet to score an away league goal in 2011, keeping them out has been their strength - with an equal-best Premier League number of 11 clean sheets this campaign.

TEAM NEWS

Birmingham City

New signing Obafemi Martins is unlikely to make his debut for Birmingham after the club confirmed he had joined them on a six-month loan from Rubin Kazan. The former Newcastle United striker has been described as "explosive" by manager Alex McLeish, who will be hoping that the pacey Nigerian can fire his side to Premier League safety.

But speaking to Sky Sports after his transfer was confirmed, Martins said he was unlikely to train with his new club until Wednesday or Thursday.

Curtis Davies is another player who could feature for Alex McLeish's side - after the centre-back was signed from local rivals Aston Villa to cover the gap left by the hamstring injury that has ruled Scott Dann out for the rest of the season.

McLeish should include key trio Roger Johnson, Cameron Jerome and Craig Gardner in his starting XI after they were rested for the FA Cup clash with Coventry.

Long-term absentee James McFadden (knee) is also unavailable.

Possible starting XI: Foster; Carr, Davies, Johnson, Ridgewell; Bentley, Gardner, Bowyer, Ferguson, Hleb; Jerome.

Manchester City

Manchester City will be without England winger Adam Johnson, who was ruled out for two to three months with an ankle injury sustained in training last Thursday.

Mancini is also sweating on the fitness of captain Carlos Tevez - after the Argentinian missed the FA Cup clash with Notts County on Sunday due to a back injury.

Tevez is expected to recover in time for the Birmingham game, and speaking on the club's official website, Roberto Mancini said: "It's very unlucky, we don't have a player like Adam but I hope that Tevez will be okay for Birmingham, we will see on Monday."

Mancini is likely to reinstate Vincent Kompany, Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva - after all three were rested for the FA Cup game last Sunday.

City are also without fiery Italian Mario Balotelli - with the striker ruled out until March due to a knee problem.

Possible starting XI: Hart; Richards, K Toure, Kompany, Kolarov; De Jong, Barry; Milner, Y Toure, Tevez; Dzeko.

Prediction

Birmingham City are hard to beat at St Andrew's but will have to ensure they do not give Manchester City a head-start like their last two home games. Both West Ham and Coventry City went ahead against Birmingham, with McLeish's men producing strong-willed performances to turn the two games around.

Manchester City have the likes of Carlos Tevez and Nigel de Jong to recall to their starting XI and will have the quality to cause Birmingham problems. But under the floodlights at St Andrew's and in front of a passionate home crowd, I expect Birmingham to battle hard and secure a valuable point.

Birmingham 2-2 Man City

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02-02-2011 21:00 Bolton Wanderers - Wolverhampton Wanderers

Relegation Battle

Despite currently sitting eight points above the relegation zone, Owen Coyle will be desperate for his side to recapture their best form, with Bolton failing to win in any of their last five league games.

For Wolves, the consequences are much more significant and should they fail to better West Ham’s result against Blackpool, then they will replace the Hammers at the bottom of the table.

However, there will be no lack of motivation from Mick McCarthy's men, with the Midlands side able to move out of the drop zone if results go their way.

The task is likely to be a difficult one, however, with Wolves suffering defeats in both fixtures against Bolton last season, although they have shown their ability to upset the odds with victories over both Chelsea and Liverpool and scoring three goals away to Manchester City in recent league fixtures.

TEAM NEWS

Bolton Wanderers

Daniel Sturridge goes straight into the Bolton Wanderers squad after completing his loan move from Chelsea until the end of the season.

Sturridge could be named in the starting line-up and would likely replace Johan Elmander alongside Kevin Davies.

David Wheater is expected to make his first league appearance for Bolton after joining from Middlesbrough.

The 28-year-old featured for the Trotters in their 0-0 FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the weekend and should remain in the starting line-up.

Gary Cahill and Stuart Holden were rested for the visit of Wigan and will be recalled for the Premier League clash.

Ivan Klasnic, who has recovered from a groin injury, was an unused substitute in the FA Cup tie and could hand Owen Coyle an option in attack, while Lee Chung-Yong is back in the country after representing South Korea in the Asian Cup in Qatar, where they beat Uzbekistan in the third place play-off.

The midfielder is likely to be rested after his exploits for his country but may feature as a substitute.

Jlloyd Samuel, Ricardo Gardner, Sean Davis and Joey O'Brien all remain absent through respective injuries and are some time away from a return.

