Another eventful week in the Serie A this week which began with another managerial sacking as Ciro Ferrera was sacked as manager of Sampdoria. Despite a great start to the season Sampdoria have now slipped to fourteenth in the table. His replacement is the controversial Delio Rossi who managed Fiorentina last season but was sacked after punching his own player in the dugout.
Cagliari's stadium fiasco continues as authorities announced that their game on Friday against Juventus would be played in Parma after authorities decided the Is stadium in Cagliari was deemed unfit to host the game. This long running battle between Cagliari and the authorities continues to be an embarrassment for Italian football.
Also this week the authorities established that 3 Napoli players were involved in a match fixing scandal in 2010. The result of the investigation has seen Napoli fined and deducted 2 points. Two players, Paulo Cannervaro and Gianluca Grava have been banned for 6 months and former Goalkeeper Matteo Gianello has been banned for 3 years. It is understood that before Napoli played Sampdoria in 2010 Gianello suggested to Cannervaro and Grava that they should attempt to fix the game, the duo refused but did not report the offer to the authorities. The result has left Napoli ten points behind leaders Juventus and they are certain to appeal against their punishment.
On the pitch last weekend saw Napoli beaten 3-2 by Bologna in a shock result. Leaders Juve cruised past Atalanta 3-0. Genoa drew 1-1 with Torino and Udinese and Palermo shared the same score line. Sunday also saw 3 games finish 4-1, with AC Milan continuing their good run against Pescara, Parma thump Cagliari and Fiorentina bounce back against Siena. Catania beat Sampdoria 3-1 and Inter missed a chance to close on Juve as they were beaten 1-0 by Lazio. Chievo overcame Roma 1-0 with an 87th minute strike from Pellissier which gained the team from Verona a much needed win.
Fixtures & Predictions To This Weekend's Games:
Friday 21st December:
Pescara V Catania - 17:00 - Away Win
Third from bottom Pescara are really struggling at the moment, having let in 15 goals in their last 4 games its easy to see were their problems lie. They face a Catania side who lie eighth after a good win against Sampdoria last weekend, they continue to score goals at a decent rate and that only means bad news for Pescara. Catania should take this one comfortably.
Cagliari V Juventus - 19:45 - Away Win
The return of Conte to the dugout certainly boosted Juve last weekend as they cruised past Atalanta to go seven points clear. They face a Cagliari side who have lost all their last three and two of them have been by 3 goal margins. Only one outcome in this one.
Saturday 22nd December:
Inter Milan V Genoa - 11:30 - Home Win
Second place Inter should keep the heat on Juventus with victory over Genoa. Despite losing to Lazio last weekend Inter have proven themselves a good outfit this season and they should easily overcome second bottom Genoa who have lost two of their last three.
Atalanta V Udinese - 14:00 - Draw
A very tricky mid table clash sees Atalanta host Udinese with both teams experiencing poor seasons by their standards. Atalanta are currently 12th and Udinese 9th, both sides will feel they can get something from this and that sets up a cagey affair which will more than likely produce few goals. A draw is the safest bet.
Bologna V Parma - 14:00 - Draw
Another mid table clash that sees two teams in good form battle it out. Bologna's great victory over Napoli last weekend was the highlight of their season so far and they will enter this full of confidence. The same however can be said for Parma who demolished Cagliari last time out. Parma may well prove harder to break down than Napoli and they will frustrate the home side into a low scoring draw.
Palermo V Fiorentina - 14:00 - Away Win
Palermo are currently sitting just above the relegation zone and suffered another defeat last weekend. They face a high flying Fiorentina side that bounced back from defeat in Rome in some style beating Siena 4-1 in their last game. Despite changing manager Palermo's fortunes remain unchanged that they look set for another defeat here against a strong Fiorentina.
Sampdoria V Lazio - 14:00 - Away Win
Sampdoria fans may have to be patient with new manager Rossi who faces a daunting task in his first game in charge against third placed Lazio. Lazio gained a great win over Inter last time out and will want to build on that momentum before the winter break. Sampdoria are desperate to stop the rot that has seen them free fall down the table but Lazio are likely to be too strong for them.
