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Friday, 16 December 2011

Serie A Matchweek 15 Preview

This weekends action kicks off on Saturday lunch time with a mid table battle between Chievo and Cagliari. Cagliari earned a 0-0 draw with Parma last weekend whereas their hosts were beaten 2-1 in Udine. Chievo's poor form of late is reason to believe that Cagliari could take all 3 points but they have not won at the Bentegodi in their last 6 attempts. A draw seems likely.
Saturday evening sees high flying AC Milan look to continue their impressive form over a dishevelled Siena side. Sina are on a 3 match losing streak after losing to Genoa 2-0. Milan meanwhile are unbeaten in 7, drawing 2-2 in Genoa in their last game. Ibrahimovic continues in great form, particularly from the penalty spot. Surely all 3 points will stay at the San Siro.
At the same time Fiorentina will look to bounce back after a 2-0 loss to Inter when they face Atlanta. Atlanta managed a 1-1 draw with Catania and a repeat performance is unlikely to be good enough at a ground where they haven't won since 1993.

Sunday sees a host of games beginning with table toppers Juventus playing second bottom Novara. Despite only managing a 1-1 draw with Roma on Monday night this should be straight forward, the Old Lady remain unbeaten and despite Novara's spirited 1-1 display against Napoli it would be a brave man to say Juve's record will come to an end here.
Third bottom Cesena host a buoyant Inter in what looks sure to be an away victory. Raneri's men look to have turned a corner winning their last two league games and are beginning to look like a force to be reckoned with. Cesena have never beaten Inter at home in the Serie A, and despite a decent 1-0 win against Palmero last weekend they are unlikely to be good enough.
Catania host Palmero in what looks like a good opportunity for Palmero to get back to winning ways. Catania's home form is poor and Palmero will be looking to cement their 6th place spot with a win.
Bologna held AC Milan to a 2-2 draw last weekend and another draw could be on the cards when they travel to Genoa. Genoa are struggling for goals but are solid at the back, Bologna have the opposite problem.
Parma face bottom club Leece in what looks like revenge mission for the Crociati. Last February Leece beat Parma at their own ground for the first time in nine attempts. With that incentive it would be no surprise to see Parma win this, thought they are finding goals hard to come by the Leece defence continue to concede.

The first of two big games on Sunday evening sees Napoli host Roma. Both teams drawing their previous matches 1-1. Roma came close to ending Juventus' unbeaten run on Monday night with Totti missing a penalty and may well rue that miss as the season wears on. Totti himself has since stating that he may well leave the club as he is unhappy with some comments made by fans about his performances. The 35 year old  remains a brilliant player but it is felt that he must be used wisely, resulting in several substitute appearances. It is most probably this rather than the fans utterances that has disgruntled the majority of Roma fans call "God". Despite this Roma have began to play better of late, without getting the desired result. A similar case seems on the cards here with Napoli having beaten Roma in both meetings last season 2-0. They could only manage a 1-1 draw with Novoro but the Azzurri are a constant goal threat and with Roma's threadbare defence it is likely Cavani and Co. will get results. Roma on the other hand have a grumpy captain, an out of form striker in the form of Osvaldo and a manager who remains under pressure. It wouldn't be a total surprise for Roma to win if like they have promised in glimpses all season, it all came together, but the safe bet is Napoli.

The game of the week is undoubtdly Lazio V Udinese. In a fourth V second clash. Both teams continue in good form, although Udinese did have a difficult Europa League match on Thursday which could effect their stamina for what is sure to be a real test. Lazio's front pair of Klose and Rocchi continue to score goals but Udinese have not conceeded in their last four Serie A games. In what is sure to be a tight encounter it may just be that Lazio continue their impressive start to the season against a tiring Udinese defence.

Selected Match Betting
Fiorentina, AC Milan, Palermo, Lazio, Parma, Juventus and Inter - All to win 61/1
Juventus to Beat Navora 5-0 - 18/1
Lazio V Udinese - Rocchi 1st Goalscorer 13/2

Enjoy The Games!

