07.03. (Thu) 21:05 Tottenham Hot. - Inter

PROBABLE LINEUPS

TOTTENHAM
Friedel
Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Naughton
Livermore, Parker
Lennon, Bale, Sigurdsson
Defoe

INTER
Handanovic
Zanetti, Juan, Chivu, Pereira
Gargano, Cambiasso
Schelotto, Cassano, Guarin
Palacio

Brad Friedel will likely replace Hugo Lloris in goal for Tottenham, with the American becoming first-choice in cup competitions following the France captain's promotion to Andre Villas-Boas' Premier League XI.

Clint Dempsey (calf) is unlikely to feature and Mousa Dembele (knee) faces a race to be fit after limping out of Sunday's north London derby.

Jermain Defoe made his return from injury against the Gunners and could replace Emmanuel Adebayor in attack after the Togo man was stretchered off with an ankle problem

Antonio Cassano was dropped for Inter's weekend win over Catania after a row with manager Andrea Stramaccioni, but could find himself back in first-team contention to face Andre Villas-Boas' side after apologising and receiving a fine from the club.

The Italian is likely to link up with Rodrigo Palacio after the Argentine scored two late goals to seal a narrow win for the Nerazzurri over the Sicilian outfit.

Stramaccioni's side are plagued with injury problems as top-scorer Diego Milito (knee) is out for the season, while centre-backs Walter Samuel (Achilles) and Andrea Ranocchia (knee) also remains sidelined.

DID YOU KNOW?

Tottenham have been on fine form domestically, having not lost in 12 league matches - their best unbeaten run in Premier League history.

Inter, meanwhile, have not so fared so well in their own league, having won just three of their last 12 Serie A matches as they sit in fourth, trying to remain in contention for a spot in next season's Champions League.

Gareth Bale has also been enjoying himself in the league. The Welshman has scored seven goals in his last five league appearances for the club. He is 7/2 to score two or more goals with Coral.

Bale, even putting aside his current run of form, will bring back bad memories for the Italian side, as he memorably tormented the Nerazzurri in both of their group stage matches in the 2010-11 Champions League, particularly at San Siro as the flying winger scored a hat-trick despite Inter's 4-3 win.

Inter do, however, have their own in-form striker as, despite often featuring off the bench, Rodrigo Palacio has been directly involved in 23 goals for his club this season, including all two of their goals scored in their comeback win over Catania on Sunday.

The Nerazzurri have been poor away from home recently, as they have only managed a solitary point from their last seven away league games, also conceding 16 goals in the process.

07.03. (Thu) 19:00 Stuttgart - Lazio

PROBABLE LINEUPS

STUTTGART
Ulreich
Sakai, Tasci, Rudiger, Boka
Kvist
Harnik, Gentner, Holzhauser, Traore
Macheda

LAZIO
Marchetti
Pereirinha, Biava, Ciani, Radu
Ledesma
Candreva, Gonzalez, Hernanes, Lulic
Kozak

Stuttgart have won just once in the Bundesliga this calendar year and come into Thursday’s Europa League match against Lazio a disappointing 11th in the division. But the Europa League has been a silver lining for them all season and they will hope to pick up where they left off in the competition when they won 2-0 away to Genk in the last round.

Manager Bruno Labbadia will have to make a change up top, however, as Vedad Ibisevic is suspended, and fellow forward Cacau is still recovering from a cruciate ligament rupture and will not be back until the middle of next month.

Winger Tunay Torun has a hamstring injury and misses out, as does midfielder Johan Audel. Mamadou Bah is out for the rest of the season due to a broken leg and right-back Tim Hoogland is fighting off a bout of flu.

Lazio boss Vladimir Petkovic will have to once again make do without German striker Miroslav Klose, who is still recovering from a serious knee injury, and Antonio Rossi has a hamstring problem.

Right-back Abdoulay Konko is still a month away from his return to the lineup following a knee injury, and midfielder Cristian Brocchi will be unlikely to feature again this season after fracturing a metatarsal.

DID YOU KNOW?

Stuttgart have won just one of their last nine Bundesliga matches—a streak that goes back to December 2012.

Only four Bundesliga sides (Nuremberg, Wolfsburg, Augsburg and Greuther Furth) have managed fewer than Stuttgart’s 26 goals in 24 Bundesliga matches so far this season.

These sides last met in a club friendly in July 2007. The match ended in a 1-1 draw and the goals came from Stefano Mauri and Alexander Farnerud.

Like Suttgart, Lazio have been struggling domestically of late and have won just two of their last eight matches in Serie A.

After an entertaining 3-3 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach in the first leg of the Round of 32, Lazio were 2-0 winners in the Italian capital thanks to goals from Antonio Candreva and Alvaro Gonzalez.

With five goals in the competition, Lazio striker Libor Kozak is second only to Edinson Cavani in Europa League goal-scoring.

Prediction
Both sides are coming off weekend losses, but Lazio’s form book is slightly better than Stuttgart’s. The guests will find the back of the net here, and Stuttgart will likely struggle against one of the stingier defenses in Italy. A score draw is on the cards.

