Serie A Predictions: Round 8
10/22/2005 6:26:00 AM
Juventus are after the 8th consecutive league win which would mean equalling the previous record held by the same Bianconeri. Milan and Inter face difficult ties against Palermo and Udinese respectively, but the match of the day is definitely the Roman derby in program on Sunday night.
Chievo – Cagliari
The donkeys are really flying high, higher than anyone could ever expect at the start of the season. The only two defeats so far arrived against Juventus and Inter, whereas Chievo managed to beat or at least draw against teams of their own level. Cagliari are renowned for their poor away form and this should not change much in this encounter as the Rossoblu can only avoid the drop from their home games.
Prediction: 1
Fiorentina – Parma
The Viola need to bounce back from the defeat suffered against Lazio 7 days ago, a result which stopped Fiorentina’s positive run. On the other hand, Parma are not doing too well and further slips might complicate matters for a team which definitely has the potential to do much better than its current 16th place. However, the high-flying Fiorentina will not be the side against whom they can really hope to achieve the three points or even one point.
Prediction: 1
Lecce – Juventus
Two reasons will be pushing Juventus for a win here. The first one is that the team wants to reach the 8th consecutive win and their equal their previous record from the 50s and 80s, but more important, the team wants to find way its winning form after the Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich. Lecce showed signs of improvement in the previous weekends, but against a concentrated and angry Juve side, it will be difficult to see them take any points from this encounter.
Prediction: 2
Livorno – Reggina
The home team will want to cancel and quite possibly forget the thrashing received last weekend by Inter, and what better opponent than Reggina? Despite last weekend’s win over Lecce, the southern side still seem too weak, even for Livorno who will want to confirm themselves in the upper side of the table, led by the returning Lucarelli.
Prediction: 1
Messina – Ascoli
The Sicilians are just a pale shadow of the team admired last season, and a positive result against Ascoli is a necessity. The Bianconeri have so far impressed, obtaining important results, especially at home, last of which against Sampdoria. The Giallorossi definitely need the points more, and this motivation might be more than a good reason why to back Messina in this match.
Prediction: 1
Milan – Palermo
The Rossoneri need the home win to continue their run after Juventus, but Palermo will be a very tough team to beat. The only problem with the Rosanero has been consistency, otherwise this squad has all the qualities to do well and even trouble or beat the big teams, as was the case against Inter. Milan will have to do without Shevchenko, but Gilardino will be all motivated to score his first goal in front of his home crowd. If Palermo tries to defend like PSV did, then the Sicilian side might be able to leave San Siro with a point, otherwise Milan will most likely take all three points at stake.
Prediction: 1
Roma – Lazio
The most important derby in Italy returns on Sunday night. Roma arrive to this match with the hunger and need of points, as Lazio sit 5 points above the Giallorossi in Serie A. The Biancocelesti have in fact done very well so far, exceeding all expectations, and will now want to confirm their good form in the biggest game of the season for these two sides. Usually these kind of games are won by the teams who are doing worst, as motivation will be higher, and that is why we shall go for a Roma win here.
Prediction: 1
Sampdoria – Siena
The Blucerchiati will host the surprising Tuscan side in a bid to get back on the winning track after last weekend’s slip at Ascoli. Sampdoria have lost some of their consistency, which might prove their weakest point in the race for the fourth available Champions League spot. However, last season the Doriani had a terrible start to their year and then went on to reach 5th place in Serie A, just one point behind the 4th place. This is their chance to get all three points against a team which is not that good when playing away from home.
Prediction: 1
Treviso – Empoli
An encounter between two newly promoted sides, with Treviso still after their first win of the season, while Empoli want to confirm themselves in the middle of the league table. Treviso will finally be playing in their own stadium after playing their previous home games in Padova. This will surely boost the team’s motivation and help them achieve at least a draw against the in-form Tuscan side.
Prediction: X
Udinese – Inter
The Nerazzurri travel to Udine for a delicate match against another Champions League team. Inter cannot afford to lose points and following their 2-0 debacle at Porto, the Milanese team will need to win the three points to bounce back from that defeat and prove that it was just a minor incident. Udinese have a good opportunity to prove their worth and that they deserve to be there among the best, but that will most likely not be enough.
