Internaz ionale extend their lead at the top of the table
with a win at home; a loss from Roma and a Juventus draw help matters. Some topsy turvy results panned out last
week. The battle for the lesser European
places and the scrap to avoid relegation look to be the most open as the season
unfolds. Plenty of points on offer and
some tough games for everyone could leave most things until the last day of the
season. Last week’s surprise teams were
Lazio, Napoli, Atalanta, Torino, Siena along
with Roma and lowly Cagliari.
Some of the Azzurri's stars will be on show in Serie A this week.
FIXTURES
Atalanta V Fiorentina
La Viola were below par; particularly in front of goal; last
week and face a tough game in Bergamo. Fresh from a spectacular game in Parma last week the Orobici
will be buoyant despite Fiorentina’s position and pedigree.
Only eight points separate the two teams and they’ve been
close in terms of results recently as well.
Expect a tight one at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia. Earlier this season the game ended 2-2 in Florence with a last gasp
equalizer from Zampagna.
Prandelli has a strong squad and will expect much from his
defence; strong this season away; and a return to form in front of goal for his
strikers.
Del Neri is without Doni although other players will return. Width will be the key with Langella in
excellent form.
Cagliari V Parma
A not quite relegation six pointer. Both teams got unexpected results last week
and will be expecting to improve this week.
Parma’s loss at home dropped them into
trouble and a shoddy Juventus defence let Cagliari
bag a point in Turin.
Five points separate the two sides and the Rossublu will be buoyant
with the Gialloblu being winless away.
Two draws in their two previous would suggest a tight game
at the Stadio Sant’Elia although Cagliari
has a slightly better record of late.
Ballardini must cope with injuries and find a way for his
team to score. Di Carlo must work around
some suspensions and returning players and will want his new signing Lucarelli
to put last week’s penalty miss out of his mind.
Catania V Internaz ionale
The Elefanti lost and the Nerrazzurri won last week, pundits
will think the same will happen this week as the Serie A table toppers seek to
strengthen their grip on the Scudetto.
Thirty points separate the teams. Catania
is strong at the Stadio Massimino although Inter are still winless despite
their less than stellar 2008.
Last two games both went to Inter who scored seven goals to Catania’s two. The form suggests an away win although Catania will have taken heart from Siena’s victory last week.
The Rossazzurri will relay on defence and not goals to get
the right result and Baldini has to manage with some injuries, particularly up
front. The Nerrazzuri are in fine form
in front of goal and Cesar is playing well at the other end, much will depend
on Mancini’s use of tactics and personnel; his midfield is still less than
complete as Viera misses the next two games.
Empoli V Lazio
The Azzurri are in a slump and good be looking up at nineteen
teams come Sunday night; the Biancocelesti will be buoyed by a tough win at
home.
Only seven points separate the two sides who are both in the
wrong half of the table.
Last two games ended in draws, not exactly tight just not
exactly stunning football. This game
will depend more on grit then flair.
Rossi will want the integration of his January signings to
increase pace although Ballotta (the oldest man in Serie A) has been decent at
the back; he’s still mostly scuppered by injuries though. Malesani is hampered by injuries and a striker
who missed a penalty kick. Rocchi’s
return to his old club may provide an interesting aside throughout the
match.
Livorno V Genoa
The Grifone won well at home last week and The Amaranto lost
a close one.
Seven points separate the teams putting the away side still
with a shout at Europe and the away side with
a chance to go down.
Last game was a one all draw with Tavano and Borriello
scoring. This one could be a more free
scoring affair with Borriello in form for Genoa
and Bogdani, Tristan or Tavano capable of getting goals.
Genoa
have the form coming into the match, Gasperini has his first choice ‘keeper
back although he does have injury trouble.
Camolese’s team are solid enough at the Stadio Armando Picchi and have
played well until they get into the penalty box in the last few games,
suspensions and injuries are hurting them.
Milan V Siena
Both teams won last week, the Rossoneri won hard against Fiorentina
and the Robur popped up with the surprise and heavy defeat of Roma.
Thirteen points separate the teams with Milan
still having a game in hand, Siena are on the
cusp of a relegation dogfight and Milan
stand to make a play for the final Champions League spot.
Last two games have been draws so Siena
will fancy beating a tired and injured Milan
side.
Berretta is likely to keep faith with the side that beat
Roma. Ancelloti has a well published
headache with injuries so fringe players will have to step up, the relatively
poor form this season at the Stadio Guiseppe Meazza will also be a
concern.
Roma V Reggina
The shock defeat to Siena
last week saw the Giallorossi’s Scudetto hopes take a hammering. The Amaranto took a beating as well in a
relegations six pointer.
Twenty seven points separate the teams this week although
both teams are in scraps they are of a very different nature.
Roma beat Reggina twice in two without conceding and scoring
five. A loss could see Reggina bottom on
Sunday.
Uliveri will be desperate for any and all points as he
starts a difficult run, he doesn’t have too many injuries or suspensions to
contend with, and he’ll rely on Amoruso and Vigiani. Spalletti will feel his team are a stronger
opponent at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome and will need to reenergize his squad,
a few injuries aren’t all that damaging to the team as more than capable
players can step in, Totti will be the focus of one half of Rome for this
match. Lazio supporters don’t really
care for an Azzurri win inspired by Totti.
Sampdoria V Napoli
Cassano couldn’t inspire the Blucerchiati last week whilst
Lavezzi certainly inspired an Azzurri victory.
A solitary point and two teams split Samp from Napoli, this is a mid table clash with a lot at stake,
least of all beating the teams around you.
Napoli beat Sampdoria at
home earlier in the season so revenge will be a factor.
Reja has defensive problems so will rely on his midfield and
attacking pair to get at least a point.
The Stadio Luigis Ferraris is a formidable place for Sampdoria and
Cassano is in fine form, Doria has injuries in the middle, nothing too serious
though as Volpi hasn’t been up to scratch this season.
Torino V Palermo
The Granata scored three in a win last week whilst the
Rosanero managed just one in their win.
Neither side has been stellar of late and they both managed the three
points for the first time in five games.
Seven points separate the two teams who haven’t lived up to
some of their early season expectations.
Two draws in two suggest a tight one and with Palermo fielding some former Torino
players things could get testy.
Guidolin has a few injury problems, nothing major and is likely
to start Cavani who played well against Livorno. Even the Stadio Olimpico is not a great place
for Torino; they draw a lot at home. Novellino has plenty of injury worries, particularly
at the back.
Udinese V Juventus
Neither team got the expected result last week. The Zebretta got stunned in Naples
and the Bianconeri couldn’t beat lowly Cagliari.
The Zebrette are eight points behind the Bianconeri and the black
and white derby is important to both teams’ European aspirations.
Udinese lost to Juventus earlier in the season but only by a
solitary goal.
The Stadio Friuli is a good place for Udinese; Marino has
injury problems but retains his overall solidity in defence. Ranierii has more pressing injury worries
with Trezeguet a doubt, although Iaqunita is a capable understudy.
My Game of the
Week.
Sampdoria V Napoli (but keep your eye on Udinese, Atalanta and
Milan)
