Gameweek 30 - Super Mario Gets His Princess

With no managerial sackings, new match fixing allegations or controversy of any sort over last weeks international break it has been down to Mario Balotelli to yet again make headlines. The 22 year old striker has been in great form for AC Milan since swapping Manchester for Milan in January and this week he scored a brace in Italy's 2-0 World Cup Qualification Match win over Malta. He owes this dramatic change in performance and attitude to according too himself, his new girlfriend. Fanny Neguesha and Balotelli met last year and are already drawing parallels to Posh & Becks in Italy given Balotelli's high profile. Despite the media attention Balotelli insists it is Fanny who should be thanked for getting the controversial star back on track. As perfect as things appear at the moment the volatile Balotelli should not be forgotten, a bad break up and we could see the old flashes of childish spats that marred his time at Man City. Having said that if he continues playing how he is now for a sustained period he will surely fulfil his promise and become one of the greatest strikers in world football.

No major shocks in the Serie A last weekend apart from Torino denting Lazio's European qualification hopes by beating them 1-0. Elsewhere it was business as usual as Juventus dispatched Bologna 2-0, AC Milan beat Palermo by the same scoreline and Napoli got back on track by beating Atalanta 3-2. Roma's Francesco Totti became Serie A's outright second highest goalscorer ever as he scored in a 2-0 victory over Parma. Fiorentina squeezed past Genoa, 3-2. Cheivo overcame Pescara 2-0 all but ensuring safety for next season. Catania heaped more woe on Udinese beating them 3-1 and Siena and Cagliari played out a goaless draw. Inter's game with Sampdoria was postponed due to snow.

This Weekends Fixtures and Predictions
Saturday 30 March
Atalanta V Sampdoria - 14:00 - Draw
Atalanta are in desperate need of points as they continue to spiral toward the relegation zone. They will find life hard here however against a Sampdoria team who prior to losing to Cagliari a fortnight ago had gone 4 games unbeaten. Atalanta had looked to be back on track before losing to Napoli and they have been inconsistent all season. A draw is the safest bet.

Udinese V Bologna - 14:00 - Draw
Both these teams lost last weekend and are separated by just 6 points in the league. On form Bologna look stronger, winning 3 of their last 5 compared to Udinese's one. However Udinese are always stronger at home and they will try and use that to their advantage. Very little to choose between the two and a draw is more than likely.

Cagliari V Fiorentina - 14:00 - Away Win
Fiorentina's blip seems behind them now after they have won 4 of their last 5 games. They will want to push on and finish the season in a European place now. Cagliari continue to be inconsistent but have shown they are very difficult to beat on their day. Fiorentina in their current vein however should have enough to overcome them.

Chievo V AC Milan - 14:00 - Away Win
Milan have been a team transformed since the turn of the year and now sit in third place. They have won all of their last three and with an inform Mario Balotelli they look formidable. Chievo have moved out of trouble by winning two on the bounce but their run will come to an abrupt end here.

Genoa V Siena - 14:00 - Draw
A huge relegation clash sees 17th play 16th as Siena travel to Genoa with just a point seperating the two. Both sides are in poor form with Siena winning just two of their last 5 and Genoa losing all three of their last games three games. Neither side dare lose this one and a cagey affair is on the cards, a low scoring draw is likely.

Inter V Juventus - 14:00 - Away Win
The Champions face a big test when they travel to the San Siro to face fifth placed Inter but there is plenty to suggest that they are up to taking all 3 points back to Turin. Inter have fallen away in recent weeks and have won just one of their last 3 games. Juve meanwhile continue to go from strength to strength and this could be their third win on the run. Its sure to be a tight game but Juve still look head and shoulders above any other team in the division.

Lazio V Catania - 14:00 - Draw
Seventh hosts eighth in this trappy looking contest. Lazio have lost all of their last 3 games and will be desperate to get a result here. They face a Catania team in good heart however after overcoming Udinese a fortnight ago. Lazio are inconsistent but if they can bounce back they could take all 3 points the likely hood is however that Catania will frustrate them and a low scoring draw is the most likely outcome.

Palermo V Roma -14:00 - Away Win
Palermo remain 5 points from safety and second bottom in the table after losing to Milan. They have lost their last two and are really struggling despite another change of manager. Roma however have blossomed under their new boss and are unbeaten in 5, they really should make it six here.

Parma V Pescara - 14:00 - Home Win
Thirteenth placed Parma are incredibly inconsistent but they should take all 3 points here against bottom club Pescara. Pescara have lost all 5 of their last 5 games and remain 5 points adrift at the foot of the table, they are set to be in even deeper trouble come Saturday evening.

Torino V Napoli - 14:00 - Away Win
Twelth placed Torino look set for another season in The Serie A but they wont be adding to their points tally here. Despite winning 2 of their last five they have shipped 9 goals in that time. This will be great news for Napoli's attack that has struggled a little in recent weeks. Torino did well to beat Lazio a fortnight ago but this is an altogether different test and second placed Napoli should take all 3 points comfortably.

