After another eventful weekend in the Serie A we are treated to a full mid week fixture list spread over Tuesday and Wednesday.
The first of two games on Tuesday sees Cagliari host Catania. Cagliari's 3-0 defeat to Parma on Saturday puts them deeper into relegation territory, they now sit just 3 points above the drop and without a win in 3 games. Catania kept their European dreams alive with a 2-0 win over Atalanta, though that remains their only win in 5 games. Both teams still have something to play for that will make for an entertaining game but it is more than likely that this will end in a stalemate. Cagliari have home advantage but there is little doubt that Catania are the stronger side. Draw - An entertaining game but with a result that pleases nobody.
Atalanta will be looking to bounce back from that defeat to Catania when they host Chievo. The defeat to Catania was Atalanta's third in 5 games and they look like they could be involved in the relegation battle if they don't start picking up points. Their opponents gained a well earned 0-0 against Udinese and will be confident of getting back to winning ways here having drawn and lost their last two. The inconsistencies of the two sides are reflected in their league position, 14th and 9th respectively which makes this a tough one to call but given Chievo are playing well at the moment they get the vote. Away Win - Chievo add to Atalanta's woes.
Second bottom club Novara host Lazio in the first of 8 games on Wednesday as they look to avoid a third consecutive defeat. Novara are 11 points from safety and could still avoid the drop with 5 games to go but they will need to pick up wins, and they have only managed to win 5 times this season. They were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Napoli on Saturday. Their opponents Lazio were held to a 1-1 draw with third from bottom Leece, a disappointing result from their point of view but they still remain secure in third, 3 points ahead of Udinese. Its simply impossible to oppose Lazio here given the dire run Novara are on, expect a comfortable away win. Away Win - Lazio cruise past Novara who look set for relegation.
Lazio's frustrators Leece face a tricky home team against a Napoli side that re found its form against Novara. Out of those in the bottom three Leece look far the strongest and expect Napoli to be given a real test against a side that in unbeaten in their last 5. That said Napoli should outclass Leece, particularly offensively, it will be tight but Napoli should take all 3 points. Away Win - Napoli are still desperate to get a Champions League spot and will be driven by that to overcome a stubborn Leece team.
In form Parma travel to Palermo as they look to record a third consecutive victory. After sweeping aside Cagliari 3-0, Parma now look safe in mid table after flirting with the relegation zone. Palermo in contrast haven't won in 3 and could only manage a 2-2 draw with bottom club Cesena at the weekend. Parma haven't been great on the road this season but they have put in some sterling performances in recent weeks and that should make them hard to beat against a Palermo side that lacks consistency. Away Win - Parma dispel any thoughts of relegation and look only up as they overtake their opponents in the table with a decent win.
Inter travel to The Stadio Friuli to face Udinese with both teams having drawn their last games 0-0 against Fiorentina and Chievo respectively. Udinese have been struggling of late with just one win in their last five but back in Udine, the scene of their last win they will feel confident of getting a result. Inter were perhaps fortunate to get a draw against Fiorentina after keeper Julio Cesar fouled a Fiorentina attacked in the penalty area, only to escape with a yellow card, he then saved the resulting penalty much to the fury of Fiorentina. Inter remain unbeaten under Andrea Stramaccioni but this is by far his hardest game to date and expect him to face defeat for the first time here. Udinese's imperious home form should see them take all 3 points in this one, only AC Milan have beaten them at home all season. Home Win - Fortress Friuli continues as Udinese do severe damage to Inter's European hopes.
A mid table battle sees Siena take on Bologna in what looks like an interesting contest. Siena beat a Genoa team in disarray 4-1 on Sunday, they have now lost just one of their last 5. Bologna came agonisingly close to beating AC Milan in the San Siro but a late Ibrahimovic goal saw it end 1-1. Bologna have won just one of their last 5. The suspecion here is to side with Siena, given the energy Bologna lost trying to contain Milan and that Siena have a good home record this season. Bologna are capable, as they showed against Milan but Siena are simply playing better at the moment and should take this. Home Win - Siena continue their good run at the expense of a tired Bologna.
Roma host Fiorentina as they look to keep their European dream alive. Roma's evil twin yet again made an appearance on Sunday night as they were hammered 4-0 by Juve, with keeper Martin Steklenburg again seeing red, although it did appear to be a harsh decision to send the Dutchman off. Roma have won 2 of their last 5, losing the other three. They simply play really well or dreadfully, though at home they have shown a level of consistency that could continue again in this one. Fiorentina are unbeaten in 3 after drawing with Inter but they are struggling to score goals which will play into the hands of Roma's shaky defence. The Viola won the reverse fixture 3-2 with Roma ending the game with 9 men, providing Roma keep all 11 on the pitch this time they should register another home win by utilising the attacking prowess they have at their disposal. Home Win - Roma continue in pursuit of a European place with a win spurred on by the Olimpico faithful.
Bottom play top as Cesena host Juventus. Cesena must win or hope that other results go their way to stay in the division, and having won just 4 games this season the odds are stacked against them beating unbeaten Juventus. Cesena are unbeaten in their last 5, but have drawn all of them including a 2-2 with Palermo at the weekend. In contrast Juve have won all of their last 5 and dismantled Roma 4-0 last time out. Cesena do pose a small threat through former Juve man Adrian Mutu but the way The Oldy Lady is playing at the moment this shouldn't be much of a contest. The best defence in the league, Juve's meets the worst attack in the league, Cesena. That's just one of a host of stats against Cesena. Away Win - People in Turin will be putting their houses on a win for their team in this one, Juve comfortably beat Cesena to doom them to relegation and take another step toward the title.
AC Milan host Genoa in the final match of matchweek 34 knowing only a win will do if they are to keep the title race going. Milan were lucky not to get beat against a resilient Bologna at the weekend, eventually drawing 1-1. Milan appear to be faltering, winning just one of their last 4 games but Genoa are in disarray. They were comfortably beaten 4-1 by Siena on Sunday which was subjected to some bizarre scenes where fans invaded the pitch during the game to take shirts off the Genoa players, claiming they were not fit to wear the red and blue jersey. The disturbances finally ceased and the game was completed. Almost immediately after the game Alberto Malesini, Genoa's manager was sacked, he had only taken charge at the start of the month and becomes Serie A's 18th managerial change this season. Genoa have been ordered by the Italian FA to play their next two home fixtures behind closed doors such was the severity of the disturbances. With all this going on its unlikely Genoa are going to be well prepared to face a Milan side who need to win and most probably will. Home Win - Milan keep the title race going and plunge Genoa deeper into trouble
Selected Match Betting:
Napoli, Lazio, Juve, Milan, Siena, Udinese & Roma - All To Win : 47/1
Roma V Fiorentina - Roma Win 3-1 : 10/1
Cesena V Juve - Del Piero Last Goalscorer: 3/1
Enjoy The Games!
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