Serie A returns this weekend after the winter break under a cloud of uncertainty as the transfer window once again opens. Rumours are rife concentrating mainly on the future of Inter's Wesley Sneijder as the media continue to link him with Manchester United. There are other big names that could be on the move, Micon, Inter's centre back has been linked with PSG as has AC Milan's playmaker Pato. One big move that has already occurred however is that of Marco Borriello who has been loaned to Juventus from Roma for the remainder of the season.
On the field this weekends action begins with two games on Saturday evening beginning with Siena hosting Lazio. Siena continue to struggle, without a win since late November they sit just 3 points above the relegation zone. Lazio in contrast remain Serie A's surprise package this season despite drawing their last 2 games they remain in 4th place just four points off the top of the table. With the productive striking partnership of Klose and Cisse it is hard to see anything other than a Lazio win here.
Later on Saturday evening Inter face Parma in the San Siro as Inter look to continue their resurgence. After a dreadful start to the season Claudio Ranieri's men have won their last four matches. Parma in contrast have drawn their last four games. Parma are a defensive force to be reckoned with but Inter are in form and have enough class to turn over Parma.
Sunday sees at total of 8 games beginning with third place Udinese against second from bottom Cesena. Udinese's challenge for the title continues after two well earned points against Lazio and Juventus and Cesena represent a much easier challenge for Francesco Guidolin's men. Cesena have only won 3 matches all season and remain deep in trouble after getting thumped 4-1 by Atlanta before the winter break. The likes of Di Natale and Floro Flores are likely to flourish against a side low on quality defenders, expect a high scoring home win. Another team in trouble, Novara host Fiorentina as they search for just their third win of the campaign and look to move away from the relegation zone. Like their hosts Fiorentina are a team in need of a win, drawing two and losing one of their last 3 games. It would be easy to say that Fiorentina will win this game but they are a team out of form who are not great away from home, Novara might cause the upset of the weekend.
Another team in need of a win are Bologna who face Catania. Without a win since early December Bologna are fourth from bottom and face a difficult task against Catania who are sitting pretty in eighth. A very tricky game to call. Cagliari play Genoa in what is a clash of two teams with low morale. Cagliari teeter above the relegation zone struggling for a win and Genoa were torn apart by Napoli before Christmas getting beat 6-1. If able to bounce back Genoa will win, the likes of Gilardino and Rossi should be too good for Cagliari.
Bottom club Leece face a daunting task as they host Juventus who are looking to top the table. Leece remain rooted to the bottom after just two wins all season and it would take something special to get that third win against a very strong Juventus team, the likes of Vucinic, Matri, Pirlo and Pepe will be looking to gain their fourth win in six games and keep their incredible unbeaten record.
The old lady's closest challengers, AC Milan travel to Atlanta as they look to remain at the top of the table. Atlanta gained their first win in 5 beating Cesena 4-1 before the winter break but Milan are a very different proposition. Winning their last two games Massimiliano Allegri's men continue to be present themselves as favourites for the title and with the free scoring Ibrahimovic looking to becoming the leagues leading scorer it will be hard for Atlanta to get anything here.
Palermo host Napoli in a 9th V 6th clash. Palermo have failed to win in their last 7 games whereas Napoli will be high in confidence after their 6-1 demolition of Genoa. Palermo are set to struggle here with the fantastic front 3 of Hamsik, Cavani and Pandev bound to stretch a leaking Palermo defence. The only hope for Palermo maybe that every Napoli player appears to be subject of transfer speculation if this unsettles them then Bortolo Mutti's men may have a shot, but its a long one at best.
The final match of the weekend sees an inform Roma team host Chievo. The winter break couldn't of come at a worse time for the gillarossi who were beginning to play with the quality that escaped them earlier in the season. A solid draw against Juventus, followed by great wins over Napoli and Bologna showed that Luis Enrique's men may well be able to make a dash for the title or at least the top four. However they will have to do it without star striker Pablo Osvaldo who suffered a thigh strain on Friday afternoon, ruling him out for 2 months. With Borriello already loaned to Juve Roma's squad now looks alarmingly thin. That said Chievo should not pose to much of a problem if Roma can resume where they left off. Chievo are without a win in 4 and despite gaining a good point against Lazio before the winter break a similar outcome is the best they can hope for here.
Selected Bets:
Lazio, Inter, Udinese, Roma, AC Milan, Juventus & Napoli - All To Win: 39/1
Juventus to beat Leece 4-0: 16/1
Roma V Chievo - Bojan To Score 1st: 5/1
Enjoy The Games!
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