ITALIAN SOCCER by MA

[themadactuarian]

Coppa Italia - Sunday, August 19th

give me the heat.

AS ROMA at INTER MILAN

INTER MILAN under 2.5 and 3 +102 (3 units)



best of luck,

MA[/quote]

AS Roma 1 INTER MILAN 0
(De Rossi of Roma is about to bloom as the finest Italian midfielder. Currently signed at bargain price. If the LUPI (Wolves) disappoint by the time of winter market, fear outside offers will be too tempting to resist for the Roma Sensi Family. Deemed semi-untouchable during the Serie A offseason movements, he would fetch a nasty chunk of Euros at X-mas time. If I got deep pockets in the Le Championat or the EPL, this might be the player I would like to grab.)

This concludes the 2nd round of the useless Coppa Italia with the following YTD totals:
8W-1L-0T (+28.59 units)

Third leg resumes on the 29th. Will keep the surfboard out for Udinese vs Bari and Reggina vs Piacenza.

I take this opportunity to thank all of you who wished me good luck for the upcoming season, or were foolish enough to have taken a stab at some of my recent plays, thx for the good mojo!. More importantly, thx to the EPL/BEL/GER/SLOV posters, much respect and profits.

B card on the 25th:
If anyone out there follows A and B, let me know what you think of the following:

• Piacenza pk and +0.5 -104 vs ASCOLI
• Lecce pk -126 vs FROSINONE

good luck to all,

MA

 

[themadactuarian]

B card on the 25th:
If anyone out there follows A and B, let me know what you think of the following:

• Piacenza pk and +0.5 -104 vs ASCOLI
• Lecce pk -126 vs FROSINONE

Saturday, August 25th:
Through thick and thin I spent a better portion of this past season tracking the opening and closing lines of the C league. A useless exercise as there were no real surprising results accumulated. Yes,
there were some surprising totals with Grosseto and the Pisa down the stretch, but overall there was no weakness in lines that could be favourably compared against the A and B leagues. Crap, shit, even with the C1 the books are sharp. There are 68 individuals handling the A and B lines, but you did not hear it from me. Instead of useless C1 line tracking, I will track the one variable that no VIG can control: yellow and red cards, with referee in question. Sounds useless, but been toasted enough in the B league where many a times I was pulling for a side that was short-handed after 25 minutes.

Anyhow, I am playing the Saturday B league as follows:

Piacenza at ASCOLI
The last two Coppa Italia results are encouraging enough for me with respect to Piacenza (2W). It's opening week, and one should point to the solid home teams, perhaps rightfully so, but feel in this match the visitor is more than capable defensively in their 4-4-2 to handle the new comers. I like Piacenza (but many will be on the Ascoli side). Surfin with sharks.
Piacenza pk and +0.5 +111 (3 units)

Lecce at FROSINONE
I am quite upset. Would have that tought many would have jumped on Frosinone at home. Obviously that is not the case, as the golden pk line is now pro Lecce. Frosinone could be headed back to the C1 and that is my opinion. Surfin with another road shark.
Lecce pk -149 (3 units)

Pisa at BARI
Bari was in excellent form in their last two Coppa Italia games(2 shutout Ws). Would be very surprised if home debut would yield anything less than a victory. Revamped 4-3-3 by Materazzi makes this a very improved defensive unit.
Bari -0.5 -111 (6 units)

Avellino at TREVISO
Season yet to begin and Avellino has already fired head coach Maurizio Sarri. Lack of market acquisitions has created a rift with the stingy ownership...No kidding! Treviso will once again be a predator at home.
TREVISO OVER 2 and 2.5 -110 (4 units)
TREVISO -0.5 and -1 -145 (4 units)

Serie A:

Livorno at JUVENTUS
If they are not careful, the Livorno side could be heading for the B league. Lucarelli now with Shaktar. Visitor has it really tough against Juventus. Home side will have no choice but to impress on opening the season at home with a win; more importantly, a very convincing win. There is too much speed on Juventus front 6, on mid and off, in comparison to Livorno's back four.... Dark and disturbing matter.