Editor's Prediction
VfB Stuttgart 1-1 Lazio

07.03. (Thu) 19:00 Steaua - Chelsea

PROBABLE LINEUPS

STEAUA BUCHAREST
C. Tătăruşanu
F. Gardoş • V. Chiricheş • C. Râpă • I. Latovlevici
A. Prepelita • A. Chipciu • C. Tănase • Adrian Popa I
Adi • R. Rusescu

CHELSEA
P. Čech
Azpilicueta • B. Ivanović • David Luiz • R. Bertrand
F. Lampard • Ramires
V. Moses • Oscar • Mata
Fernando Torres

Chelsea's trip to Bucharest comes just prior to their FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United at Old Trafford, meaning Rafa Benitez may be inclined to rest key players.
Only Yossi Benayoun (ankle) and Oriol Romeu (knee) are expected to miss out through injury, but John Terry (knee) may not be risked following a fairly stuttering return from a spell on the sidelines.

Benitez's rotation of his strikers suggests Fernando Torres will come back into the team after Demba Ba's goal-scoring appearance against West Brom at the weekend, while Ashley Cole may be rested, allowing for Ryan Bertrand to come back into the side.

Romanian champions Steaua come into the tie with almost a full squad to choose from as Laurentiu Reghecampf looks to continue his side's impressive run in the competition.

Daniel Georgievski (fibula) remains out for the hosts but, aside from the Georgian defender, Steaua can call upon a full-strength side.

Brazilian forward Adi Rocha could come back into the side in place of Stefan Nikolic, while Cristian Tanase should retain his role in the starting line-up despite receiving a red card during the win over Gaz Metan at the weekend.

DID YOU KNOW?

Chelsea and Steaua have never faced each other before in a competitive match.

The Romanians finished top of their Europa League group, above Stuttgart, FC Copenhagen and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Molde.
From their last 12 away matches in the Europa and Champions League, The Blues have three wins.

Liverpool were the last side to face the Romanian side, leaving Bucharest with a 1-1 draw in December 2010.

Reghecampf's side have lost only four of their previous 20 home matches in Europe.

Chelsea's group of players includes 19 foreign players, while Steaua have just five.

The average age of Steaua's first-team squad is 24.1, compared to 27 for Chelsea.

Chelsea's two Europa League goals so far this season have been scored in the final 15 minutes of ties.

Steaua have scored eight times in the last 15 minutes of European matches this season, 42 per cent of their overall output.

Chelsea are 6/1 to beat Steaua 1-0 with Coral.

07.03. (Thu) 18:00 Anji - Newcastle United

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ANZHI
V. Gabulov
A. Eshchenko • João Carlos • Ewerton • Y. Zhirkov
O. Akhmedov • L. Diarra
M. Boussoufa • Jucilei • Willian
S. Eto'o

NEWCASTLE
R. Elliot
J. Perch • S. Taylor • M. Yanga-Mbiwa • D. Santon
V. Anita • Y. Cabaye
S. Marveaux • M. Sissoko • J. Gutiérrez
P. Cissé

Anzhi have no new injury worries and go into the game with a full squad of players to choose from, with superstars such as Willian, Samuel Eto'o and Lassana Diarra all set to play from the start.

Newcastle could welcome back Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring), but Fabricio Coloccini (back) has been ruled out by manager Alan Pardew.

Ryan Taylor (knee) is close to recovery, however he is unlikely to return to action until the end of the month.

Tim Krul (ankle) remains on the sidelines after picking up an injury in the last round against Metalist Kharkiv and Steve Harper's absence with a knee injury means Rob Elliot will continue in goal.

DID YOU KNOW?

Newcastle have faced Anzhi star Samuel Eto'o in European competition before, the Cameroonian was part of the Real Mallorca side that suffered a 7-1 aggregate Uefa Cup loss to the Magpies in 2004.

Shola Ameobi played in the second leg of that tie and will move level with Alan Shearer on 38 European appearances for Newcastle if the plays in both legs of this tie.

The Magpies have beaten a Guus Hiddink side in the past, as they overcame PSV Eindhoven over two legs in the quarter-finals of the 2003-04 Uefa Cup before losing to Marseille in the next round.

Anzhi have won all seven of their Europa League home games this season, scoring 12 times and conceding just once.

Samuel Eto'o is 4/1 to score the first goal in the game with Coral.

Hiddink's side have only lost twice in their domestic league this term, with defeats against Rubin Kazan and CSKA Moscow both coming away from home.

As a football club, Anzhi are 99 years younger than Newcastle, having only been formed in 1991.

This tie marks the first time that Newcastle have faced Russian opposition in European competition.

06.03. (Wed) 20:45 Paris Saint Germain - Valencia

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Sirigu
Jallet, Alex, Sakho, Maxwell
Lucas Moura, Matuidi, Chantome, Pastore
Lavezzi, Gameiro

VALENCIA
Alves
Pereira, Victor Ruiz, Mathieu, Guardado
Parejo, T Costa
Feghouli, Banega, Jonas
Soldado

Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti is without suspended duo Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti for the Champions League clash against Valencia on Wednesday.

Ibrahimovic's red card in stoppage time in the first leg sees him band for two games by Uefa, though the French club have appealed a possible ban for the quarter-finals. The Swede, who featured in the shock 1-0 defeat to Reims at the weekend, is set to be replaced by Kevin Gameiro.

Verratti's replacement is undecided however. David Beckham is in line to make his first Champions League appearance since a 4-0 defeat for AC Milan to Manchester United in 2010, with Clement Chantome also in the mix.

Thiago Silva is unlikely to be thrown straight back into action, as Ancelotti is expected to make do with Mamadou Sakho and Alex, with Christophe Jallet on the brink of a return ahead of a disappointing Gregory van der Wiel.

Meanwhile, Valencia coach Ernesto Valverde is set to play Frenchman Jeremy Mathieu in defence for the trip to Paris following injuries to Ricardo Costa and Adil Rami, both of whom are not in the 19-man group.

