After the Coppa Italia quarterfinals, it's time for the Twentieth Round of the Serie A. Last week the big upset was the defeat of AC Milan to Atalanta, followed by the pressing of Parma to Inter. First team to really test Inter and almost make them taste their first defeat of the Season. What will happen in Week 20 of the Serie A?

Here is my preview:
Saturday, January 26, 2008 Twentieth Round Serie A - Matchday 20

Sampdoria - AC Siena Serie A Standing: Sampdoria 7th position, 25 points AC Siena 17th position, 17 points

You bet Sampdoria is all "energized" after getting a draw with Juventus in the Olimpico. However, there might be a surprise here with SIENA who beat Palermo last week. So, both teams are motivated to grasp those 3 points. A defeat for Siena will mean going back to the "relegation zone."

I am sure Siena Coach Mario Berretta is preparing this match with a magnifying glass. Problem is that Sampdoria is not ready to lose at home. So, who will win?

I think Berretta should let the dynamic duo forwards Fernado Forestieri and Massimo Maccarone in the starting line up instead of using forward Christian Rigano who just signed for Siena. I don't think it is wise to test Rigano in this match. Sure, he might be a substitute. Maccarone is the man to watch here.

Problem for Siena will be not having midfielder Paolo De Ceglie who injured during the Palermo match. Probably defender Andrea Rossi will get his place. Good news is that midfielderDaniele Galloppa can play again after his one match ban. A familiar face for Sampdoria is forward Enrico Chiesa, but I doubt Berretta will include him in the main line up. Siena needs young forwards and compared to the energetic Maccarone, Chiesa might be only among the substitutes.

If Sampdoria loses this match, it will be terrible as they might go down to the 10th position. Advantage is that they will be playing at home. Disadvantages include not having enough fit forwards because Vincenzo Montella is out and Antonio Cassano might not be completely fit. Coach Walter Mazzarri must rely on Claudio Bellucci and Emiliano Bonazzoli, question is whether these two forwards can take the lead. Other problem for Sampdoria is the suspension of defender Hugo Campagnaro, plus Paolo Sammarco is injured. A Tough match here.

My position: AC SIENA

AS Roma - Palermo Serie A Standing: AS Roma 2nd position, 42 points Palermo 9th position, 25 points

It will be almost impossible that ROMA lose this match. Why? Simply, there are only 7 points difference between Roma and Inter. Practically, the main two contenders for the Scudetto are Roma and Inter. So, do you think Roma will let these 3 points go away? No. I don't think so.

Sadly for Palermo who are in bad shape after 3 defeats in 2008, worst losing their last match at home against Siena. Palermo need to "believe, recover their motivation." Though, just remembering their big 4-0 defeat in Roma last season might not be motivating.

Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti might count with Captain Francesco Totti again. Plus, defender Christian Panucci is back. He can also motivate the team in the pitch. I don't think forward Mirko Vucinic should be in the starting line up, he was not sharp on Wednesday's match against Catania.

Good news for Roma also include the return of midfielder Simone Perrotta. So, there is no way that Roma can lose. Problem for Spalletti will be to choose among so many top players, like Ludovic Giuly over Perrotta? Perrotta and Totti are sure to be the driving force for Roma. Well, I hope both have the chance because Giuly has been brilliant even scoring!.

Only possible problem for Roma in the midfield is the suspension of Daniele De Rossi after being booked.

Palermo is the one to be concerned here. How will Palermo Coach Francesco Guidolin prepare his defense? Will Fabio Simplicio be replaced by Cavani? Here is the chance for forward Amauri to shine and make a miracle: Winning in the Olimpico! If Miccoli is motivated and fit he can be a real danger for Milan's defense. Here is where Roma headmaster's Christian Panucci and Philippe Mexes must shine to block Miccoli.

My position: AS ROMA

Atalanta - Reggina Serie A Standing: Atalanta 6th position, 25 points Reggina 18th position, 17 points

Talking about having the right motivation to start this match, Alatanta is energized after beating AC MILAN Wednesday for the replay of the Twelfth Round. Problem is for Reggina that has not been able to win away. Can they beat Atalanta? I don't think so. However, if Reggina loses this match, they might remain in the relegation zone longer.

If we based our preview on statistics, then, we can say it will be a 1 - 1 draw. Atalanta and Reggina last three matches ended 1-1. Though, this time, I think Atalanta will win this match.

Problem for Atalanta Coach Gigi del Neri might be the long list of injured players: defender Leonardo Talamonti, midfielder Costinha, forward Marino Defendi and even goalkeeper George Forsyth! Hopefully, forward Antonio Langella will be fit because he had some pain in his heel.

Problems for Reggina Coach Ulivieri include the suspension of Francesco Cozza.Plus, forward Nicola Amoruso, defender Angelo Garcia, and Joelson will also be out. To make matters worst for Coach Ulivieri, Luca Vigiani might not be fit either. Only hope is Brienza.

My position: ATALANTA

AC MILAN - GENOA Serie A Standing: AC Milan 10th position, 24 points Genoa 8th position, 25 points

After Wednesday's defeat against Atalanta for the replay of the 12th Round, Milan see their hope to reach the third position disappearing in the horizon. Technically, Milan is a stronger team than Genoa. Milan also beat Genoa 3 -0 in the first round on August 27, 2007. However, it seems every team of the Serie A might beat the "SO CALLED BEST WORLD CLUB.," It is an unbelievable case, Milan the almighty in the international arena, it just becomes a "mouse going around and around" escaping from the cat in the Serie A.

I think Milan Coach Ancelotti should start with the Brazilian trio KA PA RO, and not like he did with Atalanta when used Gilardino instead of Ronaldo in the starting lineup. Hopefully, PATO can shine this time and make the connection with Kaka. I hope he is not feeling the pressure to score because that will only block him.

