While Roma are currently in a lot better shape than Lazio, anything can happen on derby day – as many players have cautioned this week.

The Giallorossi are doing everything in their power to get back into the top four, putting together an impressive four-game unbeaten run, in which they have won three and drawn one.

Claudio Ranieri feels confident with the side now, so much so that he has abandoned the safety first 4-4-2 with which he started his reign for a more offensive 4-2-3-1.

The system appears to be really getting the best out of Ranieri’s players, no more so than mercurial Frenchman Jeremy Menez, who is beginning to show his potential.

Perhaps even more positive is the fact Francesco Totti has picked up where he left off after knee surgery, taking his total to 20 goals in 15 games in all competitions so far this season.

Totti has the chance to equal former Lazio striker Beppe Signori’s tally of 188 Serie A goals against his bitter rivals and considering his current form you wouldn’t bet against him doing just that.

However, to Lazio’s credit they are now unbeaten in their last two games in Serie A, keeping a clean sheet on both occasions.

Their problem lies going forward. The Biancocelesti have scored just nine goals all season despite having spent £18m on Mauro Zarate in the summer.

Claudio Lotito’s decision to freeze Goran Pandev out of the squad for expressing his desire to leave in the summer has also rendered Lazio less potent going forward.

With just a point separating the Biancocelesti from the drop zone and no wins recorded since the second week of the season, the derby really is a chance to turn their campaign around.

If they lose, then Davide Ballardini will almost certainly be sacked and possibly replaced by fans’ favourite Sinisa Mihajlovic.

Keep an eye on: Daniele De Rossi (Roma) – It will be interesting to see how De Rossi copes after losing a lot of weight following kidney problems that forced him spend a few nights in hospital. He’ll also be wearing a mask after fracturing his cheekbone.

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

Last season: Roma 1-0 Lazio

Roma (probable): Julio Sergio; Motta, Mexes, Juan, Riise; De Rossi, Pizarro; Perrotta, Menez, Vucinic; Totti

Lazio (probable): Muslera; Cribari, Stendardo, Radu; Lichtsteiner, Baronio, Matuzalem, Kolarov; Foggia, Zarate; Rocchi

Verdict  : Both teams to score , Red Card :  Yes

There is a good chance that Stephen Appiah will make his debut for Bologna this weekend against one of his former clubs. The Ghanaian returned to Italy in November on a free transfer but has been waiting to get his international clearance forms signed off. That paper work now seems to be complete so the midfielder could now be available to Franco Colomba.

Bologna’s run of nine consecutive games without drawing a blank came to an end last week as they drew 0-0 with Lazio. Prior to that encounter they had been a pretty good bet to at least score. As it is they have only failed to score at home once in seven outings so far this term.

Udinese ended their run of three games without a win last time out as they downed Livorno. However, Pasquale Marino’s side have only recorded two Serie A wins in eight matches and have yet to pick up a win on the road this season.

The Bianconeri ran riot in this fixture last season. An early red card for Miguel Angel Britos, which led to the Friuli outfit’s 14th minute penalty, put the home side on the back-foot from the get go and their afternoon only got worse as they ended up going down to a 3-0 scoreline back in September 2008.

The last four meetings between these two sides at the Renato Dall’Ara have only seen one win for the home side. In the last three the Rossoblu have failed to even score, with their last win coming in September 2003. Goals from Andres Guglielminpietro and Samuele Dalla Bona secured that win.

Bologna will be without midfielder Nicola Mingazzini – who is serving a one game ban. Defender Andrea Raggi and midfielders Massimo Mutarelli and Luigi Lavecchia are out injured.

Meanwhile, Udinese have a far longer injury list. Defenders Giovanni Pasquale and Damiano Feronetti, Nigerian midfielder Christian Obodo, Danish midfielder Niki Zimling and forwards Simone Pepe and Alexis Sanchez are all unavailable.

Keep an eye on: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese) – The Division’s leading scorer got back on the scoresheet last weekend, after a six week drought, and will be hoping that marks a return to the scoring ways that saw him net six goals in the first three games.

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

Last season: Bologna 0-3 Udinese

Bologna (probable): Viviano; Zenoni, Portanova, Moras, Lanna; Valiani, Guana, Mudingayi; Adailton; Di Vaio, Zalayeta

Udinese (probable): Handanovic; Zapata, Coda, Felipe; Basta, Inler, D’Agostino, Asamoah, Lukovic; Floro Flores, Di Natale

Verdict : total goals over 2 , Di Natale >0.5

This weekend at the Artermio Franchi sees the meeting of two teams both suffering from bad form of late. Fiorentina have dropped to tenth in the League after successive defeats to Parma and Inter, and are showing serious signs of inconsistency this campaign. Atalanta, meanwhile, are looking nervously over their shoulders already with just 12 points.

