[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 15 - 9/12/06 (19.30 UK)
Palermo - Livorno

Stadio Barbera

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Palermo and Livorno may be in third and fourth place in Serie A at the moment, but with an eight point gap between them the visitors will be desperate for a win when they travel to Sicily. With both teams in tight competition for places with a number of other teams, this result could have serious consequences for the loser.

The Rosanero started the season as potential surprise Scudetto candidates, but have fallen off the pace in recent weeks. After only picking up one point in their last three matches they have allowed Roma to build up a four-point gap in second place. However, defeats to Inter and on the road at Cagliari’s Sardinian fortress are certainly forgivable, especially with the likes of David Di Michele, Eugenio Corini, Fabio Simplicio and Aimo Diana forced to watch on from the sidelines.

The good news for the Sicilians then is that with the exception of Diana, who is still out through injury, they should have those key players back on the pitch where they are needed. Di Michele is especially important due to his huge creative input, not to mention the five goals he has scored himself this season. With Roma facing the potential banana skin of the Rome derby, they will be keen to regain the ground they have lost now they are approaching full strength.

Somewhat surprisingly considering President Aldo Spinelli’s constant complaints about the ‘unwanted’ distractions of the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia, Livorno Coach Daniele Arrigoni has an injury free squad to choose from in Sicily. However, the Amaranto have a poor record against the top sides this season, with nearly all their victories coming against teams from the bottom half of the table.

That may not come as much of a surprise, but it is important to remember that Livorno’s impressive start to 2006-07 currently sees them occupying a Champions League place. The biggest obstacle they must overcome if they have any plans to stay there is their dreadful away form. They have only won twice on their travels this season and they came back in early October. They will need to rectify that situation if they are to have a chance of keeping the pressure on the other European hopefuls at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.

Man on fire: Cristiano Lucarelli (Livorno) – The former Capocannoniere had struggled for form this season as he was hampered by fitness problems, but with those difficulties behind him he is starting to look like his clinical best after goals against Parma and Reggina.

Last season: Palermo 0-2 Livorno

Form guide: Palermo (W W L L D) Livorno (W L W D L)

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Palermo (probable): Fontana; Dellafiore, Barzagli, Zaccardo; Cassani, Tedesco, Corini, Simplicio, Bresciano; Di Michele, Amauri

Livorno (probable): Amelia; Grandoni, Rezaei, Galante; Pfertzel, Morrone, Passoni, Filippini, Pasquale; Lucarelli, Bakayoko

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...7/pal-liv.html