With the season now over here's a quick round up of what happened on the last day in the Serie 2011/2012 season.
Napoli were only able to finish 5 despite beating Siena 2-1. Siena finished a respectable 14th. For Napoli then the disappointment of not having Champions League football next season will be bitter, expect some of their big names to go on to other big European clubs in the summer. Edison Cavani is already holding talks with Chelsea reports suggest.
Lazio beat Inter 3-1 to finish in 4th a good result for the Rome club, however manager Edy Reja announced his resignation this week meaning both Rome clubs now need new managers. Inter have had a dreadful season and will be glad to have finished 6th after a dismal start to the season, they will look to rebuild under Andrea Stramaccioni and may well look to off load some of their big earners such as Wesley Snjeider who has looked increasingly disinterested in playing for the club in recent months.
Chievo finished 10th after beating Leece 1-0. That result confirmed Leece's return to Serie B and the final club to be relegated.
Genoa secured safety on the final day with a 2-0 victory of Palermo. Palermo finished 16th and both clubs will be disappointed with their efforts this season and will look to gain top half finishes next time around. Genoa in particular will be desperate not to repeat the relegation battle they got themselves into.
Udinese secured Champions League football with a 2-0 win over 11th placed Catania. It has been a great season for Udinese who have recovered well from losing key player Alexis Sanchez to Barcelona. Expect them to have a good Champions League campaign particularly in home games where they have been imperious all season.
Parma made sure they finished above Bologna in 8th by beating them 1-0. Both teams will be satisfied with their seasons and both will look to gain some form of European football next time round.
Relegated Cesena were beaten 3-2 by managerless Roma who finished 7th. The concern for Cesena is they lose key players such as Adrian Mutu making the goal for an instant return to the Serie A even more difficult. For Roma, their Spanish experiment lasted all of a year before the fans again forced a man with a plan out the door. Roma is a big club but the fans expect to much, the man who comes in will have to make an instant impact or face the same fate as Luis Enrique. Expect the return of Capello to secure the ship.
Fiorentina finished 13th after drawing 0-0 with 15th placed Cagliari. It has been a season to forget for the Viola and the scenes particularly at the end of the season will play heavily on the minds of the fans. Expect them to buy and install an experienced manager at the helm. For Cagliari they will be happy with their lot, grateful they were not dragged into a relegation battle.
AC Milan overcame Novara 2-1 in what should have been a routine victory but wasn't. Milan finish second, narrowly missing out on the title while Novara were already relegated. A revoling door has been installed at the San Siro as they look to get rid of the old and bring in the new. Gattuso and Nesta have gone and Ibrahmovic is apparently a target for Manchester City. Milan know they will have to spend big and reinforce their squad if they are to challenge for the league and the Champions League next season.
The champions Juventus finished the season unbeaten in what has been a remarkable season for The Old Lady. They beat Atalanta 3-1 on the final day, they finish 12. Juve will lose one of the greatest ever players this weekend however as Alessandro Del Piero bows out in the Coppa Italia final against Napoil. It was announced earlier that the 36 year old will not be having his contract renewed, he is apparently open to a move to England.
That concludes the round up of the season and indeed this blog for this season. I am looking to post a Transfer Special edition mid way through the summer and we will be back next season of course.
Thank you all who have followed and read this blog, enjoy the summer and see you next season.
Forza Italia!
Friday, 18 May 2012
Friday, 11 May 2012
Matchweek 38 Preview - The Final Day
The final day of The 2011/2012 Serie A season is this Sunday with all 20 teams in action with kickoffs at 2.00p.m, 5.00p.m and 7.45p.m. There is still much to play for despite Juventus having now been crowned champions. The race is on for third and that all important last Champions League place with Udinese, Inter, Napoli and Lazio all vying for it. At the bottom Cesena and Novara have already been relegated but the third and final relegation place is yet to be filled, Leece currently occupy it but they will hope they can gain a victory and that Genoa lose which would see the two sides swap places. It is set up for an exciting finale.
