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!
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