The Serie A runs over the usual 2 days of Saturday and Sunday this week but before previewing the action some major news. Claudio Raneri was finally sacked as Inter manager on Tuesday, the former Roma & Chelsea boss had led the Nerazzurri through a disappointing campaign and leaves them 8th in the table and out of The Champions League. Pressure on the Italian had been building for several weeks as Inter's form once again dropped. The feeling within Milan is one of confusion as to why, with the class of player Raneri had at his disposal he could not deliver results. Raneri's replacement was announced on Wednesday and is a little bit of a surprise, Andrea Stramaccioni, Inter's youth team coach will now take charge of the senior side. Stramaccioni is well thought of within Inter but he is unproven at this level, many fans will be asking why Andre Villas Boas or Fabio Capello were not considered. Stramaccioni has promised to give the youth a chance in the first team, which is a risky tactic but one that might working given the current Inter squad is ageing and not performing. There appears to be a gradual change in how managers are chosen in Italian football. It seems there is a leaning towards the Spanish way of doing things, constructing sides from the youth team, lead by someone who knows the club inside out. We have seen it with Roma and Luis Enrique's "Five Year Plan" and now Inter appear to want to take a similar root. The major issue that faces this new breed of manager is that unlike in Spain the top 10 clubs in Italy demand success and demand it immediately. The fans of Italian clubs are the most demanding in the world and this shift in philosophy will have to have a dramatic and immediate effect if managers hope to keep their jobs. The old saying "Rome wasn't built in a day" holds no weight with Italian football fans.
The action this weekend begins on Saturday evening as Inter's great rivals AC Milan travel to Catania. Catania are having a superb season, the club from Sicily currently sit 7th in the table in between two giants of the game in Roma and Inter. They are holding their form well, unbeaten in 7 including a 2-2 draw with Napoli last weekend in which they lead for 80 minutes until Edison Cavani saved Napoli. It is at home Catania have picked up most of their points, losing just twice all season. The visit of Milan however is sure to test this record Massimiliano Allegri's side are top of the league and unbeaten in 8 after coming from a goal behind to beat Roma 2-1 last weekend. The major concern with Milan is their second leg Champions League quarter final against Barcelona on Tuesday, could they lose concentration? It took a incredible defencive effort from Milan to hold Barcelona to a 0-0 on Wednesday and Allegri is sure to shuffle his pack but Catania will be thinking this is the best time to play Milan. That said the class of squad Milan have is the reason they are top of the league and should have enough to beat Catania, as mentioned the only reservation is the Champions league distraction. Away win - Narrow victory for Milan as they put in a professional shift.
Saturday's only other game sees Parma host Lazio. Parma are in crisis, sitting just 5 points above the relegation zone, they haven't won in 8 games and could only manage a 2-2 draw with bottom club Cesena last weekend. They are in desperate need of a good result to make sure they are not drawn deeper into a relegation battle. Lazio managed their first win in 2 games with an unconvincing 1-0 victory of Cagliari last weekend. They remain in third, 3 points clear of Napoli and need to hit form to secure third place and Champions League football. The suspicion here is that both teams can score goals but are not secure at the back, with that in mind it may come down to who has the best defence, on paper that's certainly Lazio and they get the vote to take all 3 points back to the capital. Away Win - Parma's poor run continues as Lazio look to cement third spot.
The first of eight matches on Sunday sees Roma host Novara. Roma did look to be hitting form before their defencive frailties resurfaced and were defeated 2-1 by AC Milan. Luis Enrique's men have indifferent form with 2 wins in their last five games although this represents a much easier task than Milan in the San Siro or the Rome derby. Novara's mini surge came to a halt last weekend as they were held to a 0-0 draw with Leece that sees them remain 8 points from safety. This should be routine for Roma if they can produce the attacking flair we know they can and Novara's lack of goals means the Roma defence may get an easy afternoon. Pablo Daniel Osvaldo's first goal for Roma after returning from injury and suspension last weekend will surely help confidence and expect him to be on the score sheet again here. Home Win - Novara haven't won in Rome since 1940 and that is unlikely to change here.
A mid table clash sees Bologna host Palermo with both sides looking to finish the season in a good manner. Bologna suffered their first defeat in 4 as they were beaten 2-0 by Atalanta last weekend as Palermo were held to a 1-1 draw with Udinese. Palermo now haven't won in 5 matches. The two teams league positions reflect their inconsistencies and thus makes this a very difficult game to call. Both sides are capable of scoring goals with Bologna's Di Vaio and Palermo's Miccoli having great seasons and defensively both teams are far from secure so expect goals. Bologna might just have enough, particularly with home advantage but Palermo have had some great results this season and always pose a threat when on song. Draw - two inconsistent teams share the spoils.
