24.08. (Sat) 20:45 Sampdoria - Juventus

Juventus kick off the defence of their Serie A crown with a testing trip to Sampdoria on Saturday.

The reigning champions lost just five league fixtures on their way to the title last term, but two of those came against Delio Rossi's men.

Sampdoria earned a shock 2-1 victory over Juve away from home despite Gaetano Berardi receiving an early red card, and also defeated Antonio Conte's men 3-2 at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on the final day of the season.

However, the scorer of three of their five goals against Juve, Mauro Icardi, will not be available this time around following his close-season switch to Inter.

Rossi will hope that young striker Manolo Gabbiadini, whose economic rights remain split between Sampdoria and Juventus, can fill the goalscoring void this term.

Juventus come into the game off the back of a morale-boosting Supercoppa Italiana victory over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.

An early strike from Paul Pogba and second-half goals from Giorgio Chiellini, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Carlos Tevez handed the Turin club the win, and ensured they will open their Serie A campaign full of confidence.

Sampdoria in fact kicked off the 2012-13 campaign with three consecutive victories, but separate winless runs of nine and 10 games saw them go on to finish in 14th position in the Italian top flight.

And if they are to get off to a similarly encouraging start this term then they will need to cope with a Juve side who will be keen to lay down an early marker.

24.08. (Sat) 18:00 Hellas Verona - Milan

AC Milan will play their 4,000th competitive game when they face Verona in Serie A's opening game at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi on Saturday.

Massimiliano Allegri is likely to see this campaign as an opportunity to move on from what was a mixed season last time out.

After a poor start, which saw Milan win just one of their opening four games, Allegri was quickly under fire.

However, he eventually secured a place in the UEFA Champions League play-offs thanks to a dramatic 2-1 win in the final game against Siena to ensure they finished third.

Verona enjoyed a much more positive season as they finished second behind Sassuolo to secured promotion from Serie B.

Milan full-back Ignazio Abate believes their opponents will see the arrival of the 18-time Scudetto winners as a "dream".

Abate, who assisted Stephan El Shaarawy's header in Milan's 1-1 Champions League draw with PSV on Tuesday, told the club's official website: "We will have a big game on a difficult pitch.

"We expect it will be sold out in Verona, it has been their desire and dream so we need to watch out."

The 26-year-old also believes a boosted togetherness within the camp can help Milan improve on their third-place finish last season.

"We are an amazing group, it is an adjective that is taken for granted, but it is. We are very united and we get on well," he continued.

"Since last year the group has cemented itself a lot, and Massimiliano Allegri has squared the circle. It will be a long season, and there will be difficult moments where we will suffer.

"Our objectives are to remain attached to the top teams, then we'll see what happens in the last two months."

Allegri could have defender Mattia De Sciglio (knee) and Brazilian forward Robinho (thigh) available after injury, with both players returning to training after Tuesday's draw in Eindhoven.

While Milan come into the game having only managed a draw with PSV, Verona picked up a 1-0 win in the Coppa Italia over Palermo on Saturday thanks to a Luca Toni goal.

Andrea Mandorlini has since strengthened his side with the loan acquisition of Samuele Longo from Inter, with the 21-year-old anticipating a challenge this season - starting with a clash against his parent club's fierce rivals.

The 21-year-old told the club's official website: "(Verona) was one of the first teams to look for me and I immediately accepted the offer to come to Verona.

"It's a challenge that I'm ready to deal with, I cannot wait (to) start."

Željko Brkić (Udineze, Italija 1) pred mečeve prvog kola

Oporavak Željka Brkića od povrede i operacije „grudne” tetive protiče uz fudbal. Golman Udinezea, iako odvojen od terena i skoncentrisan na terapije, sa velikom pažnjom prati zbivanja u Seriji A, čije prvo kolo se igra ovog vikenda.

18.08. (Sun) 21:00 Juventus - Lazio

Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente are in line to make their competitive debuts for Juventus in the Supercoppa Italiana against Lazio.

Antonio Conte's side are the current holders of the curtain-raiser and won their second consecutive Serie A title by nine points last season, finishing six places ahead of Sunday's opponents.

While they may have finished last in the recent International Champions Cup, ending the competition without a win, Conte believes his side are ready for action at the Stadio Olimpico.

"It has been an intense pre-season so far, but it has certainly been excellent," he said.

"We've worked very hard for 10 days, with double training sessions, and we are pleased with having achieved our target."

The former Juve midfielder has a fully fit 27-man squad to choose from for the clash, with Andrea Barzagli set to be involved despite missing Italy's 2-1 defeat to Argentina on Wednesday due to an Achilles problem.

"We're also very happy from the point of view that we haven't suffered any injuries and we're keeping our fingers crossed that continues," Conte added.

Lazio's Coppa Italia win over city rivals Roma in May ensured they will face the champions on Sunday, with Vladimir Petkovic's side having rounded off their pre-season with a 1-0 win over Premier League newcomers Crystal Palace.

The former Samsunspor boss believes his team will go into the match as underdogs but is confident they can come out on top.

"Finals are not made to play well in - just to win," he told Lazio Style Radio .

"Juve again this year will be the absolute favourites in Serie A - they have more quality and the best players.

"But, in single games, we are not afraid of anybody and we can play well against everybody. We have made progress, we have been working in this direction."

Lazio, who get their league campaign started on August 25 against Udinese, have seen striker Louis Saha retire during the close-season while captain Stefano Mauri was banned for six months due to his part in a match-fixing scandal.

However, they have been boosted by the addition of midfielders Lucas Biglia and Felipe Anderson from Anderlecht and Santos respectively, while they have retained in-demand duo Hernanes and Antonio Candreva despite plenty of speculation regarding their futures.

Petkovic, who saw his side draw away at the Juventus Stadium last season before losing at home in the reverse fixture, added: "The squad has been completed and we can make a good impression."

Lazio have not won the competition since 2000 when they beat Inter 4-3, although they have been runners-up twice since then.

Juventus will hope for a similar result to last year's final, when they overcame Napoli 4-2.

27.07. (Sat) 20:00 Valencia - Milan (Preview)

PROBABLE LINEUPS

Valencia (4-2-3-1)

Alves; 

Mathieu, Ruiz, Rami, Cissokho 

Romeu, Parejo

Piatti, Banega, Guardado

Soldado

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Diego Alves, Vicente Guaita, Yeray Lopez
Defenders: Adil Rami, Victor Ruiz, Joao Pereira, Antonio Barragan, Ricardo Costa, Jeremy Mathieu, Aly Cissokho
Midfielders: Oriol Romeu, Sofiane Feghouli, Ever Banega, Juan Bernat, Javier Fuego, Michel, Andres Guardado, Dani Parejo
Forwards: Jonas Goncalves, Roberto Soldado, Pablo Piatti, Jonathan Viera, Paco Alcacer, Roberto Ibanez, Fede Cartabia

AC Milan (4-3-3)

Abbiati

Constant, Mexes, Zapata, De Sciglio

Montolivo, Muntari, Boateng

Niang, Balotelli, El Shaarawy

SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Christian Abbiati, Marco Amelia, Gabriel
Defenders: Luca Antonini, Daniele Bonera, Kevin Constant, Phillipe Mexes, Bartosz Salomon, Didac Vila, Cristian Zaccardo, Cristian Zapata, Mattia De Sciglio
Midfielders: Kevin-Prince Boateng, Bryan Cristante, Nigel De Jong, Urby Emanuelson, Sulley Ali Muntari, Ricardo Montolivo, Antonio Nocerino, Riccardo Saponara, Rodney Strasser, Bakaye Traore
Forwards: Mario Balotelli, Giacomo Beretta, Robinho, Stephan El Shaarawy, M'Baye Niang, Nmandi Oduamadi, Andrea Petagna

DID YOU KNOW?
Mestalla is hosting the only Guinness International Champions Cup match that is not being played on American soil.
The match marks the first meeting between the two storied sides.
Both teams will play their next matches in New York, with the winner taking on the winner of Chelsea-Inter and the loser dropping down to the loser's bracket and meeting the Chelsea-Inter loser.
There will be no extra time in any matches in the ICC. If a match is tied after regulation, it goes straight to penalty kicks. Teams receive two points for a regulation win and one for a PK win.
Los Che striker Roberto Soldado is the subject of fervent transfer rumors, with the club's president saying he could be had for a €30 million transfer fee. Tottenham are said to be the Spanish forward's most serious suitor.
AC Milan are also heavily involved in the transfer market, with the club being linked to Japan star Keisuke Honda.

19.05. (Sun) 20:45 Siena - Milan

PROBABLE LINEUPS

SIENA
Pegolo
Terzi • Terlizzi • Felipe
Ângelo • Calello • Rocca • Rubin
Sestu • Rosina
Emeghara

AC MILAN
Abbiati
Abate • Zapata • Mexès • Constant
Flamini • Ambrosini • Montolivo
Boateng • Balotelli • Shaarawy

Siena approach their last Serie A fixture for quite some time following their relegation last week with almost a full-strength squad to call upon, as only veteran captain Simone Vergassola, Carlos Matheu and Nicola Pozzi are ruled out for the visit of AC Milan.

