© Imago
Two low-scoring, relegation-threatened sides in Serie A meet on Sunday when Lecce host second-bottom Venezia at Stadio Via del Mare in round 31’s contest.
The Salentini enter this weekend’s fixture on a five-match losing streak and could slip into the bottom three if they suffer a sixth loss and 18th-placed Empoli defeat Cagliari.
We say: Lecce 0-0 Venezia
Lecce are winless in seven Serie A games, having lost five in a row and failing to score in five of those fixtures, while Venezia have not won since December, holding a 13-match streak without success.
Having been unable to find the net in six of their past seven league matches, another goalless encounter would not be surprising for the Venice outfit in Apulia.
> Serie A preview: Lecce vs Venezia
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Both scrapping for Serie A survival, Empoli and Cagliari will clash at Stadio Carlo Castellani on Sunday afternoon.
After the Azzurri were well beaten in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final, they host visitors who picked up three precious points last weekend.
We say: Empoli 0-1 Cagliari
Though Empoli rested several key men in midweek, even their first-choice side have produced just one home win all season – and a meagre five league goals at the Castellani.
Having also conceded the most times (27) during the final half-hour this season, they could fade again, allowing Cagliari to finish strongly and take one step closer to safety.
> Serie A preview: Empoli vs Cagliari
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Five games unbeaten in Serie A, Torino will try to improve their prospects of a top-half finish by beating Hellas Verona on Sunday.
Both teams drew on Monday evening, with Toro striking back to take a point off Lazio, while Verona were held at home by fellow strugglers Parma.
We say: Torino 1-0 Hellas Verona
Seven of the last nine league meetings between these teams in Turin have ended all square – but the hosts are surely set to prevail on Sunday.
Torino rarely thrill their home fans with lots of goals, but they are more than capable of keeping Verona at bay and striking at least once themselves.
> Serie A preview: Torino vs Hellas Verona
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Two faltering contenders for a top-four finish will convene in Bergamo on Sunday evening, as Atalanta BC host Serie A rivals Lazio.
The pair have picked up just one point between them over the past two matchdays, casting more doubt over their credentials.
We say: Atalanta BC 1-2 Lazio
Once free-scoring, both teams have recently dried up in attack – but their last 11 league meetings have averaged 3.7 goals per game.
Lazio have registered more goals than any other Serie A side in the final half-hour this season (25) – including six during stoppage time – so they may win with a late twist and prolong La Dea’s pain.
> Serie A preview: Atalanta vs Lazio
© Imago
Resurgent Roma will host an ailing Juventus side in Serie A’s Sunday night showdown, with the teams separated by just three points in the standings.
Once title contenders, Juve now find themselves outside Italy’s top four looking in, and their Roman rivals can catch them with an eighth straight league win.
We say: Roma 1-0 Juventus
Juventus (17) and Roma (18) have conceded the fewest goals from open play in Serie A so far, and they played out a 0-0 draw in this season’s reverse fixture. So, one moment of magic – or madness – could decide a contest between two well-matched teams.
Given their new-found resilience, the Giallorossi can edge to an eighth league win on the spin, taking them level on points with their once-distant rivals.
> Serie A preview: Roma vs Juventus
