26.02. (Tue) 21:00 Barcelona - Real

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BARCELONA
Valdes
Alves, Pique, Puyol, Alba
Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas
Pedro, Messi, Iniesta

REAL MADRID
Lopez
Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao
Khedira, Alonso
Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo
Benzema

Barcelona quartet Carles Puyol, Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas and Xavi are all in line to return to the starting line-up for Tuesday's clash against Real Madrid after being rested over the weekend.

Defender Adriano is a doubt with a hamstring problem, but assistant coach Jordi Roura has an otherwise clean bill of health.

Madrid welcome back Xabi Alonso (groin), Karim Benzema (knee) and Raphael Varane (muscle strain) from injury.

Sergio Ramos, Fabio Coentrao and Angel Di Maria also return after missing the first leg through suspension, while Kaka is pushing for a start after his match-winning contribution against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.

DID YOU KNOW?

Barcelona are on a 22-match unbeaten run at Camp Nou in all competitions (W18, D4).

The Catalan giants have won just one of their last six encounters against Real Madrid (W1, D3, L2).

Lionel Messi has scored a club-record 17 goals in 23 Clasico appearances.

Real Madrid are facing Barcelona for the 224th time in all competitions. The capital club have 88 wins to Barca's 87.

Los Blancos have only won three of their last 10 away matches across all competitions (W3, D3, L4).

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored seven goals in his last seven matches against Barcelona.

Prediction
Barcelona have looked laboured in recent weeks, while Madrid are in the midst of a mini-revival, but as the cliche goes, form counts for nothing on these occasions. The onus is on the visitors to attack as they look for away goals, but Barca will be right up for this in front of their own fans after their shock defeat against Milan last week.

Editor's Prediction
Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid

OPTA Facts - FA Cup Fifth Round + Replay

Everton v Oldham Athletic (replay)
Everton are now without a win in six FA Cup games against Oldham Athletic (D3 L3) and have not eliminated the Latics from the competition since February 1912.
The Toffees are looking to make the sixth round for the 28th time. Only Arsenal (36), Man Utd (33) and Tottenham (29) have reached the round more than 28 times.
Oldham, meanwhile, have only made the sixth round twice before (1990 and 1994); on both of those occasions they were ultimately eliminated by Manchester United in the semi-finals.
Having defeated Liverpool in the fourth round, Oldham are the first team to face both Merseyside giants in successive FA Cup ties since Tottenham Hotspur in 1995.
Matt Smith has scored three goals in his last two FA Cup appearances for Oldham, with those goals coming against Liverpool and Everton.
The Latics had more shots on target (five) than Everton (four) in the original tie.
Everton have only won three of their last seven home games in the FA Cup, drawing two and losing two.
David Moyes' side have been eliminated from the FA Cup on home soil by a lower league team in two of the last five seasons, with Oldham themselves one of the teams to win at Goodison Park (2008, Round Three).
Indeed, Oldham's last two away wins against top-flight sides in the FA Cup have both come at Goodison Park, although the victory prior to that 2008 win came way back in March 1913.
Excluding games when they were in the top-flight themselves, Oldham have kept just one clean sheet in 17 away FA Cup games against sides from the first tier, and that was in the 1-0 win at Everton in 2008. In the other 16, they have conceded a total of 58 goals (3.6 per game).

Middlesbrough v Chelsea
This will be the fourth meeting between Middlesbrough and Chelsea in the FA Cup proper; of the previous three ties, Chelsea have won two (including the 1997 final) and ‘Boro have won one.
In all competitions, Chelsea have won their last five against Middlesbrough without conceding a single goal (13 goals scored).
The Teesiders have only lost three of their last 22 FA Cup games at the Riverside Stadium (W15 D4).
Since their most recent relegation from the Premier League, ‘Boro have been eliminated from both of their FA Cup ties against top-flight sides, including a replay defeat to Sunderland last season.
Chelsea are unbeaten in 26 FA Cup games, though this run does include a penalty shootout defeat to Everton in February 2011.
The Londoners' record of 26 unbeaten FA Cup games is the longest ever run without defeat in the FA Cup (next best Blackburn Rovers on 23, ended in 1886).
Since their semi-final defeat to Liverpool in April 2006, the Blues have lost just one of 37 FA Cup games outright (W30 D6).
Chelsea have won seven and lost none of their last nine away games in the competition, scoring 22 and conceding just six.
The Blues have only lost one of their last 52 FA Cup games against lower ranked sides; losing 0-1 to Barnsley in March 2008.

OPTA Facts - Championship - February 26th

Burnley v Huddersfield
Since the turn of the century, Burnley have beaten Huddersfield three times in four games, keeping three clean sheets in the process. The Terriers won the earlier fixture this season 2-0, courtesy of goals from Joel Lynch and Jordan Rhodes.
Burnley are without a win in five (D2 L3), and have failed to score in their last two.
Huddersfield are winless in four (D2 L2), scoring just one goal in those fixtures.
The Terriers are the league's joint-lowest scorers with just 34 goals to their name, James Vaughan is their top scorer with 6.