Juventus legend Antonio Conte may be disappointed with how his tenure at the Stadio Atleti has gone so far, but a result in Florence would really kick start his team’s season. Cesare Prandelli, on the other hand, will be expected to win this one and win it convincingly – pressures the team could do without but nonetheless come with the territory of a Champions League side.

Adrian Mutu’s injury rules him out again for the home side, while Italian internationals Alessandro Gamberini and Marco Marchionni are also not at Prandelli’s disposal. Cristiano Zanetti serves a one-match ban, so Marco Donadel is expected to take his place in central midfield.

Talented Paraguayan Edgar Barreto is missing for Conte’s side through injury along with Serbian midfielder Ivan Radovanovic. Atalanta stalwart Giampaolo Bellini, who has been at the club since 1998, is suspended.

This match offers a view of the Azzurri frontline of today and possibly the future, as Alberto Gilardino takes on Robert Acquafresca. Gilardino has had a slow start to the campaign while Under-21 international Acquafresca has just one this term since being shipped out on loan from Genoa.

Last season’s encounter saw the Viola completely dominate the Nerazzurri, meaning the 2-1 scoreline was extremely flattering to the visitors. Felipe Melo fired in a fantastic long-range strike to put Prandelli’s team ahead, and a combination of good work from Stevan Jovetic and a mix-up in the Atalanta defence gifted Gilardino the second.

Sergio Floccari, who moved to Genoa this summer, scored a penalty to salvage some pride for the away side, but had Fiorentina been a bit more clinical it could well have been a rout.

Keep an eye on: Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina) – The Italy international has crept up the scoring charts in recent weeks with six goals to his name, but the former Parma man will want to bag a few this weekend if he is to get close to last season’s tally of 19. Atalanta’s leaky defence, which has conceded 22 goals this term, could well see the 27-year-old fill his boots.

Last five in Serie A: Fiorentina (L W W L L) Atalanta (L L L W L)

Last season: Fiorentina 2-1 Atalanta

Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Comotto, Dainelli, Kroldrup, Pasqual; Donadel, Montolivo; De Silvestri, Santana, Vargas; Gilardino

Atalanta (probable): Consigli; Garics, Bianco, Manfredini, Peluso; Ceravolo, De Ascentis, Guarante, Padoin; Tribocchi, Acquafresca

Verdict : Fiorentina win

Morale is sky-high at both clubs, who do battle for the title of season’s revelation and European places.

Genoa are still glowing from their 3-0 drubbing of Sampdoria in the Derby della Lanterna, especially as it came after they had gone down to 10 men. Unfortunately the fiery match had some repercussions, as Giuseppe Biava and Sokratis Papastathopoulos are suspended, but Giandomenico Mesto does return from his ban. Bosko Jankovic, Houssine Kharja and Andrea Esposito remain long-term injury cases.

The Rossoblu are also still in the running for Europa League qualification following their midweek draw away to Slavia Prague. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini made numerous changes for that game and so expect Hernan Crespo and Sergio Floccari to be on the bench again this week for Serie A duty. Ivan Fatic is likely to stand in for the two suspended defenders, with Alberto Zapater returning to midfield.

Parma are also confident, as they managed to scrape a late draw with Napoli last weekend and remain joint fourth. They are only a point ahead of Genoa in the standings and therefore hope to buck the trend of their away record.

So far this season, the Gialloblu have amassed only eight of their total 24 points outside the Tardini, while Genoa’s Marassi tally is of five wins, a draw and a single defeat to Inter. Having said that, Parma did cause a huge upset in their last trip to Fiorentina, securing a 3-2 victory.

Daniele Galloppa returns from his one-match ban, while crucially the forwards Valeri Bojinov and Alberto Paloschi have recovered. Considering how important Nicola Amoruso has been recently, it remains to be seen whether Coach Francesco Guidolin will risk benching the experienced striker. Andrea Pisanu and McDonald Mariga remain sidelined in midfield.

It’s an extra special game for Christian Panucci and Crespo, who started their Serie A careers playing for Genoa and Parma respectively. “It’ll be like a homecoming,” said the defender.

