12.01. (Thu) 22:00 Osasuna - Barcelona

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

OSASUNA Fernandez Damia, Flano, Sergio, Satrustegui Nekounam, Raul Garcia, Timor Lamah, Ibrahima, Torres

BARCELONA Pinto Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Adriano Iniesta, Busquets, ThiagoCuenca, Fabregas, Pedro

Jose Luis Mendilibar has several injury problems going into the game and will be without Roversio, Kike Sola, Ruben, Jukka Raitala and Ion Echaide, although Raul Garcia could pass a late fitness test to start in midfield.

The home side could give a number of younger players an opportunity, with Roberto Torres and Eneko Satrustegui in line for starts against the Primera Division giants.

With Barcelona holding a commanding lead going into the second leg, Pep Guardiola could use the game to rotate his squad. Jose Manuel Pinto will replace Victor Valdes in goal to resume his usual starting role in Copa del Rey fixtures.

Adriano could start at left-back in place of Eric Abidal with Maxwell apparently close to moving to French club Paris Saint-Germain. Seydou Keita has now joined up with his Malian team-mates for the African Cup of Nations, and Thiago could come into the midfield.

The Catalan club are likely to go into the game with a rotated frontline with the newly crowned Ballon d'Or, Lionel Messi, in line for a rest. Isaac Cuenca could also start the game after rejoining the Barcelona first squad after a recent spell training with the B team.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Osasuna have never won the Copa del Rey title yet the club were runners-up in 2005, losing to Real Betis 2-1.

• The side from Navarre are currently fifth in La Liga, four points behind Levante who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.

• Jose Luis Mendilibar's team have conceded 12 goals against the reigning European and Liga champions this season in only two meetings.

• Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas both grabbed braces to give Barcelona a commanding 4-0 lead heading into the second leg of the tie.

• Despite their loss in last season's Copa del Rey final to Real Madrid, the Catalans are the most successful side in Spanish cup history, with 25 triumphs.

• In three Copa games this season, Guardiola's men have scored 14 goals and are yet to concede.

BARCELONA



Pinto
Montoya, Fontas, Pique, Muniesa
Sergi Roberto, Busquets, Thiago
Pedro, Rafinha, Fabregas

Prediction

It is difficult to see anything other than a comprehensive victory for Barcelona. With the Catalan club holding a 4-0 lead from the first leg, Osasuna will essentially be playing for pride, bu with an injury-plagued squad, expect more goals for Pep Guardiola's men.

Editor's Prediction

Osasuna 0-3 Barcelona

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12.01. (Thu) 21:00 Napoli - Cesena

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

NAPOLI De Sanctis Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Zuniga Hamsik, Dzemaili Pandev

CESENA Antonioli Comotto, Von Bergen, Rodriguez, RossiParolo, Guana Ceccarelli, Mutu, Candreva Eder

Walter Mazzarri is expected to make some changes to the side that defeated Palermo 3-1 on Sunday evening, with Edinson Cavani among others expected to be rested for the cup clash. The hosts will also be without the injured Ezequiel Lavezzi, with the Argentina international still suffering from the muscle strain that has seen him miss the Azzurri's last two matches.

Cesena make the trip to Naples without the injured duo of Raphael Martinho and Dominique Malonga, with the pair ruled out of the tie with muscle problems. However, Jorge Martinez looks set to return to the squad after recovering from a calf injury, although he is unlikely to start the game - the Uruguay international may well feature from the bench.

DID YOU KNOW

• Napoli have lost only one of their last 10 matches in all competitions.

• The last time the two sides met in this competition, the Azzurri triumphed with a 4-0 victory.

• If Napoli lift the trophy this season, it will be 50 years since the first time they won the competition.

• Cesena have yet to concede a goal in the Coppa Italia this season.

• The visitors are averaging two goals a game in the competition this term.

• Cesena will travel to Naples, on the back of a three game losing streak.

Prediction

Even with some key players missing out, the Azzurri should still have more than enough quality to see off the visitors, and a comfortable home victory seems a safe bet.

