By Anna Italia

Hello my friends, 
 
Are you ready for the Serie A Week 31?  Wow, you bet I am!

Inter continue the sole leader with 72 points, 9 points ahead of Juventus. Milan shortening the distance with Juventus with only 5 points difference. Guys, one of the matches not to miss is the DERBY DELLA CAPITALE Lazio - AS Roma.  That will  be a crucial match for Roma looking to be in the next UEFA Champions League season.  So many good matches... check it out.

Here is my  PREVIEW  of the Italian Serie A Week 31 - Thirty First Round on  Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12, 2009.

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                 FC Inter 1st Position with 72 points

                                                             
FC Juventus 2nd position 63 points     AC Milan 3rd position, 58 points
 

Serie A Table as of Week 30 1. FC Inter 72  2. Juventus 63 3. AC Milan 58 4. Genoa 54 5. Fiorentina     52 6. AS Roma 49 7. Cagliari 45 8. Palermo 45 9. Lazio 41 10. Atalanta 40 11. Napoli 38  12. Sampdoria 37 13. Catania 37 14. Udinese 36 15. AC Siena 34 16. Chievo Verona 31 17. Bologna 26 18. Torino 24 19. Lecce 24 20. Reggina 20

Saturday, April 11, 2009 Week 31 7:00 a.m. USA Pacific time Napoli - Atalanta Fiorentina Cagliari Torino - Catania Chievo Verona - AC Milan FC Inter - Palermo Lazio - AS Roma Lecce - Sampdoria Bologna - AC Siena Genoa - Juventus 11:30 a.m. USA Pacific time Sunday, April 12, 2009 Week 31 Reggina - Udinese 6:00 a.m. USA Pacific time

RESULTS Week 30 Italian Serie A Tim 2008 - 2009 Thirty Round Matchday 30 April 5, 2009 Atalanta 1 - 2 Fiorentina Cagliari 1 - 0 Catania FC Juventus 3 - 3 Chievo Palermo 1 - 0 Torino Reggina 0 - 1 Genoa AS Roma 2 - 1 Bologna Sampdoria 2 - 2 Napoli AC Siena 2 - 0 Lazio Udinese 0 - 1 FC Inter AC Milan 2 - 0 Lecce

FC INTER - PALERMO
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium
2008 - 2009 Serie A Standing - FC Inter 1st position, 72 points
                                           - Palermo 8th position, 45 points

Last results:
Udinese 0 - 1 FC Inter
Palermo 1 - 0 Torino

Statistics FC INTER - PALERMO at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium 1932/33 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 5-1 1933/34 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 3-1 1934/35 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 3-0 1935/36 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 4-0 1948/49 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 0-0 1949/50 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 1-1 1950/51 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 3-1 1951/52 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 5-0 1952/53 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 3-0 1953/54 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 4-0 1956/57 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 1-0 1959/60 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 3-3 1961/62 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 1-0 1962/63 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 4-0 1968/69 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 0-0 1969/70 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 2-0 1972/73 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 3-1 1976/77 - c. Italia - Inter-Palermo - 1-0 1980/81 - c. Italia - Inter-Palermo - 1-2 2004/05 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 1-1 2005/06 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 3-0 2006/07 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 2-2 2007/08 - serie A - Inter-Palermo - 2-1

Get your front row ticket for this match guys because this will be "THE MATCH"!

Here is the thing guys, Inter either win, draw, or lose they will continue to be be the sole leader.  There are 9 points difference with Juventus holding the second position. 

The situation for Palermo is different because they need to win or draw.  Palermo and Cagliari have 45 points each and the dreams of Palermo for a UEFA Cup spot depends on this match.  If Cagliari beat Fiorentina, then, Palermo will fall behind. 

If you check the statistics between Inter and Palermo, there is no hope for Palermo.  Yet...  we never know and the ball is "rotonda".... At least, Palermo Official website believe in the miracle to change the stats and bring  home the 3 points.

Palermo might have some advantage on this particular match for two reasons.  Top Brazilian Inter defender Maicon who has been a key player is out injured.  Second, goalkeeper Julio Cesar also injured.   An added advantage is the motivated forward Edison Cavani quietly making his way to be the top scorer for Palermo. So, goalkeeper Francesco Toldo will take the responsibility to defend the net while young Davide Santon will cover for Maicon's role.

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Statistics are all in favor of FC Inter.  Yet, statistics take a second place one the match starts.   I love the optimism from Palermo coach Davide Ballardini believing they can go to the Meazza and play without fear.

Palermo injured players include: Igor Budan, Roberto Guana. 

