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)

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)

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)

Sampdoria vs Cagliari

Sampdoria are winners of 3 straight and will be going for their 4^th when they return home to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris at Marassi to host a Cagliari outfit who are also on a winning streak of their own. The sardi have responded with back to back wins as they make one last, late season push in hopes of staving off relegation in miracle fashion.

The blucerchiati enter week 30 of Serie A in 6^th place of the league table with 45 points. Their 3 match win streak has seen them make up 6 points on AC Milan and they now sit just 1 point back of 5^th place Milan and 1 point ahead of 7^th place Udinese. They have produced 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in their last 5 games and the unbeaten run stands at 4. Sampdoria manager Mazzarri believes his side is playing its best football of the season and the ironic point is that they have won all 3 of their matches without their most emblematic striker- Antonio Cassano- who has been out suspended. This match to Cagliari will be his 4^th match out due to suspension. He joins Lucchini and Delvecchio on the suspended list while Montella and Volpe remain out injured. Campagnaro should once again be available and he is expected to start on the bench.

Cagliari are in last place of the Serie A table with 24 points for the year. They are 2 points back of both Reggina and Empoli and if the season were to end today, all 3 clubs would drop to Serie B. However, Cagliari have shown some life of late. They are winners of 3 straight matches at home and have produced 3 wins and 2 losses over their last 5 games. On Wednesday they held serve over Atalanta by a score of 1-0 at the Stadio Sant’Elia. However, if they are to pull off the miracle and climb out of last place and the relegation zone, they must continue to win. The injured list this week consists of Marchini, Shala, Bianco and Parola who is currently listed as very doubtful while Fini is out suspended. With both Fini and Parola missing, manager Ballardini looks ready to go with Cossu in central midfield with Biondini and Conti on the flanks.

Cagliari’s resurgence this week has been inspiring but now cold, hard reality is about to set in as they must win away from home. There is a reason why Cagliari are currently 20^th out of 20 Serie A clubs and their numbers away from home speak volumes as to why. In 14 road games they have 1 win, 3 draws and 10 losses while scoring 11 goals and conceding 29. Those numbers do not bode too well for an away day against a quality side like Sampdoria who have won 3 straight and have AC Milan in their crosshairs.

Prediction: Sampdoria (2-0)

AC Milan vs Sampdoria

AC Milan return home to the San Siro to host Sampdoria in a match up between sides that are coming off of very different results in Round 28 of Serie A. Milan were losers away from home despite having enjoyed a lead in their match, while Samp were able to enjoy a commanding victory at home.

AC Milan come into this match in 5^th place of Serie A with 46 points for the season. They are 4 point behind 4^th place side Fiorentina and also 4 points ahead of the 6^th place club Sampdoria which they will play host to this week. Last week, the rossoneri fell on the road to AS Roma by a score of 2-1 and lost significant ground to Fiorentina in their chase for UEFA Champions League slot in the league table. That result makes the 3 points at stake at home to Sampdoria vital for Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. While a number of players on the Milan side are dealing with some aches and pains including Ronaldo, Inzaghi, Cafu and Serginho, the importance of the match will see both Kaka’ and Seedorf play their 2^nd match in 4 days.

Sampdoria ran out deserve winners over Catania this past weekend by a score of 3-1 at home. Thanks to their easy win the side managed by Mazzari were able to climb into 6^th place of Serie A and now sit just 4 points back of 5^th place AC Milan with 42 points for the campaign which leaves them 1 point ahead of 7^th place Udinese. This contest on the road provides them with the opportunity to narrow their deficit behind Milan to just 1 point. The blucerchiati have some concerns with regard to the starting eleven as Montella and Campagnaro remain out while Franceschini will join Cassano on the suspended list. The striker Cassano will be serving the 3^rd of a 5 match suspension but ironically Samp have won both matches they have played without him. There is a chance that Bellucci will be rested in this match for at least the first half so look for Mazzari to employ a 3-5-2 with Delvecchio and Bonazzoli as the strikers.

