It is panic stations for Juventus as Ciro Ferrara risks the sack, according to some reports, if they don’t win at Bari.

What a difference a week makes. Last Saturday the Bianconeri were ecstatic, having conquered great rivals Inter and reopened the title race in one fell swoop.

Everything went so horribly wrong on Tuesday night however. Anything but a loss at home to Bayern Munich would have been enough for the Turin giants to progress to the knockout stage of the Champions League – instead they were routed in the most humiliating fashion.

The 4-1 defeat has blown the Old Lady’s plans for the season out the water and put question marks beside the names of Ferrara and big money signings Diego and Felipe Melo – both of whom were booed on Tuesday.

Club President Jean Claude-Blanc has come out in defence of his Coach, but reports in the Italian Press suggest the rest of the board aren’t quite so content. Whether Ferrara’s job is on the line or not, this is a very significant fixture. Juve must retain the impetus their Derby d’Italia win gave them and prove they have the consistency to challenge for the Scudetto.

Lying in wait is one of the surprise packages of the season. New boys Bari have excelled with a combination of experience on the bench and youth on the field. Veteran tactician Giampiero Ventura has placed his trust in young centre-backs Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Ranocchia, who have repaid him by making the Galletti backline the third strongest in Serie A.

Last week Napoli needed two sendings off and a late winner to snatch a 3-2 win off their fellow Southerners at the San Paolo.

The Stadio San Nicola holds a special significance for the visitors, as it was here that they clinched the 2005-06 Scudetto, which was later revoked and awarded to Inter – with a win over Reggina.
Bari have lost just once there this campaign.

The home side miss defenders Ranocchia and Alessandro Parisi after their sendings off in Naples, Mariano Donda, Matteo Paro, Vitali Kutuzov, Antonio Langella, Salvatore Masiello and Vladimir Koman are injured.

Some key figures, including Vincenzo Iaquinta, Giorgio Chiellini, Gigi Buffon and Momo Sissoko, are injury absentees for the visitors. Felipe Melo is suspended.

Keep an eye on: Claudio Marchisio (Juventus) – Maturing all the time, Marchisio is a wonderful prospect and thoroughly deserves a starting shirt. Previously considered a defensive midfielder, his sublime winner against Inter and his assist on Tuesday prove he is very capable going forward.

Last five in Serie A: Bari (D W L W L) Juventus (L W W L W)

Last season: Not played

Bari (probable): Gillet; A Masiello, Diamoutene, Bonucci, Stellini; Alvarez, Donati, Almiron, Allegretti; Meggiorini, Barreto

Juventus (probable): Manninger; Caceres, Legrotagglie, Cannavaro, Grosso; Camoranesi, Poulsen, Marchisio, Diego; Amauri, Del Piero

Kappara.ru tips :  Bari (+1) , and Bari to score goal

It will be a mid-table clash at the Stadio Sant’Elia between two sides who can be both very unpredictable. The Rossoblu though hold the upper hand in Sardinia and it won’t be easy for the Azzurri.

Cagliari are once again defying the odds and enjoying a really good season. Massimiliano Allegri has been working his magic and it is only a matter of time before he lands at a bigger club. The Rossoblu have collected nine points in the last five games, but were defeated by Palermo on Sunday.

“I thought against the Rosanero we deserved more,” said the Sardinians boss. “They had a good start but couldn’t push it really. Once we went ahead we should have kept the lead. Our reaction wasn’t good enough after their goal either. I hope to see a better attitude against Napoli.”

After a difficult start, Napoli are finally enjoying a good run. Credit must go to Walter Mazzarri, who has done a great job since his appointment at the San Paolo. This side looks much more clinical now and the Campani have become a solid team. Last weekend against Bari they proved all their worth with a spectacular 3-2 win.

“It will be tough in Cagliari,” said Mazzarri. “It would be great if we could repeat our performance against Parma. But we need to be able to put games to bed after we take the lead.”

The locals will play with their usual 4-3-1-2 formation. Lino Marzoratti will be missing but Marco Pisano can cover for him. Andrea Cossu looked in great form last week and will be playing behind the two strikers – Alessandro Matri and Nenè.

The visitors will be without Leandro Rinaudo and Matteo Contini, who are suspended. Mazzarri should stick to the two men up front and this strategy seems to suit them. “I believe we create many more openings playing with two strikers but of course it is up to the Coach whether we should,” noted Fabio Quagliarella.

Keep an eye on: Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli) – El Pocho has been improving a lot recently but the fans still expect more from him. The Argentine wants to prove to President Aurelio De Laurentiis that he is a champion and has to start scoring regularly.

Last five in Serie A: Cagliari (W W L W L) Napoli (W D D D W)

Last season: Cagliari 2-0 Napoli

Cagliari (probable): Marchetti; Pisano, Canini, Lopez, Agostini; Dessena, Parola, Lazzari; Cossu; Matri, Nenè

Napoli (probable): De Sanctis; Cannavaro, Campagnaro, Grava; Maggio, Gargano, Pazienza, Aronica; Hamsik; Lavezzi, Quagliarella

Kappara.ru tips : 1x , Both teams to score