totally taken from
c4 as its telling me more than any of you can
Atalanta - Catania
Stadio Azzurri d'Italia
The odds are stacked against Catania at the Stadio Azzurri d’Italia, as relegation looms ever closer.
The Sicilians have a dismal away record of just five draws and 10 defeats, while Atalanta can boast three wins and as many draws on home turf since a 2-1 loss to Roma on January 13. That includes two 4-1 results on the trot to demolish Sampdoria and Empoli, so the bookies would favour the Orobici all the way. To make matters worse, Catania have never won here in Serie A with just three draws from eight visits, although they did manage a 1-1 result last season.
Catania are in poor shape and continue to slide towards the drop zone. Since the halfway stage of the season they have amassed just six points from an available 30 and scored five goals in those 10 games. Gionatha Spinesi and Giuseppe Mascara appear to have lost their golden touch and there are few alternatives for Silvio Baldini to turn to as Jorge Martinez and Takayuki Morimoto are injured.
“We understand the fans are jeering us and that is part of the game, as they have every right to express displeasure if they are not happy,” said the Coach. “Catania must not lose faith in their abilities. I believe this team will do everything to stay in Serie A.”
Atalanta aren’t exactly brimming with confidence either, as recently they have succumbed to some embarrassing defeats against relegation-threatened sides like Torino and Cagliari.
Maximiliano Pellegrino and Moris Carrozzieri sit out bans, while Giampaolo Bellini, Jose Leonardo Talamonti and Costinha sit on the treatment table. This necessitates a complete overhaul of the defence with Daniele Capelli and Riccardo Fissore set to be drafted in. Cristiano Doni and Sergio Floccari were rested for the midweek loss at Cagliari, but are back in the usual line-up.
Keep an eye on: Sergio Floccari (Atalanta) – There’s extra spice for the former Messina striker, as this is practically a Sicilian derby for him.
Last season: Atalanta 1-1 Catania
Form guide: Atalanta (W L L W L) Catania (D L W L D)
Atalanta (probable): Coppola; Rivalta, Capelli, Fissore, Belleri; Ferreira Pinto, Tissone, Guarente, Langella; Doni; Floccari
Catania (probable): Polito; Silvestre, Silvestri, Stovini, Vargas; Baiocco, Edusei, Tedesco; Colucci, Spinesi, Mascara
Ref: To follow...
Fiorentina - Lazio
Stadio Franchi
Lazio are flying high after their sensational derby victory, but face a Fiorentina side eager to consolidate fourth place.
This time last season this fixture was a head-to-head battle for a place in the Champions League, but although the Biancocelesti have fallen by the wayside they are back with a bang.
Delio Rossi’s new trident attack is working wonders and all three – Tommaso Rocchi, Goran Pandev and penalty-winner Rolando Bianchi – contributed to their 3-2 win over rivals Roma.
That result tasted particularly sweet as the Giallorossi had the chance to close the gap on leaders Inter to four points, but instead were left seven behind. Undefeated since the February 24 trip to Cagliari, President Claudio Lotito praised Lazio for “rediscovering the humility and spirit they had last season.”
The usual injury crisis applies with Luciano Zauri, Simone Del Nero, Fabio Firmani and Mobido Diakhitè sidelined, but Stefan Radu is expected to return from a thigh problem to replace Aleksandr Kolarov at left-back. Valon Behrami keeps his place on the right wing after the stoppage-time winning goal on Wednesday and Ousmane Dabo is expected to start instead of Gaby Mudingayi.
Fiorentina became the latest giants to feel the San Paolo effect in a 2-0 loss away to Napoli midweek, but were fortunate in that Milan also lost, so their four-point lead for a Champions League spot remains intact. They’ll be hoping to make the most of home advantage, especially as they have won five of their last six at the Stadio Franchi.