Prediction: 2
10/22/2005 6:26:00 AM
Juventus are after the 8th consecutive league win which would mean equalling the previous record held by the same Bianconeri. Milan and Inter face difficult ties against Palermo and Udinese respectively, but the match of the day is definitely the Roman derby in program on Sunday night.
Chievo – Cagliari
The donkeys are really flying high, higher than anyone could ever expect at the start of the season. The only two defeats so far arrived against Juventus and Inter, whereas Chievo managed to beat or at least draw against teams of their own level. Cagliari are renowned for their poor away form and this should not change much in this encounter as the Rossoblu can only avoid the drop from their home games.
Prediction: 1
Fiorentina – Parma
The Viola need to bounce back from the defeat suffered against Lazio 7 days ago, a result which stopped Fiorentina’s positive run. On the other hand, Parma are not doing too well and further slips might complicate matters for a team which definitely has the potential to do much better than its current 16th place. However, the high-flying Fiorentina will not be the side against whom they can really hope to achieve the three points or even one point.
Prediction: 1
Lecce – Juventus
Two reasons will be pushing Juventus for a win here. The first one is that the team wants to reach the 8th consecutive win and their equal their previous record from the 50s and 80s, but more important, the team wants to find way its winning form after the Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich. Lecce showed signs of improvement in the previous weekends, but against a concentrated and angry Juve side, it will be difficult to see them take any points from this encounter.
Prediction: 2
Livorno – Reggina
The home team will want to cancel and quite possibly forget the thrashing received last weekend by Inter, and what better opponent than Reggina? Despite last weekend’s win over Lecce, the southern side still seem too weak, even for Livorno who will want to confirm themselves in the upper side of the table, led by the returning Lucarelli.
Prediction: 1
Messina – Ascoli
The Sicilians are just a pale shadow of the team admired last season, and a positive result against Ascoli is a necessity. The Bianconeri have so far impressed, obtaining important results, especially at home, last of which against Sampdoria. The Giallorossi definitely need the points more, and this motivation might be more than a good reason why to back Messina in this match.
Prediction: 1
Milan – Palermo
The Rossoneri need the home win to continue their run after Juventus, but Palermo will be a very tough team to beat. The only problem with the Rosanero has been consistency, otherwise this squad has all the qualities to do well and even trouble or beat the big teams, as was the case against Inter. Milan will have to do without Shevchenko, but Gilardino will be all motivated to score his first goal in front of his home crowd. If Palermo tries to defend like PSV did, then the Sicilian side might be able to leave San Siro with a point, otherwise Milan will most likely take all three points at stake.
Prediction: 1
Roma – Lazio
The most important derby in Italy returns on Sunday night. Roma arrive to this match with the hunger and need of points, as Lazio sit 5 points above the Giallorossi in Serie A. The Biancocelesti have in fact done very well so far, exceeding all expectations, and will now want to confirm their good form in the biggest game of the season for these two sides. Usually these kind of games are won by the teams who are doing worst, as motivation will be higher, and that is why we shall go for a Roma win here.
Prediction: 1
Sampdoria – Siena
The Blucerchiati will host the surprising Tuscan side in a bid to get back on the winning track after last weekend’s slip at Ascoli. Sampdoria have lost some of their consistency, which might prove their weakest point in the race for the fourth available Champions League spot. However, last season the Doriani had a terrible start to their year and then went on to reach 5th place in Serie A, just one point behind the 4th place. This is their chance to get all three points against a team which is not that good when playing away from home.
Prediction: 1
Treviso – Empoli
An encounter between two newly promoted sides, with Treviso still after their first win of the season, while Empoli want to confirm themselves in the middle of the league table. Treviso will finally be playing in their own stadium after playing their previous home games in Padova. This will surely boost the team’s motivation and help them achieve at least a draw against the in-form Tuscan side.
Prediction: X
Udinese – Inter
The Nerazzurri travel to Udine for a delicate match against another Champions League team. Inter cannot afford to lose points and following their 2-0 debacle at Porto, the Milanese team will need to win the three points to bounce back from that defeat and prove that it was just a minor incident. Udinese have a good opportunity to prove their worth and that they deserve to be there among the best, but that will most likely not be enough.
Prediction: 2
Buy on AliExpress.com
