Internaz ionale are still in top spot. Milan
won and lost. Fiorentina and Roma kept
up with the leaders and Juventus slipped up.
Siena climbed out of trouble whilst Palermo stuttered
(again). Lazio may have kick started
their season whereas Napoli dropped points on
the leaders. Reggina did their
relegation dogfight chances no harm whereas Cagliari is looking at Serie B. Atalanta won and lost. Genoa
climbed whilst Empoli lost ground. Parma slipped up as did
Udinese. Livorno
climbed whilst Empoli fell.
FIXTURES
Livorno V Juventus
A home draw in Turin
meant an end to the Bianconeri Scuddetto hopes.
Whilst a win for Livorno took them out
of the relegation dogfight a tad.
Juventus aren’t as good on the road as they are in Turin
but should have enough to beat a midtable Livorno.
Both sides will be at less than full strength but look out
for Trezeguet, Iaqunita or Tavano to score.
Much will depend on who scores first.
Draw.
Roma V Palermo
Roma continue to look good for second place with another win
whilst Palermo dropped points at Siena. Winless in three the Rosaneri are stumbling
and will need to be at their best to beat Roma in Rome.
Look to see who copes best between the sticks with both Doni
and Fontana
equally capable of stunning saves or comedy errors. Roma are almost at full strength whilst Palermo will tweak things
a little to try to turn things around.
Home Win.
Sampdoria V Siena
A good draw for the Blucherati and a good win for the
Robur. A good middle of the table clash
with both clubs looking at the teams around them. The home game will benefit Sampdoria more as their
form in Tuscany is good, Siena don’t travel as well but will be buoyed by last
weeks away win.
Both sides miss key players but have ample threat up front,
Forestieri for the visitors and Bellucci for Sampdoria.
Draw.
Atalanta V Reggina
Both teams coming off wins will be looking to consolidate
with another three points. Atalanta are
handy at home whilst Reggina remain winless on the road.
Both sides will be full of confidence but the quick
succession of games could hinder the home side with the Calabrian side
fresher.
Brienza; Reggina’s new additions scored on his debut and
Doni back and playing well for the home side.
Home Win.
Cagliari V Napoli
Neither side got a helpful result last week and a turnaround
will be expected from the fans. The
Azzurri started brightly but have tailed off as the season wears on, the
Rossoblu are just bad this season, Serie B looms large.
Manager and one very naughty player are suspended for the
trip to the Stadio Sant’Elia, the Rossoblu are awash with injury problems.
Jeda and Matri must find the net for Cagliari and expect some South American
inspired flair in front of goal from the Azzurri.
Away Win
Empoli V Fiorentina
Empoli are embroiled in the relegation battle already and a
win is needed with the struggling Lazio in their sights. Fiorentina could match Juventus for points
with a win. One corner of Tuscany haven’t won in
four although are unbeaten at home in five, another corner is on a run of three
wins.
The Gigliati are at full strength, whilst the home side may
struggle to field a full set of strikers.
Mutu is in fine form and Vieri is weighing in with his share. It’ll be a tough afternoon for Balli.
Away win.
Milan V Genoa
Milan come off a tough win
and a tough defeat whilst Genoa
are climbing the table with two consecutive Serie A wins. Genoa have
trouble scoring away from home whilst Milan
are terrible at the San Siro this season.
Milan will be looking for the same UEFA
Cup spot that Genoa
is after.
SuperPippo is the only injury for the Rossoneri so selection
will be key for Ancellotti. Injury,
suspensions and unfit players hamper the Rossoblu who are still confident.
Which of the Brazilians will partner Kaka and will Seedorf
play further forward? Can Milan owned Borriello
score against his owners?
Draw.
Torino V Lazio
Both sides hover just above the relegation zone in a
precarious manner; two grand old clubs in trouble. Torino’s
recent form is worse than Lazio’s, although only just. Rolando Bianchi has just moved to Rome from Manchester,
although a move to Turin
was thought more likely. This will add
####e if the Italian U21 hitman gets a start or is on the bench for the
Biancocelesti.
Neither side is at full strength whilst not being as
depleted as some teams.
Goals are the problems so no matter whom starts expect the
experience of record breaking Ballotta and Sereni to be vital to the
outcome.
Last season Lazio mounted a 4-0 smash and grab in Turin.
Draw.
Udinese V Inter
Internaz ionale should be reeling with some dubious
performances in 2008, they are still unbeaten though. Susceptible but resilient; in no small part
thanks to the goals of Ibrahimovic and Cruz the Nerazzurri still top Serie
A. Last week saw Udinese lose late on to
Milan and drop
a place behind Fiorentina and back into the UEFA Cup places.
Udine
is a tough place to visit with only two losses this season. Inter are escapologists supreme; particularly
after the last two weeks.
Neither side is at full strength; Mancini has more problems
than Marino but does have some stars returning.
This game will be all about goals and in Cruz, Ibrahimovic
and Quagliarella; one of the better Italian marksmen from open play; will all
want to get some action.
Inter’s amazing streak of not losing will be severely tested
by the Zebretta and to be lucky four times on the bounce would be unfeasibly
spawny.