Two suspended players Cesare Bovo and Mattia Cassani. A major problem for Palermo is possible absence from goalkeeper Marco Amelia for injury.  Second option will be for goalkeeper Fontana to take the lead. 

Guys, it will be interesting to see how well Palermo defender Simon Kjaer does after the rumors of leaving Palermo. Yet, Kjaer revealing he wants to stay in Palermo. 

Best shot for Palermo is the striker duo Edison Cavani and Fabrizio Miccoli.
 

FC Inter
Cautioned: Ibrahimovic, Julio Cesar, Zanetti.

Palermo
Cautioned: Liverani, Simplicio.

Key players for Inter is obviously forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, top scorer of the Serie A with 19 goals along Bologna forward Marco Di Vaio.  Guys, Ibrahimovic has earned 23 points of the 72!!!  Cavani has scored 11 goals for Palermo.


Last 4 HOME games from FC INTER: 2 wins, 2 draws

Date	Tournament	Match	Result
22/03/2009	Serie A	Inter Milan vs. Reggina	W - 3:0
15/03/2009	Serie A	Inter Milan vs. Fiorentina	W - 2:0
01/03/2009	Serie A	Inter Milan vs. AS Roma	D - 3:3
24/02/2009	UEFA Champions League	Inter Milan vs. Manchester United	D - 0:0

Last 4 AWAY games from PALERMO: 1 win, 1 draw, 2 lost

Date	Tournament	Match	Result
22/03/2009	Serie A	Chievo vs. Palermo	L - 1:0
08/03/2009	Serie A	Fiorentina vs. Palermo	W - 0:2
15/02/2009	Serie A	Reggina vs. Palermo	D - 0:0
01/02/2009	Serie A	Genoa vs. Palermo	L - 1:0

Realistically speaking, Inter on paper is the winner.  Yet, a draw might be possible.  What the heck...  I will give it a shot to Palermo.

Anna Italia Prediction: PALERMO


LAZIO - AS ROMA
Olimpico di Roma  Stadium
2008 - 2009 Serie A Standing - Lazio 9th position, 41 points
                                           - AS Roma 6th position, 49 points

Last Results:

AC Siena 2 - 0 Lazio
AS Roma 2 - 1 Bologna

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Wow, wow, wow, this Derby arrives in a crucial moment for the Roman Gladiators.  Roma risking not to be in the next UEFA Champions League depends on winning not only this match, but hoping for Genoa and Fiorentina to lose their respective matches to shorten the distance.

Roma has 5 points difference with Geno holding the 4th position with 54 points. 

Lazio has the worst part right now with three consecutive defeats.  Roma is coming motivated with the recovery of the main gladiator Captain Francesco Totti.

The situation with Lazio is delicate starting with goalkeepers.  Argentinian goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo who was the first goalkeeper seem losing his post to Fernando Muslera.... guys, technically, no comparison at all as Carrizo has proven more effective. Yet, there are too much tension between Carrizo and the management and he might leave after this season.

Making matters worst for Lazio, fans contests the coach, players, and President Lottito for their unconsistency.  Imagine that Lazio might not even qualify for the UEFA Cup!!!!!  

Lazio disadvantage includes the absence from forward Simone Inzaghi and midfielder Christian Brocchi.  We might see Mauro Zarate wtih Tomasso Rocchi.  Though, most likely Coach Delio Rossi will go for the Tridente and the enigmatic Goran Pandev.

Roma's injured players include: Alberto Aquilani, Marco Cassetti, Rodrigo Taddei, Mirko Vucinic, Juan and Cicinho .




Best shot for Roma will be  Francesco Totti and we might see the rebirth of forward Vincenzo Montarella.

Last 4 HOME games from LAZIO: 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 lost

Date	Tournament	Match	Result
15/03/2009	Serie A	Lazio vs. Chievo	L - 0:3
03/03/2009	Coppa Italia	Lazio vs. Juventus	W - 2:1
28/02/2009	Serie A	Lazio vs. Bologna	W - 2:0
14/02/2009	Serie A	Lazio vs. Torino	D - 1:1

Last 4 AWAY games from AS ROMA: 2 draws, 2 lost

Date	Tournament	Match	Result
15/03/2009	Serie A	Sampdoria vs. AS Roma	D - 2:2
01/03/2009	Serie A	Inter Milan vs. AS Roma	D - 3:3
24/02/2009	UEFA Champions League	Arsenal FC vs. AS Roma	L - 1:0
15/02/2009	Serie A	Atalanta Bergamo vs. AS Roma	L - 3:0

Anna Italia Prediction: AS ROMA


CHIEVO VERONA - AC MILAN
2008 - 2009 Serie A Standing - Chievo Verona 16th position, 31 points
                                           -  AC Milan 3rd position, 58 points

Wow, wow. wow!!!  On paper  AC Milan is the favorite to win and they must win  to keep their hope to be in the UEFA Champions League next season. 

