Fiorentina Vs Atalanta
Fiorentina were unable to maintain their positive run as they were beaten on their travels to Cagliari last weekend and were also beaten 2-1 in Udine in the first leg of the Italian Cup semi-finals. Atalanta put on a solid display to knock 3 unanswered goals past a very lackluster Napoli side, with star front man Denis bagging a brace as well as setting up the final goal for team mate Moralez. Despite the Nerazzuri’s impressive win, La Viola are a different side altogether on their home soil and I am backing them to bounce back.
Prediction 2-1
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Udinese Vs Chievo
Udinese were extremely disciplined last Saturday and deservedly left a tricky Bologna ground with three points to distance themselves from the relegation scrap. Despite being further boasted by their mid-week Coppa Italia win this side still has a long way to go if they are going to finish among the top half of the table and will look to Chievo’s visit on Saturday as a chance to achieve this goal. Chievo were beaten comfortably at home by Lazio last weekend and I predict another defeat here for the Gialloblu.
Prediction 2-1
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Napoli Vs Milan
Napoli seem completely lost at the moment following a 3-0 thumping on their travels to Bologna and are now 15 points behind the league leaders. Atleast they showed some character to avoid another thrashing and keep their Italian Cup prospects alive when they visited Rome on Wednesday. Milan are also stumbling along under the guidance of new coach Clarence Seedorf and were able to hold out for a draw last weekend. Home win expected here.
Prediction 2-1
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Torino Vs Bologna
Torino will be pleased with their overall form so far this season and fully deserved their well earned point at the San Siro. Bologna on otherhand sit just a point above the drop zone and have been poor all season, that’s why I predict a comfortable home win.
Prediction 2-0
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Verona Vs Juventus
Verona finally secured their first win of the new year following a dreadful start to 2014 when they beatrelegation favourites Sassuolo on the road. The home side are missing the creative touch of Jorginho who was sold for a healthy profit last month and really need to sort themselves out if they are to stand any chance of beating this buoyant Juventus side. The reigning champions made easy work of their once formidable rivals, Inter, at the Juventus stadium and will be keen to maintain their superb form.
Prediction 1-3
Lazio Vs Roma
Lazio are a completely different side following the return to the helm of coach Edoardo Reja who has really mustered his troops and given fresh hopes of saving something from the season. Roma have been superb this season, bar a poor run of form in November and will still fancy their chances of catching runaway leaders Juventus. Expect plenty of episodes in what is arguably Italy’s most fiercely fought derby which I expect to end in a score draw.
Prediction 2-2
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Livorno Vs Genoa
Livorno will be pleased to share the spoils with relegation rivals Catania on Sunday afternoon in a match which ended with six goals. Genoa will be gutted to have lost to local rivals Sampdoria on Monday night after such a positive season, atleast compared to recent years. You can expect them to bounce back but I expect Livorno to hold out for a point.
Prediction 1-1
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Parma Vs Catania
Parma have had an extended break from football after their fixture last weekend in Rome was called off due to the torrential rain and potato field pitch. Never the less I expect the home side to easily see off this poor Catania side at the Tardini stadium.
Prediction 2-0
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Sampdoria Vs Cagliari
Sampdoria are looking like a completely new team compared to the side several months ago following the introduction of coach Mihajlovic last December. Their latest win came on their travels to bitter rivals Genoa and they will look to add three more points to their name when this poor Cagliari side pay a visit. Despite a couple of encouraging results I don’t think the visitors will have enough to compete with this high flying La Samp side.
Prediction 2-1
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Inter Vs Sassuolo
Inter fans will be wondering if their side can really perform any worse as they were humiliated on their travels to the Juventus stadium on Sunday night. The fans are pleading with coach Mazzarri to shuffle things around up front and improve the offensive front line who have scored just three goals in six games. Sassuolo have been extremely inconsistent and might prove to be the perfect chance for the Nerazzurri to get back to winning ways.
Prediction 2-0
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