Champions League Opta Facts - February 12-13

Celtic - Juventus
o Celtic and Juventus have met four times in the past, each of their encounters ending in a home win.
o Their last encounter dates back to October 2001, in the Champions League group stages. The Bhoys won 4-3 at Celtic Park.
o The last two competitive encounters between Celtic and Juventus have produced 12 goals.
o This is the first time Celtic have reached the last 16 of the Champions League since 2007/08. They've never progressed further.
o Juventus hadn't reached the knockout stages of the Champions League since 2008/09.
o No Italian club has won at Celtic Park in the Champions League (two defeats, two draws).
o Celtic have suffered only two defeats in 23 home games in the Champions League, both against Barcelona.
o Juventus are one of four teams unbeaten in the Champions League this season with Borussia Dortmund, Malaga and Schalke.
o Celtic have scored the joint-most headed goals in the Champions League this season, alongside Galatasaray (4). Three of them have been netted by Georgios Samaras.
o Only PSG conceded fewer goals (3) than Juventus (4) in the Champions League group stages this season. They've kept a clean sheet in their last three games.
o Juventus have the most prolific substitutes in the Champions League this season with four goals from players who have come off the bench.
o Juventus had the joint-most shots in the group stages this season, alongside Real Madrid (126, including blocked shots).
o Andrea Pirlo completed the most crosses during the group stages (23).
o Fraser Forster was the busiest goalkeeper in the group stages among the teams who reached the last 16 with 25 saves.

Valencia - Paris SG
o This is the first ever competitive meeting between Valencia and PSG.
o Valencia have won all six of their encounters with French clubs in the Champions League (since 1992/93).
o Nantes are the only French club to beat Valencia in European competition over 90 minutes. It was back in April 1980 in the Cup Winners' Cup semi-finals. Since then, Valencia have won 13 and drawn four of their competitive encounters with French clubs.
o No French club has ever kept a clean sheet against Valencia in European competition.
o Valencia are unbeaten in their last nine games at the Mestalla in the Champions League (six wins, three draws), scoring 28 goals during that run.
o PSG hadn't reached the knockout stages of the Champions League since 1994/95.
o PSG have won their last four Champions League games, the best run currently.
o PSG have conceded at least two goals in six of their last seven competitive games against Spanish sides.
o PSG have lost only two of their last six competitive away games in Spain, winning three (against Real Madrid, Deportivo La Coruna and Sevilla) and drawing one.
o PSG had the best defensive record in the Champions League group stages this season, conceding only three goals in six games.
o All 14 of PSG's goals in the Champions League this season have been scored from inside the box.
o Valencia benefited from the most penalties in the Champions League group stages this season (3). They have converted all of them.
o Roberto Soldado has scored 14 goals in his last 14 Champions League starts.
o Jonas has netted three goals in two starts at the Mestalla in the Champions League this season.
o Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the top assist provider in the Champions League this season (5).
o Ibrahimovic has only scored four goals in 27 games in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

12.02. (Tue) 20:45 Valencia - Paris Saint Germain

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

VALENCIA
Alves
Pereira, Rami, R Costa, Cissokho
Victor Ruiz, T Costa
Piatti, Banega, Guardado
Soldado
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Sirigu
Jallet, Alex, Sakho, Maxwell
Lucas Moura, Matuidi, Verratti, Pastore
Lavezzi, Ibrahimovic

Valencia coach Ernesto Valverde has no significant injury worries ahead of the visit of Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain to the Mestalla on Tuesday evening.

The likes of Joao Pereira, Victor Ruiz and Diego Alves should return to the starting line-up, having been named among the substitutes for the 1-0 win over Celta Vigo at the weekend.

Of the players who featured in Valencia's last meeting with PSG in the Emirates Cup back in 2007 in London, only David Albelda and Mamadou Sakho remain - though the latter is the only one of the pair expected to start.

Sakho's defensive partner Thiago Silva is out, as is namesake Thiago Motta with the pair nursing thigh injuries, though the Brazilian missed out the last couple of games through suspension.

Blaise Matuidi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Christophe Jallet and Ezequiel Lavezzi were all on the bench in Friday's 3-1 win over Bastia, and all should return to the starting 11.

David Beckham will travel to the Mestalla to watch his new team-mates in action, but has not been included in the squad. His first fixture is likely to be in the Clasico double-header against Olympique de Marseille in two weeks.

DID YOU KNOW?
Valencia sit in fifth place in La Liga, two points behind Malaga, but are unbeaten in four games - fixtures which have included Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Should the hosts pick up victory on Tuesday, it will be their 50th in the European Cup/Champions League.

Los Che have not lost in 17 games out of 18 to Ligue 1 opposition, having beaten PSG's compatriots Lille in the group stage.

Valencia have not lost a Champions League home game since September 2010 (1-0 v Man Utd) - a run of nine fixtures.

Paris Saint-Germain sit top of Ligue 1, six points clear of Olympique Lyonnais.

The Parisien club have conceded just one goal on the road in Europe this season, in a 1-0 reverse to FC Porto.

PSG's record in Spain reads W3 D1 L3. They lost their last fixture in Spain to Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League.

PSG have not been this far (with the exception of a second group stage appearance in 2001) since 1994-95 - the year they were also last champions of France.

