Napoli vs Inter Milan

Napoli return home in the middle of a brutal stretch which has seen them lose 3 of their last 4 matches to host unbeaten Inter Milan in the final match of week 26. Inter will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 26 matches this week.

Napoli’s woes continued with yet another loss, this time on the road to Genoa. The loss leaves the side managed by Reja in 11^th place of the league table with 30 points on the present campaign. The partenopei sit 4 points back of 10^th place Palermo and 1 point ahead of 12^th place Lazio. If they are still going to make a run at a european qualifying spot they will have to begin winning matches at home soon and that means this week against the very tough Inter. This week the injured list includes Cupi, Garics, Iezzo and Pazienza while Domizzi is suspended. The good news is that Marcelo Zalayeta returns from suspension.

The neroazzurri had their unbeaten run pushed to the brink in their week 25 match at home to Roma. After 80 minutes they were down 0-1 and only a late goal by club captain Javier Zanetti helped them see off the challenge of 2^nd place Roma. Thanks to the draw, the side managed by Roberto Mancini maintain a 9 point lead over Roma with 61 points to their 52. Inter Milan continue to be plagued by a number of injuries but that has been the case for some time this season and they still continue to breeze through Serie A. The confirmed absences this week involve Dacourt, Samuel, Cordoba, Cesar, Cambiasso, Maxwell, Burdisso and the club’s two best scorers- Ibrahimovic and Cruz. Any other side would be paralyzed by such absences but Inter’s depth is strong enough that they should be able to make due in the mean time. Suazo and Crespo will hold things down in attack with Maniche, Vieira and Figo in midfield.

Technically this would be the ideal match in which Napoli could get back on track. They are at home against an injury plagued Inter Milan outfit that is due to lose at some point. However, Inter showed tremendous grit and determination to fight for the point against Roma and were able to prove that they can obtain important results even when their most important players are not available. Look for Inter to pull out yet another draw as Napoli appear too inconsistent at this time to be able to win against a side of such quality.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Inter Milan vs Roma

Inter Milan return home in Round 25 hoping to extend their unbeaten run to 25 matches when they host AS Roma at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at San Siro. As Roma were able to inch closer to Inter over the weekend and now come into this contest with a chance to move to within 6 points of the top spot with a victory.

The neroazzurri played to a 1-1 draw in their week 24 match away to Sampdoria at Marassi. The draw leaves Roberto Mancini’s side in 1^st place of Serie A with 60 points on the season which are the product of an impressive 18 wins and 6 draws for the year. They hold a 9 point edge over 2^nd place Roma and appear well on their way to a 3^rd straight league title. With the squad currently going through a steady stretch of matches that have seen them play a match every 3 days, it is expected that there will be some turnover in the starting eleven this week. Look for Julio Cruz to get another day off with Zlatan Ibrahimovic joining. Argentine Hernan Crespo is expected to join David Suazo of Honduras in the attack. Colombian international Ivan Ramiro Cordoba is not expected to start either.

This contest will be AS Roma’s best chance this season to crack into Inter Milan’s big lead. A victory hear will seen them climb to 54 points and within just 6 of the top spot. However, there is a reason why Inter have yet to lose a match this season and it will take a superb effort from the giallorossi to pull it off. Last week the side managed by Nedo Spaletti were able to hold serve at home and defeat Fiorentina by a score of 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. It was their 4^th victory over their last 6 matches and was a great way to bounce back from the tough lost against Juventus 7 days earlier. There are two confirmed absences at this time for Roma in Curci and Mancini, while Cicinho is out suspended. The loss of Mancini may not be as painful however as Vucinic was superb against Fiorentina.

This contest is literally a final for Roma. If they win away to Inter they remove the air of invincibility from the squad currently in first place and reopen the title chance. If they draw or even lose, the contest might be over. Given how strong and disciplined Inter have looked this season, they appear to be good enough for a draw.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Sampdoria vs Inter Milan

Sampdoria are the latest Serie A side to be given a crack at trying to stop the runaway train that is Inter Milan in week 24 as they host the league leaders at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris at Marassi. Inter are the only side in the league that have yet to lose a match this year.

The blucerchiati come into this contest off of a big win in their derby match away to Genoa by a score of 0-1. With those 3 points Samp are now in 7^th place of the league table with 34 points on the season. That leaves them 2 points back of 6^th place Udinese and 3 ahead of 8^th place Palermo. They have now won 2 straight matches and 3 of their last 5 with 1 draw along the way. Manager Mazzari has had 3 players ruled out for this contest against the mighty Inter and they are Montella and Sala due to injury while Volpi is out suspended. Sammarco, who had been out for a while due to injury will return to the bench.

