EUROPE : Champions League - Group Stage

Chelsea - Shaktar Donetsk 2.06 - 4.00

Both J Mata and D Luiz are expected back for Chelsea and then we will see if J Terry will play or not. I think he will play. Last season Chelsea found themselves in a similar situation like this one. They had lost down in Naples 1-3, but could defeat Napoli 4-1 in the return leg. This game against Shaktar is of course just a group game, but you sense that Chelsea have to win this match, or they can probably forget about advancing to the play offs.
Can they match the Shaktar speed? Not really and there is the big problem, in my opinion.
This fixture can turn out to be one the classical games in Europe. To stop Shaktar from scoring is close to impossible and Chelsea have to score two goals, maybe three, to be the winners here? Will they do it? I have my doubts.

Celtic - Barcelona 11.30 - 1.35

Will the Celtic players be able to play the same kind of disciplined, defensive game at the Celtic Park as they managed at the Camp Nou Stadium? Well, they have to, or they will be punished severely. Barca will miss Adriano and Busquets tomorrow, but G Pique is back in their squad. Dani Alves is also available again.
Celtic hope to have both G Samaras and G Hooper back tomorrow, but their Norwegian T Rogne, Izaguirre and J Forrest are in grave danger of missing this game.
Barcelona are definitely not desperate for points at the moment, but playing a friendly game or not, they usually are scoring their three-four customary goals. So this game will probably end the same way as it usually does, with Barcelona winning it.

Braga - Manchester Utd 3.50 - 2.31

United have not been in convincing form in Europe this far but facts remain, they are on maximum nine points after three rounds of group football. Coach Ferguson would want to make their qualifying safe as soon as possible, looking for a positive result in Portugal. To win away to Braga Ferguson has to send out his best players, or that is what I think anyway.
Braga were 2-0 up at Old Trafford and they will face this match with a decent amount of confidence. Braga are pretty close to the class of Benfica these days, maybe even Porto.
It looks like the United coach Ferguson may shuffle the pack tomorrow and will we see too many Giggs and Scholes, you know what I mean, then I am prepared to back this Braga side, a Braga side in very good form and with all their best players available. Home win for now.

Juventus - Nordsjälland 1.16 - 23.00

The home side will most certainly be able to create enough of scoring chances to grab the three points, but it is not always the easy part for Juventus, to find the net, I mean. They did enough to win the match in Copenhagen, but they were too wasteful on the day.
Vucinic will be rested for Juventus, probably also Giovinco and then it is between Matri, Quagliarella and Bendtner for two starting roles upfront. Pogba will most likely start tomorrow. Nordsjälland will probably be unchanged, or N Stockholm will not be ready. Home winner.

Valencia - Bate Borisov 1.29 - 16.01

I waited for Bate to take the lead in the first leg two weeks ago. They were the better side in the first half, but then Valencia were rewarded a late penalty, scored and the match changed for the worse for Bate. They had to chase the game and they too often lost the ball in the middle of the pitch with Valencia deadly dangerous on their speed counter attacks.
I have to say, I love the way that Valencia change the pace of the game. It is done in an instant, very effective and that is modern football, in my opinion. Quite fit Valencia squad only missing J Mathieu. They defeated Atletico Madrid at the weekend and I cannot really see Valencia dropping any points against this Belo Russian side. Bate will miss the suspended Pavlov. Once again, home win, but quite worthless odds.

Bayern Munich - Lille 1.20 - 19.40

A good side like Lille on zero points after three rounds in this group. They got off to the worst possible start losing at home to Bate Borisov in their first game. Talk about damage done. Basa, Beria and Debuchy, all early injury doubts, have been cleared to play and Mavuba could start.
Robben was on the bench for Bayern at the weekend when his side defeated Hamburg, with ease one must say. I missed no one in particular in the Bayern squad, M Gomes aside, and you always expect a full strength Bayern side to win their home games in Europe. Robben will start tomorrow and maybe we will see Javi Martinez as well. Home win, but the odds are of course quite useless.

