Last weekend saw a continuation of bizarre results that have dogged the Serie A this season. Inter Milan, conquers of Juventus the previous week were beaten 3-2 by Atalanta. AC Milan found themselves on the end of another defeat as they lost 3-1 to Fiorentina. And in Rome Lazio won the Rome derby, 3-2 in a game which saw both sides have a man sent off. Elsewhere Torino added to Bologna woes beating them 1-0. Napoli continued their good goal scoring form beating Genoa 4-2. Chievo held Udinese to a 2-2 draw and Parma and Siena also played out a stalemate, that one ending 0-0. Cagliari V Catania also finished 0-0. Palermo beat a now struggling Sampdoria 2-0 and Juventus set about going on another unbeaten run by thrashing Pescara 6-1.
Another defeat for AC Milan has seen them slip to 13th in the league and pressure continues to mount on manager Allegri. There is little doubt that if Milan had a suitable replacement available Allegri would be gone, however negotiations with Pep Guardiola appear to have stalled and the Spaniard is unlikely to take over before the start of next season. Rumours are rife in Italy that a new candidate has come to light, Fiorentina's Vincenzo Montella. Montella has guided Fiorentina to fourth in the division this season, playing some fantastic football. Its easy to see why Milan would want him but his buy out clause is reportedly large and he is said to be happy at Fiorentina. Even so the lure of the San Siro maybe too much for him and if Milan continue in their current vein expect that call to come sooner than later.
This weekend's fixtures and predictions:
Saturday 17 Novmeber
Juventus V Lazio: 17:00 - Home Win
The match of the weekend sees first versus fifth as Juve host Inter Milan. Juve's defeat to Inter shows that they are not indestructible but they manner in which they bounced back last weekend shows both the quality and hunger that they possess. Lazio's win in the derby will have helped their confidence after a couple of blips and they are sure to give the champions a test. It's set to be tight but the Champions get the vote.
Napoli V AC Milan : 19:35 - Home Win
Third placed Napoli will look to continue their pursuit of Juventus with victory over Milan. Napoli's attack are sure to enjoy themselves against an inept looking Milan defence who folded tamely against Fiorentina last weekend. It is unlikely Napoli will get a better chance to beat Milan than the one that presents itself here.
Sunday 18 November
Bologna V Palermo - 11:30 - Draw
Bologna's latest defeat was their eighth of this campaign and they are left second bottom and in real trouble. Palermo are fairing a little better with their victory last weekend seeing them move to fourteenth. Both sides are under performing this season and a stalemate here is the most likely result.
Catania V Chievo - 14:00 - Home Win
Catania have had a promising start to the campaign and currently sit eighth, six places above their opponents. Chievo are another side under achieving and despite a decent draw against Udinese last time they look set for another defeat here. Catania have looked a strong outfit, particularly at home and should pick up another three points here.
Fiorentina V Atalanta - 14:00 - Home Win
Fiorentina are enjoying a great start to the campaign and will be looking to continue it against an Atalanta side full of confidence after overcoming Inter last weekend. Fiorentina's victory over AC Milan last weekend shows just how far Fiorentina have come since a poor campaign last season. They should outclass Atalanta here despite Atalanta enjoying a good run themselves.
Inter Milan V Cagliari - 14:00 - Home Win
Second placed Inter suffered a set back against Atalanta last weekend but their is little doubt they are a quality outfit and an improving one. Cagliari have had a decent start, currently occupying mid table but they look sure to be over run by Inter's classy forward line and as they do not score enough goals themselves this should only end one way.
Siena V Pescara - 14:00 - Draw
Bottom club Siena will look to move away from the bottom when they face a Pescara side still reeling from their drubbing at the hands of Juve last weekend. Prior to that Pescara had looked in decent form and expect them to bounce back and hold Siena here.
Udinese V Parma - 14:00 - Home Win
Udinese have still yet to reach the high standards they set themselves last season and have just 3 wins all season. Parma are a place above Udinese in 9th after a solid start to the campaign. There is little to separate the sides on form but Udinese at home are very strong and that might just prove the difference here.
Sampdoria V Genoa - 19:45 - Draw
Third and fourth bottom meet in this one with both teams on the slide. Sampdoria's promising start now seems a distant memory and they are really struggling at the moment. Genoa too despite a decent beginning have slipped down the table and continue to leak goals. A high scoring draw is the safest option in this tricky contest.
Monday 19 November
Roma V Torino - 19:45 - Home Win
The final match of the weekend sees a Monday night game at the Stadio Olimpico where Roma will look to bounce back from their derby defeat as they host a Torino side who notched up another win last weekend. Roma's third straight derby defeat will do little to aid the confidence of the most unpredictable side in the league but the gillarossi did play well and can take some positives from it. Torino are comfortably in mid table after defeating Bologna last weekend. They face a different proposition here and the all out attacking tactics of Roma could see them over run as an angry Roma bounce back.
Selected Match Odds:
Roma, Udinese, Inter, Fiorentina, Catania, Napoli & Juventus - All To Win: 82/1
Roma V Torino - Lamela To Score First: 4/1
Napoli V AC Milan - Correct Score Napoli 4-0 Milan : 28/1
Enjoy The Games!
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