Milan v Lazio
Milan and Lazio are both struggling at the moment; Milan have lost two of their last three, their latest defeat a disappointing 1-0 defeat to 9th placed Perugia. The poor form has seen them slip from top of the table to third in the space of a week.
Lazio’s form has not been much better as they have taken just six points from a possible 15 in their last five league games, including last week’s disapppoining 1-1 draw with nottom-of-the-table Torino.
One interesting aspect of the game is that the two sides meet with Lazio undefeated away and Milan undefeated at home.
When the sides met earlier on in the season the game finished 1-1.
Milan manager, Carlo Ancelotti, will be without his captain Paolo Maldini who is likely to be replaced by veteran central defender Alessandro Costacurta. Milan’s Brazilian players, goalkeeper Dida, forward Rivaldo and defender Roque Junior, are all doubtful after only just returning from Brazil’s midweek friendly in China.
Lazio will be without striker Simone Inzaghi out with a broken wrist and Fernando Couto who is suspended.
Chievo v Inter
Leaders Inter are in the midst of an injury crisis and will be without leading scorer Christian Vieri, Belozgiu Emre, Hernan Crespo, Phillipe Cocu, Almeyda Serena and Daniele Adani.
They do have Gabriel Batistuta available after his two game suspension was revoked mid-week.
Inter are three points ahead of second place Juventus and are in stunning form dropping just three points from their lastfive games. The last time the teams meet Inter came away with a 2-1 win.
Inter defender Javier Zanetti said ahead of the clash: “We dropped two important points last year, We mustn’t repeat that match and we mustn’t let in any goals at the end. We just have to win because we have a very clear and mapped-out path ahead of us.”
Chievo have no injury worries ahead of the game and will be keen to win in order to stay in the hunt for a UEFA Cup spot. Chievo’s recent form is not so good – they have drawn two and lost two in their last five games.
Parma v Juventus
Juve will be desperate to secure all three points as they lie just three points behind league leaders Inter who have 45 points.
Parma are not faring so well and lie seventh with 31 points. The last time the two sides met, the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Coming into the match Juventus have taken 13 points from a possible 15 and have lost just one game away, their last result was a 1-0 win over Empoli. Parma have not been doing so well and have won just two of their last five, last week they could only manage a 2-2 draw against second from bottom Como.
Juve’s only injury is their top scorer Alessandro Del Piero.
Parma have no first team injury worries and should field a first choice eleven.
Saturday, February 15 2003
Roma v Brescia (1930)
Sunday, February 16 2003 K.O. 14:00 unless stated
Atalanta v Udinese
Parma v Juventus
Reggina v Como
Milan v Lazio (1930)