Benfica - Spartak Moscow 1.65 - 6.40

So far nothing great from Benfica, but they usually are very strong in their European home fixtures. Losing their only home game against Barcelona does not change my opinion.
An own goal from Jardel gifted Spartak the win in Moscow, but at the end of the day Spartak deserved the win. It was cold in Moscow and it was a difficult night for Benfica. Gaitan and Cardozo, will they start this time for Benfica? They were benched in Moscow. Matic will not play due to a suspension.
At least two Spartak players, missing two weeks ago, will return for this match. I am referring to Insaurralde and and De Zeeuw. Mc Geady, Emenike, Welliton and Romulo are among their many injury victims. Advantage Benfica, but what about the odds? Probably OK.

Cluj - Galatasaray 2.70 - 2.88

It was a must win game for Galatasaray two weeks ago. The rain poured down when the Turks failed to defeat Cluj (1-1), although Cluj were down the ten men in the second half. F Melo missed a penalty for Galatasaray. J Elmander will not play for Gala, no F Melo either, while the Romanians will be without their suspended midfielder Aguirregaray. I cannot really back up this bet, but I end up supporting the away win.

Champions League Prediction

Milan - Malaga 2.20 - 3.80

Best game of the season for Milan at the weekend. They outclassed Chievo 5-1. Something changed in the second half against Palermo with Milan playing a more offensive game than before this season. They went back to their four man defence using a 4-2-3-1 formation. Bojan has finally come alive and he was one of the best Milan players vs. Chievo.
Toulalan is fit and for the first time this season the hard working midfielder is included in the Malaga squad for this game. Malaga surprisingly lost to Rayo the other day. Seems like the club has not paid their players to the full extent, but if is affecting the players or not, I would not know. What I do know is that Malaga so far have been in fantastic form in Europe, on maximum points and not a single goal conceded. Still my choice will be the home win for this improved Milan side.

Dynamo Kiev - Porto 2.75 - 2.81

It was a much tougher contest in the first leg than I had expected. Porto won the match 3-2 taking the lead three times. There are obviously two sides to Kiev. I mean, they were pretty useless in their previous away game vs. PSG, but we saw that they are capable of in Portugal two weeks ago.
Porto are on maximum points in this group and you cannot argue with that kind of success, can you? Defender Maicon and their midfielder Fernando, both playing from the start in the first encounter, will miss this game, but Rolando, Quino and Iturbe will be available again. Porto need a draw here to be sure of qualifying 1X game.

P S G - Dynamo Zagreb 1.17 - 26.49

Not much of a contest two weeks ago. PSG were totally superior and although Ibrahimovic scored one of the PSG goals I have never seen the Swede missing so man clear cut scoring chances. Zagreb were surprisingly weak and they obviously have some kind of mental block when they are playing on the big scene.
Lavezzi is at last back in PSG squad, but missing tomorrow will be among others Gamerio, Motta, Nene and Chantome. Tonel has not travelled with his Dinamo Zagreb side to Paris. Not much to say and the odds say it all.

Olympiakos - Montpellier 1.91 - 4.75

Although I got it right two weeks ago with Olympiakos winning in France 2-1, I have to admit that I was plain lucky. Montpellier dominated the match and the away win was close to a robbery. On the other hand I one could say the same about the Montpellier unlikely point at Schalke in the previous round. It is football and that is why you have to have the odds on your side. What did the say in the Hunger games? May the odds be with you! Both Jeunechamp and Yanga-Mbiwa will be back for Montpellier.
Olympiakos recently dropped their first domestic league point and they are now 8-1-0 in the Greek league. No Djebbour or Contreras for this game, but Fetfatzidis, Papazoglu and Siovas will be available again for the home side.
Montpellier have won more away games than home fixtures this season and a warning may be on its place ahead of this fixture. I would still back the side experienced on this top European level and that is Olympiakos.

