Stan James Serie A Week One Preview

Livorno??..EvsDraw????2/1Lecce???.11/4This is quite a difficult one to call because there is not a great deal between the sides. They finished a point apart last term, but if there is one significant factor, it's Lecce's dreadful away form. Plumping for Livorno with home advantage at Evens could be a good call. Fiorentina??..6/5Draw????15/8Sampdoria??23/10An intriuging clash between two clubs with big reputations. Fiorentina have been very busy in the transfer market and they will be looking to reach Europe this season and get a return on their money. They will need to do better than last season if they are to return to the glory days. Sampdoria finished well ahead of Fiorentina last season and are more or less relying on last season's squad. They would have preferred a easier first game and any kind of result here will be a good one. Ascoli???..9/1Draw????7/2AC Milan??.2/7Newly promoted Ascoli couldn't have asked for a better fixture albeit one that has been clouded in controversy. Ascoli only had their promotion to the top flight confirmed after Genoa's appeal failed so they have not had time to bed in their new acquisitions. On paper it looks very one sided but this is a similar game to the Wigan-Chelsea opener in the Premiership so there could be a surprise. Having said that the sheer quality of the Rossoneri will probably win the day. If your brave then the draw at 7/2 looks good value. Inter Milan??.1/5Draw????.4/1Treviso???..14/1It's difficult to see Treviso getting anything out of this game. Inter have such an array of talent in their squad that they will surely be too good for Treviso. The sight of Luis Figo in an Inter shirt will be a sight to behold?.if he plays that is. This is a home banker I'm afraid and nothing will persuade us otherwise. Lazio???..4/5Draw????2/1Messina??.15/4The Roman clubs need to get their act together this season after dire campaigns in recent years and Lazio will fancy their chances of kicking off this season with a win. Messina finished 7th last year which was very commendable but maybe it flattered them a bit. It'll be tough to reproduce such a high league position this year, and you feel there will be more pressure on Messina than Lazio. The Romans will know that they surely can't be as poor this season as last and they will be fresh and up for the task. Lazio could win this with a bit to spare. Parma???6/4Draw???.7/4Palermo??.2/1Palermo were one of the surprise teams of last year, qualifying for Europe and demanding respect wherever they played. They will like the idea of travelling to a Parma side that could struggle this year. The loss of their prolific striker, Gilardino is a blow and it's hard to see where the goals are going to come from. Of the two Palermo should have the upper hand, but when these two sides met last season, both games ended in draws. It could well be another one here. Reggina??..11/4Draw???..2/1Roma???.EvsThis will be a tricky trip for Roma, despite being the short priced favourite because Reggina is always a difficult to go and get a result. Roma had a dire season and just managed to scramble clear of relegation on their last campaign and surely they will come out to prove their critics wrong. They are a big club but as we know that does not mean a jot. It's all about doing the business on the park and Roma have to get their act together. If they don't start well the pressure will mount up pretty rapidly and this could well signal disaster again. Back anything than Roma at Evens. It's just not worth the chance. Siena???..11/10Draw???..15/8Cagliari??..13/5Siena will fancy their chances here. The Tuscan outfit have strengthened their squad and they'll see Cagliari as a good reference point to how their season will pan out. Their key man will be Chiesa up front. If he gets on the scoresheet consistently they could surprise a few this year. Cagliari are a decent side though and they have experience aplenty. They also like to attack in numbers and they also will feel this will be a good chance to bag three early season points. If we had to side with anyone it would probably be with Cagliari but it's a difficult one to call. Udinese???.4/7Draw????.12/5Empoli???..5/1Empoli celebrate their return to Serie A with a difficult trip to Udinese. Their side is pretty much the same as that which won promotion last season, so they just might have a shock in the early games. Udinese on the other hand have been more active in the transfer market and will fancy their chances strongly. A home win is the obvious runner here. Juventus?????2/9Draw??????4/1Chievo Verona??.11/1Well you don't need to be a rocket scientist to see that this has all the hallmarks of a resounding home win. Chievo have been battered in all the games they have played in Serie A against Juve and it's difficult not to come to the same conclusion this time. Patrick Viera could make his debut but he's just one component of a very strong squad. There is not much to dwell on here. It's a home banker?.