Sofiane Feghouli - born in Paris - should play, with Roberto Soldado leading the line as the Spaniards aim to put an end to PSG's dream of Wembley.

DID YOU KNOW?

Paris Saint-Germain, who last made it into the quarter-finals in 1994-95, have won their last five games in the competition.

The Ligue 1 leaders are unbeaten in 22 home fixtures in Europe, since a 4-2 defeat to Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2006.

Les Parisiens have scored all 16 of their Champions League goals inside the box.

The next goal PSG concede will be the 50th against them in Champions League/European Cup history.
Valencia's first-leg defeat ended a 17-game unbeaten run against Ligue 1 opposition.

On the three occasions that Valencia have suffered a first-leg defeat in Uefa competition, they have gone on to lose every tie.

Ernesto Valverde will be hoping to steer the club to their first quarter-final since 2006-07, when they were eliminated by Chelsea.

Thiago Silva, Blaise Matuidi (PSG) and Antonio Barragan, Vicente Guaita and Tino Costa are all within a booking of suspension.

Prediction
The Ligue 1 leaders are limited considerably with the suspension of goal-machine Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and at times they've looked largely without their talismanic striker. Nevertheless, Valencia's own problems, notably in defence, sees them unlikely to progress. PSG have the quality, even if the visitors possess the know-how at this stage. It'll be narrow, but Carlo Ancelotti's side should finish the job.

Editor's Prediction
PSG 1-0 Valencia

06.03. (Wed) 20:45 Juventus - Celtic

PROBABLE LINEUPS

JUVENTUS
Buffon
Barzagli, Bonucci, Peluso
Pirlo
Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Marchisio, Asamoah
Vucinic, Giovinco

CELTIC
Forster
Matthews, Ambrose, Wilson, Izaguirre
Ledley, Wanyama, Commons
Forrest, Hooper, Samaras

With his side being three goals ahead in the tie, Juventus boss Antonio Conte is likely to leave out defender Giorgio Chiellini who made his return from injury in the 1-1 draw with Napoli on Friday night after being out since December.

Conte also has doubts over the fitness of Martin Caceres and Nicolas Anelka (both back) and therefore probably won’t be risked for the second leg, while Paolo De Ceglie, Nicklas Bendtner and Simone Pepe (all thigh) all continued to be sidelined with long-term injuries.

Celtic arrive in Turin knowing they need a miracle in order to qualify for the quarter-final stages, but boss Neil Lennon has good news with talismanic striker Georgios Samaras returning during the 2-1 defeat away to Motherwell in the SPL last Wednesday.

However, Scott Brown's ongoing abductor problems will force him to miss the trip, while Swedish full back Mikael Lustig (thigh) also looks set to sit the game out.

DID YOU KNOW?

Juventus are unbeaten in Europe for almost three years, recording eight wins and nine draws, with their last defeat being a 4-1 thumping away to Fulham.

The Serie A leaders also have an impressive record at home in the Champions League, having only lost once in their last 29 games.

Stephan Lichtsteiner, Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal will miss the first leg of a potential quarter-final tie should they receive a yellow card.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is the only survivor of the last fixture between the two sides in Turin, when a last-minute Nicola Amoruso penalty saw Juventus claim a controversial 3-2 victory.

Celtic have failed to get by the last 16 stage since the creation of the Champions League, falling at this hurdle twice, at the hands of AC Milan and Barcelona.

The Parkhead side have yet to record a win in Italy, having only recorded three draws in their nine visits to the country.

The victory Neil Lennon’s side recorded at Spartak Moscow during the second game of the group stages was Celtic’s first away victory in the Champions League in their last 21 games.

The SPL leaders fielded a side during their opening group stage fixture with Benfica that included 10 players making their Champions League debuts.

Prediction
The result in Glasgow makes this game nearly irrelevant, as the SPL leaders are unlikely to be able to overcome a three-goal deficit, while making sure that the home side don’t add to their advantage. Juventus should ultimately be able to see out the game and claim a place in the last eight of the Champions League with a comfortable home victory.

Editor's Prediction
Juventus 2-0 Celtic

05.03. (Tue) 20:45 Manchester Utd. - Real

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED
De Gea
Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra
Carrick, Cleverley
Welbeck, Rooney, Kagawa
Van Persie

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

Jose Mourinho has first-choice goalkeeper Iker Casillas back in his squad for the game at Old Trafford for the first time since January 23, but it remains unlikely that the Spain international will feature.

Marcelo is also back in contention after recovering from injury and will push Fabio Coentrao for a place at left-back.

The Real Madrid boss rested plenty of key players in the win over Barcelona at the weekend. Alvaro Arbeloa, Sami Khedira, Angel di Maria, Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo will all return to the starting line-up.

Phil Jones (ankle), who impressed in the first leg, is a doubt to feature on Tuesday, though Tom Cleverley is expected to come in for the Red Devils in midfield.

However, Rio Ferdinand is expected to return to the side after missing the win over Norwich at the weekend with illness.

Jonny Evans is likely to once again partner the Englishman in defence, with Nemanja Vidic who played at the weekend, missing out.

DID YOU KNOW?

The two previous Champions League encounters between Manchester United and Real Madrid at Old Trafford have produced 12 goals.

BetVictor are offering 9/1 on over 5.5 goals on Tuesday night.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored seven goals in 23 Champions League games at Old Trafford. He has 16 goals in 18 European games at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Angel Di Maria has four assists in the competition this season, all coming against Manchester teams - three against City and one against United.