Anderlecht - Zenit 2.88 - 2.74

Two easy recent wins for Anderlecht in the Belgian league. De Sutter scored three goals in their last game. M’bokani will join their squad for this game, but they lose Wasilweski to a suspension.
Both Danny and Denisov are back in the Zenit squad. Both came on as second half substitutes at the weekend at home to Rostov. With these two playing again coach Spalletti has a terrific squad at his disposal. Hulk is injured, but quite frankly, he has not done much right for his new club, not yet anyway. Now the matches are not decided on paper and Zenit were a huge disappointment in the first leg barely winning their home fixture against Anderlecht 1-0. Potentially Zenit are of course a much better side than the Belgians and at the end of the day I am prepared to back the away win.

Milan - Malaga 2.20 - 3.80

Best game of the season for Milan at the weekend. They outclassed Chievo 5-1. Something changed in the second half against Palermo with Milan playing a more offensive game than before this season. They went back to their four man defence using a 4-2-3-1 formation. Bojan has finally come alive and he was one of the best Milan players vs. Chievo.
Toulalan is fit and for the first time this season the hard working midfielder is included in the Malaga squad for this game. Malaga surprisingly lost to Rayo the other day. Seems like the club has not paid their players to the full extent, but if is affecting the players or not, I would not know. What I do know is that Malaga so far have been in fantastic form in Europe, on maximum points and not a single goal conceded. Still my choice will be the home win for this improved Milan side.

Manchester City - Ajax 1.44 - 8.50

How wrong can one be? I could never foresee the Ajax win against Man City in Amsterdam. Not because I thought that City are a fantastic side, or anything like that, but I underestimated the Ajax capacity. Or was it a fluke win? At the weekend Ajax were back in normal form again, losing a domestic home fixture against Vitesse 0-2. One must not forget, however, that Ajax fully deserved their win vs. Man City.
Both J Lescott and J Milner are struggling with injuries and M Richards, D Silva and K Toure will definitely be missing for M City.
Maybe Man City will be able to play a better game in Europe now that they practically have lost their chances of qualifying from this group. I am not impressed by their present form, but I could say the same about of most of their top colleagues in the Premiership this season. I expect City to be the winners tomorrow.

Real Madrid - Borussia Dortmund 1.49 - 8.00

Personally I would rather back this 1.49 on the Real win that 1.44 on the Man City win. Although Borussia just about deserved their home win against Real they do not in my opinion have any winning chance at the Bernabeu Stadium. There is not any team, Barcelona aside, that can match Real Madrid there.
Better looking Real defence this time with Arbeloa and Albiol back, but they will be without the injured Khedira. Xabi Alonso will start again joined by L Modric or Essien in the middle. Benzema is considered a major injury doubt.
The Borussia captain S Kehl has broken his nose, but there is every chance that he will take part in tomorrow’s game wearing a mask. Very likely home win.

Premier League Prediction 6/11/12

W B A - Southampton 1.75 - 5.06

I talk about luck every now and then, but do not take it too literally. WBA deserved more from their visit to St James last week and they probably also deserved something from their home game against Man City the week before. So it has not been going the WBA way lately, although they have played some decent football. This they have done from day one this season.
Southampton as expected fielded reserves against Leeds in the cup and we will see a well rested and well prepared Saints squad for this match. Home win, I guess.

Football Betting Prediction

Ajaccio - Marseille 3.81 - 2.20

I am not trusting Marseille at all at the moment and this price on the home win is well worth backing. Ajaccio remain unbeaten at Corsica and they have yet to concede a single goal in their home fixtures. They were 4-1 up away to Lorient last week in a crazy game with the match ending in a 4-4 draw. Ajaccio really should have scored more goals. They missed several great scoring opportunities. Mutu scored his first goal for the club playing alongside Eduardo in their front line.
Marseille have lost their last three away games, vs. Troyes in the league, vs. Borussia M. in Europe and in midweek against PSG in the domestic cup. They have looked too predictable, too slow lately. Both their strikers Gignac and A Ayew will miss this game. Fanni, defender, will be suspended and fit again Diawara could replace him, or L Mendez will. Backing the outsider.

