PREVIEW: SERIE A

It looks all over after some shocking results last week and seems as if Inter Milan have one hand on the Scudetto after they went nine points clear at the top of the Serie A table. We are entering the business end of the season and will take a miracle to stop Milan while Juventus, AC Milan, Atalanta, Bologna and Roma, all battle it out for the top European spots.

If last week was anything to go by, then look no further as Serie A once again has an exciting weekend of football with some block buster matchups to look forward to.

Friday 23 February

6/10 Bologna | Draw 26/10 | Verona 5/1 (21:45)

Hot in form Bologna take on relegation threatened Verona under the lights at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on Friday night. Bologna have won four of the last five home games and are scoring goals for fun while Verona is winless in the last five away games. Bologna to win with over 2.5 goals.

Saturday 24 February

11/10 Sassuolo | Draw 24/10 | Empoli 23/10 (16:00)

Relegation battle on the cards here as two points separate these two clubs at the bottom of the table. This must be the lowest Sassuolo have been in a long time and will need a massive performance against an Empoli team who are unbeaten in the last five games with two wins and three draws. Empoli to snatch the victory.

39/20 Salernitana | Draw 2/1 | Monza 29/20 (19:00)

Two clubs that know each other well and whenever they meet it’s a goal fest. Monza will be hoping to carry their momentum into this fixture after they saw off AC Milan 4-2 previously and earn their fourth away win while Salernitana plays for pride as they stay rooted to the bottom of the table. Monza to win and over 2.5 goals.

5/4 Genoa | Draw 2/1 | Udinese 49/20 (21:45)

The last four meetings between the two clubs have ended in a draw. Genoa have been decent at home in the last five games but will need to come out and draw first blood against Udinese who got the better of Juventus in their previous away fixture which will give them confidence to come out and play for the win. Draw with BTTS.

Sunday 25 February

1/3 Juventus | Draw 4/1 | Frosinone 7/1 (13:30)

Juventus have hit a pad patch at the wrong time as they are now winless in their previous four fixtures and nine points behind leaders Inter Milan. Massimiliano Allegri will demand maximum points on the day against Frosinone who come into this fixture on the back of three consecutive defeats. Juve to get back to winning ways.

28/10 Cagliari | Draw 26/10 | Napoli 9/10 (16:00)

If there was ever a better time for Cagliari to defeat Napoli, the time is now. Napoli are struggling to reach any sort of form and are looking to bounce back to winning ways after a 1-1 draw at home to Genoa. Cagliari look destined to face relegation this season but are a team who are more comfortable playing at home and will fancy their chances as they hold home ground advantage. Napoli to win.

56/10 Lecce | Draw 7/2 | Inter Milan 9/20 (19:00)

Lecce have their work cut out for them when they welcome league leaders Inter Milan to their own backyard. Milan is still the only team yet to taste defeat on the road this season and with five wins from the last five games, I can only see one winner here as Lecce have registered just one win in the last five outings in the league. Milan to win with over 2.5 goals.

13/10 AC Milan | Draw 49/20 | Atalanta 37/20 (21:45)

Top of the table clash between third and fourth place. AC Milan are looking for redemption after they lost 4-2 to Monza last time out. Atalanta find themselves in fantastic form and face AC Milan on the back of five consecutive victories. Milan will have to play on the front foot and use the energy from the San Siro to get the all-important win at home. Atalanta for the win.

Monday 26 February

9/10 Roma | Draw 22/10 | Torino 32/10 (19:30)

Roma have found the winning formula since the appointment of Daniel De Rossi. They welcome Torino to the capital after they comfortably dispatched Frosinone 3-0 previously. Torino are so unpredictable and will be eager to turn their draws into wins as they look to climb their way into the top half of the table. Roma to win.

13/10 Fiorentina | Draw 21/10 | Lazio 22/10 (21:45)

All eyes will be on this fixture as one point separates these two clubs in seventh and eighth place respectively. Lazio snatched the three points in the last meeting, but home ground advantage could play a huge role in La Viola putting Lazio to the sword. Fiorentina to win at home.

Written by @Marc_Strydom5