Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona: Issues, Decisions to Shape Copa Del Rey Game

Atletico Madrid will welcome Barcelona to the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday for the second leg of their quarter-final clash in the Copa del Rey.
Courtesy of a controversial penalty won by Sergio Busquets in the first leg at the Camp Nou, the Catalans carry a 1-0 lead to the Spanish capital for their second meeting and will be buoyed by Atletico's inability to grab an away goal last week.
For Luis Enrique's men, it was a second successive victory over Los Colchoneros after their 3-1 win at home in La Liga earlier this month.
But returning to the Calderon will be a boost for Atleti, who have consistently proven they're incredibly difficult to beat on their own turf.
Across the following slides, we examine the key issues and decisions that will shape Wednesday's clash.

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FC Parma vs Juventus 28.01.2015 – Coppa Italia

FC Parma vs. Juventus / Coppa Italia – The second quarter-final couple of Italian Cup is somehow the least attractive of all because it brings us the weakest and the best team of Serie A, but the leading Juventus after 20 rounds has a large 40-point lead. In addition, in recent mutual clashes Juve has a series of five wins and two draws, and certainly in the team of Parma still remember the fall debacle at Turin’s Olimpico, when they were defeated with even 7-0. Begins: 28.01.2015 – 20:45 CET

FC Parma

Of course that all this information is acting totally disheartening for the team of Parma before this duel in Cup with the “Old Lady”, especially since in the past 10 days in the championship they experienced two consecutive domestic defeats by Sampdoria and Cesena. The last one was especially painful because it occurred in a match with a direct rival in the fight for survival, so after this match with Parma they again fell to last place in the standings, while Cesena is immediately above them, with three points more.
But what is a lot more concerning for coach Roberto Donadoni is the fact that the 17-ranked Cagliari currently has as many as 10 points more and is therefore not surprising that they and the leaders of the club recently brought four new players. However, some of them are still getting used to the Italian style of football, such as strikers Varela and Rodriguez, while perhaps the greatest reinforcement is the experienced midfielder Nocerino. The new face of Parma is the Albanian midfielder Lila, but he is injured and will miss this match, just like the previously injured strikers Biabiany, Jorquera, Coda and Ghezzal and midfielder Acquah and striker Belfodil who are currently at the African Cup of Nations.
Probable lineups Parma: Mirante – Cassani, Paletta, Lucarelli, Gobbi – Mauri, Lodi, Nocerino – Varela, Palladino, Rodriguez

Juventus

As for Juventus, we all know that they are in the last three years the absolute rulers of the Italian football and so in this moment they are at the leading position in Serie A, and with seven points more than the first and only true companion, Roma. However, only three rounds earlier the difference was only one point, but then Juve made a series of three wins, while Roma played three draws, which simply means that the current Italian champions in the season have only an easier job in an effort to defend Scudetto.
However, in their team are well aware that there should be no relaxation, especially since they will soon have performances in the Champions League and this is why coach Allegri announced that he will now for the Cup send his reserve setup to the field. However, they are a lot stronger than that first setup of Parma, so all these absences of the regulars should not be felt, as well as the absences of the injured defenders Marrone and Evra and midfielders Asamoah and Romulus.
Probable lineups Juventus: Storari – Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Ogbonna, Padoin – Pirlo, Pereyra – Pepe, Giovinco, Coman – Llorente

FC Parma vs. Juventus PICK

Since Parma has nothing to lose in this match, we believe that they will in front of their fans provide a much better resistance than in the autumnal championship match with Juventus, and this in fact means that there could be a lot of goals at Ennio Tardini.
Pick: over 2.5 goals
Stake: 5/10
Odds: 1.80 at M88 (down to 1.75 can be played)

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Sheffield United vs Tottenham: Capital One Cup match preview

Giant killers Sheffield United will be hoping to pull off another memorable cup upset when they entertain Premier League opponents Tottenham on Wednesday.

The Blades, who go into the tie having lost 1-0 at White Hart Lane, have already knocked out third-placed Southampton of the Premier League on route to the semi-finals. And with Marc McNulty and Jamal Campbell-Ryce in a rich vein of form, fans will be hoping for another memorable evening at Bramall Lane.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs side will be aiming to recover from their shock 2-1 defeat at home to Premiership strugglers Leicester in the FA Cup and safely book their passage to Wembley.
 