Leicester v Blackburn
Blackburn have won their last three games against Leicester, having previously gone five without a victory over the Foxes.
The Foxes have kept 13 clean sheets this season, a joint high with Cardiff.
On the 13 occasions Leicester have taken the lead at home this season, they've never lost (W11 D2).
Blackburn's Jordan Rhodes has failed to score in his last three league games, having scored in the previous seven.

Bolton v Peterborough
The last time the two clubs met, Peterborough beat Bolton 5-4, the joint highest scoring game this season, level with Charlton's 5-4 win against Cardiff.
Bolton have conceded 422 fouls this season, the highest in the division and have also been shown the joint most yellow cards (63).
When the Posh have fallen behind in an away game, they have lost every time (L9).
The Trotters have gained 15 points from losing positions at the Reebok Stadium, a divisional high.

OPTA Facts - SPL- Feb 26th-27th

Aberdeen v Ross County
Aberdeen are yet to beat Ross County this season, having lost and drawn in the previous two meetings.
Ross County have accumulated 21 points out of the last 30 available, the only side to have won more points in the last 10 games is Celtic (25).
Ross County have scored 69% of their goals in the second half, only St Mirren have netted a higher proportion (71%) after the break.
Aberdeen have only been awarded one penalty this season, a division low.

Dundee v St Johnstone
St Johnstone have beaten Dundee twice this season with Liam Craig scoring in both games.
Dundee haven't beaten St Johnstone in six games (D2 L4).
The Dee are without a win in 13 league games (D3 L10).
The Saints' Rowan Vine has scored three goals in his last four SPL games.
Dundee have failed to gain a single point from losing positions this season.

Hibernian v Kilmarnock
Killie are unbeaten in four SPL games, having won two and drawn two.
Hibs have one win in seven games (D4 L2); their worst run of the season.
Leigh Griffiths has three goals in as many games for Hibernian, and has scored four braces this season.
Kilmarnock striker Paul Heffernan has four goals in his last two games and has nine in the league for the season.

Inverness CT v Dundee United
The last five clashes between these two sides have produced 24 goals, an average of 4.8 per game.
Billy McKay scored three times for Caley the last time these sides met, in December (4-4).
Dundee United have lost 18 points from winning positions this season, the highest total in the division.
Inverness have been awarded the most penalties this season (10), and have converted seven.

Motherwell v Celtic
Celtic have won their last eight games against Motherwell, with striker Gary Hooper scoring four goals in his last five appearances in this fixture.
Motherwell have salvaged 13 points from losing positions this season, a league high figure.
Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley has scored three goals in his last three SPL games.
The Bhoys have recorded seven victories in their last eight SPL games (D1).

St Mirren v Hearts
St Mirren have dropped two points from losing positions at home; a joint-league-low.
They have also picked up six points from losing positions at home; a joint-high figure.
Hearts have won just once in 10 away games (D4 L5), only Dundee (0) have won fewer games on the road in this period.
Hearts have lost their last three games in the league, and have just one win in eight (D2 L5).
St Mirren have only kept one clean sheet at home this season, the lowest total in the league.
Hearts have only scored 11 away goals all season; only Dundee have scored less (6).

25.02. (Mon) 21:00 West Ham - Tottenham

PROBABLE LINEUPS

WEST HAM
Jaaskelainen
Demel, Reid, Tomkins, Taylor
Noble, Diame
J Cole, Nolan, Jarvis
Carroll

TOTTENHAM
Lloris
Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto
Parker, Dembele
Lennon, Dempsey, Bale
Adebayor

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce will be hoping to welcome James Collins (hamstring) back to his first team squad after the Wales defender was ruled out for the Hammers' previous six games, but he may not start.

Joey O'Brien (thigh) is a doubt after he limped out the Irons' defeat at Aston Villa last time out, while fellow defender George McCartney (knee) will definitely be missing.

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is likely to be without striker Jermain Defoe (ankle) and midfielder Tom Huddlestone (knee) for the trip to Upton Park, although long-term absentee Younes Kaboul (knee) is close to a return, and could make the bench, and Hugo Lloris is expected to replace Brad Friedel in goal.

DID YOU KNOW?
West Ham's last seven Premier League goals have been scored by different players.
The Irons have neither scored nor conceded a goal at Upton Park between the 50th and 60th minute this season.

Sam Allardyce's men have won just twice in the league in 2013, with both victories coming at Upton Park (against Norwich and Swansea).

West Ham striker Andy Carroll is 8/1 to score the first goal in the game with bet365.

Tottenham attacker Gareth Bale has scored six out the club's last eight goals in all competitons.

Spurs have conceded more than a third (36 per cent) of their away goals between the 70th and 80th minutes this season. However, they have scored 39% of their goals in the same timeframe.

Andre Villas-Boas' side have conceded more than one goal only once in their last 13 games in all competitons (against Leeds in the FA Cup).

Spurs have the second-best away form in the league, having gone five games unbeaten on the road.
Monday night's game marks 20 years since the death of former West Ham and England captain Bobby Moore, and before kick-off a minute's applause will be observed, as well as a fan mosaic bearing his shirt in the Bobby Moore Stand.