Prediction
A difficult match to predict in all honesty. Valencia's home Champions League record speaks for itself and this - despite the allure of the Paris Saint-Germain squad, remains uncharted waters for a club only recently embarking on a pathway of success. Never estimate those who have been in this position often, something even PSG can't claim. Draw, but the visitors should sneak an advantage.

Editor's Prediction
Valencia 1-1 PSG

12.02. (Tue) 20:45 Celtic - Juventus

PROBABLE LINEUPS
CELTIC
Forster
Matthews, Lustig, Wilson, Izaguirre
Brown, Wanyama, Mulgrew
Samara, Hooper, Forrest
JUVENTUS
Buffon
Bonucci, Barzagli, Caceres
Pirlo
Lichtsteiner, Marchisio, Vidal, Asamoah
Vucinic, Giovinco

With Celtic currently enjoying an 18-point lead at the top of the SPL, Neil Lennon made a host of changes for the weekend win over Inverness in order to ensure fresh legs.

However, question marks remain over a number of players. Emilio Izaguirre (knee) and Georgios Samaras (thigh) had previously been rated as 50/50 for the match, but with Lennon insisting their treatments would be as aggressive as possible, starts look highly plausible.

Efe Ambrose will be available for selection, but his appearance in Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations final win on Sunday means he looks set to take a place on the bench, with Kelvin Wilson already highlighted as a probable starter.

Juventus head coach Antonio Conte has almost a full squad to pick from, with very few players missing for the trip to Scotland.

Giorgio Chiellini (calf) is still a few days away from a return, while Paolo De Ceglie, Simone Pepe and Nicklas Bendtner (all thigh) will miss out too.

On the positive side for Conte, Claudio Marchisio has recovered from the injury which had kept him out for a month, while Kwadwo Asamoah is back from Afcon duty with Ghana.

Meanwhile, Leonardo Bonucci's domestic suspension means he will be refreshed for Tuesday.

DID YOU KNOW?
On each of the four previous occasions these sides have met, the home team has been victorious.
Twelve goals have been scored over the course of their last two meetings.

Celtic have never been further than this stage of the competition since it was rebranded as the Champions League. They are 19/5 to qualify for the next round with BetVictor.

From their previous 23 Champions League home matches, Celtic have only been beaten twice. Both of those defeats came against Barcelona.

Like Borussia Dortmund, Malaga and Schalke, Juventus are unbeaten so far in this season's competition.

The Italians conceded just four goals in the group stages. Only Paris Saint-Germain have a better record, having let in three goals.

The Serie A leaders scored four of their 12 group stage goals from the bench, more than any other side.
Gianluigi Buffon is the only player in either squad who played the last time the two sides met in 2001.

Prediction
Juventus will be at near enough at full strength for the trip to Glasgow, but Celtic's home record in the Champions League speaks for itself, therefore the Serie A side will not be in for an easy evening. A score draw looks a good bet.

Editor's Prediction
Celtic 1-1 Juventus

U utorak i sredu prvi susreti osmine finala Lige šampiona

Vatromet u Madridu obasjaće zimskim sivilom usnulu Evropu. Počinju dueli osmine finala Lige šampiona, čiji će derbi između Reala i Mančester Junajteda, na najlepši mogući način najaviti buđenje fudbalskog „ranog” proleća.

Od četiri susreta, koji su na programu u utorak i sredu, najviše pažnje svakako privlači duel na „Santjago Bernabeu” stadionu, na kojem će snage da odmere dva velika tima, ali i dve trenerske veličine. Promišljeni egoista, Žoze Murinjo, „ugostiće” prekaljenog „ratnog veterana” sa Ostrva, ser Aleksa Fergusona.
- Oni su kao Porše i Ferari. Nemoguće je odabrati ko je bolji - nedavno je izjavio Kristijano Ronaldo, vešto driblajući nezgodno postavljena novinarska pitanja.
Ništa manje interesantan neće da bude ni duel Valensije i Pari Sen Žermena, posebno zbog ambicija prebogatih gostiju, koji treneru Anćelotiju, Ibrahimoviću i ostalim skupo plaćenim vedetama, ne bi lako oprostili ranu eliminaciju od „šišmiša”.
D. Đ.

UTORAK
VALENSIJA (Špa) - PSŽ (Fra)
Međusobni susreti -
Valensija - Francuzi 18 13 4 1 39-15
Španci - PSŽ 16 5 3 8 23-27

SREDA
REAL M. (Špa) - MANČESTER J. (Eng)
Međusobni susreti 8 3 3 2 17-14
Real M. - Englezi 28 10 8 10 40-36
Španci - Mančester J. 43 14 17 12 64-56

11.02. (Mon) 21:00 Liverpool - West Brom

PROBABLE LINEUPS

LIVERPOOL
Reina
Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique
Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson
Downing, Sturridge, Suarez
WEST BROM
Foster
Reid, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell
Yacob, Mulumbu
Dorrans, Morrison, Brunt
Long

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge (hip) should make the starting line-up, despite picking up a knock in the 2-2 draw at Manchester City.

Winger Raheem Sterling (calf) should also make a return to the squad, but Martin Kelly (knee) is out until March.