Brest - Lorient 2.94 - 2.66

Derby game tonight and I like the odds on the home win. Brest are 3-1-0 in their home fixtures and for this match they will be able to call on their striker Ben Basat again along with defender I Traore. No Chafni.
Defender Le Lan will be available again for Lorient, but Emeghara is suspended also this week. L Kone is new on their injury list joining among others Ecuele Mange. Lorient have struggled a bit of late and away from home they are 1-3-1. The home win is over priced in my opinion and Brest will get my vote.

Fulham - Everton 2.78 - 2.67

Who is missing Clint Dempsey these days? I for one thought that Fulham would struggle without the American, but so far, no problems. Jol’s Fulham have become one of the most entertaining sides in the Premiership. I missed the new Swedish star Kacaniklic last week when Fulham drew 3-3 at Reading, but he should be back for this match.
Everton will be able to call on S Pienaar again. D Gibson will be missing and probably K Mirallas as well. D Berbatov is a case of concern for Fulham and I need him playing to actually back the home win. In that case, decent odds on the Fulham home win.

Liverpool - Newcastle 1.61 - 6.90

One thing you can always rely upon. Liverpool continue to be underpriced in their home fixtures. It has always been like that and the odds on display this time certainly prove my thesis. Liverpool are heading in the right direction, no doubt about that, but so far they have not played any cracking home games.
Newcastle are certainly no pushovers, although they were plain lucky last week winning against WBA after a below par display. There has been some great games between these two sides and I will never forget when Keegan’s Newcastle were beaten 3-4 at Anfield and losing the title to Man United. No bet game for this writer, or something on the away win.

Manchester Utd - Arsenal 1.73 - 5.50

I would love to back my team Arsenal in this match. United on the other side and the juicy price on the outsider, but I cannot do it. Gervinho has joined Diaby, Gibbs and Szczesny on the sidelines. Wilshere, Sagna and Walcott could all feature tomorrow and Oxlade-Chamberlain will have a late fitness test.
It seems like the United coach Ferguson has at last found his team. With A Young and Valencia on the two flanks United have a very effective midfield again and you cannot better their offensive duo, can you?
Arsenal got their all important win against QPR, but they are not playing like a top side for the time being. Hopefully they will relish this moment, facing United as big outsiders, and produce a classical Arsenal display with the emphasis on speedy counter attacks. That is what I hope, but at the end of the day I expect United to be the winners. The odds on the home win, however, are the worst for a long time.

Norwich - Stoke 2.76 - 2.82

Better looking Norwich side these last two weeks. They just look more confident, more likely to score goals and G Holt is slowly finding his form again. R Snodgrass is fit again and he played most of the second half against Aston Villa.
I will not start criticizing Stoke after their 0-0 game against Sunderland. You know what to expect from Stoke and everything pointed to a drab non football affair vs. a Sunderland team lacking constructive ideas. Stoke lost M Wilson to an injury and he will be missing for a while. G Whelan could return for tomorrow’s game. Norwich need fresh legs to defeat Stoke and they may suffer a bit after their midweek cup game against Tottenham.

Q P R - Reading 1.95 - 4.65

Too many QPR players are sent off and their poor discipline has become costly. The one to blame must be their coach. It started with J Barton and D Cisse and last week it was M’Bia who was shown the red card and his stupidity cost QPR a valuable point. QPR were 2-1 up at home to Reading in a cup game earlier this season, but they ended up losing the match 2-3.
What will be the Reading confidence and self esteem be like on Sunday after their extraordinary topsy turvy game against the Arsenal reserves. They were 4-0 up playing some great stuff, but ended up losing the match 5-7. I will back QPR to win their first league game of the season.

Sunderland - Aston Villa 2.12 - 4.00

Six goals in their eight league games and five of them scored by S Fletcher, that is Sunderland(1-6-1 this far) Why they have become such a low scoring team I cannot say, but could be that their wing play is not working like before. Yes and Sessegnon has not been close to his best form from last season. Sunderland fired blanks again in midweek at home to Middlesbrough in the cup (0-1 loss) and then you should know that they started with practically their strongest side, only missing Seb Larsson.
Villa have similar problems having scored one more goal than Sunderland, but they have played one game more in the league. Villa, at least, found the net against Swindon in the cup, scoring three goals. J Bennett will be back from his suspension for this game, but they lose their midfielder El Ahmadi to a suspension. Will we have another sleeping pill at the Stadium of Light?

