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It has been a very busy week for Serie A fans, who will be seeing their favorite teams play for the third time in just seven days this weekend. The midweek fixtures brought plenty of intriguing clashes and results, and expect no less for the upcoming round 24 of games kicking off this Saturday.
Saturday
18:00 CET Bologna vs Fiorentina
Both teams will be coming into this game having played against Serie A debutants in midweek. However, Bologna and Fiorentina experienced different results against Frosinone and Carpi respectively. The Rossoblu saw their two-match winning streak snapped by the Canarini, costing them three valuable points. By contrast, the Viola finally appear to be getting back on track as they earned themselves a hard-fought win over the Biancorossi, who were desperately trying to hold out for a draw until new signing Mauro Zarate grabbed a last-gasp goal. Paulo Sousa’s side have picked up seven points from their last three games and have outscored Bologna in their past two meetings by an aggregate total of 5-0. Bologna will make it tough, especially given that they are playing in front of their home crowd, but the visitors are expected to pick up all three points from this one.
20:45 CET Genoa vs Lazio
Sunday
12:30 CET Hellas Verona vs Inter
15:00 CET Frosinone vs Juventus*
15:00 CET AC Milan vs Udinese
It is probably too soon to determine whether AC Milan are finally getting back on track, but two consecutive wins – especially a 3-0 rout of Inter in the Derby della Madonnina – will have Rossoneri fans feeling a bit better these days. Meanwhile, Udinese have had a nightmare of a season and have picked up just two points from their last five games and their last win was on January 6th – their first and only victory to date of 2016. Coincidentally, Milan have not lost since January 6th as well, and the positive momentum from their derby win should give them the edge over the Zebrette on Sunday afternoon.
15:00 CET Napoli vs Carpi
On paper this looks to be a clear case of David vs. Goliath. Napoli set a club record for the most consecutive wins when they made it seven on the trot against Lazio. Meanwhile, Carpi valiantly tried to hold Fiorentina to a draw, but were ultimately unsuccessful as the Viola snatched a win in the last moments of the match. Right now, the Partenopei are looking simply unstoppable. So, despite the fact that the Serie A new-boys held the Scudetto aspirants to a 0-0 draw, expect this to be a one-sided affair for Maurizio Sarri’s side, who will be expected to get the job done without breaking too much of a sweat.
15:00 CET Sassuolo vs Palermo
After a good start, Sassuolo have really hit a rough patch. The Neroverdi are sans a win in their last five games and will be coming into this match having lost – at home – against Roma. Eusebio Di Francesco’s men last tasted victory when they edged out Inter on January 10th and will be desperate to redeem themselves, especially considering that they have not scored in their last two home matches. Meanwhile, Palermo dropped points against Milan, but they will be expected to bounce back this Sunday. Both sides will likely cancel each other out and a draw appears to be on the cards.
15:00 CET Torino vs Chievo
Both Torino and Chievo have only won once in their past five matches and on paper appear pretty evenly matched as they prepare to clash at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday afternoon. In the battle of the Granata and the Flying Donkeys, this will be a close one to call: they sit one point and one place apart in the league standings. Chievo edged out Torino 1-0 in their last meeting earlier this season and another low-scoring affair is most likely.
18:00 CET Atalanta vs Empoli
Atalanta’s confidence will have taken a hit after conceding a late goal to give Hellas Verona their first win of the season. To make matters worse, La Dea have not won any of their last eight games, picking up just three points in the process. Edy Reja’s squad will be hoping to arrest this downward slide as they welcome Empoli, but the Azzurri have proven to be a tricky customer this season and could have just enough to end their own five-match streak without a win.
20:45 CET Roma vs Sampdoria