Thursday, 8 December 2011

Serie A Matchweek 14 Preview

No Friday match this weekend so the action begins on Saturday evening with four matches. Leece host high flying Lazio who look to continue their pursuit of the top three. Leece were beaten 4-2 in Naples last weekend and with the likes of Klose and Rocchi in fine goal scoring form, Leece's defence will surely be broken again. There is some hope for Leece though, a new manager in the form of Serse Cosmi could spark a revival, furthermore the last time the two meet Leece won 2-1.
Siena will look to climb away from the relegation zone as they host Genoa. Both teams are in dreadful form with both losing 3 of their last 4 games. Bologna beat Siena 1-0 last weekend while AC Milan defeated Genoa 2-0. With both teams struggling for goals a draw is more than likely.
Palermo will look to continue their great home form when they play second bottom Cesena. The Rosanero have won 6 out of 6 at the Barbera and look set to continue that record. Cesena were beaten 2-0 by Juventus last weekend whereas their hosts took a point away to Parma. Cesena are poor on the road losing 5 of their 6 games on the road, this really does look like a nailed on home win.
Saturdays finale sees struggling Inter face a buoyant Fiorentina side. The Viola beat Roma 3-0 last weekend whereas their hosts slumped to another defeat, 1-0 in Udine. Inter are unbeaten in their last 10 Serie A meetings with Fiorentina, but those were different times. Now with Vucinic injured the Nerazzurri seem set to struggle. Another defeat may see the end of Claudio Raneri's short time in charge and Fiorentina are a big threat in making that become a reality.

Sunday sees a busy day of action with five games in all, beginning with Bologna hosting second placed AC Milan. Milan have not been beaten by Bologna in the Serie A since 2008 and that record looks sure to continue despite Bologna's good win last weekend. Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues to score at will and is likely to be on the score sheet in another high scoring game for the Rossoneri.
Atlanta host Catania in a middle table battle that should see surprise Serie A leading score German Dennis add to his haul. Atlanta remain unbeaten at home this season whereas the visitors continue to be poor on their travels. Despite the lack of goals in recent meetings, a home win seems more than likely.
After beating Catania 1-0 last weekend Cagliari will look to cement their position in seventh with a win over Parma. Parma haven't been able to beat their hosts in six attempts and while they continue to struggle for goals it looks unlikely they will be able to end that record. Parma managed their first draw of the season last weekend and it could well be they make it 2 out of 2. Although Cagliari looked much better last weekend under new manager Davide Ballardini. A very difficult match to call.
Not so the next match as Udinese face Chievo, a team they haven't lost too in their last 5 meetings. Di Natale continues in great form and buoyed by the 1-0 win over Inter last weekend, Udinese look sure to continue their persuit of Juventus at the top of the league. Chievo have lost 3 of their last 4 Serie A matches and despite gaining a good point against Atlanta a similar performance will simply not be good enough to trouble the Zebrette.
Another top versus bottom clash sees eighteenth placed Novara face fifth placed Napoli. Novara have the worst defence in the division and Cavani and Co. are sure to exploit it. Novara's 3-0 defeat at the hands of Lazio on Monday could of just been the starter for a real thrashing at the hands of the azzurri. Although it will be interesting to see how much their Champions League exploits have taken out of them.

The final match of the week is on Monday night, as Roma take on table topping Juventus in the capital. Roma had 3 men sent off against Fiorentina last weekend and the result is a selection headache for Luis Enrique as he looks to stop his team from losing for the third time in a row. Enrique must now surely look to a fit again Totti to aid his cause. Juventus have no such problems, sitting pretty at the top of the table, two points clear of their nearest rivals they will relish this trip to the Olimpico, a ground which they have taken all 3 points from 5 of the last 6 meetings. Both Alessandro Matri and Claudio Marchisio continue in good goal scoring vain and are sure to test what will be a make shift Roma defence. Another defeat looms for Enrique and his men. Next week could see one or more managers losing their jobs.

Selected Match Betting:
Lazio, Fiorentina, Palermo, AC Milan, Napoli and Udinese- All To Win : 50/1
Zlatan Ibrahimovic To Score A Brace (Bologna V AC Milan): 4/1
Napoli to Beat Navara 4-0: 33/1 

Enjoy The Games!

Friday, 2 December 2011

Serie A Matchweek 13 Preview

This weekends action begins with Genoa hosting a rampant Milan team. Milan ran out 4-0 winners over Chievo last weekend and are set for another high scoring victory over a Genoa side that folded tamely against struggling Cesena, 2-0. It is more than likely that Ibrahimovic will continue his impressive goal scoring form and see his team top the table for at least 24 hours.

Two evening kick offs on Saturday see Inter take on Udinese and Napoli host Leece. Inter will be looking to continue their climb up the table after a dreadful start but Udinese will be in a buoyant mood after they beat Roma 2-0. Udinese havn't won at the San Siro since 2004 but this represents a great oppertunity for them to do so. Napoli could only manage a 1-1 draw with Atlanta last weekend but look sure to return to winning ways with a victory over bottom team Leece who slumped to yet another defeat losing 1-0 at home to Catania. Cavani is certain to find his name on the score sheet yet again.