We begin with the first of 3 2.00p.m kick offs as champions Juventus host Atalanta. Juventus sealed their 28th Serie A title last Sunday with a 2-0 away win against Cagliari. They are now looking to to go the whole season unbeaten a feat only achieved twice before in the history of Serie A most recently, when Fabio Capello's AC Milan side managed the feat in 1991/1992. They face an Atalanta side who are on a poor run, losing all of their last 3 matches 2-0 including a home defeat to Lazio last weekend. Its not difficult then to say that Juventus should win this comfortably, and complete the season undefeated. Atalanta are good outfit but it is impossible to oppose the Champions. Home Win - Juve's fantastic season is completed with yet another win.
AC Milan will be looking to end the season on a positive note as they face relegated Novara. Milan ruined all chance of retaining the Serie A last weekend when they were beaten 4-2 by city rivals Inter. Milan are secure in second place and they will look at this as a confidence booster. Novara beat bottom of the table Cesena 3-0 on Sunday to record just their seventh win of the season. Attilio Tesser's side are relegated and will want to go down fighting but one does fear a Milan backlash. Novara haven't won in Milan since 1940 and that is very unlikely to change here. Home Win - Milan finish the season with a flourish by comfortably beating Novara.
Two teams happy to be out of the relegation dogfight meet when Fiorentina host Cagliari. Fiorentina managed a 1-0 victory away to Leece with ironically secured their future in the Serie A along with Cagliari's despite them losing to Juve. Fiorentina have lost just one of their last 5 whereas Cagliari have won just one of their last 5. Calgliari's away form is poor but it is particulary bad when visiting Florence, failing to win in their last 6 visits. With the two sides having little play for other than pride it is likely that home advantage may become even more important and in their current vein Fiorentina should take this one. Home Win - The Viola continue in their good end to the season at the expense of a Cagliari side who are happy just to still be in the division.
The first of 5.00p.m kick offs sees relegated Cesena face Roma with both sides low on form and confidence. The breaking news this afternoon is that Roma coach Luis Enrique has resigned from post. It is understood that the directors of Roma wanted to keep the Spaniard in charge but he felt worn out and that he was frustrated by the pressure he was under from the local media and the fans. Enrique had only been in charge for one season but poor league form which sees Roma sitting in seventh had caused friction between himself and the fans. It is a common conception that the fans run Roma and Enrique's resignation comes as little surprise. He leaves Roma with no chance of European qualification for next season and that could reduce the number of applicants to becoming his successor. The usual names are being banded around, Capello, Raneri, Anchelotti, Villas-Boas but it is former Roma player and the man who led from in the second part of last season Vincenzo Montella who is favourite to succeed Enrique. In a strange twist it was Montella's Catania side that made the decision for Enrique to resign much easier when they drew 2-2 last weekend. Roma have now not won in 5. Cesena meanwhile suffered yet another defeat when they lost 3-0 to Novara, they have picked up just one point from their last 5 and have only one 4 times this season. So two sides that will really want to finish the season well to appease their fans. It is Roma that get the tentative vote given how poor Cesena's attack is and that the cloud over Roma may have been lifted with Enrique's departure. Away Win - Roma play with the freedom of a side with little to lose and are too classy for Cesena.
Parma host Bologna as 8th plays 9th. Parma continued their fantastic run by beating Siena 2-0 last weekend, they are have now won all of their last six games. Bologna meanwhile are unbeaten in 7 and gained a great result last time out by beating Napoli 2-0. This is The 'Emilia' derby so both teams have something to play for other than pride and that should make for a good game. History dictates that the home side usually win the derby but the Parma's record against Bologna in recent seasons has been poor. The safest option is a cagey draw with two good sides cancelling each other out. Draw - a result that satisfies no one really but it promises to be an entertaining game at least.
The first of the 5 7.45p.m kick offs sees Genoa play Palermo in what could turn out to be a must win for the home side. Genoa's 2-0 defeat to Udinese last weekend meant that Luigi De Canio's side have won just one just one of their last 16 games. They remain 3 points above the drop zone but will survive if they can avoid defeat regardless of what Leece do against Chievo. Palermo to are on a poor run, without a win in 7 they drew 4-4 with Chievo last time out. Only four points separates these two sides which highlights what an even game it is Genoa certainly have much more to play for but they would be delighted with a draw and suspicion is that is what they will get. Draw - Genoa survive by stumbling across the line in a low scoring draw .
