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.