Prediction
It will have been more than two weeks since West Ham's last game when they host Tottenham on Monday night, and that break may count in their favour, or they may not be as sharp as their visitors, who played Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday evening. This London derby is sure to produce an excellent atmosphere, but it will be Tottenham who fancy their chances against a Hammers team with indifferent form since the turn of the year.

Editor's Prediction
West Ham United 1-3 Tottenham

24.02. (Sun) 21:00 Paris Saint Germain - Olympique Marseille

PROBABLE LINEUPS

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Sirigu
Jallet, Sakho, Alex, Maxwell
Verratti, Matuidi,
Lucas Moura, Pastore
Lavezzi, Ibrahimovic

OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE
Mandanda
Fanni, N'Koulou, Lucas Mendes, Morel
Barton, Romao
Kadir, Valbuena, A.Ayew
Gignac

Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti will announce on Saturday whether or not former England captain David Beckham has made the squad to face arch-rivals Olympique de Marseille at the Parc des Princes.

The former LA Galaxy star, 37, has not featured in a competitive match since his previous club's MLS Cup victory, but is widely expected to make the substitutes bench at least, as Ancelotti grapples with Lucas' fitness issues and his widening rift with Jeremy Menez in the right-midfield position.

Thiago Silva remains some way from a return, with Thiago Motta also sidelined. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will spearhead the attack after confusion regarding a possible suspension, which the LFP have sought to dismiss.

Meanwhile, Marseille boss Elie Baup has himself a few injury and suspension issues to contend with ahead of a mammoth season-defining week for the Provence club.

Benoit Cheyrou has pulled out of both the league clash and the cup fixture against PSG - which will take place on Wednesday evening, with Jordan Ayew suspended for two matches and Morgan Amalfitano nursing a knee injury.

New signing Alaixys Romao should partner Joey Barton in midfield, as Andre-Pierre Gignac seeks to emulate Ibrahimovic, as was the case in the side's previous meeting at Stade Velodrome in October.

DID YOU KNOW?

Paris Saint-Germain sit atop of the Ligue 1 table, despite their shock 3-2 defeat to Sochaux last weekend.
A double from Zlatan Ibrahimovic cancelled out two strikes by Andre Pierre-Gignac when the teams met on October 7 in the league.

Les Parisiens have succumbed to defeat just four times in their last 45 home games in Ligue 1.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have conceded one goal in their last six fixtures at the Parc des Princes.

Marseille sit third in Ligue 1, five points behind their arch-rivals.

L'OM have lost each of their last three fixtures at the Parc des Princes. This will be the sides' third meeting of the 2012-13 season, with a second cup tie scheduled for Wednesday.

Nevertheless, Marseille have found the net in each of their last 13 league fixtures against the capital club.
The Provence club's last victory in the capital came almost exactly three years ago, with the 3-0 scoreline en route to the 2010 title remains their biggest league win at this ground.

Sunday's match is sold out, with French media reporting 350 journalists across the globe have been accredited for the clash, though, just seven from England.

Prediction
A tough game to predict in all honesty. With the title race hotting up, Marseille's sketchy form in Ligue 1 since the turn of the year, coupled with PSG's recent resurgence, as well as their decent form barring that shocker in Sochaux last weekend sees all roads point to a home win. Yet, these types of games often call for a different style, or an alternative approach. Whilst OM will be seeking to gatecrash the Beckham party, Carlo Ancelotti's men should sneak through this one.

Editor's Prediction
PSG 2-1 Marseille

24.02. (Sun) 20:45 Inter - Milan

PROBABLE LINEUPS

INTER
Handanovic
Zanetti, Chivu, Juan, Nagatomo
Kuzmanovic, Kovacic, Cambiasso
Guarin
Palacio, Cassano

AC MILAN
Abbiati
Abate, Zapata, Mexes, Constant
Montolivo, Ambrosini, Muntari
Bojan, Balotelli, El Shaarawy

Inter host an AC Milan side which includes former Nerazzurri star Mario Balotelli, as both clubs target victory at the San Siro to mount a push for automatic Champions League qualification.

Andrea Stramaccioni has some new faces of his own as, despite being January additions to the Inter ranks, Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Mateo Kovacic have already become regulars in the starting XI. The pair should both feature from kick off but with Alvaro Pereira suspended Dejan Stankovic could be called in to provide more experience in midfield.

Andrea Ranocchia is not expected to feature due to injury, so Christian Chivu will return to the fold, with Yuto Nagatomo beginning the game from left-back having been rested during the midweek Europa League win over Cluj.

Mario Balotelli will make his return to the Derby della Madonnina, though this time he will feature on the side of the Rossoneri. The striker was ineligible for Wednesday's victory against Barcelona and could be supported in attack by on-loan Blaugrana talent Bojan.

With Antonio Nocerino, Mathieu Flamini and Nigel de Jong all sidelined, Massimiliano Allegri is unlikely to make changes to his midfield trio.

DID YOU KNOW?

Inter have won the last three meetings between these two sides, two of which ended 1-0.

