Yes, this Sunday will be super because ALL the Serie A games will be played on the 5th of April. Don't sweat though, there are four separate kick of times so your get your fill of calcio this weekend, if you want that is. At 12pm UK time Atalanta will host Fiorentina, at 6pm Udinese will host Inter and Milan host Lecce in the 8pm evening game with the rest of the fixtures at their usual 2pm kick of times.
A closer look at the fixtures
Atalanta v Fiorentina
A must win game for Fiorentina if they are to catch Genoa and hold fourth spot in Serie A. Fiorentina are a club on the up and will feel positive after winning the Tuscan derby against Siena, but will have to win where Inter, Lazio and Roma have all fallen heavily this season against Doni and co who have ten home wins under their belt. Combine this with the fact that on their last two road games Fiorentina failed to beat Reggina and lost, albeit narrowly, to Inter the viola faithful may not feel positive. But Gilardino is due a couple of goals and it is now or never for Fiorentina to make their move on Genoa.
Prediction: Fioretina win, just.
Cagliari v Catania
This result may actually be determined by which Catania side turns up. The composed outfit that beat both Palermo and Lazio or the shambles of a side that lost 3 - 0 at home to Siena. Cagliari have been solid all season and are coming of a solid away win in Bologna. Both sets of fans however will be mighty pleased with how their teams have performed this season, and are no where near relegation and both could be solid mid table teams for years to come, which may of course see this finish in a draw.
Prediction: Draw
Juventus v Chievo
Credit to Chievo, they are coming of two super wins against Palermo and Lazio which may give them a significant edge in the relegation battle, but this has to be a Juve win. With a number of players back from Injury this weekend, Ranieri will have to decide who the play and who to omit. However, most neutrals will be disappointed with the omission of the stunning Giovinco, so lets hope he starts. From the perspective of a Juve Scudetto this has to be three points with a tough away games at Genoa next week, and I expect nothing less with several members of the Juve squad in stunning form, especially Iaqunita.
Prediction: Juve win
Milan v Lecce
I would expect a home win here, but one never knows with Milan. They have several easier games approaching and must use them well to wrap up third place before a very hard end of the season where points may be dropped. Watch out for Pato in this one, he is not just one for the future at 19 but a star already in my eyes with 14 goals already this year, not bad for his first full year in Serie A. Pirlo also is in inspired form and combine this with a Kaka return it is hard to see anything but a win for the mighty Milan. Lecce have not won since a stunning away victory at Fiorentina and need points to avoid the drop. They may have to wait for another week.
Prediction: Evening game, heavy Milan win.
Palermo v Torino
An inconsistent Palermo take on a troubled Torino who have made yet another coaching change and have only one win in five. Both need a win for different reason, Torino to avoid Serie B and Palermo to get into the Europa League. Whilst Torino have been relatively sterile of late the same cannot be said of Palermo who have mixed a 5-2 win over Lecce with a useless 0-4 beating against Catania, conceding one goal from the half way line. Last season it was a draw, it could be the same again this season but Torino will come to play, they have to if they want to survive.
Prediction: Draw
Reggina v Genoa
Genoa just refuse to have a bad patch, bouncing right back from a defeat to Inter by winning away against a tough Cagliari side and beating an inform Udinese team at home. Reggina conversely are fighting for their lifesand are likely to go down this year, but they are tough to beat at home. They have held Fiorentina here recently and gave Inter hell when they visited just loosing 3-2. It is hard to see anything but a Genoa win, but Reggina are desperate and they may just sneak a point here in front of their home fans.
Prediction: Draw
Roma v Bologna
Marco Di Vaio makes his way back to Rome to play against Roma, and the former Lazio youth product will need to find his scoring boots again if Bologna are to take anything from this one. Roma have been poor this season, and will aim to finish fourth this year. Anything but a win here could see that objective shatter, as a further defeat to Lazio next week could totally end their season. Bologna though have improved but will need points after a home to defeat to Cagliari last round but they will need to stop relying on Di Vaio and create some secondary scoring if they are to take anything here and avoid relegation.
Prediction: Home win
Sampdoria v Napoli
Two quality sides who both have had indifferent halves to their seasons. Napoli stated in full throttle but have capitulated of late, while Sampdoria started poor but have grown in stature since signing Pazzini and look destined to make the Coppa Italia final. Donadoni presides over his second Napoli game, but Samp have been tough to break down at home of late beating Inter, Milan, Lazio and holding off Roma two weeks ago. Napoli may find this trip difficult.
Prediction: Home win
Siena v Lazio
Claudio Lotito has been furious this week and rightly so. Lazio have shown this season that they should be battling hard for a top six place, but all to often have been beaten by inferior team. Three straight defeats after this one could see Rossi heading for the door, and that is a distinct possibility against a very competitive Siena team who have only lost three times at home this season, two of which were against the Milan sides. Still, if Foggia, Pandev and Zarate are on good form then expect a Lazio win as they build up towards the huge Rome derby next weekend.
Prediction: Away win for the eagles!
Udinese v Inter
Inter need three points here with Juve likely to win against Chievo, but I think it will be tough for the blue and blacks as Udinese are starting to find their groove again. Although minus Di Natale, Pepe and Quagliarella will provide a decent threat to the Inter net and a packed house in Udine will make a great atmosphere before they play Werder Bremen in the quarter finals of the Uefa cup next week, and will want to build up some confidence. Inter are minus Maicon, but Santon and Balotelli are set to start, and Ibrahimovic will want to lead the scorers chart by himself come Sunday night. It will take a top effort to keep him of the score sheet Sunday evening, by Udinese on their day are up to the task.
Prediction: Draw, but only just.
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