Week 32 of Serie A action kicks off with Inter against Chievo and Udinese versus Roma catching the eye as a potentially crucial encounters.
Inter take on Chievo at the San Siro on Saturday in the hopes of restoring their fast-collapsing season. Leonardo had done little wrong before last Saturday, but defeats to Milan and Schalke, the latter in a remarkable Champions League match, has left him fighting for his job.
Roma meet Udinese at the Friuli as the two struggle for a Champions League spot while Fiorentina host a Milan who will be missing Alessandro Nesta through injury.
It will be another pivotal match in the Serie A season as we approach the final stretch of games. Six matches remain for Milan, Napoli and Inter to claim primacy, and the likes of Cesena and Lecce to reach safety.
It was all set for Inter. A series of wins had seen them pull within two points of Milan, and a derby awaited. Yet, a loss to Milan and then a crushing 5-2 defeat to Schalke in the Champions League has unhinged Inter’s season, and now they play a Chievo side unwilling to concede any reprieve.
Chievo coach Stefano Pioli has said that his side will relish beating Inter twice in one season. For Leonardo, a defeat would certainly leave him teetering on the brink.
Inter will once again be able to call on Lucio, whose absence has seen them leak 8 goals in their last two outings. Christian Chivu is serving a ban for his red card last weekend against Milan. Up front, Samuel Eto’o and Giampaolo Pazzini will lead the line.
Forwards Sergio Pellissier and Moscardelli will try to ensure Chievo repeat their heroics from the fall, a win that heaped pressure on then coach Rafael Benitez.
Prediction: Inter 2-1 Chievo
Udinese take on Roma on the back of a defeat last weekend. Prior to that loss they had been unstoppable, enjoying a run that made them the best side in Serie A since the start of 2011.
Roma under Vincenzo Montella are not reeling like they were under Claudio Ranieri, but nonetheless they are not stringing together results consistently. They are winless in two.
Francesco Totti and Marco Borriello are the most likely candidates in attack for Roma, while Udinese will have to compensate for the loss of their star player Alexis Sanchez, who is out with injury. Denis and Antonio Di Natale will form the attack for them.
The final Champions League spot is up for grabs. Udinese are on 56 points, while Roma lie on 50. A win is crucial for both sides.
Prediction: Udinese 2-0 Roma
Gigi Del Neri seems to have put the worst behind him as Juventus have notched two consecutive victories. Genoa, on the other hand, are winless in two.
This is a perfect time for Juventus to consolidate their progress, and try to make some ground in the race for a top four finish.
Alessandro Matri and Simone Pepe will feature in attack, ably supported by Milos Krasic. Giorgio Chiellini, Alessandro Del Piero and Vincenzo Iaquinta are still out injured.
Genoa will not have Domenico Criscito, their inspiring full-back, who is being targeted by many, including Milan and Inter.
Prediction: Juventus will not let this opportunity to achieve some continuity slip through their fingers. 3-1 Juventus.
Maurizio Zamparini continued his baffling hire-fire politics by getting rid of Serse Cosmi and re-hiring Delio Rossi.
Rossi has to get a result against Cesena, if he does not want to be replaced by Cosmi!
Prediction: Palermo 1-0 Cesena
Sampdoria are desperate for a win. They have not won one game in their last five, while Lecce did notch three points last weekend.
A tough game for both sides. Lecce need to avoid relegation, so they will come out raring to go.
Prediction: Sampdoria 0-1 Lecce
Bottom placed Bari host Catania, who could start making their way into the top half of the table with a win.
Catania will be wary of Bari, who managed to beat Parma last weekend.
Prediction: Bari 1-2 Catania
Lazio's dramatic 4-3 loss to Napoli last weekend showed why they could not keep their blistering start to the season going.
After having taken a 2-0 lead, Lazio simply capitulated due to a lack of character, even if they had legitimate grievances with the refereeing.
Edy Reja's side should defeat Parma on paper, but they will need to battle against a side looking to avoid relegation.
Prediction: Lazio 1-0 Parma
When Milan dismantled Napoli 3-0, most had the feeling that Napoli's season was done. A comprehensive defeat to a title rival should have crippled them, but they lie only three points behind Milan.
Last weekend's 4-3 win over Lazio has given Napoli a huge boost, and a win against Bologna could really put pressure on the Rossoneri ahead of and during their late Sunday game against Fiorentina.
Edinson Cavani is suspended for Napoli, so it will be tough for the side to get three points without their talisman.
Prediction: Bologna 0-0 Napoli
Although 13 points separate Brescia from Cagliari, the former will play beyond themselves at this stage of the season.
Andrea Carraciolo is the man who holds the key for Brescia's season. If they are to survive, he will need to be on top form tomorrow.
Cagliari have compensated for the losses of coach Massimiliano Allegri and striker Alessandro Matri with Roberto Donadoni and Robert Acquafresca respectively. The 23-year-old Acquafresca, like his counterpart Carraciolo, will be the key to Cagliari's season. They are fighting for a Europa League place.
Prediction: Cagliari 1-1 Brescia
Milan are still beaming after their 3-0 derby win over Inter, but coach Massimiliano Allegri has warned against a blip due to complacency.
Fiorentina are undefeated in six, while Milan, despite their 3-0 win over Inter, have been inconsistent of late. Allegri knows a win would be a huge step towards the Scudetto, while a loss or a draw could immensely complicate things.
Milan will be missing Alessandro Nesta through injury, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns from suspension. Antonio Cassano will sit out this game due to suspension.