Nonetheless, coach Beppe Iachini is expected to name a second-string side against the Rossoneri, with only Alessio Sestu and Claudio Terzi likely to retain their places from last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Napoli.

Milan, on the the hand, have successfully turned their season around and lie one match away from featuring in next season's Champions League for a fifth consecutive campaign.

To achieve their feat, only Nigel de Jong and Bojan Krkic are missing through injury, while Sulley Muntari is suspended. With that in mind, the Ghanaian midfielder will be replaced by Riccardo Montolivo.

DID YOU KNOW?
Milan only need to better Fiorentina's result or win at San Siro to finish third.

Barring a defeat to champions Juventus last month, the Rossoneri have not lost a Serie A match since the turn of the year.
They have failed to qualify for the Champions League just twice since the millennium.
Siena have lost their last five matches on the bounce.

In addition, their record against Milan is poor with just one win in 14 previous meetings.
Innocent Emeghara has been a rare bright spot in the Tuscans' season with an impressive seven goals in just 12 appearances.

Prediction
With Siena's relegation to Serie B already sealed, Milan still have everything to play for after Fiorentina took the race for Serie A's third and final Champions League place down to the wire last weekend but should run out as comfortable victors at the Artemio Franchi.

Editor's Prediction
Siena 0-2 Milan

18.05. (Sat) 20:45 Sampdoria - Juventus

PROBABLE LINEUPS

SAMPDORIA
Costa
Mustafi • Gastaldello • Castellini
Silvestri • Poli • Palombo • Obiang • Estigarribia
Eder • Icardi

JUVENTUS
Storari
Cáceres • Bonucci • Chiellini
Isla • Vidal • Pirlo • Marchisio • Ceglie
Vučinić • Matri

Juventus have already been crowned champions and Sampdoria are safe from a final day relegation battle - which should surely mean nothing more than a pedestrian-paced dead rubber on Sunday.

But the Bianconeri were stung by their hosts this weekend back in January, going down 2-1 at Juventus Stadium thanks to Mauro Icardi's double, and that may add spice to this final day encounter.

Antonio Conte is likely to name a strong side but will again be without Nicklas Bendtner, Kwadwo Asamoah, Andrea Barzagli and Simone Pepe.

Sampdoria have enjoyed a solid first season back in Serie A and, though they are without Andrea Costa, Jonathan Rossini and Nenad Krsticic through injury, as well as the suspended Renan, they will hope to finish the campaign by ruffling Juve's feathers for a second time.

DID YOU KNOW?
Juventus have firmly sealed their status as Serie A's finest side with a second imperious campaign on the bounce & they go into Sunday's game nine points clear at the top.

The Bianconeri have achieved their domestic dominance without a prolific centre forward. Mirko Vucinic is the club's top scorer this season with 10 goals.
The first fixture between these two sides saw Sampdoria stun Juventus 2-1 back in January, with Mauro Icardi scoring twice.
Sampdoria were promoted from Serie B last season and can finish as high as their current 15th position.
Icardi is the club's top goalscorer with nine strikes to his name - with his efforts reportedly catching the eye of Inter.
Samp coach Delio Rossi replaced Ciro Ferrara as coach in December.

Prediction
The game is effectively a dead rubber, but with several Juventus players being given the opportunity to impress by Antonio Conte, expect the Bianconeri to record a reverse of the scoreline when the two teams met back in January.

Editor's Prediction
Sampdoria 1-2 Juventus

Serie A Opta Facts: 18 - 19 May

Atalanta - Chievo
This will be the 16th meeting between Atalanta and Chievo in the top-flight - Chievo lead by seven wins to four.
Atalanta have won only one of their last seven Serie A meetings against Chievo, losing three.
Atalanta have scored just one goal in their last four games against Chievo.
Atalanta are winless in their last six league fixtures (2D 4L); losing their last three in a row.
Overall, Chievo's last six Serie A fixtures have produced a total of just five goals.
Chievo have won three of their last four games on the road, losing the other.
Chievo are one of the four Serie A sides still unbeaten from leading situations this season (W12 D3).
Alessio Cerci scored the first penalty against Chievo after a period of 371 days.
Dario Dainelli has made the most interceptions amongst the Serie A players this season (115).

Bologna - Genoa
Bologna and Genoa have met 77 times in Serie A so far - Bologna lead by 30 wins to 20.
Genoa have scored in each of their last seven meetings against Bologna in the league.
Over their last 10 meetings at the Dall'Ara, these two sides have never repeated the same result in consecutive games - the last meeting ended 3-2 for the hosts.
Last Sunday's win against Parma ended Bologna's eight-game winless run in this campaign.
Bologna haven't won any of their last four home games (2D 2L); their worst run since October 2011.
Genoa are unbeaten in their last six league fixtures, but were held to a goalless draw in the last two.
The Grifoni have conceded only one goal in their last four games in Serie A.
After conceding eight goals in their previous three games on the road, Genoa have kept two consecutive clean sheets away from home.
No side have scored more goals from an indirect free-kick than Bologna this season (7).
Alessandro Diamanti has assisted six goals from free-kicks this season; a league-high.

Cagliari - Lazio
These two sides have met 55 times in Serie A - Lazio lead by 25 wins to 16, with 14 draws.
Lazio have won five of their last six meetings against Cagliari, including the last three in Serie A.
In Sardinia, these two sides haven't drawn in their last six meetings - previously, they had drawn five times in a row at the old Sant'Elia.
Cagliari have picked up only two points from the last five Serie A fixtures, scoring just one goal in the last four.
The Sardinians have lost their last two home games by 1-0, after recording four wins in a row.
Lazio have won their last three league games, conceding only one goal in the last four.
Lazio's win against Inter was their first away win following a winless run of eight away games in which they had collected five draws and five losses.
Sergio Floccari has scored five goals in 13 Serie A appearances against Cagliari - only against Napoli has he scored more so far in Serie A (6).
No player has been booked more times this season than Daniele Conti (16).
This is Antonio Candreva's best season in Serie A in terms of appearances (34). Indeed, Candreva has scored six goals and assisted five.

Inter - Udinese
Inter and Udinese have met 79 times so far in Serie A - the Nerazzurri lead by 37 wins to 18.
However, Udinese have won three of their last four games against Inter in the league.
These two sides haven't shared a draw in their last nine meetings (6 wins for Inter, 3 for Udinese).
Last season, Udinese won 1-0 at the San Siro against Inter - prior to that, the Nerazzurri had scored in 31 consecutive games against Udinese at home.
Inter have picked up only one point from their last four Serie A fixtures. Indeed, Inter have won only one of their last seven (5L).
Inter have lost four of their last five Serie A games at home.
Udinese have won their last seven league games; their best such run in the top-flight.
Away from home, Francesco Guidolin's side are on a run of three wins in a row; their best away record since March 2011.
With a win, Udinese would equal their best points tally in Serie A: 66 (like in 2010/11).
Samir Handanovic has made the most saves in Serie A since start of 2013 (65).
Antonio Di Natale has netted 175 goals in Serie A, including 24 braces and six hat-tricks.

Palermo - Parma
This will be the 16th meeting between Palermo and Parma in Serie A - the Ducali lead by six wins to three.
Palermo's last win against Parma was in December 2010 - since then, there have been three wins for Parma and a draw.
Palermo have lost their last three league games - the last time they lost four in a row was in March 2011.
Palermo conceded three goals in their last home game against Udinese, which was as many as they had shipped in their previous five fixtures at their ground.
Parma have failed to score in five of their last seven Serie A games.
Jonathan Biabiany has completed the joint-most dribbles so far in this competition (118, like Juan Guillermo Cuadrado).

Pescara - Fiorentina
Pescara and Fiorentina have met 11 times in Serie A - the Viola have won eight times, while Pescara have won only once.
Pescara's only win came in the reverse this season at the Franchi (2-0).
Pescara have taken only two points in the second half of the season - in fact, their last win came in Florence against the Viola back in January.
Pescara have lost their last eight home games, failing to score in six of these.
Fiorentina have won five of their last six league games, losing the other against Roma.
Vincenzo Montella's side have won their last three away games without conceding a single goal; their best away run since February 1998.
Pescara have already lost 27 games in this campaign; a record high amongst the top-5 European leagues.
Pescara have the worst defence (79 goals conceded) and the second-worst attack (26 scored) in Europe this season.
Luca Toni has scored eight goals in this campaign - all on home soil.

