TFT Issue 517!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Shit luck lately so keep stakes reasonable if you’re betting at all.
Featured game
Fiorentina vs Juventus – away win at 11/10.
Today’s only real game of any interest to me is the one between Fiorentina and Juventus.
I have to admit that I like Montella’s managerial style. I wasn’t convinced when he was in charge of Roma but he did a terrific job at Catania and Fiorentina are beginning to see the effects too. This is a very new squad, however, and it’s going to show in the tougher games. I think that Fiorentina have looked quite inventive going forward and more than capable of scoring goals. Let’s face it – on names alone, Fiorentina are more than good enough to score goals, especially in Florence. They don’t like being put under pressure, however, and their defence looks shaky when thoroughly examined. That’s a real problem against a superior Juventus side here. If this game was mid-season then I’d give Fiorentina a shot of causing an upset but the fact is that they’re still getting to know one another and I really don’t see them being ready to beat reigning champions Juventus.
The more I watch Juventus, the more impressed I am with them. They’re composed, packed full of quality, and they’ve got a whole lot of depth to boot. Buffon in net, Lucio and Chiellini in the centre of defence, Vidal being the general, and Quagliarella producing the class and finesse. There are terrific players in every position at this club now and I really like the way that they’re playing football. They’re full of confidence and scoring goals for fun because of it. I was worried that they hadn’t signed a replacement for Del Piero but Quagliarella has more than stepped up to the mark with great movement and exquisite finishing this season. They’ve got some cracking players although I fervently hope that Vucinic remembers how to hold his nerve in front of goal today, should he play. Juventus can afford to swap players around here if necessary but I don’t think they need to at this stage of the season. Juventus really should be composed enough tactically and mentally to damage a susceptible Fiorentina defence and handle the individual threats that they pose, even the wily Jovetic.
There is a fair amount of rivalry between these two clubs so I think we’re entitled to expect cards here. However, for me, the value has to be on a strong and unified Juventus side beating talented but adjusting Fiorentina at 11/10.
Verdict: Juventus to win at 11/10.
Team news
Italian Serie A:
Fiorentina – Aquilani, El-Hamdaoui, and Della Rocca are absent.
Juventus – Pepe and Padoin are absent.