Real Madrid are one of two Spanish teams to have beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Champions League. Deportivo La Coruna won 3-2 back in April 2000.

Jose Mourinho has never won a Champions League game at Old Trafford. Porto's progress was built on a 1-1 draw while Inter lost 2-0 at United in 2008-09.

On the two occasions the Real Madrid boss has won the Champions League, his teams have have knocked out English opposition in the last 16.

United have managed only two clean sheets in their last 10 home Champions League games.

Alex Ferguson has only won twice in his 15 competitive encounters with Jose Mourinho.

The Red Devils have had their woodwork rattled six times, the most of any side in the tournament this season.

Prediction
Real Madrid are in rampant form after back-to-back wins over arch-rivals Barcelona in the space of a week and, having rested most of their key players over the weekend, Jose Mourinho's men should be fit and raring to go. Sir Alex Ferguson's side, meanwhile, are coasting in the Premier League and would have had one eye on this tie during their routine win over Norwich at the weekend.

With 12 goals in the last two meetings between these two sides at Old Trafford, expect a high-scoring affair. The Red Devil's defensive record at home in Europe is poor with only two clean sheets in 10, and so Madrid could be favourites to score enough to progress.

Editor's Prediction
Man Utd. 2-2 Real Madrid

05.03. (Tue) 20:45 Borussia D. - Shakhtar

PROBABLE LINEUPS

DORTMUND
Weidenfeller
Piszczek, Subotic, Santana, Schmelzer
Gundogan, Bender
Blaszczykowski, Gotze, Reus
Lewandowksi

SHAKHTAR
Pyatov
Srna, Chygrynskiy, Rakitskiy, Rat
Hubschman, Fernandinho
Teixeira, Mkhitaryan, Taison
Luiz Adriano

Borussia Dortmund will be sweating over the fitness of Mats Hummels, who was forced to sit out of their last two games, with Jurgen Klopp admitting his participation will be in doubt.

However, there are no fresh injury worries, and the likes of Mario Gotze and Lukasz Piszczek, who were rested over the weekend, will come back into the starting line-up.

Shakhtar Donetsk, meanwhile, can be expected to name more or less the same side that faced Dortmund at the Donbass Arena three weeks ago.

One potential change could see Olexander Kucher slot back into the defence after scoring during their first game after the winter break, a 4-1 win over Volyn Lutsk.

DID YOU KNOW?

Dortmund have come out victorious in just two of their last six games in all competitions.

Jurgen Klopp's side have won all of their Champions League home games this season, and remain one of three teams unbeaten in the competition.

The first leg of this tie was the first time that BVB had failed to beat Shakhtar in three meetings between the two sides.

Shakhtar Donetsk won their first-ever European trophy by beating German opposition - Werder Bremen - in the 2009 Uefa Cup final.

The last time the Miners played in Germany, they grabbed a 1-0 win over Schalke, Dortmund's bitter Ruhr rivals.

The Ukrainian champions have scored 22 goals in their last 11 away games in the Champions League.

Prediction
Dortmund will be confident following their win over Hannover over the weekend, and although Shakhtar will put up a fight, I'd expect the Germans to progress to the next round thanks to their positive away result.

Editor's Prediction
Dortmund 2-1 Shakhtar

OPTA Facts - Champions League Last 16, Second leg

Juventus - Celtic
Juventus and Celtic have met five times in the past, with three wins for the Italian club and two for the Hoops.
Juventus have lost only one of their last 20 Champions League games at home (1-4 v Bayern Munich, December 2009), winning 13 and drawing six. They have kept clean sheets in 13 of those games.
Celtic have never won an away game in Italy (six defeats, three draws).
No side has ever overturned a 3-0 deficit at home in the first-leg in the history of the Champions League.
The last three competitive encounters between Celtic and Juventus have produced 15 goals.
Juventus are unbeaten in the Champions League this season, having produced three draws followed by four wins.
Juventus haven't conceded a goal in their last 400 minutes in the Champions League, the longest run in the competition this season.
In the first leg, Celtic had the most shots (17) and their highest possession ratio (53.4%) in the Champions League this season and yet suffered their heaviest defeat of the 2012/13 campaign.
Celtic have the joint-worst defensive record among the 16 teams left in the Champions League this season (11 goals conceded, alongside Arsenal).
Georgios Samaras has scored in each of his three away games in the Champions League this season.

Paris SG - Valencia
PSG became the first French team to beat Valencia at Mestalla in the first leg.
PSG also ended Valencia's unbeaten run of 17 games against French clubs.
No French club has ever kept a clean sheet against Valencia in European competition (19 games).
PSG have won their last five Champions League games, the best run currently. It's PSG's longest streak in the competition since 1994/95.
PSG are unbeaten at home in their last 22 games in European competition, qualifiers included (15 wins, 7draws). Their last defeat dates back to 23 November 2006 in the group phase of the UEFA Cup, against Hapoel Tel-Aviv (2-4).
PSG have won 15 of their last 20 home games in the Champions League (75%). Only Monaco (76%) have a better ratio among teams with at least 10 home games in the competition.
PSG have conceded only four goals in seven Champions League games this season, the joint-best defensive record in the competition.
All 16 of PSG's goals in the Champions League this season have been scored from inside the box.
Ezequiel Lavezzi has scored four goals in his last three Champions League games. He's PSG's top scorer in the competition this season.

