Another exciting week in the Serie A begins on Tuesday as the backlog of fixtures effected by the weather in recent weeks are now set to be played. Before previewing the action some news, Alessandro Del Piero looks set to join French side Marsaille in the summer after Didier Deschamps was quoted as saying he would welcome his former Juventus team mate with "open arms" if the 37 year old decided to join the club. Del Piero has been used mostly from the bench this season and his contract ends this summer. Juventus have already issued a statement saying that Del Piero's contract will not be renewed, several MLS clubs are also reported in securing the signature of one of Italy's biggest football stars. Another 'old guard' figure could also be on the move in the summer in the form of Gennaro Gattuso. The 34 year old AC Milan midfielder has only played once all season due to an eye problem, though it is questionable whether or not he would get in the side regardless of his condition. The veteran has told the club president that he is willing to 'play for free' if he can secure a new contract with the Champions.
Action gets underway on Tuesday as Bologna host Fiorentina. Bologna managed their first win in 5 games as they beat Inter 3-0 in Milan on Friday, Fiorentina meanwhile suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Napoli, their first defeat in 3. Fiorentina did manage to beat Bologna 2-0 earlier in the season but that was during Fiorentina's great start to the campaign, since then they have slid down the table, recovering briefly in the last few weeks. Bologna remain difficult to beat, especially at home and they have an inform striker in Marco Di Vaio, who scored twice against Inter and is likely to add to his tally here. Home win - Bologna continue their solid run.
Siena host Catania on Wednesday night at the Stadio Artemio Franchi-Montepaschi Arena as both teams look to bounce back from defeats. Siena were victims of the arguably the weekends biggest shock as they were beaten 4-1 by fellow struggeles Leece. Catania managed to gain the lead at Juventus but were ultimately beaten 3-1 last Sunday. Siena continue to struggle, with just one win in their last 4 and will be low on confidence after the beating they suffered at Leece. Catania were on a good run of 3 unbeaten before they faced the league leaders and they are taken to get back on track here and move up into the safety of mid table. Away win - Trouble continues for Siena
Saturday sees two games beginning with Genoa V Parma. Genoa were beaten 1-0 by Chievo last weekend and Parma suffered the same scoreline away to Roma. Genoa are now without a win in 3 and will do well to get one here against a Parma team that have lost just one of their last 5. A draw seems the most likely result in what is set to be a cagey affair. Draw - Two mid table teams cancel each other out.
The game of the weekend occurs on Saturday evening as first place AC Milan take on second place Juventus in a game that could settle where the title will head come May. Milan are unbeaten since the middle of January and Juventus are yet to be beaten this season. Both gained 3-1 victories at the weekend over Cesena and Catania respectively. Milan have failed to beat The Old Lady in two attempts already this season, a 2-0 away loss in the league and 2-1 home defeat in the Coppa Italia. It could be argued however that Milan are in better form, scoring freely and winning games comprehensively, Juve in recent weeks have been grinding out their victories and have a drawn too many games, leaving them a point behind Milan. The man who could make all the difference to the result, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to serve the last game of his 3 match ban, but Milan have appealed and will know on Thursday if the Swede will be eligible to play. This game could be a great spectacle but its more likely that the two great teams will cancel each other out as Milan's brilliant attack comes up against Juve's superb back line. Draw - A game neither team can afford to lose.
Sunday sees eight games in all beginning with Atalanta hosting the enigma that is Roma. Atalanta could only manage a disappointing 0-0 draw away at Novara last weekend meaning they have only won two of their last five. Roma have equally confusing form, their last 5 reading as LWDLW. The Gillarossi beat Parma 1-0 in Rome on Sunday, with young Fabio Borini grabbing the goal. The former Chelsea player has now scored 6 this season, more than both Totti & Bojan. Atalanta were beaten 3-1 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season and they will have to play very well to ensure a similar result does not ensue. However Roma have the class to win again, and they really should it just depends which Roma turn up. Away Win - Roma achieve rare back to back wins.
