Scudetto run in

With three teams still in the mix for the Scudetto as we head into week 34 this has turned into one of the closest title run in's in recent years. Much of this has to do with Inter throwing away a large lead, but their defeats to Catania and Roma in recent rounds were deserved ones, and the more competitive nature of the division now in comparison to the 2006-2007 season post Calciopoli, where Inter scored a whopping 97 points to finish 20 points clear of Roma with 75, and then third placed Lazio on 62. Ultimately, more teams pose much more of a threat to the big guns in Serie A now, and that explains to a large degree why points are dropped often by the sides chasing a top league position. Places like Napoli and Palermo are formidable destinations to win at, and even Bari this season have taken scalpes of the highest order. All this being said, someone will win the Scudetto in five rounds time and its time to take a look at each of the contenders run in.

Roma
They sit top of the pile, so its only fair that they are dealt with first. Their first match is against Lazio, come on Laziali hehe, and this will provide an unpredictable and difficult test for them. Last season in this fixture Roma lost 4-2, the season before 3-2 and the season before that 3-0. Both teams have to win, but for different reasons and yet one constant regarding the capitals bragging rights. In week 35 they face 5th placed Sampdoria at home. If they were away then a win would be unlikely but with home advantage Roma should prevail though it remains a tricky fixture to say the least. Another tricky one awaits in Parma away but any team chasing the title must win there. Inter could only draw 1-1 at the Tardini, Roma will need to go one better to keep up the pace. In week 37 they entertain Cagliari and then in week 38 its Chievo away. Neither easy games at all, but winnable.

Inter Milan
Inter have more home games left than Roma do, and this can be seen as an immediate advantage as they still are unbeaten at home with Mourinho in charge. First up is a very fragile Juve side in week 34 and they should be swept aside before Inter, again at home face Atalanta the week after in a local derby but a very winnable one at that. They are away at 'friends' Lazio in week 36 but don't expect any favours to be handed out in that one. It wasn't in May 2002, when Roma and Inter could have won the Scudetto that day but conceded to Juve instead. Week 37 see's then entertain Chievo at home while they end the season at Siena, a ground where they have won the Scudetto before. All winnable games for Inter, with Juve and Lazio perhaps the most difficult of the lot.

AC Milan
They are lucky to still be in with a shout. Too many dropped points, in needless fashion, will more than likely see them finish third but with just four points between them and the top they still could have their say. First up is a mammoth task in Sampdoria away. They were beaten 2-0 their last season and will need to end Sampdoria's unbeaten home run to keep up with the top two. Then, they have to go to fourth placed Palermo, another side with an unbeaten home record, and win where Juve, Inter and Roma failed. If that was not bad enough, their next game is against Fiorentina at home. Milan will start as favourites for that one but Fiorentina getting something out of the game is not unlikely. It just gets worse for Milan, as in week 37 they travel again to play Genoa, a stellar home side, and finish the season at home to Juve. All in all, a nightmare last five games though if they do somehow manage to win all of them and lift the title they would have earned it.

In conclusion, Inter remain favourites when the last five games are considered. What is omitted of course is their Coppa Italia and Champions League obligations, and Mourinho's trait of rarely using squad rotation. Could it all get too much for Inter? They are still in three competitions but could end the season with nothing. Roma are also still in two competitions, and they don't have the depth that Inter have overall but in Lazio, Sampdoria and Parma arguably more tricky games await them than Inter. Milan need a miracle to even maintain a 4 point gap, but it will be tight between Inter and Roma right to the final game I believe.