The Serie A runs over just two days this week with 2 games on Saturday evening with the remaining 8 being played on Sunday afternoon. Saturday sees AC Milan host Roma and Udinese travel to Palermo.
Milan appear to be easing towards the title another seemingly routine 2-0 win last weekend over Parma means that Massimiliano Allegri's side have won 5 of their last 7 in the league, drawing the other two. They remain 4 points clear of Juventus and can call on the best attacking line in the league and the leagues top scorer in Zlatan Ibrahimovic to help them secure their place at the top. Their record particularly at home against Roma is not great, losing four of the last five. Although they did defeat Roma 3-2 in the reverse fixture in Rome. Roma as we have seen by their inconsistency are a team in transition, the '5 Year Plan' laid out by Luis Enrique is sure to test the patience of Roma's fans who always demand success. However if recent results are anything to go by it would appear the plan is in full flow, a 1-0 win over Genoa was their second on the bounce and they have now won 3 of the last 5. The great concern however is Roma's record against the teams above them this season, and with the greatest respect to Genoa they do not possess the attacking flare of Milan to truly test the make shift defence of Roma's. Roma have the attacking prowess to give Milan a game but they lack the defensive cohesion their opponents possess. That will be the difference here. Home Win, The Milan bandwagon rolls on, though expect them to be tested.
Udinese will be desperate to return to winning ways when they travel to Palermo. The hosts themselves haven't won in 4 but Udinese who threw away a two goal lead against Napoli on Sunday which meant they haven't won in 7 games and considering were each are in the table, Udinese's need is greater. Palermo's 1-1 draw at 3rd bottom Leece meant that they stayed stuck in mid table, 10th. Udinese now lie 5th after their draw with Napoli and will have to find form soon if they are too reach a Champions League place. Luckily for Francesco Guidolin's side they have won all of the last 4 meetings between the sides, so this looks a perfect opportunity to return to winning ways. Palermo are shipping goals, 10 in their last 4 games and with Udinese possessing Antonio Di Natale, the leagues second top scorer there is a sure chance that Udinese will at least score. Udinese's away form is far from inspiring at the moment but the possess enough up front to take this. Away win, Udinese get back on track.
The first of Sunday's games sees Atalanta host Bologna. Atalanta are proving very hard to beat of late, unbeaten in 7 but drawing their last 3, including a 0-0 with Inter last weekend. Their opponets too managed a draw last weekend a 2-2 with Chievo and it would be no surprise to see another draw here. Atalanta are solid defensively but don't score enough, in comparison Bologna regularly find the net but can't keep the opposition out. Home advantage might be enough to see an Atalanta win but by far the safest option is another low scoring draw. Draw - Two mid table teams share the spoils.
Cesena now look all but relegated at the foot of the Serie A table after another loss last weekend, 3-0 at Cagliari. Cesena have now not won in 10, and have lost eight of those games, they remain 14 points from safety. They host Parma who will be looking to get away from the relegation zone, after a 2-0 at home to AC Milan left them just 5 points from the drop zone. Parma haven't won in 7 games but they couldn't wish for a better opportunity to end that run than this against a side who's confidence must be near non existant. Away win, Parma stop the rot and heap more misery on Cesena.
A vital relegation clash sees Novara face Leece. Novara are taking everyone by surprise of late, winning two on the bounce after beating Siena 2-0 last weekend which followed a 1-0 win over Udinese. The reappointment of Attilio Tesser as coach as certainly had a impact and his team have given themselves a real chance of avoiding the drop if they can keep picking up points, and this is certainly a must win game against the team that sit 3 points above them and 3 places from the bottom of the league. They face a Leece side however who themselves are determined to avoid the drop, a decent 1-1 draw with Palermo last weekend meant that they have lost just once in 5 games, despite this they remain 5 points from safety. It is always difficult to predict how these games will go, Novara still don't score enough and Leece can't keep clean sheet. Be no surprise to see either win but sitting on the fence is the safer option. Draw - two of the leagues poorest sides play out a poor low scoring draw.
