Following the surprising twists and turns that ensued last weekend, predicting the outcomes of Calcio fixtures is becoming an increasingly daunting task. Yet, we can’t help ourselves from forecasting the events with our predictions for Serie A Round 25 that will inevitably be proven wrong to a large extent. This weekend begins with an intriguing clash between league leaders Napoli and their hosts Lazio, but the biggest showdown of the round will occur on Sunday night when Roma host Juventus at the Olimpico Stadium.
So let’s dig in!
Napoli vs Lazio
This weekend kicks off in an exciting contest, as Maurizio Sarri pays his old employers a visit. Although this encounter features two clubs who are currently in the Top Four spots, there’s a major gulf between Napoli and Lazio in terms of results and performances this season.
The capital side has been painfully inconsistent this campaign. So if the vibrant version of the Biancocelesti shows up at the Maradona Stadium, this could turn out into a fascinating battle. Otherwise, Luciano Spalletti’s men will treat it as another stepping stone towards their imminent Scudetto triumph.
Prediction: We just can’t go against Napoli at the moment.
Monza vs Empoli
In a battle between two of the league’s most over-achievers, Monza play hosts for Empoli at the U-Power Stadium, with both sides looking to bounce back from last week’s defeats.
While the two clubs are almost in the same wave, the Biancorossi arguably have the edge in terms of quality, which could be enough to snatch the win on Saturday.
Prediction: Monza wins entertaining affair.
Atalanta vs Udinese
Last weekend, we arguably witnessed the worst Atalanta version in Gian Piero Gasperini’s era. But as it’s often been the case, a little scolding from the manager could do the trick and reinvoke a sense of responsibility in his players.
On the other hand, Udinese can’t seem to pick up a win these days. Since November, the Fruilians’ dreadful form has been worthy of a club embroiled in the relegation battle. So unless Andrea Sottil’s men truly manage to take their game up a notch, they’re unlikely to perturb La Dea in Bergamo.
Prediction: Raging Atalanta to make a statement
Fiorentina vs Milan
Also on Saturday, Milan manager Stefano Pioli returns to one of his former accommodations as his side takes on Fiorentina at the Artemio Franchi. Fortunately for the Rossoneri, the club found a new winning recipe at the most crucial instance of the campaign.
So despite the Tuscans’ refreshing 3-0 win in Verona last weekend, the reigning Serie A champions should be considered as the clear favorites in Round 25, even though they’re playing away from home.
Prediction: Milan to earn a morale-boosting victory ahead of their London trip.
Spezia vs Verona
Serie A Round 25 will witness the mother of all relegation six-pointers, as Spezia and Verona clash heads at the Alberto Picco Stadium. While the hosts sit just above the drop zone in the 17th position, their visitors are just three points behind them.
Hence, the regenerated Gialloblu will be desperate for a win that puts an exclamation mark on their recent uprise, while the Aquilotti will want to avoid defeat at all costs.
Based on the two clubs’ recent forms, Verona could have the edge. Nonetheless, Spezia displayed some encouraging signs in the 2-2 draw against Udinese last week. They will also have a crucial home advantage.
Prediction: A cagey draw that maintains the status quo.
Sampdoria vs Salernitana
Yet another matchup with significant implications for the relegation battle. Following Cremonese’s victory over Roma in the previous round, Sampdoria have hit rock bottom – both literally and figuratively.
It seems that the Blucerchiati are beginning to succumb to despair after too many heartbreaking results where their luck abandoned them. On the other hand, Salernitana have started a new chapter with Paulo Sousa in an enchanting fashion – beating Monza with three unanswered goals.
Thus, the momentum surely favors the Granata at this point, so it might just be another disappointing evening for Dejan Stankovic and the boys in blue.
Prediction: Salernitana to clinch a vital away win.
Inter vs Lecce
If there’s one thing we learned about Lecce this campaign, beating the resilient southerners is never an easy task. In fact, Inter were the first Serie A club to receive the lesson when they needed a last-gasp winner to spare them opening matchday blushes.
But on the back of an agonizing defeat in Bologna, Simone Inzaghi’s men will be eager to rebound at the expense of the Giallorossi, and one would always expect them to emerge victorious at the Giuseppe Meazza.
Prediction: Inter to break Lecce’s resistance.
Roma vs Juventus
In the biggest blockbuster of the Italian weekend, Juventus travel to the Eternal City for a meeting against Roma who will be without their often-suspended manager José Mourinho.
Whenever two top sides meet, the contest could go either way, but based on recent results, the Bianconeri are enjoying a more prosperous period than the troubled Giallorossi who shockingly lost their latest fixture in Cremona.
Nevertheless, the home side can always produce a combative performance at the Olimpico, which could be enough to warrant a point.
Prediction: The big boys could end up sharing the spoils.
Sassuolo vs Cremonese
After finally earning their maiden Serie A victory, Cremonese now have an open appetite for victories, so will they produce another upset when they travel to Sassuolo in Round 25?
Well, earning a result won’t be easy at the Mapei Stadium, especially against a regenerated side that has been collecting positive results recently.
Prediction: Sassuolo to outplay their visitors en route to victory.
Torino vs Bologna
In the final fixture of the round, Bologna will be hoping to extend their positive streak and subsequently keep their European hopes alive with a win over their hosts Torino. For their part, the Granata need to bounce back following the Derby della Mole disappointment.
This should be a fascinating meeting between Ivan Juric and Thiago Motta who played side-by-side at Genoa and are both students of Gian Piero Gasperini’s school of thought.
This one should be a razor-tight affair, but we expect Vanja Milinkovic-Savic to produce a grand display, tipping the scale in favor of the Piedmontese.
Prediction: Slim win for Torino.
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