Newcastle vs Derby County

23/12- This tie features the team at the top of the bottom half of the table at 11th spot, Newcastle, hosting the last placed team Derby County. Derby are having a miserable season and their league campaign looks like an attempt to achieve the almost impossible. They are already a distant 7 points behind the second last placed team and their form looks no good as well. Derby go into this match after losing 7 continuous matches, the last one being a 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough while Newcastle have won their last two encounters and the last week’s away victory at Fulham has lifted them to the 11th spot and another victory at home can possibly take them to the top half of the points table.

Derby County have been able to score a mere 6 goals in total and even with a full strength squad look quite depleted against Newcastle. It also implies that the total number of goals scored by the entire Derby team is equal to the number of goals scored by Newscastle the top scorer Martins. Derby would also be keen to make an impression, something that they have not been able to do all this season. There have been a total of 39 goals scored against them in just 17 matches, which comes to more than 2 goals per match on an average.

Newcastle on the other hand would be looking at a big margin victory so that the goal difference for them appears better as a lot of teams are being locked on similar scores. Though the team is missing Owen and Duff, Viduka and Martins have given good attacking options to the side. Overall Newcastle would look at the full three points from this while Derby would even settle for a draw and put an end to their losing streak.

Prediction: 3-0, Newcastle win

Manchester United vs Everton

23/12- As Arsenal have extended their lead to 4 points once again, it will be a tester for second place Manchester United to keep up the pace with the league leaders as they play hosts to the improving Everton. Both teams enter this contest on the back of fantastic away victories. While Man U played a brilliant game to get the better of the reds at Anfield by a 1-0 margin, Everton managed to win their away tie against Wet Ham United with a 2-0 score line. Man U probably have one of the best attacking front line in the league but Everton have a single goal advantage in terms of the total number of goals scored but when looking at the number of goals conceded Manchester have given away half the number of goals as given away by Everton.

Looking at the past record Manchester United should be sure winners as in the 29 encounters between the sides Man U have 23 victories while 4 matches have been draws and Everton have managed just two victories which have been at home only. The home team would be banking on the performance of their strikers especially with Christiano Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney scoring freely in the recent encounters. Sir Alex Fergusson would be hoping that his side would be able to draw all the points from this tie and not allow Arsene Wenger’s side to get away that easily.

Everton on the other hand would be the under dogs as they have hardly anything to lose, the history is against them and there seem to be no flaw in the way their opponents are playing but the only hope for them would be that their premiere striker Yakubu would get some support from the likes of Cahill and Johnson and convert a goal and the Everton defense can some how keep out the Manchester attack.

Prediction: 1-0, Man U win

Athletico Madrid vs Espanyol

23/12- A top half clash takes place when the 5th placed Espanyol travel to the surprise 3rd place at this stage of the tournament, Athletico Madrid. Athletico enter the field with the backing of the home crowd and a record of 3 wins and 2 draws in the last 5 matches played with the last one being a draw in an away tie against Recreativo Huelva. Espanyol on the other hand have not been defeated in the last 10 encounters and possess a record of 5 wins and 5 draws, they enter this match after a 1-0 home win against Levante last week. Looking at the past record out of the 22 matches played between these clubs 8 have been draws while Espanyol have managed 8 wins while Athletico claiming the remaining 6 matches.

The home team will be hoping that their in form strikers Aguero and Forlan would convert the chances and get home the total points. With the top two teams pitted against each other a win would be a great opportunity for Athletico to device a strategy to try and possibly threat the league leaders and be a third runner in the title race. Athletico may also start without their second half wonder Radriguez as the striker has scored all his goals this season in the second half and he can be used as a replacement in the second part adding fresh legs for attack.

Espanyol have been in great form as well and defeating them would be very difficult and unlikely. The visitors would hope that Tamudo and Luis Garcia can showcase their best game as a win here could probably help them atleast one position on the points table if not more. The match would be a nail biter and might be decided by the difference of a goal.

