BEST PALERMO VS LAZIO PREDICTION
Palermo FC 0.00 (AH)
Tipped at: 2.09 - 18th Jan 13:37
Free analysis taken from weekly newsletter<br />
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Palermo – Lazio<br />
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Previous games:<br />
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Napoli – Palermo 3-0<br />
I was asked by one of my betting colleagues about Napoli -1.5, and I said, no way Napoli isn’t that good...well they won it with 3-0 and again I will repeat myself, they did not deserve such high win, why?<br />
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First half, Palermo started better and created two excellent chances and they were both nicely played with technique and nice movement and both missed, Palermo hit the post as well from free kick and were at least on par with Napoli. But Napoli had one and half chance and scored two, firstly cross from left and header Maggio and then Inler trademark long range shot which did hit the post, but went in. I can say, Palermo at least level on first half game play wise, but behind with 2 goals. Unfair yes, deserved as well – it’s their fault that they miss such opportunities.<br />
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2nd half and order was restored, Napoli better, they did not allow walk in their area anymore and also created far more chances than in half one and two or three times pass on far post for Cavani was just a bit too long for him to get to. Palermo did had one really nice action where almost five players were involved and they worked the ball to Miccoli whose shot from some 7 meters was blocked. But as said, Napoli better in that half and they showed who the home team is. Goal was scored after Inler broke on right wing and got the ball to Insigne who was unmarked in area and had easy task to smash it in.<br />
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From that goal game was more quiet Napoli played down the clock an brought the game home without too much problems.<br />
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Overall Napoli was better team but still Palermo should have really taken the lead early on, as they were better at the start and probably two goals against were total morale killers as it was a bit against run of play. But looking at whole game, Napoli better, showed why they are so high on table, while Palermo needs a result pretty soon now.<br />
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Lazio – Atalanta 2-0<br />
We had a bet on Lazio in this game and I can say it was a lucky one in reality. Lazio again disappointed with performance and really do not deserve the second place on the table. But to the game; Atalanta started and played the whole first half better and really limited Lazio to almost nothing. At Lazio it did show that Gonzalez was missing from their line-up and their attacking play was virtually invisible for most part of 45 minutes. Atalanta tried and mostly used the left wing to create, but they did not make any significant opportunities. One good close range header was saved by Marchetti, but the action was stopped due to offside. So despite being as +1 underdog, Atalanta controlled the game completely.<br />
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2nd half was total opposite of first one, it was as Lazio woken up, Petkovic doing miracles at half time and also changes of Cana and Floccari for Lulic and Candreva made significant turn of events. Lazio pressed from early on and created chances and I can say that you could smell the goal in air as Lazio dominated and created.<br />
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But even if Lazio were better the Atalanta defence despite all the misses and sold players stood well and Lazio did come to two goals in this half, but about them. First one should have been disallowed as Floccari handled the ball; it was not intentional but so obvious that referee should have really stopped the game. Second Lazio goal came from cross in area and unfortunate own goal from Brivio. So all in all, luck in every aspect and I wonder if Lazio deserved this win. Sure they were better in 2nd half and had more possession and also overall played better and pressed, but in no way I can say they are team that you want to bet on when playing tough opponents, but credits really go to Petkovic who looks like a real gem on their bench, as this awakening after HT was not the first one this season.<br />
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Team news:<br />
Palermo: Barreto banned; Hernandez, Mantovani – injury; Brienza – also confirmed out<br />
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Lazio: Ederson, Klose, Konko – missing next game due to injuries, while Dias and Gonzalez are doubts – worked with the group already<br />
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Analysis:<br />
Palermo is not playing so badly as results show, they had chances in both last games they lost and I can say that they should have got at least a point from Parma, vs. Napoli, okay Napoli won it comfortably but they did create.<br />
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Missing players are the key here, Palermo bought 4 new faces and reshuffled a bit their back line, but Barreto out is handicap as is Brienza who will probably miss But since Aronica came from Napoli, Donati is back in his natural holding role in midfield, so Baretto miss probably compensated a bit.<br />
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But even more hurtful is missing of Klose and Gonzalez (the later at time of writting seems to be okay) – both are key players for Lazio. While also Konko is out, so Radu (central defender) will play in full back role as against Atalanta. About Lazio, they do not play as good as results show, last two were lucky for them really and they did not deserve to won (Cagliari had 1-0 in Olimpico and lost it in last minutes, while about Atalanta game I have already written), but it seems that Petkovic on their bench is huge, as almost every time Lazio comes better from HT break – that was truly the case in last game, where Atalanta commanded first half, just to lose it 2-0 at the end.<br />
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In this game I believe Palermo might break the long Lazio unbeaten run, honestly their results are just too good comparing to performances, while Palermo should finally take at least a point, so I believe odds should be lower on Palermo.<br />
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The question is, will Petkovic risk both Dias and Gonzalez for this game as Lazio has important Cup game against Juventus in midweek. So basically I believe both could start on the bench this next one. So, with bit of speculation, Lazio could miss up to 4 key players in this game and no wonder odds have already fallen on Palermo.<br />
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I believe Palermo run of bad results is too long and they can pick up at least a point in this game, as said Ilicic is back, Miccoli okay, Morganella also in form, so Palermo despite not getting the points is better than results show, quite opposite to Lazio. In this case I believe Palermo deserved a bet, so I will strongly advice<br />
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Palermo 0 @ 2.14 sbobet