Sampdoria vs Roma

Time is beginning to run out for both Sampdoria and AS Roma when they face-off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in week 36 of Serie A. Samp must win if they are to stay alive in the race for a Champions League spot, while Roma need a victory and lots of help from AC Milan if they are to remain alive in the race for the Serie A title

Sampdoria come into week 36 in 6^th place of the league table with 56 points. They sit 2 points back of 5^th place AC Milan and 2 points ahead of 7^th place Udinese. Last week the side managed by Mazzari missed a golden opportunity to really close the gap with 4^th place Fiorentina when they played to a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. That result makes this home match to AS Roma a must win for the blucerchiati. There are a number of injury absences expected this week as Castellazzi, Campagnaro, Kalu and Lucchini have been ruled out because of injury while Maggio is out suspended. Zenoni will start on the right side of midfield.

The giallorossi were winners at home last week with a 4-1 rout over Torino at the Stadio Olimpico. With their win AS Roma were at least able to extend the title chase one more week but at this point it is pretty much out of their hands. Roma are in 2^nd place with 75 points, 6 back of 1^st place Inter Milan and a 5 ahead of 3^rd place Juventus. Their only hope is to win all their remaining matches and to see Inter Milan fail to win any. With their victory over Torino, Roma remain unbeaten over their past 5 games with 3 wins during that stretch. There are once again important injury absences for Nedo Spalletti’s squad as Ferrari, Totti and Taddei are out injured while Juan serves a suspension. Look for Mexes and Panucci to cover at the back while Vucinic starts as the lone striker.

While Sampdoria should have the edge at home this week, Juventus are a very strong side at home. The difference in this match could be that fact that Roma are without Totti as he certainly bring the club another dimension. These clubs are very evenly matched and with the stakes so high it could be hard to find a winner.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

AC Milan vs Inter Milan

AC Milan return home to face-off against their hated rivals Inter Milan in the big match of week 36 in Serie A. This will be a most special derby as Inter Milan have the chance to win the scudetto should they win this match and get some help form other results. The two sides are coming off of victories in their last match.

AC Milan currently find themselves in 5^th place of the league table with 58 points on the present campaign. With their 58 points they sit 2 back of 4^th place Fiorentina which is the club they must catch in order to have a chance of participating in next season’s UEFA Champions League. They also hold a 2 point edge on 6^th place Sampdoria. The rossoneri scored a big win on the road as they defeated Livorno by a score of 1-4 in their week 35 match at the Stadio Armando Picchi. The side managed by Carlo Ancelotti are now winners of 3 of their last 4 games with 9 goals score over their last 2. On the injury front, Maldini, Emerson, Ronaldo, Serginho and Dida are expected to miss out. Look for Pippo Inzaghi to start as the lone striker in a 4-3-2-1 with Seedorf and Kaka’ just behind.

Inter Milan come into this round on the verge of their 3^rd straight Serie A title. The side managed by Roberto Mancini are currently in first place of the league table with 81 points on the year. This gives them a 6 point advantage on 2^nd place AS Roma with just 3 matches left in the present campaign. The neroazzurri are coming off of a win at home last week as they defeated the relegation threatened Cagliari by a score of 2-1 at the San Siro. Inter have now won 4 matches in a row and appear to be hitting their stride once more just at the right time of the season. Headlining the injured list this week are Dacourt, Samuel, Cordoba, Figo and Ibrahimovic.

This could very well go down as one of the more historic derby’s ever between these two sides as Inter could very well win the Serie A. Meanwhile, AC Milan have everything to play for in their own right as they need a win to guarantee they keep pace with Fiorentina. Add to this mix the fact that it is the Milan derby you have the makings of an epic. Look for this one to be tight right down to the wire.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Livorno vs AC Milan

Livorno return to the Armando Phichi to face a stern test at home to AC Milan in their week 35 contest in Serie A. The two clubs are coming off of positive results in the last round as Livorno were able to hold out for a point away from home while AC Milan held serve at home with a lop-sided result.

Livorno were able to hold out for a draw from their most important match away to AS Roma. Roma had everything to play for in that contest as they needed to win to keep pace with Inter Milan and Livorno certainly put a dent in those hopes and plans by earning a point. At this time Livorno are in the relegation zone with 30 points, in 18^th place of the log, 1 point behind 17^th place Parma which is the club they need to catch to avoid the drop. The side managed by Camolese have 30 points and sit just ahead of Empoli and Reggina on goal difference. This week Camolese will be without Vidigal and Volpe because of injury and looks likely to go with a 4-4-1-1 featuring Tavano as the lone striker with Diamanti just behind him.