Selected Match Betting:
Napoli, Roma, Juve, Milan, Parma & Fiorentina - All To Win : 45/1
Chievo V Milan - Balotelli 1st Goalscorer : 100/30
Palermo V Roma - Roma Win 4-0 : 40/1

Enjoy The Games!

Gameweek 29 - Farcial Palermo

The biggest story in the Serie A this week surrounds nineteenth placed Palermo. In the period spanning their last six games Palermo have sacked three coaches, one of those coaches twice. Thursday saw Giuseppe Sannino take over for his second spell in charge. Sannino began the season in charge of Palermo but was sacked after just 3 games, his replacement  Gian Piero Gasperini lasted until February when he was given his marching orders and replaced by Alberto Malesani who was given just 3 games then sacked and replaced by Gasperini! Two games later and Gasperini was gone and Sannino rehired. Even by Italian standards this managerial merry go round is farcial and has helped little in the campaign to restore integrity to the Italian game. With Palermo playing AC Milan this weekend it would be of little surprise to see Sannino gone by Monday!

On the pitch and last weekend saw leaders Juventus extend their lead at the top to nine points as they beat Catania 1-0 and second placed Napoli suffered a shock defeat to Chievo, losing 2-0. AC Milan continued their impressive run dispensing of Genoa by 2 goals to 0. Roma's good run was halted as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Udinese. Atalanta got a much needed win beating bottom club Pescara 2-1. Cagliari too moved away from trouble beating Sampdoria 3-1. Palermo were plunged deeper into relegation trouble as they were defeated 2-1 by Siena. Parma thrashed Torino 4-1 and Bologna gained the shock of the weekend beating Inter 1-0. Fioretina kept their Champions League qualification hopes alive and dented Lazios by beating them 2-0.

This Weekends Fixtures And Predictions:
Saturday 16th March
Catania V Udinese - 17:00 - Home Win
Catania have lost both of their last two games but have found a good opportunity here to get back on track. Opponents Udinese do not travel well and despite being undefeated in 3 this represents a stern task for them.

Bologna V Juventus - 19:45 - Away Win
Bologna have won all of their last three games but this represents a tough task against the Champions. Juve haven't been at their best in recent weeks but continue to grind out results as only champions can and they should do it again here.

Sunday 17th March
Siena V Cagliari - 11:30 - Draw
Siena took a big step to moving out of the relegation zone by winning last weekend but they face a Cagliari side who are high in confidence and will be hard to beat in this one. Siena should have enough to test Cagliari however and in a match that is hard to call a draw is the safest bet.

AC Milan V Palermo - 14:00 - Home Win
Difficult week for both clubs with Milan being dismantled by Barcelona in the Champions league and Palermo changing managers, again. In the Serie A however Milan have been in great form and should gain another victory here against Palermo who are set for relegation.

Fiorentina V Genoa -14:00 - Home Win
Fiorentina have returned to form over the past two weeks and they should continue their good run against fourth from bottom Genoa who were beaten easily by AC Milan last weekend, and haven't won any of their last three.

Napoli V Atalanta - 14:00 - Home Win
Napoli's defeat to Chievo last weekend seriously dented their title hopes but they can keep the heat of Juve with a win in this one. Opponents Atalanta have won their last two but overall have been disappointing this season and they look set to struggle against Napoli's attacking prowess. Napoli will be determined to bounce back and they have been given a good oppertunity to do so.

Pescara V Chievo - 14:00 - Away Win
Chievo will know that a win here will move them out of the relegation scrap and plunge Pescara into more trouble. A moral boosting win over Napoli last weekend will spur them on and they should inflict another defeat on Pescara, a team that have lost all four of their last games.

Roma V Parma - 19:45 - Home Win
Roma's new coach Aurelio Andreazzoli has steadied the ship in recent weeks and they now lie in seventh, pushing for a European place. They should continue their push against Parma who despite winning last weekend lost their 3 previous games and have been inconsistent all campaign.

Sampdoria V Inter - 19:45 - Draw
Both these teams tasted defeat last weekend and will be determined to get back on track in this one. Inter have the ability to defeat Sampdoria but Sampdoria seem to save their best performances for the big teams and will test Inter's resolve. This should be and entertaining draw, with little to choose between the two sides.

Torino V Lazio - 19:45 - Away Win
These two teams lost last weekend but it is Lazio who are taken to bounce straight back this weekend. Torino haven't won any of their last 3 games and will struggle against Lazio's attacking force.

Selected Match Betting:
Lazio, Roma, Cheivo, Napoli, Fiorentina, Milan, Juve & Catania - All To Win: 77/1
Milan V Palermo - Ballotelli First Scorer : 5/2
Roma V Parma - Roma Win 3-1 : 9/1

Enjoy The Games!

Game Week 28 - Revitalised Roma?