Swansea - Chelsea 5.01 - 1.80

This Swansea side holds their own against any side, at least in Wales, and I smell difficulties for Chelsea. It is about efficiency in the final third for Swansea. Passing the ball, getting in good positions, that is usually no problems for Swansea, but they lack a real number nine, if you know what I mean. Their great keeper Vorm is sidelined at the moment. Chico, defender, will be assessed ahead of this game.
Both Ivanovic and Torres will be back for Chelsea, but they will miss J Terry and F Lampard again this week. Ashley Cole is also in danger of missing this game. Chelsea had to use quite a few regulars against Man United in the cup (5-4 win) and this game may prove more than awkward or Chelsea. Their squad is a bit stretched at the moment and they will play the all important match against Shaktar in just a few days. The odds on the away win are way too short, unbackable in my opinion.

Tottenham - Wigan 1.51 - 7.50

Typical Tottenham against Southampton. Quite superior in the first half they lost their ways in the second half and could barely hold on to their 2-1 lead. What about playing with passion for the whole of 90 minutes! They were also cruising against Norwich in the cup, but conceded two late goals, missed a penalty and ended up losing the match. That is Tottenham this season, strong in patches, but too unstable. Dembele will not be fit to play, but maybe Adebayor will.
Wigan played a good game at home to West Ham absolutely deserving their three points. A committed Tottenham side will win this game, but should they offer a half hearted display there is every risk that they will be punished. You do what you like with this 1.51 on the home win, but it’s not for me.

W B A - Southampton 1.75 - 5.06

I talk about luck every now and then, but do not take it too literally. WBA deserved more from their visit to St James last week and they probably also deserved something from their home game against Man City the week before. So it has not been going the WBA way lately, although they have played some decent football. This they have done from day one this season.
Southampton as expected fielded reserves against Leeds in the cup and we will see a well rested and well prepared Saints squad for this match. Home win, I guess.

West Ham - Manchester City 5.25 - 1.74

There are almost always two versions after a match and the West Ham coach had the opinion that his side under performed against Wigan and that is why his side lost the match. You know the coaches, one is more one sided than the other, but the Leeds coach Warnock can never be beaten. West Ham have so far looked good in their home fixtures and this I state although they went down to Arsenal 1-3.
Man City hope to include Javi Garcia for this game, but definitely out is the injured M Richards. Fit again Zabaleta will cover for Richards. D Silva? Not ready, or I have not heard anything else. I do not know what to think really, but I cannot accept this 1.74 on the away win.

Bolton - Cardiff 2.38 - 3.15

I will back Bolton against the league leaders. It will be the first game for the new Bolton manager D Freedman and I suggest he will make an instant impact. Bolton have one of the strongest side in this division, but so far they have not lived up to expectations, far from that. OK, they have been relatively strong in their home games (3-2-1 this far).
Lee is back playing for Bolton and he scored their goal against Middlesbrough last week.
Cardiff are topping the table thanks to their 100% home record. Away from home they are more human with 2-1-3 this far. S McPhail is fit again and he should be in contention for this match. C Bellamy is always touch and go. You never really know if he will play or not.
I expect a great game from Freedman’s Bolton and I will back the home win.

Brighton - Leeds 2.05 - 4.02

Tonight Leeds will play again and I think they will suffer at Brighton.
Plenty of action lately for Leeds. After two disappointing home games in the league they expectedly defeated the Southampton reserves in midweek. Leeds basically fielded their first strings again and the way I see it the Leeds squad has been a bit overworked these last two weeks. Not many options either for coach Warnock and he has to go around with the same group of players. Becchio will start tomorrow and P Kenny will stand between the sticks.
Brighton are winless in six games and their previously hot striker Mackail-Smith, recently back from injury, has yet to find his early season scoring form. Brighton picked up a valuable, morale boosting point away to Blackpool last week and I predict that they will start winning matches again, starting with this one. Brighton are a quality side. Backing Brighton.