KICK OFF: 7:45PM
PAST THREE MEETINGS:
Tottenham 1 - 0 Sheffield United, League Cup, Wed 21 Jan 2015
Sheffield United 2 - 1 Tottenham, Premiership, Sat 10 Feb 2007
Tottenham 2 - 0 Sheffield United, Premiership, Tue 22 Aug 2006
STATS:
In the first season of the Premier League, Sheffield United crushed Tottenham 6-0 at Bramall Lane.
Tottenham’s last victory at Bramall Lane came in the fourth round of the 1990/91 League Cup - winning 2-0
Spurs have managed only three victories in their last 15 visits to Bramall Lane.
The North Londoners have a 3-0 head-to-head record against Sheffield United in the League Cup.
ODDS:
Sheffield Utd- 4/1
Tottenham- 5/6
Draw- 14/5
TV: Sky Sports 1

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Preview: Chelsea vs. Liverpool

© Getty Images

By Jack Prescott, London Correspondent
Filed: Monday, January 26, 2015 at 15:26 UK

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 13:17 UK

 

 

Chelsea and Liverpool meet at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday for the second leg of their League Cup semi-final, with the tie hanging in the balance.
The two teams played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Anfield last week as Raheem Sterling's second-half strike cancelled out Eden Hazard's first-half penalty.
Chelsea's away goal gives Jose Mourinho's side the slightest of advantages ahead of the return leg in West London, though the away-goals rule will not come into play unless the game is still level after extra time.
The Blues were humiliated on the weekend with a shock 4-2 defeat at home to Bradford City in the FA Cup fourth round, so beating Liverpool has taken on extra significance for the team and their quest for silverware.
Meanwhile, Liverpool make the trip to the Bridge on a 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions. Brendan Rodgers's men have seemingly turned the corner in recent weeks following a shaky first half to the season.
Not counting last week's first-leg encounter between the clubs, Chelsea and Liverpool's only other clash this season saw Chelsea earn a 2-1 win on Merseyside in the Premier League.
The hosts are expected to welcome back a number of key names after they were rested against Bradford. The likes of Thibaut Courtois, John Terry, Cesc Fabregas, Hazard and Diego Costa are all likely to be recalled.
Brad Jones and Joe Allen remain sidelined for the visitors, but reports have suggested that Daniel Sturridge could start on the bench after a lengthy spell out of action with hamstring and thigh problems respectively.
Chelsea:
Form in League Cup: WWWD
Form in all competitions: LWWWDL
Possible starting lineup: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Luis; Matic, Mikel; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Costa
Liverpool:
Form in League Cup: WWWD
Form in all competitions: DWWWDD
Possible starting lineup: Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno; Henderson, Lucas, Gerrard; Markovic, Coutinho, Sterling
Sports Mole says: 2-0

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Preview: Rotherham United vs. Bolton Wanderers

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By Pascal Lemesre, Championship Correspondent
Filed: Monday, January 26, 2015 at 23:51 UK

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 10:47 UK

 

 

Bolton Wanderers will be hoping to build on their impressive FA Cup draw at Anfield with a win over struggling Rotherham United in the Championship tomorrow.
Neil Lennon's side held Liverpool to a goalless draw to earn a fourth-round replay against the Premier League giants, and if they can follow it up with victory at the New York Stadium they will move into the top half of the Championship.
With a draw against the seven-time FA Cup champions, Bolton remain unbeaten in all competitions in 2015 and now face a Rotherham side languishing just above the bottom three.
Lennon will be without striker Emile Heskey for the trip East after the veteran striker picked up a hamstring injury against his former club on Saturday.
Adam le Fondre has been brought in on loan from Cardiff City, but he isn't available tomorrow so will have to wait for his Trotters debut.
Adam Bogdan impressed between the sticks at Anfield, but Andy Lonergan is likely to earn a recall in goal.
It is also Bolton's last game before a run of four home fixtures in five matches - they are still unbeaten at the Macron Stadium under Lennon - one of which is the replay against Liverpool next Wednesday.
As for Rotherham, they have recorded just one victory in their last 15 games and lie 21st in the table, three points above the bottom three.
Steve Evans will be hoping that the Millers' much longer rest - they haven't played since losing at home to Bournemouth last weekend - will mean that they are fresher than Bolton tomorrow.
Four new players were handed debuts against the Cherries and Evans could again go with the new faces now that they have had more time to train with their new teammates.
Lee Frecklington looks set to miss out again with a hernia problem, while defenders Richard Wood and Kirk Broadfoot are hoping to return.
The reverse fixture saw three goals scored in the final 10 minutes as Bolton came out on top 3-2 at the Macron Stadium.
Rotherham's record at home against the Trotters is strong, though, as they haven't been beaten in 12 matches, winning eight.
Rotherham:
Form in Championship: DWDDLL
Form in all competitions: WDDLLL
Possible starting lineup: Collin; Richardson, Broadfoot, Morgan, Fryers; Hammill, Green, Smallwood, Pringle; Ward; Sammon
Bolton:
Form in Championship: DWWLDW
Form in all competitions: WLWDWD
Possible starting lineup: Lonergan; Vela, Mills, Ream, Dervite, Moxey; Danns, Pratley, Feeney; Gudjohnsen, Davies
Football News says: 0-2

