Game of the Week
Fiorentina: Napoli
Can Alberto Gilardino step up and be the man that his national team lacked this summer? Gilardino did score 15 goals last season and looks for the 20 goal milestone this season. It will be tougher without Stevan Jovetik who is due to miss eight months of action. As for Napoli the finished in the top six last year and ahead of Juventus and Fiorentina by a large margin. the club played even football on the road last year and will at least draw this weekend.
Final Pick: Draw 1-1
Bari: Juventus
The most underrated match of the first week pits underachievers as the away club to hosting overachievers last season. New boys Bari really turned some heads with tough defense and team-oriented football and comfortably survived their first season on the top flight. Now in year two they will not be under the radar. As for Juventus no team disappointed as much as they did other then maybe Fiorentina. But age and defensive woes cost them a shot at the big four last year and this season Buffon and company look to put the tough year behind them.
Final Pick: 0-0 Draw
Bologna: Inter
Bologna survived Serie B death by the slimmest of margins last year regarding their 17th place finish in the league table, but the club did have a comfortable seven point lead over the relgated clubs. Inter, though, is the obvious reason why this match is being discussed. The treble winners head into the season with a new coach, but many familiar faces. Can they repeat such a historic feat without the Special One? The quest begins today with a win on the road.
Final Pick: Inter 2-0
Guaranteed Pick Not Named Inter
AS Roma:Cesena
AS Roma against who? Tough way to start out your La Liga career against Francesco Totti and a Roma team that truly impressed the second half of last season. Roma will win big in front of the home fans against the lowly unknown new boys. and if not I’ll happily eat crow.
Final Pick: Roma 4-0