Roma - Napoli
Napoli have scored 148 goals in Serie A against Roma; their highest goals total against any opponent.
Roma have won only one of their last six meetings against Napoli in the league (3L 2D).
However, the Giallorossi have suffered only one defeat in their last 10 home meetings against the Partenopei; winning five.
Last Sunday's 0-0 at the San Siro against AC Milan was Roma's first goalless draw after 38 Serie A fixtures.
Roma didn't concede in three of their last four games. Indeed, they had kept only three clean sheets in 22 league games under Zeman.
Roma lost their last home game against Chievo (0-1), ending an unbeaten run of four wins and two draws.
Napoli have won their last five league fixtures - the last time they recorded six wins in a row in Serie A was in February 1988.
Away from home, Napoli have won three and drawn one of their last four games, averaging three goals per game.
Edinson Cavani has scored eight goals in Serie A against Roma, six of which in their last four meetings.
Marek Hamsik has made 14 assists this season; a league-high.

Sampdoria - Juventus
Juventus lead by 62 wins to 26 in Serie A against Sampdoria, with 37 draws.
Samp have lost only one of their last nine games against the Old Lady, but six of these games ended in a draw.
Samp are unbeaten in their last four meetings against Juve at home.
Sampdoria are winless in their last 10 league fixtures (6L); scoring only six goals in this run.
Samp have taken only one point from their last four home games in Serie A.
Drawing 1-1 against Cagliari, Juventus ended their nine-match winning run in Serie A. Indeed, they're still unbeaten in 12 matches.
Last Saturday, Víctor Ibarbo was the first player to score against Juventus in the opening 15 minutes of play in this campaign.
The Old Lady have won their last five away games in the league, keeping four clean sheets in the process.
Mauro Icardi scored a brace in the reverse fixture - with another goal, he would reach double figures for the first time in his career in Serie A.
Should Mirko Vucinic's score this weekend, it will be his 100th goal in the Italian leagues (94 in Serie A and 5 in Serie B).

Siena - AC Milan
Siena have won only one of their 17 previous meetings against AC Milan; the Rossoneri have won 14 times.
Siena have suffered more losses against the Rossoneri than any other Serie A opponent.
AC Milan have won their last eight meetings against Siena, scoring on average 2.75 goals per game.
Siena have lost their last five Serie A fixtures, scoring only one goal in the process.
AC Milan have taken 10 points from their last four league games.
AC Milan have lost only one of their last nine games on the road.
AC Milan have conceded the most headed goals in this Serie A campaign (14).
Mario Balotelli has scored 11 goals in 12 league appearances for AC Milan; the first time he has reached double figures in a Serie A campaign.
Balotelli is yet to recored an assist since joining AC Milan.
The Rossoneri are still unbeaten when Mario Balotelli has played (8W 4D).

Torino - Catania
Torino have suffered only one defeat in their last 10 meetings against Catania in Serie A, winning four.
The Granata are unbeaten at home against Catania in Serie A (7W 5D).
Catania have never scored more than a single goal at Torino's ground in Serie A.
Torino are winless in their last eight league games (3D 5L), taking just one point from the last four home games.
Catania have lost only one of their last seven fixtures (2W 4D), but have taken only two points from their last five away games.
Torino have lost 24 points from leading positions; a league-high.
Gonzalo Bergessio was directly involved in each of Catania's last six goals in the league (scoring 4 and making 2 assists).
Alessio Cerci scored Torino's last two goals in Serie A; equalling his record for goals scored in a single Serie A campaign (7).

12.05. (Sun) 20:45 Milan - Roma

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MILAN
Abbiati
Abate • Zapata • Mexès • Sciglio
Flamini • Muntari • Nocerino
Boateng • Balotelli • Shaarawy

ROMA
Lobonț
Torosidis • Marquinhos • Castan • Balzaretti
Bradley • Rossi • Florenzi
Lamela • Osvaldo • Totti

Back in November, not many people would have had AC Milan down as Champions League contenders with the Rossoneri languishing in mid-table, but their remarkable turnaround can be completed if they beat Roma on Sunday.

A win against the Giallorossi will ensure third place and a chance to qualify for Europe's premier competition as they enter the play-off round before the group stages next season.

Milan's Daniele Bonera, Luca Antonini and Riccardo Montolivo are all doubts for Sunday's clash and will be assessed beforehand.

Nigel de Jong and Bojan are unavailable, but there are no suspension concerns for coach Massimiliano Allegri. Mario Balotelli is expected to recover from a fever to take his place in the line-up but Giampaolo Pazzini could step up if necessary.

Roma, meanwhile, have one absentee in goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg which means Bogdan Lobont will get the nod, but there are no suspensions for Aurelio Andreazzoli to contend with as they continue their chase for a Europa League spot.

DID YOU KNOW?
On November 11, after a 3-1 loss to Fiorentina, AC Milan sat 13th in Serie A but since then 16 wins from a possible 24 have seen the Rossoneri storm to third.
Stephan El Shaarawy is the club's top scorer on 16 goals but has found the back of net just twice in his last 18 appearances.
The Rossoneri have only lost one of their last four encounters against Roma, but it was a 4-2 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico this season.
Roma sit in sixth place, two points off the Europa League places with two games to go. They do have the opportunity of European football elsewhere as they're in the Coppa Italia final with Lazio.
AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has been heavily linked with a move to the capital club, but the 45-year-old has denied such rumours.
Pablo Osvaldo is the club's top scorer this season with 16 goals.

Prediction
Both teams have everything to play for, but despite beating Fiorentina, Roma's 1-0 reverse to Chievo midweek has killed their momentum. Milan, meanwhile, have been formidable at home having not lost in their last 11 league matches at San Siro and it may just give them the upperhand in this one.

Editor's Prediction
Milan 2-1 Roma

12.05. (Sun) 15:00 Genoa - Inter

PROBABLE LINEUPS

GENOA
Frey
Granqvist • Portanova • Manfredini • Antonelli
Matuzalém
Kucka • Bertolacci
Rigoni
Borriello • Flores

INTER
Handanovič
Schelotto • Chivu • Pasa • Nagatomo
Cambiasso
Kovačić • Álvarez
Kuzmanović
Guarín • Rocchi

Despite a run of five matches without defeat, Genoa coach Davide Ballardini looks set to switch to a 4-1-2-1-2 formation from his tried-and-trusted 3-5-1-1 for the visit of Inter on Sunday.

As a result, two personnel changes from the midweek 0-0 draw with Torino see Emiliano Moretti and Mattia Cassani replaced by Andreas Granqvist and Antonio Floro Flores.

However, the Ligurian side will not be able to call on trio Cristobal Jorquera, Ruben Olivera and Damiano Ferronetti - all of whom have been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Meanwhile for the Nerazzurri, on the back of an alarming nine losses in their last 12 matches, they also make a series of alterations ahead of their trip to the Marassi, with Ezequiel Schelotto, Simone Pasa and Yuto Nagatomo incoming.

Regarding the club's well-documented list of absentees, Jonathan, Andrea Ranocchia, Gaby Mudingayi, Luca Castellazzi, Rodrigo Palacio, Dejan Stankovic and Walter Samuel are all doubtful and unlikely to be risked.

There is no change, though, for season-ending casaulties Javier Zanetti, Joel Obi, Diego Milito, Ibrahima Mbaye, Walter Gargano and Matias Silvestre, while Alvaro Pereira and Juan Jesus are suspended.

DID YOU KNOW?
Inter are unbeaten in their last 12 Serie A meetings with Genoa, winning eight and drawing four.
However, the Nerazzurri have lost each of their last three away league games, scoring just once.
Yuto Nagatomo has netted both his first and last Serie A goal against Genoa, respectively in March and December 2011.
Genoa have lost each of their last four home matches against Inter without scoring any goals.
Nonetheless, the Rossoblu are unbeaten in their last four home games in Serie A.
Striker Ciro Immobile scored his fifth and last league goal in the reverse fixture against Inter.

Prediction
They may be one of Serie A's present in-form teams, but Genoa's recovery has seen them pick up more draws than victories - the joint second-highest haul in the division - and that coupled with an Inter side who will be more than happy with a share of the spoils to end their run of defeats means a stalemate should be the order of the day in Liguria.

Editor's Prediction
Genoa 1-1 Inter

11.05. (Sat) 18:00 Juventus - Cagliari

PROBABLE LINEUPS

JUVENTUS
Buffon
Barzagli • Bonucci • Chiellini
Lichtsteiner • Vidal • Marchisio • Giaccherini • Peluso
Matri • Giovinco

CAGLIARI
Agazzi
Perico • Astori • Rossettini • Murru
Nainggolan • Conti • Ekdal
Ibarbo • Sau • Pinilla

Antonio Conte will be without suspended midfield duo Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba for Juventus' final home clash of the season against Cagliari on Saturday.

Andrea Barzagli is available for selection after serving a one-match suspension which kept him out of the 1-0 victory away at Atalanta while Leonardo Bonucci, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Claudio Marchisio, Gianluigi Buffon and Arturo Vidal should all return to the fold after being rested.

Alessandro Matri is expected to keep his place up front after scoring in midweek and the former Cagliari striker could be partnered with Sebastian Giovinco, although Nicolas Anelka and Nicklas Bendtner are also pushing for starts.

