Battle for Supremacy: Serie A Saturday

Match Preview: Palermo v Milan

Venue: Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo

Massimiliano Allegri faces huge selection dilemma ahead of the crunch clash in Sicily. The Rossoneri must put behind their disappointment against Juventus when they dropped two precious points that could have an impact in the title race at the end of the season. Palermo can prove to be an obstinate opponent at home. They have the second best home record in the league, capturing 30 points of the possible 36.

The fixture will see the return of Antonio Nocerino to Sicily to play his former club, who has cemented his position in this present Milan squad as a key member. The Sicilian side usually performs well against Milan. Last season they eliminated the defending Champions from Coppa Italia semi-final stages.

Tactical analysis: Palermo

The Rosanero are sitting on eighth place in the table with 34 points. They have been scoring freely at home -14 goals in their last four home games registering heavy victories, notable are 5-1 against Lazio and 5-3 against Genoa.

But like the swing of mood of their chairman Maurizio Zamparini, Palermo’s season have progressed without any proper sense of vision. Likewise, their away performances have been sort of abysmal. They lost 4-1 to Siena last week where Federico Balzaretti saw a red card that could prove to be a fatal blow. Milan would surely look to exploit his absence on the left flank.

Palermo will be looking up to skipper Fabrizio Miccoli for inspiration. The Italian striker is enjoying the form of his life scoring 11 goals so far in the present campaign and will partner Croatian Igor Budan to inflict damage on Milan defence.

Tactical Analysis: AC Milan

The reigning champions will be boosted by the return of Swede striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic who will certainly add another dimension to Milan’s game. Pato has been sidelined yet again due to injury while midfield engine Gattuso returned to training few days back after nursing from a career threatening eye-injury.

Milan have a long list of absentees – Seedorf, Flamini, Aquilani, Boateng, Strasser and Merkel- which will prompt Allegri to field a three man midfield comprising of Nocerino, Mark Van Bommel and Suley Muntari.

Phillipe Mexes will be absent due to suspension while Nesta yet to pass the fitness test which leaves the boss with no other options rather to call upon Daniele Bonera to partner Thiago Silva.

Player to watch out for: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Prediction: A narrow, hard earned 1-2 victory for AC Milan.

Match Preview: Juventus v Chievo Verona

Venue: Juventus Stadium, Turin

Antonio Conte needs to get back to the winning ways in order to tighten the grip for the Scudetto pole position. Chievo are in 10th places with only three points behind Inter Milan. The club from the city of Romeo and Juliet look all set to extend their stay for another year at Italian football’s top flight.

Tactical Analysis: Juventus

Juventus must forget the controversy-laden fixture at San Siro last weekend and focus on the demolition job ahead this week. The 3-5-2 formation failed to make an impact against Milan in the first half. Conte changed the formation to a more flexible and adventurous 4-3-3 that saw a dramatic comeback in the second half.

Arturo Vidal’s sending off last match was a blow for the Bianconeri. Gazetta Dell Sports predicts an attacking 4-3-3 formation with Emanuele Giaccherini most likely to replace Vidal. Juventus haven’t defeated Chievo in their last three meetings but Chievo’s away forms (seven defeats from ten away matches) should not give Conte’s side any big headache.

Tactical Analysis: Chievo Verona

Chievo are coming into this match with three wins in last five games, including two away wins against Novara and Genoa.

Demencio Di Carlo’s team frustrated Juventus last time around with stubborn defending. They Flying Donkeys will be without their talisman Sergio Pellisier. On loan from Milan, young Alberto Paloschi will lead the attack who has been struggling with his form having not scored till January.

At the centre of midfield, Michael Bradley holds the key and would like to emulate his performance displayed in USA’s 1-0 triumph over Italy.

Getting something from Turin will be a tough ask, especially scoring goals has been a huge problem for Chievo this season. With only 21 goals scored in 23 matches they are up against a side that holds the best defensive records in Europe at the moment.

Prediction: Comfortable 2-0 victory for the home side.

Player to watch out for: Alessandro Matri & Emanuele Giaccherini.