A fourth-minute goal from Walter Samuel handed the Nerazzurri all the points in the reverse of the fixture earlier this season.

Andrea Stramaccioni's men are undefeated in their last 10 home matches in Serie A.

Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Mateo Kovacic could both make their Derby della Madonnina debut this weekend.

Milan sit in third position in the table, just one point above their fifth-placed opponents.

The Rossoneri last shared the spoils with Inter 20 games ago, a record which stretches back to October 2004.

Milan hold the upper hand in terms of derby wins, boasting 81 triumphs to their arch-rival's 77.

Massimiliano Allegri's men are currently on an eight-game undefeated run in the league.

Prediction
Inter have won the last three Milan derbies, but coming off the back of a well-earned win against Barcelona in midweek AC Milan will have momentum on their side. The players will now have a new-found confidence and will be eagerly anticipating the match against their fiercest rivals. But the Nerazzurri showed signs of recovery from last weekend's humiliating 4-1 defeat at the hands of Fiorentina with a comfortable win over Cluj on Thursday. These teams have not shared the spoils for 20 matches now but Massimiliano Allegri's men should have enough about them to shade a win.

Editor's Prediction
Inter 1-2 Milan

24.02. (Sun) 15:30 Borussia MG - Borussia D.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

GLADBACH
Ter Stegen
Jantschke, Stranz, Dominguez, Wendt
Marx, Nordtveit
Hanke, De Jong, Arango

DORTMUND
Weidenfeller
Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer
Gundogan, Bender
Blaszczykowski, Reus, Grosskreutz
Gotze

Borussia Monchengladbach will be without the services of star man Patrick Herrmann, who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season during last week's 1-0 loss to Hamburg at the Imtech Arena, with Mike Hanke expected to replace him.

The only other absence will be Branimir Hrgota, who is building up fitness following a knee injury.

Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, are likely to field Mario Gotze as a makeshift striker thanks to the suspensions of Robert Lewandowski and Julian Schieber.

Kevin Grosskreutz will slot in on the left wing, but veteran defender Patrick Owomoyela remains sidelined.

DID YOU KNOW?

Borussia Monchengladbach have won just one of their seven games since the turn of the year.

The biggest win in Bundesliga history came in this fixture - a 12-0 victory for the Foals in 1978.

The last two games at Borussia Park have ended in 3-3 draws - against Leverkusen and Lazio.

Borussia Dortmund clinched their Bundesliga title last season with a 2-0 win over Gladbach.

Marco Reus joined BVB from Lucien Favre's side in the summer, and scored twice when the two sides met earlier this season.

Dortmund have won at Borussia Park just three times since the turn of the millennium, and just once in their last six visits to Gladbach.

Prediction
Borussia Monchengladbach will certainly provide Dortmund with stern opposition, but I'd still expect the German champions to emerge victorious as they look to build up momentum ahead of a critical part of the season.

Editor's Prediction
Mönchengladbach 1-3 Dortmund

24.02. (Sun) 15:00 Juventus - Siena

PROBABLE LINEUPS

JUVENTUS
Buffon
Bonucci, Marrone, Caceres
Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Kwadwo
Quagliarella, Giovinco

SIENA
Pegolo
Texeira, Terlizzi, Felipe
Belmonte, Vergassola, Della Rocca, Rubin
Rosina, Setsu
Emeghara

Juventus winger Simone Pepe has suffered a setback in training and will likely have to undergo surgery to repair a thigh injury. The 29-year-old has made just a single appearance from the bench so far this season.
Coach Antonio Conte is also without on-loan Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner, who is still recovering from adductor surgery and is expected back sometime in March.

Defender Paolo De Ceglie is sidelined with a thigh injury suffered against Fiorentina earlier this month and Giorgio Chiellini will be given the day off to rest his troublesome calf.

Claudio Marchisio returns from suspension.

Iachini’s only injury concern involves wing-back Angelo, who has a muscle injury but is expected to play some part in his side’s match against Atalanta on March 3.

Defenders Roberto Vitiello and Claudio Terzi are serving extended bans for their part in the 2011 match-fixing scandal.

DID YOU KNOW?

Since the beginning of January, Juventus have dropped points in four of eight Serie A matches, including losses to Sampdoria and Roma. They also lost 2-1 away to Lazio in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia.

Only Roma have scored more than the 50 goals Juventus have managed in the league so far this season, but Fabio Quagliarella is the only player with at least seven of them to his name.

Juventus are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Siena. Their most recent defeat to them came in May 2008.

Siena are third from bottom in Serie A but would be 15th had they not been deducted six points for their role in the 2011 Italian match-fixing scandal.

Coach Beppe Iachini lost his first three matches after replacing Serse Cosmi last December but has since dropped just one of his last five while beating Sampdoria, Inter and Lazio.

Striker Innocent Emeghara has scored three goals in four matches since joining Siena on loan from Lorient in January,

Prediction
Juventus have Marchisio back and will not want to go two matches without a win following last Saturday’s loss in the capital. And while Siena have started to turn things around under Iachini they’ll be hard-pressed to get anything from an irritated opponent that has turned its home stadium into a fortress.

