AC Milan v Juventus
19.45, Sunday 25th November

AFTER a 3-0 romp over Chelsea in the Champions League midweek Juventus are in high spirits. 

The Turin champions will be hoping they can punish an AC Milan side that have stumbled from fixture to fixture so far this campaign. 

Despite poor league form, Milan have had similar fortunes to Juve in the Champions League- qualifying for the last 16 midweek when they beat Anderlecht 3-1. 

That said, Milan have had a much more comfortable group and I feel when it comes to knock-out football the cracks will show. 

Top of the league titans Juventus are the clear favourites going into this one at 5/4 from bet365, a safe bet in my opinion. 

Although, Serie A top scorer El Shaarawy may have something to say about that- the Milan ace has notched up 10 goals in 13 appearances and does not appear to be slowing down. 

Signing from Genoa in 2011 El Shaarawy’s first season was played in the shadow of master craftsman Ibrahimovic, since his departure to Paris St-Germain over the summer the 20-year-old has come into his own. He is at 6/1 with William Hill to score first. 

No doubt the young Italian International will get his goal, but in current form Juve should decimate Milan. 

The Bianconeri have more resources, stability and heart at the moment, they can draw on Vidal and Quagliarella for goals, Pirlo for creativity and Buffon for inspiration. 

Verdict: Juventus to win 3-2 at 22/1 with Sky Bet, El Shaarawy to score first.

Cagliari v Napoli
18.00, Monday 26th November

Napoli are a side that clearly have their sights set upon a lucrative third place Champions League spot this season. 

Always around the top four, the club which was made famous by Diego Maradona have had a steady rise since their reformation after bankruptcy in 2004. 

Whilst Maradona is now more accustomed to eating pies (or the Argentine equivalent) than scoring goals, the side from Naples have been playing very much with the same attacking spirit this season- scoring 22 goals in 13 games. 

Forever attracting players of South American heritage, Cavani is now the man up front for the Azzuri. He has devastated defences so far this season and will be looking to add to his eight league goal tally against Cagliari- he is 3/1 to score first with betfred. 

Lying off the coast of the Italian mainland, Sardinia is home to Cagliari- and like the island's location, for most of the side’s history they have been adrift of the top tiers of Italian football.  

The history of this fixture has usually produced a narrow win, with three victories apiece and four draws between them the result would seem hard to predict. 

However, the last time these sides met the result truly broke the mould- it was a 6-3 win to Napoli and with current form taken into account a similar score line is not unthinkable. 

VERDICT: Napoli to win both halves at 3/1 with bet365. 
  

Pescara v Juventus 
Saturday 10th 19.45 

THE FREIGHT train from Turin finally came off the tracks last week with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of arch rivals Inter Milan.

I predicted that it would be the biggest test so far for Juventus and indeed that man Milito scored twice to end Juve’s hopes of challenging AC Milan’s record of 58 league games unbeaten.  

The Bianconeri dominated for just over 50 minutes until a sloppy challenge in the box lead to a penalty to which Milito duly converted, 20 minutes later the same man put Inter 2-1 in front with a poached goal from a Buffon save. 

In the 89th minute insult was added to injury when Palacio was found unmarked in the box to make it 3-1. 

The top of Serie A now beckons Inter who are only one point behind a Juve team who seemed Champions-elect at the start of the season. 

That makes this tie with Pescara all the more important, Juve need to answer the defeat with a win- they are the solid favourite at 4/11 with William Hill.  

Pescara, who for the last 19 years have dwelled in the doldrums of Italian football, have returned to Serie A in less than inspiring form. 

Currently hovering just above the relegation zone their form home and away has been poor. 

VERDICT: Juventus to win both halves at 19/20 with Coral. 


Lazio v Roma
Sunday 11th 14.00

FORGED out of Mussolini’s desire to have a strong Rome team to challenge the dominance of Italy’s northern clubs, Roma was founded out of several local teams in 1927. 

One team to resist the merge was Lazio and ever since there has been a fierce rivalry between the teams.  

Lazio are certainly having the better run of form in league this season, currently residing five points clear of Roma in fourth. 

Historically however this derby usually ends in a Roma win and that is the result that the bookies have gone for- at 6/4 with bet365. 

Regardless of the victor, this game will produce goals as both teams are fond of an aggressive attacking style. 

Roma have notched up 23 goals so far this campaign- as many as leaders Juventus, but they have also let in 20 goals- more than bottom placed Siena. 

The man to watch for the Giallorossi is the midfielding maestro Francesco Totti, he is the third highest scorer in the history of this fixture and is 6/1 to score first with William Hill, well worth a cheeky punt!

Klose will be the danger man for Lazio as the veteran German striker has hit the back of the net six times this season and is one of Serie A’s top scorers- he is the bookies favourite at 11/2 with skybet. 

VERDICT: I predict goals a plenty so I am going for a 3-2 win to Lazio at 18/1 with bet365. 