Philippe Coutinho is still struggling to gain enough match fitness to make his Reds bow, but could feature on the bench

West Brom will be without defender Goran Popov after he was sent off against Tottenham for spitting at Kyle Walker, incurring a three-match ban.

They are also missing long-term absentees Zoltan Gera and George Thorne (both knee), but Youssouf Mulumbu (knee) could make a return after featuring for DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Peter Odemwingie is highly unlikely to feature with his future at the club still uncertain.

DID YOU KNOW?
Each of Liverpool's last 11 competitive games have seen three or more goals scored, including their FA Cup defeat by Oldham.

Brendan Rodgers' side have scored 12 goals in their past three Premier League games at Anfield, conceding none. In fact, Liverpool have seven clean sheets out of their last nine at home.

Striker Luis Suarez has scored five and assisted seven in his last 10 Premier League games. He is 11/4 to score the first goal with Bet365.

West Brom have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six away games, conceding 13 and scoring only six as they show a record of five defeats and one win.

The Baggies stunned Liverpool in the opening fixture this season with a 3-0 win at The Hawthorns.
Romelu Lukaku has seven goals and one assist in 10 Premier League starts.

Prediction
Liverpool are on a good run of form at home, while West Brom have been woeful on their travels recently. With Sturridge and Suarez looking to have kick started their partnership to perfection, it could be a tough afternoon for Steve Clarke's side.

Editor's Prediction
Liverpool 2-0 West Brom

10.02. (Sun) 20:45 Inter - Chievo Verona

PROBABLE LINEUPS

INTER
Handanvoic
Silvestre, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus
Schelotti, Zanetti, Gargano, Nagatomo
Kovacic
Cassano, Palacio
CHIEVO
Puggioni
Frey, Acerbi, Dainelli, Andreolli, Jokic
Guana, Rigoni, Hetemaj
Paloschi, Thereau

Inter will have to make do without the services of Luca Castellazzi, Walter Samuel, Dejan Stankovic and Gaby Mudingayi, who are all injured.

What's more, Fredy Guarin and Christian Chivu are both suspended, meaning that Matias Silvestre is set to make a rare start at the back. Mateo Kovacic should start behind a front two of Antonio Cassano and Rodrigo Palacio.

Their guests have a shorter injury list. Gennaro Sardo, Boukary Drame and Adrian Stoian will all miss out, but they have no suspension worries.

DID YOU KNOW?
Inter have kept four successive clean sheets against Chievo.

Chievo last overcame the Nerazzurri in Verona in November 2010.

Out of Serie A's top six teams, only Lazio have scored fewer than Inter’s 36 goals so far this season.

Diego Milito has scored eight Serie A goals so far this season, but has found the net in just one of his last eight.
Chievo's Alberto Paloschi, who has been on loan in Verona since 2011, has already represented enjoyed two stints at AC Milan and one each at Parma and Genoa, despite being just 23 years of age.

Prediction
Inter have relied on their home form for points this season, and could use a win at San Siro following last weekend’s loss at Siena. Chievo, meanwhile, have some confidence about them and could move into the top half of the table with a win.

Editor's Prediction
Inter 1-1 Chievo

10.02. (Sun) 19:00 Nigeria - Burkina Faso

PROBABLE LINEUPS

NIGERIA
Enyeama
Ambrose, Oboabona, Omeruo, Elderson
Onazi, Mikel, Mba
Ideye, Emenike, Moses
BURKINA FASO
Diakite
Koffi,B. Kone, Koulibaly, Panandetiguiri
D. Kone, Kabore, Rouamba, Pitroipa, Nacoulma
Bance

The route to qualification for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament was different for both sides. While the Super Eagles walloped Liberia 6-1, the Stallions needed a stoppage time goal to edge out the Central African Republic 3-3 on aggregate scores.

But that is where the difference ends, and since their 1-1 draw on January 21, both sides have grown in stature and will now contest the final of the 2013 edition of the Nations Cup with a chance to represent Africa in the Fifa Confederations Cup later this year in Brazil.

On the road to the final, Nigeria scored 10 goals and conceded four while Burkina Faso have scored seven and conceded two. Both have improved but Burkina Faso will be missing in form striker Alain Traore, who equalised against Nigeria and scored three goals during the tournament before picking up an injury. The good news for the Burkinabe is that star player Jonathan Pitroipa has had his red card from their last match against Ghana rescinded after Caf decided that his booking was a mistake.

The Nigerians also have injury concerns for two of their better players – Emmanuel Emenike, who has scored four goals, and the chief instigator against Mali, Victor Moses, who has added two strikes. Burkina Faso will also have to make changes to their line-up, with right-back Koffi a major doubt.

But as Jonathan Akpoborie said, “The Eagles have to continue playing like they did against Cote d’Ivoire.” That is good advice, as nothing has been won yet by either team, and while they are already both commended for coming this far, history will only remember the country that wins the title.

For Burkina Faso, this is uncharted territory and for Nigeria, it is a chance to return to the high standards of previous years.

DID YOU KNOW?
If the Nigeria win on Sunday, Stephen Keshi will become the second man to win the Nations Cup as coach and player after Egyptian, Mahmoud Al Gohari.