Bologna - Udinese 2.50 - 3.23

It is getting tough for Bologna. Pogba’s last minute goal for Juventus in midweek resulted in their fourth loss on the bounce. Three of those losses have been by the odd goal and Bologna are rarely outplayed in their matches.
Important Diamanti will return for this game and their midfielder Perez will also be back.
Di Natale scored twice for his Udinese at home to Catania once again saving his side (2-2). It looks like Di Natale will miss this match. He will have a late fitness test. Defence man Danilo will sit out a suspension. I am prepared to back a highly motivated home side in this game.

Catania - Lazio 2.63 - 3.20

My choice will be the home win. Both Marchese and Legrottaglie will be back for the home side. Barrientos will most likely be back to play in their front line.
Lazio will have important Hernanes available again, Ledesma as well, but they lose their front man Klose to a suspension. Marchetti, their first choice keeper, remains sidelined. Maybe T Rocchi will start upfront. It is almost always a natural choice for this writer backing Catania in their home games. So be it.

Fiorentina - Cagliari 1.65 - 7.24

Four straight wins for Cagliari. When did this happen before? OK, they have not played against any of the top sides, but it is still a fantastic achievement and I guess their new coach will be declared a saint any of these days.
Conti and Nainggolan will be suspended for Cagliari and A Ekdal will probably start again. Both Cossu and Pinilla are playing again, but Nene and Sau did a great job in midweek and there is healthy competition in their offensive line at the moment.
Aquilani made his come back last night, coming on as a second half substitute, when Fiorentina won their first away game of the season, 1-0 vs. Genoa. At home Fiorentina are 4-1-0 and they are motivated favourites in this match, but they have become too big favourites.

Juventus - Inter 1.73 - 5.55

The bookmakers obviously want us to back Inter in this match. I mean, backing Juventus as 1.73 favourites in this top of the table clash is close to impossible. It is not like Inter are in poor form, no, they have won their last seven league games.
I have to say something about the new Juventus star Pogba. He is reminding of Balotelli, but I assure you, Pogba is already better than him. Pogba was man of the match in mid week.
Chiellini, Lichtsteiner, Asamoah, Vidal and Vucinic will all be back for this match. None of these Juventus profiles played against Bologna.
Juan Jesus will be available again for Inter. Cambiasso from the start this time, I guess.
Inter have won all their away games this far and if I choose to be involved in this match I will back the outsider. It is only about the odds, you know.

Milan - Chievo 1.50 - 8.20

Down 0-2 away to Palermo the Milan coach went for broke and it paid off. A very offensive Milan side managed to draw the match and there for once was a positive feeling in the Milan camp after the game. For this match Milan have to manage without their suspended defender Bonera. Milan will have a very offensive line up tomorrow.
Chievo won their all important home game against Pescara 2-0. They did not have an easy ride, but with Pescara down to ten men in the second half, the Chievo goals had to come. Their injury list remains the same. Di Michele could be involved tomorrow. Chievo are 0-0-4 in their away games and this looks like loss number five. Home winner.

Napoli - Torino 1.56 - 7.50

Saying that Napoli are Cavani dependant is certainly not saying too much.
He will probably be missing again.
Drawing rather deservedly with Lazio meant that Torino remain unbeaten on their travels (1-4-0). Obviously they play some clever football away from home, hard to break down, not necessarily the most entertaining stuff. They will be able to call on Sansone again and Ogbonna could also be ready for this fixture.
No bet on the Napoli win as long as Cavani is missing.

Pescara - Parma 3.38 - 2.40

Backing the away win. The Pescara coach is hanging on the ropes, but what about their players? What to do with a very limited squad? Defence man Romagnoli and Colucci will be suspended for the home side and still no Terlizzi. Last chance saloon for the Pescara coach this weekend.
Parma will be without their suspended striker Belfodil, who scored one of their goals against Roma. Hopefully Amauri will be fit to play, but this I doubt. We may see Pabon and Biabiany in the Parma front line. Not ideal, I have to say, but I will go opposing Pescara.

