Weekly Comic 22/01/08

Napoli vs Lazio

Napoli and Lazio will face each other for the second time in 3 days with this match taking place at Napoli’s home, the Stadio San Paolo. The partenopei will be looking to exact revenge after the Romans knocked them out of the Coppa Italia.

The side managed by Reja currently sit in 8^th place of Serie A with 23 points on the year. They are one point back of Sampdoria who are 7^th and 1 point ahead of Atalanta. Napoli are coming off of an ugly loss last week away to AC Milan at the San Siro by a score of 5-2. It was the first time this season that Milan have been able to win at home. The club will be missing 2 players this week as Uruguayans Marcelo Zalayeta and Walter Gargano are both suspended. These are big absences as Zalayeta leads the club in scoring while Gargano is their most important defensive midfielder. However, the Argentine combination of Roberto Sosa and Ezequiel Lavezzi provide Napoli with 2 top of the like strikers so the loss of Zalayeta will be absorbed.

Lazio come into this contest in 15^th place of Serie A with 18 points, just behind Livorno on goal difference. While they lost their last league match at home to Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico di Roma, they did held serve against Napoli at home in the Coppa Italia and advanced to the next round. The biancocelesti have been struggling away from home this season with just 1 win from 8 matches. The biggest absence this week for manager Delio Rossi is striker Stephen Makinwa who is at the African Cup of Nations in Ghana. In addition, striker Rocch is dealing with an injury and is not expected to be able to start at Napoli. Instead, he will be on the bench with Igli Tare taking his spot alongside Goran Pandev.

This is a big match for Napoli. They fell they crashed out of the Coppa Italia due to a lack of concentration and will be looking to correct those mistakes. Lazio got the result they needed in the Coppa Italia and their poor road record sets them up for a let down this week.

 

Prediction: Napoli (2-1)

 

Livorno vs Empoli

Livorno and Empoli clash in a match featuring two clubs that got off to very slow starts but have been improving of late. In the case of Empoli a positive result is of utmost importance for them given that they are just hanging on to their position above the pack fighting in the relegation zone.

Livorno have quietly gone about their business in climbing back up the Serie A table and are currently on an 8 match unbeaten run. The side managed by Camolese are in 14^th place of the league table with 18 points. They are just behind Parma on goal difference and just ahead of SS Lazio. If there is any knock against Livorno at this time it is that they don’t play particularly well at home with just 1 win, 4 draws and 3 losses in 8 matches. Livorno are coming off of a superb victory away from home last week by a score of 1-2 over Torino. In addition to the suspended Filippini, Bergvold and Giannichedda are both out injured. Neither player is expected to be back before late March or early April. Tavano paces the club with 8 goals.

Much like Livorno, Empoli have slowly begun to put their season back together on the strength of a 4 match unbeaten run. Their last match saw them play to a 1-1 draw against Reggina at the Stadio Carlo Castellini. The trouble for Malesani’s side has been their form away from home where they have managed just 1 wins from 9 matches to go along with 2 draws and 6 losses. They are coming off of a spirited 5-3 loss against Juve in the Coppa Italia this week which did wonders for morale despite not winning. There are 2 players unavailable for this match in Mchedlidze and Marchisio, while Guillermo Giacomazzi is suspended. It has been confirmed at this time that Luca Saudati is not well enough to start and will only be used off of the bench in the second half. Malesani will go with a 4-3-2-1 with Pozzi, the club’s top scorer, playing as the lone striker.

Livorno may very well be the best side in Italy at this time that no one knows about. The fact that they are on such a good run, coupled with Empoli’s inability to win on the road tilts this match in favor of Livorno. Look for them to extend their unbeaten run to 9 matches.

Prediction: Livorno (1-0)

Juventus vs Sampdoria

Juventus return home to the Stadio Olimpico di Torino to host Sampdoria needing to win to keep pace with both Roma and Inter Milan at the top of the Serie A table. They will host a Sampdoria outfit who have been fairly consistent this season but not too impressive when playing away from home.

Claudio Ranieri’s club are currently in 3^rd place of the Serie A table with 36 points on the season. They are 3 points back of 2^nd place Roma and 10 points back of Inter Milan while holding a 4 point edge on Udinese. They had two matches over the last week, first drawing away to Catania, 1-1, in their last league match and then defeating Empoli 5-3 midweek to advance in the Coppa Italia. David Trezeguet continues to pace the club with 13 goals scored. The vecchia signora are on a very strong run at this time which has seen them go 9 matches without a loss thanks to a superb defensive record evidenced by the 3 goals they have conceded over their last 6 games. There is some good news this week on the injury front with Italy international Mauro German Camoranesi finally resuming training. Meanwhile, Grygera will replace the injured Chiellini in the back line while Birindelli spells Zebina.