Inter Milan have been just like clockwork so far this season. In week 23 they produced yet another win, this time by a score of 2-0 at the Stadio San Siro over Livorno. That win, coupled with Roma’s loss to Juventus helps manager Roberto Mancini’s side open up an 11 point lead over the second place Roma with 59 points on the season. They are now winners of 3 straight matches and have not conceded a goal in 4 straight. The club did suffer some adversity early this week when they lost away to Liverpool in the Champions League by a score of 2-0 which leaves them in a very dangerous spot at home for the return leg. Also, the club will be missing quite a few starters this week including their striker combination of Julio Cruz and Zlatan Ibrahimovic who are both expected to sit. Suazo and Crespo are likely to take their spots. Meanwhile, Colombian international Ivan Ramiro Cordoba joins Dacourt, Samuel and Jimenez on the injured list.

This match represents the best chance Sampdoria could hope for to defeat Inter. The neroazzurri are down after losing to the Reds and are missing a number of key players. Still, defensively they are spectacular and it will take an almost perfect performance from Sampdoria to pull off the upset.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)

Inter Milan vs Livorno

The Inter Milan express continues to march on without hesitation and this week the neroazzurri open up week 23 at home to Livorno in a most favorable match up at the Giuseppe Meazza. They will be looking to extend their current unbeaten run to 23 straight matches. Livorno have been better of late but are still within reach of the sides in the relegation zone.

There are not enough superlatives to describe how Inter Milan have played this season. Manager Roberto Mancini has his club in 1^st place of Serie A with 56 points from their 22 matches. They hold an 8 point lead over 2^nd place AS Roma. They have been almost perfect at home with 10 wins from 11 matches while posting and awesome 27 goals scored and 7 conceded. Last week they scored another impressive win on the road by a score of 0-2 at Catania. It was their third straight contest without conceding a goal. This week Patrick Vieira is out suspended, while Dacourt, Walter Samuel and Cesar are out due to injury. Meanwhile Maicon and Stankovic have improved and have a chance of being included in the squad list.

Livorno were held to a disappointing 1-1 tie at home in week 22 by Geona at the Armando Picchi. That makes it 2 draws in a row for Livorno and they now sit in 15^th place of the league table with 23 points on the season. They are just behind Catania on goal difference and 3 points ahead of 16^th place Siena. The side managed by Camolese have now gone 4 matches without a victory. Ironically, Livorno actually have more wins on the road with 3 to their 2 home wins but the task appears quite difficult this week as they will be taking on a bonafide juggernaut. Making matters worse, their top scorer Tavano is not expected to be available.

It is asking a lot from Livorno to win away to Inter Milan this week. They do not have the overall depth of talent from top to bottom of the squad to seriously challenge a world class squad like Inter Milan and it will take an absolutely perfect match from them to pull off a victory. That would have been the case even if Tavano were able to start. Look for Inter Milan to continue to roll.

Prediction: Inter (2-0)

Catania vs Inter Milan

Catania are certainly up against the ropes in week 22 of Serie A as they are up against league leaders Inter Milan. In fact, the neroazzurri are the only side in the entire league that have yet to lose a match this season.

The side managed by Baldini come into this contest after losing on the road to Genoa last week by a score of 2-1. The loss extended Catania’s current winless run to 5 consecutive matches and they have not been able to win a match in 2008. The loss also keeps them winless away from home this season. The fact that Catania cannot win away from home puts more pressure on them to come through with a win this week regardless of the fact that they are taking on the mighty Inter. Catania’s current poor stretch of results which has seen them lose 3 of their last 5, drops them to 12^th place in Serie A with 23 points. They are 4 points back of Napoli and just ahead of Lazio on goal difference.

There is not much left to say about Inter Milan. They have dominated the Serie A over the past 2 seasons and no other side in the league appears able to keep up with them this season now that AS Roma have had their 13 match unbeaten run snapped. In week 21 the neroazzurri held serve at home by a score of 1-0 over Empoli at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. The win catapults the side managed by Roberto Mancini to 53 points on the year and they hold an 8 point advantage over 2^nd place Roma. They have been extremely strong away from home this year as well with 6 wins and 4 draws from 10 matches. While the injury list remains cluttered with Inter continue to role along. This week Maicon, Dacourt, Samuel, Cesar and Stankovic have all been ruled out while Vieira is out suspended. However, the play of the Chilean Jimenez along with Burdisso and Ibrahimovic upfront ensures that Inter Milan will still field a dominant starting eleven.

While Catania are having a very respectable first season back in Serie A, they would have to play what would amount to almost a perfect match in order to take the points this week. Inter Milan are about as well oiled a machine as can be and the play of their two strikers has been nothing short of spectacular. At best Catania will nab a share of the points.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)

Inter Milan vs Empoli

The unbeaten Inter Milan return home as they host the struggling Empoli at the Giuseppe Meazza with an excellent chance of maintaining their impressive record. Empoli are just a few points ahead of last place Cagliari and could be facing their toughest test of the season this week.

