A relatively quite week in Italy's top flight this week with no managerial sackings, big transfer rumours or hooligan trouble. For once it would seem the biggest story of the week has occurred on the pitch with AC Milan beating Champions Juventus 1-0 on Sunday evening. That was Juve's second defeat of the season and they are now just two points ahead of Napoli. Although they were undone by a Robiniho penalty against Milan the performances of The Old Lady in recent weeks have not been to the level that saw them go unbeaten for all of last season. In contrast to Juve, AC Milan have looked resurgent in recent weeks, capped by their win over the Champions. Allegri's job maybe far from safe but he has turned Milan around and they look like a side who could continue up the league. Their dismal start will linger long in the memory of Milan's fans but their is certainly now hope for them with two thirds of the season still left to play.
Elsewhere Palermo got a much needed win as they beat Catania 3-1 in a surprising result. Another surprise saw Atalanta slump to another defeat as they were beaten 1-0 at home to Genoa. A late goal saw Fiorentina rescue a point at Torino in a 2-2 draw. In a relegation clash Sampdoria overcame Bologna 1-0. An early goal from Destro saw Roma gain an away win in Pescara. Chievo and Siena played out a goalless stalemate. Parma sprung a surprise as they beat third placed inter 1-0 but their was no surprise in Cagliari as the home side were beaten 1-0 by Napoli. The final game of the week saw Lazio ease aside Udinese 3-0.
This Weekend's Fixtures and Predictions:
Friday 30 November:
Catania V AC Milan - 19:45 - Away Win
Catania have looked their usual solid selves this season and currently occupy eighth, a position you can expect them to be around for the rest of the campaign. They are at the moment though suffering a wobble and having been comprehensively beaten last time out it is Milan who get the tentative vote after beating Juventus they have shown they maybe ready to put a run together and they should have enough to overcome Catania.
Saturday 1 December:
Juventus V Torino - 19:45 - Home Win
Despite being beaten last time out the Champions should return to winning ways here against a Torino side who haven't won in 2 games. Their draw with Fiorentina at the weekend was impressive but an angered Juventus will be a different proposition. The Champions will bounce back in style here.
Sunday 2 December:
Napoli V Pescara - 11:30 - Home Win
Napoli are in terrific form at the moment and even without Cavani they are a force to be reckoned with. Pescara have lost all of their last three games and look set for another defeat here. Juve put 6 past them three weeks ago, it would be little surprise for Napoli to rack up a similar tally in this one.
Bologna V Atalanta - 14:00 - Away Win
Two teams who lost last weekend meet in this one and it is Atalanta who should come out on top. Despite losing last time out they can bounce back and can overcome a Bologna side who are second from bottom and are low on confidence.
Genoa V Chievo - 14:00 - Draw
Sixteenth face seventeenth as Chievo travel to Genoa. Both sides have been disappointing this season which is reflected in their league position. Both are proving hard to predict but a low scoring draw seems the most likely result.
Inter V Palermo - 14:00 - Home Win
Inter are struggling at the minute but they could bounce back here. Back in the San Siro where they have only lost once this season they should be able to overcome Palermo. Palermo's win over Catania was much needed and that will of helped their confidence, they will test Inter but the home side will edge it.
Lazio V Parma - 14:00 - Home Win
Lazio remain in great form after overcoming Udinese in some style and they should have enough to beat resurgent Parma in this one. Parma got a good win last weekend but they remain an inconsistent side particularly away from home and they will fall short against Lazio's attack in the Stadio Olimipico.
Siena V Roma - 14:00 - Away Win
Roma have looked promising in recent weeks and could continue that run here against Siena who despite being unbeaten in 5 are a side still set for a relegation struggle. Roma's attack has been effected by the absence of Lamela but with Destro finding form they remain a side with great attacking prowess that will surely test Siena's defence.
Udinese V Cagliari - 14:00 - Home Win
Udinese this season have won 3, lost 4 and drawn 7 of their 14 games in what has been so far a poor campaign for them. They have a good opportunity here though to record win number 5 against a Cagliari side who haven't won in 4 games. Udinese have only lost once at home all season and they should have enough to beat a Cagliari side who are struggling at the moment.
Fiorentina V Sampdoria - 19:45 - Home Win
Despite only managing a draw against Torino last weekend, Fiorentina are taken to win this one. That draw sees them remain in third place and showed again how far Vincenzo Montella has taken his side in a short space of time. Unbeaten in 8 games and unbeaten at home all season they will take all the beating. Sampdoria's win last weekend will of helped their confidence but Fiorentina will prove too much for them.
Selected Match Betting:
Fiorentina, Udinese, Roma, Lazio, Atalanta, Napoli, Juve & AC Milan - All To Win: 133/1
Fiorentina V Sampdoria - Fiorentina to win 4-0: 16/1
Siena V Roma - Destro To Score First: 4/1
Enjoy The Games!
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