Juventus v Inter Milan

Saturday 2nd 19.45

THE ‘Derby of Italy’ was a fitting description of this explosive fixture by sports journalist Gianni Brera back in 1967.

Battle will once again commence on Saturday for the pride of fans, managers and players alike in this showpiece match of Italian football. 

Perhaps comparable to the rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool in England, Juve and Inter are statistically Italy’s top two sides- having collectively won 46 Serie A titles. 

The game will be sweetened by the fact that if the Bianconeri can get a result they will have achieved 50 league games unbeaten- eight behind the record set by AC Milan in the early 90’s. 

Both historically speaking and judging on current form Juventus are the favourites, having not lost at home to Inter since January 2008. They are odds on to with William Hill at 8/11.

Inter’s start to the campaign has been almost as impressive as Juve’s, notching up eight wins from ten means they currently reside second in Serie A. 

This really will be the biggest test so far for last season’s champions as Cassano and Milito have proved the most devastating strike partnership in the league. 

VERDICT: I predict a high scoring stalemate, go for 2-2 at 16/1 with William Hill. 

AC Milan v Chievo 

Saturday 2nd 17.00

WE have to go back to 2005 to find a Chievo win against the red half of Milan, but in the current disastrous form anything is possible. 

Milan have yet to manage consecutive back to back victories this season and a mid week draw against Palermo has done little to stave off criticism for head coach Allegri. 

After an awful start to the season, losing five games on the trot, Chievo will be hoping they can build on a Halloween victory against Pescara- they are at 3/1 to draw with Sky Bet. 

The man to watch in this one will be Milan’s young Egyptian dynamo- El Shaarawy. Despite only recently celebrating his 20th birthday he is AC’s and Serie A’s top scorer with seven hitting the back of the net so far this season. 

Many have seen this young forward as the only man keeping Allegri’s head from rolling and if he scores again on Saturday Milan's coach will breathe another sigh of relief. 

VERDICT: Milan win with El Shaarawy to score first, 9/2 with William Hill. 

AC Milan v Genoa

27th October, 19.45

AFTER an appalling start to the season many are now calling for Massimiliano Allegri’s head. 

The AC Milan coach is under immense pressure to get a result against Genoa on Saturday after losing midweek in the Champions League 1-0 to Malaga. 

In an interview before the Genoa clash Allegri said: “"Leaving? No, this is not part of my character. 

“We all want to get out of it all together and if we do that we'll be able to have a decent season." 

After losing many core players during the summer and not finding adequate replacements it remains to be seen whether Milan’s man at the top can float a sinking ship. 

Perhaps it is more for reputation than results that Milan are the bookies favourites at 8/15 to beat Genoa with William Hill. 

Despite a relatively promising start to the season the Genoa top brass sacked manager De Canio on Monday in favour of experienced Italian coach Del Neri.

The Rossoblu who are currently ninth in Serie A will want to build on the successes of the season so far- they are 6/1 to win with bet365. 

The man to watch for AC will be El Shaarawy, who has notched five in eight- he is 9/2 to score first with bet365. 

VERDICT: Slim Milan win, with Shaarawy to score first. 

Catania v Juventus 

28th October, 11.30

TWO late goals in two minutes at the death of last week’s clash with Napoli saw my prediction of a cagey draw scoffed. 

Juventus triumphed after a Pirlo corner found the head of Caceres and then Pogba phoned it in with a thunderous volley in the 82nd minute. 

Despite the scoreline Juventus struggled to break down a marshalled Napoli defence for 80 minutes and had to contend with Cavani spearing the attack at the other end. 

Perhaps their most testing game so far this campaign Juve now sit atop Serie A with 22 points, Napoli in second with 19. 

Enough of last week’s trials and tribulations however, Catania pose their own threats to Juve’s unbeaten run. 

Bergessio who has scored three in eight for the Sicilian side will be hoping to become a hero and add to his tally against the Turin freight train on Sunday- he is 7/1 to score first with Ladbrokes. 

At home Catania are yet to taste defeat this season, having won three and drew one. 

That said, there is yet to be a team to step up to challenge set by arguably the best team playing in Europe in right now and I personally doubt Catania are up to it. 

VERDICT: Juventus mauling, 4-0 at 28/1 with bet365- go on have a flutter! 

Roma v Udinese

28th October, 19.45

DESPITE residing sixth in the league Roma are the second most lethal attacking side in Serie A. 

As I explained last week new head coach Zeman is instilling a fluid offensive style of play in his side. 

This style whilst producing a high volume of goals has also left the back door open and all too often opposing teams have managed to get back into a game which they should otherwise have lost. 

Expect plenty of goals therefore in this clash against Udinese who play a rather dangerous defensive game. 

Historically Roma usually bag at least two goals against the Zebrette and with this new style of play there should be one or two more to boot. 

The man to watch for Udinese is of course Di Natale, who although in the twilight of his career is still an ever present threat to opposition defences- he is 6/1 to score first with William Hill. 