As for Cagliari, Mauricio Pinilla returns after his initial three-game ban was reduced to two matches and Albin Ekdal could start against his former employers.

However, the game comes too soon for Francesco Pisano and Matias Cabrera who remain sidelined through injury.

DID YOU KNOW?
Juventus have won their last five Serie A matches without conceding a single goal.
Cagliari have only scored in three of their last eight league matches.
In the reverse fixture back in September, the Old Lady emerged 3-1 victors with a late double from Alessandro Matri and a goal from Mirko Vucinic, after Mauricio Pinilla had given the Sardinians a first-half lead.
Saturday's showdown will be the 66th time that the two sides have met in Serie A. Juventus have won on 30 occasions, losing 11 matches and drawing 24 times.
Alessandro Matri scored 38 goals in 131 appearances for the Rossoblu before his €15.5 million transfer to Juventus in 2011.
Marco Sau is Cagliari's leading Serie A marksman with twelve goals. Arturo Vidal's recent goalscoring spree has propelled him to the top of the Bianconeri's standings with ten.

Prediction
Cagliari are experiencing an end-of-season slump, having secured only five points from a possible last 18. Juventus, however, are in fine form with nine league wins on the bounce, conceding only two goals in the process. Conte's side are bidding for their highest-ever points total and they should have enough firepower to see off the Sardinian challenge and claim a 20th Serie A clean sheet of the season.

Editor's Prediction
Juventus 2-0 Cagliari

Serie A Facts 9th May

Catania - Pescara
This will be the second meeting between Catania and Pescara in Serie A. The Delfini won the reverse fixture 2-1.
These two teams have met 20 times in Serie B: Catania lead by five wins to four, 11 draws.
Catania have won each of their last four Serie B home games against Pescara.
Catania have won only once in their last seven Serie A match-days (four draws, two losses).
The Etnei have lost only one of their last 10 league games (2-3 vs Inter), winning six games in the process.
Pescara have picked up only two points in their last 17 Serie A match-days, both away from home.
The Dolphins have conceded four or more goals in six league games this season.
Rômulto Togni scored his first Serie A goal vs Catania in the reverse fixture.
Pescara have conceded 78 goals so far in this Serie A campaign. The last to concede more in a single season in the top-flight were Padova in 1995/96 (79 goals shipped).

Chievo - Torino
This will be the 10th Serie A meeting between Chievo and Torino. Both sides have won three meetings, drawing the other three.
Chievo have won only once in their last five Serie A matches against Torino (2D, 2L).
Chievo are unbeaten at home agains Torino in the top-flight (three wins followed by a draw).
Despite scoring only two goals in their last five Serie A fixtures, Chievo have obtained two wins (both 1-0) and two draws (both 0-0) over this period.
The Gialloblu have failed to score in each of their last four home league games (two goalless draw and two 0-1 defeats).
Chievo have won only one of their last eight Serie A games at the Bentegodi (2-0 vs Napoli).
Torino are without a win in their last seven match-days (2D, 5L), failing to score in the last three.
The Granata have drawn 0-0 seven times in Serie A this season, more than any other side.
Torino have picked up just two points in their last seven Serie A games away from home, conceding at least one goal in each of these fixtures.
Alessio Cerci scored his first Serie A goal vs Chievo, while playing for Fiorentina.

Fiorentina - Palermo
Fiorentina and Palermo have met 51 times in Serie A so far: the Viola lead by 28 wins to 14, with nine draws.
The last five meetings between these two sides in the top-flight have not seen the same result twice in a row. In the reverse fixture, Fiorentina won 3-0 at the Barbera.
Since 2004/05, Palermo have won all of their league meetings against the Viola played at the Franchi in which they have scored at least one goal (four out of eight matches).
Fiorentina have won four of their last five Serie A fixtures, losing the other.
Fiorentina have lost just one of their last eight home league games, the last played at the Franchi (0-1 vs Roma).
However, the Viola have conceded goals in each of their last six home league games.
Palermo have lost their last two league games in a row. Prior to these, they had been unbeaten in five consecutive league games (3W, 2D).
Palermo have won only one of their last 22 away league games between this and the last season, losing 12 times.
Luca Toni, ex Palermo striker, has failed to score in his six appearances against his former side.
Gonzalo Rodríguez has scored six goals this season in Serie A, more than any other defender across the top-5 European leagues.

Genoa - Inter
This will be the 92nd meeting between Genoa and Inter. The Nerazzurri lead by 46 wins to 17, 28 draws complete the record.
Inter are unbeaten in ther last 12 Serie A meetings against Genoa, winning eight and drawing four.
Genoa have lost each of their last four home league meetings against Inter, without scoring any goals in the process.
Genoa are unbeaten in their last five Serie A fixtures (2W, 3D).
The Rossoblu are unbeaten in their last four home games in Serie A: three draws followed by a 4-1 win against Pescara.
Inter have lost five of their last six Serie A games, including the last three.
The Nerazzurri have lost each of their last three away league games, scoring just one goal.
Ciro Immobile scored his fifth and last Serie A goal in the reverse fixture against Inter.
Yuto Nagatomo has netted both his first and last Serie A goal against Genoa, respectively in March and December 2011.

Juventus - Cagliari
These two sides have met 65 times in Serie A so far. The Vecchia Signora lead by 30 wins to 11, with 24 draws to complete the score.
Cagliari's last win in Serie A against Juventus came in November 2009. Since then, they have lost five times in the league against the Bianconeri, drawing once.
That 2-0 win was the only clean sheet kept by the Sardinians in their last 17 league meetings against the Bianconeri.
Cagliari have won just twice (November 1968 and January 2009) in their 32 Serie A meetings against Juventus at Turin.
Juventus have won their last nine league games in a row. They have managed only once to win 10 consecutive Serie A games in the same season, in 1931/32.
Juventus are unbeaten in their last eight home league games and have won each of the last six, keeping five clean sheets in the process.
Cagliari have picked up only one point in the last four Serie A match-days, failing to score in each of the last three.
Cagliari are winless in their last five Serie A away games: three 0-0 draws and two defeats.
Alessandro Matri has scored two braces in four league appearances against his former side Cagliari since ha moved to Juventus.
Mirko Vucinic has found the net in each of his last three Serie A appearances against Cagliari.

Lazio - Sampdoria
This will be the 110th meeting between these two sides in Serie A. The Biancocelesti lead by 50 wins to 28, with 31 draws.
Lazio have beaten Sampdoria more times than any other side in their Serie A history.
Lazio have won their last two league meetings against Sampdoria, both 1-0. Prior to these, they had picked up only one point in the previous four matches against the Blucerchiati.
Sampdoria have won none of their six league games against Lazio at the Olimpico since January 2005, picking up only one point.
Lazio have won two league games in a row, after they had failed to win the previous four (2D, 2L).
The Biancocelesti have scored nine goals in these two games, one more than they had netted in their previous 13 league fixtures.
Sampdoria are winless in the last nine Serie A match-days (4D, 5L) and have failed to score more than one goal in each of the last 10.
Sampdoria are without a win in their last eight Serie A games on the road, losing three and drawing five.
These two sides are the only two to have won by 6-0 in this Serie A campaign (Lazio against Bologna last Sunday, Sampdoria against Pescara).
Maxi López scored his first Serie A goal against Lazio at the Olimpico in February 2010, while he was playing for Catania.

Milan - Roma
These two teams have met 155 times in Serie A. The Rossoneri lead by 71 wins to 39, with 45 draws.
AC Milan have beaten Roma more times than any other side in Serie A.
However, the Rossoneri have won just three of their last 13 league games against Roma, with the Giallorossi winning six times.
Roma have won four of their last six Serie A meetings against AC Milan at the San Siro, losing the other two.
Roma have scored in each of their last eight league matches against the Rossoneri away from home.
AC Milan have won their last three Serie A match-days in a row, and lost only one of the last 18 (12 wins).
AC Milan have won 10 of their last 11 home league games, drawing the other against Napoli.
The Rossoneri have scored at least one goal in each of their last 14 Serie A home fixtures.
Roma have not scored more than one goal in any of their last six league games.
Roma have won the last two league away games vs Torino and Fiorentina. The Giallorossi are yet to win three consecutive away games in this campaign.
Mario Balotelli has scored 11 goals in 11 Serie A appearances since joining AC Milan. Only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (13 apiece) have netted more goals over this period across the top-5 European leagues.

