It’s almost a battle to see which team is less worse off, as Juventus have another new Coach and Lazio teeter on the edge of the relegation zone.

These two clubs had such high hopes going into the new season, as the Bianconeri targeted the Scudetto following a strong transfer campaign and the Aquile followed up their Coppa Italia triumph with the Italian Super Cup. Instead 2010 has been a disaster for both parties.

Juventus have lost a remarkable nine of their last 12 games in all competition, following up three consecutive Serie A defeats with a midweek Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Inter. That was Ciro Ferrara’s last chance as Alberto Zaccheroni was appointed less than 24 hours later.

“We are very disappointed, as we have failed at another of our objectives for the season,” commented President Jean-Claude Blanc. Sliding out of the top five for the first time this season, Juve risk failing to qualify for the Champions League and even the Europa League.

To make matters worse, the squad is decimated for this match. Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Grosso sit out bans, as the goalkeeper received the first red card of his 396-game Serie A career during the 2-1 loss to Roma.

The injury list includes Vincenzo Iaquinta, Mauro Camoranesi, Martin Caceres, David Trezeguet, Sebastian Giovinco, Christian Poulsen, Claudio Marchisio and Hasan Salihamidzic. At least Alessandro Del Piero should return after a bout of gastroenteritis.

It’s hardly going better at Lazio with just two wins in their last 19 Serie A matches leaving the team floundering two points clear of the relegation zone. Also out of the Coppa Italia following a 3-2 quarter-final loss at Fiorentina, Davide Ballardini is under a great deal of pressure.

Above all the fans blame President Claudio Lotito for creating an atmosphere of tension that has seen its players take legal action against the club. Goran Pandev succeeded in freeing himself to join Inter, but this week Cristian Ledesma’s appeal was rejected. There are reports the midfielder could now be placed back into the line-up for the first time this season.

Ledesma would be a useful addition considering injuries to Francelino Matuzalem, Cristian Brocchi, Sergio Floccari, Pasquale Foggia, Christian Manfredini and the fact Mourad Meghni is on Africa Cup of Nations duty. Julio Cruz is favourite to partner Mauro Zarate upfront, sending Tommaso Rocchi to the bench. Aleksandar Kolarov continues to shine in his new midfield position.

Lazio have lost their last two Serie A visits to Turin, scoring two goals and conceding seven. The club’s total top-flight record here is of just nine wins, 16 draws and 41 defeats. The most recent away victory was 2-1 on December 15 2002 against a Juve side that included Ferrara in defence.

Keep an eye on: Julio Cruz (Lazio) – Il Jardinero has an excellent scoring record against Juventus, having netted 12 goals against the Bianconeri, who are by far his favourite target. These are broken down into two Champions League goals for Feyenoord, five in Serie A between Bologna and Inter, two in the Trofeo TIM and another three Coppa Italia strikes for the Nerazzurri.

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

Last season: Juventus 2-0 Lazio

Juventus (probable): Manninger; Grygera, Cannavaro, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Sissoko, Candreva, Felipe Melo; Diego; Del Piero, Amauri

Lazio (probable): Muslera; Diakhite, Stendardo, Radu; Lichtsteiner, Baronio, Firmani, Kolarov; Mauri; Cruz, Zarate

Verdict : Uventus win

Cagliari are currently flying high and it is a measure of how well they are playing that they sit a point ahead of weekend opponents Fiorentina in the League table, considering the gulf in resources between the two sides.

Massimiliano Allegri's team have shown real quality at times this term and a result against the Viola could see aspirations of a mid-table finish start to escalate.

Cesare Prandelli's side, on the other hand, cannot seem to find any consistency, at least on a domestic level. Sitting in ninth place, seven points off a Champions League spot, things haven't exactly gone to plan this season so far in Serie A, perhaps due to their heroic exploits in Europe.

Prandelli's 4-2-3-1 tactics worked a treat at the back end of last season but this year the team are coming unstuck, with last weekend's 3-0 thrashing at the hands of rivals Palermo a particular low point.

The two sides boast some talent in the striking department with Alberto Gilardino (nine League goals) leading the way for the Viola, in contrast to Alessandro Matri (10) taking the plaudits for the Sardinian side, with Nene (six) in support. Mutu though is suspended as a precautionary measure after he failed a drugs test.