Problem for Milan might be "an ex-milan player, forward Marco Borriello." Borriello has become GENOA's main man. Ironically, he might catapult MILAN's dream this Sunday to win at home. Will San Siro cry or will rejoice? I think Milan players should eat their SPINACH to become stronger like POPEYE or they will cry in San Siro.

The other problem for Ancelotti is that midfielder Clarence Seedorf might ruin the harmony in the field when playing as a "trequartista," which is KAKA's position. Here was one of the main problems during the match with Atalanta.

Luckily for Milan, midfielder Andrea Pirlo is coming back from suspension and might put some order in the field. It was clear that Pirlo's vision, ability to read the match is instrumental for Ancelotti. Apparently, goalkeeper DIDA cannot recover yet, so, the chance will be again for Australian goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac. Moreover, defender Paolo Maldini still has the flu. So, Ancelotti must rely on Alessandro Nesta and Kaladze. Kaladze must concentrate this time and avoid making unnecessary mistakes.

Genoa has the "emotional advantage" to know that Milan struggle to win in San Siro. Problem is that neither Domenico Criscito nor Julio Cesar Leon will play because of a ban. Question for Genoa will be whether they will use Argentinian Lucio Figueroa. Genoa might also let former Fiorentina player midfieleder Anthony Vanden Borre to make his debut in San Siro.

Hey, Vanden Borre and Borriello might be Milan's headache. Will Milan finally come to senses and play like champions in the Serie A? Just in case, have some "Tylenol available in case of having a headache or grasp your bottle of champagne to celebrate," depending on who are you cheering for.

My position: AC Milan

AS LIVORNO - FC JUVENTUS Serie A Standing: AS Livorno 13th position, 21 points FC Juventus 3rd position, 37 points

It is a fact that Livorno Coach Camolese has made a positive impact in the team after Livorno was in the very last position of the Serie A, now they are in the 13th with 21 points. Imagine if Milan lose against Genoa and Livorno beat Juventus, Livorno will be having the same "24 points" of MILAN. Unbelievable!!!!

Juventus has the obligation to win if wanting to pursue the Scudetto. Thing is that Livorno has not lose in the last nine matches (5 wins and 4 draws)! So, either Livorno win or there will be a draw.

Problem is that a draw for Juventus is like saying "bye bye Scudetto." Right now there are 12 points difference with Inter. Last option for Juventus will be to reach the top 4 teams to qualifiy for next year's Champions League.

Problems keep adding for Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri and the long list of injured players: defender Giorgio Chiellini, Jonathan Zebina, Mauro Camoranesi, Jorge Andrade and even the main "guarantee' SAINT GOALKEEPER GIGI BUFFON! Last hope for Juve will be their strikers: David Trezeguet, Alessandro Del Piero, and Vincenzo Iaquinta.

Problems for Livorno include the absences of Martin Bergvold, Nico Pulzetti, Fausto Rossini, Francesco Volpe and ex Juventus Giuliano Giannichedda. Advantage for Livorno is forward Francesco TAVANO,

My prediction: Juventus

UDINESE - FC INTER Serie A Standing: Udinese 5th position, 32 points FC Inter 1st position, 49 points

Here is a "NOTHING CHANGE MATCH." I mean the Serie A Standing will not change either if Udinese lose or Inter lose. Inter is the "lone ranger for the Scudetto" with 7 points ahead of the second place which is Roma. Udinese is in the 5th position with 32 points, 7 points ahead of the 6th position which is Atalanta, plus Sampdoria, Genoa, and Palermo all with 25 points.

Although the last match between Inter and Udinese ended 0 - 0, Inter might struggle again to win this match. Apparently, Inter players are out of focus. Maybe Inter are focusing too much on the Champions League match against Liverpool. This can be an advantage for Udinese. Yet, I don't think it will be wise for Inter to lose concentration in the Serie A. Although for Roma, it will be great because they just need Inter to lose 2 matches and 1 draw to be even.

Parma almost beat Inter, scaring them enough for almost 80 minutes, until a last minute goal by Ibrahimovic saved Inter from a defeat. Then, in the Coppa Italia Inter made a draw with Juventus. Udinese, with the great return of forward Antonio Di Natale might surprise Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Challenge here will be for Inter's defense to control Di Natale. Marco Materazzi can be the key man for Inter besides the "undisputable Inter Savior ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC." Problem for Udinese is to execute a plan to break Inter's defense because they have only conceded 13 goals in 19 matches.

Problems for Udinese coach Pasquale Marino are the absences of Asamoah Gyan, who is playing in the African Cup, and the injured Giampiero Pinzi. The good news is the return of defender Dias Felipe and Gokhan Inler after suspension.

Problem for Inter, is the long list of injured players: goalkeeper Francesco Toldo, midfielder Luis Figo, Olivier Dacourt, defender Walter Samuel and Dejan Stankovic. Good news is the return of Patrick Vieira after injury. Plus, forward David Suazo is also ready to be a super sub. Despite injured players, Inter has a "TOP BENCH." I don't think Inter struggle to find super subs, where they are struggling is in keeping concentration. Inter's worst enemy is Inter itself.

Danger for Udinese is Inter's control of the midfield. Esteban Cambiasso is the one to stop, this will give a chance to Udinese tridenti Antonio Di Natale, Fabio Quagliarella and Simone Pepe to concrete goal opportunities.

My suggestion for Roberto Mancini will be to start with Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Argentinian Julio Cruz in the attack instead of Argentinian Hernan Crespo who has not been that effective compared to his compatriot Julio Cruz.