Keep an eye on: Raffaele Palladino (Genoa) – Decisive in the derby and impressive enough to earn an Italy recall in recent weeks, Palladino is finally beginning to deliver on the promise he had always shown. The figures in the trident attack may change, but he remains a key figure.

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

Last season: Not played

Verdict : Genoa win , Genoa >1

Chievo travel to Livorno after an important win against Palermo but they will face a tough rival looking for revenge.

The Amaranto have had a season of ups and downs. Serse Cosmi brought some fresh air to the Picchi but they still need to improve. The Tuscans are sitting in a relegation position and have to get out from there as soon as possible.

“We should have done more,” said Cosmi. “I didn’t get too optimistic after our win over Genoa. It’s a difficult League and we need to get to January in better form. I think my players understood what’s lacking, now we just need to improve step by step.”

Chievo sit mid-table and their campaign has been good so far. Beating Palermo at the Bentegodi was fundamental though after two defeats. Now they want to continue down that path proving that they are a side capable of winning away games too.

“We didn’t deserve to lose those two games but we did incredibly well against Palermo,” claimed boss Mimmo Di Carlo. “I asked my men for a convincing performance, a display of character and they delivered. Normally we do well away from home and I am looking for a good result against Livorno. We are definitely on the right track.”

Cosmi remains without Francesco Tavano and Fabio Galante. They are two key players for them and will be missed. Cristiano Lucarelli will once again be left on his own up front because Tomas Danilevicius is close leaving the club since a big offer was delivered from Russia.

The two trequartisti behind Lucarelli – Nico Pulzetti and Antonio Candreva – will have to be more clinical as a result. “They were far from effective last Sunday, I want more from them,” confessed the boss.

There are few changes in Chievo’s line up. Elvis Abbruscato will start after his winning goal against Palermo. Mario Yepes returns in defence after suspension. Luca Rigoni recovered from injury and will be starting in the middle of the park.

Keep an eye on: Cristiano Lucarelli (Livorno) – The former Parma striker is fundamental for the Amaranto. As Cosmi said, they can’t survive without him. Livorno desperately need his goals and Cristiano is ready to deliver them.

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

Last season: Not played

Livorno (probable): De Lucia; Miglionico, Rivas, Perticone; Raimondi, Moro, Mozart, Bergvold; Candreva, Pulzetti; C.Lucarelli

Chievo (probable): Sorrentino; Sardo, Morero, Yepes, Mantovani; Luciano, Rigoni, Marcolini; Pinzi; Abbruscato, Pellissier

Verdict : x2

Expect an explosive encounter when these sides vie for southern supremacy at the Stadio San Paolo.

As Napoli and Bari are at present the two southernmost mainland clubs in Serie A, this match represents a local derby of sorts.

Both teams are finally back in Serie A where they belong after years of torment in the lower Divisions. This is Napoli’s third season back in the top flight, whilst Bari are one of the new boys this term, although you’d be hard pushed to tell the difference judging by performances so far.

The young, untested Biancorossi have exceeded all expectations with a wonderful season to date, but the big spending Azzurri struggled terribly before Roberto Donadoni was replaced with Walter Mazzarri.

The former Sampdoria and Livorno boss has resurrected the ailing Partenopei and restored their European ambitions, leaving them just one point behind the Galletti in the process. Bari are 8th with 21 points, Napoli 11th with 20.

The sparkling form that saw the Vesuviani pull off famous comebacks against Milan and Juventus has mysteriously disappeared though, with Mazzarri’s side drawing their last three league games and winning just one of the last five. Three points from this fixture are imperative before those currently occupying the European places get too comfortable.

Bizarrely Bari have one of the Division’s worst attacks and it’s joint best defence alongside Inter – having conceded a mere 11 goals so far. This is mostly thanks to the outstanding performances of youthful central defenders Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Ranocchia.

Giampiero Ventura’s charges have already held both Milan clubs and Sampdoria to draws on the road this season, so the San Paolo shouldn’t prove overly daunting.

The home team miss the injured Ezequiel Lavezzi, whilst both Leandro Rinaudo and Matteo Contini sit out two-match bans.

The visitors’ absentees include Mariano Donda, Vitali Kutuzov, Emanuel Rivas, Ferdinando Sforzini, Salvatore Masiello and Matteo Paro, who are all injured.

Keep an eye on: German Denis (Napoli) – The Argentine targetman has never lived up to expectations or justified his transfer fee, but he now has a fantastic opportunity to establish himself with Lavezzi injured and Fabio Quagliarella in strangely ineffective form. His goal against Parma last week could be what’s needed to spur him on.