Chievo face Leece in what is a must a win game for the away side. Chievo's 4-4 draw with Palermo means that they have drawn 4 of their last 5, losing the other. Leece too are win less in 5 after losing 1-0 to Fiorentina last time out. Even with Leece needed to win it is difficult seeing them getting a result here, at a ground they have struggled at in recent years. The form of both sides suggests that they simply don't score enough goals. Leece will give it a good go but ultimately they will probably fall short. Draw - Leece are doomed as their poor attack is foiled by Chievo's defence.
The race for third comes to an exciting finale in the final 3 game of the season. We begin with Catania hosting Udinese. Udinese have spent most of the season in third and are favourites to keep the position as they sit two points above Lazio and 3 ahead of Napoli and Inter. A draw here might be enough to secure third place, a win certainly would be. Udinese continued on their good run by beating Genoa 2-0 last time out which means they have now won 3 on the bounce. Their is no such consistency for Catania however who haven't won any of their last four, alternating between a draw and loss, they continued this run by drawing 2-2 with Roma last weekend. Catania will prove a test for Udinese but the visitors will be desperate to secure third place and given their attacking flare and solid defence they should prove to much for Catania who keep leaking goals and struggle to score. Away Win - Udinese finish in third by outclassing Catania.
The game of the weekend sees Lazio host Inter as 4th meets 6th. Lazio returned to winning ways last weekend by beating Atalanta 2-0 prior to that they had picked up just 2 points from five games. They will know they have to win to stand any chance of overtaking Udinese into third. Inter come into this game on a high after insuring their city rivals would have no chance of winning the title by they beating them 4-2 on Sunday. Despite that victory Inter's form remains suspect with just 2 wins in their last 5. Both teams have been hit and miss this season and in particular Lazio have a poor record against those amongst them in the table. Lazio have only beaten Inter once in their previous 16 meetings and that is unlikely to change here with the visitors high on confidence. Away Win - Inter make sure Lazio can't reach third and give themselves an outside chance of reaching it with a good win.
The final game of this matchweek and indeed the season sees third place chasing Napoli host Siena. Napoli hit a stumbling block in their quest for third last weekend as they were beaten 2-0 by Bologna. Prior to that Walter Mazzarri's men had looked to have re found their form winning 3 of their last 5. Siena are win less in four after a 2-0 defeat to Parma last weekend. Napoli's home form has been solid all season, they have lost just one of their last 10 games at home and they are taken to continue that record here. Siena have a decent away form but they are struggling overall and Napoli's attacking flare should be too much for them. Home Win - Napoli give themselves a shot at third with a comfortable win over Siena.
Selected Match Betting:
Napoli, Inter, Udinese, Roma, Fiorentina, Juve & AC Milan: All To Win -45/1
Milan V Novara - Ibrahimovic Hatrick : 10/1
Lazio V Inter - Inter To Win 3-1: 14/1
Enjoy The Games!
We begin with the first of 3 2.00p.m kick offs as champions Juventus host Atalanta. Juventus sealed their 28th Serie A title last Sunday with a 2-0 away win against Cagliari. They are now looking to to go the whole season unbeaten a feat only achieved twice before in the history of Serie A most recently, when Fabio Capello's AC Milan side managed the feat in 1991/1992. They face an Atalanta side who are on a poor run, losing all of their last 3 matches 2-0 including a home defeat to Lazio last weekend. Its not difficult then to say that Juventus should win this comfortably, and complete the season undefeated. Atalanta are good outfit but it is impossible to oppose the Champions. Home Win - Juve's fantastic season is completed with yet another win.
AC Milan will be looking to end the season on a positive note as they face relegated Novara. Milan ruined all chance of retaining the Serie A last weekend when they were beaten 4-2 by city rivals Inter. Milan are secure in second place and they will look at this as a confidence booster. Novara beat bottom of the table Cesena 3-0 on Sunday to record just their seventh win of the season. Attilio Tesser's side are relegated and will want to go down fighting but one does fear a Milan backlash. Novara haven't won in Milan since 1940 and that is very unlikely to change here. Home Win - Milan finish the season with a flourish by comfortably beating Novara.