Borussia Dortmund - Shakhtar Donetsk
Borussia Dortmund are one of three teams unbeaten in the Champions League this season with Juventus and Schalke.
No Ukrainian team has ever beaten Borussia Dortmund in European competition (including qualifiers) (five losses, two draws).
Borussia Dortmund have won all three of their home games in the Champions League this season, conceding only one goal.
Shakhtar Donetsk have only lost once in their four trips to Germany in European competition (two wins, one draw), against Eintracht Frankfurt (0-3) in UEFA Cup in October 1980.
This is only the second time Shakhtar have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League after 2010/11 when they were eventually knocked out in the quarter-finals.
Shakhtar are unbeaten in their last five encounters with German clubs in European competition (three wins, two draws).
11 of Shakhtar's last 12 goals in the Champions League have been scored by Brazilian players (Texeira (2), Fernandinho (1), Willian (4), Luiz Adriano (3), Douglas Costa (1)).
Shakhtar have scored in 11 of their last 12 away games in European competition (23 goals overall).
Mario Götze is involved in four of Dortmund's last six goals in the Champions League (one goal, three assists).
Shakhtar's Fernandinho has completed the most dribbles in the Champions League this season (27).
All three of Marco Reus' Champions League goals this season have came away from home for Borussia Dortmund.
Of the teams left in the competition only Celtic (66.0%) have a worse passing accuracy in the opposition's half than Borussia Dortmund (71.9%).

Manchester Utd - Real Madrid
Real Madrid are one of two Spanish teams to have beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Champions League (Deportivo La Coruña won 3-2, 19 April 2000).
The Red Devils have only lost once in their last 14 Champions League home games (nine wins, four draws), the last one against CFR Cluj during the group stage this season.
The two Champions League encounters between Manchester Utd and Real Madrid at Old Trafford have produced 12 goals.
Lyon were the last team to knock Real Madrid out at the last 16 stage in the Champions League, back in 2009/10 (0-1, 1-1).
Manchester United have conceded three goals in each of their two home games against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Real Madrid have only won once in their last five away games in England in the Champions League (two draws, two defeats), against Tottenham at White Hart Lane in April 2011.
Real Madrid have only failed to score once in their last 32 Champions League games, against Barcelona in Santiago Bernabeu in April 2011.
Real Madrid have failed to keep a clean sheet in the Champions League this season (10 goals conceded).
Manchester United have had their woodwork rattled six times, the most of any side in the tournament this season.
Real Madrid have had the most shots in this season's Champions League (154, that's 56 more than Manchester Utd).
Alex Ferguson has only won twice in his 15 competitive encounters against José Mourinho (seven draws, six defeats).
Only Didier Drogba has scored more headed goals (8) than Cristiano Ronaldo (7) in the Champions League since 2003/04.
Angel Di Maria's four assists in CL 2012/13 have all been delivered against Manchester teams (3 against City, 1 against United).
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored seven goals in 23 Champions League games at Old Trafford. He has 16 goals in 18 games at the Bernabeu.

Week 2

Malaga - Porto
Porto are unbeaten in their last eight Champions League games against Spanish opposition (four wins, four draws). Real Madrid are the last Spanish side to beat Porto in Europe's premier competition, in October 2003.
Malaga have only lost two of their 25 games in European competition, qualifiers included. Both those defeats were in Porto: against Boavista back in March 2003 (UEFA Cup quarter-finals) and FC Porto in the first-leg.
Malaga are winless in their last four Champions League games, the longest current drought among the teams still left in the competition.
Malaga only had two shots in the first leg against Porto, the fewest attempts in a Champions League game this season.
Porto have conceded only four goals in seven games, the best defensive record in the Champions League this season alongside Juventus and PSG.
Porto have kept the most clean sheets in the Champions League this season (5).
Malaga are the only team yet to concede a first-half goal in the Champions League this season.
Porto last reached the quarter finals of the Champions League in 2008/09.
Porto have won none of their last six away games the Champions League knockout stages, their last win on the road dating back to the semi-finals in May 2004 against Deportivo La Coruna.

Bayern Munich - Arsenal
Bayern Munich are the top scorers in this season's Champions League (18 goals).
The only English team to beat Bayern Munich away from home in Europe (penalties excluded) are Norwich City, back in October 1993 (UEFA Cup).
Bayern Munich have won all three of their home games in the competition this season (12 goals, three conceded).
Bayern Munich have never lost by more than two clear goals at home in the Champions League.
Arsenal have only ever won once in Germany in the Champions League despite travelling there eight times. It was in September 2006 against Hamburg (2-1).
Arsenal have lost their two previous away games against Bayern Munich (one goal scored, four conceded).
Arsenal and Bayern Munich have met five times in the Champions League, with the Bavarians winning three times, Arsenal once and the other one ending in a draw.
Bayern Munich have scored in each of their last 13 Champions League games, the last team to stop them from netting being Basel in February 2012.
Arsenal have only kept one clean sheet in their last 23 Champions League games away from home.
Arsenal have the joint-worst defensive record among the 16 teams left in the Champions League this season (11 goals conceded, alongside Celtic).
Arsenal have had the fewest shots among the 16 teams left in the Champions League this season (57).
Bayern Munich have attempted the most crosses in the Champions League this season (217). All three of their goals in the first leg against Arsenal came from crosses.
Bayern Munich have had 10 different goalscorers in the Champions League this season, more than any other side.
Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic (5) has delivered more assists than Olivier Giroud and Philipp Lahm (4) in the Champions League this season.
Lukas Podolski has scored four goals from four shots on target in the Champions League this season.

