Palermo - Lazio
Stadio Barbera
      
If Palermo do not win this tie against a Lazio side distracted by the Coppa Italia Final, then it could be curtains for Davide Ballardini.

Amazing though it might seem for a Coach who has taken the Sicilians to within touching distance of a Europa League spot, Ballardini was under fire this week by volcanic President Maurizio Zamparini.

“In my opinion, this team is simply not worthy of a place in European competition,” Zamparini raged after the 1-0 defeat at Siena. “Ballardini becomes mediocre on the road. He has to understand that this is his missing link and he has to improve. If we didn't get a result the blame lies above all with Ballardini, who didn't manage to transmit the right spirit.”

It is true the Rosanero have a dismal away record, but at home they are very strong with 13 wins and four defeats – a better tally than Juventus. They are yet to draw here all season, so the fans get all or nothing from this team. They’ve won four on the trot at the Stadio Barbera by scoring 15 goals and conceding just four.

A great deal often depends on Fabrizio Miccoli’s presence, as the Romario del Salento is the creative spark for his side, but he is an injury doubt for this game along with Giovanni Tedesco and Igor Budan. Moris Carrozzieri continues to sit out his ban for failing a doping test. If Miccoli doesn’t make it, then Juventus-owned youngster Davide Succi should start with Edinson Cavani and Fabio Simplicio.

Lazio are likely to rest several stars for this match, as they are putting all their eggs in the Coppa Italia basket. Qualification for Europe through Serie A has disappeared thanks to a disastrous second half of the season, in which they lost 11 of their 16 games.

Choices are also limited by bans for Cristian Brocchi and Sebastiano Siviglia, while Goran Pandev is still struggling with injury. Mauro Zarate should therefore partner Tommaso Rocchi, though the odds aren’t good for Lazio avoiding a fourth consecutive Serie A defeat.

The Biancocelesti’s record in Sicily is of just six wins, 12 draws and 12 defeats. Last season saw a chaotic 2-2 draw with Amauri missing a penalty for the home side and Lazio ending with nine men thanks to red cards for Siviglia and Lorenzo De Silvestri.

Keep an eye on: Davide Succi (Palermo) – The youngster is going to be given more space to shine in these final weeks of the season and has already impressed with two goals in his last two home games.

Last season: Palermo 2-2 Lazio

Form guide: Palermo (D W L W L) Lazio (W W L L L)
Palermo (probable): Amelia; Cassani, Kjaer, Bovo, Balzaretti; Migliaccio, Liverani, Nocerino; Simplicio; Cavani, Succi

Lazio (probable): Muslera; De Silvestri, Diakhitè, Rozehnal, Radu; Lichtsteiner, Ledesma, Matuzalem, Del Nero; Zarate, Rocchi

Really, I didnt know this bro. This is Serie A tough, known for chicane .

However, not hard to estimate that we may lose. Coz Palermo still has a target like you said, but we dont, we have taken what we want. So, Palermo will be more motivated and eager I think. I dont expect a win, actually, I dont care so much this match after coppa victory. And I wont be sad if Palermo win, coz they can pass merda and push them 7th or less, and that would be great. For now, I am fan of Udinese and Palermo

I'll happily take the loss to keep the merda from grabbing a uefa spot. I say we just use this game to be experimental and give players who would otherwise never play get a chance to showcase their talent.

Right. We have saved our ass, so, if Palermo wins, this wont be good for merda if they lose. Wining this wont give us anything out of just a meaningless 3 points. My only wish now is to see merda out of uefa spot. I agree with Latius, we should shake this up and play against Juventus. We musnt help merda. I hope Udinese and Palermo can finish season in a better place than merda.

Sorry lads but I want Lazio to win no matter what we just worry about ourselves, however, i do agree with playing our youngsters... hey if we meet rioma in the europa league we'll just have to prove we are the capitals number 1 again   

Although i want Roma to fail in getting a UEFA cup place, i will never take their interest in front of Lazio's. Losing to make it harder for them? No way. I would rather finish 9th or 10th (with Roma in the UEFA) instead of 13th or 14th (With Roma NOT in the UEFA). Really the only new player I want to see is Tuia. He trains with the first team and should be in the line up instead of Siviglia.

Cant say I'll watch this one, mainly due to my important train line under going maintenance work at the weekend.. Reggina i'll definitely watch though, would be good to send those boring, useless fucks sprinting back to Serie B with the tails between their legs.. hopefully their official relegation can hold off for one more week, plus of course, it's the triumphant Lazio heroes returning to the Olimpico for the first match since a certain special event, so I expect some sort of celebratory atmosphere too 

< Fed up with a lot of secrecy on these forums... that is me, what you think? 

Rossi should put all our younger in this game. I would like to see Tuia, Fraoni, Mendicio and Kozak play