The winter break in Serie A is over and the New Year is here. All the teams have had the chance to regroup and refocus as they look to make a charge for Europe and the all important Scudetto.

Bologna – Fiorentina

It has been nearly a month since Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side last took to the field in Serie A and that was a 2-1 defeat to Udinese. The performance that day bordered on pathetic so La Viola fans will be hoping for much improvement after the Christmas break. Bologna have had many a financial issue this season but after the takeover by Massimo Zanett, they will be hoping stability off the field will be followed by the same on it.

Brescia – Cesena

A relegation ‘six pointer’ between both newly promoted teams. New Brescia boss Mario Beretta has won and lost his first two games in charge, while Cesena’s Massimo Ficcadenti is clinging onto his job after a miserable recent run. The Rondinelle will be hoping new signing Davide Lanzafame completes his move in time to face the Seahorses.

Cagliari – Milan

Will he or wont he start? That’s the question on everyone’s lips. After completing a move from the Marassi to the San Siro, Antonio Cassano is the talk of Milan. Massimiliano Allegri has said there will be a 70% chance he is on the bench, and a 30% chance he will start. Both managers return to the clubs where they made their respective names, Roberto Donadoni as a player at Milan and Allegri as Cagliari boss. Some comfort to the ‘Don’ will be Cagliari’s magnificent home record.

Genoa – Lazio

January is only days old but change is certainly in the air for Genoa. Andrea Ranocchia has been moved on, as has Raffaele Palladino so it remains to be seen if the Grifone can improve after an indifferent first half of the season. Lazio have had a quite opposite campaign so far, leading the table for a long spell and playing some scintillating football. With a relatively small squad the winter break will have given them a chance to recharge their batteries and continue their unlikely Scudetto challenge.

Juventus – Parma

Many have labeled Juve the ‘anti-Milan’, seeing them as the only side that can make a sustained effort to stop the Rossoneri. They are 13 matches unbeaten in Serie A, though they have only been able to put together consecutive victories on two occasions. At home as well, they seem to come unstuck winning only four from eight fixtures. Luckily Parma are terrible on the road collecting just five points away from the Tardini. Former Juve pair Sebastian Giovinco and Antonio Candreva will be looking to impress against a club that let them both go in the summer.

Palermo – Sampdoria

The home side are the form team of Serie A and will be hoping that the break hasn’t hindered their form. Coach Delio Rossi is under pressure despite a reasonable league placing. New signing Jasmin Kurtic could well be thrust straight into the midfield in place of Fabio Liverani. Samp have to regroup following ‘Cassano-gate’ but have secured the loan signing of Federico Macheda from Manchester United as a short-term replacement, though he might not have completed the move in time for the trip to Sicily.

Lecce – Bari

The Puglia derby is back in Serie A for the first time since the 2000-2001 season. Both teams are languishing at the foot of Serie A which adds a little more spice to an already fiery affair. The game was due to be closed to the fans, but after a turnaround by the local authorities one of the biggest derbies in the peninsula will have an atmosphere to match. Lecce have Javier Chevanton back from suspension, but David Di Michele is doubtful. Bari haven’t registered a win since the fifth round, struggle to score and always concede. A plethora of injuries doesn’t help. If you can tune into this one, it is sure to be explosive.

Roma – Catania

The Capital side recorded a 1-0 victory over Milan to end the first half of the season and in 2010, the Giallorossi have earned more points than any other side. This year hasn’t started too well for them though, dressing room discontent has once more resurfaced as David Pizzaro is reportedly unhappy at being left out of the side, while Adriano cam back late from Brazil after Christmas. Catania are fantastic in front of their own fans, but away from home they are a very different animal, still looking for their first win on the road this season.

Udinese – Chievo

All the back in 2010 the Flying Donkeys managed to salvage a draw with Juventus at the Bentegodi thanks to a last minute Sergio Pellissier goal. At the Stadio Friuli they have only been defeated twice in the last five years, so confidence will be high. Udinese epitomise inconsistency form record of wins following losses following wins. Forward Alexis Sanchez will be one to watch as he has been playing in a more central role to great effect.

Inter – Napoli

The evening match at the San Siro sees Leonardo make his debut in the Inter dugout so be sure to check out a full preview of the game courtesy of our very own Adam Digby. You can find it right HERE.

David Schiavone