Another turbulent week in Serie A has seen Genoa president Enrico Preziosi and CEO Alessandro Zarbano investigated for tax evasion. Also Inter Milan have been fined 15,000 euros after their fans chanted racist abuse about former striker Mario Balotelli. This in turn with the recent dismals of two coaches has only heightened the sense of embarrassment that surrounds Italian football, it seems not a week can go by without some drama.
Turning to matters on the pitch last weekend saw some unusual results but the spate of shocks appears to have ended for now at least. Inter returned to form beating Chievo 3-1 while Roma's woe continues as they were beaten by the same score line by Sampdoria. Udinese overcame Torino 1-0 while Juventus continued their dominance over the rest of the league by beating Fiorentina 2-0. The remaining 6 games all finished in draws with Palermo V Pescara, Cagliari V AC Milan, Bologna V Siena and Lazio V Napoli all finishing 1-1. Atalanta V Catania was goal less as was Parma V Genoa.
This Weekends Fixtures & Predictions:
Friday 15th February
AC Milan V Parma - 19:45 - Home Win
Both these teams drew last time out but it is Milan who enter this one in better shape. New striker Mario Balotelli has scored 3 times in his two games for the club and he looks a constant threat. Parma haven't won in five games and I don't expect that to change here. They will offer resistance but expect Balotelli in particular to be too much for them.
Saturday 16th February
Chievo V Palermo - 17:00 -home Win
Chievo have slipped back down the table after 2 defeats to Inter and Juve, they did however manage to beat Lazio before those defeats. They face a much easier task than their previous three games here as they face bottom club Palermo. Just three wins all season and a poor 1-1 draw with Pescara last time out does little to inspire confidence that they can avoid the drop or more pressingly another defeat.
Roma V Juventus - 19:45 - Draw
Roma haven't won any of their last 4 league games but they might be able to nick a point against the champions in this one. New boss Aurelio Andreazzoli suffered defeat in his first game in charge last weekend a 3-1 loss to Sampdoria. His first goal is surely to steady the ship and ensure his defence stop leaking goals. I think we will see a much more defensive Roma side for the rest of the campaign and although Juve are more than capable of breaking Roma down, a more solid looking Roma might just keep them at bay.
Sunday 17th February
Catania V Bologna - 14:00 - Home Win
Catania have had a great campaign, currently sitting in eighth and looking to secure a European place they have been one of the leagues most consistent sides. Bologna in contrast have been in consistent and as a result are in 15th just 5 points off the drop. Catania are disciplined and organised, the same can't be said for their opposition and their should only be one winner in this one.
Genoa V Udinese - 14:00 - Away Win
Genoa are just a point off the relegation places and they may well find themselves back in the drop zone after Sunday as Udinese represent a hard game for the strugglers. Udinese have suffered setbacks throughout their campaign but overall they have done well to recover and work themselves up into seventh. This represents an easier task than they have had in recent weeks and they should take all 3 points.
Napoli V Sampdoria - 14:00 - Home Win
Despite Sampdoria taking points off Roma and AC Milan in recent weeks and going 5 games unbeaten Sampdoria's impressive run should come to a halt here. Second placed Napoli are on an even better run of form than their opponents and continue to look impressive. This looks set to be attack against attack with both teams playing style being free flowing. If that turns out to be the case Napoli will certainly take all the beating giving the quality they possess.
Pescara V Cagliari - 14:00 - Draw
Pescara remain a point from safety after drawing with Palermo. Just 4 points above them sit Cagliari who have enjoyed a rich vein of form of late to move away from trouble. Like many relegation battles this is a game that neither team will want to lose. Pescara especially can not afford to lose and expect them to set up for a tight affair that will end in a low scoring draw.
Torino V Atalanta - 14:00 - Draw
Just a point separates these two as 12th meets 14th in this one. Torino have shown themselves to be the most solid of the newly promoted sides and bar a disaster will enjoy another season of top flight football. Atalanta have been poor this season by their standards and will not want to slip any further down the table. Both teams are capable of taking this one but the safest option is a draw.
Fiorentina V Inter - 19:45 - Draw
Both these sides have experienced blips in recent weeks and neither can be backed with confidence. Inter did return to form with a win over Cheivo but they face a tougher game here against a Fiorentina side who are just 4 points behind them. Fiorentina have won just one of their last 5 and are unlikely to gain a victory here, like wise Inter are unlikely to be up to taking all 3 points given their current form. A tight draw seems the most likely result.
Monday 18th February
Siena V Lazio - 19:45 - Away Win
Second bottom means second from top in this one and it is Lazio who should take all 3 points here. Siena have battled themselves off the bottom of the table but continue to struggle. They do however save their best performances for the big boys which will be a concern for Lazio. Lazio though have been solid all season and despite having a couple of poor results in recent weeks they should take this one comfortably.
Selected Match Betting:
Lazio, Napoli, Udinese, Catania, Milan & Chievo - All to win : 52/1
Genoa V Udinese - Di Natale 1st Goal scorer : 7/2
Napoli V Sampdoria - Napoli to win 4-1 : 18/1
Enjoy The Games!
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