A host of games on Sunday begins with Catania V Cagliari. Cagliari are now seven games without a win after being held to a 1-1 draw with Bologna and this is no easy task with Catania having a good record against Cagliari. It is likely both teams will have to settle for a draw. Fiorentina V Roma sees an oppertunity for both teams to return to winning ways after both were beaten 2-0 last weekend by Palmero and Udinese respectfully. Fiorentina currently lye sixteenth in the table and only a win on Sunday will be acceptable to the fans and may well save SiniĊĦa Mihajlovic's job for another week. Roma meanwhile continue to dissapoint sitting just seventh in the table. The good news for the gillarossi is that talisman Francesco Totti is set to return.
Lowly Cesena face a daunting task as they travel to Turin to host table toppers Juventus. Cesena have won their last two games but Juventus will present a very different proposition from Genoa and Bologna. This could turn into a romp if Juve's top striker Matri continues his great goal scoring form. Siena can take heart from their narrow defeat at the hands of Inter last when they travel to Bologna. Bologna have won just one of their last 12 home games in the league, but Siena are yet to win their first game on the road. Siena may just edge this one. Parma host Palmero in Sundays evening game with Palmero in much better heart than their hosts after they beat Fiorentina and Parma were beaten somewhat suprisingly by Novara. The stats however are in Parma's favour with Palmero having not scored an away goal this season and Parma never losing to Palmero at home in Serie A. A draw seems the most likely out come which will see Parma get their first draw of the season.
The final game of the weekend sees another top v bottom clash as forth placed Lazio face eighteenth placed Novara. Lazio were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Juventus last weekend and can resume winning ways here, with the likes of Klose and Cisse surely having too much class for the team with the worst defensive record in the league. Lazio continue to be the suprise package of this season and will continue to put pressure on the league leaders.

Selected Betting and Odds
Milan, Lazio, Juve, Napoli and Udinese All to win - 13/1
Klose to score fist Lazio V Novara - 4/1
Genoa V AC Milan - Milan win 3-0 - 12/1
Genoa V AC Milan - Imbrahimovic hat trick - 33/1

Enjoy the games!

Friday, 25 November 2011

Serie A Matchweek 12 Preview

Two huge matches at the top of Serie A this weekend starting with Udinese V Roma on Friday evening. Udinese suffered a 2-0 defeat at Parma last weeked where as Roma got their second win on the bounce with a 2-1 home victory over Leece. Both sides have had inconsistent starts to the season but currently lie in fourth and fifth place respectivly, with the Zebrette four points ahead. Roma though appear to have hit some form and with talisman Francesco Totti back from injury they will fancy their chances in the Stadio Friuli. However Udinese manager Francesco Guidolin has this week admitted he is desperate to end his dire run against Roma, as a manager of four different clubs Guidolin has only managed to beat Roma once. Many would argue though that this is his best chance to change that record with a strike force of De Natale and Floro Flores against a suspect Roma back line, their is little doubt that this game will produce plenty of goals.

Saturday evening sees the game of the weekend as Juventus travel to the capital to face Lazio in a first versus second clash. Juventus remain unbeaten in the league this season and will be favourites to maintain that record against the Aquille. Lazio could only manage a 0-0 draw with Napoli last weekend, a result that means they have scored just 2 goals in their last 3 games. Juventus though continue to score at will beating Palermo 3-0. Alessandro Del Piero is poised to make his 700th club appearance but it would be no surprise to see his name sake Alessandro Matri grab the headlines as he looks to continue his goal scoring form. The jury is still out on Antonio Conte's men as far as a title challenge goes but the doubters will be silenced if Juve gain a result tomorrow.

Looking at the rest of the weekends action, Saturday sees Leece host Catania as they look to climb out of the relegation zone. A repeat of last weeks spirited display against Roma should see Leece beat Vincenzo Montella's men who slumped to a 2-1 home defeat to Chievo last weekend. Catania have yet to win in the two previous meetings between the teams at the Via Del Mare. Also on Saturday struggling Novara face Parma in what is the first meeting between the two teams in Serie A. Novara were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Genoa last weekend and will be happy with anything against a buoyed Parma team. Novara's home form is dreadful, gaining just two points at home since the opening day of the season, however Parma have the worst defensive away record in the league. A high scoring draw appears on the cards here.
The final game of the day sees Atlanta host Napoli. Despite their terrific efforts in the Champions League the Azzuri continue to frustrate in Serie A with four wins, 3 draws and 3 loses sees them sat just seventh in the table. Atlanta have similar form figures and will hope to gain their second win in five matches. Napoli though have enough class to inflict a first home defeat on their hosts with Edison Cavani sure to be on the score sheet.