Editor's Prediction
Juventus 2-0 Siena

24.02. (Sun) 14:30 Manchester City - Chelsea

Probable lineups

MAN CITY
J. Hart
P. Zabaleta • V. Kompany • M. Nastasić • G. Clichy
Y. Touré • Javi García
David Silva • S. Agüero • J. Milner
E. Džeko

CHELSEA
P. Čech
Azpilicueta • B. Ivanović • G. Cahill • A. Cole
F. Lampard • Ramires
Mata • E. Hazard • V. Moses
D. Ba

Roberto Mancini is likely to make several changes from the rotated side that beat Leeds 4-0 in the FA Cup as regulars Joe Hart, Gael Clichy and Edin Dzeko are all likely to replace Costil Pantilimon, Aleksandar Kolarov and Carlos Tevez.

The home side could also receive a much-needed boost with captain Vincent Kompany currently striving to return from a calf injury in time for the game. If he passes a late fitness test he should return in place of Kolo Toure.

Gareth Barry (knock), however, remains doubtful while Micah Richards (knee) will definitely not feature.

Rafa Benitez is also set to make a variety of changes from the side that drew against Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday, as Frank Lampard, Branislav Ivanovic and Ashley Cole, all rested in that game, should return at the expense of John Obi Mikel, John Terry and Ryan Bertrand.

Eden Hazard, following his late tie-winning contribution in Thursday's game, should also come back into the starting line-up, with Oscar likely to be the man that drops to the bench.

Demba Ba should also, once again, come in for Fernando Torres to lead the line after missing out on the Europa League tie, having already featured in the competition for Newcastle.

DID YOU KNOW?
Manchester City have managed to win just one of their past four Premier League encounters with Chelsea, losing two and drawing the other.

Chelsea won 10 of their first 12 away league games against the current champions, but City have won the last three clashes at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko has scored six goals in his last seven Premier League appearances. He is 11/2 to score the first goal with bet365.

The sides are well-matched, with City boasting this season's second-best home record, while the visitors have the second-best away form in the league, with Manchester United leading both tables.
Meanwhile, Chelsea's Frank Lampard will be looking to score in his fifth consecutive league game for only the third time in his career (having previously done so in 2005 and 2010).

The Blues have been awarded eight penalties this season, the most in the Premier League, though their opposition today has, aside from rivals Manchester United, enjoyed the most spot-kicks in the league since the start of last season (14).

Fernando Torres will be looking to recover from a torrid recent spell of form if he features here, having scored just one in his last 13 games; against Sparta Prague on Thursday, he had more shots than anyone else on the pitch and not only did he fail to score, but only one of those was on target.

The Blues are 13th in the table when it comes to losing the lead in matches this season, having dropped 14 points from winning positions.

Prediction
The managers of both of these sides are coming under considerable pressure from fans and pundits alike in recent times; Mancini's men have failed to win their last three games in the Premier League while Benitez is still struggling to endear himself to the Chelsea support in the midst of some disappointing performances. The former Liverpool man would surely go some way to winning over the fans if they could catch City in second and, if they win here, they'd be one point short of that goal. However, the hosts have a point to prove and, for that reason, there should be little to separate the teams.

Editor's Prediction
Manchester City 2-2 Chelsea

23.02. (Sat) 22:00 Barcelona - Sevilla

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BARCELONA
Valdes
Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba
Thiago, Song, Fabregas
Sanchez, Messi, Villa

SEVILLA
Beto
Coke, Fazio, Botia, Navarro
Maduro, Kondogbia
Navas, Hervas, Manu
Diawara

Barcelona forward David Villa has recovered from kidney stones and could start against Sevilla at Camp Nou.

Defender Adriano remains a doubt with a hamstring problem, while Eric Abidal has been declared fit for the first time since undergoing a liver transplant last April.

Assistant coach Jordi Roura will rest some of the players who featured in the 2-0 defeat at AC Milan, with back-to-back clashes against Real Madrid coming up over the next week.

Sevilla boss Unai Emery is also likely to rotate his squad in order to prioritise Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

Andres Palop, Cicinho, Diego Perotti and Piotr Trochowski are all out injured, while Emir Spahic is suspended.

DID YOU KNOW?
Barcelona have only won two of their last five matches in all competitions (W2, D2, L1).

The Catalan giants are on a 21-match unbeaten run at Camp Nou across all competitions.

Lionel Messi has scored in a record 14 consecutive Liga games.

Sevilla are on a nine-match winless run away from home in La Liga (D2, L7).

Los Nervionenses have lost six of their last eight Liga meetings with Barcelona.

Sevilla's last away win at Barca was a 3-0 success in December 2002.

Prediction
Saturday's match could be a low-key affair as both teams will have one eye on their midweek Copa del Rey semi-final ties. Sevilla will have to produce something special at Camp Nou to derail Barcelona, who will be out to prove a point after their lacklustre performance in Milan.