The neroazzurri are coming off of a hard, well earned point a week ago in their week 20 contest against Udinese at the Stadio Friuli. With the point Inter Milan remain top of the table in Serie A with 50 points on the present campaign. Those 50 points are good enough for a 5 point lead over the impressive Roma. Now they are back home at the San Siro where they have put up very strong numbers having won 9 of 10 matches with 1 draw. One of the factors that makes Roberto Mancini’s squad so tough to beat is their overall depth which has allowed them to play long stretches of the season without players of the caliber of David Suazo, Walter Samuel, Dacourt and Christian Chivu. Morale is also quite high this week after Inter Milan were able to knock off their hated rivals of Juventus in the Coppa Italia. The combination of Julio Cruz of Argentina, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden in attack has put up 23 goals for Inter so far.

Empoli are just trying to survive in Serie A these days. Nothing has come easy for them this season and they currently sit 19^th out of 20 clubs in the league table with 16 points on the campaign. They are 1 point behind 18^th place Siena, 2 points back of Reggina and just 3 ahead of last place Cagliari who suddenly are hot on their tail after big win last week. The side managed by Malesani were defeated at home at the Stadio Carlo Castellani in their week 20 match to Fiorentina by a score of 0-2. As if that were not bad enough they now hit the road where they have won just 1 match all season long to take on the undefeated Inter Milan. The lone bright spot is that Empoli have reported just 2 injury concerns at this time and they are Marchisio and Pratali. Everyone else should be available.

There does not seem to be much hope for Empoli in this match. The numbers are clear, Inter are unbeaten with 9 wins and 1 draw at home while Empoli have won just 1 away with 7 losses and 2 draws. It would take a super human effort for Empoli just to hold out for a point.

Prediction: Inter Milan (2-0)

Udinese vs Inter Milan

It doesn’t get any easier for Udinese this week. After having to take on AC Milan at home last week they now are up against Inter and face the very real possibility of dropping 6 points in their own stadium in 7 days. Inter continue to steam roll over the competition and enter this contest as the only side in Serie A yet to lose a match.

The side managed by Marino are in 5^th place of the league table with 32 points on the present campaign. They are 2 points back of 4^th place Fiorentina while enjoying a 7 point edge on 6^th place Atalanta. The come into this match off of a 0-1 loss to Milan a week ago at the Stadio Friuli. They are winners of just 1 of their last 4 matches and now must pull out all the spots to try and upset the mighty Inter. The good news is that apart from Asamoah the rest of the usual starters are available this week. Left side fullback Lukovic did have some muscular discomfort this week but appears set to make the start.

Inter Milan just continue their mastery over the rest of Serie A. They held serve at home against Parma in their last Serie A match by a score of 3-2 at the San Siro and then followed that up with a victory over their hated rivals of Juventus in the Coppa Italia. They are in first place in the league table with 49 points, 7 points ahead of second place Roma. Even more impressive than their point total however, is the fact that in just half a season they already posted 6 victories on the road. Roberto Mancini’s club have been able to absorb numerous injuries such as the ones that have kept Francesco Toldo, Luis Figo, and Walter Samuel out for long stretches but just continue to sail along. In strikers Ibrahimovic and Julio Cruz they has shown to have what is perhaps the most in form pair of strikers in Europe.

It is certainly a daunting task for Udinese this week as the fixture list calls for them to play both Milan clubs back to back. Expect them to play much better than they did against Milan, but Inter are no pushovers. The neroazzurri will do enough to draw the match if not win.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Siena vs Inter Milan

Siena are home to league leaders Inter Milan in week 18 facing what seems like an impossible task. Not only are Inter in first place, but they are undefeated and currently on a 6 match win streak. Meanwhile, Siena have managed to win just 1 match from 9 at home all season.

The side managed by Mario Beretta are in 18^th place of the Serie A table with 14 points for the season. They are 1 point back of 17^th Empoli, and 1 ahead of 19^th place Reggina. They have managed to win just 2 matches all season long. If the season were to end today they would be on their way towards Serie B. They are in the middle of a terrible run in their fixture list which now sees them host Inter after having lost to Juventus in their last match by a score of 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. They rank near the bottom of the league in both goals scored, 17, and goals conceded, 25. On the injury front, Grimi, Chiesa and De Lazzari are out injured this week and Beretta will go with a 4-3-1-2 featuring Maccarone and Frick upfront.