The pressure will be entirely on AC Milan this week. They are the home side and they are still ahead, just barely, in the league table. While they haven’t exactly set the world on fire at home – they have as many wins at home as Sampdoria have on the road – Samp are known to be all or nothing on the road- 4 wins, 1 draw and 9 losses in 14 games. Look for Milan to fight it out and pull out the 3 points.

Prediction: AC Milan (2-1)

Sampdoria vs Catania

Sampdoria return home to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in hopes of replicating their strong performance of week 27 in Serie A. They will be taking on a Catania outfit that won a match they absolutely had to have last week in their struggle to avoid making the drop to the second division.

The blucerchiati came up big away from home last week with a 1-2 win over Parma at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. That victory gives Sampdoria 39 points on the year which are good enough for 7^th place in the league table. This leaves them 1 point back of 6^th place Udinese and 3 ahead of the 8^th place side Palermo. They have now posted 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat over their last 5 games. Montella remains out this week while there is a slight chance that Bellucci could be available. Striker Antonio Cassano remains out as he will be serving the second of a 5 match suspension. Bonazzoli looks set to make another start in his place.

Catania come into this contest in 15^th place of the league table with 27 points. They now sit 4 points back of Siena but just 1 ahead of 16^th place Livorno which is perilously close to the relegation zone. In their last match the side managed by Baldini held serve by a score of 2-1 over the struggling Cagliari at the Stadio Angelo Massimino. The win snapped a prolonged winless run and they have won posted 1 win, 3 draws and 1 loss in their past 5 matches. This week Morimoto and Jorge Martinez have been ruled out, while Biagianti will sit out suspended. Gazzola has been cleared to play and was included in the squad list. Catania will go with a 4-3-3 featuring Colucci, Spinesi and Mascara in attack.

The edge has to go to Sampdoria in this one. They come back home after a big win on the road to take on a Catania side who were only able to snap their winless run with a victory over last place Cagliari at home. Making matters worse for Catania is that they have yet to win a match away from home with just 5 draws from 14 matches. Sampdoria could win going away.

Prediction: Sampdoria (2-0)

Parma vs Sampdoria

Parma face off with Sampdoria at the Stadio Ennio Tardini in week 27 of Serie A. Parma will be trying to bounce back from a humiliating loss away to Roma while Sampdoria were held to a disappointing draw at home.

The gialloblu fell away to Roma by a score of 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. The match marked the 2^nd time in 3 matches that Parma have conceded 4 goals in a match. Parma are now in 16^th place of the Serie A table and sit only 1 point ahead of the relegation zone, and 1 point behind 15^th place Livorno. Parma have posted 1 win, 1 loss and 3 draws over their last 5 games. This week the side managed by Di Carlo have just two injury concerns in Morfeo and Mariga. The rest of the squad will be at his disposal and he will be able to go with his standard 4-4-2 featuring Budan and Lucarelli in attack and Zenoni looks set to start at right fullback in place of Coly who will start on the bench.

Sampdoria are in 7^th place of the league table through 26 matches with 36 points. They are 3 points back of 6^th place Udinese and 1 point up on 8^th place Genoa. This leaves them in position to make a decent run at a spot in the UEFA Cup. Last week they played to a 2-2 draw at home to Torino at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris at Marassi. They have produced 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss over their last 5 games. This week it was confirmed that start striker Antonio Cassano received a 5 match suspension for his outburst against the match official in the game at home to Torino. Therefore, Mazzari will go with Bonazzoli and Delvecchio in attack with Ziegler and Maggio on the wings in a 3-5-2 set. Montella, Pieri, Bellucci and Campagnaro are out injured while Sala joins Cassano and will serve suspension this week, albeit for only 1 match.