Editor's Prediction
Barcelona 3-1 Sevilla

Week 26 – Serie A OPTA Facts

Atalanta v Roma
These two sides haven't drawn any of their last 16 league meetings: 11 wins for Roma, five for Atalanta.
Roma have failed to score only once in their last 22 meetings against Atalanta in the league, back in February 2009.
In their last seven meetings in Bergamo, the result has alternated with a win for each side, with the hosts winning the last clash.
Atalanta have won only one of their last nine Serie A fixtures (3D 5L).
Atalanta have won only one of their last six games at home, and have drawn three of the last four.
Before beating Juventus, Roma had taken only two points from six league games.
Against the Old Lady, the Giallorossi kept their first clean sheet after a run of 10 games in which they had always conceded.
Roma have picked up only one point from their last five games on the road in Serie A, and have conceded six goals in the last two fixtures away from the Olimpico.
Germán Denis has netted five goals in nine meetings against Roma, including a hat-trick, with the Giallorossi his favourite opponents in Serie A.
Scoring against Juventus, Francesco Totti took his tally to 224 goals in Serie A; should he score another against Atalanta he will draw level with Gunnar Nordahl as the second highest scorer in the history of Serie A.

Bologna v Fiorentina
Bologna have won only two of their last 12 league games against Fiorentina, with five wins for the Viola in the process.
However, Fiorentina have won only once in their last 10 visits to the Dall'Ara (3-1 in February 2009).
Bologna have drawn 24 times at home against Fiorentina, more than against any other Serie A opponent.
Bologna have won only one of their last five league fixtures (2D 2L).
At home, the Felsinei have lost only one of their last eight games and have scored in 20 of their last 21 home games in the league.
Over the last four Serie A match-days, Fiorentina have alternated between an away loss and a home win.
The Viola have lost their last three away games, shipping at least two goals in each of these fixtures.
Bologna are the only Serie A side yet to score a goal from outside the box in open play this season while Fiorentina, on the other hand, have scored the most (nine).
Alberto Gilardino has already scored four goals against his former team, Fiorentina - although none have come for Bologna (three for AC Milan and one for Parma).
Stevan Jovetic was directly involved in four of the Viola's last five goals, scoring three and providing one assist.

Cagliari v Torino
Cagliari are unbeaten in their last four Serie A meetings against Torino (three wins and a draw).
Over the course of these last four meetings with the Sardinians, the Granata haven't netted a single goal.
Cagliari are unbeaten at home aginst Torino in their last eight meetings (four wins for the Sardinians, four draws).
Torino have managed to score only two goals in total in their last eight trips to Cagliari.
The Sardinians are unbeaten in their last six games in the league (3W 3D); before that, they had lost six games in a row in Serie A.
Cagliari have won only one of their last seven league fixtutes at home (3D 3L).
Torino have lost only one of their last nine legaue games, winning four.
Cagliari have collected only 13 points from their home games this season - a joint-low alongside Pescara.
Mario Santana has already scored three goals against Cagliari, his favourite opponent in Serie A, while he has also bagged one of his two Serie A braces (when he was at Fiorentina in December 2007) against the Sardinians.
Eight of the 10 goals scored by Marco Sau in this campaign have come away from home, with seven netted after half-time.

Inter v AC Milan
This will be the 158th Milan derby in Serie A: the Nerazzurri lead by 59 wins to 49, with 49 draws.
The Milan derby hasn't ended in a draw in the league since October 2004 (16 fixtures).
These two sides have shared only one draw in their last 24 meetings in Serie A.
Inter have won each of their last three derbies against AC Milan, and six of the last eight.
Inter have also won six of the last seven derbies played as the hosting side.
Andrea Stramaccioni's side have won only once in the last five match-days (2D 2L).
In these last five fixtures, Inter have always scored and conceded.
Siena were the last Serie A side to beat Inter at their ground, back in September - since then, the Nerazzurri have registered seven wins and three draws.
AC Milan have lost only one of their last 13 league games (4-2 vs Roma) - posting nine wins and three draws in the process.
Dejan Stankovic has already scored six goals against AC Milan - his favourite opponent in Italy.
Mario Balotelli (59 appearances and 20 goals for Inter between 2007 and 2010) is yet to score his first goal in a Milan derby, despite playing in three of the clashes so far.
Against Inter, Giampaolo Pazzini has already scored three goals in Serie A, but only one in his last 10 appearances against the Nerazzurri.

Juventus v Siena
This will be the 16th Serie A meeting between Juventus and Siena: the Old Lady have won on 12 occasions, with only one win for the Tuscans (in May 2008).
In Turin, Juventus won their first five Serie A meetings against Siena, before drawing the last two.
Siena have failed to score in five of their seven previous visits to Juventus' ground in the top-flight.
Juventus have won only three of their last seven league fixtures, losing two in the process.
Juventus have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven league games at home, and overall boast the best defence in the competition (only 17 goals conceded).
Despite their 1-0 defeat against Roma, Juve remain the best attacking side this season in Serie A, with 50 goals scored.
Siena have lost just once in their last five Serie A match-days, winning three times.
Since beating Inter at the San Siro back in September, Siena have picked-up only three points in 10 games on the road.
Innocent Emeghara has scored four goals in four Serie A games from exactly four shots on target attempted.
Gianluca Pegolo has kept the joint-most clean sheets so far in Serie A this term (10).

