Who would have thought that relative minnows Bari would have the season they’ve had this year? With five games to go, the newly-promoted Galletti are in a more than comfortable mid-table position, having reached that significant 40-point mark quite some time ago.

Credit must surely go to Coach Giampiero Ventura, who has moulded a side that is difficult to score against, as 41 goals conceded this campaign will attest. Rising star Leonardo Bonucci will take most of the media limelight, particularly with a summer transfer on the cards, but other defensive players must take their share of the plaudits too. Belgian goalkeeper Jean-Francois Gillet, Andrea Masiello, Nicola Belmonte and Andrea Ranocchia have all been hugely influential on the team’s success at the back.

With just six points separating this weekend’s opponents, Napoli, the Biancorossi supporters will be enjoying the season’s denouement without the pressure of a relegation battle. Walter Mazzarri’s team, on the other hand, are still fighting for fourth spot, but it’s looking a real uphill battle with a five-point gap to make up. They sit in seventh, so European qualification of either competition, be it the Champions League or the more likely Europa League, has to be the target.

Mazzarri is in a privileged position at this time of the season regarding injuries with just one player out, that being versatile Azzurri international Christian Maggio. However, his players’ indiscipline has seen his selection options suffer considerably, with star striker Fabio Quagliarella serving a three-game suspension, along with one-match bans for both defender Salvatore Aronica and captain Paolo Cannavaro.

Ventura, in contrast, has real injury issues to contend with, right the way through the team. Argentine midfielder Mariano Donda and Genoa loanee Ranocchia are out for the rest of the campaign, while Belarusian forward Vitali Kutuzov’s return from injury before the season’s end is in the balance.

Those returning in two weeks include veteran striker Antonio Langella, Argentine midfielder Emanuel Rivas and on-loan Torino defender Marco Pisano. Four players are expected to miss just this weekend’s action: perennial Juventus loanee Sergio Almiron, former Celtic and Milan creator Massimo Donati, French midfielder Pedro Kamata and Inter academy product Riccardo Meggiorini.

Keep an eye on: Marek Hamsik (Napoli) – With Quagliarella suspended, the pressure on the Slovakian attacking midfielder to score and supply goals has greatly increased. There’s no doubting the 22-year-old’s ability and a summer move to one of Europe’s top brass is possible, but for now his focus should be on sealing his team’s qualification to a European club competition, realistically the Europa League.

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

Last season: Not played

Bari (probable): Gillet; Belmonte, A. Masiello, Bonucci, S. Masiello; Alvarez, Gazzi, De Vezze, Koman; Barreto, Castillo

Napoli (probable): De Sanctis; Grava, Rinaudo, Campagnaro; Zuniga, Pazienza, Gargano, Bogliacino; Denis, Hamsik; Lavezzi

Ref: To follow

This game will be Siena’s last chance to avoid relegation and it comes at a time when Catania couldn’t be any stronger.

The Rossoblu have been in great shape lately. They have collected several important results including a win in the Sicilian derby against Palermo and, somehow, an unexpected away draw to Milan. The Etnei only need a point though to reach theoretical safety.

The board opted for a Press silence ahead of this game but Sinisa Mihajlovic spoke to the journalists after the San Siro match. “I feel we are good enough for eighth position,” claimed the Serbian. “We want to win every game and are fearless. We only need a point to avoid relegation and this makes me proud.”

The Tuscans find themselves in a completely different situation and relegation at the end of the season is likely. The Bianconeri sit second to last, six points behind Bologna. At the weekend they beat Bari, keeping their hopes for survival still alive, but their chances are very slim.

“We are really happy that the boys didn’t give in,” claimed President Massimo Mezzaroma. “I do believe we still have a chance. The fixtures ahead of us are complicated but we will go from strength to strength starting from Catania.”

Mihajlovic will be missing his star man Giuseppe Mascara, who is suspended. On top of that, the Sicilians will also be without injured Jorge Martinez and Nicolas Spolli. Christian Terlizzi should start at the back while their trident will be formed by Taka Morimoto, Maxi Lopez and Mariano Izco.

Giuseppe Pratali is banned and his place will be taken by Belgian defender Michael Odibe. Albin Ekdal will start from the bench. Marcelo Larrondo should be the lone striker with Massimo Maccarone and Reginaldo playing on the flanks.