FIRST HALF: Juventus -0.5 -109 (5 units)

For the game:
Juventus -1 and -1.5 -116 (5.5 units)

Take it easy on A and B, as first week are usually wacky...In the B, I can only reccomend Bari. In the A, Juventus should shutout opponent 2-0, if not more.

good luck,

Ma

 

[rhinooooo]

Good to see the season starting and your picks back.

I was contemplating taking Udinese +1.5 tomorrow. Also interested in what the Genoa vs. Milan game will be like. Do you think there's the potential for an upset or overs?

Palermo/Roma should be a great match.

 

[rhinooooo]

Great hit with Juve. 4-0. Big win.

 

[themadactuarian]

B card on the 25th:
If anyone out there follows A and B, let me know what you think of the following:

• Piacenza pk and +0.5 -104 vs ASCOLI
• Lecce pk -126 vs FROSINONE

Saturday, August 25th:
Through thick and thin I spent a better portion of this past season tracking the opening and closing lines of the C league. A useless exercise as there were no real surprising results accumulated. Yes,
there were some surprising totals with Grosseto and the Pisa down the stretch, but overall there was no weakness in lines that could be favourably compared against the A and B leagues. Crap, shit, even with the C1 the books are sharp. There are 68 individuals handling the A and B lines, but you did not hear it from me. Instead of useless C1 line tracking, I will track the one variable that no VIG can control: yellow and red cards, with referee in question. Sounds useless, but been toasted enough in the B league where many a times I was pulling for a side that was short-handed after 25 minutes.

Anyhow, I am playing the Saturday B league as follows:

Piacenza at ASCOLI
The last two Coppa Italia results are encouraging enough for me with respect to Piacenza (2W). It's opening week, and one should point to the solid home teams, perhaps rightfully so, but feel in this match the visitor is more than capable defensively in their 4-4-2 to handle the new comers. I like Piacenza (but many will be on the Ascoli side). Surfin with sharks.
Piacenza pk and +0.5 +111 (3 units)
ASCOLI 4 Piacenza 1


Lecce at FROSINONE
I am quite upset. Would have that tought many would have jumped on Frosinone at home. Obviously that is not the case, as the golden pk line is now pro Lecce. Frosinone could be headed back to the C1 and that is my opinion. Surfin with another road shark.
Lecce pk -149 (3 units)
Lecce 2 FROSINONE 1


Pisa at BARI
Bari was in excellent form in their last two Coppa Italia games(2 shutout Ws). Would be very surprised if home debut would yield anything less than a victory. Revamped 4-3-3 by Materazzi makes this a very improved defensive unit.
Bari -0.5 -111 (6 units)
Pisa 2 BARI 1
(frankly, deserved the loss. PK equalizer was not deserved...very fucking unexpected result.)


Avellino at TREVISO
Season yet to begin and Avellino has already fired head coach Maurizio Sarri. Lack of market acquisitions has created a rift with the stingy ownership...No kidding! Treviso will once again be a predator at home.
TREVISO OVER 2 and 2.5 -110 (4 units)
TREVISO -0.5 and -1 -145 (4 units)
TREVISO 1 Avellino 0
?


Serie A:

Livorno at JUVENTUS
If they are not careful, the Livorno side could be heading for the B league. Lucarelli now with Shaktar. Visitor has it really tough against Juventus. Home side will have no choice but to impress on opening the season at home with a win; more importantly, a very convincing win. There is too much speed on Juventus front 6, on mid and off, in comparison to Livorno's back four.... Dark and disturbing matter.

FIRST HALF: Juventus -0.5 -109 (5 units)

For the game:
Juventus -1 and -1.5 -116 (5.5 units)
JUVENTUS 5 Livorno 1
(teams with transitional midfield speed will have a field day against this unit)


Take it easy on A and B, as first week are usually wacky...In the B, I can only reccomend Bari. In the A, Juventus should shutout opponent 2-0, if not more.

good luck,

Ma

Tough Serie B today...