Prediction: 1-1

Valladolid vs Real Betis

23/12- It is the second classic bottom of the table tie this week as Valladolid play hosts to Real Betis. Both the teams are locked on 17 points but Real Betis find themselves in the relegation zone just on the basis of the goal difference. Valladolid’s home record has been very poor and on the other hand Betis have a comparative weak away record to show for their efforts. There is not much to choose between both the sides except for their performances in the past few weeks. While Valladolid drew their last match against Sevilla at home, Betis came up with a spirited performance to beat Almeria 3-1 and hence were able to achieve their second victory in as many weeks. Real Betis have shown great determination in their previous matches and their game looks quite different from what it used to be 3 weeks ago.

Valladolid have had two solid strikers in Guteirrez and Llorente but both have not been at their usual best off late. Even if we go by past records Real Betis hold an upper hand as they have won 12 of the 18 matches played between the two teams and 2 matches have been drawn. Valladolid need to be an extra careful with their defense as well as their defense has been only the second worst to Levante as they have conceded 27 goals already.

Real Betis on the other hand are on a winning run and would like to carry the momentum in this match as well. An away win at this stage would mean that Betis would be out of the relegation zone as well as would have a fair chance to recover from the miserable start to the season in the second half. Pavone seems to have found his foothold and is the top scorer for the side. Both teams would want an outright win and incase the match end in a draw both would hope that Osasuna loose out on their tie.

Prediction: 1-2, Real Betis

Levante vs Deportivo La Coruna

23/12- While Real and Barca fight out this week to try and end at the top of the point’s table season, the same week features a classic bottom table clash between team number 19 and team number 20, Deportivo La Coruna and Levante respectively. Though just a position ahead Deportivo are well clear of Levante in terms of points as when Levante are on 7 points, Deportivo are double at 14. Levante enter this match after 3 continuous losses, the last one being away at Espanyol while Deportivo were able to pull off a draw against a highly ranked Real Zaragoza at home last week and this would be a moral booster for them.

The good thing for Deportivo however is that they have been quite good away from home as they are 19th in total and the worst performing team at home but when it comes to away matches their performance has been the 8th best this season among the Spanish Laliga teams. Deportivo have relied heavily on their awesome threesome to find the net and again the responsibility of a win at Levante would be on the shoulders of Guardado, Jimenez Tejada and Riki. Deportivo would also be aware that a win could possibly help them to increase their chances to get out of the relegation zone and there would be no better opportunity than a weak non performing team like Levante. At the same time Deportivo would also know that loosing the match here could mean that they would be further deprived of chances getting back out of the relegation zone.

Levante have hardly anything left as their campaign this season already appears to have come to a premature end, with no solid performances to lift them and a constant pressure of being eliminated might be to much for them.

Prediction: 0-2, Deportivo win

Barcelona vs Real Madrid

23/12- This would probably be the match of this Laliga season with Real Madrid marching ahead by 4 points, Barcelona would be looking to cut it down to just a point when they host Real Madrid. The teams being placed 1st and 2nd on the points table are the two biggest competitors in the Spanish region. While Barcelona are entering this home tie after three consecutive wins, Real Madrid are visiting after recording 4 wins in as many matches. The thing that might work in the home team’s however is that Barcelona have not lost a point at home this season but the fact is that they might have not faced a side as good as Real Madrid and the visitors are the 3rd best team when it comes to away matches in Laliga.

Barcelona would be supported by a strong home advantage however they would be missing two of their top three scorers as Thiery Henry and Lionel Messi are likely to miss out on this tie. This leaves them with Ronaldinho as their only regular attacking option, though on his day he can be difficult to handle, as of the current scenario it would not appear that he alone would cause too much concern for the Real Madrid defense. The only hope the Barca team management and supporters would have is Samuel Eto who is on a comeback streak.

Real on the other hand appear to be a confident outfit and have managed to build a 4 point advantage over their closest rivals, Barca. With Raul and Van Nistelrooy in great scoring form they would be looking to extend their lead or at least maintain it. Even if Real lose the match they would retain the top spot and that would help the club to relax before an otherwise tense away tie, but the fun begins with the whistle when it kicks off at Barcelona.