Having Adrian Mutu back after a month out with a sprained knee has been a real boost, especially as the other forwards are struggling to find form. Ndiaye Papa Waigo should get a starting spot in the trident attack along with Mutu and either Giampaolo Pazzini or Daniel Pablo Osvaldo. Martin Jorgensen, Alessandro Gamberini, Franco Semioli, Alberto Santana and Christian Vieri are still nursing injuries, so Zdravko Kuzmanovic has a good chance of playing in midfield.
It’s set to be a cracker for the neutral viewer, as there hasn’t been a draw in this fixture since April 2000 and that was a spectacular 3-3 decided by Gabriel Batistuta in stoppages. Lazio have an excellent record in Florence of late, having won four trips on the trot before last season’s 1-0 Viola victory.
Keep an eye on: Goran Pandev (Lazio) – Like Adrian Mutu, a former Inter benchwarmer who went on to greater things. He was pulling the strings in the derby, scoring a goal and providing an assist.
Last season: Fiorentina 1-0 Lazio
Form guide: Fiorentina (W W L W L) Lazio (W D W D W)
Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Kroldrup, Pasqual; Montolivo, Donadel, Kuzmanovic; Papa Waigo, Pazzini, Mutu
Lazio (probable): Ballotta; De Silvestri, Siviglia, Cribari, Radu; Dabo, Ledesma, Behrami; Pandev, Bianchi, Rocchi
Ref: To follow...
Inter - Juventus
Stadio Meazza
Inter and Juventus have already met three times this season and the Bianconeri have yet to win.
The Derby d’Italia returned to our screens this term after a one year hiatus and, despite the indifferent form of both sides, it should be an enthralling encounter given the historic rivalry between the two clubs.
Inter come into this game with yet another suspension, putting their midfield in jeopardy. Pele became the fifth member of the Beneamata to be sent off this season on Wednesday at Genoa.
Coach Roberto Mancini brought Pele into the starting XI after Patrick Vieira felt a pain in his left hamstring, and had to re-position attacking midfielder Santiago Solari in an unfamiliar holding role when the Portuguese was dismissed for two first half yellows.
The Nerazzurri had started well against Genoa, playing some crisp and incisive one-touch football which ultimately led to David Suazo’s goal on the counter-attack. But as so often this season, indiscipline cost Inter and they came under such a siege that the Alamo looked like Disneyland.
Marco Borriello’s equaliser, a sublime scissor-kick which made it 1-1, should act as another warning to Roberto Mancini. The 43-year-old tactician has to get his house in order if they are to beat Juventus, who, luckily for them, are playing woefully.
The Old Lady were dominated by struggling Empoli and couldn’t muster a single goal at the Carlo Castellani where the Azzurri have the second worst home-record in the League.
Claudio Ranieri will almost certainly start with David Trezeguet, who began on the bench in Tuscany, after Vincenzo Iaquinta once again proved he cannot do the business from the start. Worryingly for Juventus, Trezegol has only scored once in his last eight games.
The absence of midfield general Cristiano Zanetti, who is out until mid-April, is proving costly for the Bianconeri as his replacement, Tiago, continues to perform poorly. Few will be surprised to see Momo Sissoko in the line-up as a result.
The three fixtures between Inter and Juventus this season have seen 11 goals, so with the Nerazzurri looking to secure the Scudetto and the Bianconeri striving to hold-on to their Champions League spot we can expect a high-scoring match.
Keep an eye on: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter) – Ibracadabra conjured Inter’s opening goal at Marassi, proving his all-round game has improved and that he is not just an exquisite finisher. However, the Swedish fantasista has been anonymous in a lot of Inter’s big games this season but will surely want to perform well against former club Juventus.
Last season: Not played
Form guide: Inter (D L W W D) Juventus (D L W W D)
Inter (probable): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Burdisso, Chivu, Maxwell; Solari, Cambiasso, Zanetti, Figo; Ibrahimovic, Cruz
Juventus (probable): Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro, Camoranesi, Nedved, Sissoko, Salihamidzic; Del Piero, Trezeguet
Ref: To follow...
