Bologna Vs Atalanta
Bologna were trounced on their travels to fellow minnows Chievo and remain just a couple of points above the bottom three with just 8 games left this season. The Rossoblu really need to secure a few more wins if they are going to ensure another season of Serie A football. Following their hard fought win at the San Siro, Atalanta comfortably saw off 18th place Livorno in Bergamo to climb up to 7th in the standings and are now in with a fighting chance of playing Europa League football next season, something I am sure will delight everyone at the club. Expect a tightly contested contest between two teams both determined to win for entirely different reasons.
Prediction 2-2
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Milan Vs Chievo
Milan pulled off the surprise of Gameweek 30 to beat Fiorentina in Florence and ease some pressure off coach Seedorf’s shoulders. Despite the impressive win the Rossoneri still sit 12th in the standings following a disastrous season and I reckon they will be doing their utmost to end their season on a positive note. Chievo took another important step to safety by beating fellow relegation candidates Bologna to leap frog them to 16th place in the standings. I predict the visitors have enough to hold out for a point in Milan.
Prediction 1-1
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Sassuolo Vs Roma
Serie A newcomers Sassuolo are extremely likely to be heading straight back down this season after a frustrating year in which they have spent just weeks above the bottom three. Roma will be no mood for favours as they look to keep alive the small hope they have of snatching the Scudetto off Juventus. The team from the capital showed real resilience on Tuesday night to see off a stubborn Torino side at the Olimpico. Away win expected for Garcia’s men.
Prediction 1-3
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Verona Vs Genoa
Verona will be thanking their excellent run of form before the Christmas break as the key to comfortably avoiding a relegation scrap this season, since 2014 has been far from perfect for Mandolini’s side who have now dropped down to 10th following just 3 wins this calendar year. The Genoa faithful will be delighted with their sides home win over Lazio and their overall form this season following the relegation scraps these last few seasons. Considering both these sides current for I predict a score draw.
Prediction 1-1
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Lazio Vs Parma
Lazio were comfortably beaten on their travels to Genoa on Wednesday night as the momentum brought by Reja’s appointment several months ago seems to have finally worn off. Despite their inconsistent season the team from the capital sit 8th in the standings and will really need to be on their toes when in form Parma visit the Olimpico. Donadoni’s sides impressive 16 game unbeaten run came to a controversial end when they were denied a clear penalty at the Juventus stadium. His men will not be too disheartened though as they are close to securing Europa League football next season. Considering the visitors will be without Amauri through suspension, I predict a score draw.
Prediction 1-1
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Sampdoria Vs Fiorentina
Mihajlovic has been a real revelation ever since taking over at Sampdoria. He has transformed this side into a solid team who once again proved their resilience by beating Sassoulo on the road to climb up to 9th in the standings. Fiorentina were beaten at home by a more disciplined Milan side. Montella must be pondering how his side’s home form is almost identical to their away form and will need to improve on this next season if they are to stand any chance of competing for a Champions League place. Tough one to call, but I reckon La Samp could edge this.
Prediction 2-1
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Torino Vs Cagliari
Torino were just minutes away from leaving the Olimpico with an impressive point but were denied by a late Florenzi strike. The Toro fateful will undoubtedly be pleased with their sides season considering their limited squad and coach Ventura can now strengthen his team around his impressive attacking duo of Cerci and Immobile. Cagliari fought for their lives and managed to hold out to beat a struggling Verona side which now sees the Sardinians climb up to 8 points above the bottom three and are almost certain of Serie A survival. Home win expected.
Prediction 2-0
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Napoli Vs Juventus
Sunday night sees the meeting between two of Italy’s top teams in what is expected to be an enticing encounter in the cauldron that is the San Paolo Stadium. Benitez’s side have been extremely inconsistent this season, cracking under pressure on a number of occasions, which led them to dropping out of the title race almost half way through the season. La Juve on the other hand have all but secured their third successive Scudetto following another controversial win at the Juventus stadium. Expect a hard fought battle between these two sides and I am sticking my neck out and backing Napoli to win this so they can at least they can end their season on a high.
Prediction 2-1
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Udinese Vs Catania
Guidolin’s side shut up shop and threw away the key on Thursday evening when they managed to hold off a toothless Inter side at the San Siro, mainly through the goal-keeping heroics of 17 year old Simone Scuffet. Catania remain rooted to the bottom of the standings after they went 0-4 down in Sicily against Napoli, even though they managed to score two late goals it was too little too late. Considering that these sides finished 5th and 8th respectively last season just goes to show how far they have fallen this season. Home win expected.
Prediction 2-1
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Livorno Vs Inter
Livorno are just two points away from safety as they clamber on from game to game. The newcomers, a team predominantly built around young loanees from Serie A’s top sides, are still in with a chance of survival and might see this struggling Inter side as a chance to pick up a point. Mazzarri’s side were once again held at home as he continues to frustrate the club’s owner and fans through his negative tactics which have seen Inter drop over 15 points at home this season against bottom half of the table sides. This is a very important match for both sides, however I am backing the Nerazzurri to win this.
Prediction 1-2
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Roma Vs Parma
Whilst most of the footballing world will undoubtedly have their eyes fixed on the two scintillating Champions League matches on Wednesday night Roma will be hosting Parma at the Olimpico after this tie was postponed several months ago due to poor weather. As predicted, Roma comfortably saw off relegation candidates Sassuolo while Parma were dealt their second defeat in 4 days which abruptly ended their 16 match unbeaten run. Home win expected.
Prediction 2-0
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