Prediction: 0-1, Real win

Sevilla vs Racing Santander

22/12- A suspension struck Sevilla would be taking on 6th placed Racing Santander in this top half tie. While Sevilla managed a struggling draw last week against Valladolid after two red card suspensions, Santander are coming off a 2-1 loss to the much lower ranked Murcia in an away tie. However the advantage Racing will have is that Sevilla’s most prolific scorer this season, Fabiano, was red carded in the last game and hence would have to miss this home game due to suspension. Fazio, the other suspension last week would be missing in defense and Navarro is already our of contention. Hence Racing will enter this match with Sevilla handicapped in the fromt end as well as their back end.

Sevilla would be counting on the support they would get from the home fans as well as their attacking forward Kanoute, even though he has not scored the highest number of goals for the club this season, his tally stands at an impressive 7 goals, which in fact is better than any of the Racing strikers. Another thing they can capitalize on is Racing Santander’s away record as Racing Santander have lost their last two matches traveling and it would be like a psychological pressure on them. Also on past head to head records, Sevilla leads Santander winning 8 of the 18 encounters with 7 being draws.

Racing on the other hand would like to see this as a perfect opportunity to stabilize their 6th spot as Sevilla is a depleted side. Another good thing about Racing this season has been that they have not been too dependent on one payer and that is probably the reason why the highest number of goals scored by a player is just 4, this also proves their defensive strength and in the absence of Fabiano they should not be highly troubled. They have lost their last match but would surely like to make up for that loss now.

Prediction: 1-2, Racing win

Inter Milan vs AC Milan

The Milan derby is once again upon us as Inter Milan play host to AC Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza. The defending champions of Inter are at home and their first place standing makes them the logical favorite for many. However, they will be going against an AC Milan outfit who are coming off of a victory in the World Club Cup and are very motivated at this time.

Inter are coming off of a 0-2 win away to Cagliari in their Round 16 match . With that win the neroazzurri were able to extend their lead over 2^nd place Roma to 7 points with 40 on the season. They are the only undefeated side left in Serie A and are winners of their last 5 straight. During this stretch they have outscored the opposition by 13 to 1. In short they have been absolutely dominant at times during the present campaign. While they have had a number of injuries over the past few weeks including such high profile players as Patrick Vieira, Francesco Toldo, Luis Figo and Dejan Stankovic, they have not missed a beat. They will be getting an important player back this week as Ibrahimovic returns to join Julio Cruz in the attack. Cruz has been on fire of late and appears to score a goal in every match- he is that effective. If Inter’s attack were not impressive enough, they have not conceded a goal in 4 matches. Manager Roberto Mancini is certainly living a charmed life these days.

Milan are in 11^th place of the league table with 18 points, 3 back of 10^th place Catania. They did not play a league match in week 16 as they were participating and winning the World Club Cup with a superb 4-1 win over Boca Juniors in the final with Kaka leading the way. Their last match was also a derby, at home to Juventus and they played to a 0-0 draw. The only injury concern for this match is striker Ronaldo who is back in Brazil trying to rehab but manager Carlo Ancelotti still has a couple of doubts. The question marks are right fullback where Oddo appears to have the edge over Cafu, while the other doubt is who will be the lone striker- Pippo Inzaghi or Gilardino. At this time Inzaghi looks to have the inside track to starting with the dynamic due of Clarence Seedorf and Kaka behind him. The overall starting eleven is as close to ideal as AC Milan can get these days.

While Inter are certainly the more in form squad at this time it’s impossible to rule AC Milan completely out. There is a reason why they are the defending UEFA Champions League title holders and World Club champions as well. They also have the world’s player in Kaka for good measure. Look for both sides to play as if it were the world cup final and each to grab a share of the points.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Fiorentina vs Cagliari

Fiorentina return home looking to get back on the right track against the struggling Cagliari at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Cagliari are at the bottom of the Serie A league table and almost could not find a manager to guide them this week. They could very well turn out to be just what the doctor ordered for a Firenze outfit who have not won a match in over a month.

