The Serie A runs over 3 days this week beginning with two games on Friday evening as Napoli host Cagliari and Inter travel to Verona to face Chievo. Napoli are an a superb run of form winning 4 of their last 5, including a 2-1 win over Parma last weekend. Walter Mazzarri has is side in good order with his fantastic forward line coming back to form. Cagliari on the other hand are on a poor run, with no win in their last 5 games they sit just six points above the relegation zone. Fellow struggerlers Siena beat Cagliari 3-0 last weekend and this represents a much tougher challenge for the Sardinians. Providing Napoli don't have one eye on their game with Chelsea in midweek this should be a comftable home win. Home win, Napoli continue their push for a Champions League place.
Chievo host Inter in what could turn out to be Claudio Raneri's last game in charge Inter. Without a win in their last 8 league matches patience is wearing thin with Inter's supporters and board. A 2-2 draw with Catania last weekend meant that Inter remain 7th and their chances of Champions League football next season look slim. 7th is simply unacceptable for those who follow the Nerazzurri and with Andres Villas Boas now available Raneri's days look numbered. Raneri is certainly not helped by having to face an inform Chievo side that managed a 1-1 draw against 2nd place Juventus last week and are now unbeaten in 3. It is hard to predict an outcome with much depending on if Inter's players play to their potential, at the moment though the safe option is a draw. Draw, Chievo frustrate Inter.
Saturday sees just one game as Palermo host Roma. Palermo will be looking for their first win in 3 games after they suffered another heavy defeat last weekend as AC Milan thumped them 4-0. That was at the San Siro however and at home Palermo are a different force winning 4 out of 5. They also have a very talented striker in Fabrizio Miccoli who is set to cause problems for a make shift Roma defence. Roma remain a wounded animal after suffering a 2-1 defeat in the Rome derby last weekend. The game saw goalkeeper Steklengburg sent off after just 7 minutes for a reckless lunge. To make matters worse for Luis Enrique both Juan and Pjanjic picked up injuries that will rule them out for a number of weeks. Enrique can take hope from the performance of young Borini who again found himself on the score sheet and is sure to be a threat to the Palermo defence. Roma have now lost two on the run, losing three will see them fall further behind in the race for the last Champions League position. Another very difficult one to call, but Borini could be the key to this one and Roma might just settle for trying to outscore Palermo rather than protect a slender advantage. Away win, high scoring but Roma's young striker and their need for a win might see them take all 3 points back to the capital.
Sunday sees 8 matches in all beginning with a relegation battle as Cesena host Siena. Cesena have still only won 4 games all season but did manage a 0-0 draw with Catania last weekend. They remain second bottom 8 points behind Siena who have won their last 2 games including a great performance against Cagliari which saw them win 3-0 last Sunday. Siena have now scored 7 in their last two games. Cesena have scored haven't scored in any of their last 3 games and that could be the difference in this one. Away win, Siena continue to pull away and leave Cesena deep in trouble.
Parma travel to Atalanta looking to stave off being drawn into a relegation battle. Their hosts though are in great form, having not lost any of their last 5 and were able to gain a respectable 0-0 draw against Udinese last weekend. Parma were beaten 2-1 by Napoli last weekend before drawing 2-2 with Fiorentina in midweek. This represents no easy task for the struggling side and Atalanta's inform striker German Dennis is sure to cause problems for the Parma defence. Home win, should be a straightforward victory for Atalanta as they continue their great home form.
Leaders AC Milan will be looking to widen the gap at the top when they host 3rd from bottom Leece in the San Siro. Milan where imperious over Palermo last weekend beating them 4-0 and the mid week defeat to Arsenal is unlikely to stop them putting on a similar display here. Leece gained a good point last weekend drawing 2-2 with Genoa but this represents an altogether different task for a team that has won just one of its last 5 games. Leece also have Zlatan Ibrahmiovic to deal with, who netted a hat-trick against Palermo and looks to be in great form following his suspension. Leece will put up a fight but its unlikely they will be able to put up much resistance against a bang in form Milan side. Home win, Milan's put toward the title continues.
Milan's nearest rival to the title, Juventus travel to Genoa knowing a win is what is required to keep Milan within reach. The Old Lady remains unbeaten but they simply draw too many games, Wednesday saw them draw 1-1 with Bologna and last Saturday saw another 1-1 draw against Chievo. Genoa too have got into the habit drawing their last 2 2-2 including a 2-2 draw with Leece last weekend. Genoa currently sit 14th and in relative safety they would be happy with another point. Antonio Conte's men should have enough class to see this through if they can start scoring more goals and knowing they have to win the game that could easily happen. Away win, Juventus continue their pursuit of Inter with an attacking performance and a solid victory.
Catania host Fiorentina with both sides entering the game on the back of draws. Catania were held to 0-0 at Cesena last Wednesday whereas Fiorentina beat the same opponent 2-0 last weekend before drawing 2-2 with Parma on Wednesday. Vincenzo Montella's Catania are without a win in 2 but both those games were away from home and home advantage is a huge factor in the Serie A. That said Fiorentina are unbeaten in 2 and have stopped another slide towards the relegation zone. Another tough one to call, safe option is a draw. Draw, two teams in mid table happy to share the spoils.
Bottom club Novara have been in the news this week after a somewhat bizarre turn of events led to reinstation of Attilio Tesser as manager after Emiliano Mondonico was sacked. Tesser has already been in charge of Novara this season and was replaced by Mondonico who only lasted only 37 days. Tesser takes over a team in much a similar state as he left it in, 12 points from safety and looking sure fire to be relegated. Any hope Tesser had of having a happy return was surely quashed when he saw who is first opponents were to be, 3rd place Udinese. Udinese could only draw 0-0 with Atalanta last weekend were as the hosts were beaten 1-0 by Bologna. Udinese still have an outside chance at the league but they will need to beat teams like Novara if they are to have any hope and they are taken to do just that here. Away win, should be straightforward victory for Udinese with Di Natale sure to relish the chance to play against the worst defence in the league.
The final game of the weekend sees Lazio host Bologna. Lazio like Udinese have an outside shot at the title and did their credentials no harm by winning the Rome derby 2-1 last weekend. Bologna meanwhile remain secure in mid table after victory over Novara last weekend and a 1-1 draw with Juventus on Wednesay. Both teams have lost just one of their last 5 league games and this is set to be a cagey encounter. However home advantage and being buoyed by their derby victory Lazio are the most likely winners. Home win, Lazio keep their title hopes alive.
Selected Match Betting:
Lazio, Udinese, Juve, Milan, Roma, Napoli, Atalanta & Siena - All To Win: 134/1
Atalanta V Parma - Dennis Score 1st: 4/1
Milan V Leece - Correct Score 4-0: 9/1
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