AC Milan scored a big triumph at home at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in the last round thanks to a 5-1 win over relegation battlers Reggina. With their victory the side managed by Carlo Ancelotti remain in 5^th place of Serie A with 55 points, 4 behind 4^th place Fiorentina for a spot in the Champions League and just ahead of 6^th place Sampdoria on goal difference. The emphatic nature of their win did little to wipe away the bitter taste of the club’s defeat against Juve in their derby match one week earlier but at least it keeps their faint hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive. On the injury front, the rossoneri will continue to be without Ronaldo, Paolo Maldini and Dida. The rossoneri look set to go with a 4-3-2-1 featuring Kalac in goal with Pato as the lone striker and Seedorf and Kaka’ playing just behind him.

This could pretty much be Livorno’s last stand in their race to avoid relegation. A loss at home to Milan could conceivable see them fall into last place of the league table with just 3 games left. Expect Livorno to play as tough a match as they can against an AC Milan outfit who have actually won more matches away from home this season. A draw could be Livorno’s best bet.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Juventus vs Lazio

Juventus are home to take on SS Lazio in week 35 of Serie A at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. The vecchia signora are looking to build off of their dominating performance of a week ago away to Atalanta while Lazio will face the daunting task of having to play on the road for a second straight time – they have one just one game away from home all season- and they will be taking on the very tough Juve at that.

The bianconeri were awesome in week 34 with a strong 0-4 victory away to Atalanta at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia. Together with AS Roma’s tie in their match against Livorno, Juve have now climbed to within 5 points of 2^nd place with 4 games remaining. They have 67 points to Roma’s 72 while maintaining an 8 point lead over 4^th place Fiorentina. This development leaves them with a slight chance at catching Roma for a direct place in the Champions League. Manager Claudio Ranieri’s side have now posted 3 consecutive victories and have outscored their opposition over those past 3 games by a score of 10-2. Juventus have just two injury concerns this week with Andrade and Iaquinta having been ruled out. Therefore, Ranieri will have pretty much his top first 11 for this game with Zebina at right fullback and Nedved, Camoranesi, Sissoko, Trezeguet and Del Piero all able to start.

SS Lazio find themselves in 12^th place of the Serie A log with 40 points on the present campaign. They are 1 point behind 11^th place Atalanta and 2 points ahead of 12^th place Siena. The biancocelesti were beaten away from home last week when they lost to Catania on the road by a 1-0 final score at the Angelo Massimino. The side managed by Delio Rossi have been struggling over the past month and have gone winless over the last 5 matches with 3 draws and 2 losses during this stretch. Two players have been ruled out because of injury this week in Behrami and Diakite while Zauri, Ledesma and Dabo are out suspended. In the case of Dabo he is out suspended for the next game as well.

Juventus are playing some great football of late. Their last two wins have been by a combined 7-0 over the opposition and this was after their big derby victory over AC Milan. Lazio have not been playing well of late and the odds of them picking up only their 2^nd road win of the season this week away to Juve are slim at best. Juve’s excellent current form should carry the day.

Prediction: Juventus (2-1)

Inter Milan vs Cagliari

First place Inter Milan play host to Cagliari at the San Siro in their week 35 match in Serie A. This contest will feature a direct clash between clubs coming off of important victories in the last round, with the neroazzurri looking to finally put AS Roma away.

Inter Milan were winners by a score 0-1 win over Torino in round 34 and this result helped them to increase their advantage over 2^nd place AS Roma to 6 points with just 4 games remaining in the present campaign as they have 78 points to AS Roma’s 72. The neroazzurri are currently undefeated over their last four matches, have won 3 in a row, and have not conceded a goal in any of those three games. At this time the injured list for manager Roberto Mancini includes Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Luis Figo. Look for Balotelli and Julio Cruz to make the start in attack.

Cagliari held serve at home in week 34 in a match which they absolutely had to have by a score of 2-0 at the Sant’Elia over relegation threatened Empoli. With their big victory i sardi are now 15^th in the Serie A table with 35 points. They sit just behind 14^th place Catania and 1 point ahead of 16^th place Torino. Cagliari have now opened up a 5 point gap between themselves and the clubs fighting in the drop zone. Ballardini’s squad have been able to climb 5 spots in the league table since his appointment as manager. Cagliari have now won 2 important matches in succession having won away to Livorno the week before last. On the injury front, the club will be without Marchini and Parola who are both injured, while Foggia, Fini, and Pisano are out suspended. Matri and Jeda are set to start upfront.

Inter Milan have been a rock at home this season with 14 wins and 2 draws from 17 matches. They finally opened up some breathing room over Roma last week when they were able to stretch their lead to 6 points. This game at home to Cagliari could go a long way to putting out Roma’s last flickering hopes of a title. Cagliari have been much better of late but it is hard to envision them getting anything better than a draw from a match, if that. Look for Inter to hold serve at home.