Burkina Faso are into their first ever Nations Cup finals.

Emmanuel Emenike will be hoping to beat Mubarak Wakaso to the highest scorer award - he has three goals to Wakaso's four.

Paul Put has been banned for life from coaching in Belgium on account of a match-fixing scandal in 2007.

Moumouni Dagano has played in six Nations Cup tournaments but has only scored one goal.

Nigeria has played in the final of the Nations Cup six times and won the trophy on two occasions - in 1980 and 1994.

Burkina Faso is ranked 92nd in the world by Fifa while Nigeria is ranked in 52nd place.

Prediction
We can expect an exciting encounter on Sunday night in Johannesburg, and the Super Eagles are likely to come out on top, but not by much.

Editor's Prediction 
Nigeria 2-1  Burkina Faso

10.02. (Sun) 17:00 Manchester United - Everton

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED
De Gea
Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra
Valencia, Cleverley, Giggs, Nani
Rooney
Van Persie
EVERTON
Howard
Jagielka, Heitinga, Distin, Baines
Mirallas, Gibson, Osman, Pienaar
Fellaini, Anichebe

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to make one change from his side's 1-0 win at Fulham, drafting in Ryan Giggs for Michael Carrick (hip), who sat out England’s 2-1 win over Brazil in midweek.

Ashley Young could return to the Red Devils squad after recovering from a knee injury, but is likely to start on the bench, whilst Phil Jones (illness) is ruled out alongside long-term absentee Darren Fletcher (illness).

Phil Jagielka failed to start England’s friendly on Wednesday due to a slight knock, but is set to start at right-back for Everton, with David Moyes shorn of full-backs Tony Hibbert (calf) and Seamus Coleman (hip).

The Everton boss has no other fresh injury concerns to contend with, and so is likely to name the same XI that came from behind to draw 3-3 with Aston Villa last weekend.

DID YOU KNOW?
Manchester United have won 11 out of 12 league games at home this season.

The Red Devils’ tally of 62 points after 25 games is their highest-ever points haul at this stage in a Premier League season.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have scored 32 league goals at home so far this season; only Arsenal (33) have registered more.

Robin van Persie is 3/1 to score the first goal in the game with bet365.

Everton have a poor record at Old Trafford, having not won there since August 1992.

However, the Toffees have only lost twice in their last six games against Manchester United.

Steven Pienaar bagged a late equaliser in this fixture last season as the sides drew 4-4, equalling the highest-ever score in this fixture.

The Toffees boast a better defensive record than their hosts, having conceding 30 goals to United’s 31.

Prediction
Last season’s 4-4 draw will be inspiration for both sides, and we could see another high-scoring game, especially with United’s shaky defence. However, given Everton's appalling record at Old Trafford, the Red Devils should keep their superb run of form going.

Editor's Prediction
Man Utd. 3-2 Everton

10.02. (Sun) 15:00 Cagliari - Milan

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

CAGLIARI
Agazzi
Pisano, Rossettini, Astori, Murru
Dessena, Conti, Ekdal
Thiago Ribeiro
Pinilla, Sau
AC MILAN
Abbiati
Abate, Zapata, Yepes, Constant
Nocerino, Flamini, Boateng
Niang, Balotelli, El Shaarawy

Cagliari received a timely boost with the news they will be able to play at their home ground just 24 hours after it had been declared a risk to health and safety. That said, the Rossoblu have not beating the Rossoneri in nearly 15 years, so the challenge on Sunday is no less difficult.

The visitors will be looking to continue their push for third place, while Ivo Pulga's men, buoyed by their shock 4-2 win over Roma last weekend, are four points above the relegation zone and are hoping to further distance themselves from the drop.

Massimiliano Allegri will be without centre-back Daniele Bonera, who has heavy bruising on his thigh. The game may have also came too quick for Massimo Ambrosini, who remains sidelined with a thigh injury. Long-term absentee Nigel de Jong is out for the rest of the season. Riccardo Montolivo is suspended.

Cagliari, meanwhile, have full-back Danilo Avelar and midfielder Radja Nainggolan suspended. Striker Nene is doubtful.

DID YOU KNOW?
Cagliari go into this clash four games unbeaten, previous to that, however, they had lost four straight Serie A matches.

You have to go as far back as October 1998 for Cagliari to have beaten Milan. But they recorded back-to-back victories winning against them in June 1997, too.

The Rossoblu have lost 11 of their last 12 encounters with the Rossoneri.

AC Milan are on a 20-game unbeaten run against the Rossoblu, including winning their last eight consecutive encounters.

Milan were sitting in 12th place in Week 13 in Serie A. Since then, they have picked up 25 points from a possible 30 to go joint-fourth and are the form team in Italy.

AC Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng has had 63 efforts on goal in Serie A this season, but has found the net once.

Prediction
The Rossoblu may be on a good run at the minute, but they could not have picked a worse time to play the visitors, who have been boosted by the capture of Mario Balotelli and are the form team in Serie A. Despite the game being played at Stadio Is Arenas, it is difficult to see past a Milan win.

