Italian Serie A: Gameweek 27 Preview

Ivan Perisic

The top three all dropped points last weekend, with AC Milan and Napoli drawing their respective games while Inter fell to a shock defeat against Sassuolo. At the other end of the table, the bottom six could only manage to get a single point each and did themselves no favor in the fight for survival. We head into another intense weekend of Serie A, here’s what you need to know about gameweek 27.

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Friday 25 February

AC Milan 9/20
Draw 7/2
Udinese 54/10
(19:45)
Milan disappointed a lot of punters last time out when they could only manage to draw with bottom-of-the-table Salernitana. The result left them vulnerable at the top of the Serie A table as they are still only two points ahead of second positioned Inter who have a game in hand. Being the home team, this weekend might spur the Rossoneri to increase their intensity chasing all three points. They face a Udinese team that has only won once in their last six games; their last win coming against Torino at home. AC Milan should win this one but because of their last result, back both teams to score at 9/10.

Genoa 15/2
Draw 42/10
Inter Milan 1/3
(22:00)
Another bottom of the table vs top of the table fixture. Inter is going through a bit of a rough patch, having gone through a great unbeaten run that saw them claim top spot in Serie A. Inter has only managed one win in their last five games, collecting only one point in their last three. Still, Inter is the league’s highest goal scorer facing a Genoa team that has conceded the second-most goals (47). Inter will have too much firepower for the hosts on this one, back the away team on the win.
Saturday 26 February

Salernitana 24/10
Draw 24/10
Bologna 11/10
(16:00) 
The home team showed character to draw against Milan last weekend, but will now require a bit of consistency to get something from this game. These two teams faced each other for the first time competitively in August 2021, a league game Bologna won 3-2. Bologna won their last game against 15th-positioned Spezia with a Marko Arnautovic double. This one will be tight with Salernitana managing to show a bit of toughness in the last few weeks that has seen them draw three in a row. Double Chance; Bologna wins or draws.

Empoli 42/10
Draw 3/1
Juventus 6/10
(19:00)

While all the talk regarding the race for the Scudetto has mostly been about the Milan teams and Napoli, not many have been paying attention to the resurgent Juve team. While they don’t sit comfortably in the top four, had they won the last two fixtures they drew, Juve would only be four points behind AC Milan and suddenly everyone would wonder; what crisis? Juve dropped points against Atalanta and Torino, I don’t think Empoli will have enough to stop their charge. Back the away team win.

Sassuolo 7/1
Draw 49/20
Fiorentina 29/20
(21:45)

Having taken three points against Inter last weekend, Sassuolo now faces a tricky Fiorentina side that is on a good run of form having gone through a dip in late January and early Feb after losing Dusan Vlahovic to Juve. Fiorentina currently has three wins in their last five, one of those coming against Atalanta, who they also knocked out in the Coppa Italia. Back both teams to score at 5/10.

Sunday 27 February

Torino 13/20
Draw 28/10
Cagliari 42/10
(13:30)
Torino hosts a Cagliari team desperate to get out of the relegation zone. Cagliari is in 17th position, equal on points with 18th-positioned Udinese (who have a game in hand) and three points off Udinese. Fortunately for Cagliari, who have only lost once in their last five, they face a Torino team that has gone four games without a win. Torino also seems to struggle with the bottom-of-the-table teams. Double Chance on this one: Cagliari win or draw.

Hellas Verona 11/20
Draw 31/10
Venezia 48/10
(16:00)
The home team did well to hold on for a draw against Roma last time out. Having led 2-0, Verona let Roma back in the game and almost ended up losing. The game perfectly sums up their season so far, unpredictable. They have managed to get nine points in their last five games though while Venezia sits above the relegation zone only through a better goal difference. Venezia has managed to pick up four points in their last two games, however. I’m backing a home team win.

Spezia 33/10
Draw 26/10
Roma 8/10
(19:00)

Having seen how poor Roma performed in the first half against Verona last time out, Spezia should go into this one looking to take the game to Roma. Jose Mourinho was given a straight red card in that game, which means the tactician will lead his troops from the stands. Roma is under immense pressure to qualify for next season’s Champions League having invested a lot of money in the transfer market. They have only managed draws in their last three games while Spezia only managed to pick one point at the same time. Roma should come out firing in the first half in response to their last performance. Back Roma to score first at 6/10.

Lazio 19/10
Draw 23/10
Napoli 14/10
(21:45)

Lazio take on Napoli in this encounter, the hosts have had a mixed bag of form lately, and can’t seem to crack any consistency while the away side comes into this on the back of three draws in a row, all ending with the same scoreline. With both teams in mixed batches of form, I am tipping the half-time draw here at 12/10.

Atalanta 4/10
Draw 38/10
Sampdoria 58/10
(21:45)

The hosts come into this with one win in their last seven, while the visitors come into this on the back of a win. With Atalanta at home and nine places ahead of their opponents, they should really bounce back and win this quite comfortably. Banker the hosts in everything!

TREBLE @ 3/1
Juventus Win 6/10
Roma To Score First 6/10
Hellas Verona Win 11/20
Written by Mcebo Mpungose