At this time the side managed by Cesare Prandelli sit in 5^th place of Serie A with 25 points, 3 points back of 4^th place Udinese. Last week they were able to hold out for a 2-2 draw away to Sampdoria at the Luigi Ferraris at Marassi. Unfortunately for the purple side that result was the highlight of their last 5 matches which have seen them go winless. In fact, their last victory came back on the 31^st October. They did do well in the UEFA Cup this week as they disposed of Mlada Bolslav and will face Rosenborg in the Round of 16. On the injury front keeper Sebastian Frey remains sidelined while defender Gamberini looks set to return. Prandelli looks set to face the struggling side from Sardinia with a 4-3-3 featuring Adrian Mutu, Pazzini, and Santana upfront with Liverani pulling the strings from midfield. Lupatelli will once again spell Frey in goal while veteran Christian Vieri will start on the bench.

Cagliari are in loads of trouble as the season reaches the New Year’s break. They are in 20^th place out of 20 clubs with 10 points and sit just behind the equally inept Reggina on goal difference. They are coming off of a 0-2 loss at home to Inter Milan in their week 16 match. Following that result manager Nedo Sonetti decided to hand in his resignation just 5 matches after having taken over for Giampaolo. However, the board did not accept his resignation and he is back in charge of the club, reluctantly so. It’s hard to think that his next 5 matches in charge can be any worse as the club has obtained just 1 point over his first 5. Overall the club has lost 10 matches with 5 of those coming at home. To make matters worse, their top player Foggia has made it publicly known that he would like to be transferred. With that mindset Sonetti will ask him to start on the left flank of midfield in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Acqufresca as the lone striker.

It is not too difficult to see how this one should shape up. Fiorentina are hungry for a win to get them back on the right track while Cagliari have not won a match since September. Fiorentina are on paper the stronger squad while Cagliari are just plain awful this year. They were only worth watching for David Suazo over the past few years and he is now long gone.

Prediction: Fiorentina (2-0)

AS Roma vs Sampdoria

It has been a rough week for AS Roma in the lead up to this match at home to Sampdoria at the Stadio Olimpico. After learning that start Francesco Totti would continue to miss time they went winless in two matches over a 5 day span against Torino. They continue to sit in second place behind Inter Milan but the gap has now reached 7 points. Sampdoria visit Roma for the derby of the south having lost 2 of their last 5 matches while winning once and drawing the other.

The side managed by Luciano Spalletti are at 33 points for the year from 16 matches. After a disappointing 0-0 draw away to Torino in their last Serie A match they proceeded to lose 3-1 in the first leg of the Coppa Italia to the very same Toro. The news is slightly better this week on the injury front as it appears that Totti is finally ready to return. However, Taddei is still not available while Chilean midfielder Pizarro is now doubtful. Therefore, Spalletti could decide to keep the 4-2-3-1 formation but this time with Totti as the lone striker with Tonetto, Perrotta and Mancini as the 3 attacking midfielders. In addition, Mexes of France is out suspended.

Sampdoria were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw at home by Fiorentina in week 16. With that draw Sampdoria are in 9^th place with 21 points on the season just behind 8^th place Atalanta on goal difference. Despite the poor result things have been improving for the blucerchiati. In terms of injuries Sammarco looks set to return to action but is likely to start on the bench with Franceschini getting another start. Delvecchio, Sala and Montella are out while top striker Cassano must sit out suspended. The injury to Sala will have Gastaldello taking the spot in the center of the 3 man back line as Sampdoria go with a 3-4-2-1 featuring Bonazzoli.

While on paper Roma are without question the stronger side, this match is a derby and Sampdoria will come ready to play. There is also no telling how fit Totti will be and that could also play into Sampdoria’s favor. Still, despite the bleak scenario, the giallorossi should be able to break down the Samp defense and pick up the 3 points. This is especially true since the visitors will be without Cassano in attack, and Sala at the back.

Prediction: Roma (2-1)

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