Editor's Prediction 
Cagliari 0-2  Milan

10.02. (Sun) 12:00 Barcelona - Getafe

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BARCELONA
Valdes
Alves, Pique, Puyol, Alba
Thiago, Busquets, Fabregas
Pedro, Messi, Iniesta
GETAFE
Codina
M Torres, Lopo, Alexis, Escudero
Borja, X Torres
Leon, Barrada, Gavilan
Colunga

Barcelona midfielder Xavi will miss Sunday's Primera Division clash against Getafe with a hamstring injury.

Reserve goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto (stomach bug) is a minor doubt, but assistant coach Jordi Roura has a clean bill of health otherwise.

Angel Lafita, Mane, Juan Valera and Juan Rodriguez are all out injured for Getafe, while Miguel Angel Moya and Rafa are suspended.

However, defenders Miguel Torres and Alberto Lopo are available after serving bans, and winger Pedro Leon returns from a knee injury.

DID YOU KNOW?
Barcelona have won just two of their last six matches in all competitions (W2, D3, L1).

The Catalans have won 11 of their last 12 Liga matches at Camp Nou.

Lionel Messi has scored in a record 12 consecutive Liga matches.

Getafe have won just one of their last 10 matches across all competitions (W1, D5, L4).

Los Azulones have lost seven of their last eight meetings with Barcelona.

Getafe have never recorded a Liga win over Barca at Camp Nou (D2, L6).

Prediction
Facing Barcelona at Camp Nou is hard enough, but having to do so without several key players further complicates Getafe's plans. The hosts have an opportunity to further extend their lead at the top of the table and they almost certainly will.

Editor's Prediction
Barcelona 3-0 Getafe

09.02. (Sat) 22:00 Real - Sevilla

PROBABLE LINEUPS

REAL MADRID
Lopez
Arbeloa, Carvalho, Ramos, Coentrao
Khedira, Modric
Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo
Benzema
SEVILLA
Palop
Coke, Fazio, Spahic, Navarro
Maduro, Medel
Navas, Kondogbia, Reyes
Negredo

Real Madrid defender Pepe has recovered from an ankle injury and has an outside chance of being involved in Saturday's Primera Division encounter against Sevilla.

Raphael Varane (hamstring) and Xabi Alonso (groin) are both racing to be fit, while Mesut Ozil returns after serving a one-match ban.

Sevilla have appealed over Ivan Rakitic's dismissal against Rayo Vallecano last weekend and will have the midfielder available if the Spanish Football Federation rules in their favour.

Diego Perotti, Piotr Trochowski and Cicinho are all out injured but captain Andres Palop (hamstring) is likely to return.

DID YOU KNOW?
Real Madrid have won just one of their last four matches in all competitions (W1, D2, L1).

The Castilian side's 1-0 loss at Granada was their fifth Liga defeat of the season and the eighth reverse across all competitions.

Madrid are on a 22-game unbeaten run in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Sevilla have won three of their last five matches in all competitions.

Los Nervionenses have lost seven of their last eight meetings with Madrid.

Jose Antonio Reyes made 30 Liga appearances for Real in the 2006-07 season, scoring six goals.

Prediction
Jose Mourinho will have one eye on the eagerly-anticipated midweek showdown with Manchester United, but should still return to winning ways against Sevilla, who have struggled to pick up points away from home.

Editor's Prediction
Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla

09.02. (Sat) 19:00 Mali - Ghana

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MALI
Samassa
Diawara, Tamboura, Wague, N’Diaye
C. Diarra, Keita, K. Traore
M. Traore, S. Diarra, Diabate
GHANA
Dauda
Afful, Vorsah, Boye, Asamoah
Boateng, Asante
Badu, Atsu, Wakaso
Gyan
Football fans on the African continent will be treated to a repeat of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations third place play-off on Saturday in Port Elizabeth.

Last year in Equatorial Guinea, the Malians stood tall after beating Ghana 2-0 to clinch the bronze medal. In fact, the Black Stars had beaten Mali by the same score line earlier in the competition when they met in Group B.

Interestingly, the two west African sides were paired again at the group stage this year. Just as in the 2012 edition, Ghana won the group match 1-0 courtesy of a Mubarak Wakaso goal from the spot.

Saturday’s encounter is a matter of motivation after disappointments in their respective semi-final matches. The Eagles of Mali were thrashed 4-1 by the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the first semi-final match on Wednesday. It was the kind of result which left many baffled, as a much tighter match was expected.

But Patrice Carteron’s men failed to live up to the expected level of the match as the Nigerians walked comfortably into the final.

On the other hand, the Black Stars of Ghana, who were seen as one of the major favourites, missed out on another attempt to make it into the final after a 3-2 defeat to Burkina Faso on penalties.

The match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes and the Stallions were the ones smiling as they booked their first appearance in the final of the Afcon following a penalty shootout victory. Ghana’s regular starting line-up will change slightly with Mohammed Rabiu suspended. The injured John Paintsil is likely to stay out as well.

Kwesi Appiah will need to spend time psyching up the four-time African champions, who are clearly downhearted after another unsuccessful attempt at winning their fifth continental title.

Seydou Keita will certainly be the danger man for the Malians and it will be a major achievement for him to engineer the team to a second successive third place finish.