Parma have not been able to find any consistency at home this season with only 5 wins from 13 matches. Luckily for Parma, Sampdoria have not been any better away from home as they have posted just 3 wins to go with 1 draw and 9 losses. In the case of the blucerchiati it’s either all or nothing when on the road. If Parma are to avoid relegation this year, this is a match they need to win but their awful defensive displays do not inspire much confidence.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Sampdoria vs Torino

Sampdoria return home in week 26 looking to bounce back from a terrible performance in their midweek match when they host Torino at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris at Marassi. Torino come into this contest on a superb roll which has seen them go unbeaten over their last 5 matches.

Sampdoria were absolutely trounced on the road in their last match when they lost away to Atalanta by a score of 4-1 at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia. The loss was as unexpected as it was painful for Mazzarri’s side and leaves the blucerchiati in 7^th place of Serie A with 35 points on the season. They are just ahead of their rivals Genoa on goal difference and 1 point behind 6^th place Udinese. I doriani have a number of injury concerns this week including Montella, Accardi, Bellucci, and Campagnaro. In the case of Campagnaro, he will be out at least 1 month and this will force Samp to shake up their attack. Mazzarri will go with a 3-4-2-1 with Cassano and Delvecchio playing behind Bonazzoli. Zenoni will sit out suspended.

Torino come into this match in 13^th place of the Serie A table with 27 points. Those 27 points have them sitting 2 points back of 12^th place Lazio and 2 ahead of Parma. In their last match they were able to hold out for a 0-0 draw away to Juventus in the Turin derby at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. It was the third straight draw for Francesco Novellino’s side and extended their unbeaten run to 5 straight matches. This week Rubin, Oguro, Bjelanovic, Fontana and Zanetti are out due to injury. However, Natali and Di Loreto, who were originally listed as doubtful have been cleared to play. This will allow Torino to go with as close to their ideal back 4 as possible. Di Michele and Stellone will start in attack.

This match will be a real test for Sampdoria. They have been strong at home for the most part this season with 7 wins and 4 draws in 12 matches while Torino have managed just 1 win with 8 draws and 3 losses. Torino have been the better side recently but Mazzarri’s side can get their season back on track if they can hold serve at home. The problem is Torino are playing with a lot of confidence.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)

Atalanta vs Sampdoria

9^th place Atalanta are home in week 25 to take on Sampdoria at the Stadio Atleti Azzuri D’Italia. The contest will feature two sides that will be trying to get back on track after having been held to draws in their matches at home over the weekend.

The bergamaschi come into this contest after playing Siena to a 2-2 draw at home. This will be their 2^nd consecutive home match. The draw leaves Atalanta in 9^th place of the Serie A league table with 31 points. They are one point back of 8^th place Genoa and just ahead of 10^th place Palermo. Manager Gigi del Neri’s side are now winless over their last 3 matches and this includes an oddity in that they have now played to 3 consecutive 2-2 draws at home with Reggina and Fiorentina have come before Siena. There are no suspended players at this time though Forsyth, Carrozzieri and Simone Inzhaghi are all expected to miss out due to injury. The important thing for Atalanta is that Doni will start.

Sampdoria were also held to a draw at home when they played against league leaders Inter Milan in a match that ended 1-1 at the Luigi Ferraris. The point leaves i doriani in 7^th place of the league table with 35 points, just 1 behind Udinese and 3 ahead of 8^th place Genoa. There is bad news this week on the injury front for manager Mazzari as one of the club’s top strikers- Bellucci- has been ruled out due to a partial meniscus tear. The club will try all the rehab that is possible before decided on possible season ending surgery. Look for Sammarco and Delvecchio to team up behind Antonio Cassano as the lone striker. The draw to Inter extended Sampdoria’s unbeaten run to 3 matches.

While wins have proven to be very hard for Atalanta to come by of late they have shown to have a propensity for scoring goal and have scored at least 2 over their last 4 games. Sampdoria’s back line will certainly be challenged and it will be interesting to see how they fare with Cassano alone in attack. Samp have won only 3 of 12 matches away form home with 8 losses, while Atalanta have lost just 2 of 10. Look for Atalanta to finally break through at home.

Prediction: Atalanta (2-1)

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)

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