Though, more than talking about the match, Milan is making more news for the supposedly signing of Coach Carlo Ancelotti  with Real Madrid.  Rumors denied  thourgh AC Milan official website.

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Milan players and coach need to keep their focus on the match.  Guys, a slip can put in danger their  position because Genoa is only 4 points behind Milan.  Not only that but also Fiorentina fighting for a spot in the Champions is right now in the 5th position with 52 points, 6 points behind Milan.   So, a defeat of the Rossoneri will mean "WATCH OUT" considering they have a pending match with Juventus, not an easy team to beat. 

Usually, Milan suffers more with the so called smaller team and in away matches.  Here is the disciplinary situation between Chievo Verona and AC Milan:

There are no suspended players.  For Chievo, Moro, Pellissier, Esposito, Yepes and Luciano are carrying a yellow card into this game, whereas AC Milan have Kaladze and  Marek Jankulovski who must be careful.




Best shot for Chievo is  Pellissier who scored a hattrick last week. For Milan, the best shot is young Alexandre Pato.  Kaka seems recovering and Filippo Inzaghi always ready to create a last minute goal... hopefully not offside.   Let's not forget Ronaldinho Gaucho who is desperate to prove his worth on the pitch not by being on the bench.  

Date	Tournament	Match	Result
16/11/2008	Serie A	AC Milan vs. Chievo	1:0
03/03/2007	Serie A	AC Milan vs. Chievo	3:1
25/10/2006	Serie A	Chievo vs. AC Milan	0:1
09/04/2006	Serie A	AC Milan vs. Chievo	4:1
03/12/2005	Serie A	Chievo vs. AC Milan	2:1
20/04/2005	Serie A	AC Milan vs. Chievo	1:0
28/11/2004	Serie A	Chievo vs. AC Milan	0:1
28/03/2004	Serie A	AC Milan vs. Chievo	2:2
23/11/2003	Serie A	Chievo vs. AC Milan	0:2
09/03/2003	Serie A	AC Milan vs. Chievo	0:0
22/01/2003	Coppa Italia	Chievo vs. AC Milan	2:5
14/01/2003	Coppa Italia	AC Milan vs. Chievo	0:0
26/10/2002	Serie A	Chievo vs. AC Milan	3:2
07/04/2002	Serie A	Chievo vs. AC Milan	1:1
02/12/2001	Serie A	AC Milan vs. Chievo	3:2

Last 4 HOME games from CHIEVO VERONA: 1 win, 3 draws

Date	Tournament	Match	Result
22/03/2009	Serie A	Chievo vs. Palermo	W - 1:0
08/03/2009	Serie A	Chievo vs. Cagliari	D - 1:1
15/02/2009	Serie A	Chievo vs. Catania	D - 1:1
01/02/2009	Serie A	Chievo vs. Sampdoria	D - 1:1

Last 4 AWAY games from AC MILAN: 1 win, 2 draw, 1 lost

Date	Tournament	Match	Result
22/03/2009	Serie A	Napoli vs. AC Milan	D - 0:0
15/03/2009	Serie A	Siena vs. AC Milan	W - 1:5
01/03/2009	Serie A	Sampdoria vs. AC Milan	L - 2:1
18/02/2009	UEFA Cup	Werder Bremen vs. AC Milan	D - 1:1

Anna Italia's Prediction:  AC MILAN

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What are your PREDICTIONS? Are you expecting a major upset? POST your predictions now

Your Predictions??? Make your calculations and  changes... get your dancing pencil... Napoli - Atalanta Fiorentina Cagliari Torino - Catania Chievo Verona - AC Milan FC Inter - Palermo Lazio - AS Roma Lecce - Sampdoria Bologna - AC Siena Genoa - Juventus Reggina - Udinese

Anna Italia Predictions. Napoli - Atalanta = NAPOLI Fiorentina - Cagliari = DRAW Torino - Catania = TORINO Chievo Verona - AC Milan = AC MILAN FC Inter - Palermo = PALERMO Lazio - AS Roma = AS ROMA Lecce - Sampdoria = SAMPDORIA Bologna - AC Siena = BOLOGNA Genoa - Juventus = JUVENTUS Reggina - Udinese = UDINESE Buy Your Italian Serie A Football / Soccer Tickets

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