After mid week European football for several Italian clubs its back to the domestic programme this weekend with all 20 teams in action over two days, 2 games on Saturday two on Sunday.
The first game of the weekend sees Chievo host Sampdoria. Chievo remain win less since the opening day of the season and were hammered 4-1 by Palermo last weekend. They face a Sampdoria side who suffered their first defeat of the season losing 1-0 at Napoli. Sampdoria have proven themselves the surprise package of this season whilst Chievo have been disappointing. In Verona though Chievo are usually strong and will give a wounded Sampdoria a test, its likely this one will end in a stalemate. Draw - Chievo improve but only enough to get a draw against Sampdoria.
Genoa host Palermo in Saturday's later game. Genoa have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 2 of their six games and but remain a side on the up after a solid 0-0 draw with Udinese last weekend. They will look to continue their good performances in recent weeks with victory over a Palermo side who gained their first victory of the season last weekend, beating Chievo 4-1. Palermo had just one point to their name before that victory but will be buoyed by their great victory last time out. Another very tricky puzzle to call with both teams form confusing, a draw seems likely. Draw - Genoa and Palermo battle out a share of the spoils.
Sunday's first game sees Roma host Atalanta at The Stadio Olimpico. Both teams were thumped last time out, Roma beaten 4-1 by Juventus as Zeman's attacking tactics failed completely and Atalanta were on the end of a 5-1 loss to newly promoted Torino. Before those two dreadful results both teams had started the season ok. Roma being their usual inconsistent selves winning 2, drawing 2 and losing 2. While Atalanta have won 2, drawn one and lost 3 of their opening games. Juve's dismantinling of Roma was perhaps predictable, Torino thumping Atalanta was not. Both teams will want to bounce back but it is Roma who look the stronger of the two sides and they get the vote. Home Win - Roma add to Atalanta's woes.
Catania were another side on the end of a hiding last weekend when they were beaten 4-0 by Bologna. They host a Parma side buoyed by a great 1-1 draw with AC Milan. Catania have only won two games so far this campaign and will be low on confidence after being so comfortably beaten. Parma have drawn their last 3 games 1-1 and remain a stubborn outfit set for a mid table position this time round. The indifferent form of both sides points to another draw for Parma and another poor result for Catania. Draw - Two normally solid sides fight out a low scoring draw.
After their great win against Catania, Bologna now travel to Florence to play Fiorentina. Bologna's 4-0 win over Catania was just their second win of the campaign having lost 3 and drawn 1. They face a tough task here against despite Fiorentina being beaten 2-1 by Inter last weekend. The Viola have made an ok start winning 2, drawing 2 and losing 2 but at home they are unbeaten in a run that has seen them take points of Juventus. Fiorentina should record their third win of the season here. Home Win - A return to familiar surroundings sees Fiorentina bounce back to form.
Promoted Pescara host Lazio as the hosts look to make it three wins in a row. Despite their poor start to the season Pescara have looked promising in performances and they are not turning that into results with victories over Palermo and then Cagliari last weekend. They look like they could avoid the drop this season if continuing in the same form. They look set to suffer a set back here though against a strong looking Lazio side. Lazio bounced back from their defeat at the hands of Napoli by beating Siena 2-1 last weekend. They have now won 4 of their opening 6 and are sure to be fighting for a Champions League place come the end of the season given the players they have at their disposal. This will be a test for Lazio but they should overcome it. Away Win - Lazio just edge victory over Pescara.
Torino host Cagliari who have a new man at the helm following the sacking of Massimo Ficadenti this week. Ivo Pulga, a former Cagliari player now takes charge of the sardinians in his first managerial post. He certainly has a job on his hands with Cagliari win less this season and with just two points to their name. They face a Torino side who provided the shock of last weekend by thrashing Atalanta 5-1 to gain their second win of the campaign. Like Pescara and Sampdoria, Pescara have settled well into the Serie A despite a difficult start they look set to rack up another win here with Cagliari in disaray. Home Win - Torino make it win number 3 with victory of Pulga's Cagliari who look in real trouble.
It is Siena's turn this weekend to do what is looking increasingly impossible, beating Juventus. Siena have won just two games this season and were beaten 2-1 by Lazio last time out. In comparison the Juventus juggernaut just keeps rolling, they smashed Roma 4-1 last weekend and look sure to make it 6 wins out of 7 here. Siena do perform well against the big boys but this will be a step to far against a Juventus side who remain head and shoulders above anyone in the league at the moment. Away Win - Another comfortable win for Juventus.
The only team at the moment that look like they could challenge for Juventus' crown is Napoli who host Udinese. Napoli host the same record as Juventus with 5 wins and a draw including a hard fought 1-0 win over Sampdoria last weekend. Udinese continue to underwhelm this season after picking up just one win from 6. They have drawn their last two after a 0-0 with Genoa. Udinese's Achille's heal this season is that they have not scored enough goals, with Di Natale netting just twice this campaign. That is a great concern for any team that faces Napoli as they will probably concede goals given Napoli's attacking flair lead by the leagues top scorer Edison Cavani. That may well prove to be the difference between the two sides here and as such Napoli get the vote. Home Win - Udinese can't contain Napoli's attack as they slump to another defeat.
The final match of the weekend is one of the biggest of the season - The Milan Derby. The derby this season is made even more interesting given the state of the respective Milan sides. Inter have begun well, with 4 wins and 2 defeats. Their new recruit from Milan, Antonio Cassano has settled well and looks sure to cause problems for the Milan defence. Milan are in crisis with just 2 wins this season and 3 defeats. They have sold a very low number of tickets for this huge game as fans have become increasingly dissolusioned with how the club is being run. Manager Massimilano Allegri has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks and their is a strong rumour in Italy that Pep Guardiola is being offered the largest pay packet in Italian football history to take over at Milan. On the pitch Milan won their last game, a 2-0 win over Cagliari. Inter too won beating Fiorentina 2-1. This will be a fascinating game and it is is Inter who look to have the edge over their rivals for the first time in a few seasons, they might just edge it. Inter Win - Derby joy for Inter as Milan plunge further into crisis.
Selected Match Betting:
Inter, Napoli, Juve, Torino, Lazio, Fiorentina & Roma - All To Win : 47/1
Inter V Milan - Cassano to score last : 7/1
Roma V Atalanta - Correct Score - Roma 3-1 Atalanta: 9/1
Enjoy The Games
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