Two teams happy to be out of the relegation dogfight meet when Fiorentina host Cagliari. Fiorentina managed a 1-0 victory away to Leece with ironically secured their future in the Serie A along with Cagliari's despite them losing to Juve. Fiorentina have lost just one of their last 5 whereas Cagliari have won just one of their last 5. Calgliari's away form is poor but it is particulary bad when visiting Florence, failing to win in their last 6 visits. With the two sides having little play for other than pride it is likely that home advantage may become even more important and in their current vein Fiorentina should take this one. Home Win - The Viola continue in their good end to the season at the expense of a Cagliari side who are happy just to still be in the division.
The first of 5.00p.m kick offs sees relegated Cesena face Roma with both sides low on form and confidence. The breaking news this afternoon is that Roma coach Luis Enrique has resigned from post. It is understood that the directors of Roma wanted to keep the Spaniard in charge but he felt worn out and that he was frustrated by the pressure he was under from the local media and the fans. Enrique had only been in charge for one season but poor league form which sees Roma sitting in seventh had caused friction between himself and the fans. It is a common conception that the fans run Roma and Enrique's resignation comes as little surprise. He leaves Roma with no chance of European qualification for next season and that could reduce the number of applicants to becoming his successor. The usual names are being banded around, Capello, Raneri, Anchelotti, Villas-Boas but it is former Roma player and the man who led from in the second part of last season Vincenzo Montella who is favourite to succeed Enrique. In a strange twist it was Montella's Catania side that made the decision for Enrique to resign much easier when they drew 2-2 last weekend. Roma have now not won in 5. Cesena meanwhile suffered yet another defeat when they lost 3-0 to Novara, they have picked up just one point from their last 5 and have only one 4 times this season. So two sides that will really want to finish the season well to appease their fans. It is Roma that get the tentative vote given how poor Cesena's attack is and that the cloud over Roma may have been lifted with Enrique's departure. Away Win - Roma play with the freedom of a side with little to lose and are too classy for Cesena.
Parma host Bologna as 8th plays 9th. Parma continued their fantastic run by beating Siena 2-0 last weekend, they are have now won all of their last six games. Bologna meanwhile are unbeaten in 7 and gained a great result last time out by beating Napoli 2-0. This is The 'Emilia' derby so both teams have something to play for other than pride and that should make for a good game. History dictates that the home side usually win the derby but the Parma's record against Bologna in recent seasons has been poor. The safest option is a cagey draw with two good sides cancelling each other out. Draw - a result that satisfies no one really but it promises to be an entertaining game at least.
The first of the 5 7.45p.m kick offs sees Genoa play Palermo in what could turn out to be a must win for the home side. Genoa's 2-0 defeat to Udinese last weekend meant that Luigi De Canio's side have won just one just one of their last 16 games. They remain 3 points above the drop zone but will survive if they can avoid defeat regardless of what Leece do against Chievo. Palermo to are on a poor run, without a win in 7 they drew 4-4 with Chievo last time out. Only four points separates these two sides which highlights what an even game it is Genoa certainly have much more to play for but they would be delighted with a draw and suspicion is that is what they will get. Draw - Genoa survive by stumbling across the line in a low scoring draw .
Chievo face Leece in what is a must a win game for the away side. Chievo's 4-4 draw with Palermo means that they have drawn 4 of their last 5, losing the other. Leece too are win less in 5 after losing 1-0 to Fiorentina last time out. Even with Leece needed to win it is difficult seeing them getting a result here, at a ground they have struggled at in recent years. The form of both sides suggests that they simply don't score enough goals. Leece will give it a good go but ultimately they will probably fall short. Draw - Leece are doomed as their poor attack is foiled by Chievo's defence.
The race for third comes to an exciting finale in the final 3 game of the season. We begin with Catania hosting Udinese. Udinese have spent most of the season in third and are favourites to keep the position as they sit two points above Lazio and 3 ahead of Napoli and Inter. A draw here might be enough to secure third place, a win certainly would be. Udinese continued on their good run by beating Genoa 2-0 last time out which means they have now won 3 on the bounce. Their is no such consistency for Catania however who haven't won any of their last four, alternating between a draw and loss, they continued this run by drawing 2-2 with Roma last weekend. Catania will prove a test for Udinese but the visitors will be desperate to secure third place and given their attacking flare and solid defence they should prove to much for Catania who keep leaking goals and struggle to score. Away Win - Udinese finish in third by outclassing Catania.
