Livorno Vs Parma
Livorno were dispatched by a lone Fiorentina strike on Sunday afternoon and sit at the bottom of the standings with fellow strugglers Catania. Parma did well to beat Torino at the Tardini and will look at this fixture as a chance to continue their positive run and start 2014 on a high. Livorno have been extremely poor this season and that’s why I’m backing an away win.
Prediction 1-2
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Bologna Vs Lazio
Bologna were beaten on their travels to Sicily as they edge closer to the drop zone despite an encouraging start to the campaign which is slowly turning sour. Lazio left it late to see off a poor Inter side at the Olimpico and get Reja’s second charge at the club from the capital off to a flying start. Despite their win on Monday night Lazio still lack a certain quality, hence I predict a score draw.
Prediction 2-2
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Torino Vs Fiorentina
Despite a great season so far, Torino were unable to trouble Parma on their home soil but despite this defeat retained their 7th place. Fiorentina saw off a stubborn Livorno side in Florence courtesy of a second half Rodriguez strike. Fiorentina are now without the services of both Rossi and Gomez, hence I reckon they will struggle for goals in what isn’t an easy ground to travel to.
Prediction 1-1
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Atalanta Vs Catania
Atalanta were demolished when they visited the San Siro on Sunday afternoon while Catania will be delighted with their win over Bologna, just their third this season, in Sicily. I predict a bore draw between two sides who have been far from impressive this season.
Prediction 0-0
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Cagliari Vs Juventus
Cagliari will be kicking themselves for not making the most of their chances when they visited Chievo in their first fixture after the Christmas break to leave with a point. Juventus on the other hand carried on where they left off last year with a convincing 3-0 thumping of second place Roma and are now 8 points clear at the top. The Sardinians are usually a tough nut to crack but Juventus should have enough weapons in their armoury to see them off.
Prediction 1-3
Verona Vs Napoli
Serie A newcomers Verona have been fantastic this season and owe their near perfect home form for their current 5th place in the standings. Napoli have also had a positive season so far under new coach Benitez and even though their title hopes are fading, at least they seem set to secure Champions League football next season. This will be an entertaining fixture between two sides who love to attack and I predict a high scoring draw.
Prediction 3-3
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Roma Vs Genoa
Roma imploded when they visited the Juventus stadium on Monday night and finished the game with nine men as well as conceding three, unanswered goals. They will have to improve when this tough Genoa side, fresh from a convincing home win which saw them climb to 8th in the standings, visit Rome. This will be Totti’s first home league performance in months which I’m sure will raise spirits at the Olimpico.
Prediction 3-1
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Sassuolo Vs Milan
Sassuolo were comfortably beaten on their travels to Genoa while Milan will be delighted with their dominant performance when Atalanta visited the San Siro. Even though the Rossoneri have improved so far this year, you can expect Sassuolo to put up a fight, however I’m still backing Alegri’s side to win.
Prediction 1-2
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Sampdoria Vs Udinese
As expected Sampdoria were beaten on their travels South last weekend, however Mihajlovic still has a lot of positives to reflect on. His side will look to find their pre-Christmas form. Udinese were unexpectedly beaten on their home soil by Verona as coach Guidolin continues to struggle to find the right balance in his squad. Even though just two points separate these two sides I reckon Sampdoria should have enough to win this and leapfrog the visitors in the standings.
Prediction 2-1
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Inter Vs Chievo
Inter have reached crisis point and even their derby win a couple of weeks ago couldn’t hide all the cracks in Mazzarri’s side, as they looked extremely sluggish against Lazio. Chievo were fortunate to end Sunday’s early afternoon fixture with a point as they struggled to create any chances. This is a must win for the Nerazzurri who I am backing to win on Monday night.
Prediction 3-1
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