Bologna are on a three-game winning streak, and accounting for Inter last weekend was a coup. Can the Rossoblu claim the biggest scalp in the Serie A in Juventus?...

Saturday 16 March 2013

Bologna were not expected to be a challenge to Inter Milan, with many tipping the Nerazzurri to claim victory. However, Stefano Pioli and his men had other ideas at the Giuseppe Meazza, when Alberto Gilardino scored early to give the visitors the lead. And the Rossoblu could have extended their advantage had it not been for luck. Having already beaten Inter's rivals Milan and Fiorentina over the past month and Napoli earlier in the season, a win over the Bianconeri could see them move into the top-half of the table and mount a late challenge for a European spot. Loan signing Manolo Gabbiadini will be keen to prove he has developed into a far better player than when he was at the Bianconeri. Alessandro Diamanti has been mentioned as possible transfer target in the eye of the league-leaders, but he has pledged his future to the Rossoblu, and will want to play well.

There have been more murmurings off the pitch this week than on it in regards to Juventus, and it all started with director Pavel Nedved, suggesting he would like to have former striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic back at the club. Teenage revelation  and soon-to-be 20-year-old Paul Pogba has also stolen the headlines, being given a call-up to the France squad for the clashes against Georgia and Spain. Four wins in six matches for Antonio Conte's men has put the side in the box seat to not only win the Scudetto, but temporarily extend their lead over the chasing pack.

Bologna are unbeaten in five outings at the Renato Dell'Ara, and will not be easy pushovers. And Juventus have been known to drop points to mid-table sides when on the road.

Prediction: Bologna 1-1 Juventus

Fiorentina have ended a four-game away losing streak by defeating Lazio 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico to move into fourth place on the Serie A table on Sunday night.

Goals from Stevan Jovetic in the 20th minute and Adem Ljajic five minutes after the restart helped La Viola to boost their chances for European qualification for next season.

Lazio coach Vladimir Petkovic had to do without Antonio Candreva, who was suspended for this clash, but regained both Giuseppe Biava and Andre Dias from the side that beat Stuttgart last Thursday in the Europa League, whilst Vincenzo Montella replaced the suspended Alberto Aquilani with Giulio Migliaccio.

Jovetic should have opened the scoring minutes into the game when he scoffed a chance from a Manuel Pasqual cross. Lorik Cana failed to clear the danger, falling to the forward, but he ballooneed his shot from six yards.

Juan Cuadrado almost lit up the match with a rocketing shot from distance, but Lazio shot-stopper Federico Marchetti did well to parry the opportunity away. 

Adem Ljajic was allowed too much space on the left side of the park, who then spotted Borja Valero on the edge of the area. The former Villarreal midfielder let the ball run past him and Jovetic was the first to react, and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner past the outstretched Marchetti on 20 minutes. 

Lazio sparked to life, looking to equalise proceedings through Ederson, but his shot was saved by Emiliano Viviano close to the post. 

However, it was the Viola who looked like scoring the next goals, as Jovetic could have doubled his lead had it not been for Cana again being in the right place at the right time. 

Andre Dias should have done better with a corner ricocheted into the defender's path after the half-hour, but he scuffed his attempt.

The Biancocelesti had a wonderful counter-attacking chance prior to the half-time break when Senad Lulic found Cristian Ledesma in space. However, the midfielder failed to connect properly with his foot, and the ball fell for Ederson, but the Brazilian was caught off-guard.

Despite Lazio's best attempts, an Adem Ljajic free-kick after the restart extended the Gigliati's lead. The 21-year-old curled his goal over the wall, catching Marchetti out of position. 

Viviano stepped up as he was forced to make two crucial saves. He palmed a long-range Hernanes free-kick and them and chested a Sergio Floccari volley after Stevan Savic failed to clear the danger.

Fiorentina moved into the top four, overtaking Inter Milan and Lazio on 48 points, one point ahead of both teams.

Newcastle have moved up to 13^th in the Premier League after beating Stoke this afternoon at St James’ Park courtesy of a last gasp Papiss Cisse winner.

To be quite honest this is hardly a fixture which you single out as a must watch at the beginning of the season but with the majority of the big boys focussing their attention on the F.A Cup this weekend we thought ‘why ever not’ so here goes.

Petty fouls seemed to be the order of the day at St James’ Park in the first half and this made for some fairly unpleasant viewing.

Neither team were able to really get a hold of the game, although unsurprisingly Newcastle were dominating possession, if there was going to be a goal before the break it looked as if it was going to come via a shot from distance with Ryan Shotton coming closest for Stoke with a right-footed volley and Jonas Gutierrez just curling wide of the far post for the home side.

After what can only be described as an underwhelming, and that’s being kind, first period we entered the break with the score at 0-0.

The game was finally sparked into life after 66 minutes when Cheick Tiote’s clumsy challenge brought down Jonathan Walters inside the area and Andre Marriner rightly pointed to the spot, Walters took the spot kick himself and powered the ball past Rob Elliot to give Stoke the advantage.

The away sides lead lasted all of eight minutes before Yohan Cabaye beat Asmir Begovic with a free kick from the edge of the area following Glenn Whelan’s foul on Moussa Sissoko.

Newcastle managed to snatch all three points in the dying moments of injury time thanks to a close-range Papiss Cisse strike after a brilliant ball through from substitute Sylvain Marveaux. 

Another battle for a spot in Europe heats up the Serie A, as Lazio host Fiorentina...

Sunday 10 March 2013

Lazio will be hoping to bring the form and confidence they showed against Bundesliga side Stuttgart into the Serie A upon defeating the German outfit 2-0 in the Europa League. Vladimir Petkovic's men kept up their unbeaten European run this term, and without a host of first-teasm regulars. Two players that will return to the line-up, as they were rested, are defenders Andre Dias and Giuseppe Biava, who have combined excellently to keep the Biancocelesti in equal fourth place for goals conceded. The Aquile have dropped points in four home matches this term, which is no mean feat. Goalkeeper Federico Marchetti has also denied there is a mini crisis going on at the club, despite losing to Milan 3-0 last weekend.

Haven't Fiorentina fallen somewhat away over the past month? The Viola can only seemingly register wins at the Artemio Franchi, whilst dropping points on the road. As they displayed last weekend, claiming a 2-1 victory over Chievo, and 4-1 over Inter almost three weeks ago. In the middle, though, Vincenzo Montella's men have failed to register a win on the road in the past four outings. Juventus,, Bologna, Catania and Udinese have convincingly beaten the Gigliati over this time, to the point of currently not occupying a spot in Europe for next season. 

Lazio to get at least a point, as Fiorentina's away form is poor.

Prediction: Lazio 2-0 Fiorentina