Another turbulent week in the Serie A began with Pescara coach Giovanni Stroppa resigning from his post after his side were beaten 1-0 by Siena on Sunday, a result which has left them third from bottom. His replacement was named on Tuesday, Cristiano Bergodi a former Pescara player who lands his first Serie A job after a spell managing in the lower leagues.
In what should of been a celebratory week for Italian football with both Juventus & AC Milan winning in the Champions league the headlines were taken again by Italy's continuing hooligan problem. Wednesday saw a group of Napoli fans torch a car belonging to a group of Foggia fans who were on their way back from a Serie D game. Luckily no one was seriously injured and those responsible arrested. Then in the early hours of Thursday morning a bar in the centre of Rome was set upon by Lazio ultras who attacked Tottenham fans, in the capital ahead of their Europa League game with Lazio on Thursday evening. One man was left seriously injured and he and a further 10 men were taken to hospital. For some time hooliganism in Italy has not gained the publicity it used to enjoy, these isolated occurrences certainly do not suggest a resurgence in hooliganism but show again how in Italy it remains to sit just below the surface ready to strike whenever an opportunity arises.
On the pitch results continue to be full of surprises. Both Saturday fixtures ended in a draw as leaders Juve were held by Lazio to a 0-0 bore draw and Milan drew 2-2 with Napoli. Sunday saw much needed wins for Sampdoria who beat genoa 3-1 and Bologna who dispatched Palermo 3-0. Catania overcame Chievo 2-1 in a tight affair. Fiorentina continued their good form by thumping Atalanta 4-1. Inter were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Cagliari in a shock result. Udinese and Parma also played out a 2-2 draw and Siena overcame Pescara 1-0. Monday's game saw Roma return to form, beating Torino 2-0.
This Weeks Fixtures, Previews & Predictions:
Saturday 24 November
Palermo V Catania - 19:45 - Away Win
Palermo remain a team on the slide after being beaten by fellow strugglers Bologna last weekend. They have now lost their last there last three games and look set for another defeat here against a Catania side who look a good outfit and look set for a top 10 finish even at this early stage.
Sunday 25 November
Atalanta V Genoa - 14:00 - Home Win
Atalanta were comfortably beaten by an inform Fiorentina side last time out but they are taken to bounce straight back against bottom side Genoa. Atalanta remain in mid table and continue to be a difficult side to beat especially at home. Genoa are likely to find the home side too strong.
Chievo V Siena - 14:00 - Draw
Chievo have been surprise strugglers this season but they did gain a much needed win last weekend. Despite being second bottom Siena's form is stronger than their opponent's with their points deduction meaning they remain in the relegation zone. Despite that Siena remain difficult to predict and a draw between these two struggling sides seems most likely.
Pescara V Roma - 14:00 - Away Win
Pescara's one nil defeat last weekend forced them into a change of management. In the long run that may prove a positive move but Bergodi is unlikely get off to a winning start here against a Roma side that although hard to predict continue to score at will. The home side look set to struggle against an attack as strong as Roma and Zeman's side can make it two wins from two.
Sampdoria V Bologna - 14:00 - Draw
These sides sit 14th and 15th respectively in the table and both gained much needed wins last time out. On paper there is very little to separate them and with both teams desperate not to lose its likely this one will end in a stalemate.
Torino V Fiorentina - 14:00 - Away Win
Fiorentina continue to play great football and get results, their 4-1 thumping of Atalanta saw them move up to third in the table and they are likely to notch up another win here. Torino remain in mid table but have won just one of their last five and will find Fiorentina too strong.
AC Milan V Juventus - 19:45 - Away Win
The game of the weekend sees Juventus travel to Milan. Both teams could only manage draws last time out which saw Juventus remain top and Milan stay 12th. The table doesn't lie and the gulf in class between these two may never have been wider. Juventus continue to look imperious particularly defensively whereas Milan regularly look shaky. This should be a straight forward win for the Champions.
Monday 26 November
Cagliari V Napoli - Away Win
Both these sides drew their games 2-2 last weekend showing the attacking prowess but also defensive weakness of themselves. Napoli have the upper hand in both departments in this one and they should be too strong for Cagliari. Expect goals in this one but Napoli will prevail.
Parma V Inter - Away Win
Parma are stuck in mid table after another draw last weekend and they are unlikely to increase their point tally here against a strong Inter side who currently occupy second place. Parma haven't won any of their last 3 and Inter none of their last 2 so expect a cagey affair but Inter should edge it.
Tuesday 27 November
Lazio V Udinese - Draw
Both these sides have been hard to predict this campaign with Udinese having a dreadful start that sees them occupy 10th in the table, poor by their standards. Lazio started so well but have in recent weeks failed to put a long run of good results together. Both teams drew their last games and this is set to be another tight affair.
Selected Match Odds:
Inter, Napoli, Juventus, Fiorentina, Atalanta, Roma & Catania - All To Win:
AC Milan V Juventus - Juventus Win 3-0 : 18/1
Cagliari V Napoli - Insigne To Score first: 11/2
Enjoy The Games!
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