Sampdoria vs Juventus

Juventus are on the road to visit Sampdoria as they close out the 2007-2008 Serie A season at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Sampdoria are coming off of a win on the road in week 37 while Juventus were held to a disappointing draw at home.

Sampdoria come into this contest in 6^th place of the league table with 59 points for the year. They sit 2 points back of 5^th place AC Milan and 2 points ahead of 7^th place Udinese. Given that the blucerchiati sit 4 points back of Fiorentina they can no longer qualify for the Champions League and instead will participate in the UEFA Cup next season. Sampdoria scored a 0-2 victory away to Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo in their last match. The victory over Napoli was Samp’s first in 3 games. This week manager Mazzari is expected to be missing Castellazzi, Volpi, Kalu, Lucchini and Bellucci. Look for the Sampdoria to go with a 3-5-2 featuring Bonazzoli and Cassano in attack.

Juventus played to a 1-1 draw at home to Catania in their week 37 match at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. The draw leaves the side managed by Claudio Ranieri in 3^rd place of Serie A with 71 points on the season. They sit 8 points ahead of 4^th place Fiorentina and 10 back of 2^nd place AS Roma. Juventus will finish this season in 3^rd place and will play the qualifying round of the Champions League next season. The vecchia signora have now won just 1 point from their last 2 games and come into this contest with a number of absences including starting keeper Gigi Buffon along with Andrade and Iaquinta who are injured. Grygera, Nocerino and Mauro German Camoranesi are the players out suspended this week. One incentive Juventus have coming into this game is that they will want to help David Trezeguet score a goal as that could help him win the Serie A golden boot.

With the clubs having their final positions in the Serie A league table set this could promise to be a very open and entertaining match. There will not be any pressure to speak of, and with Trezeguet so close to the scoring title you can expect him to take a lot of shots at the net along with any penalty kick possibilities that could arise.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Juventus vs Catania

Juventus return home to face-off against Catania in week 37 of Serie A. The two sides are coming off of losses in their last match and this spells loads of trouble for Catania as they are right back in the relegation race as a result.

Juventus dropped the 3 points on their visit to Siena last week by a score of 1-0 at the MPS Arena. Going into that game the bianconeri had scored 15 goals over the last four contests but were simply unable to score this time around. With the defeat the vecchia signora will finish the 2007-2008 Serie A season in 3^rd place. Juventus currently have 70 points for the year and sit 8 points back of 2^nd place AS Roma while holding a 9 point edge on 4^th place AC Milan. Manager Claudio Ranieri will be missing 4 players this week with Andrade, Iaquinta and Zanetti out injury, while Molinaro sits out suspended. Juve are expected to go with a 4-4-2 featuring Trezeguet and Del Piero upfront with Nedved and Camoranesi on the wings.

Catania lost a terrible match at home in week 32 when they fell to Reggina by a score of 1-2 at the Angelo Massimino. This was a devastating result for Catania as it allowed Reggina to leap-frog over them in the league table from the drop zone. Catania are now in 17^th place of the log with 35 points on the year. This places them just 1 point on top of 18^th place Parma and the relegation zone while trailing the aforementioned Reggina who are now in 16^th place by 1 point. That makes this contest away to Juventus a must win for the side managed by for former Italy national side keeper Walter Zenga if they are to avoid falling into the drop zone with only 1 week left to play. Catania have picked the worst stage of the season to go through a bad spell as they have now lost 3 of their last 4. The lone bright spot this week is that only 1 player has been ruled out because of injury.

While normally Juventus would be expected to win this match going away, Catania have shot. Juve cannot affect their league position in any way over the last 2 games of the season. They are going to finish in 3^rd place and will play the first round of the Champions League. However, Catania are playing for their very survival and for this reason have a decent shot. A draw is not out of the question.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Siena vs Juventus

Siena are back at the Mps Arena to play host to the impressive Juventus who have been absolutely on fire of late. Siena’s balanced play of late has allowed them to enter the final matches of the season in a safe, middle of the table position while Juventus are winners of 4 straight.

In their last match Siena were able to hold out for a 0-0 draw away to SS Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo. With their points Siena now sit in 13^th place of the Serie A table with 39 points for the year. They are 1 point behind 12^th place SS Lazio and 2 points up on Catania. The draw however, extended Siena’s winless run to 5 matches during which time they have scored only 2 goals. Manager Beretta will not be able to count on Bertotto or the suspended Coppola this week. The good news is that Rossettini returns from suspension and will take over at right fullback in a 4-3-1-2 with Maccarone and Frick in attack.

The bianconeri have been on fire of late with a potent attack that has seen them win 4 games in a row while scoring 15 goals over that stretch. Those 4 wins have Juve in 3^rd place of Serie A with 70 points. They sit 5 points back of 2^nd place AS Roma and sit 10 ahead of 4^th place Fiorentina. In their last match they held serve over Lazio by a score of 5-2 at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. The side managed by Claudio Ranieri have just 2 injury concerns for this match in Andrade and Iaquinta so look for Nedved, Del Piero and Trezeguet to be able to start. In the case of Trezeguet he is currently tied for 1^st place in Serie A with 19 goals on the year.

It is hard to make a case for Siena in this contest despite the fact that they are the home side. Siena have won just 5 of 17 home matches this season while Juve have won 8 matches away from home. Only Inter Milan and AC Milan have won more games on the road. In addition over the last 4 games Siena have produced a grand total of 2 goals while Juve have amassed 15. Look for Juve to continue to bulldozer over the competition.

Prediction: Juventus (0-2)

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)

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)

Juventus vs AC Milan

Juventus and AC Milan face-off in the big match of week 33 in Serie A. The two sides come into the derby under very different circumstances as the rossoneri were able to hold serve at home last week while Juventus suffered and unexpected defeat away from home in a lively match against Palermo.