Prediction: Inter Milan (1-0)

AC Milan vs Reggina

AC Milan return home to the Stadio San Siro following a tough loss on the road in their big match away to Juventus, to host the relegation threatened Reggina in week 34 of Serie A. Reggina were able to pick up a very important victory at home that allows them to keep their chances of survival alive and though the foe they face this week is very dangerous.

AC Milan lost to Juventus by a score of 3-2 in the derby match at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. The loss dealt a big blow to the midsection of the side managed by Carlo Ancelotti as they were unable to gain any ground on 4^th place Fiorentina. The viola now have 56 points while the rossoneri have 52 and remain 4 points out of the last spot for the Champions League. It was the second defeat in 3 games for Milan. This week the club is expected to have a number of absences this including Ronaldo, Jankulovski and Emerson while Bonera and Ambrosini are out suspended. On a bright note, Pato, Kaka’ and Seedorf appear ready to start.

Reggina were able to win for the first time in over a month with a most important 1-0 victory at home over Sampdoria. With said victory Reggina climbed to 18^th place in the Serie A league table with 30 points on the present campaign. While Reggina are still in the relegation portion of the log, they now find themselves only 1 point back of Parma which is the club they must catch if they are to avoid the drop in 2008. Reggina will need to play almost flawless defense against AC Milan as they have had a lot of trouble scoring of late as evidenced by their 2 goals in 4 games. The confirmed absences for this game are the injured Montiel and the suspended Cascione.

It is extremely difficult to make a case for Reggina having a chance to win this contest. In 16 road matches this year they have managed 7 draws with 9 losses. Meanwhile, they have scored 8 goals while conceded 29 in this 16 games. A defensive record such as that one going up against the likes of Seedorf, Pato, Kaka’, Gilardino and company does not inspire too much confidence. Look for Milan to take out their frustrations from last week on Reggina.

Prediction: AC Milan (2-0)

Atalanta vs Juventus

Atalanta Bergamo and Juventus will meet at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia in a match up of sides going in different directions in week 34 of Serie A. Atalanta are coming off of a bad loss at home as Juventus put together one of their best weeks of the season as they picked up 6 from their two matches.

The bergamaschi come into this match in 11^th place of Serie A with 41 points for the season. They sit one point back of 10^th place Palermo and 1 point ahead of SS Lazio who are 12^th. Last week Atalanta fell on the road to SS Napoli by a score of 2-0 at the Stadio San Paolo. With their loss Atalanta have now lost 2 straight and 3 of their last 5 games with just 1 win over that span. They have now been held scoreless over their past 2 games. Manager Gigi del Neri will have a couple of injury concerns with Costinha, Muslimovic and Talamonti out injured while Doni will sit out suspended. However, there is some good news as Langella and Rivalta will return from injury.

Juventus won 2 matches over the past week. They started things off with a big victory by a score of 3-2 at home in their derby match against AC Milan at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. Next, the bianconeri followed it up with a 3-0 win at home to Parma. Thanks to their two victories the side managed by Claudio Ranieri are now in 3^rd place of the league table with 64 points on the present campaign. Their 64 points leave them 7 points back of 2^nd place AS Roma and 8 points ahead of 4^th place Fiorentina. Juve are now winners of 3 of their last 4 games. For this week’s contest away to Atalanta, Juventus will be missing Andrade, Iaquinta, Chiellini and recent acquisition Sissoko to injury. On a bright note, both Trezeguet and Del Piero will be available.

Atalanta have been dropping points left and right over the past few weeks and this of course has led to a steady drop in the league table. At one point they were in range of a possible UEFA Cup spot but now find themselves in the wrong half of the league table. Now they face a Juventus outfit who are clicking on all cylinders. Making matters worse for the homeside is the fact that they will be missing their best player in Doni.

Prediction: Juventus (1-2)

AS Roma vs Livorno

AS Roma and Livorno will clash in a David vs Goliath battle at the Stadio Olimpico featuring the number 2 side in Serie A against the club that is in last place. The two sides are going in totally opposite directions with Livorno having blown a terrible match at home last week that was vital for their survival prospects while Roma scored a big victory at home.

Roma are currently in 2^nd place of the league table with 64 points on the season. They sit 4 points back of first place Inter Milan and hold a 7 point edge on 3^rd place Juventus. Being 4 points behind Inter for the race for the Serie A title with just 5 matches left on the season makes every remaining point up for grabs vital. Roma are currently winners of 2 straight games and have won 3 of their last 4 during which time they are undefeated. Last week the side managed by Nedo Spalletti scored a big win away to Udinese by a score of 1-3. This week Roma will be without the injured Aquilani, Ferrari, Pit and Cassetti but there is good news on the injury front as Vicinic has a good chance of making the start on the left flank.

