April 21st - 22nd : No room for error
By Andrew, bettingexpert.com | Published
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Top of the table Juventus host top 3 aspirants Roma as they look to maintain their hold of the Serie A title. Meanwhile Milan host Bologna in another must win.
Milan vs Bologna
Milan enter this home fixture eager to maintain pressure on Serie A leaders Juventus. They sit in 2nd position with superior goal difference as Juventus hosts 5th placed Roman this weekend. A week ago they were able to respond to a shock defeat at home to Fiorentina with a dour 1-0 victory at Chievo. Muntari scored early in the 9th minute securing a lead that the visitors would not surrender.
The only concern for Milan in their remaining games is an away game to Inter early next month. Other than that, they should be able to secure enough points to claim the title should Juventus slip up. But it all starts now with a home fixture against 12th placed Bologna, a club they have beaten in their last two home meetings by the combined miserly scoreline of 2-0.
Bologna ended a 4 game win-less streak a week ago with a home win over Cagliari. Diamanti scored in the 54th minute as the club went on to win 1-0 seeing them in 12th place heading into this round of matches. They've been a bit of a surprise away from home this season, losing just 5 times on the road in 15 away matches played including recent back to back away victories over both Inter and Lazio.
Milan go in a suitable favourites with the bookmakers, with odds on the home club claiming the all important points currently hovering around 1.20. The visitors are being offered a generous handicap of +2 goals.
Verdict - Bologna will have their work cut out for them away from home. But +2 goals is a handsome handicap to have on your side. Bologna +2.
Obscure Stat - Milan have won their last 6 home matches against clubs positioned between 11th and 13th on the table and over the last 5 seasons, they have lost just twice in 17 matches played to such clubs.
Juventus vs Roma
Juventus come into this home fixture with 5th placed Roma, holding a 1 point lead over Milan at the top of the Serie A table. They maintained their position with a 2-1 win a week ago as hosts to Lazio. Del Piero scored in the 82nd minute to break the 1-all deadlock. It's been an impressive season for Juventus, as they currently preserve their unbeaten record. After having drawn 6 of their 7 matches through February into March, with their only win a 3-1 victory hosting Catania, they have now won their last 5 matches. They have conceded just once during this recent run of fine form, last week to Lazio, while at the same time collecting 14 goals themselves.
Roma held onto hopes of a top 3 finish after they were able to defeat currently 4th place holders Udinese 3-1 a week ago, scoring twice late in the match to put the result beyond doubt. They enter this round 4 points behind current 3rd place holders Lazio while holding a superior goal difference. It's been a good spell of form for the club now having won 4 of their last 6 matches, a run that has seen them outscore their opponents 10 goals to 3. They have however only won once in their last 9 meetings with Juventus, with that win coming away from home back in 2009/2010 by the score of 2-1. A win against the current league leaders would not only be a shock but a very welcome boost to their top 3 aspirations.
Juventus are currently at odds of about 1.50 to get the points in what could be a tricky matchup. If you like Roma's chances, they are receiving a +1 goal handicap.
Verdict - Roma could causes the home club some issues here. Take them with the +1 goal handicap.
Obscure Stats - Over the last 5 seasons, Roma have played away to clubs positioned in 1st place on 6 occasions. They lost just once.
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