The last month has seen a few high profile transfers but it inevitable that in the last few days of the transfer window the traditional melee of transfer action would take place across Europe. Italy was no different pulling off arguably the deal of the month as AC Milan attained the services of enigmatic Manchester City striker Mario Ballotelli for 19 million euros. The 22 year old life long Milan fan has signed a 4 and a half year deal and is said to be delighted by the move, reportedly financing some of his own transfer fee to push the move through. Two players moved in the opposite direction from Italy to England as Phillipe Coutinho moved from Inter to Liverpool and Urby Edmanuelson moved from AC Milan to Fulham. Elsewhere Mohammad Sissoko has joined Fiorentina on a season long loan which should give the Viola a more organised midfield. Levante have brought the brilliantly named Bologna striker, Robert Aquafresca in on loan and Palermo have acquired Qpr's Alejandro Faulin in a similar deal. On the whole the transfer window has again highlighted Italy's struggle with attracting big names and problems with financing moves. Ballotelli's signing is great news for Italian football in a window which saw them lose the likes of Sniejder and Pato. But the fact remains that many of Italy's big teams are relieved this morning just to have held on to their prized possessions e.g Cavani and De Rossi.
On the pitch and last weekend saw what is becoming common place as a series of strange results appeared again. Saturday saw Champions Juve held to a 1-1 draw by third from bottom Genoa before second placed Lazio were beaten 1-0 at home to Chievo. Sunday saw Inter only take a point from Torino as they drew 2-2, Catania inflicted another defeat on Fiorentina with a 2-1 defeat. AC Milan overcame Atalanta 1-0 and Udinese beat Siena by the same score line. Cagliari and Palermo drew 1-1 and Bologna and Roma to shared the points in a thrilling 3-3 draw. Napoli continued their pursuit of the title with a 2-1 victory in Parma. Sampdoria provided the most entertainment as they thrashed Pescara 6-0 to move away from the relegation zone and plunge Pescara into deeper trouble.
This Weekends Fixtures & Predictions:
Friday 1 February:
Roma V Cagliari - 19:45 - Home Win
Roma haven't won any of their last three Serie A outings but they really should change that here against Cagliari. Cagliari haven't lost any of their last 3 but remain in sixteenth, the defensive problems of both sides is sure to resurface in this one but attacking wise Roma are far superior and that should see them through this one.
Saturday 2 February
Torino V Sampdoria - 17:00 - Draw
12th meets 13th in this one as Torino host Sampdoria. It is Torino who have equipped themselves best of the promotion sides stringing together a decent run of results that should ensure they are not embroiled in a relegation battle come May. The same can't be said for Sampdoria whose form figures read LWDLW. Brilliant as they were against Pescara they are inconsistent and a trip to Torino represents a much stiffer test.
Napoli V Catania - 19:45 - Home Win
This should be a great encounter with two goods team meeting with both in good form. Napoli are now just three points behind leaders Juventus and will be desperate to bridge the gap further with victory here. Catania have won all of their last three and come into this in great heart but Napoli might just edge it with the talent they possess.
Sunday 3 February
Chievo V Juventus - 11:30 - Away Win
Cheivo have reached mid table safety after recovering from a disastrous start to the campaign. But they face a stiff task against a Juventus side who will be determined to remain top of the table. Juve have had a few blips of late but their quality remains and they should take this one against an improved but inconsistent Chievo.
Fiorentina V Parma - 14:00 - Home Win
Vincenzo Montella's men have lost two of their last three games, drawing the other and are tumbling down the table they will hope to stop the rot against 10th placed Parma. Parma had been on a good run before losing to Napoli but they do struggle against the top sides. Fiorentina are a quality team and should begin turning results around starting with this one.
Genoa V Lazio - 14:00 - Draw
Genoa have proved themselves a resilient side in recent weeks yet they remain in the bottom three, two points from safety. They face a Lazio side who have struggled of late and will be determined to get their title push back on track. If Lazio play to their full capacity they will take this, the feeling is though that Genoa will put up a united front as they did against Juve and make life too difficult for the romans.
Palermo V Atalanta - 14:00 - Draw
Neither of these two can put a decent run together this season which is reflected in their league positions. Palermo are second bottom and haven't won any of their last 5. Atalanta are in slightly better shape in 14th but they to haven't won any of their last 5. This is all points to a cagey affair were the spoils are likely to be shared.
Pescara V Bologna - 14:00 - Away Win
A relegation battle this one as 17th hosts 15th. Pescara will be low on confidence after being beaten 6-0 by Sampdoria and as a result having lost 4 on the bounce. Bologna however will be high on confidence after taking a point off Roma last time out. They will be looking to string some good results together and that should start here against a wounded Pescara.
Siena V Inter Milan - 14:00 - Away Win
Siena remain bottom of the table after their 1-0 defeat to Udinese last Sunday. They are four points from safety and have won just one of their last 5. Simple then one would feel for Inter Milan to take this but they too are having problems having dropped points last weekend. They should however have the class to take this one against a struggling Siena.
AC Milan V Udinese - 19:45 - Home Win
Both these teams started the season badly but it is Milan who have bounced right back and currently occupy 5th in the table. They have won 3 of their last 4 games. Udinese have taken some big scalps in recent weeks but they remain hit and miss and with Ballotelli to now contend with in this one they look certain to concede. Both teams are slowly getting back to their best but it is Milan who should just edge it especially with a home crowd behind them.
Enjoy The Games!
Milan, Inter, Bologna, Fiorentina, Juve, Napoli & Roma - All To Win: 39/1
Roma V Cagliari - Roma win: 4-1 : 18/1
Milan V Udinese - Ballotelli 1st Goalscorer: 7/2
Enjoy The Games!
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