Parma vs Inter Milan

Parma face the most difficult of tests in the last week of the season as they play host to league leaders Inter Milan at the Stadio Ennio Tardini needing a victory and some help to avoid the drop. Making matters worse for Parma is that Inter need to win this match as well in order to win the Serie A league title.

Parma are coming off of a crushing loss away to Fiorentina by a score of 3-1 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. That loss resulted in the sacking of Argentine manager Hector Cuper and leaves Parma in 18^th place of the league table with 34 points, 2 back of 17^th place Catania. In order to avoid relegation Parma must defeat Inter Milan and hope that Catania do not defeat AS Roma. Failure to win by Parma will see them fall to the Serie B. The gialloblu have now lost 4 of their last 5 matches and this will be their first and possibly only match under new manager Manzo. At this time Moreo and Falcone have been ruled out due to injury while Rossi, Dessena and Mariga are out suspended. Parma are expected to go with a 4-3-2-1 featuring Lucarelli in attack with Budan and Reginaldo just behind them.

Inter Milan are in a must win situation as a draw could see AS Roma leap-frog over them with a victory in their match and give them the title. The neroazzurri sit in 1^st place with 82 points, just 1 point ahead of Roma after having been held to a 2-2 draw at home by Siena in their meeting at the San Siro. This contest away to Parma is their moment of truth as failure to win the league title would result in their campaign going down as one of the biggest collapses ever. The injured list remains cluttered for the side managed by Roberto Mancini as Dacourt, Samuel, Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, Luis Figo, Solari and Cambiasso are all out and Ibrahimovic is not expected to be able to start. Inter should go with a 4-3-2-1 with Julio Cruz as the lone striker with Balotelli and the Brazilian Cesar just behind him.

Inter Milan have been one of the best clubs in Serie A when playing away from home and for this reason have every chance of coming up with a win. Parma have posted 7 wins and 6 draws from 18 home matches. Their backs are against the wall and they surely will give a phenomenal effort. However, Inter Milan cannot under any circumstances fail to win this match as it would taint the club forever should Roma get the result they needed. Look for Inter to find a way to pull it out.

Prediction: Inter Milan (1-2)

Inter Milan vs Siena

Inter Milan get yet another crack at clinching their 3^rd consecutive Serie A title when they host Siena at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in week 37. The two sides are coming off of very different results last week with the neroazzurri having lost on the road while Siena took care of business at home. With the title quest stretching from week to week Inter will be looking to finally lock it down once and for all.

Inter Milan lost their derby match on the road last week as they dropped the 3 points to AC Milan by a score of 2-1 at the San Siro. With AS Roma having won their match over Sampdoria, their lead has now been sliced to 3 points. Inter Milan currently sit atop the league table with 81 points while Roma have 78. That defeat against AC Milan snapped Inter’s current win streak at 4 games. It wasn’t all bad news last week however as the side managed by Roberto Mancini were able to advance to the final of the Coppa Italia thanks to their win over SS Lazio. The injured list remains extensive for the defending champions as Dacourt, Walter Samuel, Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, Luis Figo, Christian Chivu and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are expected to miss out injured. Look for youngster Balotelli to join Julio Cruz in attack.

Siena are coming off of an impressive victory in week 36 as they held serve at home over Juventus by a score of 1-0 at the MPS Arena. The results leaves Siena in 12^th place of the league table with 42 points on the present campaign. They are currently 3 points back of 11^th place Atalanta and hold a 2 point edge on 13^th place SS Lazio. The side managed by Beretta have been playing very well defensively of late and have conceded just 1 goal over their last 3 games while posting 1 win, 1 loss and 3 draws over their past 5 matches. At this time there is just one confirmed injury absence at the club and it is Bertotto. Look for manager Beretta to go with a 4-3-2-1 featuring Maccarone as the lone striker.

Inter Milan should take care of business in this match. While they did suffer a temporary setback against AC Milan last week they were still able to rebound nicely against SS Lazio and their overall depth cannot be compared with Siena’s. Siena have put together a very respectable season but if Inter are on their day this match should be no contest.

Prediction: Inter Milan (2-0)

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)

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)

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)

Atalanta vs Inter Milan

Atalanta face a Milan club for the second straight week in Round 32 of Serie A as they host Inter Milan at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia. Last week they were able to score an improbable victory over AC Milan and will be looking to make it two for two this week. Inter Milan have been struggling a bit of late but remain in first place of the league table as the season enters the final stretch.