The game of the weekend sees Lazio host Inter as 4th meets 6th. Lazio returned to winning ways last weekend by beating Atalanta 2-0 prior to that they had picked up just 2 points from five games. They will know they have to win to stand any chance of overtaking Udinese into third. Inter come into this game on a high after insuring their city rivals would have no chance of winning the title by they beating them 4-2 on Sunday. Despite that victory Inter's form remains suspect with just 2 wins in their last 5. Both teams have been hit and miss this season and in particular Lazio have a poor record against those amongst them in the table. Lazio have only beaten Inter once in their previous 16 meetings and that is unlikely to change here with the visitors high on confidence. Away Win - Inter make sure Lazio can't reach third and give themselves an outside chance of reaching it with a good win.
The final game of this matchweek and indeed the season sees third place chasing Napoli host Siena. Napoli hit a stumbling block in their quest for third last weekend as they were beaten 2-0 by Bologna. Prior to that Walter Mazzarri's men had looked to have re found their form winning 3 of their last 5. Siena are win less in four after a 2-0 defeat to Parma last weekend. Napoli's home form has been solid all season, they have lost just one of their last 10 games at home and they are taken to continue that record here. Siena have a decent away form but they are struggling overall and Napoli's attacking flare should be too much for them. Home Win - Napoli give themselves a shot at third with a comfortable win over Siena.
Selected Match Betting:
Napoli, Inter, Udinese, Roma, Fiorentina, Juve & AC Milan: All To Win -45/1
Milan V Novara - Ibrahimovic Hatrick : 10/1
Lazio V Inter - Inter To Win 3-1: 14/1
Enjoy The Games!
Friday, 4 May 2012
Matchweek 37 Preview
After another hectic mid week round of games the Serie A continues over Saturday and Sunday. The usual format has returned with two games on Saturday and eight on Sunday.
We begin on Saturday evening with Leece hosting Fiorentina. Leece remain 3 points from safety after they put in a sterling display on Wednesday to draw 1-1 with Juventus. They must win if they are to have any chance of avoiding the drop. Leece's current form does not inspire much confidence with them not winning any of their last 4 games. Fiorentina drew 2-2 with Novara on Wednesday to all but ensure they will play Serie A football next season, they can now only go down on goal difference, which is an extremely unlike scenario. Fiorentina have won just one of their last 5. Fiorentina will also have to adjust to having a new man at the helm in Vincenzo Guerini after Delio Rosi was sacked for attacking midfielder Adem Ljajic during the 2-2 draw with Novara. Ljajic was substituted by Rosi after 22 minutes with Fiorentina 2-0 down. As he walked off Ljajic sarcastically applauded his manager's decision. Enraged Rosi attacked Ljajic as he sat down in the dug out, punches were thrown but the two were quickly separated. The result of the attack saw Rosi loose his job on Thursday morning. With Fiorentina clearly not the happiest of camps at the moment Leece are taken to record a victory in this one, after a great display against Juve they will be confident and knowing they need to win they should take this. Home Win - Leece do their part in the battle to avoid the drop against a Fiorentina side in disarray.
Also on Saturday Roma face Catania. Roma could only manage a goalless draw with Cheivo on Tuesday but they were forced to play in atrocious conditions with a waterlogged pitch and constant rain, officals later admitted the game should have been postponed. That draw sees Roma remain in 7th, 6 points off third spot and they need a miracle now to reach that coveted spot and earn Champions League football. Luis Enrique's men have now gone four games without a victory. Catania remain in 10th despite losing 1-0 to Bologna on Wednesday, they have now not won in 3. Two sides in need of a victory then and its Roma who look most likely to get it. At home Roma have been playing much better than they do away and with the Olimpio crowd behind them they should prove very hard to beat. Home win - Roma keep the European dream alive by beating a Catania team that have very little to play for.
Sunday's early game sees Siena face Parma with the away side still in the hunt for a Europa League spot. Siena drew 1-1 with Lazio in mid week and remain 13th after not picking up a win in 3 games. Parma continued their great run with a 3-1 win over Inter on Wednesday, their 5th straight victory which saw them move with 2 points of 7th placed Roma. Siena has not been a happy hunting ground for Parma in recent seasons, they have failed to win in their last 5 visits but Siena's home form has been poor of late. Parma enter this full of confidence and it seems somewhat irrelevant whether they play away or at home having won their last 2 away fixtures, they should take some stopping. Away Win - Parma's excellent run continues they beat Siena who's poor home form continues.