Palermo - Genoa
Stadio Barbera
Palermo and Genoa sit level in Serie A and are eight points from a
UEFA Cup place making this game crucial in their final push for a European adventure next season.
The Rosanero lost 2-1 at struggling Parma on Wednesday night despite playing against 10 men for most of the match. Palermo will be without Azzurri defender Andrea Barzagli against Genoa after he was dismissed 26 minutes into the second half for deliberate handball.
Unpredictable on-and-off the pitch, the Sicilian’s Coach Francesco Guidolin has come under a lot of pressure from President Maurizio Zamparini: “The truth is he no longer believes in the team and the players resent him for it.” The 66-year-old President sacked Stefano Colantuono early this season only to reinstate Guidolin for a third time and is now rumoured to be moving to welcome back Colantuono.
Speculation regarding top scorer Amauri has obviously unsettled the team and the striker himself who hasn’t scored in seven matches. But the Palermitani have performed well at home of late and are unbeaten in four games at the Renzo Barbera, collecting three consecutive wins before drawing against Udinese last weekend.
Genoa travel to Sicily after earning a valiant 1-1 draw with champions Inter in midweek, the Rossoblu had lost three games in a row. Serie A Capocannoniere added to his total, scoring his 17th goal of the season in sublime fashion. The Neapolitan began on the bench against the Nerazzurri but is expected to start on Saturday.
The Rossoblu have won only 14 points in 14 matches away from the Luigi Ferraris so far this season and have been defeated in their last two. Gian Piero Gasperini’s team have conceded an average of 1.57 goals a game outside of Genova, but Palermo have only scored an average of 1.36 goals at the Barbera. But fears that the tie will be goalless are unfounded.
Fans will be hoping for a repeat of the thriller between the two sides in October which ended 3-3 thanks to strikes from Leon, Borriello, Amauri and the fine Uruguayan attacker Edison Cavani.
Keep an eye on: Marco Borriello (Genoa) – The Neapolitan forward has been in electric form since joining Genoa from Milan. His scissor-kick against Inter earned the Rossoblu a point and was one of many memorable strikes this year. His desire to earn a place in Roberto Donadoni’s Euro 2008 squad should give him an extra motive to perform well in Palermo.
Last season: Not played
Form guide: Palermo (W D D L L) Genoa (W L L L D)
Palermo (probable): Fontana; Zaccardo, Biava, Rinaudo; Cassani, Simplicio, Migliaccio, Bresciano, Balzaretti; Cavani, Amauri
Genoa (probable): Scarpi; Konko, Santos, Fabiano, Criscito; Rossi, Milanetto, Juric; Sculli, Figueroa, Borriello
Ref: To follow...
Reggina - Napoli
Stadio Granillo
Reggina are fighting hard for their Serie A lives and will look to continue their recent improvement against a Napoli side that have forgotten how to draw.
A draw with Livorno in midweek was creditable, but Reggina are still rooted in the mire. Former boss Walter Mazzarri made relegation dogfights his forte, but this is uncharted territory for the inexperienced Nevio Orlandi.
The former youth boss has made a positive start and Week 28’s 4-0 demolition of Siena was a huge boost, but the Calabrians’ chances of survival are still 50-50. The margins are so tight that three points could make all the difference and, while the Amaranto remain winless away from home, they must deliver at the Stadio Granillo if they are to keep treading water.
Napoli shocked Fiorentina 2-0 on Wednesday evening and confidence will be high. The Partenopei don’t have any realistic chance of securing a
UEFA Cup spot, but they look set for a successful season of consolidation.
Under the watchful eye of President Aurelio De Laurentiis, there is always pressure to keep winning and Coach Edy Reja’s position is by no means safe, so the Neapolitans won’t be allowed to ease off. Napoli are a tough team to predict, but they don’t share readily – in their last 10 games they have won four and lost six.