Napoli - Siena
This will be the 10th Serie A meeting between these two sides. Napoli have won four times and drawn as many times so far, losing just once against Siena in the top-flight.
Siena's only win against Napoli came back in May 2009. Since then, the Partenopei have won three times, drawing twice.
Napoli are unbeaten against Siena at the San Paolo in Serie A: one draw followed by three consecutive wins.
Napoli have won their last four league games in a row, scoring three goals in each of these.
The Azzurri have won seven of their last eight league fixtures, drawing the other.
The Partenopei at home in Serie A in 2013: seven wins (including the last four home fixtures) and two draws.
The Partenopei have netted at least one goal in 25 of their last 26 league home games, failing to score only against Sampdoria last February.
Siena have lost their last four league games without scoring a single goal.
Siena have lost the last two Serie A away games, conceding seven goals and scoring none.
The Bianconeri have conceded a goal in each of their last 11 away league games.
Goran Pandev's first appearance in Serie A was back in November 2003 against Siena, when he used to play for Ancona.
Alessandro Rosina has scored three goals in Serie A against Napoli, his joint-best tally in the Italian top-flight.
Marek Hamsik is the second player to reach double figures for both goals and assists (10+14) in Serie A this season, after Francesco Totti.

Parma - Bologna
This will be the 28th derby between Parma and Bologna in Serie A. The Gialloblu lead by nine wins to eight, 10 draws complete the record.
Bologna are winless against Parma in the league since April 2010. Since then, there have been three consecutive 0-0 draws, followed by two wins for the Ducali.
Bologna have managed to score only one goal in their last five Serie A meetings against Parma (1-2 loss in the reverse fixture).
Bologna have won only twice in their 13 Serie A matches away to Parma, both 2-1.
Parma have not conceded goals in their last three Serie A games: a 0-0 draw followed by two wins.
Parma have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four home league fixtures.
Bologna are without a win in their last eight league games and have lost the last two without scoring.
The Rossoblu have conceded nine goals in their last two Serie A games, as many as they had shipped in the previous 10.
Bologna are winless in their last four league fixtures away from the Dall'Ara (three consecutive draws followed by a loss away to Lazio).
Their 0-6 defeat against Lazio was the worst Serie A loss for Bologna since May 1991 (0-6 at the San Siro against AC Milan).

Udinese - Atalanta
These two teams have met 57 times in Serie A so far. The Friulani lead by 22 wins to 16.
Only against Lazio (23 times) have Udinese won more times than against Atalanta in the top-flight.
The last four Serie A meetings between these two sides have ended with a draw: three times 1-1 and one goalless draw in the reverse fixture.
Prior to their draw in their last meeting at the Friuli, these two sides hadn't shared the points at Udinese's home since November 1993 (since then, seven wins for the hosts and four for the guests).
Udinese have managed to win six Serie A games in a row for the second time in their history. They have never won seven consecutive games in the top-flight.
The friulani have won the last three home league fixtures. Only Juventus have managed to win away to Udinese in this campaign so far.
Atalanta are winless in their last five Serie A match-days (2D, 3L), scoring only two goals in the process.
Atalanta have conceded at least one goal in 12 of their last 13 away matches.

08.05. (Wed) 20:45 Atalanta - Juventus

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ATALANTA
Consigli
Ferri • Stendardo • Lucchini • Grosso
Giorgi • Biondini • Cigarini • Moralez
Livaja
Denis

JUVENTUS
Storari
Cáceres • Bonucci • Peluso
Isla • Padoin • Pirlo • Giaccherini • Ceglie
Giovinco • Matri

Atalanta defender Stefano Lucchini is doubtful to face Juventus on Wednesday after picking up a thigh injury in the defeat at Parma, although it is hoped he will be fit in time.

Cristiano Del Grosso, James Troisi and Facundo Parra are all available after spells on the sidelines and Marko Livaja returns from suspension.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba will miss the rest of the season after incurring a three-match ban for spitting in his side's 1-0 win over Palermo, while defender Andrea Barzagli serves a one-match suspension for accumulating five yellow cards.

Boss Antonio Conte is likely to make changes to give his squad players some game time before the end of the season, with Alessandro Matri, Federico Peluso and goalkeeper Marco Storari all pushing for a place in the side.

DID YOU KNOW?

Atalanta are on a four-match winless run in Serie A (D2, L2).

The Bergamo club have lost their last five meetings with Juventus.

Atalanta's last win over Juve in Serie A came in February 2001.

Juventus have won their last eight games in Serie A - their longest winning sequence since April 2012.

The Bianconeri have won their last four matches without conceding a goal.

Arturo Vidal has scored five goals in his last four league outings.

Prediction
Atalanta have virtually secured their top-flight status for next season and the visitors also have little to play for after wrapping up the league title on Sunday. The home side will fancy their chances of getting the draw they need to reach the elusive 40-point mark for the campaign.

Editor's Prediction
Atalanta 0-0 Juventus

08.05. (Wed) 18:00 Pescara - Milan

PROBABLE LINEUPS

PESCARA
Perin
Zanon • Capuano • Bocchetti • Balzano
Rizzo • Togni • Sculli
Cascione
Celik • Sforzini

MILAN
Abbiati
Abate • Bonera • Mexès • Sciglio
Flamini • Muntari • Nocerino
Pazzini • Balotelli • Shaarawy

AC Milan's grip on the last remaining Champions League spot became a little more vice-like following their victory over Torino and fourth-placed Fiorentina's slip-up to Roma, and the Rossoneri will be desperate to take three points against Serie B-bound basement boys Pescara ahead of Sunday's decisive clash against the Giallorossi.

However, on Wednesday they will have to do without the services of the suspended Kevin-Prince Boateng, while other midfielders Riccardo Montolivo and Massimo Ambrosini will face late fitness tests to decide their availability.

Midfield enforcer Nigel de Jong remains sidelined, as is forward Bojan.

Meanwhile, Christian Bucchi's side are without a number of regulars with goalkeeper Ivan Pelizzoli, midfielders Gaetano D'Agostino, Francesco Modesto, Juan Quintero and forward Gianluca Capriari all missing for the hosts, although defender Per Kroldrup could return from injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pescara's hopes of staying in Serie A next season were dashed on Sunday when they were beaten 4-1 by Genoa.

The Delfini have gone 16 games without a victory and have only won once in 2013 when they beat Fiorentina 2-0 back in January.

The hosts have lost 10 of their last 11 games against Milan.

Milan are four points better off than fourth-placed Fiorentina with only three matches remaining. The Viola face Pescara on the last day of the season.

Rossoneri forward Mario Balotelli has notched nine league goals in 10 games since returning to Serie A in January.

You have to go as far back as 1979 for the first and only time Milan have lost to Pescara.

Prediction
The hosts have been condemned to Serie B football next year and the disappointment is not going to end when Milan come to town. They've not won in 16 games and although they will be playing for pride, it will be unsurprising to see them lose again on Wednesday.

Editor's Prediction
Pescara 0-3 Milan

Serie A 2012-13 – Week 36

Atalanta - Juventus
Juventus lead by 55 wins to 11 in the head to head against Atalanta in Serie A, with 35 draws.
The Old Lady are unbeaten in their last 16 meetings against Atalanta (14W 2 D).
Atalanta have conceded in each of their last 20 league meetings against Juve.
The Bianconeri have won their last five visits to Atalanta at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, scoring 16 goals in the process.
Atalanta are winless in their last four league fixtures (2D 2L).
Atalanta have won only one of their last nine home games in the league, losing three in the process.
Juventus have picked-up 83 points after 35 matches - this is their best ever record in Serie A.
The Bianconeri have won eight games in a row in Serie A, conceding only six goals in the process.
Away from home, Antonio Conte's side are on a run of four consecutive wins, scoring two goals in each of these games.
Arturo Vidal has become the first Juve player to score 10 goals in this campaign, thanks to the penalty converted last Sunday against Palermo.
Fabio Quagliarella has already scored eight goals in 11 previous appearances against Atalanta in Serie A - his favourite opponent in this competition.

Bologna - Napoli
This will be the 110th meeting between Bologna and Napoli in Serie A - Bologna lead by 38 wins to 36.
Over their last 10 Serie A meetings, the two sides have four wins apiece and two draws.
These two sides haven't drawn in their last nine meetings at the Dall'Ara, with the hosts winning six times.
Bologna are winless in their last seven league games (5D 2L).
Bologna have lost only one of their last eight home fixtures, winning three of these.
Napoli are unbeaten in their last seven league games, winning six of these - the Partenopei have bagged 20 goals in the process.
Napoli have lost only one of their last nine away games - four wins and four draws complete their record.
Bologna have recouped the most points from losing positions this season (17).
Napoli have scored the most goals from outside the box from open play so far (12).
Scoring a hat-trick against Inter, Edinson Cavani has equalled his record of goals scored in a single Serie A campaign - 26.
Cavani has netted seven hat-tricks so far in Italy, all at home soil.

Cagliari - Parma
Parma have beaten Cagliari 16 times in Serie A - more than any other opponent so far in the top-flight.
Parma are unbeaten in their last four meetings against Cagliari (2W 2D).
However, Cagliari are unbeaten at home against Parma since March 2000 - since then, they've recorded three wins and four draws when they've hosted the Ducali.
Cagliari have won only one of their last five Serie A fixtures, losing two and drawing two, including last Saturday's 0-0 against Chievo.
Losing against Udinese, the Sardinians have ended an unbeaten run of seven home games in the league (5W 2D).
Parma got back to winning ways last Sunday against Atalanta, after losing four games in a row without scoring a goal in the league.
Parma have collected only two points from their last seven games on the road, failing to score in their last four away from home.
Parma and Chievo have lost the fewest points from leading situations in this campaign (4).
Only two teams are yet to score in the opening 15 minutes of play - they're Parma and Sampdoria.
Jaime Valdés has netted three goals in Serie A against Cagliari - more than any other opponent.