Lazio face a very tricky trip to Atalanta, who have won their last two at home. Edoardo Reja's Lazio side are win less in 5 games after their draw with Siena. They are a point off third placed Napoli and that all important 3rd Champions League spot. Atalanta were beaten 2-0 by AC Milan in the San Siro on Wednesday, that result aside Atalanta have won 3 of their last 4. Another plus for fans of Atalanta is Lazio haven't beaten their side in 5 attempts at The Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia. Atalanta then are taken to win this, given their good home form and Lazio's awful away form this should be another victory for Atalanta. Home Win - Atalanta fuelled by home support beat a Lazio side low on confidence.
Udinese host Genoa in a game that is crucial for both sides. Udinese gained back to back wins by beating Cesena 1-0 on Wednesday, they are level on points with third placed Napoli and still have a real chance of Champions League qualification. Genoa ended their 14 match win less streak with a 2-1 win over Cagliari, they are now three points ahead of Leece who fill the final relegation spot. Genoa have a decent record at The Stadio Friuli but Udinese should win this as they look to continue their decent spell. Home Win - Udinese will be desperate for that third Champions League place and take a big step toward it with victory over a Genoa side that remain far from safe of relegation.
Udinese's leage rivals Napoli face a difficult trip to Bologna as they look to cement third place. Napoli beat Palermo 2-0 on Tuesday and look to have hit form just at the right time, losing none of their last 4. Bologna too are on a good run, unbeaten in their last 6, including a 1-0 win over Catania on Wednesday. They remain 9th with no real chance of European football next season. Bologna's record against Napoli is poor in recent years with just one win in seven meetings. Again it looks like the team with the most to play for will come out on top and that is Napoli. They have looked back to their old free flowing attacking selves in recent weeks and they should prove to much for Bologna. Away Win - Napoli cement third with a good victory over Bologna.
Palermo host Cheivo as they look to bounce back from that Napoli defeat. Palermo have failed to win any of their last 5 games, but have only lost two of them. They are six points above the relegation zone and could easily be dragged into a last game relegation battle if results go against them. Cheivo's soaked 0-0 draw with Roma on Tuesday saw them move to 12th in the table. They have the exact same record as Palermo in recent weeks with 3 draws and 2 losses in their last 5 games. This fixture screams draw given the form of both sides and the fact that Palermo would happily take a point now as it would ensure their Serie A status for next season. Draw - A low scoring affair in which both teams leave with a satisfactory point.
The two relegated sides meet as Novara host Cesena. The form of both teams is dreadful which is why they have both been releagated, Novara's 2-2 draw with Fiorentina means they have won just one of their last 8 league games, winning only 6 games all season. Bottom of the table Cesena are win less in 18 games after their 1-0 defeat to Udinese. They are now on an 11 game losing run. Novara might take this given they have home advantage but they were beaten 3-1 by Cesena in the reverse fixture and given the poor run of both sides a draw may be the safest option. Draw - The leagues too worse sides play out a poor draw.
The game of the weekend sees the Milan derby take place as Inter play AC Milan. Inter's 3-1 defeat to Parma was the first defeat of Andrea Stramaccioni's reign and leaves his side in 6th, 3 points behind third placed Napoli. Prior to that defeat Inter had won 3 of their last 4. AC Milan's 2-0 victory over Atalanta saw them move to within a point of leaders Juventus and they will be desperate to keep piling the pressure on the leaders with victory here. Their win over Atalanta means Milan have won 4 of their last 5 outings. This promises to be a tight, bad tempered affair given that the stakes are so high but their is no doubt here that AC Milan are the better side and should win this. Inter may have been revitalised in some areas by Stramaccioni but they continue to leak goals and that is something that Milan should be able to capitalise on given they have the best attack in the league, and the league's top goal scorer. Away Win - Milan continue their pursuit of the title with a good win over their city rivals.