Lazio v Pescara
This will be the 10th Serie A meeting between these two sides: Lazio lead by five wins to two, with two draws.
At home, Lazio are unbeaten in Serie A against Pescara (3W 1D).
Lazio have scored exactly two goals in each of their previous meetings against Pescara.
Lazio are without a win on their last five Serie A match-days (two draws, three defeats).
Lazio have failed to win either of their last two home games - prior to this, they had recorded eight wins and a draw in nine home fixtures in the league.
Pescara have picked up only one point from their last six league games, conceding 16 goals in the process.
Pescara have taken just one point from their last three away games, scoring only one goal and conceding nine in the process.
Pescara have the worst attack in the top division this season (20 goals scored) and the worst defence (51 conceded).
No Serie A side has scored fewer goals than Lazio (nine) in the last 30 minutes of play this season.
Lazio have picked up just two points in five league games without Miroslav Klose this season.

Palermo v Genoa
Over the last six meetings between these two sides, the same result has never happened twice in a row - this season the reverse fixture at the Marsssi ended 1-1.
Genoa have won only one of their last 12 games at Palermo's ground - the Rosanero are unbeaten in the last four at the Barbera (three wins and a draw).
Palermo are winless in their last 11 Serie A games (losing six), although the Rosanero have drawn four of the last five.
The Sicilians have conceded goals in each of their last 13 league games.
Palermo are winless in their last five home games (3L 2D).
Genoa are unbeaten in their last four fixtures - two home wins, two away draws.
Genoa have won only two games away from home, and have lost six so far in this campaign.
Genoa have managed to score more than a single goal away from home only once this season, in their first game on the road against Catania.
Palermo are the only Serie A side yet to score following either a corner situation or an indirect free-kick.
Palermo's last six goals in the league have all been scored by different players.

Parma v Catania
Parma and Catania have met 11 times in Serie A: the Sicilians lead by four wins to two, with five draws.
The Ducali are unbeaten at home against Catania (2W 3D).
After winning three games in a row between December and January, Parma haven't won for six consecutive games in Serie A (3D 3L).
Catania have suffered only one loss in the last seven Serie A match-days, winning four in the process.
Catania haven't scored in either of their last two league games on the road.
Parma have scored only two goals in the opening 30 minutes of play - a league-low in this campaign.
Catania are the only side in this competition to have seen all of their goals scored by players from only two nationalities: Argentina (25) and Italy (seven).
Against Catania, Marco Marchionni scored one of his two Serie A braces, when he was at Fiorentina in September 2010.
Alejandro Gómez made his Serie A debut against Parma, in September 2010; He also found the net in Catania's 2-0 win in this season's reverse fixture.

Sampdoria v Chievo
This will be the 16th meeting between Sampdoria and Chievo in the top-flight: the Blucerchiati lead by six wins to two, with seven draws.
The record at the Marassi sees the hosts leading by four wins to one, with two draws.
Samp had always scored at home against Chievo, prior to the 0-0 result in their last meeting at the Marassi in November 2010.
Sampdoria are unbeaten in their last four league fixtures: two home wins and two away draws.
Sampdoria have scored nine goals in their last two home games, one more than they had managed in their previous 10 home games combined.
Chievo have taken only one point from their last three league games, and have scored exactly one goal in each of their last five.
Chievo and Bologna are the only two sides yet to draw away from home this season.
Chievo lost their first six away games in this campaign, but have recorded three wins and three losses in the last six on the road.
Chievo have conceded the most goals away from home this season (27).
Amongst players with at least five goals scored, Alberto Paloschi has posted the highest conversion ratio (54%).

Udinese v Napoli
Udinese have won only three of their last 12 Serie A meetings against Napoli, with four wins for the Partenopei and five games drawn.
In their last 12 visits to Udine, Napoli have won only once (5-0 in September 2007).
Against Napoli, Udinese recorded their best ever Serie A win, a 7-0 mauling in May 1958; in fact, the Friulani have never scored more than seven goals in the top-flight.
In the last seven match-days, Udinese have recorded four home wins and three away losses.
Udinese are unbeaten in their last 11 home games, and have taken 25 of the last 33 points available at home soil.
Udinese are on a run of four wins in a row at home, keeping three clean sheets in the process.
Before drawing 0-0 against Sampdoria last Sunday, Napoli had scored in 14 games in a row in Serie A.
Napoli are unbeaten in their last eight Serie A games, but have drawn three of the last five.
In their last four away games, the Partenopei have recorded two wins and as many draws.
Antonio Di Natale has scored eight goals in nine appearances against Napoli in Serie A, including two of his six top-flight hat-tricks.
Goran Pandev scored his last Serie A goal in the reverse fixture against Udinese in October.
Edinson Cavani has failed to score in three games in a row for the first time in the league this season.