Neutrals will be hoping for a repeat of December 16, 2000, when Napoli won 6-2 in a thrilling contest. However, Reggina have won the last two meetings between the two sides at the Granillo by a 3-1 score-line. Napoli needed a last-minute Ezequiel Lavezzi goal to grab a 1-1 draw in Week 11.
Orlandi is without influential midfielder Luca Vigiani, Uruguayan Pablo Alvarez and striker Fabio Ceravolo due to injury. Defender Bruno Cirillo remains suspended for one more game.
Napoli don’t have striking star Marcelo Zalayeta, who is sidelined for the rest of the season. Goalkeeper Gennaro Iezzo is also out of action along with stopper Andrea Cupi. Mirko Savini and Maurizio Domizzi are banned for this clash.
Keep an eye on: Franco Brienza (Reggina) – The Palermo loan star is making a name for himself at the Stadio Granillo and is the danger man in the Amaranto midfield.
Last season: Not played
Form guide: Reggina (L D L W D) Napoli (L W L L W)
Reggina (probable): Campagnolo; Lanzaro, Valdez, Aronica; Costa, Barreto, Cascione, Modesto; Cozza, Brienza, Amoruso
Napoli (probable): Gianello; Santacroce, Cannavaro, Contini; Mannini, Blasi, Gargano, Hamsik, Pazienza; Calaiò, Lavezzi
Ref: To follow...
Roma - Empoli
Stadio Olimpico
Roma’s title hopes are hanging by a thread and they are in dire need of a win over struggling Empoli to get back on track and erase the bitter memory of derby defeat.
Derby losses are always painful, but Roma’s 3-2 reverse against Lazio had an especially bitter aftertaste as it saw the Giallorossi fall seven points behind leaders Inter. The Nerazzurri may have let Luciano Spalletti’s men off the hook by drawing, but the capital club surely need to win every game to stand any chance of the unlikeliest of Scudetto triumphs.
However, with Inter facing Juventus things could turn around, as long as the Lupi don’t fluff their lines here. Champions League and Coppa Italia engagements are looming – then we will see how strong this Roma squad is – but for now they must keep things ticking over.
Empoli are a side in crisis, but they must draw confidence from their midweek stalemate with Juventus. The Tuscans are five games without a win and in penultimate place with rock bottom Cagliari breathing down their neck, but things are so evenly poised by the trapdoor that the difference between survival and relegation could be unlikely points in games like this.
In Week 11, Sebastian Giovinco stole a last-gasp equaliser for Empoli for a 2-2 draw in a match that Roma had led 2-0. Before that meeting, the last four games between the two sides had ended 1-0 – two wins for each. The Empolesi will fondly remember shocking Roma at the Stadio Castellani in February 2007.
Roma are without the suspended Philippe Mexes and Alberto Aquilani. Cicinho is likely to start, with Max Tonetto and Christian Panucci on the bench.
Alberto Malesani brings a visiting outfit minus suspended striker Luca Saudati and a goal-shy side will have to look to youngster Rey Volpato. Defender Francesco Pratali is also banned and fellow stopper Andrea Raggi is injured. Georgian youngster Levan Mchedlidze is out of action along with Azzurrini hitman Nicola Pozzi, who will miss the rest of the campaign.
Keep an eye on: Simone Perrotta (Roma) – The England-born midfielder netted in the derby and is showing the work ethic that have earned him 40 Azzurri caps.
Last season: Roma 1-0 Empoli
Form guide: Roma (D W W W L) Empoli (L L L L D)
Roma (probable): Doni; Cicinho, Juan, Ferrari, Cassetti; De Rossi, Pizarro, Taddei, Perrotta, Mancini; Totti
Empoli (probable): Bassi; Buscè, Marzoratti, Piccolo, Antonini; Abate, Moro, Musacci, Marchisio, Vannucchi; Volpato
Ref: To follow...
