After a full mid week fixture list the next round of Serie A games begins with the traditional two games on Saturday and eight on Sunday.
The first of Saturday's games sees Parma host AC Milan. Parma gained their second draw in a row as they drew with Genoa, 1-1 on Wednesday. They have 5 points from their opening 5 games and have won just one game. Milan bounced back to form with a 2-0 win over Cagliari easing pressure on manager Allegri. That win was just Milan's second of the season and they will have to put a run of good results together if Allegri is too keep his job. They are taken to start that run here given Parma regularly struggle against the big clubs and Milan's need to win. Away Win - Milan make it back to back wins.
The second of Saturday's games is a fascinating encounter as champions Juventus host Roma. Juve showed you can't win them all as they were held to a 0-0 draw with Fiorentina on Tuesday. They remain unbeaten however and remain top of the league with 4 wins and a draw. Roma threw away another lead as they drew 1-1 with Sampdoria on Wednesday. It is the same old story for Totti & Co. with great attacking play but weak at the back. Roma have a poor record in Turin but they should give it a go under Zeman's new attack philosophy. Juve don't score many goals and that might be the key to this if they cannot test Roma's defence enough then Roma have a real chance of getting something from the game. Very difficult to call and a draw seems likely, probably with Roma throwing away a lead again. Draw - two decent sides play out an exciting draw.
The first of Sunday's games sees Udinese host Genoa. Both teams drew in mid week with Udinese being held to a 0-0 with Torino and Genoa coming from behind to draw with Parma 1-1. The hosts are yet to reach the dizzy heights they enjoyed last season, winning just one game so far this campaign. They remain a good side, beating AC Milan last weekend enforced this notion. But they must start beating the so called lesser teams if they are to have any hope of reaching the European places this time round. Genoa have won 2 of their opening 5, including a win over Lazio. However, there remains a consensus that they are set to struggle this season and that view should be upheld here as Udinese at home are very difficult team to beat. Home Win - Udinese edge past Genoa
Bologna host Catania as the hosts look for their first win in three games. Bologna were beaten by a late Siena goal on Thursday night, the match finished 1-0 and Bologna still have just 4 points and one solitary win to their name. Catania recorded their second win of the new campaign beating Atalanta 2-1 in a solid performance on Wedneday. Bologna should be safe this season but they have not begun well. In comparison Catania have begun with their usual consistency and they may well grab a European place come May. It is Catania who get the vote in this one to continue their good start to the season. Away Win - Catania record a decent win in Bologna.
Siena will look to make it three wins in a row when they travel to Rome to face Lazio. Siena moved into positive points with their victory over Bologna and have only lost one game so far this season. They look as if they could be the surprise package of this season, given their struggles in previous campaigns they have made a great start to this one. Lazio had a great start but have quickly lost form with two defeats in a row including a 3-0 trouncing by Napoli in mid week. Given the current form of the two sides it would be easier to side with Siena for this one but Lazio are a very good outfit and will be determined to bounce back in front of their home supporters. Siena will make it tough but it is Lazio who should take all three points here. Home Win - Lazio return to form with a good home win.
Palermo host Chievo with both teams in desperate need of a win. Palermo went down 1-0 to Pescara on Wedneday, a result that saw them remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just one point from their opening 5 games. New manager Gian Piero Gasperini has had no honeymoon period over seeing 2 straight defeats, there is little doubt he has a huge job on his hands. Cheivo have failed to win since the opening weekend and suffered their fourth defeat in a row as they lost to Inter 2-0 in midweek. Both teams are struggling for goals and this looks set to be a very cagey affair but it is Cheivo who the get the vote, they have been unfortunate with their fixtures, having had to play Lazio, Juve and Inter in a row and this is a much easier assignment. Both teams should be safe come May but Palermo will have to suffer a transitional phase under their new manager and that phase looks a long way from completion. Away Win - Chievo get a much needed win at a struggling Palermo.
Sampdoria face another stern test when they host Napoli. Despite being down to ten men Sampdoria rescued a draw against Roma in midweek and they remain unbeaten having won 3 and drawn 2 of their opening games. They look by far the strongest of the promoted sides and if they continue playing as they are they will be more than safe this season. Napoli recorded great 3-0 win over Lazio on Wednesday with Cavani scoring a hatrick. They too are unbeaten winning four of their opening five. Two teams then in great form but the attacking flair of Napoli should be too much for Sampdoria here. Away Win - Napoli inflict a first defeat of the season on Sampdoria.
Atalanta host Torino as they look too bounce back from a defeat in midweek.The hosts were beaten 2-1 by Catania, their second defeat of the season. Torino proved again that they are hard team to beat as they held Udinese to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday. They have drawn three of their opening five, losing just once. Atalanta should change that record here though given their decent home form. Torino have looked unconvincing away from home and they could well come unstuck again here. Home Win - Atalanta just edge a home win.
Cagliari play their first home game of the season after their new stadium was finally declared safe to host Serie A matches. On the pitch Cagliari have struggled, without a win all season they are looking to avoid 3 straight defeats after being beaten 2-0 by AC Milan in mid week. They face a Pescara side who recorded their first win of the season on Wednesday beating Palermo 1-0. Despite that win Pescara, like Cagliari look set to struggle this campaign and the stuttering form of both sides makes this one very hard to call. Cagliari will be buoyed by playing in their new stadium but Pescara will cause them problems. Draw - Two struggling teams share the spoils.
Inter host Fiorentina in the final game of this weekend after both teams gained good results in midweek. Inter beat Chievo 2-0 while Fiorentina held Juventus to a 0-0 draw. Both teams have begun inconsistent with Inter winning 3 and losing 2 and Fiorentina winning 2, drawing 2 and losing 1. Both teams will be looking to put a string of good results together which should make for an open game but this one again is too hard to call. Draw - Two decent sides play out an entertaining draw.
Selected Match Odds:
Atalanta, Napoli, Chievo, Lazio, Catania, Udinese & Milan - All To Win : 268/1
Sampdoria V Napoli - Correct Score, Napoli To Win 3-0: 16/1
Juventus V Roma - First Goalscorer: Mattia Destro: 15/2
Enjoy The Games!
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