The final game of this weekend sees Cagliari host unbeaten league leaders Juventus. Cagliari's 2-1 defeat to Genoa means they are just six points above the relegation zone and looking over their shoulder. They have won just one of their last five. Juve's relentless pursuit of the title suffered a blip on Wednesday as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Leece, after keeper Buffon made a very uncharacteristic mistake, spilling a shot into his own net. This could be a sign that The Old Lady are starting to bow under the pressure of being league leaders and favourites to lift the trophy. They will know that they could clinch the league title if Inter beat Milan in the derby. Antonio Conte's side have been unstoppable this season and its hard to see them getting beat here, Cagliari will put up a fight but they are on a poor run and Juve could and should bounce back to winning ways here. Away Win - Juve avoid chocking as they continue their pursuit for their first league title in 4 years.
Selected Match Betting:
Juve, Milan, Napoli, Udinese, Atalanta, Parma, Roma & Leece: All To Win - 222/1
Milan V Inter - Ibrahimovic To Score A Brace - 7/2
Roma V Catania - Correct Score: Roma win 3-1 - 10/1
Enjoy The Games!
We begin on Saturday evening with Leece hosting Fiorentina. Leece remain 3 points from safety after they put in a sterling display on Wednesday to draw 1-1 with Juventus. They must win if they are to have any chance of avoiding the drop. Leece's current form does not inspire much confidence with them not winning any of their last 4 games. Fiorentina drew 2-2 with Novara on Wednesday to all but ensure they will play Serie A football next season, they can now only go down on goal difference, which is an extremely unlike scenario. Fiorentina have won just one of their last 5. Fiorentina will also have to adjust to having a new man at the helm in Vincenzo Guerini after Delio Rosi was sacked for attacking midfielder Adem Ljajic during the 2-2 draw with Novara. Ljajic was substituted by Rosi after 22 minutes with Fiorentina 2-0 down. As he walked off Ljajic sarcastically applauded his manager's decision. Enraged Rosi attacked Ljajic as he sat down in the dug out, punches were thrown but the two were quickly separated. The result of the attack saw Rosi loose his job on Thursday morning. With Fiorentina clearly not the happiest of camps at the moment Leece are taken to record a victory in this one, after a great display against Juve they will be confident and knowing they need to win they should take this. Home Win - Leece do their part in the battle to avoid the drop against a Fiorentina side in disarray.
Also on Saturday Roma face Catania. Roma could only manage a goalless draw with Cheivo on Tuesday but they were forced to play in atrocious conditions with a waterlogged pitch and constant rain, officals later admitted the game should have been postponed. That draw sees Roma remain in 7th, 6 points off third spot and they need a miracle now to reach that coveted spot and earn Champions League football. Luis Enrique's men have now gone four games without a victory. Catania remain in 10th despite losing 1-0 to Bologna on Wednesday, they have now not won in 3. Two sides in need of a victory then and its Roma who look most likely to get it. At home Roma have been playing much better than they do away and with the Olimpio crowd behind them they should prove very hard to beat. Home win - Roma keep the European dream alive by beating a Catania team that have very little to play for.
Sunday's early game sees Siena face Parma with the away side still in the hunt for a Europa League spot. Siena drew 1-1 with Lazio in mid week and remain 13th after not picking up a win in 3 games. Parma continued their great run with a 3-1 win over Inter on Wednesday, their 5th straight victory which saw them move with 2 points of 7th placed Roma. Siena has not been a happy hunting ground for Parma in recent seasons, they have failed to win in their last 5 visits but Siena's home form has been poor of late. Parma enter this full of confidence and it seems somewhat irrelevant whether they play away or at home having won their last 2 away fixtures, they should take some stopping. Away Win - Parma's excellent run continues they beat Siena who's poor home form continues.
Lazio face a very tricky trip to Atalanta, who have won their last two at home. Edoardo Reja's Lazio side are win less in 5 games after their draw with Siena. They are a point off third placed Napoli and that all important 3rd Champions League spot. Atalanta were beaten 2-0 by AC Milan in the San Siro on Wednesday, that result aside Atalanta have won 3 of their last 4. Another plus for fans of Atalanta is Lazio haven't beaten their side in 5 attempts at The Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia. Atalanta then are taken to win this, given their good home form and Lazio's awful away form this should be another victory for Atalanta. Home Win - Atalanta fuelled by home support beat a Lazio side low on confidence.
