Serie A Matchday 29 Preview: Roma and Juventus Set for Stadio Olimpico Showdown

Serie A Matchday 29 Preview: Roma and Juventus Set for Stadio Olimpico Showdown

It is getting close to crunch time for a few Serie A sides and if anyone wants to catch Inter Milan they’re going to have to get a run together now. Inter won’t be dropping any points this weekend unless something drastic happens though, they face bottom club Reggina at the Giuseppe Meazza and I don’t think anyone would predict anything other than a victory for the Nerazzurri. I’ve had a run through some of the key fixtures to see if I can offer any betting tips and advice along the way.

Of the chasing pack only Claudio Ranieri’s Juventus side stand a realistic chance of catching Inter at the top of the table. They face a tricky tie away at Roma in a game that is a must win for both sides. Despite drawing their last three, the Giallorossi are still in with a chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, while Juve are seven points adrift of league leaders Inter. For me this is the fixture of the weekend and should prove a tough contest between the two sides. Roma are still without Cicinho, who will miss the rest of the season, but they should be boosted by the news that Alberto Aquilani is planning on staying at the Stadio Olimpico. I think Roma should just about edge this tie personally, Juve have been in fine form of late and will want to keep the pressure on at the top but for Roma the tie is more important as they need Champions League football this season. My tip for online betting would be for Roma to win, perhaps 1-0.

Roma’s main rivals for a place in next season’s Champions League both face tricky ties. Genoa welcome mid-table Udinese to the Luigi Ferraris on Sunday and I’m expecting a tight contest. I think the quality in Udinese’s squad is better than their current league position and I’m sure they’re disappointed that European qualification looks beyond them. Again I expect the home side to just about have the edge in this one but it’s a close call.

Fiorentina 's Marco Donadel, right, and Siena's Simone Vergassola vie for the ball during their Italian first division soccer match, at the Artemio Franchi stadium in Siena, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008. (AP Photo)

Fiorentina face a home tie against Siena in a game they should win fairly easily on paper. However, La Viola have stumbled recently with losses at the hands of Palermo and 0-2 to Inter Milan. Siena were smashed 5-1 by AC Milan in their last outing and will be eager to avenge that heavy defeat. Fiorentina should have the quality to take all three points in this tie and I expect them to continue their push for Champions League football by recording a victory over Siena.

It is still fairly tight at the wrong end of the table. Reggina look to have been cast adrift and their misery should continue when they take on Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan. Lecce face the difficult task of defeating Atalanta at the Stadio Via del Mare to keep their survival hopes alive but I expect Atalanta to emerge victorious. Lecce have picked up just one point in their last six fixtures, against Reggina, and Atalanta are a decent side with some quality players. They have a slight possibility of competing in next season’s Europa League (the replacement for the UEFA Cup) and I can’t see them throwing that away with a loss at Lecce. Because Atalanta are away there will be fairly decent sports betting odds on them winning and I think that is a fairly safe bet given Lecce’s recent form.

Torino, who sit third from bottom, welcome Sampdoria to the Delle Alpi and I expect the Blucerchiati to pile more misery on Walter Novellino’s men. Torino are in real danger of slipping out of Serie A while Sampdoria have been in resurgent form of late. I hope Torino manage to get the points to stay in Serie A personally, where would we be without the Torino Vs Juve derby? They won’t get much joy out of Sampdoria though and with Bologna hosting Cagliari and Chievo welcoming Palermo to the Marc’ Antonio Bentegodi, they could find themselves cast further adrift from safety after the weekend.

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Posted in Atalanta, Bologna, Cagliari, Chievo, Fiorentina, Genoa, Inter, Juventus, Lecce, Palermo, Reggina, Roma, Sampdoria, Serie A, Siena, Torino, Udinese |

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