In the week that saw 38 year old Ryan Giggs make his 1000th appearance for Manchester United a milestone was reached for one if Italy's greatest ever players and professionals. Francesco Totti of Roma at 36 years of aged scored his 225th Serie A goal last Sunday against Genoa. Totti is now joint top scorer in the Serie A since it began. The Roma captain who is now in his 21st season has only ever played for his beloved gilliarossi and guided them to the Serie A title in the 2000-01 season. He has experienced both highs and lows during his career, falling out with coaches Raneri and Enrique in recent seasons had put his future in doubt but he has been revitalised this season first under Zdenek Zeman and now under Aurelio Andreazzoli  and when Totti plays well, Roma seem to find another gear. Totti's goal against Genoa, part of a 3-1 win saw Roma move up to seventh just 5 points behind third placed AC Milan. At 36 Totti can't play every game but his importance to Roma looks as high as it has ever been, described as a "true champion" by Fabio Cappello he is likely to be terrorising defences for a couple more years.

Elsewhere last weekend saw the top two shared a the points in a 1-1 draw as Juve held Napoli in Naples. AC Milan continued their mightily impressive run by beating Lazio 3-0. Torino and Palermo played out the only draw on Sunday in a dire 0-0. Fiorentina overcame Chievo 2-1, Atalanta beat Siena 2-0 to gain a much needed win. Their were narrow wins for Udinese and Sampdoria who beat Pescara and Parma 1-0 respectively. Bologna eased past Cagliari 3-0 and Inter and Catania played out a thriller which saw Inter come out on top by 3 goals to 2.

This Weekends Fixtures and Previews:
Friday 8 March
Genoa V AC Milan - 19:45 - Away Win
Genoa remain just five points above the drop zone after losing to Roma and they face a stiff task again as they face an inform AC Milan side. Milan have yet to lose a game this year and that looks unlikely to change against a Genoa side that should prove little match for Milan's attacking flair.

Saturday 9 March
Udinese V Roma - 19:45 - Away Win
Ninth hosts seventh in this one which sees two inconsistent sides go head to head. Udinese have had a very disappointing season and have won just two of their last 5. Roma have been typically up and down but their form at the moment is good winning their last 3 on the bounce. They might just have
enough to make it 4 out of 4 against a Udinese side that has offered little in attack this campaign.

Sunday 10 March
Atalanta V Pescara - 11:30 - Home Win
Atalanta's win last weekend saw them return to form and has pulled them away from the relegation fight. They should stretch margin further here with victory over the leagues bottom side Pescara who yet again lost last weekend, their third defeat in a row.

Cagliari V Sampdoria - 14:00 - Away Win
Cagliari where in great form before last weekend which saw them comfortably beaten by Bologna. They face a Sampdoria side high from another win that has seen them move up to tenth in the table. Sardinia is a hard place to go and get a victory but Sampdoria may well be up to the task given how high in confidence they are.

Chievo V Napoli - 14:00 - Away Win
Chievo haven't won any of their last 5 games and its likely that will become six come Sunday evening as they face a Napoli side desperate to keep the heat on leaders Juventus. Napoli's form in recent weeks has dipped and they are now 6 points behind Juve but they have found a good opportunity to pick up 3 points here.

Juventus V Catania - 14:00 - Home Win
Eighth placed Catania have had a great campaign but they are set for back to back defeats here as they travel to the champions. Juve were perhaps fortunate to get a draw against Napoli but this represents an easier assignment and they should make it win 19 for the season.

Palermo V Siena - 14:00 - Draw
Second from bottom Palermo are on a strange run of 4 straight draws. That could become 5 against a Siena side who have been comfortably beaten in their last two games leaving them 5 points from safety. These crucial '6 pointers' are usually cagey affairs and with no team wanting to lose this one a draw is more than likely.

Parma V Torino - 14:00 - Draw
13th host 12th in this one with Parma facing Torino. Parma have lost all of their last three games and are struggling at the moment. Torino have won just one of their last 3 games. Both teams will be looking over their shoulders knowing that a few poor results will see them dragged into a relegation battle and with that in mind will be happy to share the spoils in this one.

Inter V Bologna - 19:45 - Draw
Bologna travel to Milan in good heart having won 3of their last 5 and they will test Inter in this one. Inter gained a much needed win over Catania last weekend but their mid week humiliation at the hands of Tottenham will have done little for confidence. This of course is easier but it would be of little surprise to see Bologna take something from the game.

Lazio V Fiorentina - 19:45 - Draw
Fifth hosts sixth in this one which is set to be a tight affair. Lazio were brushed aside by AC Milan last time out while Fiorentina just edged past Chievo 2-1. Both these teams have stuttered of late and neither will come into this full of confidence. Its simply too close to call, though either could take it.

Selected Match Odds:
Juve, Napoli, Sampdoria, Atalanta, Roma & AC Milan - All To Win : 47/1
Udinese V Roma - Totti To Score First : 5/1
Lazio V Fiorentina - Draw 2-2: 12/1

Enjoy The Games!