Two key battles in Serie A this week

Inter Milan sit on the top of the table after first round of fixtures in the Seria A. Champions Juventus and Napoli also picked up 3 points with only  AC Milan struggling at the opening weekend. The second round of fixtures host some exciting games as Inter play against Roma and Juventus travel to Udinese.

Inter v AS Roma:

Inter VS Roma is always interesting to watch as it has produced some entertaining games in the recent past. Both the clubs will play equal part in this year’s title race and the game is expected to run till the wire. Inter kicked off the season in an away game against  Pescara which they won comfortably by 3 goals. It will be the first home game of the season for Inter when they face Roma. AS Roma, who began their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Catania will be looking to secure their first victory of the season. 

An electrifying home atmosphere at San Siro

It has been a busy summer for both the teams. Inter have completely changed their squad bringing in lot of young an attacking players. Inter Milan have a complete new look to their team now and so do Roma, who have bought several fresh faces. 

Probable Line-ups, formations and Predictions: 

Inter, who are expected to start the game with a 4-3-2-1 formation. After sitting out in the Europa league qualifying match against Vaslui, Sneijder, Gargano and Milito are expected to return to the first team match and the defense should see Ranocchia partnering Silvestre.  It is in attack that Inter boss Strama will face toughest selection headaches. Cassano impressed in his debut for Inter and Palacio has been in a peach of form throughout the pre-season, it leaves Milito and Coutinho out in the cold. Sneijder has also found his feet back so it will be an interesting to see who starts the game. 

For Roma defender Dodo is still out injured and Michael Bradley is faces a race with time as he looks to get back from his injury. The midfield and defence of Roma are expected to be unchanged from the game against Catania. But in case Bradley loses his fitness race, Marquinho should take his place in the XI.

Probable line-up for Inter:

Castellazzi(GK); Zanetti, Ranocchia, Silvestre, Pereira; Guarin, Cambiasso, Gargano; Sneijder, Palacio; Milito

Probable line-up for Roma:

Stekelenburg(GK); Piris, Burdisso, Castan, Balzaretti; Bradley/Marquinho, De Rossi, Pjanic ; Destro, Osvaldo, Totti

Prediction: A 2-2 draw.

 

Udinese v Juventus

It was a shaky start to the season for the Old Lady when they faced Parma at the opening round of Seria A. The Champions eventually won the game but had to see off a major scare from Parma. In the round two of fixtures, Juventus, make a trip to Udinese. The home side haven’t made the brightest of starts to their season having lost their inaugural game of the league season to a very optimistic Fiorentina outfit. It has been a difficult start to the season for Udinese as they have failed to qualify for the Champions league group stages for the second year running. It has been a big blow for Udinese, who will not be having any motivation at the start of the Campaign.

Watchout for the champions

Juventus are short of attacking options ahead of the game as Sebastian Giovinco will not be available for the game. The attacker picked up an ankle injury in the opening game against Parma. New signing Bendtner will also sit out the game as he is not match fit. 

Probable Line-ups, formations and Predictions: 

For a counter attacking style of football that Udinese deploys, it is expected that they will start the game in a 3-5-1-1 formation. Domizzi, Benatia, Armero and Fabbrini are all expected to be given a rest after mid week involment in the Champions League qualifying games. Heurtaux, Coda, Pasquale and Maicousel will be the probable replacements for the rested players. 

Juventus, who play a  3-5-2 formation are expected to have an unchanged midfield where Vidal, Pirlo and Marchisio will be the central players and  Lichtsteiner and Asamoah will operate as wing backs. In the striking department, Alessandro Matri will get his first start of the new season. 

Probable line-up for Juventus:

Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Vucinic, Matri

Probable line-up for Udinese:

Brkic; Heurtaux, Danilo, Coda; Basta, Faraoni, Willians, Pereyra, Pasquale; Maicousel; Di Natale 

 

Prediction: 0-1 victory to the Champions.

 

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