Inter - Lazio
This will be the 140th meeting between Inter and Lazio in the top-flight - the Nerazzurri lead by 57 wins to 31.
Inter have drawn more times against Lazio than any other side in Serie A (51).
However, these two sides have drawn only once in their last 14 meetings in Serie A, with 10 wins for the Nerazzurri and three for the Biancocelesti.
After drawing the previous six, Inter have won their last seven home games against Lazio. Indeed, Lazio's last win at the San Siro against Inter came back in October 1998 (5-3).
Inter haven't drawn any of their last nine league games (3W 6L).
Inter won their last home game against Parma - previously, they had picked up only one point from four home fixtures in the league.
Lazio scored six goals last Sunday against Bologna, as many as they had netted over their previous 11 fixtures in Serie A.
Lazio are winless in their last eight games on the road (five losses), and have netted only one goal over the last six.
Miroslav Klose scored five goals last Sunday against Bologna; becoming the first player to score five goals in a Serie A match since Roberto Pruzzo for Roma in Fenruary 1986.
Hernanes has scored six goals from outside the box this term - a joint-high in Serie A alongside Gökhan Inler.

Palermo - Udinese
These two sides have met 31 times in Serie A so far: Udinese lead by 12 wins to 11, with eight draws.
Udinese are unbeaten in Serie A against Palermo since October 2009. Over the last six meetings, the Friulani have four wins (2D).
Udinese's last win at the Barbera was the 7-0 thrashing recorded in February 2011; Palermo's worst ever home defeat in Serie A.
Losing to Juventus on Sunday, Palermo ended their five-game unbeaten run in the league (3 W 2D).
The Sicilians have taken seven points from their last three home games.
Udinese have won five league games in a row, conceding only one goal in the process.
Udinese have taken 21 points from their last 10 Serie A matches; only Juventus have done better in this period (28 points).
Udinese have won three of their last four away games in Serie A, without conceding any goal.
59% of Udinese's goals in this Serie A (29 out of 49) have been scored by either Antonio Di Natale or Luis Muriel.
This is the fourth consecutive season that Di Natale reached 20 goals scored in Serie A.
Di Natale has scored six goals in his last five league appearances against Palermo.

Pescara - AC Milan
AC Milan have won 10 of their 11 previous meetings against Pescara in Serie A, losing just once.
Pescara have conceded more goals against AC Milan than any other side (34)
Pescara's only win against the Rossoneri came in March 1978 - since then the Abruzzesi have conceded an average of 3.6 goals per game against AC Milan.
Pescara have conceded 74 goals this term; the last team to concede more in Serie A was Napoli in 1997/98.
Pescara have collected only two points from their last 16 fixtures, conceding in each fixture.
Pescara have lost their last seven home games, finding the net only in two of these.
AC Milan have lost only one of their last 17 games in Serie A (11W 5D).
The Rossoneri have scored the most goals in the final 15 minutes of play (22).
Pescara have conceded 40 goals in the second half; more than AC Milan have conceded all season.
AC Milan have won six of the seven games in which Mario Balotelli has scored, drawing the other one.

Roma - Chievo
This will be the 22nd meeting between Roma and Chievo in Serie A - the Giallorossi lead by 10 wins to two, with nine draws.
Roma lost their last game against Chievo back in December, ending an unbeaten run that lasted for 17 games (8W 9D).
Chievo have scored only one goal in their last six visits to Roma at the Olimpico.
Roma have suffered just one loss in the last 11 Serie A matches and are unbeaten in their last five games.
At home, the Giallorossi have recorded four wins and two draws in their last six games.
Roma have kept two consecutive clean sheets against Fiorentina and Siena; the last time they didn't concede for three games in a row was in November 2010.
Chievo have won only one of their last six league games (2D 3L), scoring just two goals in the process.
Chievo remain the only side yet to draw away from home this Serie A season (5W 12L).
Roma have scored the most headed goals this campaign (17).
Five of Roma's last eight goals in the league have been scored by Pablo Osvaldo.

Sampdoria - Catania
Sampdoria and Catania have met 29 times in Serie A - the Blucerchiati lead by 15 wins to 10, with only four draws.
Only against Genoa (11 times) Catania have won more than against Sampdoria in the top-flight.
Samp have won only one of their last six games against Catania in Serie A, with the Sicilians winning three times.
Catania's last win at Sampdoria's ground came back in 1964. In the ensuing eight meetings at the Marassi, the hosts have won six times (2D).
Samp are winless in their last eight league games (5L 3D), losing their last three at home.
This is Catania's best Serie A campaign; 51 points in 35 games.
Catania got back to winning ways last Sunday against Siena, after a winless run of three draws and two losses.
The Sicilians have taken just one point from their last four away games in Serie A.
Last Sunday against Siena, Gonzalo Bergessio scored his first Serie A hat-trick, taking his current tally for this season to 12 goals; as many as he had netted in his two previous Serie A campaigns.

Siena - Fiorentina
Siena and Fiorentina have met 15 times in Serie A - the Viola lead by eight wins to three.
Fiorentina are unbeaten in their last six league meetings against Siena (2D 4W).
Siena have never scored more than a single goal in any of their league meetings against Fiorentina.
Siena have lost their last three Serie A games without scoring a single goal - previously the Tuscans were unbeaten for five games (2W 3D).
Siena are winless in their last four home games (2D 2L), failing to score in each of those games.
Last Saturday, Roma were the first team to prevent Fiorentina from scoring after 10 Serie A fixtures in which they had netted 24 goals overall.
That loss against Roma also ended a run of three wins in a row for the Viola in Serie A.
Fiorentina have won three of their last four away games in the league.
Luca Toni has already scored six goals in Serie A against Siena, including five for the Viola.

Torino - Genoa
This will be the 82nd meeting between these two sides in Serie A - the Granata lead by 30 wins to 27.
Genoa are unbeaten in their last eight meetings against Torino in the league (4W 4D).
Genoa have won only one of their last 29 games in Turin against the Granata, losing 19 times. However, that win came in their last visit to Torino in May 2009.
Torino have picked up only one point from their last six league fixtures, losing the last four.
The Granata have lost their last three home games; the last time they lost four in a row at their ground was in April 2008.
Genoa are unbeaten in their last four league games; two draws, followed by two wins.
The Grifoni have won back-to-back games for the first time this campaign; the last time they won three in a row in Serie A was in September 2009.
Before beating Chievo in Verona, Genoa had recorded five losses and four draws away from home in the league.
Paulo Barreto has scored a goal in three of his previous four appearances against Genoa in Serie A.

05.05. (Sun) 20:45 Napoli - Inter

PROBABLE LINEUPS

NAPOLI
Sanctis
Campagnaro • Cannavaro • Britos
Zúñiga • Džemaili • Behrami • Maggio
Hamšík
Cavani • Pandev

INTER
Handanovič
Ranocchia • Chivu • Juan
Jonathan • Benassi • Kovačić • Kuzmanović • Pereira
Álvarez • Rocchi

Stadio San Paolo will play host to two teams of contrasting fortunes on Sunday. While Inter must surely be praying for the season to end given their incredible injury list, Napoli sit on the brink of confirming a very respectable second place finish.

The hosts appeared to be genuine challengers to Juventus for the Serie A crown for much of the season, before the Bianconeri opened up an 11-point gap at the top of the table.

But Napoli's own sizeable lead over third-placed AC Milan means they are close to sealing second spot and Champions League football next term.

They are able to boast a clean bill of health this weekend, but sadly the Nerazzurri cannot say the same. Captain Javier Zanetti (Achilles) the latest to fall foul of the injury curse that hovers over San Siro.

DID YOU KNOW?

Napoli are seven points clear of third-placed AC Milan and look set to finish runners-up to champions in waiting Juventus.

The Partenopei have plenty to thank star man Edinson Cavani for this season - he has 23 goals to his name, making him their top scorer.

Walter Mazzarri's men have won four of their last five games - with only a 1-1 draw with AC Milan halting them in their tracks.

Inter have won just one of their last five Serie A games and lost to Palermo in their last outing.

The Nerazzurri are without 11 first-team regulars after Javier Zanetti was ruled out for the rest of the season with an Achilles injury.

Inter's top goalscorer so far this season is Rodrigo Palacio - but he remains on the sidelines.

Prediction
Napoli have won four of their last five - Inter have lost four of their last five. That can only mean one thing, a convincing home win and another blow to the Nerazzurri's fading hopes of securing European football next season.