Schalke - Galatasaray
Schalke are one of three teams unbeaten in the Champions League this season with Borussia Dotrmund and Juventus.
Galatasaray hadn't reached the knockout stages of the Champions League since 2000/01 when they were knocked out by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
Schalke have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the third time after 2007/08 and 2010/11. Both times, they made it at least to the quarter-finals.
Galatasaray are unbeaten in their last five Champions League games (three wins, two draws).
Galatasaray have won their last two away games in the Champions League (against Cluj and Braga).
Galatasaray have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 away games in the Champions League.
Schalke are unbeaten against Turkish opposition (two wins, three draws).
Schalke have drawn the most games in this season's Champions League (4).
Schalke have never failed to score in the Champions League this season.
Galatasaray have scored only eight goals in seven Champions League games this season, the lowest among the 16 teams still left in the competition.
Burak Yilmaz has scored seven of Galatasaray's eight goals in the Champions League this season. He is the joint-top scorer in the competition with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barcelona - AC Milan
The last time Barcelona exited the Champions League at the last 16 stage was in 2006/07. It was against Liverpool.
Barcelona have failed to score in their last two Champions League games for the first time since April 2008.
Barcelona have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six knockout games in the Champions League at Camp Nou (four wins, two draws).
AC Milan's last victory against Barcelona at the Camp Nou in the Champions League was in September 2000 (2-0). Since then, they've had two draws and two defeats.
AC Milan have conceded at least three goals in four of their last six away games in the Champions League knockout stages.
AC Milan have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight away games in the Champions League.
AC Milan's last away win the Champions League knockout stages was against Bayern Munich in April 2007 (2-0).
Barcelona (5,447) have completed 3,251 more passes than AC Milan (2,196) in the Champions League this season.
AC Milan's last seven goals in the Champions League have all been in the second-half.
Lionel Messi only made one touch inside the opposition box in the first leg and didn't get a single shot on target.
Stephan El Shaarawy has been directly involved in four of Milan's last eight goals in the Champions League (two goals, two assists).

SPL Opta Facts – Mar 5th & 6th

Dundee v St Mirren
Dundee are without a league win in 14 games, losing 10 (D4).
St Mirren have won just one of their last four games, losing two, drawing one and failing to score in three of those fixtures.
Dundee have lost 19 of the 20 games in which they have fallen behind this season; a league high.
St Mirren have scored 22 goals in the second half of matches this season, equating to 67% of their total haul, a proportion only Ross County can better.
Dundee have netted 67% of their goals in the first half of matches; by far the highest proportion in the league.

Hearts v St Johnstone
The Saints have enjoyed just three wins in their last nine games in the SPL against Hearts (D2 L4).
Hearts have lost their last five in the league, conceding 13 goals in the process.
Both teams have conceded eight goals in the final fifteen minutes of matches; the lowest total in the SPL in that period.
St Johnstone have scored just one goal in the opening fifteen minutes of games; the lowest haul in the league.
Hearts have conceded a league-low 46% of their goals in the second half of SPL games (19 goals).

Championship Opta Facts – March 5th

Birmingham v Blackpool
Blackpool have won only twice in their last 13 games (D4 L7), and are yet to win under new manager Paul Ince (D2 L1).
Birmingham winger Chris Burke has scored four goals in his last six appearances in the league.
The Tangerines have gone four games without a win (D2 L2) and have failed to score in any of those matches.
Birmingham's Curtis Davies has scored two goals in his last two appearances against Blackpool (including last season's play-offs).
Birmingham have won just one of their last five in the league (D2 L2).

Bristol City v Brighton
Brighton have won their last three games against Bristol City, without conceding a goal, but prior to that the Robins had won their last three against the Seagulls (all
competitions).
Bristol City are one of four teams (Hull, Ipswich, Blackburn), who are yet to receive a red card this season.
City have won their last four home games, with Jon Stead scoring three goals in his last four appearances at Ashton Gate.
Leonardo Ulloa was the first Brighton player to score a hat-trick this season, when he bagged three against Huddersfield. The Uruguayan has scored four in his last three games.

Burnley v Barnsley
After going six unbeaten in the league, the Tykes have lost their last two games, conceding eight goals in the process, although they've also managed to score five in those two
losses.
Before beating Charlton at the weekend, The Clarets had gone six games without a win (D2 L4) and have failed to win in their last three fixtures at Turf Moor (D1 L2).
Barnsley have scored 72% of their goals in the second half (31 of 43); a league high proportion.
Burnley have conceded the majority of their goals in the second half (63%; 29 of 46).

Cardiff v Derby
Cardiff are unbeaten in five games against Derby (W4 D1), scoring 12 goals in the process.
In the 13 games the Welsh side have gone ahead at home this season, they've managed to win every time.
The Rams have the joint lowest total for away wins this season with just three to their name.
Derby have gone six games without a win in the Championship (D3 L3).

Huddersfield v Middlesbrough
Huddersfield have lost 12 points from winning positions at home this season, a total only beaten by Wolves (19) and Charlton (14).
Middlesbrough have scored 61% of their goals in the second half (33 of 54), with 10 of their last 14 league goals being scored in the second half of matches.
James Vaughan has scored three goals in his last four games for the Terriers.
Middlesbrough have scored 17 goals in the final 15 minutes of matches, a total only bettered by Blackpool (18) this season.

Leicester v Leeds
Leicester have kept 14 clean sheets this season, seven of them coming at home.
The Foxes have won just once in their last five in the league (D1 L3), prior to that they picked up five consecutive wins.
After going three games without a win (D1 L2), Leeds have kept three clean sheets in a row, winning two of those three (D1).
Leeds have conceded 73% of their goals in the second half (35 of 48), a league high proportion.