Atalanta came up with a most unexpected win on the road last week as they surprised AC Milan by a score of 1-2 at the San Siro. With the victory the side managed by Gigi Del Neri are now in 9^th place of the league table with 41 points on the year. They sit 1 point behind 8^th place Genoa and 1 point ahead of 10^th place SS Napoli. Atalanta are now unbeaten over their last two games and have posted 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw over their last 5. There is bad news on the injury from this week for the bergamaschi as defender Rivalta has been ruled out for the next 3 weeks due to injury. He will be replaced by either Belleri or Capelli. Costinha, Muslimovic and Talamonti round out the rest of the injured list while Carrozzieri will sit out suspended.

The neroazzurri are currently going through one of their toughest stretches of the season but remain in first place with 69 points, 4 ahead of 2^nd place AS Roma. In their last match, Inter Milan played to a 1-1 draw away to Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico. The draw extends the league leaders’ winless run to 3 matches. The side managed by Roberto Mancini have obtained 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss over their last 5 games. On the injury front, Dacourt, Samuel and Cordoba remain out. Figo and Cambiasso are set to start while Ibrahimovic, Suazo and Cruz are likely to start this away day on the bench.

Atalanta will have a hard time trying to top themselves after last week’s effort. Even with all of Inter Milan’s recent struggles, Atalanta’s home record is still not as good as Inter’s road record. This one has stalemate written all over it.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

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)

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)

Inter Milan vs Palermo

Inter Milan face-off against Palermo at home looking to put the frustration of the Champions League behind them. The league leaders were officially eliminated from said tournament at the hands of Liverpool this past week, while Palermo are coming off of a bad lost at home.

The neroazzurri are currently in first place of the Serie A with 64 points on the year. This is good enough for a 6 point edge on 2^nd place Roma. In their last league match Inter Milan were able to hold serve at home with a 2-0 win at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. Going into that contest Inter were on a 3 match winless run which had seen them draw 2 matches while picking up their first loss of the season. Now with the UEFA Champions League out of the way, Inter Milan can concentrate on the Serie A from this point on. On the injury front this week Inter will be without Dacourt, Samuel, Cordoba, Cesar and Maxwell. Julio Cruz will be available off of the bench, while Ibrahimovic will start upfront with Crespo.

Palermo were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at home by Udinese in week 27. The point leaves Palermo in 8^th place of the league table with 36 points. They are 3 points back of 7^th place Sampdoria and 1 point ahead of 9^th place Genoa. With the draw Palermo are now unbeaten over their last 3 matches, and they have posted 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss over their last 5. This week Francesco Guidolin’s boys are in pretty good health with only Capuano out injured. Miccoli is able to start in attack and this will slide Uruguayan Edison Cavani over to the bench. Palermo will go with their usual 3-5-2.

It will be interesting to see how Inter Milan fare following the disappointment in Europe. Mancini received a lot of criticism for some of his comments after the match and now the club will take to the pitch or the first time. This could be an ideal setting for Palermo to pull off an upset or even hold out for a point, but not likely. Look for Inter to respond with an emphatic win.

Prediction: Inter Milan (2-0)

Inter Milan vs Reggina

Inter Milan are back at the San Siro to host Reggina looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season last week. Reggina are coming off of a disappointing result themselves and are fighting for every point they can get as they remain in the relegation zone. This will be their first match since manager Renzo Ulivieri was sacked.

The neroazzurri had their 25 match unbeaten run snapped last week when they fell to Napoli on the road by a score of 1-0 at the Stadio San Paolo. Their first loss of the season coincided with a AS Roma’s victory in their own match and all of a sudden their once insurmountable lead is down to a very vulnerable 6 point edge. Roberto Mancini’s side have been playing at less than full strength over these past few weeks and this has certainly been a factor in their sloppy play which has seen them win just 2 points from their last 3 matches. This week Dacourt, Samuel, Cordoba, Cesar, and Maxwell remain out injured, while Chivu is out suspended. The good news is that Ibrahimovic will return to the starting eleven and Julio Cruz will be available off of the bench.

Reggina come into this contest in 19^th place of the Serie A table with 22 points. They sit 2 points back of 18^th place Catania and hold a 4 point edge on last place Cagliari. In their last match they dropped 2 more points at home when they drew with Palermo by a score of 0-0. The result was the last straw for the board and manager Renzo Ulivieri was sacked after the match. This week new manager Orlandi will make his debut in what is pretty much a thankless situation for him. Reggina have posted just 1 win and 1 draw with 3 losses over their past 5 matches and have not scored a goal over their last 2 games. This week Garcia, Ceravolo and Campagnolo will miss out due to injury.

While Inter Milan have not looked too good over their past 3 matches, this contest against Reggina could not have come at a better time for them. Not only have Reggina not won a match away from home all year, but Inter will be bolstered by the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the starting eleven. Look for Inter Milan to recover in style.

Prediction: Inter (3-0)

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