Inter Milan vs Juventus

Inter Milan appear to be back on track in their quest for a 3^rd straight Serie A title as they return home to host Juventus in yet another addition of Italy’s oldest derby at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at San Siro. Inter were able to gain ground on 2^nd place AS Roma despite not winning their last match, while Juventus will be playing away from home for the 2^nd time in 4 days.

The neroazzurri come into week 30 of Serie A in 1^st place of the league table with 68 points for the year. Their last match saw Inter hold out for a 1-1 draw away to Genoa at Marassi and coupled with Roma’s loss to Lazio in their own derby allows Roberto Mancini’s squad to stretch their lead to 7 points over Roma. Inter Milan have now posted 2 victories, 2 draws and 1 loss over their last 5. The pressure remains on them however, as a slip up against Juve coupled with a Roma win this round would see that advantage drop right back to 4 points. The injured list for Mancini for this match consists of the usual names- Dacourt, Samuel, Cordoba, Cesar and Stankovic while Pele will sit out due to suspension. The good news is that Julio Cruz will be available off of the bench while Marco Materazzi returns from suspension.

Juventus are in 3^rd place of the league table as they prepare to take on Inter. They have 55 points which leaves them 5 up on 4^th place Fiorentina and 6 back of 2^nd place Roma. On Wednesday they played to a 0-0 draw at the Carlo Castellani against Empoli. It was the 3^rd straight game in which Juve have kept a clean sheet and the 4^th one in their last 5 matches. They have 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss over that stretch. Claudio Ranieri’s side will not be able to count on Andrade, Marchionni or Zanetti this week. However, Nedved, Camoranesi, Alex Del Piero and Trezeguet all look set to start as the vecchia signora will be starting as close to their top side as possible in the derby.

This derby promises to be just as hotly contested as all the prior editions. Inter have had the better of Juve of late with 5 wins and 3 draws in the last 10 dating back to 2003. The clubs have met 3 times this season. They drew 1-1 back in November for the league, then drew again 2-2 at the San Siro for the Coppa Italia before Inter pulled off a 2-3 win at Juventus in the return leg. This week could very well see both clubs repeat what transpired during the first match at the San Siro.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Roma vs Empoli

Roma will try to rebound at home in week 30 when they play host to the struggling Empoli at the Stadio Olimpico. Roma suffered a demoralizing loss in the Roma derby, while Empoli were held to a draw at home by the mighty Juve and need points by any means necessary at this late stage in the campaign.

Roma are in 2^nd place of the Serie A table with 61 points. Roma sit 7 points behind league leaders Inter Milan, and 6 up on 3^rd place Juventus. Their last match saw them lose to SS Lazio by a score of 3-2 and instead of moving to within 4 points of Inter who lost; they lost a point and fell 7 behind. Now, given how Inter Milan have played this season, the giallorossi must pretty much win all of their remaining matches to have realistic chance of catching them. The disheartening loss also snapped Roma’s 3match win streak. This week manager Spalletti will be missing Mexes and Aquilani as they are out suspended. Ferrari and Panucci will start at the back.

Empoli were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Juventus and their fixture list doesn’t get any easier this week away to Roma. The side managed by Malesani are in 19^th place of the Serie A table with 26 points. They are just behind 18^th place Reggina on goal difference and just 2 points up on last place Cagliari. If the season were to end today they would be making the drop to the Serie B. Their draw to Juve snapped their losing streak at 4 matches but extended their winless run to 5. Empoli have scored just 2 goals over those 5 games. Mchedlidze, Pozzi and Adani are out injured while Saudati will be serving the 2^nd match of a 3 game suspension. Vannucchi and Volpato are set to start in attack.

Empoli look to be in a lot of trouble this week. Not only are they facing their 2^nd major European force in 4 days, but they are having trouble scoring and that makes a victory away from home even more unlikely at this time. Meanwhile, Roma will be extra focused and mad after what transpired in the derby and will be looking to repay their supporters with a strong effort at home. Look for Roma to win this one going away.

Prediction: Roma (2-0)

Reggina vs Napoli

Reggina face-off at home to Napoli at the Oreste Granillo with the pressure to win squarely on their shoulders as they need every remaining point at home to insure that they can escape relegation. Napoli are coming off of a big win at home and will be looking to find some consistency away from home.

