Series A Betting Analysis from Stan James

It's tight at the top of Serie A. AC Milan and Juventus are both on 66 points, a full 16 points clear of third placed Inter, so there is a lot at stake. Milan (1/5) have a relatively straight forward home game against second from bottom Brescia (10/1). Having won their last eight games they are on a roll and with Brescia not having kept a clean sheet since the end of February, the omens aren't good for them. Juventus (4/5) on the other hand travel to bitter rivals Fiorentina (7/2) and this could be tricky. They do have a good record in Florence though and their defence has conceded just one in the last five games. Fiorentina are just two points above the drop zone so they need to win just as badly. Juventus should be too strong for them. Third place Inter (5/4) travel up to Bologna (2/1) in the knowledge that they are still unbeaten on the road this season. The trouble is they keep drawing and not winning, and they have to watch their backs as Udinese and Sampdoria are perilously close to them on points. Bologna on the other hand need to win to get near to 6th place and a UEFA Cup spot. This has got draw (2/1) written all over it. In fourth spot we have Udinese (8/11) at home to eighth place Roma (4/1). Roma's season has been disappointing with four coaches and a lot of headaches and they need to start winning if they are to get anything from the season. Their recent form is dire with just one win in the last eight matches, whereas Udinese remain bright and have won their last two. Fifth placed Sampdoria (2/1) travel to Cagliari (5/4) on the back of two straight defeats. They will want to steady the ship but the Sardinians are no mugs at home and they also have an eye on a UEFA Cup berth. They are unbeaten in the last 10 home games as well. The Sicillian derby between Palermo (8/11) and Messina (7/2) should be a lively encounter, although their previous meeting this season ended in a goalless draw. Messina seem to be clear of the drop zone whereas Palermo in 6th are eyeing a Champions League qualification spot. At the bottom we have an intriguing clash between bottom club Atalanta (Evs) at home to 5th from bottom Chievo (5/2). Atalanta desperately need to win this game and it will give them a great lift to their survival chances if they do. They are on the back of two wins after their crucial win over Bresia last week. Siena (11/4) who are third from bottom have a difficult away trip to Lecce (5/6) who have gone six games without defeat. Siena don't travel well and this looks a home banker. Parma (3/1) don't travel well either and they have a tricky away game at Reggina (10/11). Neither side are doing well and a stale mate at 2/1 looks solid. Finally a dour mid table clash between Lazio (8/11) and free scoring Livorno (4/1) who have scored 8 in their last four matches rounds off this weekend's matches. Log on to Stan James for all this weeks markets<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O />TV MatchesAC Milan v Brescia Sat 17.00pm British EurosportFiorentina v Juventus Sat 19.30pm British Eurosport