Rome: Juventus boosted their outside hopes of Champions League football next season when Italy striker Vincenzo Iaquinta netted his first goals since September in a 3-0 home win over Bari in Serie A on Sunday.
Sixth-placed Juve, continually linked in the media with Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez for next season, moved four points behind fourth-placed Palermo with three matches to go.
Bottom side Livorno were relegated despite a 3-1 home victory over Catania while Bologna's 2-1 win over Parma also meant Siena are all but down following a 4-1 defeat at Udinese.
Siena are nine points behind fourth-bottom Bologna and have an equal head-to-head record but their goal difference is vastly inferior.
Lazio put in a battling display to win 2-1 at Genoa and look almost safe, a point above Bologna and six above third-bottom Atalanta who occupy the final relegation place.
Inter Milan went two points clear at the top on Saturday after a 3-1 victory over Atalanta but AS Roma will retake the lead with a home win against Sampdoria in Sunday's late match (1845 GMT).
Hard-working Iaquinta, likely to be in Italy's World Cup squad and possibly the starting line-up, has struggled with injury for most of the season but looked back to his best after coming on as a halftime substitute.
He rounded the goalkeeper and fired in from a tight angle early in the second period for the opener and prodded in a cross for the third.
In between his goals strike partner Alessandro Del Piero converted a penalty after a foul on playmaker Diego, who had one of his best games for Juve in a difficult first season.
Inconsistent Juve remain outside bets for the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot while caretaker coach Alberto Zaccheroni has failed to win over the fans since replacing Ciro Ferrara in January and looks set to depart.
Juve officals have refused to confirm or deny the links with Benitez, whose Liverpool side are enduring just as bad a season as the Turin club.
Toothless Napoli did Juve's hopes a favour by drawing 0-0 at home with Cagliari and slipping to seventh place.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, April 25, 2010, 23:17