Reggina were able to hold out for a 1-1 draw away to Livorno in their last match at the Stadio Armando Picchi. With the draw the side managed by Orlandi are now in 18^th place of the league table with 26 points. They sit 2 points back of 17^th place Livorno and just ahead of 19^th place Empoli. Given their win a week ago, Reggina have now gone two matches without a loss and when you are in a situation as dire as Reggina’s that is very positive news on which to build on. The have posted 1 win, 2 draws and 2 losses over their last 5 games. This week manager Orlandi will be missing Vigiani, Alvarez, Montiel and Ceravolo to injury while Missiroli is out suspended. The good news is that Cirillo returns to the back line and will partner with the Uruguayan Carlos Valdez at the center back positions. Amoruso will be the lone striker in attack with Brienza and Cozza playing just behind him.

Napoli came up big at home to Fiorentina when they held serve by a score of 2-0. It was only their 2^nd win to go with 3 losses over their last 5 matches and they now find themselves in 10^th place of the league table with 36 points. This leaves them 1 point back of 9^th place Lazio and just ahead of Palermo on goal difference. Manager Reja has a number of absences to deal with this week as Zalayeta, Cupi and Iezzo are out injured while Savini, Domizzi and Mannini are all out suspended. In the case of Mannini it is the first match of a 2 match suspension. In attack, Calaio will once again start for Zalayeta with Roberto Sosa on the bench. He will accompany Lavezzi while the 3 man back line will be composed of Contini, Cannavaro and Santacroce.

Reggina can win this one. While Napoli have been better overall this season, they have inspired no confidence on the road and their pitiful road record stands at 2 wins, 3 draws and 9 losses. Reggina are playing for their lives at this point and that is always a dangerous foe to go up against. Reggina can go a long way towards avoiding the drop at season’s end if they can take the 3 points this week.

Prediction: Reggina (2-1)

Fiorentina vs Lazio

Fiorentina are home to host the suddenly rejuvenated SS Lazio as week 30 of Serie A gets underway. Fiorentina are coming off of a loss on the road, while Lazio just pulled off a very uplifting and emotional win in the Rome derby.

The side managed by Cesare Prandelli are in 4^th place of the league table with 50 points. Fiorentina sit 5 points behind 3^rd place Juventus and 4 up on AC Milan thanks to Milan’s failure to win their match during the midweek fixtures of week 29. If the season ended today, Fiorentina would have a chance at qualifying for the Champions League. They are coming off of a 2-0 loss away to Napoli at the San Siro. The viola have posted 3 wins and 2 draws over their last 5 games. The injured list this week consists of Jorgensen, Gamberini and Semioli. The Argentine Santana is expected to come on for Semioli while Christian Vieri will be making his first start since the 24^th of February.

Lazio picked up what will probably go down as their most important victory of the season in their last match when they held serve and defeated AS Roma by a score of 3-2 in the derby match at the Stadio Olimpico. They are now in 9^th place of the Serie A table with 37 points, just behind 8^th place Atalanta on goal difference and 1 point up on 10^th place Napoli. They are undefeated over their last 5 matches with 3 wins and 2 draws. Manager Delio Rossi is expected to employ some type of turn over this week with Rozenhal coming on in defense. Meanwhile, the injured list includes a number of players including Radu, Del Nero, Firmani, Diakite and Zauri. Look for Mudingayi and Mutarelli to come on in midfield.

While Fiorentina have been the better side overall this season, Lazio are playing their best football of the year. Their form of late has been impressive and the fact that they were able to defeat Roma in a match that meant everything to their title hopes shows that on any given day the biancocelesti are capable of beating anyone. They should prove to be very tough for Fiorentina.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Lazio vs Roma

Lazio and Roma face off in yet another edition of the Roma derby at the Stadio Olimpico in what will be the final match of week 29 in Serie A. The two sides are coming off of positive results over the weekend with Lazio having held out for a point on the road in their last match, while Roma scored an impressive come from behind victory at home over none other than AC Milan.

Lazio come into the derby in 11^th place of the Serie A table. They have 34 points on the present campaign and this leaves them 1 point behind 10^th place Genoa and 1 point up on 12^th place Napoli. Last week they were able to return from their visit to the Stadio Friuli with a point following a 2-2 draw against Udinese. Delio Rossi’s side are on a 4 match unbeaten run which includes 2 victories. Rossi is well aware that a victory in this match would go a long way towards salvaging Lazio’s season in the eyes of their supporters, while at the same time dealing a devastating blow to Roma’s title hopes. There are some important injury concerns including Zauri, Mutarelli, Del Nero and Firmani who have all been ruled out but Lazio are still expected to go with an attacking style. The biancocelesti are set to start in a 4-3-1-2 with Pandev just behind Rocchi and Bianchi.

