Posted on Friday, 25th November 2011 by Adrian Del Monte
What intriguing battles we have this weekend, and it all starts on Friday evening when Udinese meet Roma. Atalanta meet Napoli on Saturday whilst Lazio take on Juventus in a top-of-the-table battle on Saturday evening. Palermo-Fiorentina is the pick of the Sunday matches whilst Milan host Chievo to round out the weekend.
Friday, 25 November 2011
Udinese – Roma
Udinese may have been sitting pretty at the top of the Serie A table last weekend, but the Bianconeri slipped to a 2-0 loss to Parma at the Stadio Tardini. None of the major attacking threats were able to get on the scoresheet on Sunday, but the Zebrette return home and are keen to keep up their fortress-like record. Only two teams have managed a win since September 2010 – one being Roma – but the Bianconeri will be keen to keep their 100 percent record from this season.
Roma have gone about their job unspectacularly, getting wins against Novara and Lecce despite not playing attractive football in recent weeks. Luis Enrique’s side has now lifted itself into the top five, and are keen to remain there. The Giallorossi defence will be severely tested this weekend, after losing Nicolas Burdisso for the remainder of the season. Points will be a necessity, as a tough string of matches including Juventus and Napoli await in the next month.
Roma did claim a win here last season thanks to Francesco Totti, but last week’s loss to Parma will spur the home side to keep their impressive home record intact.
Prediction: Udinese 2-1 Roma
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Lecce – Catania
Home ground advantage may not be an advantage at all for Lecce, as their record this season at the Via Del Mare is rather lacklustre. Only one draw against Novara has been the positive for the Giallorossi this term. Not an good record for a side who wants to avoid relegation by the end of the season. Pressure has been mounting on coach Eusebio Di Francesco, but a 1-0 win over Cesena a fortnight ago was backed up by an inspired performance against Roma, despite losing 2-1.
Catania have lost their last two games on the trot despite being on a six-match unbeaten run. Maxi Lopez did himself no favours in the eyes of coach Vincenzo Montella when he complained about not taking a penalty against Chievo last weekend, as the Elefanti went down at home 2-1. The Argentine possible move away was further strengthened by his tirade – which also resulted in a fine being issued to him.
Lecce’s home record of at least conceding one goal will be tested by the Rossazzurri, as they have gathered points away from home this season. The Elefanti have also conceded when away from the Massimino.
Prediction: Lecce 1-1 Catania
Novara – Parma
Novara fill face one of their biggest tests this weekend when Parma come to Piemonte. Why? Atilio Tesser’s men have only achieved one win – against Inter – and struggled to get a point since their away match to Lecce in October. Still failing to keep a clean sheet this term, the Biancoazzurri will need to find their feet very quickly. Suffering a 1-0 loss to Genoa, who played with 10 men for the second half of the match, The Piemonte-based outfit have the worst defensive record.
Sebastian Giovinco has attracted all the headlines this week for Parma, as his return from a thigh injury injury sparked the team to life. Defeating then league-leaders Udinese 2-0, the ‘Formica Atomica’ provided the assist for Jonathan Biabiany to score, and slotted the penalty home to ensure maximum points remained in Emilia-Romagna. The team have now moved to within two points of a Europa League spot.
Novara did beat Parma in their last meeting – being in the Coppa Italia in 2009 – at the Tardini, but the Gialloblu should be too strong offensively for a side who can’t keep a clean sheet.
Prediction: Novara 0-2 Parma
Atalanta – Napoli
What a highly-anticipated match between two sides who have been in form this season. Atalanta may have suffered a 2-2 draw against Siena last weekend, but the Nerazzurri have surprised the Serie A with their attacking flair. German Denis and Luca Cigarini – both former Napoli players – have admitted they want to impress, and prove why they should have been kept on the Azzurri roster. The Bergamaschi side have also been impressive at home, and will be keen to keep their strong home record intact.
Napoli are coming off an impressive 2-1 win over Manchester City in the Champions League, as well as a scoreless draw against Lazio last weekend. The trio of Ezequiel Lavezzi, Marek Hamsik and Edinson Cavani showed why they are considered one of the most dangerous combinations in world football midweek, and the Partenopei could have had one or two more goals.
Atalanta are known for scoring – as well as conceding – goals. Expect a few on show on Saturday evening.
Prediction: Atalanta 2-2 Napoli
Lazio – Juventus
Lazio may have had a scoreless stalemate against Napoli, but Edy Reja’s side lacked star striker Miroslav Klose from their starting XI. His presence up front was felt, as Djibril Cisse could not quite lead the Biancocelesti to victory against a staunch Azzurri defence. Lazio fans also have goalkeeper Federico Marchetti to thank, as it was his exploits – especially late in the game – which resulted in the points being shared.
Juventus came into their match with Palermo somewhat rusty, having not played in over three weeks. But what was seen by the Bianconeri faithful would have inspired them. A 3-0 trouncing of the Rosanero – their bogey team for several seasons – surely sent shivers down the spine of the other Serie A clubs. News has emerged that Andrea Pirlo could miss the match with a muscle strain, but will be given until the last moment to prove his fitness. Stephan Lichsteiner also returns to face his former club since moving to the Bianconeri over the summer.
These matches rarely produce goalfests, so expect a draw based on what is at stake.