One of the things the Malians must guard against is how they handle the Ghanaian attackers in the penalty area. Ghana have won three penalties at the tournament which reveals how slippery some of their attackers are.

DID YOU KNOW?
Ghana have gone 31 years without a title at the senior level on the continent.

Ghana’s Mubarak Wakaso is the joint top scorer at the Afcon after netting four goals. The Espanyol midfielder scored three of the four goals from the spot.

Ghana and Mali are meeting for the fourth time in the last year and the Eagles have never won the Afcon title.
Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan is two goals away from equalling Wilberforce Mfum’s record as the highest Ghanaian scorer in the history of the Afcon.

The Al Ain striker has scored six goals in his campaigns at the Afcon.

Mali have suffered the second highest defeat at the current tournament after losing 4-1 to Nigeria.

The two teams are meeting in the third place play-off for the second successive time.

Prediction

The Black Stars are now extra careful after they were beaten by the Malians last year. They might have felt disappointed after losing the semi-final match to Burkina Faso but they will not allow the Malians to ride over them at this stage again.

Editor's Prediction
Mali 0-1 Ghana

09.02. (Sat) 18:30 Bayern Munchen - Schalke 04

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BAYERN MUNICH
Neuer
Lahm, Dante, Van Buyten, Alaba
Martinez, Schweinsteiger
Muller, Kroos, Ribery
Mandzukic
SCHALKE
Hildebrand
Uchida, Howedes, Matip, Fuchs
Jones, Neustadter
Farfan, Draxler, Bastos
Pukki

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has seen Thomas Muller and Mario Mandzukic become key figures in his side since they were given regular first team starts and the two look likely to start again on Saturday.

The Bavaraians are likely to name an unchanged team for the fourth consecutive Bundesliga fixture; a selection that would mean Mario Gomez and Arjen Robben are relegated to a place on the bench.

An eye injury suffered while on international duty with the Netherlands is almost certain to keep Klaas-Jan Huntelaar out of action for Schalke's visit to the Allianz Arena. Finnish youngster Teemu Pukki, so far used sparingly during 2012-13, is the favourite to replace the club captain up front. Julian Draxler is another doubt after returning from the Germany camp with a severe cold, but he is still in with a chance of starting.

DID YOU KNOW?
Bayern retain their iron grip on the Bundesliga standings with 14 games to play, sitting an incredible 12 points clear of closest challengers Borussia Dortmund.

With 51 goals scored they are also comfortably the league's most prolific outfit, averaging a total of just over 2.5 a match across the 20 fixtures played so far.

Top scorer Mario Mandzukic has converted five in his last three outings for Bayern, and also netted for his native Croatia in midweek to extend his scoring run to four consecutive games.

Schalke's campaign has been a tale of two halves. After opening with seven wins in their first 11 games, the following nine yielded five defeats and just one victory to see the club slip down to sixth.

Die Knappen have won the Bundesliga a total of seven times; however, their last championship success came all the way back in 1957-58.

Current coach Jens Keller has been in charge since December 16, taking over from the sacked Huub Stevens.

Prediction
No-one looks like stopping Bayern as they continue in imperious fashion domestically, and an out-of-sorts Schalke missing talismanic captain Klaas-Jan Huntelaar start as clear underdogs in Bavaria.

Editor's Prediction
Bayern 3-1 Schalke

09.02. (Sat) 18:00 Juventus - Fiorentina

PROBABLE LINEUPS

JUVENTUS
Buffon
Barzagli, Marrone, Caceres
Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, De Ceglie
Vucinic, Matri
FIORENTINA
Viviano
Roncaglia, Rodriguez, Savic
Cuadrado, Romulo, Pizarro, Valero, Pasqual
Jovetic, Toni

Juventus displayed their battling qualities at just the right time last Saturday, as they defeated Chievo 2-1 and they will need much more of the same over the course of the next seven days.

With the Bianconeri resuming Champions League duties with a last 16 clash against Celtic on Tuesday, Fiorentina are a domestic obstacle they must first overcome.

Viola and head coach Vincenzo Montella have received plaudits for their season so far, with the club in sixth spot on 39 points going into the weekend, but Juve will still be confident of seeing off the Florence outfit and maintaining their three-point advantage at the top of the table.

Giorgio Chiellini, Simone Pepe and Nicklas Bendtner are all absent through injury, while Leonardo Bonucci serves the final game of a two-match ban.

Fiorentina will be without Matias Fernandez, Michele Camporese, Giuseppe Rossi and Ahmed Hegazy, as they look to build on a solid 2-0 victory over Parma in their last outing.

DID YOU KNOW?
Juventus are undefeated in 35 of their last 38 matches in Serie A.

The Bianconeri are also unbeaten in their last nine games against Fiorentina in all competitions.

The last clash between the two sides ended in a drab 0-0 draw in Florence back in September.

Juve have won three, drawn two and lost one of their last five league games.

Viola possess the highest scorer of any player in both sides, with Stevan Jovetic finding the back of the net nine times this season.

On average, there have been over 2.5 goals scored in Fiorentina's last six away games in Serie A.

Midfielder Borja Valero has eight assists to his name from midfield. Arturo Vidal has set up six of his side's goals this season.

