© Imago
Locked together on points in the Serie A standings, mid-table pair Como and Genoa will meet at Stadio Sinigaglia on Sunday, as two ex-Arsenal stars clash in the dugout.
Ahead of a game postponed by one day due to the Pope’s funeral, both sides are essentially safe – and they still have some chance of snatching a top-10 finish.
We say: Como 1-0 Genoa
As Como are an increasingly formidable force at the Sinigaglia – and Genoa struggle to score away from home – the hosts should prevail by a slim margin.
Cesc Fabregas is set to get the better of old teammate Patrick Vieira, who he effectively replaced at Arsenal, taking his team three points clear of their opponents.
> Serie A preview: Como vs Genoa
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Flying high following their derby win in midweek, Coppa Italia finalists AC Milan aim to take that momentum into Serie A on Sunday, when they visit Venezia at Stadio Penzo.
Despite sitting only ninth in the league standings, Milan booked their place in Rome with an emphatic semi-final win; meanwhile, their hosts are fighting to avoid an instant return to Serie B.
We say: Venezia 1-2 AC Milan
There is no doubt Venezia’s motivation will be higher – and they have become much tougher to beat in recent weeks – but Milan seem to have finally found some form.
A change of formation has freed up key men such as Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez – neither being too fond of defending – and the Rossoneri should still be buoyed by reaching the cup final.
> Serie A preview: Venezia vs AC Milan
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Still in the hunt for European qualification, Fiorentina will welcome Tuscan rivals Empoli to Stadio Franchi on Sunday.
The Viola are seeking a top-six finish, while their visitors – unbeaten in two prior editions of the Derby dell’Arno this season – are scrapping for Serie A survival.
We say: Fiorentina 2-0 Empoli
Even though Empoli rested key players with this game in mind – and Fiorentina may have one eye on next week’s Conference League semi-final – the Viola should have too much guile for their regional rivals.
With an average goals-per-game rate almost twice that of the ailing Azzurri, the home side are surely set to prevail.
> Serie A preview: Fiorentina vs Empoli
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Now level on points atop the Serie A standings, Inter Milan will try to get their Scudetto defence back on track when hosting Roma on Sunday.
After allowing Napoli to catch them by slipping up in Bologna, Inter exited the Coppa Italia to city rivals AC Milan in midweek; meanwhile, their counterparts from the capital are enjoying a long unbeaten streak.
We say: Inter Milan 1-1 Roma
Roma have the best defensive record this calendar year – conceding just eight goals in Serie A – while no team has scored more than Inter’s 27 so far.
So, a fascinating contest is on the cards, with the faltering Nerazzurri perhaps having to settle for a draw against much-improved opponents.
> Serie A preview: Inter Milan vs Roma
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Having slipped out of Serie A’s top four earlier this week, Juventus aim to boost their Champions League hopes on Sunday, when they host relegation-bound Monza.
Juve’s latest setback leaves them struggling to salvage something from a dismal campaign, while their visitors could have demotion confirmed by another defeat.
We say: Juventus 1-0 Monza
Even a brittle Juventus side surely cannot fail to beat Monza, who are limping towards the finish line at the end of an awful season.
Without a reliable striker, though, the Bianconeri are far from prolific – so their margin of victory may be slim.
> Serie A preview: Juventus vs Monza
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On track to secure another top-four finish in Serie A, Atalanta BC will aim to consolidate third place when they welcome lowly Lecce to Bergamo on Friday.
While the hosts have just posted back-to-back wins in their quest for a Champions League return, their southern counterparts are simply fighting for survival.
We say: Atalanta BC 2-0 Lecce
Though Atalanta sometimes fail to perform on home soil, Lecce are in disarray, with the Salentini’s unpopular board forced to issue a vote of confidence in their head coach.
Having turned a corner by beating Bologna and Milan, La Dea can win three games on the spin, all but wrapping up Champions League qualification.
> Serie A preview: Atalanta vs Lecce
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Seeking a second Scudetto in the space of three seasons, Napoli will continue their quest for another Serie A title when Torino visit Stadio Maradona on Sunday.
Locked on 71 points with Inter Milan heading into a packed day of top-flight action, the Partenopei take on mid-table Toro, who have little left to play for.
We say: Napoli 1-0 Torino
Drilled by master tactician Antonio Conte, Napoli have conceded the fewest goals of any team throughout Europe’s top five leagues (25), and they are well set to keep low-scoring Torino at arm’s length.
While the Granata have clearly recovered from a mid-season slump, they will not match their hungry hosts’ intensity at an expectant Stadio Maradona.
> Serie A preview: Napoli vs Torino
