Catania vs Juventus

Catania face a stern test at home in week 18 as they will be hosting the red hot Juventus at the Angelo Massimino. The side managed by Baldini are coming off of a disappointing loss away to the lowly Reggina, while Juventus are on an 8 match unbeaten run which includes 4 wins in their last 5 matches with 1 draw. During those 5 matches they have outscored opposing clubs by 11-2.

At this time Catania are in 10^th place of the Serie A table with 21 points on the year. They are just behind 9^th place Sampdoria on goal difference and 2 points up on 11^th place Genoa. In week 17 they were beaten away to Reggina by a score of 3-1 at the Oreste Granillo. The biggest injury concern this week is fullback Sabato who is dealing with a left leg injury and has been ruled out. There are also two suspended players in Baiocco and Sardo. Baldini is looking to Izco to spell Baiocco in midfield while Silvestri will start in place of Sardo. A positive development is the fact that Jorge Martinez is back at 100% fitness and slated to start in a 3 man attack along with Spinesi and Mascara. Catania have been fairly consistent at home this season with 5 wins and 1 draw in 8 contests.

Juventus are on a roll as the prepare to visit Catania. They have not lost a match in over 2 months with their last one of 2007 ending in a 2-0 victory over Siena at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. Claudio Ranieri has his side playing focused and determined football and this has them in 3^rd place of Serie A with 35 points, 1 behind 2^nd place Roma and 6 ahead of Udinese. On the injury front the right flank continues to be the weakest link with both Mauro German Camoranesi and Jonathan Zebina slated to miss yet another match. Look for Nocerino to take Camoranesi’s spot while the right fullback position is up for grabs with Salihamidzic and Grygera vying for the spot. The positive development this week is that David Trezeguet has been cleared to play after having been a question mark early. He currently leads the Serie A in scoring with 13 goals.

While on paper Juventus appear to be far superior, Catania are a pesky little outfit and could cause them problems. Still, the bianconeri have a lot of firepower upfront. Unless Polito has a big match in goal it could be a long day for Catania.

Prediction: Juventus (1-2)

Juventus vs Siena

Juventus return home to host bottom dwellers Siena at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino hoping to continue to keep pace with the league leaders Inter Milan. Siena have been anything but brilliant during the first half of this season but there is some light at the end of the tunnel for Beretta’s side as they are unbeaten over their last 3 matches.

Juventus come into Round 17 in 3^rd place of the Serie A table with 32 points on the season. They are just 1 point behind 2^nd place AS Roma. They picked up a superb road win in their last outing when they defeated SS Lazio by a score of 2-3 at the Stadio Olimpico di Roma. That result extended their current unbeaten run to 7 matches of which that last 2 have been victories. Even more impressive is the fact that Claudio Ranieri’s boys have conceded just 2 goals in their last 4 matches. In attack, David Trezeguet continues to pace the club and the entire Serie A with 12 goals for the season. Mauro German Camoranesi remains out due to injury and Salihamidzic looks set to take over his spot on the right flank once again while Tiago should get the call in place of Nocerino who is suffering from the flu.

Siena are currently in 16^th place of the league table with 14 points and find themselves 2 points back of Genoa. In their last match they were held to a disappointing draw by a score of 1-1 at home to Napoli at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The result did stretch their unbeaten run to 3 matches but what is worrisome is that they continue to drop points at home. In fact, they actually play better away from home. On the injury front this week it has been confirmed that Chiesa remains out due to injury while Vergassola will return to his place on the right side of midfield after serving suspension last week. Beretta will keep the 4-3-1-2 formation with Locatelli as play maker behind Maccarone and Frick.

Despite the fact that Siena are on a 3 match unbeaten run and have played better on the road than at home, it is still extremely hard to pick against Juventus. They are playing some very intelligent football at the moment and players such as Nedved and Trezeguet still make a difference. The bianconeri have won 19 out of a possible 24 points at home.

Prediction- Juventus (2-0)

AC Milan vs Juventus

AC Milan host Juventus in the big match of Round 14 at the San Siro. Both sides come into this match off of big wins in the previous week but Juve have been by far the more consistent of the two clubs. For AC Milan it will be their final Serie A match before traveling to Japan for the World Club Championship.

Claudio Ranieri’s side were outstanding last week when they hammered Palermo by a score of 5-0 at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. That victory leaves them just behind Inter Milan in 2^nd place of the Serie A table with 25 points, 3 points back. It must be pointed out however that both 3^rd place Roma and Inter Milan have a match in hand on Juve. A big factor behind the vecchia signora’s superb form in this their first season back in top flight football has been the play of David Trezeguet. He is going through perhaps his best season ever in Italy and currently leads the Serie A in scoring with 11 goals. Together with strike partner Iaquinta they have combined for 17 goals.

Carlo Ancelotti’s club were also successful last week as they scored a 1-2 victory over the struggling Cagliari at the Sant’Elia. Milan have been a very impressive side away from home and that was their 4^th win. The problem for Milan is that those are the only matches they have managed to win this year. At home they have posted just 4 draws and 2 losses. This leaves them in 9^th place of Serie A with 17 points, 1 point behind 8^th place Palermo.

On the injury front, Ancelotti will be without both Jankulovski and Ronaldo for this match. Therefore, the rossoneri will stick with the 4-3-2-1 with top scorer Kaka’ playing alongside Clarence Seedorf just behind Gilardino. Juventus will be without Italy world cup winning winger Mauro German Camoranesi and right back Grygera. Ranieri will go with either Marchionni or Palladino on the right flank for Camoranesi, and Jonathan Zebina of France will cover for Grygera.

While AC Milan should certainly be up for this match they will be taking on a very rugged Juve side who know how to obtain results. Juventus should be able to hold out for the result they are looking for.

Prediction: Draw 1-1

Parma vs Juventus

Parma are off to a rough start this season and their struggles continued in Round 11 when they were held to 2-2 draw at home by the lowly Siena. It was the second time in 3 days that Parma have blown a lead late and have had to settle for a draw. Parma’s failure to capture the 3 points at home leaves them in 14^th place of the league table with just 11 points form 11 matches. It also put manager Di Carlo’s spot in jeopardy as Parma are getting closer and closer to the dreaded relegation zone. However, hopes are high this week that the side from the Ennio Tardini will be able to rise to the occasion against the mighty Juve. The only problem is that the back line continues to leak goals and inspires very little confidence.

While the Vecchia Signora were unable to defeat Inter Milan at home in Round 11, they are still off to a more than acceptable start in this their first season back in top flight Italian football. They have 21 points from 11 matches and sit just 4 points back of the league leaders, Inter Milan. Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri has done a great job after taking over for Didier Deschamps and the club has not missed a beat so far. The two biggest absences for Juve this week are Nedved and Mauro Camoranesi, Nedved is suspended while the Italian international is recovering from injury and expected to start on the bench. The Argentine Almiron will be in Nedved’s spot just behind David Trezeguet and Alex Del Piero while Salihamidzic will cover for Camoranesi. Trezeguet currently leads the league in scoring with 10 goals.

Despite Juve’s absences in this match, they still possess a ton of fire power both in attack and midfield. Parma have not played particularly well at home all season long and after two disappointing draws, including one at home, they are being asked to beat one of the best clubs in Europe, let alone Serie A. Their bright spot this season has been center forward Bernardo Corradi while Juventus are full of superstars. Even if they were at full strength Parma do not appear to be in position to cause Juventus too many problems these days.

Prediction: Road win (0-2)

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