Prediction
The prospect of a Champions League clash with Celtic looms large on the horizon for Juventus and that could see several players take their eye off the ball. Fiorentina have impressed so far this season and will blow the Serie A title race wide open with a battling point.

Editor's Prediction
Juventus 1-1 Fiorentina

Opta facts Week 24 – Serie A

Atalanta v Catania
This will be the 26th meeting between these two side in Serie A - the Sicilians lead by eight wins to seven, having won the reverse fixture; 10 draws complete the record.
Atalanta have won only one of their last eight league meetings witht Catania, losing four.
However, at home Atalanta are unbeaten in the league against Catania, although four of their last five meetings in Bergamo have ended as draws.
In the last five meetings in Bergamo between Atalanta and Catania, only five goals were scored in total.
Last Sunday's win in Palermo ended Atalanta's six-game winless run in Serie A (two draws and four losses).
Catania ended their run of three league wins in a row by losing to Napoli last Saturday.
Catania have alternated between a win and a defeat in their last five games on the road - should they continue this run, they need to win against Atalanta.
Nicola Legrottaglie has already scored 21 goals in Serie A - no defender has bagged more amongst those still currently playing in the league. Three of his goals were scored against Atalanta.

Bologna v Siena
In the reverse fixture, Siena recorded their third win in Serie A against Bologna; that was also the third time the Tuscans kept a clean sheet against the Felsinei.
Bologna have also won three times in this fixture in Serie A, with five draws completing the record.
In Bologna, the hosts lead by three wins to one in this clash, with one game drawn.
In their only previous win at the Dall'Ara, Siena managed to score four goals, one more than the total they managed on their four other visits to Bologna.
Bologna have scored 11 goals in total in their last four league games, as many as they had bagged in the previous 10 match-days in Serie A.
Bologna have lost only one of their last seven league games at home, with three wins and three draws.
Siena have lost seven of their last nine league fixtures, although they have won two of the last three.
Siena have won only once away from home in this campaign, at Inter's ground back in September - since then, they've managed only three draws and seven defeats.
Scoring last Sunday against Pescara, Alberto Gilardino reached double figure for Serie A goals for the eighth time in the last 10 seasons.
Last Sunday against Inter, Innocent Emeghara scored his first goal in Serie A with his first ever shot attempted in the competition.

Cagliari v AC Milan
Cagliari have lost 33 games in Serie A against AC Milan, more than against any other opponent. The Sardinians have only seven wins against the Rossoneri so far in the top-flight.
Cagliari's last win over AC Milan was back in 1998 - since then, four draws and 16 wins for the Rossoneri.
Cagliari have picked up only three points from their last nine meetings against AC Milan at home soil, scoring only five goals in the process.
Cagliari are unbeaten in their last four games (two wins and two draws); prior to that, they had lost six consecutive league games.
AC Milan have won their last three Serie A games, and picked up 13 out of the last 15 points available in this competition.
Over the last 13 match-days in Serie A, the Rossoneri have gained five points over Juventus (current Serie A leaders) and Lazio (third in the table).
Massimiliano Allegri's side haven't conceded any goals in their last two games on the road, after failing to keep a clean sheet in each of their previous 11 away fixtures.
Cagliari have collected the fewest points at home so far in this campaign (12).
Mario Balotelli scored with his second attempt last Sunday against Udinese, after he had found the back of the net only once from 34 shots for Manchester City in the Premier League this season.

Inter v Chievo
Inter have won their last four meetings against Chievo without conceding a single goal.
Chievo won their first ever game away to Inter (2-1 in December 2001) but have failed to beat the Nerazzurri on their next nine visits to their ground (seven losses and two draws).
Chievo have kept only one clean sheet so far in Serie A against Inter (0-0 at home in March 2004).
Inter have won only one of their last seven league games, losing three - only three sides have an even worse record than the Nerazzurri in this period.
However, Inter are unbeaten in their last nine home games in the league (six wins and three draws).
Chievo have never scored more than one goal on any of the last seven Serie A match-days (five in total).
Chievo are yet to draw away from home this season (three wins and eight losses so far).
Chievo are Walter Samuel's favourite opponent in Serie A - with the defender scoring four goals against them so far.
Last Sunday against Siena, Javier Zanetti played his 592nd game in Serie A, joining Gianluca Pagliuca in second place in the all-time appearance charts.
Cyril Théréau has been directly involved in four of Chievo's last six goals in the league (scoring two and making two assists).

Juventus v Fiorentina
Fiorentina have won only one of their last 22 meetings against Juventus in the league (3-2 in Turin in March 2008), with 10 wins for the Old Lady and 11 draws.
Juve have found the net in each of their last 26 home meetings against the Viola (42 goals).
Juve won their last game against Chievo, but they've failed to enjoy back-to-back wins over the course of the last six match-days.
Antonio Conte's side have scored in each of their last nine league fixtures, keeping four clean sheet in the process.
Fiorentina have lost three of their last four away games in the league, although they have found the back of the net in each of their last 12 games on the road.
Juventus are the only Serie A side yet to concede a goal in the opening 15 minutes of play this season.
Six players have already scored five or more goals in this campaign for Juventus - a league-high.
Andrea Pirlo has already created 65 goal scoring chances - more than any other player in Serie A this season; however, only three of his passes have actually assisted a goal so far.
Stevan Jovetic made his Serie A debut in August 2008 against Juventus - he has played six times against the Old Lady in the league, scoring only one goal and never winning.

