The first two days of the 2006/07 Serie A season produced a number of surprises. Prime favourites Inter have already lost their 100 per cent record after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sampdoria on Saturday.

Lazio and Fiorentina, docked 11 and 19 points respectively for their involvement in this summer's match-fixing scandal, are still in search of their first point after two successive defeats.

Chievo have not carried on where they left off last term but newly-promoted sides Atalanta and Catania have already collected four points. While these two newcomers have gained the same number of points as big-spenders Inter, there are two sides, Roma and Palermo, who have done better than the rest as they won their opening two matches.

Whereas many consider Roma as possible contenders to win the championship, Palermo have not been included among the favourites. But, what is Palermo's true potential?

The return of coach Francesco Guidolin represents Palermo's major coup this summer as the former Bologna and Udinese mentor is one of the most highly-rated and respected Italian coaches. It is a pity that Guidolin has not had the opportunity to coach one of Italy's leading teams.

Guidolin had already been in charge of the Sicilians before. Midway through the 2003-04 season, he was chosen by Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini to replace Silvio Baldini. In his first spell at Palermo, Guidolin not only steered the team to promotion but the following season, he helped them attain an historic qualification to the UEFA Cup. Even more, for most of the season, Palermo were in contention for a Champions League berth but eventually had to settle for a UEFA Cup spot.

Guidolin then made the rather surprising decision to quit his job. His main argument was that, having reached all the goals he had set for Palermo, the time was ripe to seek another challenge.

Last season, Palermo were a different kettle of fish without Guidolin and Luca Toni. Even Guidolin had a turbulent season in charge of Monaco in the French league. This summer, Zamparini's high ambitions must have convinced Guidolin to make a much-awaited return to Sicily.

Guidolin is known for keeping a very low profile but his comments after Palermo's 2-1 win at Lazio suggest that he wants his team to challenge for silverware.

The omens are encouraging. The team is very strong in every department with the four-man midfield of Aimo Diana, Fabio Simplicio, Eugenio Corini and Mark Bresciano, widely considered as one of the strongest in the Serie A.

If, in the last two seasons, Palermo could not count on a reliable goalkeeper, this time around, Guidolin is spoilt for choice. Former Brescia custodian Federico Agliardi, 23, is Guidolin's first choice but he can also turn to veteran Alberto Fontana.

Defence is perhaps Palermo's weakest point, albeit it comprises Italy internationals Christian Zaccardo and Andrea Barzagli.

Carvalho Amauri, David Di Michele, Andrea Caracciolo and Franco Brienza will ensure Palermo have more than enough ammunition in attack.

Palermo's biggest plus this season is the fact that a number of midfielders are scoring regularly. Suffice to say that in their opening two matches, Palermo's six goals were scored by five different players.

This season, Palermo look to have all that it takes to finish among the top four but it is still too premature to forecast whether they have the guile to mount a series challenge for the scudetto. Much will depend on injuries and the extent of Palermo's involvement in the UEFA Cup.

Another factor worth taking into consideration is whether the club's thirst for success will have a detrimental effect on the team's fortunes.

Supporters in the southern part of Italy are known to get carried away very easily after a victory and likewise, they get agitated when their team starts losing.

Only an experienced coach of Guidolin's calibre can help Palermo do the quality leap needed to challenge for honours this year.

Serie A statistics

0 wins for Torino at Udinese's Friuli Stadium since October 7, 1984 (1-0) as on Sunday, Alberto Zaccheroni's new-look side conceded a goal in each half to extend their winless away record against Udinese. This was Udinese's first home win against Torino since October 22, 1995 (1-0). Inter could not go beyond a 1-1 home draw with Sampdoria to fall two points behind early pacesetters Palermo and Roma. This was Sampdoria's 15th consecutive league game without a win.

1 win, dating back to 67 years ago, for Atalanta in 20 league visits to Catania's Massimino Stadium. In last weekend's encounter, Atalanta, who had to do without the services of a number of regular players, were good enough to salvage a goalless draw - their first positive result in Catania since November 20, 2003 (1-1). Fiorentina went agonisingly down to Livorno to remain anchored to the bottom of the table with a massive -19 points handicap. Fiorentina have a truly dire record in Livorno where they have won only once in 13 league visits - 2-1 on January 6, 1935. Moreover, a Fiorentina draw against their city neighbours has been missing since February 20, 1949 (1-1).

3rd win for Roma in four Serie A visits to Siena as the Giallorossi scored three times in the second half to demolish the Tuscans for the second season running. Roma, who tonight take on Inter, confirmed their bright patch, having already beaten Livorno and Shakhtar Donetsk. Messina were only a few minutes away from recording their first away success since beating Empoli 3-1 on January 8 but they suffered a late Ascoli equaliser to figure in their first ever draw at the Del Duca Stadium. Had Messina held on to their lead, then it would have been only their second win in six league visits to Ascoli.

4 players - Siqueira Luciano (Chievo), Alessandro Parisi (Messina), Ezio Brevi (Siena) and Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina) - received red cards last weekend. Reggina mentor Walter Mazzari became the first coach this season to be ordered off his bench. Three penalties were awarded. Francesco Flachi put beleaguered Sampdoria in front thanks to an impeccable execution from the 11 meters. Elsewhere, prolific striker David Suazo had momentarily equalised for Cagliari in their 1-2 upset against Reggina. Substitute Kaka rounded up Milan's comprehensive 2-0 victory against Parma at the Tardini Stadium by converting a penalty.

8 teams - Lazio, Fiorentina, Cagliari, Parma, Torino, Ascoli, Sampdoria and Chievo - are still winless. Parma conceded a goal in each half to lose their home fixture against Milan for the third season running. Chievo continued with their indifferent start to the season as they could only come out of Empoli's Castellani Stadium with a draw. This was Chievo's first drawn result against Empoli since March 26, 2001 (1-1 in Serie B).

21 goals were scored on the second day: 10 coming from the hosts and the remaining 11 from the visiting teams. Foreigners contributed with eight goals while there were five first-half nettings. Total number of goals scored amount to 52. Palermo's David Di Michele grabbed the only brace of the day to help Palermo beat Lazio. Sampdoria midfielder Massimo Bonanni committed the only own goal of the day that enabled Inter to equalise in the dying moments. Four players - Kaka (Milan), Okaka (Roma), Perrulli (Ascoli) and Frick (Siena) - came on as substitutes and found the net. Rolando Bianchi of Reggina currently tops the goalscorers' list with four goals (one from a penalty).

26 years have passed since Lazio and Palermo last shared the spoils at the Olympic Stadium as last weekend, the southerners emerged 2-1 winners. This time a year ago, in the same fixture, Delio Rossi's Lazio came back from two goals down to beat Palermo 4-2.