Prediction: Lazio 1-1 Juventus
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Cagliari – Bologna
Davide Ballardini makes his home debut for Cagliari this weekend, when he meets Bologna at the Sant’Elia. A 2-0 loss to Inter last weekend was somewhat expected by many Serie A followers, but was not was the way the loss came about. The Rossoblu showed nothing up front, failing to create quality chances, and defensively, were exposed on a number of occasions. What has also cost Cagliari recently is a lack of creative midfielders – with the team opting for ballwinners – with the problem hopefully to be resolved in January.
Bologna come off the back of another disappointing loss to Cesena, giving the Seahorses their first victory of the season. A lack of cutting edge up front is a worry for coach Stefano Pioli, despite having the likes of Marco Di Vaio, Gaston Ramirez and Robert Acquafresca up front. Calls have been made to bring Alessandro Diamanti back into the line-up.
The Felsinei have only had one win at the Sant’ Elia, and this, coupled with their recent poor form, could hurt them this weekend.
Prediction: Cagliari 2-0 Bologna
Cesena – Genoa
Cesena hav finally claimed their win of the season! The Seahorses defeated a lucklustre Bologna outfit 1-0 courtesy of a Marco Parolo goal with six minutes to go. The side, though, still remain locked on the bottom of the ladder, and will be keen to make it two wins in a row when they meet Genoa. Could their new artificial surface be the reason why the Bianconeri have failed to win at home?
Genoa claimed a 1-0 win over Novara, lifting some pressure off coach Alberto Malesani and moving the Grifoni into eighth position. Only one win this season has come away from home – to Lazio in September – and the Ligurians will want to rectify this. Rodrigo Palacio could be one to watch, as he has failed to hit the back of the net in some time for the Rossoblu.
The away side are known for their high-scoring matches, but also do concede. Cesena may have won last weekend, but are expected to stumble this weekend.
Prediction: Cesena 1-3 Genoa
Palermo are like Jekyll and Hyde. Brilliant at home and disgusting away. And the form continued last weekend, losing 3-0 to Juventus. The Rosanero had a couple of chances prior to half-time, but failed to capitalise their chances. Josip Ilicic praised current Viola – and former Rosanero – coach Delio Rossi for bringing him into the Serie A, and will now want to show why he is such a talent in world football. Terms have also been reportedly agreed between PSG and Federico Balzaretti, so it will be interesting to see what happens.
The Viola were favourites to lose last weekend against Milan, especially without Juan Vargas and Stevan Jovetic in their line-up. But the return of striker Alberto Gilardino did lift the Viola’s spirits, and inspired the side to a scoreless draw. Delio Rossi will have inside knowledge on Palermo, and will try to exploit this. Jovetic could return for the clash, which will be a boost for the Gigliati in attack.
The Viola did manage to win in the corresponding fixture last season, but Palermo impressive home record should see them attain the three points.
Giuseppe Sannino has done remarkably well with the Siena outfit he inherited from Antonio Conte at the end of last season. The Robur currently sit in 11th position, and only one point from being inside the top-half of the table. A 2-2 draw last week against the high-flying Atalanta came via goals from Gaetano D’Agostino and Alessandro Gazzi. Mattia Destro meets his former owners, and players against their former side tend to lift and do well.
Inter earnt a 2-0 win over Cagliari last week with Thiago Motta and Philippe Coutinho finding the back of the net. The Nerazzurri climbed several positions, and having secured a spot in the knock-out stages of the Champions League, Claudio Ranieri’s men can now focus on rectifying their disastrous Serie A season thus far.
Inter may have the wood over the Bianconeri in previous encounters, but Siena at home have been a different prospect this season.
A valiant effort against Barcelona saw the Rossoneri go down 3-2 at the San Siro, but there were plenty of positives to come out of the match. Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are working well together. Defensively, the team structures up well – despite Alessandro Nesta picking up an injury and will miss the match this weekend. Daniele Bonera looks likely to slot straight in. Talks over who may join the Diavoli in January have begun, as the side has been linked with Manchester City wantaway striker Carlos Tevez.
Chievo have had a good November, claiming three wins from as many matches. The Gialloblu defeated Catania 2-1 at the Stadio Massimino before backing up with a 3-0 win over Modena in the Coppa Italia midweek. Sergio Pellissier will be itching at the bit to exploit Nesta’s absence, and will look to use his speed to latch onto long balls and score.
The Flying Donkeys tend to score at least one goal in these fixtures, but Milan walk away with the points.
Prediction: Milan 2-1 Chievo
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This article was originally posted by Rick D’Andrea
Founder of Socceranchor.com, I am a devoted Serie A and Roma supporter, who fell in love with the game at the age of just five, when Roberto Baggio excelled at the ’94 World Cup. Living in Australia and initially supporting Fiorentina, all roads led to Rome when star man Gabriel Batistuta made the switch, and I have not looked back since. Have worked for Goal.com and ESPNsoccernet over the past five years, whilst I spent a few months in the UK in 2010, working as an intern for the likes of ESPN, Sky Sports and The Guardian. Also had the amazing opportunity to report from the recent World Cup in South Africa – a life changing experience. Follow me on twitter: @adriandelmonte
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Tags: AC Milan, Atalanta, Bologna, Bologna Inter Milan, Cesena, Clarence Seedorf, Diego Forlan, Emanuele Calaio, Esteban Cambiasso, Filipo Porcari, Giampaolo Pazzini, Inter, Julio Sergio, Lecce, Luca Cigarini, Napoli, Novara, Serie A, Serie A Football, Siena, Top 5 Goals
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