The first of five games on Sunday sees fellow strugerlers Cagilari face Bologna. The Sardiniens are on a 3 match losing run but are unbeaten in their last five meetings against Bologna. A very tricky contest to call with both teams lacking goals a draw seems the most likely result. Elsewhere bottom club Cesena host eighth place Genoa. Cesena are looking for just their second win of the season but it would be a brave man to suggest they will get it here against a solid looking Genoa who are yet to lose to Cesena in 14 Serie A meetings. Inter travel to Sienna as they attempted to continue clambering up the Serie A table, Claudio Ranieri's men currently occupy a totally unacceptable 15th place in the table and with each match comes the threat of the sack for Ranieri. Their form though appears to be improving, no surprise given the players at their disposal and the risk is taken that their class will shine through against a Sienna side that continues to ship goals. High flying Palermo face Fiorentina in Sicily with a view to maintaining their 100% home record in Serie A. Despite being brushed aside in Turin last weekend the Rosanero at home are a force to be reckoned with. Fiorentina meanwhile are struggling with just one win in eight matches in Serie A. It would appear all 3 points are set to stay on the island. The final match of the weekend sees Milan tackle Chievo. Despite only managing a draw in Florence last weekend Il Diavolo's are the strongest team in Serie A and will end Chievo's winning run in Serie A. Milan suffered a 3-2 defeat in the Champions League to Barcelona in mid week but that result only serves to show how accomplished a team Milan are. Boateng, Robinho and Ibrahimovic are set again for another night of goal mouth action.

Selected Match Betting & Odds:
Roma, Juventus, Napoli & AC Milan - All To win : 28/1
Francesco Totti to Score last in Udinese V Roma - 13/2
Edison Cavani to Score first in Atlanta V Napoli - 17/2
AC Milan To Beat Chievo 4-0 - 12/1

Enjoy The Games!

Sunday, 13 November 2011

Serie A Matchweek 11 Preview

Some tricky fixtures for those hovering at the top of Serie A this week, with all of the top three playing away from home.

On Sunday leaders Udinese travel to Parma. Parma will be looking to bounce back after a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Lazio and will certainly give Francesco Guidolin's men a test. However the suspecision is that Di Natale will continue his goal form and that might just be enough to keep Udinese at the top.
Lazio could go top on Saturday night by defeating a resolute Napoli team at the Stadio San Paolo. Napoli are consistently unconsistent having won 4, lost 3 and drawn 2 of their nine games. Lazio continue to be the suprise package of this Serie A season with some narrow victories in recent weeks but Napoli is no easy place to get a victory and buoyed by their performance in the Champions League against Bayern Munich, the Azzurri should edge this.
Third place A.C Milan could also gain top spot for at least overnight if they can take 3 points from their trip to Florence. Despite sitting in mid table Fiorentina continue to come unstuck against the top teams and Milan will see this a straight forward task, Ibrahimovic and Co. will continue their free scoring form and take all 3 points back to Italy's second city.

Elsewhere this weekend Inter will look to gain just their second home win of the season as they face Cagliari. Claudio Ranieri's men continue to baffle their fans with poor results but with the quality their squad possesses sooner or later we will see them clamber up the table. Struggling Bologna will look to move away from the relegation zone with a home victory over bottom club Cesena. Catania's impressive and somewhat suprising start to the season should continue with victory of Chievo. Atlanta travel to Siena in a mid table clash that is difficult to unravel. Juventus host Palmero in a forth v fifth match up that should see Le Zebra's remain unbeaten. Novara travel to Genoa in hope of gaining their second win of the season. Genoa though are in good spirits taking the scalp of Roma and gaining a more than admiral 2-2 draw against Juventus. Depsite recent defeat to Fiorentina, Genoa will bounce back here. The final game of the weekend should see the Spanish revolution continue at A.S. Roma, as Jose Enrique's men host third bottom Leece. The Spaniard had been under pressure as he continued to enforce the Barcelona mentality onto his players with little success. However a decent win away to Novara the new tactics look to be bearing fruit. Totti remains sidelined but Osvaldo and Bojan continue to look constant threats, its not hard to forsee all three points remaining in the capital.

Selected Betting:
Milan, Roma, Bologna, Udinese, Napoli and Genoa - All To Win
Osvaldo To Score First - Roma V Lecce
Ibrahimovic To Score a Brace - Fiorentina V A.C Milan

Enjoy the Games!

In the next post I will be looking back over the weekends action and giving you all a preview to next weeks action.