A relatively quiet week in the Serie A this week with little action off the field it has been left to actions on the pitch to take centre stage. The major story of the week concerns AC Milan and their dramatic turn in fortunes. Milan have taken a staggering 23 points from their last 10 games and despite a dreadful start to the season are now vying for a Champions League place. Their form was boosted further on Wednesday as they overcame Barcelona 2-0 in The Champions League. They are the team no one wants to face at the moment and that has to be a concern for Inter who play their bitter rivals on Sunday night.
In contrast to the previous week their were only 2 draws in the Serie A last weekend as Napoli were held by Sampdoria in a 0-0 and Chievo shared points with Palermo in a 1-1. Pescara overcame Cagliari 2-0 while Catania narrowly beat Bologna 1-0. Torino held on to beat Atalanta 2-1. Milan continued their good run beating Parma 2-1. There were the usual surprise results as Siena beat Lazio 3-0, Fiorentina thrashed Inter 4-1, Genoa beat Udinese 1-0 and Roma shocked everyone by first keeping a clean sheet and then in doing so beating Juventus 1-0.
This Weekends Fixtures and Predictions
Saturday 23rd February
Palermo V Genoa - 19:45 - Away Win
Palermo remain bottom of the table after gaining a draw against Cheivo. Their opponents this weekend sit just six points above them but in much stronger form. Genoa have beaten both Udinese and Lazio in recent weeks and this represents a much easier task. Palermo have only lost one of their last 5 but they look set to struggle against a buoyant Genoa.
Sunday 24th February
Sampdoria V Chievo - 11:30 - Home Win
12th meets 13th in this one as Sampdoria and Chievo look to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle. Both sides have stopped their slide into the danger zone and now look set for mid table finishes. It is Sampdoria who get the vote in this one however given the strength of their home form and Cheivo's poor away form. Sampdoria have been scoring for fun at home and that will concern a struggling Chievo defence, it could prove to be the difference in this one.
Atalanta V Roma - 14:00 - Away Win
Atalanta have won just one of their last 5 after being beaten by Torino. They have had a disappointing campaign and would be happy just to avoid relegation this season. Roma shocked everyone by beating Juve last time out and will be full of confidence going into this one. Both these sides are inconsistent but Roma's victory last time out shows the class they possess and they should prove to much for a sorry looking Atalanta.
Bologna V Fiorentina - 14:00 - Away Win
Bologna's narrow defeat to Catania last time out was just their second in 5 games, despite that they remain 16th just 5 points above the drop zone. 6th placed Fiorentina returned to form with a bang beating Inter 4-1 last weekend a similar display will see them sweep Bologna aside. The Viola have been inconsistent in recent weeks but their performance against Inter showed promise and they should be able to push on from it against a struggling Bologna.
Cagliari V Torino - 14:00 - Draw
Cagliari are unbeaten in five and have clawed their way up the table and away from any relegation
battle. Torino have lost just one of their last 5 and have proven themselves to be the most consistent of the three promoted sides. There is very little to choose between the two on both form and league position, either is capable of taking all three points but a draw is the safest option.
Juventus V Siena - 14:00 - Home Win
League leaders Juve were in imperious form before losing to Roma last weekend and they are taken to bounce straight back to form here. Third from bottom Siena have had some positive results in recent weeks, none more so than beating Lazio 3-0 last weekend. Lazio though are struggling and this represents a much sterner task away to the champions. Juve should prove to much for Siena in this one.
Parma V Catania - 14:00 - Draw
Both these teams come into this one in good heart. 10th placed Parma have lost 3 of their last 5 but those losses were against Milan, Fiorentina and Napoli. 7th placed Catania have lost just one of their last five and will head to Parma confident of picking up all 3 points. Parma however have been decent at home and will look to make life hard for the visitors. An entertaining draw looks in prospect.
Inter V Milan - 19:45 - Away (Milan) Win
The big game of the weekend and one of the biggest games of the season sees Inter face Milan in the Milan derby. Milan have been nothing short of superb in recent weeks winning 4 of their last 5. Inspired by the signing of Mario Balotelli they have worked their way up to third in the table, over taking their arch rivals. Inter in contrast have been poor in their last few games, a win against struggling Chievo was sandwiched between heavy defeats at the hands of Siena and then Fiorentina. It is the red half of Milan that look on the rise then and with Balotelli determined to score against his former club they look sure to cause a struggling Inter no end of problems. Expect fireworks but Milan should come out on top.
Monday 25th February
Udinese V Napoli - 18:00 - Away Win
Udiense's disappointing campaign continued after losing to Genoa. Their third defeat in 5 they sit in 9th with European qualification looking ever more unlikely. Napoli's title ambitions have been dealt a blow after drawing their last two but they are taken to return to winning ways here. Napoli's attacking options should prove to much for a shaky Udinese defence.
Lazio V Pescara - 19:45 - Home Win
Lazio have been inconsistent in recent weeks but they face their easiest task for some time here as they host second from bottom Pescara. Pescara haven't won any of their last 5 and have lost 16 games this season. Despite a promising start they look set for relegation now and Lazio should heap more misery on them in this one despite their own poor form.
Selected Match Betting:
Lazio, Napoli, Milan, Juve, Fiorentina, Roma, Sampdoria & Genoa - All To Win: 228/1
Inter V Milan - Mario Balotelli Hat Trick : 40/1
Lazio V Pescara - Lazio to win 3-0: 6/1
Enjoy The Games!
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