• Pere Pons returns from suspension for Girona and should replace the banned Alex Granell in central midfield.
• Bernardo is likely to come back into the team at centre-back, allowing David Timor to step up into midfield.
• Borja Garcia is carrying a knock at present, but he should still be preferred to Aleix Garcia.

• Liverpool have had a full midweek to prepare for this fixture and Jurgen Klopp may resist changes from the side that beat Bournemouth 4-0 on Sunday.
• Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain comes up against Arsenal for the first time since leaving for Liverpool over the summer and will hope to start at the Emirates.
• Joel Matip returned to training on Tuesday and has a chance of featuring here, while illness may keep Daniel Sturridge out agains the Gunners.
• Emre Can and James Milner will push for starts on Friday night.

Match Facts

Arsenalhavewon 13 of their last 14 home matches (Premier League).

Liverpoolhavescored at least 3 goals in their last 4 away matches (Premier League).

Liverpoolhavescored at least 3 goals in their last 4 matches against Arsenal in all competitions.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 9 of Liverpool‘s last 10 away games (Premier League).

Arsenalhave kept a clean sheet in 6 of their last 8 home matches (Premier League).

Arsenalhave been winning at both half time and full time in 6 of their last 8 home matches (Premier League).

Liverpoolhave been winning at both half time and full timeiLiverpool have won their last 3 matches against Arsenal in all competitions.n their last 4 away matches (Premier League).

Arsenalhave seen over 2.5 goals in 8 of their last 9 matches against Liverpool in all competitions.

Liverpoolhavewon their last 4 away matches (Premier League).

Liverpoolhavewon their last 3 matches against Arsenal in all competitions.

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Arsenal‘s last 3 games (Premier League).

Arsenalhavescored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 home matches against Liverpool in all competitions.

Prediction

• Arsenal progressed into the League Cup semi finals in midweek and did so without needing any of their regular starters, meaning they should have a fresh team to face Liverpool on Friday. However, things do not look good for Arsene Wenger’s side.
• Liverpool are in devastating form at the moment. They’ve won their last four Premier League away matches and scored at least three goals in each of those wins. Jurgen Klopp’s side have also scored at least three goals in each of their last four meetings with Arsenal.
• While Liverpool have scored for fun of late, Arsenal have been oddly wasteful in front of goal. The Gunners have not scored more than one goal in any of their last four league matches and that could prove a real problem against this freescoring Liverpool side.

Prediction:

Arsenal

1

3

Liverpool

• Roberto Rosales and Adrian Gonzalez both miss out due to suspension, with the latter also having a hamstring problem.
• Cifu should fill in at right-back for the away side in place of Rosales.
• Esteban Rolon is expected to step into central midfield, with Diego Rolan preferred to Borja Baston up top.

Match Facts

Alaves have seen under 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 home matches against Malaga in all competitions.

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Malaga‘s last 3 games (La Liga).

Prediction

• Alaves have won three of their last four competitive games, with the arrival of Abelardo as boss helping to boost the hosts’ confidence.
• The hosts have scored in four of their last five matches, with the likes of Munir and Ibai Gomez starting to get back on the scoresheet once again.
• Malaga have lost just one of their last four competitive games, with Michel’s men starting to pick up in terms of form.

Prediction:

Alaves

2

1

Malaga

• Christophe Jallet remains a doubt, but Maxime Le Marchand has looked steady enough in the veteran’s absence.
• Pierre Lees-Melou impressed in a deeper role at the weekend, but should be moved to the flank here.
• Look for the likes of Nampalys Mendy and Vincent Koziello to start here after being rested at the weekend.

Match Facts

Lille have drawn 5 of their last 6 matches against Nice in all competitions.

Nice have won their last 4 matches (Ligue 1).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Lille‘s last 8 games (Ligue 1).

Nice are undefeated in their last 11 away matches against Lille in all competitions.

Prediction

• Nice are in great form at the moment, having catapulted themselves back into European contention with the returns of Cyprien and Seri; they should be good value for a victory here.
• Lille have looked better since the departure of Marcelo Bielsa, but still are too often blunted in attack with only Ezequiel Ponce as an orthodox striker. Even playing at home during this festive period won’t be enough for a result against their in-form opponents.

Prediction:

Lille

0

2

Nice

• Jose Mourinho says he will not rotate his squad too much out of respect to a strong Championship opponent, Bristol City.
• Nevertheless, Antonio Valencia will not be risked and the likes of Nemanja Matic, David de Gea and Ashley Young are expected to be given the night off.
• Paul Pogba will start for Manchester United after completing a three-match suspension, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan will return to the squad after being axed for eight of United’s last nine matchday squads.
• Zlatan Ibrahimovic will push for his first start since April after being eased back from injury by Mourinho this season.
• Daley Blind, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay, Matteo Darmian and Anthony Martial will also push for starts on Wednesday.

Prediction

• Bristol City knocked out Premier League opposition on three occasions (Watford, Stoke and Crystal Palace) to set up this glamour home tie with holders Manchester United.
• Lee Johnson’s side are third in the Championship and have only lost three games all season. Up against a United side that haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last five away games, Bristol City cannot be underestimated on Wednesday night.

Prediction:

Bristol City

2

2

Manchester United

• Joris Gnagnon finally made his way back into the starting XI in central defence against PSG, but could be called upon in midfield here with André suspended.
• Ludovic Baal continues to struggle with injury; the veteran left-back will have to wait until 2018 to make his return.
• Yoann Gourcuff should return here after missing out at the weekend.

Match Facts

Monacohavewon 17 of their last 19 home matches (Ligue 1).

Monacohavescored at least 3 goals in their last 3 matches against Rennes in all competitions.

Monacohave been winning at both half time and full time in their last 3 matches against Rennes in all competitions.

Monacohavewon their last 3 matches against Rennes in all competitions.

Monacohave seen over 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches against Rennes in all competitions.

Prediction

• Rennes have largely impressed since the arrival of Lamouchi, but this match, on the heels of a contentious loss to leaders PSG, looks a dangerous proposition in terms of sapping the Breton side’s momentum.
• Rennes are unlikely to be as obliging as Saint-Étienne were at the weekend, but Monaco should have no issue dispatching the visitors here.

Prediction:

Monaco

3

1

Rennes

• Joshua King and Charlie Daniels will not play in midweek after both picking up injuries in the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
• Harry Arter, Junior Stanislas, Steve Cook, Ryan Fraser, Lys Mousset and Artur Boruc will push for playing time on Wednesday.

Prediction

• Chelsea are unbeaten at home since a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City at the end of September. Antonio Conte’s side have won six of the following eight games at Stamford Bridge since then.
• Bournemouth are winless in six matches after their 4-0 thumping at the hands of Liverpool on Sunday. Things aren’t going well for Eddie Howe this season and now they face a tough trip to Stamford Bridge.

Prediction:

Chelsea

3

0

Bournemouth