Editor's Prediction

Napoli 2-0 Cesena

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11.01. (Wed) 22:00 Sevilla - Valencia

Roberto Soldado - Valencia

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

SEVILLA Palop/Javi Varas Coke, Spahic, Escude, Navarro Rakitic, Medel Perotti, Reyes, Del Moral Negredo

VALENCIA Alves Miguel, Rami, Ruiz, Jordi Alba Albelda, Banega Feghouli, Jonas, Mathieu Soldado

The home side look set to enter the round of 16 clash without Jesus Navas, who did not train on Monday as he is still suffering from the leg injury that saw him miss his team's last league encounter, a 2-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. The Spain international has worked apart from the team as he looks to reach full fitness.

There are worries too over the goalkeeping situation, as both Andres Palop and Javi Varas are suffering knocks and trained lightly on Monday, though at least one of the two should be ready for the game. Jose Antonio Reyes, meanwhile, is eligible to play following his return from Atletico Madrid last week.

Valencia are still without the services of Hedwiges Maduro and Sergio Canales, who have been out since October with injuries and are still recovering.

With poor performances as of late from Mehmet Topal, David Albelda may get a chance in midfield in the clash.

Another player who may see minutes is Tino Costa. The Argentine missed the last few games of December with an injury but is now physically ready to compete and played a part in the 2-2 draw with Villarreal at the weekend.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Sevilla have lost their last two games, a 1-0 result in the first leg against their opponents for Wednesday, and a 2-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano over the weekend in league play. It marks the first time this season that the team have lost consecutive games.

• This season, not counting the Europa League play-off in mid-August, the club have lost just as many games at home (three) as on the road.

• The hosts have won the cup five times, earning the titles most recently in 2007 and 2010.

• Valencia hold a 1-0 advantage in the tie thanks to a goal by Jonas in the first leg.

• Roberto Soldado, who is the team's leading goalscorer with 17 goals this term, still continues to struggle on the road. The former Real Madrid striker has only scored one goal away from home all season.

• The visitors have won the tournament seven times, with the last title coming in 2008.

Prediction

If Jesus Navas misses out, it will prove difficult for Sevilla to bag a victory. But even if the talented midfielder plays, Valencia should have enough, with their first-leg advantage in tow, to secure their spot in the next round.

Editor's Prediction

Sevilla 1-1 Valencia

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11.01. (Wed) 20:50 Olympique Lyonnais - Lille Metropole

Panoramic

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

LYON Lloris Dabo, Umtiti, Gonalons, Cissokho Kallstrom, Fofana Briand, Gourcuff, Bastos Lisandro Lopez

LILLE LandreauDebuchy, Chedjou, Rozehnal, BeriaBalmont, Mavuba, Pedretti Cole, Jelen, Hazard

Olympique Lyonnais are facing a defensive crisis ahead of the visit of Lille to the Stade Gerland on Wednesday evening.

Dejan Lovren and Anthony Reveilliere are both doubtful after struggling with achilles tendon problems, with the latter replaced after an hour in Sunday's 3-1 Coupe de France victory over minnows Lyon-Duchere.

With central defender Cris sidelined, and Bakary Kone, Sidy Kone and John Mensah all departing for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, Remi Garde may need to again rely on the unusual partnering of Samuel Umtiti and Maxime Gonalons in the heart of defence.

Meanwhile, les Gones' attack will again be spearheaded by the resurgent Lisandro who struck a hat-trick at the weekend, with Michel Bastos and Yoann Gourcuff set to be handed starting berths.

Ligue 1 holders Lille face no such injury worries, but may look to rotate their side ahead of a vital clash on Sunday against Marseille at the Stade Velodrome.

On-loan Liverpool winger Joe Cole, who dazzled in the 6-0 weekend win over US Chantilly is set to continue in the starting XI, alongside Ireneusz Jelen and Eden Hazard. Top scorer Moussa Sow departs on international duty with Senegal.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Lyon found it slightly difficult in eliminating near neighbours Lyon-Duchere in the Coupe de France on Sunday, winning 3-1.

• Remi Garde's men beat rivals Saint Etienne 2-1 in the last 16.