Siena V Napoli - 14:00 - Away Win
Both these teams were beaten last time out but it is fifth placed Napoli who are taken to bounce back against bottom club Siena. The amount of goals Siena have been shipping is concern enough to say Napoli will take this one given their attacking force. This should be comfortable for Napoli.
Torino V Chievo - 14:00 - Away Win
Torino have been tumbling down the table but managed to stop the rot with a draw against Genoa. Chievo had a disastrous start but are now climbing into mid table safety after 3 straight wins, including a great win against Roma last time. Chievo are the better team out of these two and they are taken to show it here especially considering the form they are in. It may be a cagey affair but Chievo should edge it.
Roma V AC Milan - 19:45 - Home Win
Two of the most unpredictable sides meet in the match of the weekend which sees sixth placed Roma play seventh placed Milan. Milan have been on a great run after their horror start and now look like the side they were last season, Roma meanwhile have been brilliant one week and then dire the next throughout the campaign. It is Zeman's men who get the vote however given home advantage. Roma were fantastic against Fiorentina a fortnight ago and a repeat performance will see them beat Milan comfortably. Milan will of course prove a test but I suspect this will be a goal fest and at the moment Roma just edge it in both defence and attack.
The next round of games in on the 5th of January. The next blog post will be a few days before. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.
Selected Match Betting:
Roma, Chievo, Napoli, Lazio, Fiorentina, Inter, Juve & Catania - All To Win : 292/1
Roma V AC Milan - Roma Win 4-3: 50/1
Siena V Napoli - Cavani Brace : 100/30
Enjoy The Games!
Friday, 21 December 2012
Friday, 7 December 2012
Gameweek 16 - The Return Of Conte
This week sees the return of Juventus head coach Antonio Conte to the Juve bench. Conte has now served his 4 month ban given to him at the start of the season after he failed to report match fixing incidents during his time as Siena manager. Conte has been forced to watch his team from the stands for the entirety of the campaign and has not been allowed in the dressing room prior to the game and at half time. Despite his absence Juve are top of the Serie A and have qualified for the last 16 of The Champions League. There is little doubt though that the return of the man who guided them to an unbeaten season last season will be a big boost for Juve.
On the pitch last weekend Juve won yet again beating Torino 3-0 on Saturday evening. Prior to that the Friday night game saw AC Milan win their second game in a row as they beat Catania 3-1. Sunday saw Fiorentina draw 2-2 with Sampdoria as the Viola continue to stutter. Chievo got a much needed win as they beat Genoa away 4-2. Udinese too got a valuable 3 points as they thrashed Cagliari 4-1. Both Rome teams won with Roma overcoming Siena 3-1 and Lazio beating Parma 2-1. Inter got back on track beating Palermo 1-0 while second placed Napoli thumped Pescara 5-1 and Atalanta continued their poor run as they were beaten 2-1 by Bologna.
This Weekends Fixtures & Predictions:
Saturday 8th December:
Atalanta V Parma - 17:00 - Draw
Atalanta have lost four on the bounce and Parma have won just once in 5 games. That alone points to a draw for this one. Atalanta's poor run has come as a surprise given how strong they were last season. Their poor run will come to an end soon but its unlikely to here given Parma's solidarity. I can't see either team doing enough to win the game.
Roma V Fiorentina - 19:45 - Home Win
Roma have won all of their last 3 games and they are taken to make it four from four at home to Fiorentina. Zeman can recall Danielle De Rossi who has now served his 3 match suspension for being sent off in the Rome derby. His return will solidify a still shakey looking defence for the Gillarossi. Fiorentina have been the surprise package of this season currently sitting in fourth and just 6 points off the top they have had a great first half of the campaign. However they have drawn their last 2 games against teams they really should be beating in Sampdoria and Pescara. In their current vein Fiorentina look set to struggle in this one.
Sunday 9th December
Cagliari V Chievo - 14:00 - Draw
13th meets 15th as Cagliari host Chievo. Cagliari haven't won any of their last 5 games and were taken apart by Udinese last weekend. Chievo have been bitterly disappointing all season but did get a much needed win last time out. They are inconsistent though, which is reflected in their league position and although they may build on that win a draw is most likely given the current form of both sides.