Inter are nothing short of a power house in Italian football these days. Manager Roberto Mancini has guided them to an undefeated record so far through 17 rounds and they have won their last 6 straight by outscoring the competition by 15-2 over that span. Their 43 points for the year give them a 7 point edge on 2^nd place Roma. Their depth is without rival in the Serie A in terms of talent. The best example of this is their injured list- Patrick Vieira, Francesco Toldo, Luis Figo, Dacourt, Walter Samuel and David Suazo are all out. Despite these absences they have not missed a beat of late. In attack Ibrahimovic and Julio Cruz provide them with a pair of strikers to rival any in football these days in terms of production.

This is as uncomplicated a choice as possible. Siena would have to pull off the upset of the season this week to take the three points. Look for Inter to make it 7 wins in a row.

Prediction: Inter (1-2)

Cagliari vs Inter Milan

Cagliari host league leaders Inter Milan in the ultimate David vs Goliath Serie A scenario this season. Not only are Cagliari staring relegation straight in the face in 20^th place of the Seria A league table, 27 points separate the two clubs and the season is not even at its midway point. Inter will be trying to maintain their undefeated record to start the season.

Nedo Sonetti’s side have 10 points at this point in their season and are the door mats of the Serie A, just behind Reggina on goal difference. They have not won a match since they defeated Siena at home back in September. On a positive note they did win their last match at home for the Coppa Italia when they took care of Sampdoria. Their league record at home stands at 1 victory, 2 draws and 4 losses. They were destroyed by Empoli on the road last week by a score of 4-1 at the Stadio Carlo Castellani.That loss stretched their winless run to 9 matches of which 4 have come at home. The one thing the sardi have going for them this week is that Shala is the only player not available meaning that Sonetti can go with his classic 4-4-2 formation featuring the Argentine Larrivey and Matri in attack.

Inter Milan are the only side left in Serie A that have yet to lose a match. They are on a 4 match win streak that has seem them outscore the opposition 11-1. They are as well oiled a machine at this point as you could possibly ask for. They have won 4 of 7 matches away from home with 3 draws. There will be some significant absences from the starting eleven this week for manager Roberto Mancini. In addition to the suspended Ibrahimovic, he will be without Patrick Vieira, Luis Figo, keeper Francesco Toldo, Stankovic and Dacourt among others. Brazilian international Julio Cesar will once again get the start in goal while the combination of Julio Cruz of Argentina and Honduran David Suazo in attack. It will be an especially emotional match for Suazo as he spent 7 years in Sardinia.

Cagliari will need to play their best match of the season while Inter will need to perform well below their abilities in order for the side from the Sant’Elia to have a chance. Inter are just too good and should pick up their 5^th straight win, notwithstanding all of the injury concerns. Of note, the Inter starting eleven will once again feature no Italian players and save for Christian Chivu the remaining 10 starters are from south and central america.

Prediction: Inter 1-2.

Inter Milan vs Atalanta

Inter Milan and Atalanta Bergamo meet at the San Siro in a clash of sides who had their respective matches postponed in Round 12. The nerozzurri were scheduled to play host to Lazio while Atalanta were to have done the same against AC Milan. Inter remain unbeaten on the season and are the only side with that distinction left in Serie A. Atalanta are off to a promising start themselves and currently occupy on of the UEFA Cup slots in the league table.

Inter’s undefeated record has seen them amass 25 points through 11 matches which are the product of 7 wins with 4 draws. They have a superb goal difference of 22 goals scored and only 7 conceded. That defensive record is currently tops in the league. They maintain a 2 point edge on second place Fiorentina. The Bergamaschi are in 6^th place with 18 points which are the product of 5 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses. They are within 4 points of 5^th place Udinese and are just ahead of Palermo on goal difference.

Inter’s last match came in Round 11 when they were able to hold out for a 1-1 draw away to Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. Atalanta are coming off of a big win away from home when they scored a 1-2 victory at Catania’s Stadio Carlo Castellani. Both sides feature players in the top 3 of the Serie A scoring table with Inter’s Ibrahimovic tied for 2^nd place with 7 goals while Doni represents Atalanta in a 3^rd place tie with 6 goals.

There are a couple of concerns for Del Neri as he prepares his squad for the match against Inter. In addition to the suspended De Ascentis, defender Rivalta has a slight muscle strain which could keep him out. Should he not be able to start Del Neri will need to choose between Balleri or Manfredini.

Roberto Mancini will be getting some key players back this week as Christian Chivu and Marco Materazzi are both available off of the bench. First choice keeper Francesco Toldo is still out the Brazilian Julio Cesar is coming off of a monumental performance in Brazil’s win over Uruguay earlier in the week and should be fine in his place. Walter Samuel will start alongside Ivan Cordoba in central defense with Materazzi on the bench.

Atalanta have proven to be a quality club this season and have only lost 1 match in 6 on the road this year. Inter are extremely tough to beat but that does not mean that Del Neri will not find a way to at least keep it close.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)

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