Livorno are currently in last place of the Serie A with 29 points. They sit 1 point back of both Empoli and Reggina and 2 points back of 17^th Parma which is the club that they must catch in order to stave off relegation. They are coming off of a terrible 1-2 loss at home to Cagliari at the Stadio Armando Picchi that allowed Cagliari to pull away and jump out of the relegation zone. The side managed by Camolese are now winless over their past 5 games with just 2 goals scored over that period. They have managed just 2 draws to go with 3 losses over that stretch. This week Roma will be missing Giannichedda, Volpe, Balleri and Vidigal so look for Camolese to go with the Tavano Rossini partnership upfront in a 3-4-1-2.

This will be a very difficult match for Livorno. While the club has managed 3 wins and 3 draws in 16 road games this season they will be going against a Roma outfit that has dropped just 1 match at home all year long. In addition, Roma have absolutely everything to play for and unlike Inter Milan, the Serie A is the only tournament that they are currently participating in. Look for Roma to be fresh and focused and to take care of business at home.

Prediction: Roma (2-0)

Inter Milan vs Fiorentina

League leaders Inter Milan play host to Fiorentina in the ‘other’ big match of week 33 in Serie A. Inter Milan are looking to extend their unbeaten run to 3 matches as they try to pull away from AS Roma while the visiting Fiorentina are riding high following a big win over PSV Eindhoven in their UEFA Cup that allowed them to advance to the semi final.

Inter are currently in first place with 72 points on the season and maintain a 4 point edge on Roma. In their last match, the squad managed by Roberto Mancini scored a 0-2 win over Atalanta at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia. The win was the neroazzurri’s 2^nd in their last 5 games to go with 2 draws and 1 loss. Inter Milan continue to have a number of injury concerns this week with Zlatan Ibrahimovic headlining an injured list that includes Dacourt, Samuel, Cordoba and Rivas. Balotelli is set to take the spot left open by Ibrahimovic alongside Argentine striker Julio Cruz. On a positive note, Chivu is set to start at the back.

Fiorentina were winners at home last week as they held serve over the struggling Reggina by a score of 2-0 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The win continued a trend for the viola in recent weeks that has seen them win at home and then lose away and they have posted 3 home wins and 2 road losses over their past 5 games. This is a change for Fiorentina as earlier in the season they were among the top clubs in the league away from home. At this time the side managed by Cesare Prandelli are in 4^th place of Serie A with 56 points and sit 2 points back of 3^rd place Juventus and 4 points up on 4^th place AC Milan. The one confirmed injury absence for this match is Semioli while Donadel will sit out suspended. Fiorentina look set to go with a 4-3-3 featuring Mutu, Pazzini and Santana in attack while Christian Vieri will sit on the bench.

This could prove to be a tough match for the neroazzurri given that the injuries seem to have been taking a toll of late especially in attack with Ibrahimovic and Cruz rarely starting together over the past 2 months. However, Fiorentina’s problems away from home where they have lost 4 of their last 5 games makes them especially vulnerable in this match considering that Inter have won 13 of 16 games with 2 draws at home this year.

Prediction: Inter Milan (2-1)

Reggina vs Sampdoria

Reggina have their collective backs against the wall in week 33 of Serie A as they play host to the red hot Sampdoria at the Stadio Oreste Granillo. It will be a battle between club’s going in opposite directions with Sampdoria unbeaten since February while Reggina are staring relegation in the face.

Reggina are currently in 20^th and last place of the Serie A table with 27 points for the season. They are 2 points back of 19^th place Cagliari and 2 points back of 17^th place Livorno which is the club they must catch to stave off relegation. As the last 5 clubs in the league table are currently separated by just 3 points, Reggina are still very much alive in the fight for survival but they must make every point at home count and cannot afford to drop any. They are currently on a 4 match winless run and lost away to Fiorentina by a score of 2-0 last week. They have just one injury concern this week and it involves Montiel meaning that manager Orlandi will be able to go with his base 3-4-1-2. This week the formation will feature Cozza playing behind the 2 strikers Amoruso and Brienza.

Sampdoria come into this game off of yet another win, this time by a score of 2-0 over Livorno at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris at Marassi. It was Samp’s 5^th win in 6 games and they now find themselves even on points with 5^th place AC Milan and 4 behind Fiorentina who are in 4^th place and represent the club Samp must catch in order to qualify for the first round of the Champions League. The blucerchiati also hold a 1 point edge on 7^th place Udinese. The side managed by Mazzarri are missing Mirante and Campagnaro to injury this week while Accardi and Palombo sit out suspended. The positive news on the injury front is that Pieri is available and will be able to start on the left side of midfield.

It is very hard to see Reggina pulling this one out even though they are at home. For starters, they have won just 5 of 16 matches and will be up against a Sampdoria outfit that are on fire at this time. However, Samp have lost 9 times away from home this season and Reggina pretty much have nothing to lose at this point as they are already expected to make the drop. Reggina are like a wounded animal this week so expect them to come out with one of their most determined efforts of the season.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)

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