Serie A preview: Lazio aim to close gap on Juventus

10 January 2013 15:15

Serie A leaders Juventus face a tricky tie away at Parma on Sunday as they attempt to keep second-placed Lazio at bay.

The Old Lady have won four of their past five matches but have failed to pick up three points in their last two appearances at Parma's Stadio Ennio Tardini.

Their closest challengers Lazio, who are five points behind, welcome Atalanta to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, a team they have beaten on four of the past five occasions.

A run of eight Serie A matches unbeaten has seen Lazio emerge as Juventus' number one challenger to the championship.

Atalanta are currently sitting in 12th and after a poor run of one win in five games, they are at risk of being sucked into the relegation zone.

On Saturday, Inter Milan will be hoping to get back among the leaders as they host Pescara at the San Siro.

Andrea Stramaccioni's men are coming off a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Udinese last Sunday and have endured a mixed season which has seen them pick up only one point in their past three games.

However, it won't be easy going for the Nerazzurri, whose opponents have won three of their past five and have eased away from the relegation zone.

In the other Saturday match, Bologna meets a Chievo side who have lost once in their past five matches.

On Sunday, Siena travel to Torino looking to work their way off the bottom of the table, Cagliari host Genoa in a battle to stay out of the relegation zone and Catania meet an improving AS Roma side.

Third-placed Napoli clash against Palermo, Udinese square up with Fiorentina as they attempt to work their way up the table and AC Milan hope to improve on their seventh placing when they visit Sampdoria.