Palermo V Juventus - 14:00 - Away Win
The return of Conte is sure to boost Juve morale and can record win number 12 of the season against Palermo. Palermo currently sit just above the relegation zone and have lost 7 of their 15 games this season, they were only narrowly beaten by Inter last time but Juve will prove to be a different proposition and I can't see Palermo troubling the champions at all.
Pescara V Genoa - 14:00 - Draw
A relegation scrap sees Pescara host Genoa. Pescara are now bottom of the table after losing all 5 of their previous 5 games. Genoa are third from bottom and have won just once in 5 attempts. Pescara's defence has been their main issue with a goal difference of -20 double that of the nearest worst goal difference, Genoa's -10. Goals then are to be expected but a draw seems most likely given that neither team will want to lose this one.
Siena V Catania - 14:00 - Draw
Siena have lost just one of their last 5 games but remain second from bottom due to their points deduction. Their were comfortably beaten by Roma last weekend but face an easy challenge here against a Catania side that have lost their last two games. Catania are currently tenth but should be higher given the talent in their squad. Much like Atalana their bad run is unlikely to last much longer but away to Siena is no easy fixture and they will be held to draw.
Torino V AC Milan - 14:00 - Away Win
Torino have lost their last two games and things don't get any easier when they host AC Milan on Sunday. The visitors have won their last two and are clambering up the table after a disastrous start to the campaign. I fully expect Milan to win this comfortably, Torino look like a side heading for a relegation battle.
Inter V Napoli - 19:45 - Away Win
The game of the weekend sees second travel to third. Inter are two points behind Napoli in the table and will be looking to leapfrog them after this game. Their form though has taken a dip and they only just overcame Palermo last weekend. Napoli however will come into the game full of confidence after thrashing Pescara. A lot has been said of Napoli's attack and they again could be the key to this one. It is likely both teams will score but its Napoli who are the more likely to score more.
Monday 10th December
Sampdoria V Udinese - 18:00 - Draw
Sampdoria did well to earn a draw against Fiorentina last weekend and they look set to draw again here against an improving Udinese. Udinese's victory over Cagliari was just their fourth win of the season, unacceptable by their standards. They have however drawn more games than any team in the division, 7 which is why they are not in a worse position. Udinese's best form is at home and they would take another draw now if offered it. It is the most likely result however given that Udinese are in better shape than their hosts but they are still likely to fall short.
Bologna V Lazio - 20:00 - Away Win
Bologna's win last weekend saw them move away from the relegation zone though they remain a team in trouble given their inconsistent form. Lazio are in good heart after winning their last two and should take this one, currently fifth they will want to climb into the top four and cement a Champions League position. With that incentive they will comfortably beat a bologna side that cannot be trusted in their current form.
Selected Match Odds and Betting:
Lazio, Napoli, Milan, Juve & Roma - All To Win : 47/1
Roma V Fiorentina - Roma to win 3-2: 14/1
Palermo V Juve - First goal scorer Quagliarella: 4/1
Enjoy The Games!
On the pitch last weekend Juve won yet again beating Torino 3-0 on Saturday evening. Prior to that the Friday night game saw AC Milan win their second game in a row as they beat Catania 3-1. Sunday saw Fiorentina draw 2-2 with Sampdoria as the Viola continue to stutter. Chievo got a much needed win as they beat Genoa away 4-2. Udinese too got a valuable 3 points as they thrashed Cagliari 4-1. Both Rome teams won with Roma overcoming Siena 3-1 and Lazio beating Parma 2-1. Inter got back on track beating Palermo 1-0 while second placed Napoli thumped Pescara 5-1 and Atalanta continued their poor run as they were beaten 2-1 by Bologna.
This Weekends Fixtures & Predictions:
Saturday 8th December:
Atalanta V Parma - 17:00 - Draw
Atalanta have lost four on the bounce and Parma have won just once in 5 games. That alone points to a draw for this one. Atalanta's poor run has come as a surprise given how strong they were last season. Their poor run will come to an end soon but its unlikely to here given Parma's solidarity. I can't see either team doing enough to win the game.