Millwall v Wolves
The Lions have lost eight of their last 12 games (W2 D2).
Only one side has picked up fewer points than Millwall (7: W2 D1 L7) from their last ten games; Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have picked up five points from 30 (D5 L5).
Wolves have gone 12 games without a win in the league (D5 L7); their last win came on the road, when they beat Blackpool 2-1.
Millwall are yet to pick up any points from losing positions at the New Den. They are the only side yet to claw back points at home.

Nottm Forest v Ipswich
In the last five meetings, 16 goals have been scored, averaging at 3.2 goals per game.
The Reds also hold a slight edge in recent years, winning five of the last six (L1).
Since the return of Billy Davies as manager, Forest have won three in their last five (D1 L1).
Having failed to find the back of the net all season, Reds playmaker Radoslaw Majewski has scored five goals in his last three games.

Peterborough v Charlton
The Addicks have won their last five games against the Posh, with midfielder Johnnie Jackson scoring three goals in his last three appearances in this match.
Peterborough's Dwight Gayle was the second player to score a hat-trick for the club this season, after bagging three against Blackburn at the weekend (Leicester are the only
club other club to have seen two players score hat-tricks).
The Posh have picked up just five points from losing positions this season; a joint-league low.
Both Charlton and Peterborough have conceded 67% of their goals in the second half of matches (only Leeds have conceded a higher percentage).

Watford v Sheff Wed
Watford are unbeaten in six (W4 D2), and currently sit top of the form table, picking up 23 points from their last 10 games.
Sheffield Wednesday have only lost twice in their last 10 league games (W4 D4).
Watford have scored a joint league-high 10 goals in the opening 15 minutes of Championship games this season.
There have been 19 goals scored in the last five meetings between the two sides, averaging at 3.8 goals per game.

Bolton v Blackburn
The Trotters have beaten Blackburn four times in their last five meetings, winning 2-1 every time.
Rovers have gone four games without a win in the league (D1 L3), conceding eight goals in the process.
Bolton are unbeaten in six in the league (W4 D2), with on-loan defender Craig Dawson scoring four goals in his last three for the club.
Bolton have lost 26 points from winning positions this season, a league high.

Crystal Palace v Hull
The last five meetings between the sides have seen four games end in draws, three of which have been scoreless.
Hull City have lost only five points from leading positions in the Championship this term; a league-low.
Hull's Egyptian striker Gedo has scored five goals in his last five appearances.
Palace have won five of their last 10 games (D2 L3).

04.03. (Mon) 21:00 Aston Villa - Manchester City

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ASTON VILLA
Guzan
Lowton, Baker, Clark, Bennett
Westwood, Delph
Wiemann, N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor
Benteke

MANCHESTER CITY
Hart
Zabaleta, K.Toure, Nastasic, Clichy
Rodwell, Garcia
Milner, Y. Toure, Silva
Aguero

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has both Marc Albrighton (ankle) and Richard Dunne (groin) out but Shay Given, Ron Vlaar and Darren Bent could all return after missing the club's defeat to Arsenal last Saturday.

Elsewhere, Chris Herd is still sidelined with an ankle strain, while Craig Gardner is a long-term absentee with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will definitely be without Brazilian defender Maicon who is sidelined with a knee injury, while Vincent Kompany may miss the fixture due to a calf problem. Gareth Barry and Micah Richards are all nearing returns to fitness and could make the bench.

Jack Rodwell may continue in midfield, while Carlos Tevez will be fighting for a starting place after netting against Chelsea last Sunday.

DID YOU KNOW?

Aston Villa have scored just 26 league goals all season, which is less than the return of 29 goals scored by Manchester City trio Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez.

Villa have conceded 52 goals in the top flight all campaign, which is the worst defensive record in the league.
Aston Villa have conceded at least two goals in eight of their last 10 games in the Premier League.

Paul Lambert's side have lost all eight league encounters where they have been behind at half-time.

Manchester City boast the best defensive record in the league this season with 12 clean sheets and 24 goals conceded overall.

City have won 14 of the 16 games where strike duo Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez have started together.

Roberto Mancini's side have failed to score in just four of their 27 games in the Premier League. City are 9/1 to beat Aston Villa 3-0 with bet365.

Their previous meeting this season ended 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium following David Silva's strike, and two goals each from Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez.

03.03. (Sun) 17:00 Tottenham - Arsenal

Probable lineups

TOTTENHAM
H. Lloris
K. Walker • M. Dawson • J. Vertonghen • B. Assou-Ekotto
S. Parker • M. Dembélé
A. Lennon • G. Bale • L. Holtby
E. Adebayor

ARSENAL
W. Szczęsny
L. Koscielny • P. Mertesacker • T. Vermaelen • Nacho Monreal
Arteta • J. Wilshere
T. Walcott • Cazorla • L. Podolski
O. Giroud

Clint Dempsey (calf) only has a small change of featuring for Spurs after missing the 3-2 win over West Ham on Monday, although Tom Huddlestone (knee) should be back to compete for a place in the hosts' starting XI.

Younes Kaboul (knee) should still be out for Andre Villas-Boas' side with no set return date yet, while Sandro (knee) is out for the season.

Bacary Sagna (knee) is expected to miss out for the Gunners, with youngster Carl Jenkinson set to replace him at right-back.

Abou Diaby (thigh) is 50/50 for the clash after coming off during the 1-0 win over Aston Villa on 23 February, while Kieran Gibbs (thigh) is definitely out after being forced off during the 2-2 draw with Liverpool on 30 January.

