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Wednesdays Soccer – By Chris.

Serie A

Atalanta   -   Sampdoria       2.60  -   3.20
Capelli will be back in defence for Atalanta and Langella should be OK. Sampdoria will be without the injured Bellucci. Their offensive ace Cassano will be rested. In other words two of their strikers on duty against Inter at the weekend will not be involved tomorrow and Sammarco and Bonazzoli will probably play from the start instead.  It has to be said that Cassano, even on his own, gave the Inter defenders plenty of worries at the weekend. Volpi will back for Sampdoria which is good news for team as he is a key player.

Sampdoria put a lot of energy was put into their home game with league leaders Inter at the weekend and  I guess it was a bit frustrating to have to settle for a 1-1 draw. They were the better side and should have won the match. Maybe the Sampdoria players will not 100 % committed tomorrow, at least from the start. Backing the home win! (2.60).

Atalanta 4 Sampdoria 1

Catania   -   Milan          5.00   -   1.93
I have already mentioned it a couple of times over the last few weeks, Catania are struggling and they seem to have no luck at all. Down 0-1 in the second half at Empoli they missed a penalty and instead of the 1-1 equaliser the home side came to score a late goal to make it 2-0. Rather typical of their present campaign. Tedesco and Morimoto are on their injury list.

I cannot say that the late Inzaghi goal for Milan came as a surprise against Palermo. Quite the opposite, I just waited for Milan to score their winning goal. They had most of the ball and at the moment they look confident enough to manage this kind of late escape. It is not a coincidence that top sides so often manage these late winners.

Milan were knocked out by Catania in Coppa Italia but they fielded much weakened sides on both occasions. I would say that they fielded a mixture of B and C team players and then the occasional A teamer. Seedorf did not play against Palermo but he is recalled to the Milan squad. Kaka, Pirlo, Nesta, Kaladze and Jankulovski have not travelled to Sicily. Say what you like, but no doubt that the winning chances have improved for Catania now that both Kaka and Pirlo will be missing in the Milan line up.  A draw is absolutely within reach for Catania (3.20).

Catania 1 Milan 1

Fiorentina   -   Livorno            1.57   -   7.50
The worst has happened to Fiorentina. They have lost Mutu to an injury and he will be sidelined for a couple of weeks. Add the suspended Vieri and you realise that the home side has a shortage of strikers. It is not all bad news however with Pazzini, Semioli and Santana ready to play. Oswaldo is also in contention for a starting role up front.

Livorno disappointed at the weekend losing their home game with Napoli 1-2. Napoli were without their ace Lavezzi but his absence evidently did not help Livorno. The same group of players, including Tavano, that were missing in the Napoli fixture remain on the sidelines. Livorno most certainly are a weak side but it does not matter. To back the home win, using this 1.57 Mutu should be playing for Fiorentina. No bet.  

Fiorentina 1 Livorno 0

Genoa   -   Napoli          2.20   -   4.36
Both the newcomers won at the weekend and both played away from home. At least this writer was impressed. Genoa’s Italian international striker Borriello, scored the last three goals for in their 5-3 win at Udine. For this match Genoa has to do without the suspended Rubinho.

Napoli will include Lavezzi again. His striking partner Zalayeta remains suspended and tomorrow both the Napoli defenders Santacroce and Cannavaro are suspended. Calaio deputised for Lavezzi perfectly well at Livorno, scoring both the Napoli goals and he will line up alongside Lavezzi in the front line. Grava and Domizzi will play from the start in the Napoli defence this time. Five of the last six meetings between these sides have ended in draws. 1X then.

Genoa 2 Napoli 0

Inter   -   Roma           2.13   -   4.33
For the second straight game Suazo and Crespo will start up front for Inter. Ibrahimovic and J Cruz are not fully fit and their young striker Balotelli will probably also get some playing time. Roma will be without their suspended defender Cicinho and his defensive colleague Panucci while Mancini has been cleared to play. Inter were not at all at their best away to Sampdoria. Losing to Liverpool 0-2 was tough, the first major set back for Inter this season and some kind of hangover is just what could be expected. The question is, how long will it last? And no Ibrahimovic? My plan is to back the away win (4.33).

Inter 1 Roma 1

Lazio   -  Reggina         1.64   -   7.50
The Lazio task has been made easier as Reggina will be without a couple of important players. No Amoruso, Modesto or Lanzaro for this match. Makinwa will most likely replace Amoruso. Lazio have to do without the suspended Behrami with De Silvestri deputising. Cribari  will be available again. Lazio mostly disappoint this season but they have at least been able to win their last home games against decent teams like Sampdoria and Atalanta. Likely home win, I would say (1.64).

Lazio 1 Reggina 0

Palermo   -   Empoli        1.85   -   5.50
Miccoli is fit again and he will replace Cavani as Amauri's striking partner, that is the only expected change in the Palermo starting line up. Empoli will be without the suspended duo Giovinco and Piccolo as well as the injured Pozzi. Giovinco, one of their most influential players, scoring one of their goals against Catania at the weekend.

Palermo ought to win this match but they can seldom be relied upon, especially when they face the so called mediocre sides, and do not forget Empoli are enjoying their best spell of the season. Home win I guess (1.85) but I will not be involved.

Palermo 2 Empoli 0

Parma   -   Udinese        2.65   -   3.11
4-1 up away to Torino and then someone probably told the Parma players that they were on their way of finally winning an away game. The match  of course ended 4-4 and Parma remain winless away from home. Gasbarroni scored two of the Parma goals but unfortunately he will not be available tomorrow. Dessena is back however.  Corradi, Budan and C Lucatelli will compete for the two starting roles up front, at least that is what they are saying.

Both the newcomers Genoa and Napoli have visited Udine this season and would you believe that both sides managed to score five goals each. How on earth do you explain this? I cannot. Pepe will be back for Udinese, replacing Floro Flores in the front line. Zapata is out injured and Marino will be his replacement. Both teams were involved in extreme high scoring games at the weekend. How will they react? Point a gun at my head and I will choose the home win (2.65).

Parma 2 Udinese 0

Siena   -   Cagliari          1.95   -   5.00
Maccarone could not play for Siena at the weekend but his team still managed a creditable 2-2 draw with Atalanta. He will be back tomorrow, joining Frick up front. Bertotto and De Ceglie are on the injury list. Cagliari will be without the suspended Fini but welcome back Conti. Decent change, I would say. I kind of like this Siena side. Home win! (1.95).

Siena 1 Cagliari 0

Chris.