Juve are currently in 3^rd place of the league table with 58 points on the year. They sit 10 points back of 2^nd place AS Roma while maintaining a 2 point edge on 4^th place Fiorentina. They have one match in hand on both clubs. Last week, the side managed by Claudio Ranieri came away with 2-3 loss from their visit to Palermo at the Renzo Barbera. The loss snapped a 4 match unbeaten run for the vecchia signora which had seen them concede just 1 goal over that span. This week Andrade and Zanetti have been ruled out due to injury but the rest of the squad is available for the derby. Look for Sissoko, Nedved, Trezeguet and Alex Del Piero to start.

The rossoneri are coming off of an important win at home over Cagliari by a score of 3-1 at the San Siro. It was a huge victory for Milan as it allowed them to keep pace with 4^th place Fiorentina and they remain alive in the chase for the final remaining Champions League slot. AC Milan now sit in 5^th place of the league table with 52 points and sit just ahead of 6^th place Udinese on goal difference. The win was only the second in 5 matches for Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. AC Milan have been hard hit by injury during this recent poor stretch and this week there will be a number of absences as well including the injured Ronaldo, Oddo, Jankulovski and Pato while Nesta and Kaladze are suspended. The suspensions will force Ancelotti to go with veteran Paolo Maldini and Bonera at the center back positions while Pippo Inzahgi and Kaka’ will be in the striker positions.

While a derby is usually hard to call given all the factors that come into play when club’s of this stature face-off, Juventus seem to have a big advantage in terms of personnel this week. Not only are they at home following a loss, but AC Milan will be missing key players from their back line and the likes of Del Piero and Trezeguet could have a field day for the home side.

Prediction: Juventus (2-1)

Palermo vs Juventus

Palermo face-off with Juventus at home after having lost away in week 31. Juventus will be playing for the first time in 2 weeks in week 32 as their Round 31 match at home to Parma was postponed as a result of the tragic events in the run up to that contest.

Palermo lost on the road to SS Napoli last week by a score of 1-0 at the Stadio San Paolo. The loss leaves the side now managed by Colantuono in 13^th place of the Serie A with 36 points on the season. They sit just behind 12^th place Siena on goal difference and hold a 2 point edge on 14^th place Torino. Palermo are now losers of 2 straight and 3 of their last 4 matches with just 4 points to show from their last 5 games. There are 3 players ruled out at this time and they are Capuano, Miccoli and Cavani. Look for Palermo to go with a 4-2-3-1 featuring Amauri as the lone striker.

Juve come into this match in 3^rd place of the Serie A with 58 points on the year. That leaves them 7 points back of 2^nd place AS Roma but with a match still in hand over them. They also still maintain a 5 point edge on 4^th place Fiorentina as well as a match in hand. The side from the Stadio Olimpico di Torino last played in round 30 when they upset Inter Milan by a score of 1-2 in the derby. They are unbeaten over their last 4 games with 3 wins along the way. In addition, they have conceded just 1 goal over that stretch. This week manager Claudio Ranieri will not be able to count on Andrade or Zanetti, while Del Piero, Nedved and Trezeguet will be in the starting eleven.

Palermo could be in trouble this week. They have been struggling of late and will be going up against a well rested vecchia signora who have been playing a very consistent brand of football over the last month. With Nedved, Del Piero and Trezeguet in attack they possess the firepower to win on the road, not to mention a first class defense.

Prediction: Juventus (0-2)

Juventus vs Parma

Juventus are back at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino following their superb road win over the league leaders in week 30. They will be playing host to a Parma outfit that are in need of every point they can secure as the season enters its home stretch.

Juve are certainly in high sprits this week. In their last match they scored a superb 1-2 victory away to Inter Milan in their derby match at the San Siro. Thanks to the victory the side managed by Claudio Ranieri are now in 3^rd place of Serie A with 58 points on the present campaign. They are now 6 points back of 2^nd place AS Roma and 5 up on 4^th place Fiorentina. The vecchia signora have now extended their unbeaten run to 4 games with 3 wins over that stretch. In addition, they have conceded just 1 goal over those 4 matches. Part of the reason for Juventus resurgence of late has been their improved health overall. This week Zebina and Palladino are out so Salihamidzic will be taking over at the right fullback position. David Trezeguet is slowly finding the touch and banged home his 17^th goal last week.

Parma came up losers in their match under new Argentine manager Hector Cuper. The gialloblu fell by a score of 2-0 to Siena at the Mps Arena. With the loss Parma are 15^th in the Serie A table with 29 points. This leaves them 2 points back of 14^th place Torino but only 1 point ahead of Cagliari and the relegation zone. Therefore, they must tread very carefully. Over their past 5 matches they have posted just 1 win to go along with 3 losses and 1 draw. 5 players have been ruled out this week and that includes Coly, Pisanu, Parravicini and Morfeo while Lucarelli is out suspended. Cuper has been toying with going with a 4-3-2-1 formation for the away day to Juve so as to reinforce the midfield with players than can win the ball back such as Morrone, Mariga and Cigarini. Budan will play as the lone striker with Gasbarroni and Reginaldo just behind him.

It’s asking a lot for Parma to come out of this match with points. Juventus seem to be hitting their stride at just the right moment and are coming off of one of their biggest games of the season where they handed Inter Milan just their second loss of the year. Parma have yet to win a single match away from home having posted just 6 draws in 15 matches. If Ranieri can keep Juve focused and avoid overlooking Parma, Juve should have no problems.

Prediction: Juventus (1-0)

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)

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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