4W-3L-1T (+1.44 units)

Back with SERIE A in an hour or so.

good luck,

MA

 

[chriscol]

:nohead: you still count Juve games against your seria B record...

keep them coming. unfortunately i cant watch italian football right now herein germany. they are still negotiating.

 

[themadactuarian]

Good to see the season starting and your picks back.

I was contemplating taking Udinese +1.5 tomorrow. Also interested in what the Genoa vs. Milan game will be like. Do you think there's the potential for an upset or overs?

Palermo/Roma should be a great match.

I'll give you my opinion on the games R, but you really don't need it. Your Serie A selections were very impressive in the past season.

• Udinese +1.5 (Sorry, in mid season maybe, but on Inter's home opener...who the hell knows which side will show up). Season has not even begun and wonder myself about over confidence. Looked harmless against Roma...Not for me, but would consider +1.5 Udinese much more valuable than Inter -1.5
• Genoa vs Milan: At first they said: Close the stadium to fan admission, as Milan fans could cause havoc. Now even better....Stadium barred to any AC supporters. If so, Genoa +0.5 and +1 is enticing, over 2.5 at even money just as good.
• Roma At Palermo - I may be alone in thinking that Palermo will struggle in the first half of the schedule. They will probably struggle if Roma is in the new 4-5-1 formation. You may want to watch this game...Like the fact that Milan/Genoa, and Inter/Udinese are played early.

I am playing the following:

Atalanta at REGINA
Atalanta pk +124 (3.5 units)

Cagliari at SS NAPOLI
NAPOLI -0.5 -106 (7.5 units)

AS Roma at PALERMO
As Roma pk and -0.5 +106 (4 units)
(might add more by game time)

AC Milan at GENOA
GENOA +0.5 +129 (3 units)

best of luck,

MA

 

[themadactuarian]

Back tonight to update ITALIAN SOCCER YTD totals.

Adding Roma pk -137 (2 units)

good luck,

MA

 

[themadactuarian]

ITALIAN SOCCER YTD TOTALS

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=375 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="62%" height=4>
</TD><TD width="10%" height=4>

W​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="7%" height=4>

L​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="9%" height=4>

T​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="13%" height=4>

(+/-)​

​

​

​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width="62%" height=4>

Coppa Italia 2007-2008​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="10%" height=4>

8​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="7%" height=4>

1​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="9%" height=4>

0​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="13%" height=4>

28.59​

​

​

​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width="62%" height=4>

Serie A 2007-2008​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="10%" height=4>

3​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="7%" height=4>

2​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="9%" height=4>

1​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="13%" height=4>

5.79​

​

​

​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width="62%" height=4>

Champ L. Qualifier 2007-2008​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="10%" height=4>

0​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="7%" height=4>

1​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="9%" height=4>

1​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="13%" height=4>

-1.56​

​

​

​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width="62%" height=4>

Serie B 2007-2008​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="10%" height=4>

2​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="7%" height=4>

3​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="9%" height=4>

1​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="13%" height=4>

-9.06​

​

​

​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width="62%" height=4>

TOTALS​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="10%" height=4>

13​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="7%" height=4>

7​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="9%" height=4>

3​

​

​

​

</TD><TD width="13%" height=4>

23.76​

​

​

​

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Back on Wednesday for the Useless Coppa Italia.

Good luck,

MA

 

[rhinooooo]

Great start to the season MA. That's a very nice profit.

 

[themadactuarian]

Great start to the season MA. That's a very nice profit.

Greetings R,

Did you end up playing your Udinese +1.5 (Great intuition on your part).
I should have played the Genoa over 2.5 as I originally intended to do. Instead kept only the Napoli as my best bet...

Best of luck,

MA

 

[rhinooooo]

Didn't play any Serie A matches this week. Didn't have enough time to really look over things, and thought it was best to wait for next week. Seems Inter were unlucky, conceding an own goal in the 90th minute!

Glad to see Montella scored for Sampdoria. Big talk about him and Cassano striking up another partnership and sending Samp to a European place. What do you think?