Fiorentina, meanwhile, will start with Alberto Gilardino in attack. The reverse fixture was ultimately decided by a spectacular Ibrahimovic bicycle-kick, so Fiorentina will provide a stern test for the Rossoneri.
Prediction: Fiorentina 0-1 Milan
Roma meet Udinese at the Friuli as the two struggle for a Champions League spot while Fiorentina host a Milan who will be missing Alessandro Nesta through injury.
It will be another pivotal match in the Serie A season as we approach the final stretch of games. Six matches remain for Milan, Napoli and Inter to claim primacy, and the likes of Cesena and Lecce to reach safety.
It was all set for Inter. A series of wins had seen them pull within two points of Milan, and a derby awaited. Yet, a loss to Milan and then a crushing 5-2 defeat to Schalke in the Champions League has unhinged Inter’s season, and now they play a Chievo side unwilling to concede any reprieve.
Chievo coach Stefano Pioli has said that his side will relish beating Inter twice in one season. For Leonardo, a defeat would certainly leave him teetering on the brink.
Inter will once again be able to call on Lucio, whose absence has seen them leak 8 goals in their last two outings. Christian Chivu is serving a ban for his red card last weekend against Milan. Up front, Samuel Eto’o and Giampaolo Pazzini will lead the line.
Forwards Sergio Pellissier and Moscardelli will try to ensure Chievo repeat their heroics from the fall, a win that heaped pressure on then coach Rafael Benitez.
Prediction: Inter 2-1 Chievo
Udinese take on Roma on the back of a defeat last weekend. Prior to that loss they had been unstoppable, enjoying a run that made them the best side in Serie A since the start of 2011.
Roma under Vincenzo Montella are not reeling like they were under Claudio Ranieri, but nonetheless they are not stringing together results consistently. They are winless in two.
Francesco Totti and Marco Borriello are the most likely candidates in attack for Roma, while Udinese will have to compensate for the loss of their star player Alexis Sanchez, who is out with injury. Denis and Antonio Di Natale will form the attack for them.
The final Champions League spot is up for grabs. Udinese are on 56 points, while Roma lie on 50. A win is crucial for both sides.
Prediction: Udinese 2-0 Roma
Gigi Del Neri seems to have put the worst behind him as Juventus have notched two consecutive victories. Genoa, on the other hand, are winless in two.
This is a perfect time for Juventus to consolidate their progress, and try to make some ground in the race for a top four finish.
Alessandro Matri and Simone Pepe will feature in attack, ably supported by Milos Krasic. Giorgio Chiellini, Alessandro Del Piero and Vincenzo Iaquinta are still out injured.
Genoa will not have Domenico Criscito, their inspiring full-back, who is being targeted by many, including Milan and Inter.
Prediction: Juventus will not let this opportunity to achieve some continuity slip through their fingers. 3-1 Juventus.
Maurizio Zamparini continued his baffling hire-fire politics by getting rid of Serse Cosmi and re-hiring Delio Rossi.
Rossi has to get a result against Cesena, if he does not want to be replaced by Cosmi!
Prediction: Palermo 1-0 Cesena
Sampdoria are desperate for a win. They have not won one game in their last five, while Lecce did notch three points last weekend.
A tough game for both sides. Lecce need to avoid relegation, so they will come out raring to go.
Prediction: Sampdoria 0-1 Lecce
Bottom placed Bari host Catania, who could start making their way into the top half of the table with a win.
Catania will be wary of Bari, who managed to beat Parma last weekend.
Prediction: Bari 1-2 Catania
Lazio's dramatic 4-3 loss to Napoli last weekend showed why they could not keep their blistering start to the season going.
After having taken a 2-0 lead, Lazio simply capitulated due to a lack of character, even if they had legitimate grievances with the refereeing.
Edy Reja's side should defeat Parma on paper, but they will need to battle against a side looking to avoid relegation.
Prediction: Lazio 1-0 Parma
When Milan dismantled Napoli 3-0, most had the feeling that Napoli's season was done. A comprehensive defeat to a title rival should have crippled them, but they lie only three points behind Milan.
Last weekend's 4-3 win over Lazio has given Napoli a huge boost, and a win against Bologna could really put pressure on the Rossoneri ahead of and during their late Sunday game against Fiorentina.
Edinson Cavani is suspended for Napoli, so it will be tough for the side to get three points without their talisman.
Prediction: Bologna 0-0 Napoli
Although 13 points separate Brescia from Cagliari, the former will play beyond themselves at this stage of the season.
Andrea Carraciolo is the man who holds the key for Brescia's season. If they are to survive, he will need to be on top form tomorrow.
Cagliari have compensated for the losses of coach Massimiliano Allegri and striker Alessandro Matri with Roberto Donadoni and Robert Acquafresca respectively. The 23-year-old Acquafresca, like his counterpart Carraciolo, will be the key to Cagliari's season. They are fighting for a Europa League place.
Prediction: Cagliari 1-1 Brescia
Milan are still beaming after their 3-0 derby win over Inter, but coach Massimiliano Allegri has warned against a blip due to complacency.
Fiorentina are undefeated in six, while Milan, despite their 3-0 win over Inter, have been inconsistent of late. Allegri knows a win would be a huge step towards the Scudetto, while a loss or a draw could immensely complicate things.
Milan will be missing Alessandro Nesta through injury, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns from suspension. Antonio Cassano will sit out this game due to suspension.
Fiorentina, meanwhile, will start with Alberto Gilardino in attack. The reverse fixture was ultimately decided by a spectacular Ibrahimovic bicycle-kick, so Fiorentina will provide a stern test for the Rossoneri.
Prediction: Fiorentina 0-1 Milan
