Serie A week 21 preview. 

 

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)

 

What's On FSC?

Roma V Reggina (Sat)

Atalanta V Fiorentina(Sat)

Milan V Siena (Sun)

Catania V Internaz ionale (Sun)