Roma - Palermo 1.57 - 6.48

Too bad that I did not follow my own suggestion. Roma went down 2-3 away to Parma, but I completely forgot about it. I was happy to see Parma winning the match. Balzaretti, the Roma defender, former Palermo man, is expected back for this game and also Taddei will be available again. Tachtsidis will return from his suspension. Their keeper Stekelenburg risks missing this game.
Who wants this 1.57 on the home win? There is every chance that Palermo’s only dangerous weapon, Miccoli will score a brace in this game. Who will stop him? Forget about the Roma defenders, because they are nowhere to be found.
No Donati for Palermo. As I said earlier this week Roma have to score three goals to win any match these days. Another 3-2 home win.

Sampdoria - Atalanta 2.35 - 3.62

As long as Sampdoria had eleven players on the pitch they matched Inter on a rainy evening and the Costa dismissal proved costly. Anyway Sampdoria made a good impression on this writer and it is difficult to understand that they have lost their last five games. No Costa tomorrow, no Munari, and both Obiang and Maresca are serious injury doubts again. I should think that Maxi Lopez will play from the start upfront this time.
The Atalanta keeper Consigli was man of the match when his side win 1-0 at home to Napoli. Both Cigarini and Peluso will return for this game, but Cazzola will sit out a suspension. Raimondi will replace Bellini as right back. I would have hoped for a fitter home squad, but my vote still goes to the home win alternative.

Siena - Genoa 2.26 - 3.70

Important game for Siena in midweek, away to Cagliari, but it did not show. They were 0-3 down after half an hour. Bogdani started instead of Ze Eduardo. Why I do not know. Both their defenders Neto and Felipe will be suspended for this game. The Siena president has called a meeting. Something has to be done to stop the rot and he is right of course.
Genoa are toothless at the moment. They did not create much at home to Fiorentina (0-1 loss). Nothing wrong with their attitude, but like Siena they lack quality players. Jankovic was not fit to play against Fiorentina and I doubt that he will be ready for this fixture. Still no Borriello and Rossi. Two big time strugglers but I do not think that the home side will be on the losing side.

Serie A Prediction 31/10/12

Atalanta - Napoli 4.00 - 2.21

Both Cigarini and Peluso will be suspended for the home side. Brivio will most likely replace Peluso in their defence, but it is unclear who will come in for Cigarini in the midfield. Bellini, Carmona and Biondini are all available again. Down to ten men in the second half Atalanta managed to keep Pescara from scoring at the weekend (0-0). There is nothing great abut this Atalanta side but they are almost always doing a decent job. Well, not against Torino, not so long ago (1-5 home loss).
Napoli hope to have Cavani back tomorrow, but there is no guarantee. He did not play against Chievo the other day and it showed. Zuniga will miss this fixture, but Britos is back in their squad. No Cavani for Napoli and Atalanta may get their draw. X2 game.

Cagliari - Siena 2.10 - 4.90

The new Cagliari coach has won three games on the trot with his team. He is a defensive coach and Cagliari keep on winning their matches 1-0. Once again it looks like Cagliari will miss Pinilla, but their play maker Cossu is fit again.
Siena were terrible at home to Palermo, or they defended well. I say they were terrible and their coach praises their defence. Defending at home to Palermo, give me a break! Rosina and Campagnolo are not included in their squad, but Felipe is. Backing the home win.

Chievo - Pescara 1.80 - 5.50

Decent Chievo effort against Napoli and as they are facing this rather hopeless Pescara side in Verona there is every chance that this fixture will end with a home win. These sides are on the same points but I hold Chievo as the much better side. Vacek will be suspended for the home side. Blasi will return to the Pescara squad, but they are still missing Jonathas, Terlizzi and Crescenzi.
The game was there to be taken for Pescara at home to Atalanta. Pescara had been the stronger side in the first half and when Atalanta instantly were down to ten men in the second half I expected the home side to decide the match. They were poor, again I must say.
The home win!