Influential midfielder Cristiano Zanetti is once again ruled out through injury, and the former Juventus man is joined by veteran Martin Jorgensen and Danish centre-back Per Kroldrup on the sidelines. Prandelli has otherwise a fully fit squad to choose from, with January signing Adem Ljajic unlikely to be called upon in a game of this magnitude.

Former Viola shot-stopper Cristiano Lupatelli heads the Rossoblu injury list, along with Uruguayan defender Diego Lopez and former Italian U-21 international Francesco Pisano. Argentine forward Joaquin Larrivey misses out due to a one-match suspension.

Fiorentina returned from their Sardinian trip empty handed last season, with a disappointing 1-0 defeat to show for their efforts.

Keep an eye on: Nene (Cagliari) – The Brazilian forward has shown decent form at times this year for the Isolini, with six League goals to his name. He has some work to do if he wants to catch strike partner Matri, and if he harbours any ambition of a more lucrative move in the summer, scoring goals in games like this will enhance his chances.

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

Last season: Cagliari 1-0 Fiorentina

Sinisa Mihajlovic will be looking to continue his good start since taking over Catania at home to Udinese on Sunday.

The 50-year-old Serb has only lost one of his last five games in Serie A, winning three and drawing one. That’s quite remarkable when you consider Catania had only won once in 15 League matches under Mihajlovic’s predecessor Gianluca Atzori.

The Elefanti are still in the relegation zone with 19 points but Udinese’s visit to Sicily gives them a genuine opportunity to escape for the first time this season. Udinese lie just a point ahead of their opponents, but they also have a game in hand against Milan to come on February 12.

Things haven’t exactly improved since Gianni De Biasi replaced Pasquale Marino just before Christmas.

De Biasi hasn’t won any of his five games in charge of the Zebrette in Serie A. His sole victory came at home against Third Division side Lumezzane in the last 16 of this year’s Coppa Italia on January 14 before this week’s shock Cup win at Milan.

Udinese also sold Felipe, arguably the team’s best central defender, to Fiorentina, something that won’t help De Biasi down the stretch.

Luckily for the Zebrette, there are some omens pointing in their favour going into this relegation clash.

Catania haven’t beaten Udinese in Serie A since Giuseppe Mascara inspired a 2-0 victory at the Massimino in December 2007. Having said that the Zebrette have only won once away to Catania, although that did come fairly recently in October 2008.

It will be interesting to see how both teams react after tough tests in the Coppa Italia in midweek. Catania lost for the first time in three matches in all competitions on Tuesday, suffering a 1-0 defeat away to Roma, but Mihajlovic insisted he had been primarily focusing on Sunday.

Keep an eye on: Maxi Lopez (Catania) – The 25-year-old’s arrival is a real coup for Catania, seeing as he was a member of the Barcelona squad that won the Champions League in 2006. Lopez has also increased Catania’s Argentine ranks to an incredible 11 players.

Last five in Serie A: Catania (W L W D W) Udinese (L L D D L)

Last season: Catania 0-2 Udinese

Bologna can drag Chievo down into the relegation dogfight with a precious win in Verona this weekend. The Felsinei are unbeaten in three matches in Serie A and have lifted themselves four points clear of the drop zone.

Henry Gimenez’s introduction has given Bologna a real spark, as demonstrated against Bari on Sunday. The former River Plate youngster came on early in the second half to partner Marco Di Vaio up front.

Gimenez brought Bologna’s 4-4-1-1 formation alive, starting off on the right and drifting into the centre. He wrought havoc and thoroughly deserved his brace. Without him, the Felsinei looked a little lazy and imprecise, something Chievo’s scouts will have noted with attention.

Mimmo Di Carlo’s side have succeeded in arresting a Christmas slump of four straight defeats in all competitions by beating Juventus and holding Lazio to a 1-1 draw in Rome last week.

It’s testament to how well Chievo started the season that they can go on such an ugly run and still be nine points clear of the drop zone.

The Gialloblu are depleted though with Davide Mandelli, Giampiero Pinzi and Luca Rigoni all serving one-match bans.

Whether Chievo can live without them remains to be seen. The Gialloblu deserved to beat Lazio at the weekend, forcing Nando Muslera into so many saves he was promptly named Man of the Match.

Keep an eye on: Henry Gimenez (Bologna) – The 23-year-old Uruguayan striker has been a revelation under Franco Colomba, scoring three goals in his first five appearances for the club since he arrived from River Plate for just €2m.

