With only four matches to go, the title issue is swaying Inter's way as last weekend the champions stole a march on Roma who were unexpectedly held to a one-all draw at home by lowly Livorno.
If things look clear at the top places the same cannot be said at the other end of the standings as there are seven teams - Catania, Cagliari, Torino, Parma, Empoli, Livorno and Reggina - still embroiled in the mire of relegation.
Catania and Cagliari look strong enough to avoid a bottom-three finish. As things stand at present, they both enjoy a five-point lead over bottom-of-the-class Livorno, Empoli and Reggina.
However, nothing should be taken for granted at this delicate stage of the championship. The difference between these seven teams in the drop zone is so minimal that one negative result could condemn a side to the Serie B.
Up to a few weeks ago, Cagliari looked down and out. The team never got going after the summer departure of prolific striker David Suazo to Inter. Even worse, the change in coach did not leave a desired effect.
Cagliari only started to find their feet when Davide Ballardini was re-appointed coach. In his second stint in Sardegna, the ex-Sambenedettese man was luckier as he steered the side back in the reckoning in a matter of weeks.
The other strugglers, however, faltered baldly since the start of 2008.
Torino lost six of their last seven games as Parma suffered two straight defeats and only collected a mere two points out of the last available 15.
Livorno have only managed four draws in their last eight outings and Empoli only won once (vs Torino 1-0) in their last 10 games.
By contrast, Ballardini's Cagliari were flying high, winning useful points especially from direct encounters. They managed four wins, two draws and only one defeat (away to Milan) from their last seven outings.
Nothing is won or lost for Cagliari though as their remaining fixtures are all tough to say the least. Next weekend, they travel to the San Siro to take on leaders Inter. Cagliari then have Fiorentina at home, Udinese (away) and Reggina (home).
There was a remarkable improvement in Catania's game with the appointment of new coach Walter Zenga. The ex-Inter, Sampdoria and Italy goalkeeper took the Sicilians at a time when they were travelling in circles and coach Silvio Baldini handed in his resignation.
But with Zenga around, Catania have beaten Napoli (3-0) and Lazio (1-0) at home. In between, they went down to a late Fabrizio Miccoli goal against Palermo in a highly-contested Sicilian derby.
In their last four games, Catania will cross swords with Udinese (away), Reggina (home), Juventus (away) and Roma (home). Critics say Serie A survival is within Catania's reach. They escaped the drop on the very last day a year ago. This time they should do it before.
Torino have a difficult schedule coming up. Gianni De Biasi's side travel to the capital to clash with Roma on Sunday. Torino then have Napoli (home), Livorno (away) and Fiorentina at home on the last day.
The Maroons are four points clear of the red zone at the moment but that does not exclude them from the relegation dog-fight. They need to show the same kind of determined play as on Sunday against Inter and capitalise on the scoring chances that come their way if they are to avoid Serie B football next season.
Parma are also playing with fire. Lately, they have shown no bite. For Sunday's vital end-to-end clash with Reggina, in Reggio Calabria, they have four players suspended.
Parma then play Genoa (home), Fiorentina (away) and Inter (home).
This season could bring to an end Parma's tenure in Serie A after almost two decades in the top flight.
Reggina can still do it given they avoid defeat in the last four outings, all direct basement clashes - vs Parma (home), Catania (away), Empoli (home) and Cagliari (away). Indeed, Reggina have their destiny in their own hands.
Livorno also seem to have a difficult calendar in that they will host Milan and Torino and travel to Atalanta and Empoli. Empoli, on their count, have Genoa and Reggina (away) and play hosts to Udinese and Livorno.
Serie A statistics
1 draw (0-0 on December 26, 1949) registered between Fiorentina and Palermo in 21 meetings in Tuscany. On Saturday, UEFA Cup hopefuls Fiorentina needed a win at all costs to keep their hopes of finishing fourth alive. Palermo were no pushovers . In the end, however, Fiorentina's will to prevail paid rich dividends as they cruised to their first home win over the Sicilians since December 21, 2005 (1-0). This was Fiorentina's sixth straight home win. Milan remained four points adrift of Fiorentina following a 5-1 demolition of relegation-haunted Reggina. This was Milan's seventh win in eight home meetings with the southerners. The only time Reggina left Milan unscathed was on December 19, 1999 (2-2).
3 years had to pass for Sampdoria to return to winning ways against Udinese at home. In a direct clash for UEFA berths, Samp annihilated the northeasterners 3-0. Udinese have now slipped eight points behind Fiorentina. All they have to show from their last three outings is a 1-1 away draw with Siena. In their first ever meeting in the top flight, Genoa conquered Siena's Artemio Franchi stadium to record a second straight win, following the 3-0 victory over Torino. This was Siena's first defeat after a five-match positive run (one win and four draws).
3rd straight defeat for Atalanta as they were demolished 4-0 by third-placed Juventus. The latter dominated from start to finish. So much so that the Bianconeri were already 2-0 up after barely six minutes had elapsed and 3-0 by the half-time whistle. This was Juve's third successive win after victories over Milan 3-2 and Parma 3-0.
6th defeat for Torino in their last seven outings as the Granata were floored by Inter 1-0. Torino looked more motivated under coach Gianni De Biasi, who started a third stint at Torino on Sunday. Torino have not beaten Inter at home since February 27, 1994 (2-0). The last drawn result between these two sides dates back to November 3, 1991 (0-0). Thanks to their victory, Inter moved closer to retaining the title as Roma forfeited a 1-0 lead when playing troubled Livorno. This was only the second drawn result between these two sides in 16 meetings in Rome. Livorno's only victory at the Olimpico dates back to February 23, 1947 (1-0).
11 players - Rinaudo (Palermo), Pisano, Fini (both Cagliari), Zauri, Dabo (both Lazio), Falcone, Mariga, Gasbarroni (all Parma), Gargano (Napoli), Zapotocny (Udinese) and De Rosa (Genoa) - were red-carded last weekend and six penalties were ordered by referees. Kaka ably converted two first-half penalties to help Milan beat Reggina 5-1 at the San Siro. Jonatha Spinesi scored from the spot to give relegation-threatened Catania a vital home win over Lazio. Claudio Bellucci wrapped up an emphatic Sampdoria win over Udinese by scoring a 56th-minute penalty. In an ill-tempered Parma-Napoli, Igor Budan gave the hosts an early lead from the spot. A few minutes later, Maurizio Domizzi equalised from another penalty.
24 goals were scored on the 34th day: 14 coming from the hosts and the other 10 from the visitors. Foreigners contributed with 10 goals while there were 15 first-half goals. Total number of goals scored so far is 855. Two players - Kaka (Milan) and Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus) - grabbed a hat-trick each. Claudio Bellucci managed a double as Sampdoria edged Udinese 3-0 at home. Two players, Alexandre Pato (Milan) and Alessandro Diamanti (Livorno), came on as substitutes and scored. Genoa hit-man Marco Borriello still tops the scorers' list with 19 goals (five from penalties).
47 years passed since Lazio's only win in nine visits to Catania. Last weekend, Coppa Italia semi-finalists Lazio had nothing to play for but Catania needed all points to detach themselves from relegation. The difference in the motivation of the two sides made all the difference as nine-man Lazio succumbed to their sixth defeat in Sicily. The most recent of two draws between these two sides dates back to April 1, 1984 (1-1). Parma remained one point above the drop zone after going down to Napoli at home for the first time since December 19, 1993 (3-1). This was Parma's third defeat in their last five winless outings. The only time in 10 meetings that Parma-Napoli finished draw at the Tardini stadium was on January 24, 1993 (1-1).