Round 33 of the Serie A runs over the course of 3 days this weekend beginning with the usual two matches on Saturday evening.
The early evening kick off sees second place AC Milan host Genoa. Milan squeezed past Chievo 1-0 on Tuesday to return to winning ways and ensure they remain just one points behind Juventus. Milan have now only lost one of their last 13 games. Genoa's miserable run continued in mid week with a 1-1 draw with bottom club Cesena. They are now just two points above the drop zone, and are in real danger of being relegated come the end of the season. Genoa have only won once in their last 12 games. Milan will certainly fancy their chances against a side that have only won four times in their entire history at the San Siro. Milan are suffering with injuries, Robiniho remains a doubt and Pato is out but they should still have enough to beat a Genoa side that are low on confidence and form. Home Win - Milan cruise past Genoa and ensure the title race continues.
Saturday's second game sees 4th placed Udinese host 7th placed Inter in a crucial match for both sides in the pursuit of European spots. Francesco Guidolin's Udinese were beaten 3-1 by Roma Wednesday, a result that leaves them just one point ahead of Roma and 3 ahead of Inter. Udinese have only won one of their last 5, but their home form is imperious with AC Milan the only team to win at the Stadi Fruili. Inter's recovery under Andrea Stramaccioni continued on Wednesday with a 2-1 victory over Siena, he remains unbeaten in the 3 games he has taken charge of Inter. That record could easily change here however with a combination of Udinese's great home form and Inter's poor away form. Udinese also won the reverse fixture earlier in the season and with the likes of Di Natale and Barreto sure to test a Inter defence that has looked shaky this season Inter look set to struggle. Home Win - Udinese's great home record continues as Inter falter again in both attack and defence.
The first of seven games on Sunday sees Novara face Lazio in what is a must win game for the home side. Wednesday's 2-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Parma has left Novara 11 points from safety, they now face a huge task to stay up, they have now only won one of their last 5. After beating Napoli last weekend Lazio's inconsistency yet again resurfaced as they were beaten 2-1 by Juventus. Lazio's form reads, loss-win-loss-win-loss in their last 5. Lazio are third in the table and their is little doubt who is the better side here but much depends on which Lazio turn up. Despite Lazio's poor record at Novara, the home sides dreadful form means that they should suffer another defeat here. Away Win - Lazio's evil twin doesn't make an appearence and they prove to much for a seemingly doomed Novara side.
Parma travel to Sicily to play Palermo as they look to secure Serie A football for next season. Their mid week victory of Novara saw Parma move four points clear of the relegation zone, they face a stiff task however against Palermo at a ground they have won only once at in their history. Palermo remain safe in 11 after a 0-0 draw at Fiorentina. They have only won once in their five games, including that draw. At this time of the season its hard to predict match ups like this with Parma seemingly having plenty to play for and Palermo having little. That said Parma's record in Sicily is so dismal that they can't be supported with any confidence, Palermo are a good outfit on their day and they should record a decent home win here. Home Win - Home advantage again pays dividends as Parma remain in a perilous position.
Bottom host top as Cesena play Juventus in what on paper looks a straightforward away win. Cesena's 1-1 draw with Genoa saw them strech their unbeaten run to four games but they remain rock bottom, 15 points from safety. Juve's solid 2-1 victory over Lazio saw them remain unbeaten and a point ahead of Milan at the top. The last 3 meetings between the sides have all ended in draws but the suspicion here is that Juventus in current form should take this. Antonio Conte's men appear to have found the winning thread again after a series of draws that nearly saw them gift Milan the league, they have now won 5 on the bounce. They should record win number 6 here against a side that are all but mathematically doomed to relegation. Away Win - The Old Lady's pursuit of the league title continues as they heap more misery on lowly Cesena.
13th play 12th as Siena host Bologna with both sides looking to ensure they do not get dragged into a relegation battle. Siena's 2-1 defeat to Inter was their first in 3 and they sport a good home record. Bologna's vital 1-0 win over Cagliari on Thursday was their first in 5 games and saw them move away from trouble. Traditionally this is a low scoring affair and it is likely that this will be a cagey affair with both sides certainly not wanting to lose. Their is little to choose between them and a draw is more than likely. Draw - Both sides cancel each other out in a low scoring draw.
Atalanta host Chievo as they look to build on their impressive win over Napoli in mid week. Atalanta's 3-1 victory in Naples was the shock result of Matchweek 32 and halted Atalanta's slide after losing two in a row. Chievo's 1-0 defeat to Milan on Tuesday saw them remain in 9th but they are now just two points ahead of Atalanta. Chievo haven't kept a clean sheet in 10 games and Atalanta's attack looks sure to test their defence. This looks set to be a tight mid table battle but home advantage in combination with a good attack and struggling Chievo defence Atalanta might just take this. Home win - a narrow home win for Atalanta against their mid table rivals.
Napoli travel to Leece as they look to bounce back to form after a run of 3 straight defeats including that 3-1 defeat to Atalanta on Wednesday. Walter Mazzarri's side are struggling both defensively and in attack and this represents a difficult task. Leece's great escape from the relegation zone remains on after a 2-1 victory over Catania saw them move to within 2 points of safety. They are now unbeaten in 5 games and have a good record against sides in the top half of the table, including dismantling Roma 4-2 last weekend. There is of course every chance that Napoli may re find form, they are simply too good a side to continue playing in the way they are, however this looks like a great opertunity for Leece to take another big scalp. Home Win - Leece continue their persuit to avoid the drop and Napoli continue their dismal run.
5th placed Roma will look to put the pressure on those above them with victory over Fiorentina on Sunday evening. Luis Enrique's side bounced back from their humiliation at Leece to beat Udinese 3-1, with Francesco Totti among the goals again. They have now won 3 of their last 5 and are just four points behind 3rd placed Lazio. Fiorentina failed to build on their great win against AC Milan last weekend as they were held to 0-0 draw by Palermo on Wednesday. They have won just one of their last 5 games. The reverse fixture saw Fiorentina run out 3-0 winners but Roma did have 3 men sent off in that game and providing there isn't a repeat of that Roma should take this. The difference that Totti and De Rossi make to this young Roma side remains stark and with both of them fit Roma look much more solid in all area's of the pitch. Furthermore Fiorentina's record in the capital is poor and overall their away form has been poor this season. Home Win - Totti & Co. look to secure a European spot with good home victory, Fiorentina remain in trouble just 3 points above the drop.
The final game of this round of matches sees a Monday evening fixture as Cagliari take on Catania. Cagliari's 1-0 defeat to Bologna on Thursday was their first defeat in 5 games and has left them in 14th, just out of trouble. Catania's 2-1 defeat to Leece on Wednesday means they are without a win in 4 games. Cagliar's home form is good and Catania have won just once in their last 8 visits to Sardinia and that could prove crucial here. Catania though have a knack of grinding out draws away from home and Vincenzo Montella's side will be wanting to push for European spot. A draw is by far the safest option in a game that could go either way. Draw - Two teams gain a result that pleases neither.
Selected Match Betting
Roma, Leece, Atalanta, Juventus, Palermo, Lazio, Udinese & Milan - All To Win: 150/1
Cesena V Juve - Juve Win 4-0: 10/1
AC Milan V Genoa - Ibrahmiovic To Score A Brace - 9/4
Enjoy The Games!
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