Roma are currently playing some of their best football of the season and are still alive in both the league title chase and the Champions League. The giallorossi are coming off of a dramatic, come from behind win over AC Milan at home last week by a score of 2-1. Thanks to that result, Roma were able to keep pace with Inter Milan. They sit in 2^nd place with 61 points, 6 behind the league leaders. Nedo Spaletti’s side are winners of 3 straight and 4 of their last 5 games. They have outscored their opponents by 10-2 over this stretch. The club also seems to be peaking in fitness at just the right time as there is a very good chance that Spaletti will have his entire squad available for the derby. While Totti is confirmed to start in attack, it will be interesting to see who gets the call on the left wing- Mancini or the impressive Vucinic.

While on paper Roma should be the favorite due to their impressive form when compared with Lazio’s season overall, you just never can tell with the Roman derby. In fact, over the last 8 derby matches between the two clubs, each side has won 2 while the other 4 ended in draws. The derby is different from any other match and this contest has all the makings of all out war.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Napoli vs Fiorentina

Napoli play host to Fiorentina at the Stadio San Paolo in a midweek fixture during week 29 of Serie A. The partenopei have hit some hard times since becoming the first side this season to defeat Inter Milan and are now in the bottom half of the league table. Fiorentina are still very much in the running for a Champions League and will be looking to keep pace with the squad directly above them, Juventus.

Reja’s side is in 12^th place of the lead table with 33 points for the year. They sit 1 point back of 11^th place SS Lazio and sit 2 points up on 13^th place Torino. They lost a heart breaker in week 28 away to Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino by a score of 1-0. It was a difficult loss to digest because it appeared that Napoli had at least done enough to secure a point. The loss was Napoli’s 3^rd in their last 4 matches and during that stretch they have scored just 1 goal while conceding 5. The last player to score for Napoli, Marcelo Zalayeta, is out for the season following surgery to repair a ligament in his knee. The positive news for Napoli this week is that Zalayeta will be the only injury concern. Calaio will once again take his spot and play alongside Lavezzi in attack.

Fiorentina were winners at home over the weekend by a 3-1 score over Genoa at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. That win, coupled with AC Milan’s loss extended Fiorentina’s advantage over 5^th place Milan to 4 points as they now have 50 on the season which are good enough for 4^th place. The viola currently sit 4 points back of 3^rd place Juventus. The side managed by Cesare Prandelli have now won 3 of their last 4 matches. This week there are 3 confirmed absences as Jorgensen and Gamberini are injured while Gobbi is suspended. Adrian Mutu is a confirmed starter along with Christian Vieri and Semioli in attack, while Dainelli gets the start at the back in place of the aforementioned Jorgensen.

This match is a real gut check for Napoli. They really have not played with any consistency since the new year began and any hope of a European Cup appearance has almost completely disappeared. A win at home this week is vital but it won’t be easy as Fiorentina have managed 6 wins and 5 draws from 14 road matches this season. Only Juventus, Roma and Inter Milan have fared better than Fiorentina on the road this year. Look for the viola to pull this one out.

Prediction: Fiorentina (0-1)

Weekly Comic 18/03/08

AC Milan vs Sampdoria

AC Milan return home to the San Siro to host Sampdoria in a match up between sides that are coming off of very different results in Round 28 of Serie A. Milan were losers away from home despite having enjoyed a lead in their match, while Samp were able to enjoy a commanding victory at home.

AC Milan come into this match in 5^th place of Serie A with 46 points for the season. They are 4 point behind 4^th place side Fiorentina and also 4 points ahead of the 6^th place club Sampdoria which they will play host to this week. Last week, the rossoneri fell on the road to AS Roma by a score of 2-1 and lost significant ground to Fiorentina in their chase for UEFA Champions League slot in the league table. That result makes the 3 points at stake at home to Sampdoria vital for Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. While a number of players on the Milan side are dealing with some aches and pains including Ronaldo, Inzaghi, Cafu and Serginho, the importance of the match will see both Kaka’ and Seedorf play their 2^nd match in 4 days.

Sampdoria ran out deserve winners over Catania this past weekend by a score of 3-1 at home. Thanks to their easy win the side managed by Mazzari were able to climb into 6^th place of Serie A and now sit just 4 points back of 5^th place AC Milan with 42 points for the campaign which leaves them 1 point ahead of 7^th place Udinese. This contest on the road provides them with the opportunity to narrow their deficit behind Milan to just 1 point. The blucerchiati have some concerns with regard to the starting eleven as Montella and Campagnaro remain out while Franceschini will join Cassano on the suspended list. The striker Cassano will be serving the 3^rd of a 5 match suspension but ironically Samp have won both matches they have played without him. There is a chance that Bellucci will be rested in this match for at least the first half so look for Mazzari to employ a 3-5-2 with Delvecchio and Bonazzoli as the strikers.

