Serie A's Midweek Showdowns: Five Games You Must Not Miss

It's the battle to decide who is this season's real revelation at the Ennio Tardini stadium. Both sides are firmly in the battle for Europa League places - much better than either expected to be.

Parma's stock took a knock at the weekend, no doubt about it.

However, they will look to bounce back from defeat by Atalanta and remain a tough prospect on their own ground.

Their visitors, Bari, have gone from strength to strength. Holding Inter to a draw was the precursor to a fine run of results which has seen them lose just once so far this season.

A draw may be the most likely outcome but you simply could not rule out a win for either team.

This was possibly the game of the season last year.

Genoa roared into a 3-0 lead only to be hauled back by Fiorentina for an incredible 3-3 draw. It ultimately allowed the Viola to sneak into the Champions League ahead of the Grifone.

This term, both teams need the points to steady the ship.

The Rossoblu have been dreadfully inconsistent, including weekend defeat to Cagliari and that 5-0 thrashing by Inter. However, they remain a tough prospect on their own ground.

Everything was going swimmingly for the Florentines until Sunday.

A home loss to Napoli has threatened to undermine their promising start to the season both in Serie A and Europe. Whoever wins this one will take a big step toward reaffirming their role as one of the division's main protagonists.

Expect Sebastien Frey (pictured) to see plenty of action.

You can't think of this encounter without reminiscing about the late 1980s. Back then, Napoli versus Milan usually decided the title.

Marco Van Basten and Diego Maradona may be long gone, but the tie retains a special feel.

The Rossoneri have been defying the odds and the critics by rebuilding their season with some good results - most notably away to Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Their revival still looks fragile and it will face a stern test in Naples.

New Coach Walter Mazzarri has certainly given the side from the San Paolo the boost it needed.

A weekend away win over Fiorentina put them right back in the hunt for a Champions League spot - a position their summer expenditure entitles them to expect.

Sparks always fly in this match no matter what the stakes may be. This time around both teams will be fighting for a win which could catapult them into the top four.

If this clash was being played in Sicily it would probably be the pick of the week.

The prospect of the league leaders facing a tough trip to take on the Rosanero on their own ground would be truly thrilling.

However, a clash in the Stadio Meazza still has a fair degree of magic and a delicious sub-plot.

Palermo Coach Walter Zenga has made no secret of the fact that he believes he does not get the recognition he deserves in Italy. If he could defeat the team where he made his name as a player it would earn him a lot of respect.

However, he faces the one Coach who probably outperforms him in the outspoken department.

Jose Mourinho will not want his Inter team to relinquish its stranglehold on Serie A. While disappointing in Europe, the Nerazzurri have been their old dominant selves in Italy.

It is hard to see anything other than a home win, but Coach Z will do everything in his power to avoid that outcome.

It takes a few ingredients to make for a titanic clash and this match has a lot of them.

The stakes are particularly high with both sides hot on the heels of Inter at the top of the table. Juventus were expected to be in this position but Sampdoria most definitely were not.

Then you have the Antonio Cassano (pictured) factor.

Every big side in Italy has thought about signing the talented boy from Bari and the Bianconeri are no exception. Now he gets a chance to show them what they are missing.

Juve defender Fabio Cannavaro has said he does not care about beautiful football as long as his team gets results. However, his supporters might like to see a little more exciting play from the team.

The Blucerchiati have to be the underdogs here but you know they will go into the game looking for a result.

That is what has to make it the pick of this round of matches.