Inter-Sampdoria
Last year’s treble winners currently sit two points out of first place in the league table and will have a challenging home match this week against Antonio Cassano’s Sampdoria. This match will feature many of the top players on the goals scored leader board and it also features two likely top six teams by the end of the season. Inter is coming off of a huge victory in the mid-week against Tottenham Hotspur in Champions League play and I expect them to continue the trend in Italian football action as well. The home field advantage should make all the difference.
Final Pick: Inter 2-1
Napoli-AC Milan
Napoli is off to a hot start this Serie A season with fourth place results so far, but this week the schedule will become significantly more difficult with the tough challenge of facing the second best team in the league so far this season. Milan looks to shake off a dismal mid-week performance in the mega-match against Real Madrid and winning this weekend on the road against a tough opponent so far this season might be the jolt that the side needs.
Final Pick: Milan 1-0
Lazio-Cagliari
Lazio, Lazio, Lazio. Did anyone really think that Lazio could be the best team in the league following two months of action? The truth is that Lazio has taken advantage of an excellent early schedule and won all the matches they need to win. Cagliari happens to be yet another one of these matches the first place side should in fact win and if they continue to simply beat the mediocre teams then the top four is a real possibility this season because many of the supposed powerhouses have failed to secure wins so far this season.
Final Pick: Lazio 2-0
http://italy.theoffside.com/files/2009/01/inter_sampdoria_11-300×200.jpg