The pressure will be entirely on AC Milan this week. They are the home side and they are still ahead, just barely, in the league table. While they haven’t exactly set the world on fire at home – they have as many wins at home as Sampdoria have on the road – Samp are known to be all or nothing on the road- 4 wins, 1 draw and 9 losses in 14 games. Look for Milan to fight it out and pull out the 3 points.

Prediction: AC Milan (2-1)

Genoa vs Inter Milan

The losing streak continued for Genoa in week 28 and things do not get any brighter on their horizon as league leaders Inter Milan pay a visit to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris at Marassi. The lone bright spot for the genovese club is that they will be playing for the second time in 4 days and this could help them digest their last loss a lot quicker.

Genoa were losers over the week as they dropped the 3 points on the road at the Stadio Artemio Franchi by a score of 3-1 to Fiorentina. The loss leaves the side managed by Gasperini in 10^th place of Serie A with 35 points for the present campaign. They are 1 point behind 9^th place Palermo and sit just 1 point up on 11^th place SS Lazio. Il grifone have now dropped 3 straight matches and have been outscored by 7-2 over those 3 games. The injured list remains unchanged for this match with Paro, Bovo and Rubinho having been ruled out, while Leon is out suspended. Given the Honduran international’s absence in attack, look for Sculli to join Borriello in attack as Genoa switch from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2.

While they may have suffered their first defeat of the season just 2 weeks ago, Inter Milan have proceeded to pick up where they were before that result and have won their next 2 matches. The neroazzurri are coming off of a 2-1 win over Palermo at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.. The 3 points allow the side managed by Roberto Mancini to maintain their 6 point advantage over second place AS Roma with 67 points for the season.. With this being a double week, some turnover is to be expected but on a bright note the contest will see Julio Cruz rejoin Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the starting eleven. Dacourt, Samuel, Cordoba, Cesar and Dejan Stankovic are out injured while veteran Marco Materazzi will sit out suspended. Mancini looks set to go with the south american center back pairing of Rivas and Burdisso.

Genoa have it all to do this week on paper but the fact that Cruz is just returning coupled with the absence of Materazzi, Samuel and Cordoba from the back line leaves Inter extremely exposed at the back. Genoa have been solid if unspectacular at home this year and should be able to a least earn a point.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Empoli vs Juventus

The struggling Empoli are really up against the wall as Round 29 of Seria A kicks off. Not only are they threatened by relegation but they are now faced with the difficult challenge of taking on Juventus at home. Juve will be in high spirits after pulling out a clutch victory in the waning moments of their match at home to Napoli.

It has been a most testing campaign for Empoli so far in this 2007-2008 season and their challenge only seems to get harder by the day. At this time they are in 19^th place of the league table with just 25 points on the year. They sit just behind 18^th place Reggina on goal difference and are 1 point behind the 17^th place club Parma. Parma are the outfit that Empoli will need to catch if they wish to stave off relegation. In their last match the side managed by Camolese were trounced on the road by Atalanta by a score of 4-1 at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia. Making matters worse for the club is the fact that Saudati will be serving the first of a 3 match suspension in this contest against Juve. He is joined by Pratali, while Mchedlidze, Pozzi, Raggi and Marianini are all out injured. Empoli are losers of 4 straight with 2 goals scored and 11 conceded over that span.

Meanwhile, Juventus are coming off of a big win over Napoli this weekend in which Alessandro Del Piero played the role of the hero. Thanks to the victory the side managed by Claudio Ranieri are now in 3^rd place of the Serie A with 54 points on the present campaign.They are 7 points behind 2^nd place Roma and 4 points ahead of 4^th place Fiorentina. The vecchia signora are winners of 2 straight matches as they prepare for this trip to Empoli. Only 3 players have been ruled out due to injury in Andrade, Marchionni, and Zanetti but some turn over is expected given that this is a veteran squad and there will only be 3 days between matches. Iaquinta and Tiago could be options to come into the starting eleven.

While on the surface it is hard to imagine Empoli winning this match they do stand the possibility of doing well given that it is a double week. Still, chances are that Trezeguet and company will be quite a handful for the side from the Carlo Castellani. Look for Juventus to hold out for a draw.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

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