• Les Gones have only won this tournament once, in 2001, beating Monaco in the final. They were losing finalists in both 1996 and 2007.

• Lille beat minnows US Chantilly 6-0 in the Coupe de France round of 32 at the weekend, with Joe Cole (pictured right) scoring a hat-trick.

• The Ligue 1 holders have never won the Coupe de la Ligue.  Rudi Garcia's side have never contested the final, either.

• The current holders are Olympique de Marseille, who won both the 2010 and 2011 editions.

Prediction

With the hosts facing a defensive crisis, through injury and the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, the onus is certainly on the visitors to take full advantage and march onto the semi-finals of a tournament they've never had the honour of reaching the final.
Les Gones were shaky against minnows at the weekend, whilst Lille were relentess in dispatching their opponents, with the momentum likely to take them into the last four. A narrow victory for les Dogues on the cards.

Editor's Prediction

Lyon 1-2 Lille

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11.01. (Wed) 20:45 Manchester City - Liverpool

Roberto Mancini - Manchester City

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY Hart Zabaleta, Savic, Lescott, Clichy De Jong, Barry Milner, Silva, Johnson Balotelli

LIVERPOOL Reina Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique Spearing, Adam Henderson, Gerrard, Bellamy Carroll

Roberto Mancini has been given a further selection headache following the dismissal of defender Vincent Kompany in their FA Cup loss with rivals Manchester United on Sunday, with the Belgian currently banned for four games. City have lodged an appeal, but the chances of them having the decision overturned is unlikely and with fellow defender Kolo Toure on duty with Cote d'Ivoire, Mancini will most likely be forced to bring in youngster Stefan Savic.
Kolo’s brother Yaya Toure is also participating in the Africa Cup of Nations and he should be replaced by Gareth Barry, who didn’t see any game time at the weekend as he served his suspension for his red card picked up in the 3-0 league win over Liverpool. Sergio Aguero could be rested for the midweek League Cup tie, which could see Mario Balotelli return to the starting XI, with Edin Dzeko having picked up a knee problem that is expected to keep him out until next week.
The visitors to the Etihad Stadium have no fresh injury worries, but will have striker Luis Suarez miss the third of his eight-match ban, leaving Andy Carroll to step into the Uruguayan’s boots after a good cameo showing against Oldham on Friday evening.
Stewart Downing’s weekend escapades may have manager Kenny Dalglish believing the former Villa man not to be in the right frame of mind to feature, allowing Jordan Henderson the possibly of a place in the starting line-up.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester City could be League Cup finalists for the fourth time if they dispose of Liverpool. Their previous three appearences were in the 1970s, winning twice (’70 and ’76) and runners-up once (’74). This is the Blues’ sixth semi-final.

• Wednesday’s visitors hold a host of records in the competition, including most tournament wins (seven), most appearances in the final (10) and biggest win (10-0 against Fulham in 1983).

• The competition was founded over 50 years ago. It originally begun in 1960, thanks mainly to the clubs of the Football League setting up floodlights in their grounds, allowing for midweek evening fixtures.

• Liverpool were the last side to win the tournament before it took on a sponsor in 1981, with backer Dairy Crest coming in and the competition becoming The Milk Cup.

• Current Reds boss Kenny Dalglish (pictured right) shares the record for most appearances in the final for an individual, playing in five, the same amount as fellow Liverpool legend Ian Rush.

• This is Liverpool’s 13th semi-final and they have succeeded in seven first legs at this stage.

Prediction

Although losing comprehensively last Tuesday to City in the league, Liverpool will no doubt take positives from the game in which they found themselves with a decent amount of the ball, especially in the second half. The Reds’ 5-1 win in the FA Cup on Friday will also give them a confidence boost in front of goal.
Mancini’s side will still be hurting from their Sunday afternoon defeat to Manchester United and will be the less rested side. City still have enough power in reserve though to push Liverpool all the way, but a chance to get to Wembley and book a place in Europe should galvanise Dalglish's men and they will not go down easily and will look to head back to Anfield for the second leg with a good result.

Editor's Prediction

Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool

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