With just 10 games remaining, I think its fair to say that the Scudetto is Inter Milan’s to lose. Milan’s 1-0 victory away to Bologna put them 16 points ahead of AC Milan in second place and 17 points ahead of Juventus who now occupy third place. On the other side of things, Salernitana lost their 18th game of the season to Cagliari and look destined for relegation. The rest of the relegation battle is wide open and goes as far as 13th place down to 19th, with the difference being just three points.
Let’s look at game week 29 and what it has to offer…
Friday 15 March
26/10 Empoli | Draw 22/10 | Bologna 21/20 (21:45)
Empoli are hosting Bologna on Friday. With the 1-0 away defeat at AC Milan, Empoli have conceded their second consecutive defeat and failed to score in their last 2 games in the league. Bologna have ended a 7-match unbeaten run in the league after their 0-1 home defeat against Inter Milan. Bologna will be eager to bounce back to winning ways as they look to cement their place in the top four. Bologna win.
Saturday 16 March
1/1 Monza | Draw 49/20 | Cagliari 26/10 (16:00)
Monza are looking to break into the top half of the table when they welcome in form Cagliari to the U-Power Stadium. Monza clinched a 2-3 away victory against Genoa last time out which could spur them on to making back-to-back victories against a Cagliari side who have not given up on surviving the drop this season. Cagliari’s 4-2 victory against Salernitana previously is their second consecutive victory, extending their unbeaten run to four matches. Monza home win.
7/4 Udinese | Draw 39/20 | Torino 7/4 (16:00)
With the 1-1 home draw against Salernitana, Udinese shared the points, bringing their winless run to 3 matches in the league. Torino have recorded their second consecutive draw, bringing their winless run to 4 matches in the league after their 1-1 away draw at Napoli. The home fans will play a big role in pushing Udinese over the line as they look to end a 5-match winless streak at home. Torino win.
37/20 Salernitana | Draw 22/10 | Lecce 15/10 (19:00)
Salernitana are on a 10-game winless run after their 4-2 defeat away to Cagliari previously. It looks all over for Salernitana at this point and will be playing for pride as they take on Lecce who have one win in the last eight fixtures in the league. Both clubs struggling on both ends of the field and will take individual brilliance from either team to snatch the victory. Draw with BTTS.
9/4 Frosinone | Draw 49/20 | Lazio 11/10 (21:45)
The late fixture on Saturday sees Frosinone entertain Lazio. Frosinone come into this fixture in poor form, winless in the last seven matches in the league and without a clean sheet in each of their last 13 matches. Consistency is Lazio’s biggest downfall and face Frosinone after back-to-back defeats to AC Milan and Fiorentina respectively. Despite the two consecutive defeats, Lazio still boast a formidable attack and with Frosinone’s defensive issues this is the opportunity to get back to winning ways for Lazio. Lazio away victory with BTTS.
Sunday 17 March
5/10 Juventus | Draw 28/10 | Genoa 56/10 (13:30)
Juventus are hosting Genoa in the early kick off on Sunday. Juve shared the points with Atalanta after their 2-2 draw and dropped down to third on the log. Genoa were unlucky in their 2-3 home defeat against Monza previously and have to dust themselves off and prepare for a tough away fixture at the Allianz Stadium. Juventus have home ground advantage and will come out with a point to prove as they look to put Genoa to the sword. Back Juventus to win.
37/10 Verona | Draw 26/10 | AC Milan 7/10 (16:00)
The 0-1 away win at Lecce is Verona’s second consecutive win and have kept a clean sheet in both of their previous outings in the league. Verona also unbeaten in the last four games at home. Two successive victories see AC Milan climb the table to second place after they dispatched Empoli and Lazio 1-0 respectively. Milan will be eager to claim maximum points and maintain their spot in second place. Milan to win with BTTS.
17/20 Atalanta | Draw 26/10 | Fiorentina 28/10 (19:00)
Atalanta are winless in their last four matches in the league and will be looking for maximum points against Fiorentina after they shared the spoils with Juventus previously. Fiorentina will need to prepare for a tough match as they come into this fixture winless in their previous four away games. With just four points separating the two clubs it will come down to whoever makes the most of their chances in front of goal. Back the home win here.
4/10 Roma | Draw 39/10 | Sassuolo 58/10 (19:00)
Roma have been ruthless since De Rossi took over, they are currently unbeaten in the last five fixtures and are looking like the Roma of old. Sassuolo went back to winning ways following 8 winless matches in the league after their 1-0 home win against Frosinone. Sassuolo will need a huge performance against high-flying Roma as they try to fight their way out of the relegation battle. Comfortable home win with over 2.5 goals.
Written by Marc Strydom.