The fight for the title may not have been mathematically sealed, but we can predict with some confidence that Milan will go on to win their first Scudetto in six years this season. However at the foot of the table, things are still as unpredictable as ever, with the fight to stay in the division set to go right down to the wire. No side right up to Juventus in 7th are completely safe, but in this post I’ll run through the teams in serious danger of falling into Serie B.
Bari are all but down having only managed to muster an embarrasing 21 points from their 33 games so far, and they are 13 points from safety, so we can pretty safely suggest that they are relegated. Brescia currently occupy 19th place and are four points inside the drop zone, but their run-in suggests that they are in with a real chance of yet clawing their way to safety.
Following a game against Milan, Brescia face Sampdoria, Catania and Cesena – three games that will in all likelihood prove decisive in who will go down. Their game against Sampdoria in particular is also one not to be missed, with the Blucerchiati also currently sat rather uncomfortably in the relegation zone, having been in free-fall recently.
Samp have suffered from a chronic lack of goals this year since losing Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini in January, and seem certain to go down, barring a dramatic change of form. They’ve lost seven of their last nine, and their last win came in early February – believe it or not this was the side which was playing Champions League football at the start of the season.
Sampdoria’s remaining games aren’t the easiest, with Genoa, Palermo and Roma their last three. However prior to that they play Bari and Brescia, two games which are undoubtedly must-wins if they are to stay in the top tier.
Cesena are currently sat looking apprehensively over their shoulders with the dreaded drop zone directly below. A recent upturn in form has seen the Cavallucci Marini go unbeaten in three games, including coming back from two goals down in stoppage time to draw 2-2 against Palermo.
This momentum might just be enough to see them home and dry, but their run-in isn’t exactly easy, with games including Bologna, Inter, Cagliari and Genoa yet to be played. However, they also have to play Brescia, in what could be an edgy relegation-decider at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi.
Scoring goals haven’t been Lecce‘s problem this season, but a leaky defence has – they’ve conceded 56 goals: more than any other team in Serie A. However they are unbeaten in their last three and have won two of those games, with a shock defeat of Udinese and a tight victory over fellow strugglers Sampdoria.
The Giallorossi won’t be quaking in their boots over their run-in, with games against Genoa, Chievo and Bari in which they will look to cement their Serie A status. Despite this, they still have to play Champions League contenders Napoli and Lazio which may throw a spanner in the works.
Things look a whole lot healthier for Parma following their 2-0 victory over Inter on Saturday evening, but they still remain only three points from the relegation zone. Nevertheless, if they can replicate the efficient display the showed in the game against the Nerazzurri, they should manage to keep their heads above water, notwithstanding their reasonably tough remaining games which include Udinese, Palermo and Juventus.
Catania are the final side who are in imminent danger of relegation, and while a four point gap to the drop seems healthy at the moment, it is an advantage which can disintegrate rapidly, especially when you consider Diego Simeone’s side are yet to play Juventus, Inter and Roma.
For me, it is the three sides who are currently at the foot of the table – Bari, Brescia and Sampdoria who will be relegated. The sheer gap to safety is nigh-on insurmountable for Bari, and while the Brescia run-in isn’t the most difficult, I still feel that they don’t have the momentum, nor the class to see them to safety. Sampdoria have had a truly horrific season, and they don’t look like turning it around. It is a very sad sight to see a club fall so rapidly from the dizzying Champions League heights, but it looks like Samp will shortly be hitting the floor with an almighty thud.
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Agree with your prediction. I can’t see Bari or Sampdoria staying up, while although Brescia have had some terrific moments, both Cesena and Lecce are both very good teams and it will be hard to leapfrog them.