Week 31 Preview: Derby Della Capitale!

Despite the tragic earthquake in Italy this week, it appears that the Serie A fixtures will still take place.

Lazio v Roma
The derby della capitale kicks of at 2pm UK time this week in what will be an extremely important game for both sides, and not just with regards to the capitals bragging rights. My team Lazio are currently in free fall. Three straight defeats coupled with a very unconvincing start to 2009 have seen the aquilotti slip to 9th place in the standings, behind mid table teams like Cagliari and Palermo. This simply in not good enough and president Claudio Lotito has confirmed this, but he may have left his rant far too late in the season as Lazio's confidence in themselves appears to be totally shattered. No goals for in three games and he return of the defensive frailties that have let Lazio down time and time again this season are there for all to see. However, this is the Derby, a game that has no favourites as anything can happen. The Lazio faithful will likely be out in full force to drown out their Roman counterparts, and a moral boosting win here is exactly what is needed before a tough away trip to Genoa next week and the Coppa Italia semi final against Juventus in a couple of weeks time if Lazio are to save their season and get into the Europa League.

For Roma however a defeat here could end their champions league ambitions. They already trail Genoa and Fiorentina in the standings and with both of these teams playing Juventus and Cagliari respectively a win for Roma could narrow the gap this weekend. Let us hope though, that Lazio take all the glory here ahahaha.

Genoa v Juventus
Juventus face a daunting trip to Genoa this weekend, a team who have only lost once at home all season to Inter. Genoa really have been quite superb this season and hopefully can build on this next year by strengthening their squad and challenging for the champions league spots again, along with Roma, Fiorentina, Lazio and Palermo giving added depth to the league. For Juventus this is a must win game before next weeks Derby of Italy against Inter Milan. A defeat here really would end all hope of the title for Juventus, but victory here and again next week would spell game on again.

Inter Milan v Palermo
A difficult game for Inter at home to an inconsistent, but quality, Palermo side coming off the back of a win Torino. Miccoli and Cavani will have to watched carefully by the Inter defence who shut them down earlier this season in the reverse fixture that Inter won 2 - 0.

Chievo v Milan
Milan desperately need third place to guarantee Champions League football for next season, but face a very difficult quest for three points in Verona this weekend. With Fiorentina, Genoa and Roma facing difficult games this is a good opportunity for Milan to put further distance between third and fourth place but Chievo, who have beaten Lazio, Palermo and drawn with Juve in their last three games may think differently. Sergio Pellissier was outstanding last week against Juve and his form alone has probably secured Serie A status for next season as well for the flying donkeys. However, unlike Lecce last week, Chievo will likely not place ten men behind the ball here giving Milan the space they will need to pull through in this one.

Elsewhere in Serie A
Fiorentina host a tough Cagliari side who have done themselves proud this season. This in theory should be a good opportunity for Fiorentina to assert themselves on 4th place with Genoa hosting Juventus this weekend. Napoli look to continue stabilizing their season at home to Atalanta and put an end to the torid time they have had of late. Sampdoria face the long trek down to Puglia to face Lecce where the latter will have to take three points if they are to continue their Serie A adventure. Bologna v Siena also has relegation implications. Another defeat to Bologna will put them in severe trouble here. Torino play Catania and surley must take three points here to ease the pressure on their crumbling season. Finally on Sunday Udinese face the long trip to Reggina to play the rock bottom side.