At least 10 teams are engaged in a tussle to avoid relegation from the Serie A at the end of the season.
With 12 matches remaining, Torino (32 points) and Chievo (31) look well-placed to stay up as the real dog-fight starts with Atalanta (29) and goes all the way down to bottom side Verona (18).
Torino had an ideal opportunity to distance themselves further from the last three positions on Sunday as they hosted second-bottom Carpi at their own Olympic Stadium.
However, despite dominating for long stretches, the Maroons could not break down the visitors’ tight defence.
Towards the end of the game, substitute Maxi Lopez also had a penalty saved by Carpi goalkeeper Vid Belec.
The point was, perhaps, more valuable to Carpi than Torino.
Carpi, winless in their last six games (three draws and three defeats), have 20 points but are only five adrift of 17th-placed Sampdoria.
They have seven key matches coming up – vs Atalanta (home), Bologna (away), Frosinone (home), Verona (away), Sassuolo (home), Chievo (away) and Genoa (home).
Most of the fixtures are crucial six-pointers for Fabrizio Castori’s side.
For sure, this stage of the season will determine whether Carpi will keep their heads above water come May.
Verona have made impressive progress since the experienced Luigi Del Neri took over from Andrea Mandorlini on the 15th day of the campaign,.
At the time, Verona were rock-bottom with just six points and no wins to show from 14 outings.
Verona were heading into oblivion but a series of positive results have revived their chances of keeping their top-flight status.
Since mid-January, Verona have held Roma to a 1-1 draw, were involved in another 1-1 home draw with Genoa, figured in a 0-0 stalemate with Torino before beating Atalanta by the odd goal in three.
Del Neri’s run also included a 3-3 draw against Inter and last Saturday’s 3-1 win in the derby over Chievo.
Verona still have a long way to go as they are currently seven points away from safety but their sheer determination, not to surrender to the inevitable, might give them an edge in this fight for survival.
Frosinone, like Carpi and Verona, also made a steady comeback in recent weeks, as Roberto Stellone’s side are now just two points short of safety.
This month, Frosinone, who have the worst defensive record in Serie A (51 goals against), chalked up two wins (vs Bologna 1-0 and Empoli 2-1) and held Lazio to a goalless draw.
Their only upset came against Juventus (0-2) a fortnight ago.
Palermo are in the midst of a very dark patch.
More changes on the bench look to have destabilised the team by no small measure, also creating unrest in the dressing room.
This season, the Sicilians have been through six coaches – Giuseppe Iachini, Davide Ballardini, Fabio Viviani, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Giovanni Tedesco and Giovanni Bosi.
Last week, Iachini returned to the Palermo bench.
Palermo, one point clear of Sampdoria, are without a win since beating Udinese 4-1 last month.
They only managed two points from their next five games – two draws (vs Carpi 1-1 and Sassuolo 2-2) and three defeats, including Sunday’s 0-5 thumping at the hands of Roma.
Up to last year, the Renzo Barbera stadium was a fortress for Palermo but that is no longer the case as they have already suffered seven defeats at home.
Things do not appear to be rosy for them unless Iachini succeeds in reversing the negative trend, starting with Sunday’s home game against Bologna.
Struggling Samp
Although Udinese (27 points), Genoa (28) and Atalanta (29) are also involved in the relegation fight, these three sides seem to have enough quality within their ranks to stave off the threat.
However, the same cannot be said of Sampdoria who still have to find their feet under new coach Vincenzo Montella.
The Blucerchiati began the season with Walter Zenga on the bench but the former Italy goalkeeper was sacked after 12 matches.
At the time of Zenga’s dismissal, Samp had 16 points. In 14 games under Montella, they collected a paltry nine points and things aren’t looking really bright for them at the moment.