by Machiavel Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:32 pm
* Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo says home advantage should enable the Premier League champions to overcome Portsmouth on Saturday and reach the semi-finals.
"Portsmouth are a strong team and always difficult to beat," he told the club's Web site (www.manutd.com). "But we are playing at home, and I think we have a great chance to go through to the semi-finals."
* United look likely to reshuffle their team after their midweek Champions League win over Olympique Lyon, with South Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung one of those hoping for a place in the team.
He told the club's Web site: "We have a good squad which gives us a lot of options. I know there will be more opportunities for me to play because we have plenty of games left this season."
* Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is likely to miss the holders' trip to Championship (second division) Barnsley on Saturday after injuring his ankle in training this week. The Chelsea Web site (www.chelseafc.com) said it was not yet known how long Cech would be out for.
The Czech international missed their midweek Champions League thrashing of Olympiakos, with Carlo Cudicini deputising.
* Barnsley, who knocked out Liverpool in the previous round, are relishing the prospect of causing another upset.
"Anything is possible," manager Simon Davey told the club's Web site (www.barnsleyfc.premiumtv.co.uk).
"My players have a belief that they can go out into every game and win. I am not going to take that belief from them and they will go into Saturday in that frame of mind."
* Middlesbrough host Championship (second division) Cardiff City on Sunday but goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has warned against expecting an easy passage to a Wembley semi-final.
"Cardiff are obviously in a league below us but we can't underestimate them; on their day they are a good side with some very well-known players, including Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, so it's going to be a tough challenge for us," the Australian told the club's Web site (www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk).
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