Last five in Serie A: Chievo (L L L W D) Bologna (L L W D W)

Last season: Chievo 0-0 Bologna

It has been a thoroughly tense week for these teams, as Milan lost two on the trot and Serse Cosmi had his resignation rejected.

The Rossoneri had been the form team in Italy over the last two months, wining eight of their last nine Serie A games and losing just one of the previous 18 official fixtures. That was before the derby, as the 2-0 defeat against an Inter side playing with 10 men for over an hour hit their Scudetto hopes very hard indeed. Midweek Milan were also knocked out of the Coppa Italia after Udinese secured a 1-0 quarter-final victory at San Siro.

Confidence was so high and has suddenly evaporated, as Leonardo repeatedly complained that his team was “moving the ball around too slowly.” His choices are limited with Alexandre Pato, Alessandro Nesta, Massimo Oddo and Oguchi Onyewu sidelined. Nesta is the biggest loss, as their only defeats in the last 20 official games have come when the Nesta-Thiago Silva central defensive partnership was divided.

Gianluca Zambrotta played in the Coppa Italia and should be fit enough for his Serie A comeback, replacing either Ignazio Abate at right-back or Luca Antonini on the left, as the two youngsters have shown a distinct lack of experience recently. Giuseppe Favalli is again set for the centre-back role, while Clarence Seedorf requires a late fitness test.

Livorno have also had a highly stressful week since Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat to Napoli. Coach Cosmi announced his resignation after that game, although he had already planned it since the previous Thursday due to a row with President Aldo Spinelli. The patron thought he was giving the players too much rest and not enough hard work in training, but a couple of days later Spinelli rejected the resignation and urged Cosmi to stay on.

The Amaranto are sliding towards the drop zone and go into this match without several key players. Mozart and goalkeeper Alfonso De Lucia are suspended, while Leonardo Miglionico, Fabio Galante and Diniz are on the road to recovery. Francesco Tavano or Claudio Bellucci will start upfront with Cristiano Lucarelli, who – like Ronaldinho – saw his penalty saved last week.

This will be the 36th top-flight meeting between these clubs and Livorno’s only victory at San Siro was in 1941-42, but it should be noted they emerged unscathed in their last trip, a 1-1 in February 2008. Nico Pulzetti’s opener was cancelled out by an Andrea Pirlo spot-kick.

Keep an eye on: Ronaldinho (Milan) – The Brazilian had been on sparkling form before the disappointing derby, in which he failed to inspire teammates and saw a late spot-kick saved by Julio Cesar. This has to be his opportunity to make up for that night and reignite the enthusiasm of the San Siro crowd.

Last five in Serie A: Milan (L W W W L) Livorno (W L W L L)

Last season: Not played

The Milan derby furore rumbles on, yet Inter must try and focus on their trip to free falling Parma.

Jose Mourinho and director Ernesto Paolillo face disciplinary action for suggesting there is a conspiracy against the Nerazzurri, Marco Materazzi faced criticism for donning a Silvio Berlusconi mask during the post match celebrations, and both Wesley Sneijder and Lucio are suspended following their controversial red cards.

On the bright side of course there’s the fact that Inter emerged victorious from a derby that will be analysed, discussed and argued over for years to come, having won 2-0 despite playing with 10 men for an hour.

They also struck a potentially decisive blow in the title race. The win will quickly be rendered worthless if the Beneamata don’t come out on top at the Ennio Tardini though, as you certainly wouldn’t expect Milan to slip up at home to Livorno. The Rossoneri are nine points behind their fierce rivals at present, albeit with a game in hand.

Opponents Parma are in dismal form, suffering four defeats in their last five outings. This run is in stark contrast to the newly promoted outfit’s miracle displays before Christmas, when they climbed as high as 4th.

Now Francesco Guidolin’s men have slipped down to 12th, and if they do not arrest their decline soon it will not be a battle for European places, but to avoid relegation that they are engaged in during the closing stages of the season.

In the absence of Sneijder and Lucio the visiting squad is boosted by the return of Samuel Eto’o from the African Nations Cup, although his selection is far from certain given the devastating display strike pair Diego Milito and Goran Pandev produced on Sunday.

Rene Khrin and Cristian Chivu are injured, as are Parma’s Alberto Paloschi and Damiano Zenoni.

This is Inter’s first return to the Tardini since the rain soaked May afternoon that Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck a double to win them the title – relegating Parma in the process – on the last day of the 2007-08 season.