Editor's Prediction
Napoli 3-1 Inter

05.05. (Sun) 15:00 Juventus - Palermo

PROBABLE LINEUPS

JUVENTUS
Buffon
Barzagli • Bonucci • Chiellini
Lichtsteiner • Vidal • Pirlo • Pogba • Asamoah
Marchisio
Vučinić

PALERMO
Sorrentino
Bergen • Donati • Aronica
Nélson • Barreto • Arévalo • Kurtič • García
Hernández • Miccoli

A full-strength Juventus side know they are just a point away from clinching the Serie A title against a relegation-threatened Palermo outfit, but it would be premature for the Bianconeri to be popping the champagne just yet, though, as the visitors are in desperate need of the points.

Antonio Conte will continue to play his 3-5-1-1 formation with Claudio Marchisio playing in behind striker Mirko Vucinic which has brought the champions much joy in recent weeks, while it is the usual back three trio for the hosts.

Giuseppe Sannino's men have enjoyed a mini-revival as they hope to avoid the dreaded drop to Serie B, but there are concerns over in-form attacker Josip Ilicic who faces a race against time to be fit for the clash.

Defender Andrea Mantovani is unavailable while Michel Morganella is suspended.

DID YOU KNOW?

Juventus are just a point away from landing back-to-back Scudettos. They are 11 points clear of Napoli with four games to play.

The Bianconeri are on a seven-game winning run and have not conceded in over 270 minutes of Serie A football.

Antonio Conte's men have won their last three games against Sunday's visitors and have not conceded during this time.

Palermo are unbeaten in their last five matches with wins over Roma, Sampdoria and Inter included in that run. They sit in 17th place level with Genoa (18) on 32 points.

Attacker Josip Ilicic has scored five in his last five games for the Rosanero.

Striker Fabrizio Miccoli has netted six times in Serie A and is a former Juventus player.

Prediction
Juventus just need a point in this match to win the Scudetto, but in truth it would be surprising if they did not get all three. The Rosanero will be buoyed by the string of performances they have put together in recent weeks, but the Bianconeri will have too much for the visitors.

Editor's Prediction
Juventus 2-0 Palermo

05.05. (Sun) 15:00 Milan - Torino

PROBABLE LINEUPS

AC MILAN
Abbiati
Abate • Bonera • Mexès • Sciglio
Flamini • Muntari • Nocerino
Boateng • Balotelli • Shaarawy

TORINO
Gillet
Darmian • Cesare • Ogbonna • Masiello
Brighi • Basha
Cerci • Vives • Santana
Barreto

AC Milan could be without Riccardo Montolivo (hamstring) for the visit of Torino to San Siro after the midfielder picked up an injury in training this week, while Giampaolo Pazzini's heroics last weekend are unlikely to see him force his way into the team at the expense of Mario Balotelli.

The Rossoneri also look set to be without on-loan striker Bojan Krkic for the end of season run-in after the 22-year-old sustained a thigh injury, but there is better news for Massimiliano Allegri at the back as Christian Abbiati could return to take his place between the sticks.

Meanwhile, opposition coach Giampiero Ventura has a juggling act to perform as he contemplates resting players for his side’s vital relegation clash with Genoa, just three days after his side visit Milan.

Strikers Rolando Bianchi and Riccardo Meggiorini started the Turin derby against Juventus last weekend but both could be rested on Sunday, with Udinese loanee Paulo Barreto taking up the lone forward role.

Valerio Di Cesare is expected to deputise in central defence for the suspended Kamil Glik after the Pole was sent off in last weekend’s derby defeat.

DID YOU KNOW?

AC Milan have scored in every home match they have played in 2013, notching 20 goals in nine games at San Siro.

The Rossoneri could have a big impact on this season’s Serie A relegation battle as Allegri’s men have to play three of the bottom five sides in their final four matches.

Right-back Ignazio Abate signed for Milan from Torino back in 2009 having played 25 games for the Turin outfit.

This season’s reverse fixture saw Milan come from behind in Turin to beat Ventura’s side 4-2 in a game that was overshadowed by a season-ending injury to Nigel de Jong.

Torino have only picked up one win in their last nine matches in Serie A, a run that has seen them slip into a relegation dogfight.

Ventura’s men have been draw specialists on the road this season, with nine matches finishing all square on their travels - more than any other club in the division.

Prediction
Milan have been on an unstoppable run in the second half of the season and few in Serie A have been able to find an answer to the Rossoneri's new look front three, spearheaded by Mario Balotelli. Torino on the other hand have had a woeful time of things since January and having looked comfortable for most of the season, Ventura's side are now on the brink of an almighty relegation scrap. It doesn't look like things will get any better for them at the Giuseppe Meazza either and I fully expect the home side to pick up a comfortable three points.

Editor's Prediction
Milan 3-1 Torino

Serie A 2012-13 - Week 35

Catania - Siena
There is a perfect balance in the 11 previous Serie A meetings between Catania and Siena: two wins apiece and seven draws.
Catania's two wins have come in the last two league matches between these two sides, both away from home.
In fact, Catania have never won against Siena at home in the top-flight (four draws and a win for the guests).
Catania are winless in the last five Serie A match-days (3D, 2L) and have won only one of their last eight league fixtures.
The Sicilians have lost only one of their last nine home league games (5W, 3D), but have drawn both the last two.
Siena have lost their last two Serie A games without scoring a goal. Prior to these, they were unbeaten in their last five league matches (2W, 3D).
The Tuscans have won two of their last four away league games, losing just once.
However, the Bianconeri have conceded goals in each of their last 10 league games on the road, shipping 23 goals in the process.
Catania and Siena have drawn 0-0 the joint-most times in this Serie A season (six, alongside Torino).
Nicola Legrottaglie has scored 22 goals in Serie A, the most amongst defenders currently playing in the Italian top-flight.

Chievo - Cagliari
Chievo have lost only once in their last eight Serie A meetings against Cagliari, winning four times in the process.
Chievo have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five league encounters against the Sardinians, but have conceded four goals in the other one.
Chievo are unbeaten in their seven home meetings with Cagliari in the top-flight (three wins, four draws).
The "Flying Donkeys" have kept a clean sheet in four of the last seven Serie A match-days (3W, 1D, 3L).
The Gialloblu have failed to score in each of their last three home league fixtures (a 0-0 draw and two 0-1 defeats).
Cagliari have lost their last two Serie A games. Prior to these, they were unbeaten in their last five league fixtures (3W, 2D).
The Sardinians have won only two of their last 12 away league games, losing six times.
Prior to their 2-3 loss away to Napoli, Cagliari had failed to score in their previous three league games on the road.
Cagliari have conceded 38 goals in the second half of games, the joint-most so far in this Serie A campaign.
Cyril Théréau has scored one goal in three of his four league games against Cagliari, his favourite target in Serie A.

Fiorentina - Roma
Fiorentina and Roma have shared the points just once in their last 10 Serie A meetings: six wins for the Giallorossi, three for the Viola.
Roma have won only one of their last seven trips to Florence in Serie A, losing twice and drawing four times.
Fiorentina are unbeaten in their last four Serie A match-days and have won the last three in a row.
The Viola have found the net in each of their last 10 league fixtures, scoring on average 2.4 goals per game - the highest average in Serie A over this period.
Fiorentina are unbeaten in their last seven home league games (five wins and two draws).
Roma have lost only one of their last 10 league games and are unbeaten in the last four.
The Giallorossi won their last away league game: the last time they won two consecutive games on the road in Serie A was last December.
These two sides have scored the joint-most goals in the second half of games (33 apiece).
Fiorentina have scored the most set-piece goals in this Serie A season, 30 (including penalties).
Francesco Totti has netted five goals in his last three league appearances against Fiorentina. He has scored 13 goals in total against the Viola in Serie A.
Adem Ljajic has been directly involved in 11 goals over the last 10 Serie A match-days (seven scored, four assisted), at least three more than any other player over this period.

Genoa - Pescara
In the reverse fixture of this Serie A campaign, Pescara won their first Serie A match against Genoa, after three wins for the Rossoblu and a draw.
Genoa have won both their home matches played against Pescara in Serie A: 1-0 in December 1977 and 4-3 in October 1992.
After eight games without any win (4D, 4L), Genoa beat Chievo in the last match-day.
The Rossoblu have drawn each of their last three home league games (vs Siena, Sampdoria and Atalanta).
Pescara have collected only two points in their last 15 Serie A games, failing to score in nine of those encounters.
Pescara are winless in their last eight league games away from home (2D, 6L), finding the net four times and conceding 19 goals in the process.
Pescara have conceded 70 goals in the league this season, the worst tally after 34 Serie A match-days since 1997/98, when Napoli and Lecce shipped respectively 76 and 72 goals.
The Dolphins have recouped only one point from trailing situations in this Serie A season - a league-low - losing 24 of the 25 games in which they have been behind.
Genoa have recorded the worst passing accuracy in Serie A this season (76%).
Pescara are the only current Serie A team that Marco Borriello has never scored against.