Genoa - Fiorentina 3.46 - 2.40

Fiorentina, winless away from home, as the favourites? It does not look right. Pizarro will be back in the Fiorentina midfield for this game and Roncaglia will also return.
Genoa are still missing among others Borriello and Rossi, but defender Canini will be back for this match and Jankovic should be fit to play.
Delneri suffered a defeat in his first game as the Genoa coach and his offensive options are a bit limited with Borriello out of action. Immobile possibly backed up by Jorquera in their front line.
Fiorentina have not been too enterprising in their away games this far and in my mind there are three possible results on Thursday. 0-0, 0-1 or 1-1.

Inter - Sampdoria 1.57 - 8.15

Inter are the away champions in Serie A, having won all their five away fixtures. The Inter overall form is excellent and they must be expected to win this match. Juan Jesus, one of their best players against Bologna, will be suspended tomorrow.
Sampdoria are on a negative run with four losses on the bounce. They will have players back for this game. Romero, Munari and Da Costa will be back in contention along with Castellini. Hopefully also Obiang, but Maresca and Pozzi will be missing and leading striker Maxi Lopez is also in danger of miss out tomorrow. Likely home win, but the odds you can do without.

Juventus - Bologna 1.27 - 16.02

What a disastrous weekend for referees both here and there. Biggest mistake was made by a linesman when Catania scored a legitimate goal against Juventus. The scorer was on side with a meter and the poor fellow blew for offside. It is almost Juventus in the mix. Last season Milan scored a second goal against Juventus, it was over the line with half a meter, but it was disallowed.
Juventus were better than Catania, but Catania in the 1-0 lead are an altogether different side playing the counter attacking game to perfection. The home side will be without the suspended Vidal with Pogba his replacement. Caceres will probably come in for Lichtsteiner.
Bologna, dropping steadily in the table, will miss their important play maker Diamanti. What more to say. Home win of course.

Lazio - Torino 1.79 - 5.65

Another side treated badly by the officials was this Lazio side. They scored a perfect goal against Fiorentina, but it was offside according to the referee. Several of the Lazio players lost their temper later on in Florens and both Hernanez and Ledesma were shown the red card. Hernanez, probably the best Lazio player this season, will of course be suspended tomorrow along with Ledesma, but his absence I can take. No Marchetti in their goal. Brocchi and/or Onazi could earn starting roles in the middle of the park.
Would you believe the newcomers Torino remain unbeaten on their travels (1-3-0). They will hopefully be able to call on Ogbonna again, but Sansone will definitely be missing due to a suspension. Sgrigna or Meggiorini will replace Sansone. Ogbonna is still touch and go. I prefer the home win alternative.

Parma - Roma 3.00 - 2.41

I would have Parma as favourites in this game. Donadoni’s side are unbeaten at home (2-2-0) and they won their first away game of the season at the weekend defeating Torino 3-1 after an impressive display.
There is no way to come to terms with Zeman’s Roma. In the lead 2-0 or down 0-2 in their matches, it does not seem to matter. Their young players, a couple playing rather poorly, will make mistakes, especially in their own box and Roma have to score at least three goals to win their matches. One of their worst players against Udinese, Tachtisidis, will be suspended for this game and Balzaretti risks missing also this match. Mirante will stand between the Parma sticks again. Home win, say 3-2.

Udinese - Catania 1.95 - 4.62

On another day Di Natale would have scored more goals against Roma. He missed some clear cut chances, but at the end of the day he won the match for Udinese. Defender Danilo will return from his suspension tomorrow and his colleague Basta could also be back. Benatia, Pasquale, Pinzi and Muriel remain on the sidelines.
I have already talked about the Catania bad luck and for this match they have to manage without the suspended duo Marchese and Legrottaglie. Bellusci will hopefully be fit joining Spolli in their central defence. I prefer the odds on the home win.