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Having finally ended their five-match wait for a win, Napoli will attempt to seize top spot in Serie A when they visit Venezia on Sunday.
The Partenopei play ahead of title rivals Inter Milan and Atalanta BC, who meet later in the evening, so can move clear at the summit with victory at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo.
We say: Venezia 0-2 Napoli
If Napoli are to be crowned champions, they simply must pick up three points against teams struggling near the foot of the standings, so there will be pressure to win before Inter and Atalanta lock horns in Bergamo.
Venezia may have tightened up their defence, but the Partenopei’s front line are also re-finding their sharpness and should come out on top at picturesque Stadio Penzo.
> Serie A preview: Venezia vs Napoli
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Locked in a battle for the European spots, Bologna and Lazio, separated by one place in the Serie A table, face off at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in Sunday’s gameweek 29 encounter.
Vincenzo Italiano’s sixth-placed side are a point behind the capital club entering this weekend, and they aim to seal a sixth consecutive home success at the expense of their opponents, who have drawn three of their previous four top-flight fixtures.
We say: Bologna 2-1 Lazio
Despite failing to keep a clean sheet in four of their previous matches at the Dall’Ara, Bologna are backed to get the better of Lazio on Sunday, extending their winning sequence in front of their supporters and avoiding defeat to the capital club on home soil for the sixth game running.
Lazio’s Europa League exertions on Thursday give the Rossoblu the physical edge, and Italiano’s side should exploit that to supplant the visitors.
> Serie A preview: Bologna vs Lazio
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After exiting Europe in midweek, Roma will aim to bounce back by continuing their fine Serie A form on Sunday, when they welcome Cagliari to Stadio Olimpico.
Despite battling bravely with 10 men, the Giallorossi lost in the Europa League’s last 16; now, back in the hunt for a return to UEFA competition, coach Claudio Ranieri meets up with his former club.
We say: Roma 2-0 Cagliari
Cagliari are one of only two teams, along with Lecce, that have yet to beat any opponents placed inside the top half.
With five draws and 10 defeats from such games so far, they could be picked off by Roma, who will overcome any hangover from Thursday’s defeat to record six Serie A wins on the spin.
> Serie A preview: Roma vs Cagliari
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After suffering an historic home defeat last week, Juventus aim to keep their top-four ambitions on track when they visit Fiorentina on Sunday.
Beaten by four goals in Turin for the first time since 1967, the Serie A giants are amid a crisis that the Viola will be keen to capitalise on at Stadio Franchi.
We say: Fiorentina 1-1 Juventus
Fiorentina have not only scored the joint-most Serie A goals during the first 15 minutes this season (seven) but are also the only team yet to concede in the opening quarter-hour.
The Viola could make another fast start against ailing Juventus – a club reviled by their fans following decades of one-way transfer dealings – but that might not prove enough to secure a much-needed win.
> Serie A preview: Fiorentina vs Juventus
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Two title rivals go toe-to-toe in a Scudetto showdown on Sunday evening, as Atalanta BC welcome Inter Milan to Bergamo.
Separated by fewer than 40 miles – and just three points in the Serie A standings – the two Nerazzurro sides will meet soon after Napoli have the chance to seize top spot in Venice.
We say: Atalanta BC 1-2 Inter Milan
Across the last 15 league meetings in Bergamo, both sides have recorded four wins, seven draws and scored 21 goals apiece – and this season’s title race is also finely balanced.
Boasting a much better head-to-head record overall, Inter can tip the scales in their favour this weekend, with a win surely ruling out hopes of La Dea finally claiming the Scudetto.
> Serie A preview: Atalanta vs Inter Milan
