With no European competitions this mid week the Serie A hosts a full fixture programme spread over Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. In the few days since the last games were played the Italian media has been fixated on two issue, the ongoing shambles at Cagliari and the poor form of AC Milan. Cagliari's game with Roma on Sunday was postponed due to Cagliari inviting fans to attend the game at their new stadium despite Italian football officials telling the Sardinian club that the ground was not yet ready to host games and it would have to held behind closed doors. Cagliari have reacted angrily to the games postponement and the aftermath which say the Italian F.A award a 3-0 victory to Roma as Cagliari's punishment. Cagliari believe that their stadium is safe and that the F.A are showing disinterest in resolving the issue. This is another blow to the Serie A's credibility at a time when Italian football needs stability and calm in the wake of the match fixing scandal another crisis occurs making a laughing stock of the league and those running it. There remains no news as to when or how the issue will be resolved.
Ironically Cagliari's next opponents AC Milan are also in crisis after suffering another defeat. They were beaten 2-1 by Udinese on Sunday in a game which saw two of their men see red. Milan have picked up just three points from their opening 4 games and pressure continues to grow on Allegri. Most anger however is directed toward the Milan board after the sale of Ibrahimovic and Tiago Silva. Followers of Milan remain at a loss as too how these players were sold and not replaced but also as to how Allegri cannot put out a winning side with players such as Pazzini, Nocerino and Ambrosini at his disposal. If Milan fail to beat Cagliari on Wednesday in The San Siro it is expected Allegri's tenure will come to a swift end.
To the action then and Tuesday's sole game sees Fiorentina host Juventus. Fiorentina were held to a 1-1 draw with Parma last Saturday and this posses a much bigger test against a Juventus side who won yet again last weekend beating Chievo 2-0. Juve have won all four of their games and expected them to continue that against a Fiorentina side that have had a good start but will be found out here. Away Win - Juve continue their staggering form.
The first of eight games on Wednesday sees Pescara host Palermo. Pescara gained a good point in a 1-1 draw with Bologna. That solitary point is all the newly promoted side have after 4 games and they remain a side set to struggle this season. The same could be said of Palermo who slumped to another defeat losing 1-0 at Atalanta. They too have just one point from their opening games and despite replacing their manager they look like a side on a decline. Two sides then that are struggling and in a game that neither can afford to lose a draw is the most likely out come. Draw - two poor sides play out a low scoring draw.
Udinese travel to Torino on the back of a great 2-1 win over AC Milan that could kick start their season after picking up just one point from their their first three games. Torino gained a solid 1-1 draw with Sampdoria last weekend and have started the season brightly with just one defeat in their opening 4 games. It is Udinese though that are taken to win this one given the confidence boost received after the Milan win, they should be too much for Torino. Away Win - Udinese outclass Torino.
Roma host Sampdoria in The Stadio Olimipico having not played a competitive game for 10 days after their game with Cagliari was postponed. Having all 3 points award to them in the wake of that postponement is a great boost for Zeman's men who have moved up to fifth in the table. Their last game saw them lose 3-2 to Bologna but they have had plenty of time to get over that and should regain the winning thread here. Promoted Sampdoria had begun the season well before being held to a 1-1 draw with Torino last weekend. They remain the strongest of the promoted teams but a rested Roma side at home should be too strong for them. Home Win - Roma bounce back to form.
Catania host Atalanta as they look to build on their solid draw against Napoli last time out. That 0-0 draw saw Catania continue their promising start taking 5 points from the opening four games. Their opponents Atalanta beat Palermo 1-0 to move on the same points total. This is a meeting of two decent sides that will be battling for Europa league places come the end of the season. With both sides starting well this is too hard to call. Draw - Two decent sides play out an entertaining draw.
Chievo host Inter as both teams look to bounce back from defeats last weekend. Chievo succumbed to the might of Juventus losing 2-0, a result that means they have no lost three in a row. Inter as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Siena. They have no lost two and won two of their opening games. Inter dominated against Siena but didn't take their chances likely hood here is that Inter will take their chances especially against a defence that is leaking goals. It certainly wont be easy but Inter will bounce back as the problems mount for Chievo. Away Win - Inter narrowly take the spoils.
Genoa host Parma with both teams looking to gain good back to back results. Genoa caused an upset last weekend beating promising Lazio 1-0. That win gave Genoa their second win of the season having lost their previous two. Parma fought a 1-1 with Fiorentina to gain their first draw of the season and their fourth point. Both sides should find themselves in mid table as the season progresses but its Genoa who get the vote in this one, the victory over Lazio is certain to have been a moral booster and with home advantage they should take all three points in this one. Home Win - Genoa's good start continues.
Two clubs in crisis meet when Cagliari travel to The San Siro to face AC Milan. Cagliari's postponed game against Roma last weekend meant that Cagliari's poor start to the season looks even worse after Roma were awarded all 3 points. Cagliari are still yet to win this season and have just two points to their name. AC Milan were beaten again last weekend losing 1-0 to Atalanta in the shock of the weekend. Milan have just 3 points from 4 games and are in desperate need in a change of fortune. A chance is taken that Milan know what is at stake in this game with their manager under increasing pressure they should give a big performance. They are lucky to have been given a decent opportunity here against a Cagliari side who have their own problems along with poor form on the pitch. Away Win - Milan win for Allegri.
Napoli host Lazio in Wednesday's final game as both sides look to bounce back from dissapointing results. Napoli were held in Catania to a goaless draw last weekend which saw their winning streak coming to end after 3 games. Lazio too lost their 100% record losing 1-0 to Genoa. Both sides sit second and third in the table respectivly with just a point seperating them. That small gap shows how close this game will be and with both sides looking to bounce back this is set to be entertaining affair. It's Napoli though that get the tentative vote as they are usually strong at home throughout the season. Home Win - Napoli just edge it with the help of the Stadio San Paulo faithfull.
Thursday's only game sees Bologna travel to Siena. Siena provided a shock last weekend beating Inter 2-0 to gain their first win of the season. They had drawn two and lost one of their previous three games. Bologna were unable to build on their dramatic win over Roma a fortnight ago as they were held to a 1-1 draw with promoted Pescara. That victory remains their sole win of the campaign having lost their two of their 3 games, drawing the other. Siena were thought of by many as a side that would struggle this season but they have begun well despite their points reduction at the start of the season they now sit on just -1 and will be looking to get away from the bottom three soon enough. They face a difficult task here though against a Bologna side who are inconsistent but more than capable of beating Siena on their day. On current form and with home advantage Siena might take this but Bologna regulary upset the odds so a draw is the safest call. Draw - Two ok sides play out a cagey draw.
Selected Match Odds:
Milan, Genoa, Inter, Udinese, Roma, Juve & Napoli - All To Win - 153/1
AC Milan V Cagliari - Correct Score - Milan 3-0 - 10/1
Roma V Sampdoria - First Goalscorer - Florenzi - 7/1
Enjoy The Games!
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