Greetings,
Parma at ROMA – I won’t even bother detailing Parma’s road performance. I will only mention that on their winless path through 11 games they have allowed 19 goals, and managed to score only 8. Roma’s only loss at l’Olimpico came at the hands of Inter Milan in week 3. The impressive aspect of Roma’s home dominance has been their defense, which has allowed only 6 goals against in 11 games. With a tough road game at Empoli next week, see no reason for Roma to underestimate Parma. If you include the useless Coppa Italia, this will be the fourth meeting between these two. Week 4 at Parma, Roma was superior at every level, and deservedly won 4-nil. Parma’s new midfield oriented 3-4-3 scheme – implemented after the X-mas break – has yet to bear fruit. It will, but not today. The key to this game is Roma’s 4-4-1-1 scheme. Sorry, I do not see Parma piercing this wall. Unless we have another Juventus / Vicenza meltdown, the host should have enough to produce the two goal victory. Too many weapons on Roma's midfield for Parma to even make a statement. I would not mind if Mancini and Pizarro took center stage at the same time, for a goal apiece. Don’t need four goals in this one, as I would be just as impressed with a 2-0 victory. The play:
ROMA –1.5 +101 (6 units)
Empoli at PALERMO – Those of you who will be vaulting from the other leagues to take a dip in the Serie A pond, will probably be heading the logical way with a Palermo pick. You may be right, and do not mean to deter your intentions, as all indications point to a decisive Palermo victory. At home, they have compiled a pretty impressive set of stats, with 8 wins and 28 goals scored (ouch!). Empoli, on the road, has managed to scrape just 2 victories on only 8 goals scored. Outside of Roma, Empoli is the only other Serie A team that plays with a variable 4-4 scheme. In the last three games, opponents have been held scoreless, clearly a sign in the right direction. Palermo at home is down right ruthless, but opponent’s defense could contribute to a very unexpected result (someone roll me a tight 1-1 draw). The play:
Empoli +0.5 and +1 +113 (4.5 units)
Ascoli at SAMPDORIA – Let’s look at Samp’s last three opponenets to understand their barometer of Serie A pain: Fiorentina, Empoli, and Inter Milan. Ascoli should provide a refreshing change. Some stats to reinforce this hypothesis: Ascoli on the raod has just 1 win in 11 games (and more importantly, just 2 draws with 20 goals allowed). Samp, not the greatest at home with 4W and 4 draws, in 11 matches (nonetheless they can score in bunches when facing opponents such as this). This one should be a lot different than week 4’s 1-1 draw at Ascoli.
The play:
SAMPDORIA –0.5 and –1 –126 (5.5 units)
SAMPDORIA over 2 and 2.5 –118 (5 units)
Catania at MESSINA – Line is wrong here (I’ll take it). Messina with one win in last 18. Catania is struggling, but have enough firepower to produce same result as in week 4 (a neat 2-2 carnival). Catania needs this win, as Fiorentina is next on deck.
The play:
Catania pk +116 (3.5 units)
Catania over 2 and 2.5 –114 (4.5 units)
Ma says: I stayed away from Fiorentina and the over, and the Milan over.
I also liked Chievo, but not enough to bite the minus 1. I hope I was right. Not the biggest favourite of the -1.5, but think the Roma selection is a decent one.
Cheers and Good luck,
MA
Parma at ROMA – I won’t even bother detailing Parma’s road performance. I will only mention that on their winless path through 11 games they have allowed 19 goals, and managed to score only 8. Roma’s only loss at l’Olimpico came at the hands of Inter Milan in week 3. The impressive aspect of Roma’s home dominance has been their defense, which has allowed only 6 goals against in 11 games. With a tough road game at Empoli next week, see no reason for Roma to underestimate Parma. If you include the useless Coppa Italia, this will be the fourth meeting between these two. Week 4 at Parma, Roma was superior at every level, and deservedly won 4-nil. Parma’s new midfield oriented 3-4-3 scheme – implemented after the X-mas break – has yet to bear fruit. It will, but not today. The key to this game is Roma’s 4-4-1-1 scheme. Sorry, I do not see Parma piercing this wall. Unless we have another Juventus / Vicenza meltdown, the host should have enough to produce the two goal victory. Too many weapons on Roma's midfield for Parma to even make a statement. I would not mind if Mancini and Pizarro took center stage at the same time, for a goal apiece. Don’t need four goals in this one, as I would be just as impressed with a 2-0 victory. The play:
ROMA –1.5 +101 (6 units)
Empoli at PALERMO – Those of you who will be vaulting from the other leagues to take a dip in the Serie A pond, will probably be heading the logical way with a Palermo pick. You may be right, and do not mean to deter your intentions, as all indications point to a decisive Palermo victory. At home, they have compiled a pretty impressive set of stats, with 8 wins and 28 goals scored (ouch!). Empoli, on the road, has managed to scrape just 2 victories on only 8 goals scored. Outside of Roma, Empoli is the only other Serie A team that plays with a variable 4-4 scheme. In the last three games, opponents have been held scoreless, clearly a sign in the right direction. Palermo at home is down right ruthless, but opponent’s defense could contribute to a very unexpected result (someone roll me a tight 1-1 draw). The play:
Empoli +0.5 and +1 +113 (4.5 units)
Ascoli at SAMPDORIA – Let’s look at Samp’s last three opponenets to understand their barometer of Serie A pain: Fiorentina, Empoli, and Inter Milan. Ascoli should provide a refreshing change. Some stats to reinforce this hypothesis: Ascoli on the raod has just 1 win in 11 games (and more importantly, just 2 draws with 20 goals allowed). Samp, not the greatest at home with 4W and 4 draws, in 11 matches (nonetheless they can score in bunches when facing opponents such as this). This one should be a lot different than week 4’s 1-1 draw at Ascoli.
The play:
SAMPDORIA –0.5 and –1 –126 (5.5 units)
SAMPDORIA over 2 and 2.5 –118 (5 units)
Catania at MESSINA – Line is wrong here (I’ll take it). Messina with one win in last 18. Catania is struggling, but have enough firepower to produce same result as in week 4 (a neat 2-2 carnival). Catania needs this win, as Fiorentina is next on deck.
The play:
Catania pk +116 (3.5 units)
Catania over 2 and 2.5 –114 (4.5 units)
Ma says: I stayed away from Fiorentina and the over, and the Milan over.
I also liked Chievo, but not enough to bite the minus 1. I hope I was right. Not the biggest favourite of the -1.5, but think the Roma selection is a decent one.
Cheers and Good luck,
MA
hno: cheivo can't even get through the 1st 2 minutes.inter already 0-1
