It’s been a tough season for Juventus, there's no denying that. An ever increasing injury list, coupled with a lack of bite in midfield and real defensive cover saw Juve start the season with a stutter, rather than a bang. The first 7 games in Juve's fixture list returned 2 losses, a paltry 2 wins and 3 draws against opposition like Catania and Sampdoria. The omens didn't look good - combined with a less than impressive 2 - 2 draw against Champions League new boys Bate, the fans were calling for Ranieri's and the boards collective heads.

Meanwhile, Inter were faring far better with a mighty 13 - game unbeaten spell, boasting 10 wins and just 3 draws - The odds favoured Inter lifting Lo Scudetto for a 3rd time. Any Sports betting man would tell you that with just 2 losses to date, Inter were a very decent proposition to run away with the title.

Meanwhile, back in Turin, Secco and Co voiced their support of Ranieri and the team duly knuckled down and started to grind out the results. Juve turned the tide and went on their own impressive 13 game run, boasting 1 defeat (To Inter of course), 1 draw and 11 wins, wiping the floor with Milan along the way.

The 9 fixtures that bring us up to date have been fairly mixed - defeats to Udinese and an unthinkable home defeat to Cagliari saw Juve fall behind, just as Inter were beginning to show signs of slipping. A collective 8 points lost, while Inter lost 4, saw the lead at the top of the table reduced to just 7.

The football odds still favour Inter, but could Juve claw back that lead? Once again, any betting man will tell you that 'It's not over, till it's over. Juve face Chievo and Genoa while Inter face decidedly more stiff opposition against attacking Udinese and cavalier Palermo. Provided Juve can win those two fixtures and If the unthinkable were to happen, and Inter dropped 4 points, Juve would be entering the Derby D'Italia at the Olimpico just 3 points behind.

Juve would then go on to face foot of the table Reggina and second-from-bottom Lecce, while Inter would go on to face tricky fixtures again Napoli and Lazio. Juve would still need to meet AC Milan, but the signs and the hope are still there - The title race is not settled yet.

Any look back at the season would not be complete without highlighting those players that have excelled for the Bianconeri this season. First and foremost you have to acknowledge the outstanding contribution Amauri has made to the Juve forward line. 27 starts and 12 goals in all competitions is a very decent return for a player who many considered 'over-priced'.

Next up, it has to be Sebastian Giovinco; it’s taken him a while to break into the first team, especially when his competition for a place was either Alex Del Piero or Pavel Nedved, depending on where he was played. He set up both goals for Iaquinta in the CL game against Bate, and having finally gotten a regular starting place in recent weeks, he has worked tirelessly for the team, providing assists and goals.

It’s been a purple patch for the evergreen Alex Del Piero - I Capitano has netted 16 goals in all competitions from his 32 appearances. Written off by many as being over the hill, Alex has stuck by Juve and shows no signs of slowing down. 6 goals in Europe alone has shown many why he is still the first name on the team sheet.

Special mentions should also go to Sissoko and Chiellini who have formed the centre of Juve's midfield and defence respectively. Without either man, the team looks unbalanced and often struggles to make an impact.

Whilst this season may still be a transitional period as Juve plan for a future without Nedved, Del Piero and possibly even Trezeguet, the future of the club, with talents like Marchisio, Giovinco, and Ariaudo looks brighter than ever.