Genoa vs Parma
December 21, 2007
Genoa face off against Parma in a match up of sides sitting in the wrong half of the Serie A league table. The two sides are separated by just two points with Genoa currently in 15th place with 16 points just behind Torino on goal difference. The visiting Parma are in 12th place with 18 points and are just behind AC Milan on goal difference.
The grifone are coming off of a 1-1 draw away to Empoli last week at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. That result has stretched their winless run now to 9 matches. Their last win was a 2-0 victory over Cagliari in mid October. The side managed by Gasperini will have a couple of important absences this week especially in the back line. In addition to the suspended Nova, both Danilo and Bega are out. At this time Gasperini is leaning towards keeping his 3-4-3 formation with De Rosa and Santos coming on to fill in the holes in the 3 man back line. On a bright note striker Di Vaio is available and will start on the bench.
Parma come into week 17 having held serve at home in their last match with a convincing 3-0 victory over Reggina at the Tardini stadium. Defensively they have been playing very strong at home, having posted back to back shut outs over Empoli and Reggina. The problem has been scoring away from home which they have not been able to do in their last two road contests. In fact, Parma are winless on the road all season. This week manager Di Carlo looks set to repeat the same starting eleven that got the job done a week ago. It will feature the usual 4-4-2 with Bernardo Corradi joined by Gasbarroni upfront and goal scoring defender Paci at the back. Both Paci and Falcone will have their hands full this week with Genoa’s Borriello who has already scored 7 goals this season.
Genoa are anything but a lock at home with just 2 wins in 8 matches so far. However, Parma have yet to win a single match away from home this season managing instead just 2 draws and 5 losses. Despite these numbers, Parma are certainly the side in best form and the fact that Genoa will be using a make shift defense could prove crucial. Look for Parma to hold out for at least a point.
Prediction: Draw (1-1)
Genoa vs AS Roma
November 23, 2007
Genoa return home to host AS Roma looking to finally put an end to their current 5 match winless run. Genoa were last able to claim 3 points from a match back during the first week of October when they held serve over Cagliari by a score of 2-0 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. This poor spell has seen Gian Piero Gasperini’s side fall to 12th in the Serie A league table. They will be hosting a Roma outfit who will be playing only their second match of the month given the tragic events of 2 weeks ago.
At the time of the postponement of their match, the giallorossi were on a 5 match unbeaten run which had included a 4 match win streak up to their 2-2 draw away to Empoli. That makes this weeks contest away to Genoa their second consecutive away match. They come into this match in 3rd place of Serie A with 22 points from 11 matches. They are just 1 point behind 2nd place Fiorentina with 1 match in hand. Meanwhile, Genoa have 14 points from 12 matches and are just behind AC Milan on goal difference.
The two week break for international matches was beneficial for Il Grifone as they are expected to be at full strength for this match. With everyone available Gasperini is considering just one modification at this time with respect to the starting eleven and that would be to include Coppola as the inside right midfield in place of Sculli. Genoa would then go with a 3-5-2 formation Leon and Borriello upfront.
The same cannot be said for Roma this week in terms of injuries. Despite not having played a match in almost 3 weeks, the injury woes are plentiful for Spalletti. Among the notables still out injured are Francesco Totti, Aquilani and Taddei. In addition, French defender Mexes is still recovering from the head injury he suffered in training back on the 6th of November and the Roma medical staff do not want to take any chances with a injury of that nature. The most likely combination of center back for Roma will see the Brazilian Juan team up with Ferrari in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Vucinic as the lone striker while Max, Giuly and Mancini play just behind.
Genoa have not been too strong at home this season and have managed just 2 victories. Meanwhile, Roma are undefeated in 6 road matches. Despite all the injuries on the visiting side, look for Roma to at least be able to hold out for the draw.
Prediction: Draw (1-1)
