Italian Football 
/ Dave Farrar / 02 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Claudio Ranieri's early honeymoon period at Inter has come to an end and Wesley Sneijder may move on as well if Inter's fortunes don't improve
"They were dreadful in Naples, and the big problem from week to week with Claudio Ranieri’s side is that they don’t seem to have any set pattern of play. Players seem unsure, the ball is moved too slowly, and they are vulnerable on the counter attack."
The Rome derby is the biggest match of the weekend in terms of Media interest and there's a decent bet there but the better bet may lie with Catana's trip to Inter Milan. Claudio Ranieri's days are already numbered and the vistors could deliver the killer blow.
Roma v Lazio
It's hard to know what to make of Roma under Luis Enrique. There are times when you watch them and feel that the young Spanish coach really has something, when they play with tempo and energy and look capable of overwhelming even the best sides.
And yet there are other occasions, last week's capitulation against Atalanta for example, when the players look as if they're meeting for the first time. Daniele De Rossi absence through indiscipline was a huge factor in last week's defeat, and his presence in the centre of the midfield is always key for Roma.
He's back for this weekend's derby, and Roma are [2.28] to see off a Lazio side which has struggled both on and off the field in the last few weeks. Edy Reja is still in charge despite offering an angry resignation and has a terrible injury list to deal with.
Lazio's tiredness and evident lack of team spirit has been a reason to oppose them in recent weeks, and that proved profitable until they managed a 1-0 win against Fiorentina last time out.
That was a solid performance, and makes me swerve Roma for the derby. I'm not suggesting that Lazio are a bet at [3.75], but I do feel that they have enough about them to avoid defeat against a team as unpredictable as Roma. That makes the draw a decent, if small stakes, bet for the game of the weekend, with Roma too short and Lazio more than capable of frustrating them.
Recommendation Roma v Lazio draw @ [3.4]
Lecce v Genoa
Every Serie A fan's favourite lunatic, Serse Cosmi, is in the process of doing an extraordinary job at Lecce.
Two wins in a row have taken them to within two points of safety, and for a team which looked relegated at Christmas, there is suddenly hope. Cosmi may not be Arrigo Sacchi in terms of his tactical astuteness, but what he has always had is the ability to motivate players, and make them absolutely sure of the job that he expects them to do.
This has worked well at the Via Del Mare, and now Lecce face a Genoa team which looks shorn of confidence, and whose awful defensive record gives Lecce a chance of making it three wins in a row.
Genoa have conceded more goals than any other team in Serie A this season, quite an achievement when you consider the presence of teams like Novara in the division, and in their last five away games, they have shipped 19 goals. That makes them vulnerable to the likes of Juan Cuadrado and Luis Muriel, and the way that this game is likely to be set up tactically means that goals seem certain. Lecce are no great shakes defensively either, and these two could serve up an open and entertaining game. Over 3.5 goals in attractively priced at [3.5], and I'm happy to take a view that the Via Del Mare may be the place to be on Sunday afternoon.
Recommendation Back Over 3.5 goals in Lecce v Genoa @ [3.5]
Inter v Catania
Inter's woes continued with a fourth consecutive defeat last weekend at Napoli, and this Sunday night they face an in-form Catania team, hoping to add themselves to the names of Novara and Bologna as recent improbable winners at the San Siro.
Catania are [5.5] to get the three points, with Inter trading at [1.76], and I just can't see any justification to make Inter odds-on.
They were dreadful in Naples, and the big problem from week to week with Claudio Ranieri's side is that they don't seem to have any set pattern of play. Players seem unsure, the ball is moved too slowly, and they are vulnerable on the counter attack.
Catania have won three of their last four, and the vibrant way that they play will put Inter under severe pressure. Inter have failed to score in their last five matches, and even though Ranieri has been assured that his job is safe no matter what the outcome on Sunday, I'm not sure that he'll be able to survive another humiliation. You can argue that Catania had to wait until last weekend to get their first win away from home, but I see that result as a positive, and while a lay of Inter is tempting, there's no reason not to take a big price about Catania coming good.
Recommendation Back Catania to beat Inter @ [5.5]
Michael Lintorn takes an early look at Sunday's Rome derby, which could have a major impact on the battle for Italy's final Champions League place......
Seven defeats in eight have made it clear that Inter are in desperate need of rebuilding both on and off-the-field......
The top two clubs in Serie A go head-to-head on Saturday night and Dave Farrar is surprised to see Juventus so generously priced for the win....
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