VERDICT: Roma to win at 8/13 with Ladbrokes and Osvaldo to score first at 9/2 with bet365. 

-->

Juventus v Napoli 

20^th October-17:00

THIS game is sure to provide spills, thrills and goals as Napoli seek to stop the freight train from Turin picking up another three points.

Juventus secured their 46^th unbeaten league game against Sienna last week and are not likely to give up the 47^th in front of a home crowd.

That said Napoli have been on equally devastating form this season, matching Juventus’ record blow for blow.

The last time these sides met was in the Coppa Italia Final which ended in a surprising 2-0 win for Napoli courtesy of a Cavani penalty and a sublime striker’s finish from midfielder Hamsik. A similar score line in Napoli’s favour is at 25/1 with bet365.  

Juventus were disappointed that night not least because they lost the chance to pick up some silverware but also because it was Del Piero’s last game for the Bianconeri.

Rest assured Juve will be going into this one guns blazing, hoping to teach Napoli a lesson.  

The men to watch in this game will be Pirlo who has been on blistering form and of course that heartbreaker, Cavani- he is 11/2 to score first with Stan James.

VERDICT: I predict this to be a cagey draw at 5/2 with William Hill.

Lazio v AC Milan

20^th October 19.45

AFTER a summer of sales and a miserable start to the season Milan appear to be a mere shadow of their former selves.   

It is truly a sad state of affairs when the AC captain, Ambrosini, has to publically beg for fans to attend the Milan derby- which fierce rivals Inter eventually won 1-0.

Lazio on the other hand have kicked off their campaign to Serie A in impressive form, winning five out of seven.  

German hit-man Klose has been clinical for the Rome side and he will prove a handful for a Milan defence which has had a mediocre record so far this season- bet365 have him at 5/1 to score first.  

In the last decade Lazio have only managed to beat the Milan giants once and that was last season, indicating a possible changing of the tide.

Milan will go into this one with a point to prove to fans but I don’t believe they have the players to do it.

VERDICT: Lazio win 3-1 at 20/1 with Willam Hill.

Genoa v Roma

21^st October 19.45

ROMA have kicked off their season playing an attacking fluid game under new head coach Zeman- a style which has yet to yield many points.

The tact of Zeman has simply been outscoring opponents and as a result Roma have had one of the worst defensive records in Serie A- conceding 11 goals in six games.

That said the Giallorossi have also had no shortage of goals at the other end- making for a tasty game. 

Although Genoa are a steady mid table side they do have form against Roma, not having lost at home against the Rome side since 2007.

The danger man for Genoa is young striker Circo Immobile, he scored 28 in 37 appearances last season for Pescara and fans will be hoping he can immobilise (sorry, couldn’t resist) a leaky Roma back four.

VERDICT: Roma win 3-2 AT 16/1 with bet365.

ROMA v ATALANTA 

SUNDAY 7th OCTOBER 11.30 

ROMA are still licking their wounds after a 4-1 hammering courtesy of Juventus last week. 

The Giallorossi conceded three goals inside the first eight minutes when they travelled to Turin and they will be looking to set the record straight against Atalanta. 

Historically Roma usually get the better of the Nerazzurri, with the last nine out of eight meetings at the Stadio Olimpico ending in a home win. But with both sides having kicked off the season in such lacklustre form this one is hard to call. 

Most bookies have Roma as the favourites with odds at 1/2 with most, whilst an Atalanta win offers a tempting 5/1. 

VERDICT: Despite recent poor form, Roma should romp this one against an Atalanta side without any real bite- 2-0 to Roma at 8/1 with bet365. 

SIENA v JUVENTUS 

SUNDAY 7th 14.00 

AFTER the savaging dealt to Roma last Saturday sides in Serie A will be wondering what they can do to stop the Turin titans from claiming another unbeaten season.

 It will be Siena’s turn to don the helm and attempt to slay goliath on Sunday and the bookies are holding little faith, with most giving just better than evens for another Juve win. 

If Siena could continue their good defensive play then a draw is not impossible, as was the case the last time the sides met.

However with Pirlo pulling the strings in midfield and Vucinic and Giovinco proving lethal up front it seems unlikely that the game will not see goals. 

VERDICT: Juventus to win 2-0 at 6/1 with William Hill.  

AC MILAN v INTER 

SUNDAY 7th 19.45 

DERBIES don’t come much bigger than when red, blue and black are the colours of the San Siro. 

These two also know how to put on a show when they meet, in the last four bouts no less than 11 goals have been scored. 

After a poor start to the season AC will desperately want to give their half of Milan something to cheer about. 

But Inter equally cannot afford to drop points if they hope to challenge Juve for the title, making for a tasty game.

Former AC Milan striker Cassano has been doing the business for Inter, netting four times this season- he is 6/1 to get the first goal with bet365. 

However the men to watch will be Pazzini for Milan and Milito for Inter, whoever is on form could determine the game. 

VERDICT: Inter to win narrowly by 2-1 at 10/1 with Ladbrokes.