Sampdoria - Cagliari
Stadio Ferraris
Sampdoria’s late run at a spot in the Champions League will come under threat this weekend when they welcome in-form Cagliari to Marassi. The Sardinian outfit looked a dead cert for the drop just a few weeks ago, but an impressive late surge has edged them ever closer to the other relegation-threatened outfits around them.
Both sides can boast three victories in their last five games, with Doria’s latest success coming at San Siro against Milan in midweek. That leaves them just a point shy of the fifth-placed Rossoneri and only five adrift of a spot in the Champions League. They have to play the current incumbents, Fiorentina, in Week 35 so it’s pivotal that they win their games against the lesser clubs to keep them in with a shot.
Boss Walter Novellino has been given a big selection headache due to a number of suspensions. Antonio Cassano is, of course, still absent for the next couple of games after his antics against Torino in Week 26, but joining him on the banned list are Stefano Lucchini and Gennaro Delvecchio. The latter netted the game-winner against Milan and his place is likely to go to Ikechukwu Kalu, who is yet to start for the club in Serie A, while Lucchini’s spot will be taken by Luigi Sala. Claudio Bellucci also appears to be fit enough for a starting berth after knee surgery so don’t be surprised if he gets the nod ahead of Emiliano Bonazzoli, while Cristian Zenoni and Reto Ziegler are also vying for a recall.
Cagliari Coach Davide Ballardini might not have much Serie A experience, but his second spell on the Rossoblu’s bench looks like being far more successful than his initial outing, which resulted in a sacking after just one month. With the Sardinians failing to win between Weeks 7 and 19, relegation looked a formality, but since then they’ve picked up five victories. They might still be bottom, but the gap decreases with each passing week and if their appeal against a three-point ban is successful it could be a thrilling climax for Cagliari.
With Robert Acquafresca finally showing signs that his undoubted potential isn’t going to waste – the Azzurrini striker’s recent goal glut has made him the club’s joint-top scorer with six – to go along with a defence which has conceded just four times in their last six outings, it seems as if Ballardini has found the right mix. So the tactician will be relieved that he is forced into making just one change from the side who beat Atalanta 1-0. Michele Fini has picked up one booking too many, so his suspension opens the door for Davide Biondini.
Previous meetings between the sides in recent times have not been kind to Cagliari, with Samp hammering them twice this term – once in the Coppa – with a Rossoblu win sandwiched in between. It was a regular fixture on the Serie B calendar at the turn of the century, but in the past few years the teams have met at the highest level with mixed results – four wins apiece to go with four draws.
Keep an eye on: Robert Acquafresca (Cagliari) – With four goals in his last four games the Azzurrini hitman, much like his club, has hit form at just the right time.
Last season: Sampdoria 1-1 Cagliari
Form guide: Sampdoria (L D W W W) Cagliari (L W L W W)
Sampdoria (probable): Castellazzi; Sala, Gastaldello, Accardi; Zenoni, Maggio, Sammarco, Palombo, Ziegler; Kalu, Bellucci
Cagliari (probable): Storari; Pisano, Canini, Lopez, Agostini; Biondini, Conti, Parola; Cossu, Jeda; Acquafresca
Ref: To follow...
Siena - Parma
Stadio Franchi
Siena’s Stadio Franchi plays host to a relegation six-pointer this weekend as Parma come to town looking to keep up their recent revival. The Gialloblu, under new Coach Hector Cuper, have picked up four points from their last two games, but they cannot afford to rest on their laurels with things looking extremely tight at the bottom of the table.
The home side, however, have seen their recent good run stalled this week after being hammered by fellow strugglers Reggina and then held in midweek by Catania. Nonetheless, they still sit three points ahead of their opponents on Saturday, with Coach Mario Beretta knowing that two more victories should be enough to keep them in the top flight. And that will be a positive thing for Italian football as, despite the same old stereotyping about the defensive nature of the League, a club of Siena’s size still opt to play with two strikers and a trequartista. In short, entertainment is not in short supply at the Tuscan outfit.