23.02. (Sat) 20:00 Dep. La Coruna - Real

PROBABLE LINEUPS

DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA
Aranzubia
Silvio, Marchena, Ze Castro, Ayoze
Bergantinos, Assuncao
Gama, Aguilar, Pizzi
Riki

REAL MADRID
Lopez
Arbeloa, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo
Essien, Modric
Callejon, Kaka, Ronaldo
Higuain

Deportivo La Coruna welcome back defender Carlos Marchena from suspension for the Liga encounter with Real Madrid at the Riazor.

Left-back Ayoze has recovered from a thigh injury and could make his first start since December, but Aythami (hamstring), Laure (groin) and Manuel Pablo (suspension) are all sidelined.

Alvaro Arbeloa, Luka Modric and Gonzalo Higuain return for Madrid after serving a ban, but Sergio Ramos is ruled out after his red card against Rayo Vallecano.

Boss Jose Mourinho is likely to rotate his squad with one eye on Tuesday's Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Barcelona.

DID YOU KNOW?
Deportivo La Coruna are on a five-match losing streak in La Liga.

The Galician outfit have conceded 54 goals in their 24 Liga matches, more than any other club.

Deportivo have won just three home games in all competitions this season (W3, D3, L6).

Real Madrid have won just one of their last six away matches across all competitions (W1, D2, L3).

Los Merengues have registered wins in five of their last six meetings with Deportivo.

Cristiano Ronaldo has found the net eight times in his last five Liga matches.

Prediction
Real have effectively thrown in the towel in the title race, but they will have realistic hopes of catching up to city rivals Atletico Madrid, who are four points ahead in the table. Deportivo need to start picking up points from somewhere, but they have been all over the place defensively.

Editor's Prediction
Deportivo La Coruña 0-3 Real Madrid

Poslednje kolo pred plej-of šampionata Brazila - Karioka

* Iz grupe A siguran putnik u polufinale je Botafogo. Za drugo mesto bore se Vasko (13) i Madureira (11). „Moreplovci” imaju pobedu više i bolju gol-razliku za pet, tako da im je najverovatrnije dovoljan bod protiv Duke Kahiasa.
* Iz grupe B, Flamengo je obezbedio prvo mesto, a za drugu poziciju bore se Fluminense (15) i Boavista (13). Zbog bolje gol-razlike Fluminensea za čak devet pogodaka, šampionu Brazila je potreban bod protiv Madureire.
* Naredne nedelje se igraju polufinalni susreti prvog dela šampionata Karioka - Taka Guanabara.
* Drugi deo šampionata Karioka, Taka Rio, kreće 17. marta, a igra se po istom, jednokružnom sistemu, sa po dve ekipe iz grupe koje igraju polufinale.

23.02. (Sat) 16:00 Arsenal - Aston Villa

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ARSENAL
Szczesny
Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Monreal
Wilshere, Arteta, Cazorla
Podolski, Giroud, Walcott

ASTON VILLA
Guzan
Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett
Delph, Westwood, Ireland
Weimann, Agbonlahor
Benteke


Arsenal will be without Bacary Sagna (knee) after he injured himself in the 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in midweek, so Carl Jenkinson should start at right-back, with the Englishman's three-match suspension having run its course.

Kieran Gibbs (thigh) remains sidelined so Nacho Monreal will return at left-back after being cup-tied for the Champions League tie. Per Mertesacker will therefore probably make way and Thomas Vermaelen will move back to centre-back.

Olivier Giroud could start the game after he was introduced from the bench during the week, while Mikel Arteta will face competition from a fit again Abou Diaby in central midfield.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, could have Charles N'Zogbia (knee) back, although he may start from the bench. Richard Dunne (groin and hip) suffered a setback in his recovery, so is unlikely to play, elsewhere in defence, Chris Herd (foot) is also out.

Mark Albrighton (foot) and Gary Gardner (knee) remain long-term absentees, while Fabian Delph came through unscathed against West Ham so should continue in the starting XI.

Paul Lambert may also have Gabriel Agbonlahor and Karim El Ahmadi back in contention after they missed the clash with the Hammers with illness.

DID YOU KNOW?

Arsenal have only scored one goal fewer (50) than they had at this point of their ‘Invincibles’ season of 2003-04.
Arsene Wenger's side have created fewer goalscoring chances from corners than any other side this season.

The Gunners have won only two of their last six home games against yhe Villans in the Premier League.
Defeat to the Midlands outfit would be the north Londoners' third home loss in a row, the first time they have been on such a run at the Emirates Stadium.
Aston Villa have only scored 16 goals in 20 away trips to Arsenal in the Premier League.

Christian Benteke has now scored in five successive appearances for Aston Villa in all competitions.
Villa have been shown more yellow cards than any other Premier League team this season (54), while Arsenal have been shown the least (24).
Aston Villa are 22/1 to win the game 1-0 with bet365.

Prediction
Aston Villa are well rested after almost two weeks out of action while the Gunners have been through an energy-sapping week. It's hard to see Arsenal fall to three successive home defeats, though, so expect a reaction from Wenger's men.

Editor's Prediction
Arsenal 3-1 Aston Villa