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!
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