The Serie A runs over 3 days this week beginning Saturday evening and culminating on Monday evening. Saturday sees two games as Parma host AC Milan and Fiorentina host Juventus. Parma currently sit in 16th just out of trouble but they will need to start picking up points to keep away from danger. They are currently win less in 6 games, with four draws and two loses, including a 1-1 draw with Atalanta last weekend. AC Milan meanwhile have not lost in 6 games, going back to the start of February a run that has seen them pull four points clear at the top of the league. Its impossible to oppose Milan at the moment, their away form is the best in the league, they've scored more goals than anyone else and they have the leagues top scorer in Ibrahimovic. Parma look set to struggle here. Away win - Milan take another step closer to the league title.
Juventus travel to Florence knowing that they must start winning games again if they are to have any hope of catching Milan at the top of the table. Antonio Conte's team have drawn four on the bounce including a 0-0 a Genoa last weekend. Out of those four games The Old Lady have managed just three goals, a huge concern for those that follow Juve. Fiorentina could still get dragged into a relegation battle if they don't put their inconsistency behind them. The Viola have one just one of their last 5 and were beaten 1-0 by Catania on their most recent outing. They will be hopeful of gaining a point against an out of sorts Juventus. It is unlikely Juve's unbeaten record will end here but there is a strong possibility of yet another draw. That said Juve's impressive record over Fiorentina just sways me. Narrow Away Win - Juve keep the heat on Milan, just.
Sunday sees the usual host of matches, seven in all beginning with a relegation clash as Cagliari face Cesena. Cagliari were taken apart by Napoli last Friday losing 6-3, a result that saw them stay in 17th, six points off the drop. The Sardinians have now just won once in their last 5 games. Cesena suffered yet another defeat last weekend at the hands of Siena, 2-0. A result that leaves them 14 points from safety and effectively set for relegation. The glimmer of hope for Cesena is their record against Cagliari, who haven't beaten them in the previous six meetings between the sides. When the sides met earlier in the season it ended 1-1 and this looks set for a similar outcome, though Cesena could edge it. Draw - two poor sides scrap out a low scoring draw.
Catania host Lazio buoyant after their win over Fiorentina. The visitors were beaten 3-1 by Bologna last weekend and will be looking to bounce back and solidify their European place here. Vincenzo Montella's Catania are in great form, undefeated in 5 with 3 wins and 2 draws, they sit happily in 8th. Lazio remain inconsistent, unable it would appear to string back to back victories together. Given Lazio's inconsistency its difficult to say which way this will go, Lazio have a good record against Catania, but Catania are in good form and its any guess as to what Lazio side will turn up. Safe option, a draw. Draw - Catania do enough to hold Lazio.
Seina will be looking for their fourth win in a row when they host second bottom Novara. Last weekends 2-0 victory of Cesena pretty much sealed safety for Siena who are now in 14th. They face a Novara team however who are high on confidence after gaining just their fourth win of the season last weekend by beating Udinese 1-0 in last weeks biggest shock. The newly reinstated Attilio Tesser will have enjoyed his first game back in charge but expect the honeymoon to end abruptly here. Siena are very solid at home and Novara have won just once away all season. Novara also have the worst defence in the league and Siena are scoring freely at the moment. Everything points to home win. Home win - Siena bring Tesser's side back down to earth.
Inter host Atalanta in what looks an intriguing match. Inter ended their dreadful run of 7 games without a win when they beat Chievo 2-0 last Friday. Before that Claudio Raneri's was under severe pressure and although the win would have helped his cause, being dumped out of the Champions League by Marsellie on Tuesday has put the pressure back on the former Roma boss. His cause will not be helped by Wesley Snjider, the Dutch international has a thigh injury that is currently being assessed by Inter's medical team but he is expected to be out for a number of weeks. Unlike their opponents Atalanta are in great form, having not lost any of their last 5 including a 1-1 draw with Parma last weekend. The concern for Atalanta is their record against Inter is poor, having been beaten in all of the last six meetings between the sides at the San Siro. Expected this to be close but home advantage could be key to this one. Home Win - Inter overcome their troubles, just.
Leece host Palermo as they look to avoid the drop. Leece remained third from bottom after losing 2-0 to AC Milan last weekend. They remain six points from safety after just one win in their last five games. Palermo sit comfortably in mid table but are on a losing run of 3 games after defeat a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Roma last Saturday. Again home advantage is key with Leece unbeaten in 5 at home and Palermo not having won away all season. With Palermo in a rut and not playing for much, Leece are taken to win this one. Home win, Leece win a battle in war against relegation.
Bologna host Chievo in a mid table clash. Bologna are unbeaten in 3 after a great win over Lazio last weekend. Chievo's 2-0 defeat to Inter meant they have only won 2 of their last 5. Chievo have only won once at the Stadio Dall'Ara in the Serie A and will do well to better that record on Sunday. Bologna's form, home advantage and having an in form striker in Di Vaio should be too much for Cheivo. Home win - Bologna's good run continues, should be comfortable.
The game of the weekend sees Udinese host Napoli. Both teams suffered European heartbreak in the week and will be looking to bounce back here. Udinese's shock defeat to Novara last weekend means that Francesco Guidolin's haven't won in two. Napoli meanwhile are on a 5 game unbeaten run, which includes a great 6-3 win over Cagliari last weekend. Both teams are superb going forward with Antonio Di Natale of Udinese the leagues second highest goalscorer and Napoli's great attacking line of Lavettzi, Hamsik and Cavani consistently finding the back of the net its unlikely this will be 0-0. It may well be then that the game will be won by the most competent defence. In that area Napoli are superior, they boast the second best defencive record in the league away from home. Expect this to be tight as both teams look to bounce back but they will almost certainly be goals and Napoli are taken to score more and keep Udinese somewhat at bay. Away win - Napoli bounce back and keep their dream of Champions League football next season alive.
Only the one game on Monday night to close match week 27 and it concerns Roma and Genoa. Roma will be looking to build on their narrow 1-0 win away to Palermo last weekend which saw them gain just their second win in 5 games. Genoa are in similar form with no win in their last 5, although they did gain a decent 0-0 draw against Juventus last weekend. Genoa though haven't won at the Olimpico in nine attempts, again home advantage could be key. Roma will be boosted by the return of Osvaldo from suspension and their teenage wonder kid Borini is set for another start after scoring again against Palermo. Genoa look sure to test a make shift Roma defence but Roma's home record and the form of Borini suggests another narrow win for Luis Enriques side is likely. Home win - Roma's goal of European football next season is kept alive.
Selected match odds:
Roma, Napoli, Bologna, Leece, Inter, Siena, Juve & AC Milan all to win - 137/1
Udinese 1-3 Napoli Correct Score - 20/1
Roma V Genoa - Borini to score first - 4/1
Enjoy The Games!
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