Serie A week 21 preview. 

 

Internaz ionale are still in first place, despite a draw away at Udine last week.  Milan continues their climb up the table and Juventus, Roma and Fiorentina recorded impressive; albeit different in character; to keep the pressure on. 

Last week saw few goals with half of Serie A failing to find the net.  . 

Sampdoria continue their climb whilst Napoli and Parma have yet to regain their early season form. 

Any one of the eight or ten teams at the bottom could go down, that will be a much tighter battle than the Scudetto chase. 

 

 

FIXTURES

 

Fiorentina V Milan

The hardest test the invigorated Milan will face to date, Mutu is a Romanian goal machine and La Viola has only lost once at home all season. 

A win for both sides is imperative in the chase for a top six place at season's end. 

Last season it was a score draw. 

Prandelli has more options than Ancelloti who will have to consider the benefits of Gilardino's away goals over Pato's undoubted; if raw; talent. 

 

 

Genoa V Catania

Interesting mid table clash, Genoa merely got outfinished by Milan, not outplayed and Catania have played poorly away from Catania but had some good wins at home. 

A win and the sides could leapfrog the team around them; a loss would have them slipping down the table a tad. 

Last season the teams were in different divisions. 

Gasperini is missing his 'keeper otherwise he has a good compliment of players.  Baldini doesn't have his excellent Peruvian. 

Goals are likely from either side with Borriello being the best from either team. 

 

 

Internaz ionale V Empoli

Failure to win against their bogey team won't daunt Mancini's men.  It was a point on the road at a top five club.  Empoli, Serie B is looking easier and easier. 

Both sides need the win for vastly different reasons.  Although anything other than three Inter points will be a huge blow for the Nerrazzurri. 

Last season Empoli got thumped 3-1. 

Mancini has the depth to beat a struggling team, it'll be no hardship to give Jiminez a run and he has plenty of options up front. 

Malesani has a full if not strong squad and merely has to decide which 'keeper will get the unenviable task of denying Inter it's 44th Serie A this season. 

 

 

Juventus V Cagliari

The Bianconeri won with some terrific goals last week, although not a terrific performance.  Cagliari raised hopes of an awesome comeback with a good home win against Napoli. 

Juventus want the points to continue lurking in the Champions League places.  Cagliari don't want Serie B nest season. 

Despite injuries, suspensions and ACoN absentees Juventus are formidable at home.  The Rossoblu are Serie A's worse team and struggle to score or stop goals. 

No fixture last season and barring a miracle no fixture next season. 

Cagliari's only hope lies in the less than stellar Juventus defence and their stand in 'keeper, having Trezeguet; capponcanniere in waiting; and Del Piero up front with the excellent Palladino on the right will surely tip the scale towards the home side. 

 

 

Lazio V Sampdoria

Lazio are dropping points and places like there is no tomorrow.  Cassano inspired Sampdoria are quietly going about building a strong team. 

Lazio need the points to avoid slipping into a relegation mire and Sampdoria are chasing a UEFA Cup place. 

Sampdoria don't travel well but Lazio are struggling on all fronts. 

Last season the home side won one-nil. 

Cassano is the key for Mazzarri, although Bellucci and Volpi are strong performers.  Pandev needs to be at his best whilst Rocchi and Mauri need to improve the weight of their supporting roles. 

 

 

Napoli V Udinese

The Azzurri have become so lost and haphazard that they lost to the bottom club last week.  In Udine they are still fighting for a European place after some indifferent results. 

Napoli want their slide to stop, three points would take some of the pressure off against Reja.  Udinese need the points to re-energize their season. 

Neither side is at full strength so expect changes from last week's teams.  Spice could be added with three Udinese players being Neapolitan. 

Last season Napoli was fighting it out in Serie A. 

Hamisk has improved and gotten amongst the goals whilst Zalyeta and Lavezzi remain the Azzurri's most potent threat, Quagliarella is the Zebretta's goal threat.  Neither side is at full strength defensively. 

 

 

Palermo V Livorno

The Rosanero are struggling, reinstated manager Guidolin hasn't found the right formula for success (that would playing someone up front alongside Amauri you dolt).  Livorno had a bad loss last week but is solidly mid-table. 

Three points lost would see Palermo lose touch with the pack chasing the last UEFA Cup place.  Livorno wants to continue to be a solid mid table team, three points would help that, and a point would be OK. 

Guidolin only has his one player missing whilst Camolese has a whole swath absent. 

Last season Palermo was easy three-nil victors. 

Bogdani may start after showing his team mates how to put one past Juventus, who might make way for him though. 

Amauri has gotten better, matured you might say, he just struggles in a 4 5 1 that isn't that solid defensively. 

 

 

Parma V Atalanta

Doni is the darling of Bergamo and hasn't been able to halt the Orobici's slide down the table.  Parma's days in Serie A could be numbered if they don't fight their way out of this slump. 

Three points is vital to each team (isn't it always) Parma do not want to finish the weekend 16th in Serie A and Atalanta want to push Sampdoria and Udinese. 

Del Neri has plenty of players out and will again rely on Doni.  Di Carlo is light at the back. 

Last season the home team won three-one. 

The Crociati will look to Corradi for goals and Atalanta will rely on Floccari up front.  Although goals from midfield; Langella or Pisanu could turn the game. 

 

 

Reggina V Torino

A relegation six pointer.  Both teams have been less than great this season with Torino being the most disappointing.  Neither team wants to be sitting in the drop zone come Sunday night. 

Reggina are plucky underdogs and are used to this kind of battle, Tornio lack goals and are poor away from home. 

Both teams have their fare share of injuries although neither team is debilitated. 

Last season Torino bagged a one-all draw. 

Who will manage to score for Torino?  So far it looks as if they may have to keep relying on midfield goals from Rossina.  Vigiani is the main threat for the Amaranto who will have to rely on either Ceravolo or Stuani. 

 

 

Siena V Roma

Plucky Siena and dominant Roma.  An intriguing game with much to play for.  Siena; beaten by Cassano last week; have been playing well.  Spalletti's Giallorossi are pegging Internaz ionale with a series of four wins. 

Last season Roma won in Siena one-three. 

Last week Siena played better than Roma but lost, on their home turf they are strong and will not be easily cowed. 

Both sides have an almost full squad to choose from. 

Totti, Mancini, De Rossi et al all can score goals for Roma.  Locatelli, Frick and Maccarone can prove troublesome when they are playing well. 

 

 

My Game of the Week. 

Fiorentina V Milan (but keep your eye on Napoli and Reggina)

 

What's On FSC?

Palermo V Livorno (Sat)

Juventus V Cagliari (Sun)

Fiorentina V Milan (Sun)

Inter V Empoli (Sun)