 

[themadactuarian]

Didn't play any Serie A matches this week. Didn't have enough time to really look over things, and thought it was best to wait for next week. Seems Inter were unlucky, conceding an own goal in the 90th minute!

Glad to see Montella scored for Sampdoria. Big talk about him and Cassano striking up another partnership and sending Samp to a European place. What do you think?

Always loved Montella...from the Roma days, all the way to last year in England. Will go down as one of the most prolific Italian striker of his time.

Cassano - I don't know where to begin. When Roma lured him from Bari, he was already being heralded as the future Totti. Things turned sour, and this might be his last chance for redemption, both with Samp and the National team. There is no doubt he's got some serious talent, but a head full of rocks.

He should click well with Montella.

 

[rhinooooo]

I was lucky enough to see Montella a couple of times when I went to see a few Fulham games. It was obvious that he was the best player on the pitch. Excellent touch and awareness. Unfortunately, Fulham are more of a rough long ball team, and the Premiership has too much of an emphasis on the physical side of things - so he couldn't really shine. He had his own song though, not the most original - "He comes from ITALYYYY... He fucking hates CHELSEAAAA... MONTELLA... Whooooaaaaa!"

I think I remember reading about Cassano being a very sensitive guy. Apparently he was teased about his skin, or something stupid like that, and ended up trying to have an operation to sort it out. Maybe someone needs to throw a rock at his head full of rocks to sort him out.

 

[themadactuarian]

Champions League Qualifiers - 28-Aug-2007

Lazio at DINAMO BUCHAREST
Over 2 and 2.5 -105 (3.5 units)
DINAMO BUCHAREST pk+124 (2 units)

Good luck,

MA

 

[themadactuarian]

Champions League Qualifiers - 28-Aug-2007

Lazio at DINAMO BUCHAREST
Over 2 and 2.5 -105 (3.5 units)
DINAMO BUCHAREST pk+124 (2 units)
Lazio 3 DINAMO BUCHAREST 1
(1W-1L +1.5 units)

Good luck,

MA

The Rocchi and Pandev show that I was expecting in the first leg at L'Olimpico, took place today. Honestly did not think that they would erupt as they did in the second half.

 

[themadactuarian]