Keep an eye on: Maxi Lopez (Catania) – The Argentine striker has had an impressive start in Catania having scored seven goals in 12 games. The former Barca man believes he still has a chance to make it to the World Cup but in order to do so he cannot stop scoring.

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

Last season: Catania 0-3 Siena

Catania (probable): Andujar; Alvarez, Silvestre, Terlizzi, Capuano; Carboni, Biagianti, Ricchiuti; Izco, Maxi Lopez, Morimoto

Siena (probable): Curci; Rosi, Odiba, Cribari, Del Grosso; Vergassola, Tziolis; Reginaldo, Ghezzal, Maccarone; Larrondo

Ref: To follow

It may well already be too late for Livorno, but anything less than a victory in Verona would likely doom them to the drop.

The Amaranto are propping up the table and last week’s 2-0 home defeat to Udinese left them nine points adrift of safety. “I still believe, even if we’re aware the situation is desperate,” said Coach Gennaro Ruotolo, who replaced Serse Cosmi. “There are still 15 points up for grabs. Football is wonderful because it is so unpredictable.”

Chievo aren’t mathematically safe yet, but a win here would put them in a relatively comfortable position. The Flying Donkeys should’ve been secure by now, though have picked up only three points from the last seven rounds, not tasting victory since the 2-1 over Cagliari on February 28.

The Verona outfit were leading in Palermo last Sunday before collapsing 3-1. They welcome back Sergio Pellissier, Luca Rigoni and Santiago Morero from suspension, although Luca Ariatti is now on the naughty step. Veteran winger Luciano should recover in time for this match.

Livorno have few real options for this trip, as Mozart and Claudio Bellucci sit out bans. Leonardo Miglionico, Nelson Rivas, Mirko Pieri, Diniz and Rubinho are all sidelined, while Ruotolo could again choose to drop talismanic captain Cristiano Lucarelli in favour of Francesco Tavano and Tomas Danilevicius. Andrea Esposito is likely to step back into defence following his injury.

This fixture has only ever been played three times in Serie A, all ending with Chievo victories at the Bentegodi. In fact, including both home and away ties, the Flying Donkeys have won six and drawn once by scoring 11 goals to three conceded.

Keep an eye on: Sergio Pellissier (Chievo) – By far his team’s top scorer with eight goals, the striker missed out on last week’s trip to Sicily due to suspension, so he’ll be well-rested and eager to get on the scoresheet. He should have a whale of a time against a Livorno defence that has conceded 50 times this season.

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

Last season: Not played

Chievo (probable): Sorrentino; Frey, Mandelli, Yepes, Mantovani; Pinzi, Rigoni, Marcolini; Bentivoglio; De Paula, Pellissier

Livorno (probable): De Lucia; Perticone, Knezevic, Esposito; Marchini, Pulzetti, Moro, Filippini, Vitale; Tavano, Danilevicius

Ref: To follow

The Derby d’Italia has always been a huge grudge match and this time it arrives in the middle of a new Calciopoli trial.

Rivalry between these sides escalated considerably in 2006 when the scandal prompted authorities to strip Juventus of two Scudetti, handing the 2005-06 edition to Inter.

This month a civil trial is taking place in Naples with ex-Bianconeri director general Luciano Moggi trying to prove all the clubs – including Inter – had a friendly and frequent rapport with the refereeing designators. Calls are growing within the Juve fanbase for legal action to take back those two titles, further fuelling the animosity between the sides.

It is also, of course, a huge football match for all concerned. Inter have lost the leadership of Serie A to Roma following last weekend’s dramatic 2-2 draw at Fiorentina, so now the Scudetto race is technically out of their hands. However, the leaders face the Rome derby and so a win could well restore Jose Mourinho’s men in the top spot.

The Nerazzurri have certainly slowed down recently with just three wins in their last 10 Serie A games. Focusing all their energy on the Champions League has seen Mourinho make very few changes to the side, so tiredness was bound to set in.

He did rotate the squad for a midweek Coppa Italia 1-0 win away to Fiorentina, as Samuel Eto’o scored to book their spot in the Final. The likes of Wesley Sneijder, Diego Milito, Goran Pandev and Walter Samuel were left out of the starting XI.

Squad rotation has to be on Mou’s mind, as this fixture has been brought forward so Inter can better prepare for the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Dejan Stankovic has now recovered, but Davide Santon is still out of action and Cristian Chivu is suspended. It is possible Mario Balotelli will join an attacking trident behind Milito, as he has an excellent scoring record of four goals against Juventus.