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Preview: Millwall vs. Reading

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By Pascal Lemesre, Championship Correspondent
Filed: Monday, January 26, 2015 at 17:55 UK

Last Updated: Monday, January 26, 2015 at 17:57 UK

 

 

 

Ian Holloway's struggling Millwall side will try to put an end to a five-game losing streak in the Championship when they host Reading tomorrow night.
The Lions are three points adrift of safety in 22nd and have the second worst goal difference in the division after scoring just twice and conceding 13 in their poor recent run.
They were also beaten 4-0 by Bradford City in an FA Cup third-round replay, but might feel a little better given what the Bantams did at Stamford Bridge in the fourth round on Saturday.
Millwall are without a win since their December 12 triumph at Brighton & Hove Albion and haven't won at home in over three months.
One positive for Holloway is that his players will have had a 10-day break since their 3-1 defeat at home to Ipswich Town.
Since then, Holloway has brought in Jos Hooiveld on loan from Southampton and is also able to welcome back Mark Beevers and Shaun Williams from suspension.
If Millwall are able to record victory, they will close to within four points of Steve Clarke's Reading, who have had a week's less following their FA Cup fourth-round exploits on Saturday.
The Royals are one of the 16 balls in tonight's fifth-round draw after their dramatic late victory over Cardiff City on Saturday.
Although new boss Clarke will be pleased with their Cup progress, he will hope that they can pull away from the bottom three after just one league win in five games since he took charge.
Nathaniel Chalobah made his Royals debut at Cardiff on Saturday and is likely to continue in midfield for his first Championship appearance in blue and white tomorrow.
There are doubts, though, over the fitness of Chris Gunter, Danny Guthrie and Jamie Mackie.
The omens aren't good for Millwall as they have failed to beat Reading in 10 attempts, losing seven and drawing three. The reverse fixture in September was one of those seven wins as Reading were victorious by three goals to two.
Millwall:
Form in Championship: WLLLLL
Form in all competitions: LLDLLL
Possible starting lineup: Forde; Cummings, Hooiveld, Webster, Harding; Gueye, Abdou, Powell, Fabbrini; Gregory, Maierhofer
Reading:
Form in Championship: LLDWDL
Form in all competitions: DWWDLW
Possible starting lineup: Federici; Gunter, Pearce, Hector, Obita; McCleary, Chabobah, Williams, Norwood, Robson-Kanu; Pogrebnyak

Football News says: 1-1

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Championship team news: Derby v Blackburn preview

Johnny Russell will miss out when Derby resume their Championship promotion challenge against Blackburn at the iPro Stadium.

Russell skipped some training sessions last week because of a tight hamstring and the problem forced him off during the FA Cup victory over Chesterfield on Saturday, leaving Rams head coach Steve McClaren with limited options in the wide positions.
With Jordon Ibe recalled from his loan spell by Liverpool, McClaren's only two wingers ahead of Tuesday night are Jamie Ward and Simon Dawkins - and Ward is working his way back to full fitness after almost three months out with thigh problems.
McClaren, who is in the market for another winger, will check on midfielder Craig Bryson after a hip problem meant he was an unused substitute against Chesterfield.
Rovers could be without midfielders Lee Williamson and David Dunn after both came off injured during their cup win over Swansea.
Williamson suffered an eye injury during the first half and Dunn, who came on as his replacement, pulled up with a calf problem after the break.
Top scorer Rudy Gestede, a target for Crystal Palace, could return to the starting line-up along with fellow striker Jordan Rhodes after both started on the bench against the Swans
Loanee Alex Baptiste is available again while Jason Steele is set to reclaim his place in goal after Simon Eastwood got a run-out in the cup.

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