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!
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