DID YOU KNOW?
Tottenham have lost only one of their last seven Premier League home games against bitter rivals Arsenal.
Spurs have been in a winning position in both of their last two games against the Gunners, but have gone on to lose each game 5-2.

Gareth Bale is only the eighth different Tottenham player to score over 15 Premier League goals in a season.
Andre Villas-Boas' side have scored 11 goals from outside the area - more than any other top flight side this season.

Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale are the only players from Europe's big five leagues to score six league goals from outside the box this campaign.

Spurs had 13 shots on target against West Ham on Monday - only Chelsea (15 vs Aston Villa) have had more in a league game this season.

Arsenal have 13 points from the past five Premier League games - a total only equalled by league leaders Manchester United.

Olivier Giroud has had 26 headed attempts at goal this season - more than any other player in the Premier League.

No side in the top five European Leagues has averaged fewer fouls per game than Spurs (9.7) or Arsenal (9.8) this season.

Theo Walcott is 13/2 to score the first goal in the game with bet365.

03.03. (Sun) 15:30 1899 Hoffenheim - Bayern Munchen

PROBABLE LINEUPS

HOFFENHEIM
Gomes
Ochs, Abraham, Vestergaard, Johnson
Weis, Williams
Schrock, Volland, Usami
De Camargo

BAYERN
Neuer
Lahm, Van Buyten, Dante, Alaba
Luiz Gustavo, Schweinsteiger
Muller, Kroos, Ribery
Gomez

Bayern Munich are set to make two changes from the side that overcame Borussia Dortmund in midweek. Luiz Gustavo is set to get a rare start against his old club in the place of Javi Martinez, and Mario Gomez could replace Mario Mandzukic up front.

Holger Badstuber, Rafinha and Claudio Pizarro, however, remain injured.

Hoffenheim, meanwhile, are missing a host of players ahead of the visit of the league leaders. Andreas Beck and Eugen Polanski are both suspended after picking up five yellow cards each.

While Chris, Matthieu Delpierre, Sebastian Rudy, Sejad Salihovic and Boris Vukcevic are all sidelined.

DID YOU KNOW?

Hoffenheim have never beaten Bayern Munich in their nine Bundesliga clashes with die Roten.

Igor de Camargo has not ended up on the losing side against Bayern Munich in his four Bundesliga games against the Bavarians.

Hoffenheim have already lost 15 games this season - a club record high.

Bayern have won 10 of their 11 away games in the Bundesliga this season, picking up 94 per cent of the points available on the road.

Mario Gomez has scored a goal every 71 minutes. His striking rival, Mario Mandzukic has an average of one every 96.

Manuel Neuer has gone five games without conceding at the Rhein Neckar Arena - a total of 494 minutes.

Prediction
Bayern Munich are not only a class above everyone in the Bundesliga this season, but Hoffenheim are in freefall and are in danger of the drop. Following their win over Dortmund in midweek, Bayern will be confident and of recording yet another victory.

Editor's Prediction
Hoffenheim 0-4 Bayern

03.03. (Sun) 15:00 Catania - Inter

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CATANIA
Andujar
Alvarez, Rolin, Spolli, Marchese
Lodi, Biagianti
Izco, Gomez, Castro
Bergessio

INTER
Handanovic
Zanetti, Juan, Chivu, Pereira
Gargano, Kuzmanovic
Schelotto, Kovacic, Guarin
Rocchi

The Nerazzurri come into their 27th match of the season just a point back of fourth-placed AC Milan and three adrift of Lazio and the Champions League places. But having taken just six points from 18 since mid-January, they’re in desperate need of a turnaround and will looking for some big performances against Catania.

It won’t help that coach Andrea Stramaccioni has a handful of injuries and suspensions to worry about ahead of kick off as well as a reported bust-up with attacker Antonio Cassano. It could mean Tommasso Rocchi is in line for his first start for the Nerazzurri.

Top-scorer Diego Milito is out for the rest of the season after sustaining a cruciate ligament against Cluj in the Europa League, and defender Walter Samuel remains sidelined with an Achilles problem.

Add the suspensions of Yuto Nagatomo and Andrea Ranocchia, and Stramaccioni will have to recall Alvaro Pereira at left-back and move Cristian Chivu into central defence.

Catania boss Rolando Maran has his own disciplinary issues coming into Sunday, what with Nicola Legrottaglie and Giuseppe Bellusci both suspended.

The Sicilians will also be without winger Pablo Barrientos, who has a muscle problem, and midfielder Fabio Sciacca, who is recovering from knee surgery.

DID YOU KNOW?

Inter have won just two of their last 11 Serie A matches - against 15th-place Chievo and second-from-bottom Pescara.

With Milito out of the picture, Antonio Cassano and Rodrigo Palacio are Inter’s highest active goalscorers, with seven goals apiece in Serie A. Fredy Guarin is next with four.

Cassano is third in the Serie A assist table with eight. Marek Hamsik has 11 assists and Borja Valero nine.
Catania have lost just once in 2013 — a stretch of eight matches.

Only Juventus, Napoli and Lazio — the top three sides in Serie A — have better defensive records than Catania so far this season.

Catania have lost just one of their last three matches against Inter and beat the Nerrazzurri 2-1 the last time they faced them on this ground.

Prediction
Inter are under all sorts of pressure, and the suspensions to Nagatomo and Ranocchia couldn’t have come at a worse time. Catania are playing some of the best football in their history and have every reason to believe they can get a least a draw out of this.

Editor's Prediction
Catania 1-1 Inter