Lazio v Napoli
Over the last six league meetings between Lazio and Napoli, the same result has never occured twice in a row. The last meeting saw the Partenopei winning 3-0 at the San Paolo.
Lazio have lost only two of their last 13 Serie A games against Napoli at the Olimpico, winning nine.
Lazio have picked up only one point from their last three league games, and lost the last two.
The last time Lazio lost three league games in a row came between April and May 2011.
Lazio have lost only two points from leading situations in this campaign, winning 13 of the 14 games in which they have taken the lead.
Napoli have collected 16 of the 18 points available in the last six match-days of this competition.
Napoli have lost only one of their last six games on the road, winning four.
Marek Hamsik (nine goals and 11 assists) and Edinson Cavani (18 goals and two assists) are the two Serie A players with the highest proportion of goal involvements for their team in this campaign.
Against Lazio, Cavani scored two of his six hat-tricks in Serie A - overall he has bagged seven goals against the Biancocelesti, but only one at the Olimpico and only against Roma he has scored more (eight).
Sergio Floccari has scored five goals against Napoli in Serie A, more than against any other Serie A opponent.

Palermo v Pescara
Pescara's 1-0 win in the reverse fixture is the only previous meeting between these two sides in the top-flight.
On that occasion, Vladimir Weiss scored his first ever Serie A goal.
Palermo are winless in their last nine league fixtures, losing six in the process.
Palermo have conceded in each of their last 11 Serie A games.
The Sicilians have taken only one point from their last four home games.
Pescara have lost their last four league games, conceding 13 goals in the process.
In three of these four games the Dolphins haven't scored a single goal.
Pescara have lost seven of their last eight away games in the league, winning the other game 2-0 in Florence.
This game will see the two teams with the worst attacking records in Serie A: with just 19 goals scored by Pescara and 20 by Palermo.
Pescara also have the worst defence in Serie A (48 goals conceded), while Palermo have shipped the most goals in the last 15 minutes of play (14).
Palermo have already used 36 different players this season, more than any other side.
Last Sunday against Bologna, Gaetano D'Agostino converted his 10th consecutive penalty in Serie A.

Parma v Genoa
Parma have won only one of their last seven Serie A meetings against Genoa, with two wins for the Grifoni and four games drawn.
Over these last seven meetings, both sides have always scored at least one goal.
Genoa have only won once at Parma's ground in Serie A so far, with six wins for the hosts and two draws.
Parma are winless in the last four match-days in Serie A (two draws and two losses).
Prior to their defeat against Napoli, Parma had remained unbeaten at the Tardini for 15 league games (11 wins and four draws).
Genoa have collected only two points from their last four away games, and won only one of their last nine games played in the league away from the Ferraris.
Genoa have never scored more than a single goal in any of their last 10 games away from home (six overall in the process).
Amauri has already scored five goals in his seven previous appearances against Genoa in Serie A - only against Sampdoria he has netted more (six in 15 games).

Sampdoria v Roma
Roma have won only one of their last six league meetings against Sampdoria, with two wins for the Blucerchiati and three draws in the process.
Samp have already won 38 games against Roma (in 125 total meetings), more than against any other Serie A opponent.
However, the Blucerchiati have had the better only in one of their last six home games against Roma in Serie A.
Sampdoria have conceded only two goals in total in their last five league games (2W 2D 1L).
They've also failed to score in four of their last six league games, although they have netted eight in the other two.
Against Pescara, Sampdoria scored six goals - as many as they had netted in their previous nine home games.
Roma are winless in the last five match-days, and have failed to keep a clean sheet in the last nine.
Away from home, the Giallorossi have taken only one point from their last four games.
Roma (42 goals conceded) have the second-worst defence this season - only Pescara (48) have shipped more.
However, the Giallorossi also have the second-best attack with 46 goals scored despite having played one game less, only Juventus have netted more (48).
Francesco Totti has already scored 14 goals in Serie A against Sampdoria, only against Parma he has netted more in the top-flight (16).

Udinese v Torino
The last four meetings between Udinese and Torino in Serie A have produced only four goals overall.
Udinese have lost only one of their last nine league games against the Granata, winning six of these.
Torino's last win at the Friuli was in October 1984 - since then, there have been six draws and five wins for the Friulani.
This game will see the two sides with the most draws in this campaign go head to head: 11 for Torino and nine for Udinese so far.
At home, Udinese are unbeaten in their last 10 Serie A games: after losing their opening game against Juventus, they've managed six wins and four draws at their own ground.
Torino are unbeaten in the last seven match-days courtesy of three wins and four draws - this is currently the longest unbeaten run in Serie A.
The Granata have kept a clean sheet in four of their last six league games.
Three of the last four games played at home by Torino have ended as draws, in the other game the Granata beat Pescara 2-0.
Mario Santana has already scored three goals against Udinese in the league - against no other side he has bagged more so far in Italy.
Antonio Di Natale has failed to score in his last three league appearances - this is his longest goal drought since April.