Coppa Italia – Round 4 – Before the real games start
By David, BettingExpert.com | Published
One final round of games before we get to see top teams be drawn into the action. Inter will want to give this some attention given the slim chances they have for the title and the likes of Palermo, Genoa and Parma will not disdain from having a go. Juventus themselves may like this side plate while on their quest for the Scudetto. In the meantime, however, there are three more games to decide which sides will continue their journey in the Coppa Italia.
Parma – Verona
It has been a while since Verona were last in Serie A so we will have to go back almost ten years for the last official meeting between these two clubs. With the way they are marching on in Serie B, six victories in the last six, they can seriously hope to be back enjoying themselves in the Italian top flight next season.
Verona are currently two points off Zeman’s Pescara, meaning automatic qualification to Serie A. The way up there is not an easy one but they have shown promise this season after a start which was less encouraging. They had only managed three wins in the first eleven games.
Most of the teams they defeated in the past month have been mid-table sides, except for Reggina which they overtook in the table with last Saturday’s triumph at home. Verona’s success has mostly stemmed from their young blood and the desire to prove themselves. There are some promising midfielders at the club, including Icelandic Hallfredsson, Italian duo D’Alessandro and Doninelli, Tachtsidis from Greece and Argentine striker Juan Gomez.
Parma have not always managed clear victories against Verona. Colomba’s men are coming from a defeat in Novara which they feel they should have avoided. They did enjoy superiority in the first half and were also leading but as time went by they allowed the hosts back in the game and ultimately left Novara with no point to their name.
Verdict: 1
Palermo are visiting over the weekend but Colomba seems determined not to give up so early on the Coppa Italia. Gobbi, Floccari and Modesto are the only ones definitely ruled out and while it is plausible that Giovinco gets a rest most of the other players are in contention for starting this game.
Catania – Novara
Lecce proved weak again in the division and allowed Catania to be better even though Montella’s team are known for travelling poorly. A draw may have been deserved but Barrientos’ magical strike in the final minutes made the three points theirs and had a cold manager like Montella jump to his feet in jubilant fashion.
Novara were playing on Saturday evening as well last weekend and they too were winners, defeating Parma by one goal after coming from behind. Captain Rubino scored the winner and can now boast goals in all Italian football divisions.
Neither team will want to exhaust themselves in a competition they will probably abandon eventually. Catania may have more of a say given their strength at home so probably they should be the ones taking this more seriously. Additionally they are also in a much more comfortable position than Novara in the table.
Verdict: Under2.5
Both managers are intent on fielding reserves but those of Catania should possess higher quality. Novara cannot really afford any distractions from their struggles to avoid relegation so Catania should have the edge here. Nonetheless I am not sure there will be much excitement here.
Cesena – Gubbio
Finally two wins for Cesena. Their first in Serie A this season. Since Arrigoni took over the team did find its feet but I would not say there was anything that bad under the managerial leadership of Giampaolo. Mutu made a difference and he was suspended for three games while Giampaolo was in charge. The Romanian striker was the main protagonist of the team’s victory against Genoa with a clever penalty kick and a wonderful strike from outside the box.
Cesena missed that quality in attack which only Mutu can actually guarantee. The team plays good football and the level of technique is not bad either. They have to be more clinical upfront though and with Malonga partnering Mutu that is what Arrigoni is hoping to deliver.
The opponent here is nothing to fear. Gubbio, in fact, are struggling in Serie B, coming from four defeats in a row which have left them below the safety line. Two of those games were against in form Pescara and Sassuolo but the others were defeats against opponents swimming in deep dark waters like themselves.
Verdict: Cesena -1
Recent negative results mean Gubbio can ill afford to give this cup game any importance. Arrigoni will probably give a chance to players who have been employed less than others. These will include dangerous strikers Eder and Bogdani, Lauro who was suspended last Sunday and Ceccarelli who is suspended for the next league match.
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