Keep an eye on: Goran Pandev (Inter) – It’s the kind of dilemma other Coaches dream of. Does Mourinho restore Eto’o alongside the untouchable Milito, or stick with new boy Pandev? With two goals in the last two games, including the decisive strike in his first Milan derby, the Macedonian will feel very hard done by if he isn’t given the nod.

Last five in Serie A: Parma (L L L D L) Inter (W W W D W)

Last season: Not played

High-flying Roma welcome Siena to the Olimpico looking to bag three vital points in their chase for an unlikely Scudetto.

The Giallorossi seriously believe they can fight for the title after their stunning win at Juventus. They are currently 11 points behind Inter but their morale is so high they feel nothing can stop them at the moment. In midweek they beat Catania in the Coppa Italia.

“We have shown a great team spirit,” said Francesco Totti. “We are having a great run and this team is finally showing its worth.”

However, Roma suffered the injury of newly signed Luca Toni who will be out for a month. “We are not planning to replace him,” noted Claudio Ranieri.

Siena are in big trouble. They are bottom of the table and forgotten what victory tastes like. At the weekend they were held 1-1 by Cagliari in a game they should have won. The future is dark for the Tuscans and the next fixtures could be the last in charge for boss Alberto Malesani.

“We need to believe but we must start winning games,” said star man Massimo Maccarone.

“The players are working hard and Malesani has done a good job so far regardless of results. We will back him because he deserves it,” added President Mezzaroma.

The Giallorossi will be without Toni. Totti is not 100 per cent fit but should make it – he and Mirko Vucinic are a good enough attacking duo. Philippe Mexes could replace Nicolas Burdisso at the back. Julio Sergio returns in goal after resting against Catania.

The Bianconeri will be missing their regular centre halves for this game. Cribari and Jardim Brandao have both been suspended so Claudio Terzi and Daniele Ficagna will replace them. There is a doubt between Reginaldo and Mate Jajalo.

Keep an eye on: Francesco Totti (Roma) – At the weekend the evergreen Giallorossi captain scored his first goal in Turin against Juventus. And he doesn’t want to stop. Now that Toni is out Roma need Totti more than ever.

Last five in Serie A: Roma (W D W W W) Siena (L L L L D)

Last season: Roma 1-0 Siena

Sampdoria returned to winning ways last weekend and hope to pick up where they left off as they welcome Atalanta to Marassi. But their major concern is Antonio Cassano.

The Blucerchiati star may once again be ruled out by injury, but his problems are not only physical. Rumours suggest that his relationship with boss Gigi Del Neri has hit problems which could see him move on. In the meantime, the Liguri need points to continue their run for a spot in Europe.

“I want more from Cassano,” said Del Neri. “He is a player like all the others and I thought he wasn’t fit to play against Udinese. I don’t understand all these rumours. Antonio is not the team, he is like everybody else.”

Meanwhile, Atalanta have plenty of problems to solve and this away game represents a big challenge. They were defeated 2-0 by Genoa last weekend and find themselves second to last in the table. Their situation is seriously complicated.

“I thought we did well and always tried to create chances but Genoa were really good. Football is like this sometimes,” confessed new boss Bortolo Mutti.

The Bergamaschi will miss their inspiration, Cristiano Doni, through suspension. “Cristiano feels really responsible for our situation and wants to help the team,” added Mutti. “He gives his soul for this team and sometimes goes over the top. It is a pity that he won’t be there against Doria.”

If Cassano doesn’t make it, Del Neri will field Nicola Pozzi. Marco Storari will take the gloves since Luca Castellazzi is injured while Daniele Gastaldello is suspended and will be replaced by Stefano Lucchini. There are doubts between Franco Semioli and Stefano Guberti, but the latter scored against Udinese and should be reconfirmed.

Mutti has yet to decide whether to play Ferdinando Coppola or Andrea Consigli in goal. Doni is out so Ernesto Chevanton will step in. The Uruguayan is in great form so Atalanta shouldn’t worry too much.

Keep an eye on: Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria) – With or without Cassano, Pazzo continues scoring. He is now taking penalty kicks and Doria have a potential Serie A top scorer. Marcello Lippi is watching and Pazzo knows it.

Last five in Serie A: Sampdoria (L D L D W) Atalanta (L L W D L)

Last season: Sampdoria 1-0 Atalanta