Roma V Fiorentina - 19:45 - Home Win
Roma have won all of their last 3 games and they are taken to make it four from four at home to Fiorentina. Zeman can recall Danielle De Rossi who has now served his 3 match suspension for being sent off in the Rome derby. His return will solidify a still shakey looking defence for the Gillarossi. Fiorentina have been the surprise package of this season currently sitting in fourth and just 6 points off the top they have had a great first half of the campaign. However they have drawn their last 2 games against teams they really should be beating in Sampdoria and Pescara. In their current vein Fiorentina look set to struggle in this one.
Sunday 9th December
Cagliari V Chievo - 14:00 - Draw
13th meets 15th as Cagliari host Chievo. Cagliari haven't won any of their last 5 games and were taken apart by Udinese last weekend. Chievo have been bitterly disappointing all season but did get a much needed win last time out. They are inconsistent though, which is reflected in their league position and although they may build on that win a draw is most likely given the current form of both sides.
Palermo V Juventus - 14:00 - Away Win
The return of Conte is sure to boost Juve morale and can record win number 12 of the season against Palermo. Palermo currently sit just above the relegation zone and have lost 7 of their 15 games this season, they were only narrowly beaten by Inter last time but Juve will prove to be a different proposition and I can't see Palermo troubling the champions at all.
Pescara V Genoa - 14:00 - Draw
A relegation scrap sees Pescara host Genoa. Pescara are now bottom of the table after losing all 5 of their previous 5 games. Genoa are third from bottom and have won just once in 5 attempts. Pescara's defence has been their main issue with a goal difference of -20 double that of the nearest worst goal difference, Genoa's -10. Goals then are to be expected but a draw seems most likely given that neither team will want to lose this one.
Siena V Catania - 14:00 - Draw
Siena have lost just one of their last 5 games but remain second from bottom due to their points deduction. Their were comfortably beaten by Roma last weekend but face an easy challenge here against a Catania side that have lost their last two games. Catania are currently tenth but should be higher given the talent in their squad. Much like Atalana their bad run is unlikely to last much longer but away to Siena is no easy fixture and they will be held to draw.
Torino V AC Milan - 14:00 - Away Win
Torino have lost their last two games and things don't get any easier when they host AC Milan on Sunday. The visitors have won their last two and are clambering up the table after a disastrous start to the campaign. I fully expect Milan to win this comfortably, Torino look like a side heading for a relegation battle.
Inter V Napoli - 19:45 - Away Win
The game of the weekend sees second travel to third. Inter are two points behind Napoli in the table and will be looking to leapfrog them after this game. Their form though has taken a dip and they only just overcame Palermo last weekend. Napoli however will come into the game full of confidence after thrashing Pescara. A lot has been said of Napoli's attack and they again could be the key to this one. It is likely both teams will score but its Napoli who are the more likely to score more.
Monday 10th December
Sampdoria V Udinese - 18:00 - Draw
Sampdoria did well to earn a draw against Fiorentina last weekend and they look set to draw again here against an improving Udinese. Udinese's victory over Cagliari was just their fourth win of the season, unacceptable by their standards. They have however drawn more games than any team in the division, 7 which is why they are not in a worse position. Udinese's best form is at home and they would take another draw now if offered it. It is the most likely result however given that Udinese are in better shape than their hosts but they are still likely to fall short.
Bologna V Lazio - 20:00 - Away Win
Bologna's win last weekend saw them move away from the relegation zone though they remain a team in trouble given their inconsistent form. Lazio are in good heart after winning their last two and should take this one, currently fifth they will want to climb into the top four and cement a Champions League position. With that incentive they will comfortably beat a bologna side that cannot be trusted in their current form.
Selected Match Odds and Betting:
Lazio, Napoli, Milan, Juve & Roma - All To Win : 47/1
Roma V Fiorentina - Roma to win 3-2: 14/1
Palermo V Juve - First goal scorer Quagliarella: 4/1
Enjoy The Games!
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