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

Last season: Not played

Verdict : Napoli win

The Derby of the Islands sees Palermo host Cagliari with the visiting Sardinians in far superior form to the Sicilians.

Delio Rossi has the unenviable task of steering the Rosanero’s season back on course under the watchful eye of megalomaniac owner Maurizio Zamparini. Walter Zenga was recently removed in a sacking that seemed harsh, but was in fact fairly tame by Zamparini standards, especially if you recall Stefano Colantuono being dismissed for the second time at the club after one game of last season.

Rossi has, perhaps wisely, steered clear of making predictions, in contrast to Zenga, who famously said his side could win the Scudetto – a quote that may live to haunt him for years.

The squad is strong and European qualification isn’t out the question, but Rossi will simply want to restore a little stability for now, especially after the disappointing defeat away to Chievo in his Serie A debut last week. A win against their Island rivals would be a step in the right direction.

It must be said the visitors are favourites though. Massimiliano Allegri’s team have shocked Serie A once more with a remarkable run of results. The Isolani have collected six wins from their last seven games, killing several giants en route. Genoa, Sampdoria, Lazio and most recently Juventus have all been beaten, and Milan were lucky to snatch a scintillating 4-3 win at San Siro two weeks ago.

The fear for Allegri and President Massimo Cellino must now be that their stars will become targets in the January window. Andrea Cossu, Davide Biondini, Alessandro Matri, Jeda and Nene have all been extremely impressive as the Rossoblu have rained in goals, and will surely have caught the eye of larger clubs.

Cagliari will certainly want to improve on last season’s effort in this fixture, when they were thumped 5-1.

Palermo miss influential figures Fabrizio Miccoli and Fabio Liverani through suspension, Davide Succi and Mark Bresciano are injured.

The visitors remain without defenders Michele Canini and Lino Marzoratti.

Keep an eye on: Nene (Cagliari) –Six goals in four starts says it all. Cagliari pulled off a major coup when they signed the Portuguese League’s top scorer last summer, and it’s already paid off. His screamer against Juve will live long in the memory.

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

Last season: Palermo 5-1 Cagliari

Palermo (probable): Sirigu; Cassani, Kjaer, Bovo, Balzaretti; Migliaccio, Simplicio, Nocerino, Pastore; Miccoli, Cavani

Cagliari (probable): Marchetti; Pisano, Lopez, Astori, Agostini; Biondini, Conti, Lazzari, Cossu; Matri, Nene

Verdict : Palermo (0)

Talk about a relegation battle, this weekend’s match between Siena and Catania could prove decisive for their respective survival hopes come May.

Both sides have failed to win any of their last five games in Serie A, although Catania travel to Tuscany in greater form than their hosts.

Gianluca Atzori has made his side increasingly difficult to beat, as demonstrated at the weekend against second placed Milan.

The Rossoneri huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow Catania down until Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored in the 93rd and then the 95th minute.

Before then, Catania looked likely to record their third consecutive draw. Instead they remain second from bottom in the table, three points ahead of Siena.

Meanwhile, in Tuscany things haven’t improved since Alberto Malesani took over from caretaker boss Marco Baroni – in fact, they have got worse.

The Robur have lost every game under the unpopular Malesani who has already had to call for a truce with the club’s fans who wanted Mario Beretta in his place.

With three straight defeats in Serie A and an embarrassing loss to Third Division side Novara in the Coppa Italia, things are really beginning to look bleak for Siena.

Already six points adrift of safety, this weekend’s clash at the Artemio Franchi is a must win if they are to stave off making a return to Serie B for the first time in six years.

Siena President Giovanni Lombardi Stronati must now be questioning his decision to sell so many of the club’s stars in the summer.

Keep an eye on: Takayuki Morimoto (Catania) – Linked with Manchester United who are looking for yet another investment to boost their brand value in Asia, Morimoto has started the season well, scoring three goals in 11 starts for the Sicilian side in Serie A.

Last five in Serie A: Siena (L D L L L) Catania (L L D D L)

Last season: Siena 1-1 Catania

Siena (probable): Curci; Rossi, Terzi, Brandao, Del Grosso; Vergassola, Genevier, Jarolim; Fini, Maccarone, Ghezzal

Catania (probable): Andujar; Alvarez, Silvestre, Spoli, Capuano; Biagianti, Carboni, Llama; Martinez, Mascara; Morimoto

Verdict : Both teams to score , total goals >1.5