Fiorentina has passed the storm from the beginning of the season and are no longer in the relegation zone. However, it can’t be said that Viola made big progress as they’re still in danger of being dragged back into the relegation fight. The side won 16 points in 14 matches and has only 4 points more than the teams from the danger zone. The hopes of reaching one of the first 6 spots are currently put on hold as coach Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side’s priority is to get as far away from the relegation zone as possible. Last weekend, Viola recorded an impressive draw against Juventus on the road, and after that they beat Reggina in the Cup by 3:0, but before that, they won only twice in the last 5 league matches.
Want to end up in mid-table
Cagliari started the last season better than Fiorentina and currently the side from Sardinia has got one point more and is one place higher than Viola. Roberto Donadoni’s side wants to end the season in the mid-table area, and a position within 10 top would be considered as great success. Cagliari recorded 2 wins in the last 2 league matches as they won against Lecce at home last weekend, and before that Brescia on the road. Those points have helped them move up to the 13th spot so they’re entering this clash full of optimism. The red-blues have recorded only 1 road win this season but also lost twice, meaning they’re a very hard nut to break outside their Sant’Elia stadium.
Continuing the tradition
Both sides desperately need points from this match, but the tradition indicates that Fiorentina will record a win here as well, and it was no different in all 12 matches these two sides have played in Florence. Good luck!
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Prediction:
Tip: 1 AH (-0.5)
Odd: 2.00
Bookie: Pinnacle
Cagliari is an classic Italian team which plays well at home, and are unbeaten in this season there. However, a serious encouter broke up between captain Daniele Conti and vice-captain Alessandro Agostini. The two influental players reportedly came to blows, and the coach suspended them so we don`t expect them in the starting lineup. Also, there are rumours that the players are unhappy with manager Bisoli. They play defensively at most times, so that will be a factor which Inter will take to win.
Inter looking good
Inter have played well against Werder and that is something on what they should build up on. Im not a big fan of Bentiez but I hope he will get the win today. They are starting to play good, and Eto`o is in great form. They will miss Cambiasso and Milito, with Pandev and Cordoba out injured.
Value is too good
Despite missing the Argentine duo, I think Inter is still the best team in Italy and that they will go out to win this match. They possess great talent and the likes of Sneijder and Eto`o can win this match easily. The odds are great value and they should be taken.
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Prediction:
Tip: 2
Odd: 2.13
Bookie: Pinnacle
Palermo in red-hot form
Palermo started to season earlier with UEFA games, also had a good pre-season. Palermo will miss their captain and striker Miccoli but even without him Palermo will not have scoring problems. New transfer Maccarone and Hernandez linked well. Behind them Argentinian young star Pastore will be big trouble for Cagliari`s “poor“ defence.Palermo is the one of the best home teams of Serie A.
No Allegri,Big Question Mark
Cagliari showed impressive performance last season. They were playing great offencive football. Seems like Bisoli will continue with Allegri`s system. Cagliari offence looked great on pre-season games but I cannot say same things for their defence. Cagliari will miss Ragatzu who is suspended and Conti is doubtful before Sicily away.I can say Cagliari again will be one of the best away or most dangerous teams of Serie A.
Goals in Barbera
Everybody is expecting an easy home win by Palermo. I would agree but first round open for suprises. (Roma-Cesena yesterday for example.) and if we say Cagliari is a classy team with their fast counter attack players. I chose totals because odds on Palermo is too low. I am expecting to Palermo win over Cagliari but Palermo`s defence not as solid as last season after Kjaer`s leave. Even from Maribor they have conceeded 3 goals. After Allegri,its hard to change Cagliari`s system. They have too many quality offencive players but with this squad its almost impossible to play defencive. Cagliari will try to find a fast goal against Sicilians and will try to keep score or will try to hit more with their deadly counter attacks. Cagliari defence is really showed terrible performance on pre-season games. Even if Cagliari won`t score here,Palermo is able to score 3 alone. 
I am going with totals here, my call is 3-1.
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Prediction:
Tip: Over 2.5
Odd: 1.98
Bookie: Pinnacle
Palermo was very close to take the 4th spot in Serie A last season but they had to settle for Europa League qualifiers, where they defeated Maribor to pass into the group stages. Coach Delio Rossi’s team will enter the new season weakened as their midfielders Simplicio and Bresciano have left the club as free agents, while Kjaer and Lanzafame got sold to Wolfsburg and Juventus respectively. Palermo, however, can hope for another successful season as their striker Miccoli stayed in the club while Pastore has matured as a player and will surely be of great use as well as the newcomer from Siena, Massimo Maccarone. Last season, the Sicilians were undefeated at home, and a win against Cagliari would be a perfect way to start the new season.
Modest ambitions
Cagliari had a very turbulent last season in Serie A. The Sardinia side ended at the 16th place, with 9 points over the relegation teams, while this season their goal is to achieve something similar and comfortably avoid Serie B again. Cagliari played very bad on the road last season and in the first 11 matches, they recorded only one win in the league. Cagliari also changed a few players during the summer transfer window, and in the first round they won’t be able to count on injured Agostini and suspended Regatzu.
The hosts are better
The Sicilian-Sardinian derby should end with a home win, as Palermo won their previous 3 mutual clashes played there. Cagliari is traditionally starting the season a bit worse and later wakes up, so something similar is expected here as well. Good luck!
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Prediction:
Tip: 1 AH (-0.5)
Odd: 1.76
Bookie: Pinnacle
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