Sampdoria are just outside the UEFA Cup zone of the Serie A table with 24 points. They sit one point back of Palermo and 1 point ahead of Napoli in 7^th place. Manager Mazzari’s side are coming off of a strong performance last week which saw them run out deserved winners over Palermo by a score of 3-0 at the Luigi Ferraris. Things are so good at Marassi these days that even Antonio Cassano of all people indicated a change of heart and he is now willing to stay at the club. Unfortunately for Cassano, a muscle problem will keep him out of the match at Juve with Bonazzoli and Bellucci starting in attack. Montella and Kalu are also out this week.

While Samp are certainly capable of giving any Serie A side a good fight, their road record leaves a lot to be desired having lost 7 of 9 matches. Juventus are playing confident football and the 5 goals against Empoli confirmed that they can score in high numbers when needed. Look for Juve to get the job done at home this week.

Prediction: Juve (2-0)

Barcelona vs Racing Santander

20/1- Barcelona would have their attention diverted with the match between Real and Atletico Madrid occupying a good part of their attention. Barca would be worried about Real stretching further with their lead while a win for Atletico would bring them too close to Barca and their Champions League position could be a threat. They would aptly want that the match in Madrid ends in a draw and they can possibly win their match against Racing Santander. Racing Santander would be no walk over and their 6^th position is an indicator of their form and the team also has a good amount of potential to hold up Barca as well. More than anything Racing will be inclined to secure their position as well and that would make the match even more interesting. The biggest issue that Racing could possibly face is that they have not been able to defend that well and Barca are a high scoring side.

Messi and Henry are the two players that would possibly make a difference in the match from the end of Barca. The form exhibited by them in their match last week against Murcia was ominous for the club fans and the 4-0 margin highlighted the dominance they have over their rivals. They have lost out big time on the fight for the top spot with Real Madrid but it is only constant consistent performances can possibly bring them to a level where they can challenge the league leaders but that would also require Real losing their form and losing some matches, which currently seems impossible.

Racing Santander enter the match after two consecutive matches, their away win against Osasuna last week helped their cause of maintaining their spot in the top 6. Montana has been their prolific player and has scored 6 goals already. It is set to be an interesting match between two competitive sides.

Prediction: 2-1, Barca win

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid

20/1- The most interesting match of the week takes place as the two Madrid teams clash home in a derby at the home grounds of Atletico Madrid. The league leaders are in tremendous form and have won all of their last 5 matches, they also have a buffer of 7 points between themselves and the second placed Barcelona and that will keep them relaxed as well. Atletico Madrid are also a team to look out for this season and placed 3^rd they would like to give it their best shot to try and close down on the second placed Barcelona. Both teams enter this tie after deserving victories last week, while Real Madrid beat Levante 2-0, in an away tie, Atletico Madrid beat Valencia 1-0 in a home tie. Atletico have been good at home and they would like to see to it that they can maintain the same against the city rivals.

Real Madrid have been riding high on the form of their prolific strikers, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Baptista, Raul, Robinho and company have displayed great skills and ability to produce magical moments in various matches. Guti has also responded to his new play maker role and the team is looking to be an unstoppable unit. Their away form also has been decent and most importantly they have got into the habit of winning and would not like to lose it.

Atletico Madrid on the other hand have been good but probably not as good as the league leaders, they have more or less relied on Aguero who has created and converted opportunities. They would like to close on to Barcelona and fight for the second Champions League spot, it would be great if they can achieve it instead of having to go through the qualification rounds. Whatever be the results the match is set to be thriller.

Prediction: 1-2, Real win

Real Betis vs Recreativo Huelva

20/1- The second half of the season is a blessing in disguise for the fans at Real Betis, the team was struggling in the relegation zone for the major part of the first season and now find themselves in the 16^th position, a couple of positions out of the danger zone. Though the difference between them and the bottom 3 is just a single point, the important thing is that they have been able to move out of it. After beating Getafe in a thrilling 3-2 encounter at home they now get prepared to take on Recreativo Huelva at home again. Recreativo are just a place behind Real Betis and are equal on points but their form looks to have taken a dip and last week’s loss to Vallodolid just added salt to injury. Their away form has been miserable and in such a situation it can be quite tricky for them to take on an improving team like Real Betis.

