Genoa v Lazio Preview and Betting Tips
January 6th 2011
Lazio will begin the new year with genuine aspirations of winning the Scudetto for the first time in quite a while. Their progress thus far has surprised many, as the Romans were generally expected to finish in mid-table at best before the season began.
Genoa have proved an erratic prospect this season so far, as shown by their recent results below. They have appeared to be lacking in imagination going forward, their main strategy being to direct high balls towards target man Luca Toni and hope that he can create something. Failed Lazio coach Davide Ballardini, who took charge at Genoa in November, faces his former players for the first time in this fixture.
I expect Lazio’s solid defensive unit to cope with this threat and maintain their place among the title contenders. As their coach Eddy Reja has said, “the position in the standings only counts at the end, not in the middle of the campaign.”
Genoa enter this fixture with two new signings: defender Luca Antonelli and striker Alberto Paloschi, both from Parma. There are plenty of transfer rumours involving Lazio – of which a move for Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz is the most persistent - but no signings are yet confirmed.
While Lazio have already won more games than they did last season, their hosts have already lost more than they did in their last campaign. This month will have a huge say in the extent of Lazio’s achievements this season, and I’m backing them to inflict a third straight home defeat on Genoa tomorrow.
Prediction: Lazio to win – 3pts
Match odds: Genoa 11/8
Draw 21/10
Lazio 2/1
Genoa: Last 5 Serie A Results
11.12.2010 - Genoa 0-1 Napoli
05.12.2010 - Lecce 1-3 Genoa
28.11.2010 - Brescia 0-0 Genoa
21.11.2010 - Genoa 0-2 Juventus
14.11.2010 - Cagliari 0-1 Genoa
Lazio: Last 5 Serie A Results
19.12.2010 - Lazio 3-2 Udinese
12.12.2010 - Juventus 2-1 Lazio
03.12.2010 - Lazio 3-1 Inter Milan
28.11.2010 - Lazio 1-1 Catania
21.11.2010 - Parma 1-1 Lazio
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| Eddy Reja: "if we are able to overcome the next 30 days, then we can truly begin to dream" |
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Udinese v Chievo Preview and Betting Tips
January 6th 2011
Udinese have proved very reliable at home this season, while Chievo have not won on the road since September 22nd. Though the Verona side drew 1-1 with Juventus in their last game, Juventus played almost half the game with ten men, and were far superior while there were an equal number of players representing both sides.
Udinese lost 3-2 to Lazio last time out, but were admirably attack-minded and looked dangerous from start to finish. I favour this Udinese side to overpower their guests tomorrow.
Prediction – Udinese to win – 4pts
Match odds: Udinese 4/5
Draw 23/10
Chievo 7/2
Udinese: Last 5 Serie A Results
19.12.2010 - Lazio 3-2 Udinese
11.12.2010 - Udinese 2-1 Fiorentina
05.12.2010 - Parma 2-1 Udinese
28.11.2010 - Udinese 3-1 Napoli
20.11.2010 - Roma 2-0 Udinese
Chievo: Last 5 Serie A Results
19.12.2010 - Chievo 1-1 Juventus
12.12.2010 - Lecce 3-2 Chievo
08.12.2010 - Bologna 2-1 Chievo
04.12.2010 - Chievo 2-2 Roma
21.11.2010 - Chievo 2-1 Inter Milan
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The Outside Bet:
Palermo v Sampdoria Preview and Betting Tips
January 6th 2011
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| Macheda: Sampdoria-bound? |
Palermo begin their year by welcoming close rivals Sampdoria to the Stadio Renzo Barbera tomorrow. The Sicilians have a home record of 5 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats, while Sampdoria have won 4, drawn 2 and lost 2 away games so far this season.
Sampdoria are expected to capture striker Frederico Macheda on loan from Manchester United, but no deal is expected to be in place by the time this game kicks off. They will be eager to start accumulating points once again, as the postponement of their derby game against Genoa on December 19th means that Sampdoria been inactive since they suffered a surprise defeat against Brescia on December 12th.
While the home side are among the top three scorers in the league, Sampdoria and table-toppers AC Milan have conceded the least amount of goals (13 each). While it is difficult to predict a draw in a game which Palermo in particular will be keen to win, I think this will be a competitive affair and I am prepared to stake a small amount on the draw.
Prediction: draw – 2pts
Match odds: Palermo 10/11
Draw 23/10
Sampdoria 3/1
Palermo: Last 5 Serie A Results
19.12.2010 - Bari 1-1 Palermo
11.12.2010 - Palermo 3-1 Parma
06.12.2010 - Napoli 1-0 Palermo
28.11.2010 - Palermo 3-1 Roma
21.11.2010 - Cesena 1-2 Palermo
Sampdoria: Last 5 Serie A Results
12.12.2010 - Brescia 1-0 Sampdoria
05.12.2010 - Sampdoria 3-0 Bari
27.11.2010 - Sampdoria 1-1 AC Milan
21.11.2010 - Lecce 2-3 Sampdoria
14.11.2010 - Sampdoria 0-0 Chievo
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Fixtures previewed all kick off at 2pm GMT on Thursday January 6th.
Good luck!