Possible starting XI: Jaaskelainen; Ricketts, Cahill, Wheater, Robinson; M Davies, Muamba, Holden, Taylor; Sturridge, K Davies.

Wolves

Wolves have made two late acquisitions during the January transfer window with the signing of Brazilian goalkeeper Adriano Basso and the loan capture of Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara.

O’Hara has been injured for most of the season but is believed to have recovered from a back injury to put him in contention to feature at Bolton, although most likely as a substitute.

Basso, however, has been brought in as emergency cover and is unlikely to even make the bench.

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has recovered from a calf strain and could return after appearing as a late substitute in Wolves’ 1-0 defeat to Stoke City in the FA Cup, while Sam Vokes was also a late substitute and could be included in the squad.

Dave Edwards missed Wolves' fourth round FA Cup exit after suffering an illness and is unlikely to be named in the squad, and Wayne Hennessey will replace Marcus Hahnemann in goal after the American stepped in against Stoke.

Michael Kightly remains sidelined after undergoing knee surgery and is still several weeks away from full training, while Adlene Guedioura is another long term absentee with a broken leg.

Possible starting XI: Hennessey; Zubar, Stearman, Berra, Ward; Jarvis, Foley, Milijas, Fletcher; Ebanks-Blake, Doyle.

Prediction

Bolton have been very poor of late but the signing of Daniel Sturridge may just be enough to galvanise the squad, and the home crowd will give them the edge.

Editor's Prediction

Bolton 2-1 Wolves

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02-02-2011 - Fulham - Newcastle United

Fulham Buoyed By FA Cup Win

Fulham head back into Premier League action still dreaming of the FA Cup after their 4-0 win over Tottenham at the weekend.

The Cottagers put in a storming performance against Harry Redknapp's side which has started talk of targeting the FA Cup final.

But Mark Hughes will know how important Premier League survival is and will want his players to switch their focus back to Newcastle.

With the additions of Eidur Gudjohnsen and Steve Sidwell, and with players returning from injury, things are looking up for Hughes' men.

If they keep replicating their cup performance it will not be long before they are shooting up the table.

Pressure On Newcastle Strikers

Both sides found themselves busy on transfer deadline day, bringing in new recruits. Fulham brought in Eidur Gudjohnsen from Stoke while Stephen Ireland checked in at St James' Park.

But one of the big stories of the day was the news that Newcastle sold striker Andy Carroll for a fee in the region of £35 million. The news came as a big shock to everyone at Newcastle and his absence will be a huge loss.

One of the worrying things for Newcastle fans will be the lack of a replacement.

Alan Pardew was rumoured to have been working right up until the last minute of deadline day to bring in a replacement, but his efforts came to no avail.

Now the pressure will be on Shola Ameobi, Leon Best and Peter Lovenkrands to produce the goals in Carroll's absence and keep Newcastle in the Premier League.

TEAM NEWS

Fulham

New signing Eidur Gudjohnsen could go straight into the match squad after joining from Stoke on loan until the end of the season. He will replace striker Eddie Johnson after he completed a loan move to Preston North End until the end of the campaign.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is back after helping Australia to the final of the Asian Cup, but will be rested for this match with David Stockdale continuing in goal.

Aaron Hughes is Mark Hughes' only injury worry ahead of the match against the Toon Army, while Dickson Etuhu and Matthew Briggs could be back in the squad after recovering from hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.

Striker Bobby Zamora (broken leg) and Philipe Senderos (calf) are closing in on returns but will come up short for the visit of Newcastle.

Possible starting XI: Stockdale; Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Salcido; Duff, Murphy, Sidwell, Davies; A Johnson, Dempsey.

Newcastle

Midfielder Stephen Ireland will go straight into the squad for the trip to west London. The former Manchester City and Aston Villa player has not featured in the league since the turn of the year and will get an immediate opportunity to recapture the firm he showed for City.

Alan Pardew will still be without Cheik Tiote as he completes his three match suspension following his red card in the 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Stevenage.

Steven Taylor is a doubt with a hamstring injury and will face a late fitness test.

Ryan Taylor (ankle), Hatem Ben Arfa (broken leg) and Dan Gosling (knee) should all be back by the end of the month but Alan Smith is still sidelined.

Possible starting XI: Harper; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Enrique; Barton, Guthrie, Ireland, Nolan, Gutierrez; Ameobi.

Prediction

Even though he’s still injured and hasn’t been playing in the last few weeks, I can see the exit of Andy Carroll having a huge impact on the Newcastle squad.

Fulham 2-1 Newcastle

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