The Serie A returns this weekend after an international break with the usual 10 games spread over Saturday and Sunday. Saturday sees two evening fixtures with Sunday hosting eight games.
Palermo will be hoping to gain their first points of the season as they host Cagliari in the first of Saturday's games. Palermo were beaten 3-0 by Lazio a fortnight ago after suffering by the same score against a Napoli a week previous. They look set for a struggling season although this represents their easiest task so far. Cagliari gained their first points of the season after a late equaliser saw them draw 1-1 with Atalanta. This fixture is bound to be a cagey affair with both sides struggling to find their form and neither will want to lose this one, a draw looks the most likely outcome. Draw - 2 struggling sides play out an uneventful draw.
AC Milan picked up their first points of the season after winning 3-1 in Bologna. New signing Pazzini grabbed a hat-trick in that game and if he can continue to score goals Milan will surely challenge for the title again. They host Atalanta in the second of Saturday's games. Atalanta were held to a 1-1 draw with Cagliari and are still waiting for their first 3 points of the new campaign. Milan bounced back from their shock start a fortnight ago and expect them to go on a good run of form now, Atalanta will be no doubt winning games soon but they are unlikely to get one here against a Milan outfit that remain classy. Home Win - Milan back in business as they comfortably beat Atalanta.
The first game on Sunday sees Chievo host Lazio as the team from Verona look to bounce back after being beaten 2-0 in Parma two weeks ago. They had begun the season well with victory over Bologna but they look up against it here facing an unbeaten Lazio side. Lazio became one of just 3 teams to have a 100% win record at the start of the season after beating Palermo 3-0. Lazio are certainly more solid at home but in their current vein they will make it two away wins out of two here, though Chievo will pose a threat. Away Win - Lazio continue their great start to the season with victory in Verona.
Pointless Genoa face a daunting task as they host champions Juventus. Genoa were beaten 3-2 by Catania last time out in a hard fought affair and why the attitude of Luigi Di Canio's men can't be questioned their defence certainly can be, conceding 5 goals in their first 2 games has to be of great concern. Juventus have began this campaign as they ended the last by winning and winning well. The old lady thumped Udinese 4-1 in Udine two weeks ago as they continue to look imperious. At some point Juventus will get beaten this season but its highly unlikely to occur here, Genoa lack the fire power to trouble Juventus and Juventus' strong forward line will look to fill their boots against a leaky back line. Away Win - Juventus continue their title defence with another win.
Two of the three newly promoted teams meet as Pescara host Sampdoria. Pescara have lost both their opening fixtures 3-0 including an away defeat at Torino a fortnight ago. Pescara must win games like these, against relegation rivals if they are to have any hope of staying in the division, so far though they have looked out of their depth. That is something that cannot be said for Sampdoria who after beating Milan on the opening day then travelled to Siena and gained a hard thought 2-1 victory. Its still far to early to say what these two teams are capable of this season, Sampdoria have made a great start but they were beaten by Pescara at the end of last season which is reason to hope for the side with no points. A draw seems likely in a game too tough to call. Draw - Could go either way but a draw is the most likely result.
Roma host Bologna in the Stadio Olimpio as they look to continue their good start to the season. Totti and Co. got their first three points of the season by beating Inter 3-1 in Milan. That great team performance saw Daniel Osvaldo score before being sent off, he will be a big miss for Roma after starting the season in great form and bagging two more goals for Italy in midweek. Roma will also be without Daniel De Rossi who has been ruled out for two weeks. Despite the loss of two key men Roma should have enough to beat a Bologna side who have lost their opening two games including a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of AC Milan a fortnight ago. Bologna are unlikely to be dragged into a relegation battle but now is not a good time to play Roma. Home Win - Roma continue their great start at the expense of Bologna.
Fiorentina host Catania as they look to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat against Napoli last time out. Fiorentina won on opening weekend with a great victory over Udinese, Napoli proved too much for them a week later but Catania represent an easier assignment. Catania are unbeaten in this campaign after beating Genoa 3-2 but they have conceded four goals in the opening two games and against a fluid attacking side like Fiorentina they may come unstuck defensively. Its set to be a close affair between two decent sides but the Viola's home advantage and attacking prowess should see them win. Home Win - Fiorentina chalk up win number two of the campaign against Catania.
Siena host Udinese with both teams looking for a change of fortunes after a disappointing start to the season. Siena were beaten 2-1 by newly promoted Sampdoria a fortnight ago and have just one point from their first two games, they look sure to be involved in a relegation scrap come May. Udinese have began poorly by their standards, a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Juventus last time out came after being beaten 2-1 by Fiorentina. This represents Udinese's easiest task of the campaign so far however and expect them too take all 3 points back to Udine. Udinese's front line should prove to much for a Siena defence that has struggled against lesser opposition than Udinese. Away Win - Udinese get their first points on the board at the expense of a poor looking Siena side.
Parma travel to Naples to face Napoli looking for back to back wins. After a being beaten by Juventus on opening weekend Parma bounced straight back with a solid 2-0 win over Chievo. That is about the level Parma are at, good performances against the teams that will be round them in mid table but coming unstuck against the big boys which is why Napoli will beat them on Sunday. Napoli made it two from two by beating Fiorentina 2-1 at home a fortnight ago and look to have adapted well to the loss of Lavezzi to PSG, holding on to Edison Cavani was a huge boost for them and their attacking line is still the envy of many a club in the league. They really should have no problem in making it three in a row here. Home Win - Napoli cruise past Parma who will be safe come May, but this is above them.
The final game of the weekend sees Torino host Inter. Torino have made an unbeaten start to the season, after beating Pescara 3-0 last time out. They face a different test here however playing a wounded Inter who were convincingly beaten 3-1 by Roma a fortnight ago. Inter had began the season well, beating Pescara 3-0 and expect a similar score line here. The front line of Antonio Cassano and Diego Milito will surely be too much for Torino and they will face defeat for the first time this season. Away Win - Inter bounce back with a convincing win over Pescara who get a reality check.
Selected Match Betting:
Inter, Napoli, Udinese, Fiorentina, Roma, Juve, Lazio & Milan - All To Win : 120/1
Napoli V Parma - Edison Cavani to score first : 3-1
Roma V Bologna - Correct Score 3-1: 17/2
Enjoy The Games!
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