Real Betis have won their last match and would like to continue the winning run and next week they travel to Espanyol, which would be a tougher tie and hence they would like to score the maximum amount of points from this match. Playing against an opponent like Recreativo, who have been facing a lot of problems themselves. Winning 3 of their last 5 matches and with Pavone and Caffa in great form, it all seems good for Real Betis. They would be expecting to score a few goals and probably climb a few more positions on the points table.

Recreativo are dangerously moving towards the danger zone and have been able to manage 3 draws in the last 4 matches but they need to get back to winning ways in order to get themselves to a safer position but against Real Betis at home looks quite difficult.

Prediction: 2-0, Real Betis win

Levante vs Mallorca

20/1- There are two teams in Laliga that separate themselves from the rest in their very own way, while one is at the top of the table the other is at the extreme end. Levante, unfortunately, is on the wrong end of the table. The team has been in practically no form since the commencement of the season and the things do not appear to be changing. They have lost 4 of their last 5 matches with the one remaining being a draw. They look to be out of the top division already and would need only a miracle to pull them out of the place they are in as of now. Mallorca have been in no great form as well and their visit to Levante might help them to capitalise and gain some points. Placed at the 13^th spot the team is a mere 3 points above the relegation zone and their recent performances have not been strong either, with a record of 3 loses and 2 draws in the last 5 matches they seem to be no better than Levante but this visit would be different as the host team is mentally out of the league already.

Levante come into this match after the 2-0 loss against league leaders Real Madrid last week, Rigano has been their inform player and has managed to score 4 goals this season. More than scoring Levante would have to defend out the threat from the opposition which they have failed to all this season. On the other hand a win for Mallorca would see them climbing the ladder and reach a safer position that would possibly keep them away from the relegation zone. Guiza could be the player to watch out from Mallorca and anything less than 3 points would be disappointing for them.

Prediction: 0-1, Mallorca win

Almeria vs Deportivo La Coruna

20/1- At the beginning of the season was not expected that a side like Deportivo La Coruna would slip as far as 19^th place on the table and a side like Almeria would find themselves in the top half of the table. Deportivo has been going through a very lean phase in the league and out of the last 5 matches they have lost 3 matches, though the last match they played against Villareal the side put up a valiant attempt but ended on the losing side with a 4-3 margin. Almeria on the other hand are a side that has been constantly improving, after their last week’s victory against Espanyol at home they would be high on confidence. Almeria have looked quite confident while playing at home and they would like to translate their good form into good points. They have managed to win 2 of their last 5 matches and have been impressive in other matches as well.

Almeria would not only enjoy the upper hand in terms of their dominant position but also the home crowd would be quite encouraging. Sanchez has been the best scoring option for the club and has managed 6 goals in the season so far. But overall the team would prefer more goals being scored at home as they have been able to score only 7 goals at home this season. They are just a point behind the 9^th placed team and would like to move up some places as they are just 3 points above the relegation zone.

Deportivo La Coruna would possibly argue that they have a better away record than a home record, the only team they have performed better than is Levante and that would not be of any satisfaction for such a talented side. They would be hoping to get at least some points out of this match.

Prediction: 2-2, draw

Villareal vs Valencia

19/1- Valencia started off the season with a blast and then all of a sudden came a sudden change of fortunes they have been struggling ever since and have not been able to live up to the expectations they set up. They are placed on the 7^th position and are being constantly chased by Sevilla and other teams and in current form their position always appears to be under threat. Their away form has been good but in their last match against Atletico Madrid they lost 1-0, last week. They would be travelling to take on Villareal, placed 5^th on the points table. Villareal have been in supreme form and that was translated into action when they managed to hold out Deportivo La Coruna in a home tie last week when they beat them 4-3. Out of the last 5 games played Villareal have won the 2 matches while Valencia have lost 2 and drawn the remaining, that makes it just 3 points of 5 games.

Valencia have been supreme when playing away and they would like to make the most of it this time, at least a point of this match would be something that the club would want as they have been constantly followed by various teams looking to upstage them. Morientes has been the best player for the side and Joaquin is another important player but until the entire team plays well it would be difficult for the club to manage a victory. They also need to better their defence as they have had 29 goals against them while have scored 22 goals.

Villareal on the other hand have been a far more consistent side and have been in great form at home winning 6 of the 9 matches played. In Nihat they have a wonderful striker and with Senna in the lines they have a good attacking side, though their defensive power has not been great they have been able to outscore their opponents.

Prediction: 2-1, Villareal win

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