Coppa Italia – <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:date Month="8" Day="29" Year="2007">29-August-2007</st1:date><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
<o> </o>
3<SUP>rd</SUP> Leg of the Useless Coppa Italia. Proceeding as follows:<o></o>
<o> </o>
<st1lace>Livorno</st1lace> at <st1lace>NAPOLI</st1lace><o></o>
Fans of <st1:City><st1lace>Naples</st1lace></st1:City> will need to exert some patience with this unit. Obviously, more was expected in their opener against <st1:City><st1lace>Cagliari</st1lace></st1:City>; perhaps the return to the A league, and having to play the first match at home was enough pressure to contribute to a nervously played 2-0 loss. <st1lace>Livorno</st1lace> is a bad team with a questionable midfield, and a slow and disorganized defensive core. I believe their home opener on Sunday against <st1:City><st1lace>Palermo</st1lace></st1:City> has primary importance, thus tend to believe that <st1lace>Napoli</st1lace> should be the more focused side, who will certainly want to redeem themselves in front of their fans.<o></o>
<st1lace>NAPOLI</st1lace> -0.5 +107 (4.5 units)<o></o>
<o> </o>
Atalanta at ASCOLI<o></o>
I am hoping that the buoyancy created from their convincing 4-1 win over a surprisingly flat <st1:City><st1lace>Piacenza</st1lace></st1:City> will carry over against Atalanta. In these types of Coppa Italia match-ups, which peg an established Serie A teams, versus a freshly graduated B team, it is not difficult to hypothesize that the inferior team will be more motivated to show some positive results. Wonder about Atalanta’s mental aspect following their 1-1 nil draw at Reggina. Sunday’s home opener against <st1:City><st1lace>Parma</st1lace></st1:City> is of extreme importance. A match they will have to win, thus avoiding having to travel to Fiorentina the following week with either 1 or 2 points in the Serie A standings.<o></o>
ASCOLI pk -103 (3 units)<o></o>
<o> </o>
<st1:City><st1lace>Rimini</st1lace></st1:City> at <st1lace>TORINO</st1lace><o></o>
<st1lace>Torino</st1lace> was very active in the off-season and should improve as the Serie A season hits the halfway mark. In <st1:City><st1lace>Rimini</st1lace></st1:City>, you clearly have the class act of Serie B. In their respective league (with the absence of Juventus, <st1lace>Napoli</st1lace>, and <st1:City><st1lace>Genoa</st1lace></st1:City>), they should cruise to the B title. I know it’s Coppa Italia, and both these teams will have their home openers this weekend, but think the -1 line on <st1lace>Torino</st1lace> is too heavy. <st1:City><st1lace>Rimini</st1lace></st1:City> is not only strong at every level, but their bench is also deep.<o></o>
<st1:City><st1lace>Rimini</st1lace></st1:City> +1 -108 (2.5 units)<o></o>
<st1:City><st1lace>Rimini</st1lace></st1:City> under 2 and 2.5 +110 (2 units)<o></o>
<o> </o>
Juventus at <st1:City><st1lace>PARMA</st1lace></st1:City><o></o>
Not really concerned that Juventus has 3 players disqualified and will be resting Del Piero, Nedved, and Criscito. Frankly, I don’t care which <st1:City><st1lace>Parma</st1lace></st1:City> line-up they will be facing. Juventus has great midfield speed that usually wears opponents down in the second half, and this is where I see them winning the game. Don’t be deceived, they will not take <st1:City><st1lace>Parma</st1lace></st1:City> lightly and will want to show that last week’s 5-1 trashing of <st1lace>Livorno</st1lace> was no fluke.<o></o>
Juventus -0.5 -112 (3.5 units)<o></o>
<o> </o>
<st1:City><st1lace>Siena</st1lace></st1:City> at <st1:City><st1lace>CAGLIARI</st1lace></st1:City><o></o>
Factors of relevance:<o></o>
Sunday: <st1:City><st1lace>Siena</st1lace></st1:City> travels to Roma (ouch). <st1:City><st1lace>Cagliari</st1lace></st1:City> - always tough at home - will have Juventus on the plate for the home opener (another ouch). Both of these obviously looking ahead so goals might be at a premium.<o></o>
<st1:City><st1lace>Cagliari</st1lace></st1:City> under 2 and 2.5 -106 (2 units)<o></o>
<o> </o>
Good luck,<o></o>
<o> </o>
MA<o></o>

 

[Costanza]

good luck today MA !

 

[themadactuarian]

Coppa Italia – <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:date Year="2007" Day="29" Month="8">29-August-2007</st1:date><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
<o></o>
3<SUP>rd</SUP> Leg of the Useless Coppa Italia. Proceeding as follows:<o></o>
<o></o>
<st1lace>Livorno</st1lace> at <st1lace>NAPOLI</st1lace><o></o>
Fans of <st1:City><st1lace>Naples</st1lace></st1:City> will need to exert some patience with this unit. Obviously, more was expected in their opener against <st1:City><st1lace>Cagliari</st1lace></st1:City>; perhaps the return to the A league, and having to play the first match at home was enough pressure to contribute to a nervously played 2-0 loss. <st1lace>Livorno</st1lace> is a bad team with a questionable midfield, and a slow and disorganized defensive core. I believe their home opener on Sunday against <st1:City><st1lace>Palermo</st1lace></st1:City> has primary importance, thus tend to believe that <st1lace>Napoli</st1lace> should be the more focused side, who will certainly want to redeem themselves in front of their fans.<o></o>
<st1lace>NAPOLI</st1lace> -0.5 +107 (4.5 units)
NAPOLI 1 Livorno 1 (At end of regulation)
Napoli advances 3-2 on penalty kicks