Alberto Zaccheroni is a lifelong Inter fan and was in charge of the club in 2003-04, where he came in to replace Hector Cuper after seven rounds and his contract was not renewed. A similar situation looks likely in Turin, as since taking over from Ciro Ferrara mid-season they have slipped down the standings with some embarrassing results.

Last week Juve finally turned a corner, as the 1-0 victory over Cagliari represented their first clean sheet after 19 rounds. Giorgio Chiellini scored on his comeback from injury, while Gianluigi Buffon also returned after a long lay-off.

However, David Trezeguet, Zdenek Grygera and Sebastian Giovinco are all ruled out of this game, while Martin Caceres and Diego are hoping to step back into the fray. Alessandro Del Piero and Vincenzo Iaquinta battle to start alongside Amauri, plus Momo Sissoko is back from his ban.

Last season a bizarre Sulley Ali Muntari goal that ricocheted in off his shin from a yard after springing the offside trap was the decider. It doesn’t bode well for Juventus, who have lost their last three consecutive away games at Sampdoria, Napoli and Udinese.

The Derby d’Italia has already been played at San Siro this season, as Inter won the Coppa Italia quarter-final 2-1 on January 28. That proved to be Ferrara’s final match in charge of Juventus and he saw Diego give them the early lead only for Lucio and Balotelli to turn it around in the final 17 minutes. The scoreline was also 2-1, but this time for the Bianconeri, in Turin on December 5.

Keep an eye on: Wesley Sneijder (Inter) – The Dutchman has been a key figure for Inter this season and he was rested against Fiorentina to ensure he is in top shape for the double whammy of games with Juventus and Barcelona. His free-kicks alone make him dangerous enough, but it is in his assists and economy with the ball that Sneijder truly shines.

Last five in Serie A: Inter (D W L W D) Juventus (L L W L W)

Last season: Inter 1-0 Juventus

Inter (probable): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Zanetti; Thiago Motta, Cambiasso; Balotelli, Sneijder, Eto’o; Milito

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Zebina, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Sissoko, Felipe Melo, Marchisio; Diego; Amauri, Del Piero

Ref: To follow

A play-off between Parma and Genoa, two clubs in with an outside chance of Europa League qualification, should make intriguing viewing.

Surprise package Parma are 9th with 46 points, visitors Genoa are 10th with 45. To qualify for the Europa League they must reach 6th place, which is currently occupied by Juventus, who have 51 points.

It’s a tall order with only five fixtures remaining, but by no means impossible. If either of these sides is to achieve it its more likely to be Parma. The Gialloblu have some momentum – five games unbeaten, including last weekend’s scintillating 3-2 win at Napoli. Meanwhile, Genoa haven’t won in five, and are coming off a derby defeat to Sampdoria on Sunday.

Whereas newly promoted Parma would have bitten your off hand to be in mid-table at this stage of the season, you suspect big-spending Genoa would not. The campaign has not gone to plan for Gian Piero Gasperini and his men.

Few of last summer’s signings delivered, the Europa League was a distraction, but above all else their porous defence has been their biggest failing.

Gasperini’s 3-4-3 system has provided us with plenty of entertainment, yet it is now beginning to appear rather naive. Remarkably, despite being the top scorers in the Division outside the top three, the Grifone have conceded more than anyone else except Siena.

The Crociati’s Jonathan Biabiany and Francesco Valiani are suspended, Alberto Paloschi is injured.

The visitors’ injury list includes Houssine Kharja, Bosko Jankovic, Ivan Juric, David Suazo and Ivan Fatic whilst Mimmo Criscito is suspended.

Keep an eye on: Hernan Crespo (Parma) – He was Genoa’s showpiece signing last summer, but Coach Gasperini didn’t show much trust in the veteran and he returned to Parma, his old stomping ground, in January. Having been instrumental in last week’s dramatic comeback in Naples, Crespo should be given the chance to wreak revenge against Gasperini and Co.

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

Last season: Not played

Parma (probable): Mirante; Zaccardo, Paci, Lucarelli, Castellini; Morrone, Galloppa, Antonelli; Jimenez; Bojinov, Crespo

Genoa (probable): Scarpi; Papastathopoulos, Dainelli, Bocchetti; Rossi, Milanetto, Zapater, Mesto; Sculli, Acquafresca, Palladino

Ref: To follow