Beretta is boosted going into this game as he can call upon Simone Loria after suspension, with the central defender likely to be recalled in place of Andrea Rossi. On-loan Juventus full-back Paolo De Ceglie also looks set for a return to the starting XI, Daniele Ficagna being the unlucky player to make way, while the highly-rated Fernandro Forestieri could come in for Houssine Kharja with Tomas Locatelli dropping into a deeper role to accommodate the youngster.
Under Mimmo Di Carlo, Parma looked like they were heading to Serie B after struggling to put together a string of decent results. But with Argentine tactician Cuper at the helm they have already picked up a fantastic win over Palermo, despite playing much of the game with 10 men after McDonald Mariga’s wayward tackling saw him collect two needless yellow cards. Igor Budan, who has had an injury-hit campaign, netted both the goals – the second of which was a disputable penalty – to double his Serie A tally.
The Croatian hitman could form a battering ram of a strike duo with Bernardo Corradi and it is likely that the bruise brothers will be together from the start once again as Cuper sticks with his favoured 4-4-2 system. With two flying wingers in the form of Reginaldo and Andrea Gasbarroni, they should get plenty of service. The only change likely to be made from the side which beat Palermo 2-1 is set to come in midfield, with the suspended Mariga replaced by Daniele Dessena.
If previous meetings between the sides are anything to go by, those of you who fancy a cheeky punt are advised not to go with Siena as the Tuscan minnows have failed to beat Parma in nine Serie A attempts. The Ducali only have three wins to their name though, the most recent of which came almost a year ago to the day courtesy of an early goal by Gasbarroni. Earlier this season the game finished all-square thanks to Daniele Galloppa’s last-gasp equaliser for the Robur.
Keep an eye on: Massimo Maccarone (Siena) – The bald-headed hitman had an unsuccessful loan spell with Parma so he will be desperate to show the Ducali what they are missing.
Last season: Siena 2-2 Parma
Form guide: Siena (W W W L D) Parma (W L L D W)
Siena (probable): Manninger; Rossettini, Loria, Portanova, De Ceglie; Coppola, Galloppa, Jarolim; Locatelli; Forestieri, Maccarone
Parma (probable): Bucci; Zenoni, Falcone, Paci, Castellini; Reginaldo, Dessena, Morrone, Gasbarroni; Budan, Corradi
Ref: To follow...
Torino - Milan
Stadio Olimpico
Milan have no option but to win as they take on Torino in Week 30 at the Stadio Olimpico. The Rossoneri desperately need the three points, but the trip to Turin has always been a difficult one for them. The Granata, instead, would settle for another draw.
Both teams are coming from two consecutive defeats so they’ll be eager to avoid an unwanted hat-trick. Milan were surprisingly defeated 2-1 by Sampdoria in midweek, while Torino suffered a 1-0 home loss to Udinese.
The Rossoneri are targeting a top four finish, but they won’t be playing Champions League football next season if they do not get their campaign back on track. “It is going to be tough now,” accepted boss Carlo Ancelotti. “I am not happy with the team’s performances and I wasn’t expecting this.”
Torino are confident they can avoid relegation, but they’ll need some points to make sure everything goes according to plan. The Granata currently lie 14th in the table with 31 points.
President Urbano Cairo wasn’t too downhearted following Wednesday’s defeat. “I have seen the right spirit in the team, we fought like Toro does and despite the final score we played a good game.”
Last term’s corresponding tie ended 1-0 in favour of the visitors, but overall the Piemontesi have bagged more wins than the Lombardi. From 64 games, the Rossoneri have been defeated 20 times in Turin.
Nikola Lazetic is suspended so Walter Novellino may decide to line up with a different formation this time around. The Granata could play with a 4-3-2-1 system.