Juventus - Palermo
Juventus have won their last three clashes with Palermo in Serie A, without conceding a goal. Prior to those three meetings, the Rosanero won four times in a row.
Juventus and Palermo haven't shared the points in any of their last 14 Serie A meetings: both teams have won seven games in this run.
Palermo have won three of their last four games played in Turin against Juventus.
Juventus have won their last seven league fixtures, their best winning streak in Serie A this season.
Juventus have failed to score only once in their last 20 Serie games (a 0-1 loss away from home against Roma).
Antonio Conte's side have won each of their last five home games in Serie A, conceding only one goal in the process.
Palermo haven't lost any of their last five Serie A matches (3W, 2D). The last time that the Rosanero went unbeaten for six consecutive league games was in 2010.
Since Giuseppe Sannino came back in charge for Palermo (six matches), the Sicilians have picked up an average of 1.8 points per game. In their 25 fixtures without him this season, they had collected 0.8 points per game.
Juventus have conceded only six goals in the first half of their league matches this season, fewer than any other side. The Bianconeri are also the only team yet to concede a single goal in the opening 15 minutes of play this term.
Josip Ilicic has scored in each of Palermo's last five games in Serie A.
Mirko Vucinic has netted four goals in Serie A against Palermo, but only one in his last 10 appearances against the Sicilians.

Lazio - Bologna
The last five meetings between Lazio and Bologna in Serie A have not seen the same result twice in a row.
Bologna won the last match played at the Olimpico against Lazio. Prior to this, the Biancocelesti hadn't lost for 11 consecutive league meeting with the Felsinei.
Lazio have failed to score in their last three Serie A games, finding the net in only two of their last eight league fixtures.
Vladimir Petkovic's side have won only two of their last six home games in Serie A.
Bologna have drawn each of their last five league games, their longest drawing run since December 2008.
The Rossoblu are unbeaten in their last four away league games (a win at the San Siro against Inter, followed by three consecutive draws).
Bologna have gained 17 points from losing situations in this Serie A season, more than any other side.
Lazio have scored the joint-fewest goals in the second half of games in this Serie A season (17, along with Palermo and Pescara).
Alberto Gilardino has netted five goals against Lazio in Serie A. However, only one of those goals has been scored in his last eight league appearances against the Biancocelesti.
Alessandro Diamanti and Hernanes have fired the joint-most shots from outside the box (64) in Serie A this season.

Milan - Torino
AC Milan are unbeaten in their last 10 Serie A matches against Torino (7W, 3D).
Torino have scored in their last three Serie A meetings with the Rossoneri. Prior to these, the Granata had not found the net in any of their previous six league games against AC Milan.
The Rossoneri haven't lost a home game against Torino in Serie A since May 1985 (11W, 5D).
The Granata have scored in only five of these 16 away meetings with AC Milan, without finding the net more than once in a single game.
AC Milan have lost only one of their last 16 league games (10 wins, five draws).
Massimiliano Allegri's side are unbeaten at home in Serie A since November 2012 (1-3 vs Fiorentina), winning nine of the following 10 league games on home soil.
Torino have collected only one point in their last five games in Serie A and only one in their last five away matches.
The Granata have conceded 15 goals in their last five Serie A fixtures, at least two in each game of this run.
Giampiero Ventura's side have conceded four goals in three of their last four away matches in Serie A, shipping two goals in the other one.
AC Milan have scored the most goals (21) in the last 15 minutes of their league matches this season. On the other side, Torino have conceded the most goals (20) in the same period of games.
Giampaolo Pazzini has netted four goals as a substitute in this Serie A season, the joint-most so far.
Mathieu Flamini has scored three goals in his last three Serie A appearances, as many as he netted in the previous 90.

Napoli - Inter
In their last 12 clashes in Serie A, Napoli and Inter have won five times each, sharing the points on two occasions.
Napoli are unbeaten in their last six league games played at the San Paolo against Inter, winning four times in the process (always 1-0).
Inter have scored only one goal over these last six Serie A trips to Naples.
Napoli have collected 16 points in their last six Serie A match-days (5W, 1D), scoring 17 goals in the process.
The Partenopei are unbeaten at the San Paolo in Serie A in 2013 (6W, 2D), and have won each of their last three home league games.
Inter have lost five of their last seven Serie A games, three of the last four.
The Nerazzurri have lost their last two away games in Serie A, without scoring a goal.
Moreover, Andrea Stramaccioni's side have lost eight of their last 11 away league fixtures, winning only twice.
Edinson Cavani has netted 14 goals in his 16 league appearances at the San Paolo this season, more than any other player.
Gökhan Inler has scored the most goals from outside the box in Serie A this season (six).

Parma - Atalanta
Atalanta have won five of their last seven Serie A meetings with Parma, losing only once.
Parma have netted exactly one goal in each of their last five league matches against Atalanta in Serie A, each one by a different player.
In their last nine meetings at the Tardini in Serie A, Parma and Atalanta have never repeated the same result for two games in a row - the Nerazzurri won the last one in October 2011.
Parma have failed to score in each of their last four league games (2L, 2D), their longest goal-scoring drought since December 2006.
Atalanta have won only once in their last six Serie A matches (two defeats and three draws, including their last two fixtures).
The Bergamaschi have won three of their last six away games this season (2L, 1D), scoring in each of these six matches.
Parma have attempted the most crosses from open play (768) and the most headed shots (86) in this Serie A season.
Eight of Amauri's 10 goals this season have come at the Tardini.
Germán Denis has scored six times in his last five away games in Serie A.

Udinese - Sampdoria
Udinese haven't lost any of their last three clashes against Sampdoria in Serie A (2W, 1D), not conceding a single goal in this run.
Udinese have won four of their last six home games against Sampdoria in Serie A (1L, 1D).
The Bianconeri have won four Serie A games in a row, their longest winning run in the league this season.
Udinese have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five Serie A games, including the last three.
The Friulani have lost only their first home league fixture this season, last September against Juventus.
Sampdoria are without a win in their last seven Serie A games (3D, 4L).
The Blucerchiati haven't scored more than one goal in any of their last eight Serie A games, netting only five times in the process.
Sampdoria are winless in their last seven away league fixtures (5D, 2L), scoring only three goals in the process.
Antonio Di Natale has scored in seven of his last 11 Serie A games against Sampdoria.
Allan has won the joint-most tackles in Serie A this season (115, level to Valon Behrami).

21.04. (Sun) 20:45 Juventus - Milan

PROBABLE LINEUPS

JUVENTUS
Buffon
Barzagli, Bonucci, Peluso
L'steiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah
Marchisio
Vucinic

AC MILAN
Abbiati
De Sciglio, Zapata, Mexes, Constant
Ambrosini, Montolivo, Muntari
Niang, Pazzini, El Shaarawy

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini is set to miss out on Sunday's clash after the stopper's failure to recover in time from a knock he picked up in training last Friday. It is the second consecutive game the 28-year-old will be out of contention for having missed the Bianconeri's 2-0 victory over Lazio on Monday.

Nicolas Anelka's Juventus nightmare continues with the striker having only featured in 35 minutes of action for the Serie A league leaders since joining in January and the 34-year-old will be sidelined for this clash with a calf muscle injury.

Bianconeri striker Sebastian Giovinco is also ruled out while Simone Pepe is the other absentee for the hosts. There are no suspension concerns for coach Antonio Conte.

Mario Balotelli is suspended for the visitors, despite seeing his three-match ban reduced on appeal. The Italy international picked up an automatic one-match ban against Fiorentina in the 2-2 draw at the Artemio Franchi, though this was initially increased to three games following his verbal abuse of the match officials.

Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini turned from hero to zero after he put his side in front against Napoli only to see himself sent off for a reckless lunge on Juan Zuniga. The 29-year-old is suspended for this match, while Nigel de Jong is the only injury concern for the visitors.

DID YOU KNOW?

Juventus have recorded five straight victories in Serie A.

The Bianconeri lost the last league meeting between the sides 1-0 after Robinho converted for Milan from the penalty spot.

Juventus last beat the Rossoneri in Serie A back in October 2011 where two late Claudio Marchisio goals earned the Old Lady the three points.

A resurgent AC Milan have turned their season around. A team that look destined to finish mid-table before Christmas have gone their last 14 games unbeaten.

The club's top goalscorer Stephan El Shaarawy has 16 goals in Italy's top flight but has only found the net twice in his last 14 league games.

Milan's away form in Serie A reads W6, D7, L3 and they are undefeated in their last seven fixtures away from San Siro.

Prediction
There may be a 15-point gap between the teams before kick-off but it would be foolish to think this will be anything other than a tightly-contested encounter between two giants of Italian football. It has the makings of an enthralling clash with two teams in fine form. Milan may suffer from Balotelli's absence, while the midfield battle could be key to the outcome of this match but Juve are a difficult side to break down and may just have the edge in this one.

Editor's Prediction
Juventus 2-1 Milan