Udinese host Genoa in a game that is crucial for both sides. Udinese gained back to back wins by beating Cesena 1-0 on Wednesday, they are level on points with third placed Napoli and still have a real chance of Champions League qualification. Genoa ended their 14 match win less streak with a 2-1 win over Cagliari, they are now three points ahead of Leece who fill the final relegation spot. Genoa have a decent record at The Stadio Friuli but Udinese should win this as they look to continue their decent spell. Home Win - Udinese will be desperate for that third Champions League place and take a big step toward it with victory over a Genoa side that remain far from safe of relegation.
Udinese's leage rivals Napoli face a difficult trip to Bologna as they look to cement third place. Napoli beat Palermo 2-0 on Tuesday and look to have hit form just at the right time, losing none of their last 4. Bologna too are on a good run, unbeaten in their last 6, including a 1-0 win over Catania on Wednesday. They remain 9th with no real chance of European football next season. Bologna's record against Napoli is poor in recent years with just one win in seven meetings. Again it looks like the team with the most to play for will come out on top and that is Napoli. They have looked back to their old free flowing attacking selves in recent weeks and they should prove to much for Bologna. Away Win - Napoli cement third with a good victory over Bologna.
Palermo host Cheivo as they look to bounce back from that Napoli defeat. Palermo have failed to win any of their last 5 games, but have only lost two of them. They are six points above the relegation zone and could easily be dragged into a last game relegation battle if results go against them. Cheivo's soaked 0-0 draw with Roma on Tuesday saw them move to 12th in the table. They have the exact same record as Palermo in recent weeks with 3 draws and 2 losses in their last 5 games. This fixture screams draw given the form of both sides and the fact that Palermo would happily take a point now as it would ensure their Serie A status for next season. Draw - A low scoring affair in which both teams leave with a satisfactory point.
The two relegated sides meet as Novara host Cesena. The form of both teams is dreadful which is why they have both been releagated, Novara's 2-2 draw with Fiorentina means they have won just one of their last 8 league games, winning only 6 games all season. Bottom of the table Cesena are win less in 18 games after their 1-0 defeat to Udinese. They are now on an 11 game losing run. Novara might take this given they have home advantage but they were beaten 3-1 by Cesena in the reverse fixture and given the poor run of both sides a draw may be the safest option. Draw - The leagues too worse sides play out a poor draw.
The game of the weekend sees the Milan derby take place as Inter play AC Milan. Inter's 3-1 defeat to Parma was the first defeat of Andrea Stramaccioni's reign and leaves his side in 6th, 3 points behind third placed Napoli. Prior to that defeat Inter had won 3 of their last 4. AC Milan's 2-0 victory over Atalanta saw them move to within a point of leaders Juventus and they will be desperate to keep piling the pressure on the leaders with victory here. Their win over Atalanta means Milan have won 4 of their last 5 outings. This promises to be a tight, bad tempered affair given that the stakes are so high but their is no doubt here that AC Milan are the better side and should win this. Inter may have been revitalised in some areas by Stramaccioni but they continue to leak goals and that is something that Milan should be able to capitalise on given they have the best attack in the league, and the league's top goal scorer. Away Win - Milan continue their pursuit of the title with a good win over their city rivals.
The final game of this weekend sees Cagliari host unbeaten league leaders Juventus. Cagliari's 2-1 defeat to Genoa means they are just six points above the relegation zone and looking over their shoulder. They have won just one of their last five. Juve's relentless pursuit of the title suffered a blip on Wednesday as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Leece, after keeper Buffon made a very uncharacteristic mistake, spilling a shot into his own net. This could be a sign that The Old Lady are starting to bow under the pressure of being league leaders and favourites to lift the trophy. They will know that they could clinch the league title if Inter beat Milan in the derby. Antonio Conte's side have been unstoppable this season and its hard to see them getting beat here, Cagliari will put up a fight but they are on a poor run and Juve could and should bounce back to winning ways here. Away Win - Juve avoid chocking as they continue their pursuit for their first league title in 4 years.
Selected Match Betting:
Juve, Milan, Napoli, Udinese, Atalanta, Parma, Roma & Leece: All To Win - 222/1
Milan V Inter - Ibrahimovic To Score A Brace - 7/2
Roma V Catania - Correct Score: Roma win 3-1 - 10/1
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