A welcome return to normality this week as the Serie A stretches over just two days, Saturday and Sunday. There are just two games on Saturday beginning with Palermo against AC Milan. Palermo ended their good run of form last weekend when they were beaten 4-1 by Siena in a shock result. Their inconsistent profile means they could bounce straight back and will take heart from their record against Milan having won all 4 of their last meetings at home against Milan. Milan were unlucky not to beat Juventus last weekend, leading 1-0 against the unbeaten Juve in the 80th minute before Matri scored from a blatantly offside position, the game ended 1-1. The result was enough to keep Milan at the top of Serie A but they are only a point above Juventus who have a game in hand. Another boost for Milan is the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic who returns after serving his 3 game suspension, Pato however is again injured for the Rossoneri. This is set up to be a tight affair but after the way Palermo played last weekend and with Ibrahimovic returning for Milan, there should be only one outcome. Away win, Milan's charge toward the title continues.
Juventus will be hoping to keep the heat on Milan when they host Chievo on Saturday evening. Juve's incredbile unbeaten was able to continue last weekend against Milan as they drew 1-1. The Old Lady are now unbeaten in 24 league matches and have never lost at home to Chievo in the league. However they face a Chievo side in form, on a run of 2 straight 1-0 wins including victory over Cesena last weekend. The key to this one is can Juventus re find their goalscoring form having only scored 6 in their last 5 (3 of which came in one game) the concern for Antonio Conte is where are the goals going to come from to break a stubborn Chievo defence. The likes of Matri and Vuicinc are not firing at the moment but their quality is sure to shine through sooner or later. With that in mind Juventus should take this but expect it to be close. Home win, The Old Lady remains unbeaten.
Sunday's action begins with Parma hosting Napoli. Parma's 2-2 draw away at Genoa means that they are unbeaten in of their last 5 matches. Napoli meanwhile have rediscovered where the goal is and have won all of their last 3 including a 1-0 win over Inter last weekend. Parma's home record is impressive, unbeaten in 7 but Napoli's away form is equally good, losing just one of their last 7 games on the road. So its set up to be a cagey encounter, however something that is often overlooked could be the key here. Napoli's attack is regularly in receipt of plaudits however it has been Napoli's defence that in recent weeks has kept their title hopes alive. The performances of Cannervaro, Britos and Campagnaro has ensured that Napoli have kept 3 straight clean sheets allowing for the more creative attacking players to play with a freedom that is key to Napoli's success. With Parma struggling goals this might not be as close as some would think. Away win, Napoli's defence stays strong and the attack keeps scoring.
Third from bottom Leece could climb out of the relegation zone with victory over a struggling Genoa side. Leece's 2-1 victory over Cagliari last weekend means they are now unbeaten in 3 and are making real strides in the battle to avoid the drop. 13th placed Genoa meanwhile haven't won in 4 after their 2-2 draw with Parma. Leece have the worst defence in Serie A but they continue to score goals and against a poor Genoa defence they should at least score. That said Genoa have the ability to score goals with striker Rodrigo Palacio currently 5th in the leagues top scorers table. Another tough game to call with a draw the most likely outcome. Draw - high scoring draw.
16th placed Bologna host second bottom Novara in a bid to move away from trouble. Bologna were unbeaten in 4 before being beaten 3-1 by Udinese last weekend. Novara were beaten by the same scoreline by Catania, their first defeat in 3. Given that Novara's away form is dreadful, particularly at Bologna were they haven't won in their last 12 attempts and that Bologna face a much easier task than they did last weekend this really should be a comfortable home win. Home win - Bologna move away from trouble and keep Novara deep in it.
Udinese host Atalanta in what is set to be an intriguing contest. Udinese gained their first win in 3 after beating Bologna 3-1, managing to score for the first time in 2 games. Atlanta meanwhile provided the surprise of last weekend thumping Roma 4-1. Meaning Atalanta are now unbeaten in 4. The game also sees the battle of the 1st and 3rd top scorers in the division with Udinese's Antonio Di Natale having scored 18 goals and Atalanta's German Denis scoring 15. The game then looks certain to provide entertainment and goals, despite the sides 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. Udinese are a different force at the Stadio Fruli and should take this. Home win, Udinese halt Atalanta's good run.
Fiorentina host Cesena with both teams on an awful run of form. Last weekends 1-0 defeat to Lazio means that Delio Rossi's men are just four points off the drop zone and have now not won in 3 games. Cesena's 1-0 defeat to Chievo meant they remained bottom of the table with just one point from their last 6 games and 9 points from safety. To make matters worse Cesena have never beaten Fiorentina away in the league. The fact that Cesena can't score, can't win away from home and continue to conceed goals gives The Tuscans a seemingly simple task. Home win, home advantage and history tells us that Fiorentina will win this one.
Siena did their hopes for survival no harm last weekend beating Palermo 4-1 and will look to continue their move away from the relegation zone when they host Cagliari. Cagliari were beaten 1-2 by Leece last weekend, their first defeat in 4 and will look to bounce straight back here. The Tuscans are a force at home unbeaten in 6 and that could be a big advantage here with The Sardinians without a win away from home in 5 league games. A very tight game is in prospect with both teams showing inconsistancies in recent weeks and a draw is the most safe and most likely outcome here. Draw, tight affair with both sharing the spoils.
The evening kick off sees Inter host Catania with the hosts in desperate need of a win. Inter's 1-0 loss to Napoli last weekend means Claudio Raneri's men have just a single point from their last 6 games and have failed to score in their last four. Its not the title they are playing for anymore but the final champions league place. Catania visit the San Siro in good heart after beating Novara 3-1 last weekend they are now on a run of 2 consecutive wins and sit contently 9th in the table. Catania's record at the San Siro is dreadful, without a win in 14 attempts but they are facing an Inter side in dissaray and an Inter without Wesley Snijder. It would be of little suprise to see Catania take something from the San Siro but their record along with the fact that Inter can't keep playing so badly for much longer means that a draw is the most likely outcome. Draw, low scoring affair unless Inter suddenly rediscover their game.
The game of the weekend occurs on Sunday afternoon as the 136th Rome derby takes place between Roma and Lazio. Lazio are currently 3rd in the table and managed a 1-0 victory of Fiorentina last weekend. Their city conterparts remain an enigma, a shock 4-1 defeat to Atalanta last weekend means they remain 6th in the table. Both sides have been plagued throught the season by internal troubles just a couple of weeks ago the Lazio board rejected manager Edoardo Reja resignation and he remains in charge despite the clubs exit from the Europa League. Roma's coach Luis Enrique has been struggling with the actions of his players, first Totti's out burst at Roma fans who were angry at his lack of form followed last week by Daniele De Rossi's indiscipline that cost him his envolvement in the Atalanta game, he turned up to a team meeting late. Enrique's hard line on his two biggest stars is admirable but he underestimates the impact the two have on his young side and if they both return on Sunday expect to see an entirely different Roma side even without the suspended Osvaldo. Lazio will enter the game as favourites after winning the reverse fixture 2-1 and their league position highlights how they are on paper the bettter, more experienced side. But this is the derby and anything can happen and usually does happen. The return of Roma's talismen could make all the difference. Home win - Roma's main men secure an important win for Enrique's team.
Selected Match Betting
Milan, Juve, Napoli, Bologna, Udinese, Fiorentina & Roma all to win - 39/1
Palermo V AC Milan - Milan win 3-0 - 11/1
Roma V Lazio - Totti first goalscorer - 11/2
Enjoy The Games!
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