Genoa host Fiorentina with both teams looking to bounce back from defeats last week. Genoa were beaten 1-0 by Roma, wheres Fiorentina felt the full force of Juventus' attacking prowess losing 5-0. Both teams form is poor, though are unlikely to be drawn into a relegation battle. Genoa haven't won in 5, though have drawn 3 of those games. Fiorentina have just one win in 5 and have lost their last two. The key to this one might be home advantage with Fiorentina having one just once away from home all season, their lack of goals is also cause for alarm. Genoa have the worst defence in the league but the goals of Rodrigo Palacio have ensured they won't fall further down the league. Very tricky but Genoa's home advantage might just see them take all 3 points. Home win - Goals win games as the saying goes and Genoa are likely to score more then Fiorentina here.
Siena will be looking to ensure they don't get involved in a relegation scrap when they travel to Verona to face Chievo. Chievo haven't won in 3 including a 2-2 draw with Bologna last weekend though they remain comfortably in 11th. Siena's mini revival which saw them move away from the relegation zone ended with a 2-0 defeat to Novara last weekend. The Tuscans are six points above the drop zone. The concern at this stage of the season is those teams in mid table are effectively playing for pride and not scrapping for their lives near the bottom this could be the case here and with Chievo having such a poor record against Siena it would be no surprise to see Siena bounce back. Chievo have one just once in the last 7 meetings between the sides and that coupled with a lack of motivation should see Siena win. Away win, Siena's need for points sees them through as they take a big leap to securing top flight football for next season.
Lazio host Cagliari in a bid to secure third place after a two poor results. Last weekend saw Giovanni Lopez's men lose 1-0 to Catania meaning they have lost 3 of their last five games. Cagliari gained their first win in three matches with a 3-0 win over Cesena, all but securing their place in the Serie A for next season. Much like their city rivals Roma, Lazio undoubtedly have a talented squad but lack consistency. With that in mind it is likely at some juncture, especially at home that they will return to form. Cagliari's latest win has to be taken in the context that it was against a side bottom of the league furthermore Cagliari were beaten 6-3 by Napoli a fortnight ago. This represents a tough task for Cagliari and Lazio are taken to bounce back. Home win - Home advantage pays dividends as Lazio find their feet once more.
Napoli take on Catania in Naples looking to mount a last push for Champions League football next season. Last Sunday Napoli were 2-0 down against Udinese with ten minutes remaining until Edison Cavani arrived off the bench to score twice and grab his team a point. Napoli are yet to lose at home in 2012 and haven't lost any of their last 8 games. Catania remain in eighth and in good form after beating Lazio 1-0 last weekend. They are unbeaten in 6, games winning five of them. Catania also beat Napoli 2-1 earlier in the season. Again though home advantage counts for a lot in the Serie A and Napoli are imperious at the Stadio Fruli. With the strength of Catania's defence don't expect vintage Napoli attacking flare, but expect them to have enough class to see them through. Home win - Napoli's great home form continues.
Arguably the game of the weekend finishes off this round of games as unbeaten Juventus take on a shakey Inter. Juve's 5-0 win over Fiorentina last weekend is just what Antonio Conte would have wished for after seeing his side draw their previous three games. The defensive might of The Old Lady has never been in question this season but their inability to score goals is the reason they sit 4 points behind leaders Milan, with last weekends result they will be hoping they have turned a corner. Inter meanwhile continue to be overall, poor. Another substandard result a 0-0 with Atlanta last weekend caused the board to yet again issue a statement to show confidence in manager Claudio Raneri. History will tell us that such actions normally means a managers days are numbered. Inter have only one once in the last 11 games, and currently sit in 7th which is simply unacceptable, particularly when they look at their cross city rivals strolling towards the league title. It is unlikely Raneri will get anything to help his position here, Inter have failed to beat Juventus in the last 5 attempts, losing 3 of them. Providing that 5-0 wasn't a fluke Juve's attack will make sure of a victory as the ever solid defence keeps Inter out. Home win - Juve keep the heat on Milan and remain unbeaten.
Selected Match Betting:
Udinese, Parma, Genoa, Siena, Lazio, Napoli, Juve - All to Win : 200/1
Juve V Inter - Vucinic to Score 1st : 5/1
Genoa V Fiorentina - Genoa win 3-1 : 16/1
Enjoy The Games!
No comments:
Post a Comment