<o></o>
Atalanta at ASCOLI<o></o>
I am hoping that the buoyancy created from their convincing 4-1 win over a surprisingly flat <st1:City><st1lace>Piacenza</st1lace></st1:City> will carry over against Atalanta. In these types of Coppa Italia match-ups, which peg an established Serie A teams, versus a freshly graduated B team, it is not difficult to hypothesize that the inferior team will be more motivated to show some positive results. Wonder about Atalanta’s mental aspect following their 1-1 nil draw at Reggina. Sunday’s home opener against <st1:City><st1lace>Parma</st1lace></st1:City> is of extreme importance. A match they will have to win, thus avoiding having to travel to Fiorentina the following week with either 1 or 2 points in the Serie A standings.<o></o>
ASCOLI pk -103 (3 units)
ASCOLI 1 Atalanta 1 (At end of regulation)
ASCOLI 2 Atalanta 1 (extra time)
<o></o>
<o></o>
<st1:City><st1lace>Rimini</st1lace></st1:City> at <st1lace>TORINO</st1lace><o></o>
<st1lace>Torino</st1lace> was very active in the off-season and should improve as the Serie A season hits the halfway mark. In <st1:City><st1lace>Rimini</st1lace></st1:City>, you clearly have the class act of Serie B. In their respective league (with the absence of Juventus, <st1lace>Napoli</st1lace>, and <st1:City><st1lace>Genoa</st1lace></st1:City>), they should cruise to the B title. I know it’s Coppa Italia, and both these teams will have their home openers this weekend, but think the -1 line on <st1lace>Torino</st1lace> is too heavy. <st1:City><st1lace>Rimini</st1lace></st1:City> is not only strong at every level, but their bench is also deep.<o></o>
<st1:City><st1lace>Rimini</st1lace></st1:City> +1 -108 (2.5 units)<o></o>
<st1:City><st1lace>Rimini</st1lace></st1:City> under 2 and 2.5 +110 (2 units)
TORINO 2 Rimini 2 (At end of regulation)
TORINO 3 Rimini 2 (extra time)
Rimini scores 2 goals in last 5 minutes of regulation time

<o></o>
<o></o>
Juventus at <st1:City><st1lace>PARMA</st1lace></st1:City><o></o>
Not really concerned that Juventus has 3 players disqualified and will be resting Del Piero, Nedved, and Criscito. Frankly, I don’t care which <st1:City><st1lace>Parma</st1lace></st1:City> line-up they will be facing. Juventus has great midfield speed that usually wears opponents down in the second half, and this is where I see them winning the game. Don’t be deceived, they will not take <st1:City><st1lace>Parma</st1lace></st1:City> lightly and will want to show that last week’s 5-1 trashing of <st1lace>Livorno</st1lace> was no fluke.<o></o>
Juventus -0.5 -112 (3.5 units)
Juventus 3 PARMA 1
<o></o>
<o></o>
<st1:City><st1lace>Siena</st1lace></st1:City> at <st1:City><st1lace>CAGLIARI</st1lace></st1:City><o></o>
Factors of relevance:<o></o>
Sunday: <st1:City><st1lace>Siena</st1lace></st1:City> travels to Roma (ouch). <st1:City><st1lace>Cagliari</st1lace></st1:City> - always tough at home - will have Juventus on the plate for the home opener (another ouch). Both of these obviously looking ahead so goals might be at a premium.<o></o>
<st1:City><st1lace>Cagliari</st1lace></st1:City> under 2 and 2.5 -106 (2 units)
CAGLIARI 2 Siena 1
(Maccaroni lone scorer for Siena...at the end of injury time)


3rd leg of USELESS COPPA ITALIA
2W - 3L - 1T ( - 2.62 units)

good luck,

MA

 

[themadactuarian]

Serie B - 31-Aug-2007

Brescia at GROSSETO
Brescia pk and -0.5 -101 (5 units)

I'll risk the half loss in the event of draw. Brescia number 2 behind Rimini in overall talent...and coaching (IMO). Line reflects last year unpredictable road effort. As mentioned, I'll risk the -2.5 units loss in the event of a draw, but looking for the outright win. The Brescia Lions peaked at the wrong moment last year, but have all the weapons for potential Seria A graduation this year (this unit is your Serie B version of Fiorentina)

No way they lose this game.

good luck,

MA