Paolo Zanetti and Marco Pisano are out injured. In defence Marco Di Loreto should be preferred to Ivan Dellafiore. Aimo Diana will be reconfirmed in the midfield alongside Vincenzo Grella and Simone Barone. In attack, it looks like Alessandro Rosina and David Di Michele behind Roberto Stellone.
Ancelotti will be without Pippo Inzaghi and Kaka for this tie. The injury list also includes Marcos Cafu, Serginho and Ronaldo. Zeljko Kalac should take the gloves, with Nelson Dida, once again, relegated to the bench. Clarence Seedorf, who scored against Torino last term, should be the trequartista, while the attacking duo will be formed by Alberto Gilardino and Alexandre Pato.
Keep an eye on: Alessandro Rosina (Torino) – If there is one man able to end Rossoneri ambitions, that is Rosinaldo. The Granata No 10 will be looking for his seventh goal of the season.
Last season: Torino 0-1 Milan
Form guide: Torino (D D W L L) Milan (D D W L L)
Torino (probable): Sereni; Comotto, Natali, Di Loreto, Lanna; Diana, Grella, Barone; Rosina, Di Michele; Stellone
Milan (probable): Kalac; Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Pato, Gilardino
Ref: To follow...
Udinese - Livorno
Stadio Friuli
Udinese welcome Livorno to the Stadio Friuli in Week 30 on the back of a four-match unbeaten run. Their Tuscan opponents are in good shape themselves though, after getting their campaign back on track having collected four points from their last two games.
On Wednesday night the Friulani bagged an important away win against Torino which meant they are still competing for a
UEFA Cup spot. The Bianconeri lie seventh in the table with 44 points. And Brazilian defender Dias Felipe is hoping they will be able to participate in European football next term. “It would be a pity if we didn’t qualify considering the positive campaign we have had so far.”
Meanwhile, Livorno were held 1-1 by relegation rivals Reggina, but according to Coach Giancarlo Camolese they deserved more. “I believe my team played a great game and normally we should have won. Their goalkeeper, Andrea Campagnolo, was amazing. However, we will have to keep playing at this level and the points will come.” The Amaranto are currently fighting for survival, sitting just one position ahead of the relegation zone.
Last year’s corresponding tie ended 4-0 in favour of the locals, in a game masterminded by Antonio Di Natale. There are no suspension worries for either side, but it is a very different matter on the injury front. Udinese will have to do without Cristian Zapata, Asamoah Gyan and Christian Obodo, while Livorno will travel to the Friuli without Marco Amelia, Giuliano Giannichedda and Nico Pulzetti.
Bianconeri boss Pasquale Marino will line-up with a 3-4-3 formation. Andrea Coda should play centre-back. Chilean youngster Mauricio Isla will be competing for a shirt with Gaetano D’Agostino, while Andrea Dossena will play on the left flank. Fabio Quagliarella could make his return at the centre of the locals’ trident after being rested midweek.
Camolese should reconfirm a 3-5-2 formation with Alfonso De Lucia between the posts. Simone Pavan will be left out since Dario Knezevic has been in good shape recently. Antonio Filippini will start in midfield, but his twin brother Emanuele will sit on the bench. The visitors’ attacking duo will be formed by Francesco Tavano and Diego Tristan.
Keep an eye on: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese) – Magic Totò netted two against Livorno last term and will be chasing his 14th goal of the season.
Last season: Udinese 4-0 Livorno
Form guide: Udinese (L W D D W) Livorno (L W L W D)
Udinese (probable): Handanovic; Coda, Felipe, Lukovic; Mesto, Inler, D’Agostino, Dossena; Pepe, Quagliarella, Di Natale
Livorno (probable): De Lucia; Grandoni, Knezevic, Galante; Balleri, Vidigal, De Vezze, A.Filippini, Pasquale; Tavano, Tristan
Ref: To follow...
22-23 Mar: Italy
TOTW/F/M Award(s): 1
but Lazio will be without Behrami, Firmani and Zauri.
