All eyes turn to Italy this weekend in what is a top heavy fixture list of massive encounters. Quite simply, all of the top six clubs will face each other (including the Milan derby), not to mention the Sicilian derby on Sunday. Not to sell the other leagues short, but aside from Serie A, there is really only one other match of note and that is in Spain where a true test of contender/pretender faces Villarreal. Inasmuch as I obviously support Barcelona, I'm sick of the two horse race and all the flack La Liga receives. Spain needs a Villarreal win or draw, and to be honest it would not be all that bad in my mind.
But hey, that's why they play the game. Buckle up for a roller coaster Italian style weekend:
INTER MILAN VS AC MILAN (Sunday, 2:30pm FSC)
La Derby della Madonnina. Italy's most famous derby finds the "visiting" team sitting atop the table while Inter sit in fourth with an astounding five draws to match their five victories. It will be Zlatan Ibrahimovic's first crack at his old team as he joins a relatively short list of players to have played for both Milan clubs. That idiot also complained last week that playing alongside his Brazilian teammates decreases his mobility, and that he would prefer Pippo Inzaghi to partner with him up front. Well Zlatan, Pippo is out for the season so your stuck with those terrible Brazilians - Pato, Ronaldinho, Robinho. Life is so tough playing with such horrendous footballers... Prediction: 2-2
JUVENTUS VS ROMA (Saturday, 2:30pm FSC)
After terrible runs of form over the past few seasons, it is nice to finally see these two great clubs back in the fight for the Scudetto. Sitting 5th and 6th respectively, Juventus and Roma look continue their climb up the table for those Champions League spots. Both teams know they can't afford to lose ground on the leaders, so expect a lively attacking game and a fight for the three points. Prediction: 2-1 Juventus
LAZIO VS NAPOLI (Sunday, 6:30am FSC Plus)
Perhaps less sexy than most fixtures, but Lazio has led Serie A the entire season until last week. Napoli continue their resurgence and sit one point behind Lazio in third. Lazio is coming off a frustrating loss to their cross-city rivals last weekend and a week where transfer rumors are abound for star striker Mauro Zarate. Prediction: 1-1
PALERMO VS CATANIA (Sunday, 9:00am FSC)
La Derby di Sicilia. There are few derbies which pack the intensity and hatred amongst both clubs. For these reasons, away fans have been banned from this fixture a number of times, including 2007 when a police officer was killed in post-match rioting. As for the football itself, both clubs are level on points and sit mid table. Don't miss your opportunity to catch a glimpse of Javier Pastore, Palermo's start attacking midfielder who just recently received a £60 million price tag. Prediction: 1-0 Palermo
BARCELONA VS VILLARREAL (Saturday, 4:00pm ESPN Deportes)
Everyone in Spain is pulling for the yellow submarine. Even myself to an extent! They have planted themselves in the fight between Barcelona and Real Madrid and are desperately trying to give Spain something more than a two horse race. Now they have a chance to prove themselves, Saturday evening at the Camp Nou. Barcelona have not had an easy run against Villarreal in the last five encounters winning twice, drawing twice, and losing once. Is Villarreal for real? Perhaps, but I don't think they get it done this weekend. Prediction: 3-1 Barcelona
0 comments:
Post a Comment