Catania host Novara as the home side look to get themselves away from trouble and put their opponents right back in it. Catania were beaten 3-1 by Juventus last weekend but before then were unbeaten in three. Novara were able to move off the bottom by getting a point at Atalanta. Novara have still only won 3 games all season though, remarkably two of those wins over Inter. Catania are solid at home and they should take this if Novara are unable to frustrate them. Home win - Novara look down not up
Chievo Verona take on a Cesena as they look for their third win in five. Chievo gained an impressive 1-0 win away to Genoa last weekend whereas their opponents were beaten 3-1 by Juventus leading to the sacking of manager Daniele Arrigoni. Arrigoni has now been replaced with Mario Beretta, he becomes Cesena's third coach of the season. Beretta takes charge of a side that are bottom of the league and have lost all but one of their last five. Cesena are seven points from safety and unless Beretta works a miracle they look certain to go down. Chievo are a decent side despite particularly at home and this looks a stiff task for Cesena. Home win - No happy beginning for Beretta
Cagliari host a resurgent Leece side in a very difficult game to call. Cagliari gained a hard fought 0-0 draw at Udinese last weekend as Leece thumped Siena 4-1. Cagliari are unbeaten in 4 and Leece in 3, something has to give. Cagliari, should win they sit ninth in the table and have shown themselves to be a consistent side, yet third from bottom Leece are scrapping for their lives in the Serie A and could move out the bottom three with a win. They are sure to be no push over. Draw - Two teams in form share the points.
Dispondent Inter head to Napoli in what could see the end of Claudio Raneri's short tenure at the Milan club. Napoli appear to have got over thier blip after two good wins including a 3-0 win over Fiorentina last Friday and are back aiming a Champions League place. Inter have fallen back into the type of form they produced at the start of the season, no win in four and they haven't scored in three. This is not a poor Inter side, Sneijder, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Forlan, Pazzini, all very good players. Yet it simply is not working for them. With Napoli back in the scoring groove and Inter disillusioned, their should only be one outcome. Home win - Pressure mounts on Raneri
Lazio host Fiorentina as both teams look to bounce back from poor results last weekend. As mentioned Fiorentina were beaten 3-0 at home by Napoli last weekend, their host suffered a disastrous 5-1 defeat away to Palermo all but ending their title hopes. Before that Edoardo Reja's men were in good form winning their last four, and they are taken to regain the winning thread again here. Fiorentina's little resurgence was put to end by Napoli's great attack and they meet another strong attack here the Viola simply leak too many goals. Home win - Lazio cement Champions League Position
Siena host Palermo in a game that could hinge on Siena's result in midweek. If they lose again it is likely Palermo, buoyant from their 5-1 over Lazio will take this. Palermo are unbeaten in five going into this and are back scoring goals. The only issue surrounds their away form but any repeat of the Lazio game performance will see them beat Siena and send them futher into the relegation zone. Away win - Siena in deep trouble.
The final game of the weekend sees Bologna host Udinese who like Lazio saw their title hopes dashed by a poor result last weekend, only managing a 0-0 with Cagliari. Bologna meanwhile recorded a great win over Inter and providing they gain a good result against Fiorentina on Tuesday they should come into this full of confidence. Udinese's ace remains their attack, with the leagues top scorer Antonio Di Natale heading it. However they have only managed 5 goals in their last 5 games and now look to be badly missing Alexis Sanchez. Another tricky puzzle but Bologna could take another big scalp if Udinese fail to fire. Home win - Bologna just take it as Udinese fail to fire again.
Selected Match Odds for Saturday-Sunday Games Only:
Bologna, Napoli, Roma, Catania, Chievo & Palermo - All to win 98/1
Atalanta V Roma - Borini Score 1st - Odds Not Available at present
AC Milan V Juventus - Correct Score 2-2 - Odds Not Available at present
Enjoy The Games!
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