Roma vs. Udinese
Genoa vs. Internazionale
Torino vs. Juventus
Milan vs. Atalanta
Chievo vs. Cagliari
Napoli vs. Lazio
Fiorentina vs. Palermo
Lecce vs. Reggina
Bologna vs. Sampdoria
Catania vs. Siena
Inter suffered a shock hammering at the hands of Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia midweek, and they will hope to banish that from their memories with a win over Genoa, although at the Luigi Ferrari that will not prove easy. The Grifone are unbeaten at home and Jose Mourinho will need the returning Zlatan Ibrahimovic firing on all cylinders to overcome their stout defence. Genoa have been beaten just once in their last 15 matches.
Juventus, the leaders of the chasing pack, take part in a Turin derby that illustrates the yawning chasm between the two city sides – Torino have less than half the points total of their rivals and have won 1 of their last 9. Claudio Rainieri has one eye on the Champions League but this should not prevent his team from securing derby spoils. Elsewhere on Saturday Roma host Udinese, a match of special significance for Luciano Spalleti as his former club visits. Roma have striker problems – Totti is doubtful, as are Mirko Vucinic, Julio Bapitsta and Jeremy Menez. The Friuli’s form has improved of late but they are still ten points behind their opponents.
On Sunday AC Milan host Atalanta, who are not half as challenging to host as they are to visit, it seems – just two wins on their travels for the Nerazzuri. Milan have lost just once at home all season and have been boosted by the news David Beckham is staying until the end of the season. There’s no Kaka or Ronaldinho though.
Fiorentina host Palermo with the Sicillians still smarting from last week’s derby humiliation. The Viola are unbeaten in their last six, have the league’s second-most potent striker in Alberto Gilardino and a great home record, so expect things to continue to be difficult for the pink-shirted ones. Napoli and Lazio, two teams whose seasons have fallen away, play each other in Naples while Cagliari, still hopeful of a European spot six points behind Roma, visit Chievo.
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