Another full fixture list in the Serie A this weekend, with 3 matches on Saturday and 7 on Sunday. With just 3 games left in this season each game takes on added importance for the Serie A's twenty teams.
We begin at The Stadio Renzo Barbera, as Palermo host Catania. Palermo are on a poor run at the moment, winning just one of their last five and were beaten 2-1 at home to Parma on Wednesday. They remain six points above the drop and its unlikely they will be relegated put Palermo fans could certainly sleep easier if their side were to pick up some points in this one. Their opponents, Catania were pushed for a European spot but a 3-0 defeat to Cagliari on Tuesday means they remain 8th 4 points behind Roma. Catania too have only won one of their last 5 games. This being the Sicilian derby expect a high tempo affair but given the form of both sides don't expect a classic. In Palermo Catania have won just once, and given their away form that is record is unlikely to change here. Palermo's recent record against their rival's is poor and with those too facts in mind a draw is most likely. Draw - Result that favours no one really, but it should ensure Palermo's safety for next season.
Catania's conqueror's Cagliari host Chievo as they look to ensure safety for next season. The win over Catania on Tuesday was vital to Cagliari's hopes of staying in the Serie A, and has left them 6 points above the drop. Despite their win in midweek their form remains inconsistent, with just two wins in their last 5. Chievo suffered a 1-0 defeat away to Atalanta in mid week but remain comfortable in mid table, however they haven't won any of their last 3 games. Cagliari are in good form at home, unbeaten in their last 4 and that could prove crucial here. With Cagliari needed the points and having home advantage they are taken to win this one, but it will be close. Home Win - Chievo don't enjoy their trip to Sardinia as they are beaten by a Cagliari side desperate to secure safety.
To teams that are in no danger of being relegated meet on Saturday evening as Roma host Napoli in a game that could decide where the final Champions League place goes. Roma are currently four points behind 4th placed Napoli in 7th after losing 2-1 to Fiorentina on Wedneday. Luis Enrique's side have won just 2 of their last 5 losing the other 3. Napoli have been looking like their old selves in recent weeks with a back to back victories including a 2-0 win over Leece on Wednesday. Their attacking flair looks to have returned which is bad news for a shaky Roma defence that has conceded in each of their last six games. In Rome Napoli's record is poor and Roma do sport a good home record this season but Roma remain an enigma, seemingly impossible to predict. They will also be without Osvaldo for the game who was sent off for dissent against Fiorentina. Very tricky but a draw looks a likely result. Draw - An entertaining game but the result will please Napoli much more.
The first of Sunday's games sees a solid Bologna host Genoa. Bologna managed a decent 1-1 draw at Siena on Wednesday and remain rooted in mid table after going unbeaten for four games. Genoa meanwhile continue to dance with relegation after a 1-0 defeat at the the hands of AC Milan in midweek, Genoa now haven't won in their last 14 league games. They are just a point off the relegation zone. Genoa do have more to play for but Bologna should be too much for them in their current vein. Home Win - Bologna continue their good run and put Genoa into deep trouble.
Siena will look to build on their draw against Bologna when they host AC Milan who beat Genoa last time out. Siena's draw left them in 10th and secure despite not winning any of their last 3 games. Milan meanwhile continue to chase Juventus and remain 3 points off The Old Lady after their victory over Genoa. They have suffered a little wobble in pursuit of the title and have only won 2 of their last 4. That said Siena have a poor record against Milan, who have beaten them in the previous six meetings between the sides. Milan are certainly not playing with all guns blazing but they are taken to do what champions do, win games even if they don't play well. Away Win - Siena will test Milan but the visitors should edge it.
Novara host Milan's nearest rivals in the form of Juventus. Novara sprang the shock of mid week beating Lazio 2-1, their first win in 5 games, despite this they remain 8 points from safety and could be relegated this weekend if results don't go their way. Juve recorded a tight 1-0 win to relegate Cesena and maintain their place at the top on Wednesday. They have now won 7 consecutive league games. It would be a huge shock if Novara got anything out of this given Juve's current run and that they still haven't been beaten this season. Away Win - Juve will either cruise through this or grind out a result, either way they will win to doom Novara.
Leece host Parma as they look to get themselves out of the relegation zone. Leece's 2-0 defeat to Napoli in midweek was their first in six league games and they remain just a point away from Genoa and safety. They face a Parma side in good form, winning all of their last 3 including a 2-1 victory over Palermo on Wednesday. Recent meetings between the sides show a dominant Parma trend, particularly at Leece. But with Leece fighting for their top flight life they should test an in form Parma and a draw looks likely. Draw - Leece again lack that little bit of quality that sees them over the line as a solid Parma hold them to a draw.
An inconsistent Atalanta host Fiorentina as they look to build on a 1-0 victory against Chievo. Atalanta have won 3 and lost 3 of their last 6 Serie A games and remain a difficult team to predict. Fiorentina look to have fully recovered from their mid season disaster and are now unbeaten in four games, including victories over AC Milan and Roma in recent weeks. Away from home Fiorentina have looked particularly good in recent weeks and they are taken to win this battle and put to bed any thoughts of relegation. Away Win - Fiorentina continue their good run against an enigma of an Atalanta side.
Inter host Cesena in what looks like sure fire home win. Cesena's loss to Juventus saw them relegated on Wednesday and they haven't won in 16 games, they have only won 4 games this season. Furthermore they have only beaten Inter once, back in 1975. Inter meanwhile continue their resurgence under Andrea Stramaccioni, unbeaten since he took charge they beat Udinese 3-1 on Wednesday too keep his 100% record. Inter are just two points off Napoli in 4th and could still make the final Champions League spot, something no one would have predicted a few months ago. Home Win - Should be straightforward for a reborn Inter side against a relegated Cesena.
The final game of this round of games sees two teams who have their sights firmly set on European football next season, Udinese and Lazio. Both were beaten in mid week, by Inter and Novara respectfully and both will be keen to return to winning ways here. Udinese have won just one of their last 5 and have slipped to 5th, 2 points behind Napoli and 3 behind Lazio. Lazio's shock defeat to Novara sees them remain in third but the chasing pack is closing on them, with just 5 points separating them from 7th placed Roma. They too have won just one of their last 5. Two teams then in dire need of a result, Udinese have a good record against Lazio and have home advantage, that could see them have just enough to take this one. Home Win - It promises to be tight but Udinese have been good at home all season and should beat a struggling Lazio who hate visiting Udine.
Selected Match Betting:
Udinese, Juve, Fiorentina, AC Milan, Bologna, Inter and Cagliari - All To Win : 76/1
Juve V Novara: Borriello To Score First : 4/1
Roma V Napoli: Correct Score 2-2: 10/1
Enjoy The Games!
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