Another mid table bout sees Cagliari host Atalanta as the home side look to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat last weekend. Cagliari's 1-0 defeat to Lazio saw them remain in 13th but with just one win from their last 5 games. Atalanta meanwhile continued their pursuit of a Europa League place with a 2-0 win over Bologna, Stefano Colantuono's side have now not lost in 8 games. Atalanta will be without top scorer German Dennis through injury but they still pose enough of an attacking threat to cause Cagliari problems. Cagliari are themselves good going forward but against a defence that has conceded just twice in its last 5 games they are set to struggle. Away win - Atalanta overcome Cagliari with a solid defencive display.
Udinese travel to Siena looking for their first league win in 4 games. There was a time earlier in the season where it was widely thought Udinese would push for title but a poor run has seen them drop points and they are now 15 points behind leaders Milan and are scrambling for a Champions League place, last weekends 1-1 draw with Palermo was another disappointing result. They are however facing a Siena side on a poor run of their own, a 1-1 draw with Chievo last weekend means that Siena are without a win in 3 and are in need of a few more points to ensure Serie A football next season. There is little doubt that Udinese are capable of winning this game but their lack of clean sheets is alarming and Siena are strong at home. Draw - Siena frustrate Udinese in a low scoring draw.
Inter face Genoa in what is Andrea Stramaccioni first game in charge of Inter. Inter haven't won a league game in 7 attempts and a poor 0-0 draw against Atalanta last weekend sealed the fate of Claudio Raneri. It would be wrong to suggest that all Inter's problems stem from Raneri but a change of manager normally results in a 'honeymoon period' where results and performances are improve. Stramaccioni could have wished for an easier assignment for his first match but Genoa who have had some great results this season are on a bad run. A 2-2 draw against Fiorentina last weekend means that Genoa have drawn for of their last 5, losing the other. They score plenty of goals but let in plenty too which may aid a struggling Inter forward line. Expect Inter to be tested but the new manager factor is sure to give the players and fans a boost and they are taken to win this one. Home win - Stramaccioni's Inter reign begins with a win.
Fiorentina host Chievo with both sides looking for their first wins in 4 games. Fiorentina managed a 2-2 draw with Genoa last weekend while Chievo drew 1-1 with Siena. Fiorentina will be desperate for points to ensure they are not dragged into a relegation battle whereas Chievo are almost certainly safe. With that in mind and Fiorentina having home advantage everything points to a home win but Chievo are a decent outfit, capable of scoring goals and keeping teams at bay. Fiorentina main issue all season has been their defence and the likes of Pellisier are sure to test them. Its certainly the hardest game to call this weekend and a draw is the safest option. Draw - A result that satisfies neither side but is the most likely outcome.
A bottom of the table battle sees third from bottom Leece host bottom club Cesena. Leece continue to try and escape the relegation zone with their gutsy performances but they haven't won in 4 games including a 0-0 draw with fellow struggerlers Novara last weekend. Cesena managed a good 2-2 draw with Parma last weekend but they continue to struggle, the fact they've only won 4 games all season tells the story. Its simply impossible to back Cesena to win anything at the moment and although they put in a good performance against Parma, they were at home. Away from home Cesena away from home have played 15 and lost 12. With Leece still battling and Cesena becoming more and more of a hopeless cause its not difficult to go for a home win here. Home win - Leece keep the pressure on those above and all but mathematically relegate Cesena.
The final game of the weekend sees title hunting Juventus host Napoli in what is the game of the weekend. Juventus have recaptured goal scoring form, scoring 7 in their last 2 including a 2-0 win over Inter last weekend. They remain unbeaten but remain 4 points behind AC Milan at the top. Napoli meanwhile have struggled since their Champions League exit to Chelsea and it took two late goals from Cavani last weekend to gain just a point against Catania. The key to this one has to be the defence of each team, Juventus arguably the stronger and they could stem the flow of Napoli's attacking line that we all know is one of the best in the league. It could easily turn into a classic with goals flowing for both teams but the more likely outcome is Juve shut Napoli out and just edge it. The lure of the title is sure to make the Juve players give that extra percent, a motivation Napoli lack. Home win - Juve remain unbeaten and keep the heat on Milan, Napoli continue to lack confidence.
Selected Match Betting
Juve, Leece, Inter, Atalanta, Roma, Milan & Lazio all to win : 117/1
Roma V Novara - Roma win 4-0: 11/1
Catania V AC Milan - Ibrahimovic Hat Trick : 14/1
Enjoy The Games!
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