As the New Year approaches, Serie A action heats up this weekend with several exciting matchups to close out the year. Let’s take a closer look at three captivating fixtures, providing insights and potential betting options for your consideration.
Before diving into the weekend’s action, let’s take a look at the latest outright odds: Inter Milan remain firm favourites to defend their Serie A title, priced at 8/11. Current league leaders Atalanta are close behind at 9/4, with Napoli following at 9/2. The rest of the field is available at odds of 33/1 or higher.
Click here for all the long-term Serie A outright markets
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SATURDAY
LAZIO v ATALANTA – Click here to bet
Lazio host Atalanta this Saturday in a highly anticipated Serie A clash at the Stadio Olimpico. The Biancocelesti will aim to build on their recent momentum following a 2-1 victory away to Lecce last weekend, a result that solidifies their European aspirations for next season. Marco Baroni’s side currently sit in 4th place with 34 points from 17 matches (W11 D1 L5), and they will view this fixture as an excellent opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Atalanta, who sit six points ahead.
Home Form: W6 D1 L1
Lazio’s home record has been solid this season, earning an impressive 19 points from a possible 24 in eight matches. The White and Sky Blues have showcased their attacking prowess at the Stadio Olimpico, netting 17 goals at an average of 2.12 per game, while conceding 12 at a rate of 1.5 goals per game. Despite their 6-0 defeat to reigning champions Inter Milan in their most recent home outing, Lazio remain formidable hosts and will aim to deliver a strong performance against the league leaders.
Atalanta, on the other hand, are in scintillating form, setting a club record with 11 consecutive league wins. Their most recent victory, a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Empoli, further cemented their position at the top of the Serie A standings with 40 points from 17 games (W13 D1 L3).
Away Form: W6 D1 L2
The Nerazzurri have been exceptional on the road, winning five consecutive away matches in Serie A. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side has collected 19 points from a possible 27 on their travels, scoring 17 goals at an average of 1.89 per game while conceding just 8 at a rate of 0.89 per game. Their defensive solidity and attacking efficiency make them extremely difficult to break down, both in attack and defence.
Head-to-Head
Last season, Lazio secured a 3-2 victory in this fixture, while Atalanta won the reverse encounter 3-1.
Betting
Lazio 15/8
Draw 12/5
Atalanta 15/10
Verdict
Lazio will rely on their impressive home attack to exploit any defensive lapses from Atalanta, but the visitors’ current form makes them worthy favourites in this encounter. Expect a competitive affair, with both sides likely to find the back of the net—a trend seen in 4 of their last 6 meetings in Rome
Suggested Bet: Both Teams To Score, Yes at 8/11
SUNDAY
JUVENTUS v FIORENTINA – Click here to bet
Unbeaten in their last 13 appearances across all competitions, Juventus welcome Fiorentina to the Allianz Stadium this Sunday in a crucial Serie A clash. Thiago Motta’s side will head into Match day 18 brimming with confidence after a hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Monza. The Bianconeri are currently in 6th place with 31 points (W7 D10 L0), sharing the same tally as their opponents, Fiorentina, but trailing them on goal difference.
Home Form: W3 D6 L0
At home, Juventus have struggled to assert their typical dominance, securing 15 points from a possible 27. Draws have been a recurring theme for the Old Lady this season in Turin, despite their defensive solidity. They have conceded just 7 goals at an impressive rate of 0.77 per game, while managing to score 13 goals at an average of 1.44 per match. The Allianz Stadium has been a fortress in terms of avoiding defeats, and Juventus will look to maintain their unbeaten home record in this clash.
Fiorentina sit just above Juventus in the standings, separated only by goal difference. La Viola will be eager to bounce back after a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Udinese last Monday. Raffaele Palladino’s side have struggled for consistency in December, with only one league win during the festive period. However, they will aim to end the year on a high note by becoming the first team to defeat Juventus in the league this season.
Away Form: W4 D2 L2
On the road, Fiorentina have been respectable, earning 14 points from a possible 24. They have scored 13 goals at an average of 1.62 per game, showcasing their attacking potential, while conceding just 5 at an impressive rate of 0.62 per match. These figures underline their capability to challenge even the toughest opponents away from home.
Head-to-Head
Juventus enter Sunday’s game unbeaten in their last four clashes with Fiorentina (W3 D1), securing a league double last season with a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture, followed by the same score line in this encounter.
Betting
Juventus 19/20
Draw 5/2
Fiorentina 3/1
Verdict
With both sides level on points and aiming to break into the European qualification spots, this encounter promises to be an intriguing battle between two well-matched teams. While Juventus boast a favourable record against the visitors, their tendency to draw at home in Turin suggests Fiorentina could walk away with something for their efforts.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result, Draw at 5/2
AC MILAN v AS ROMA – Click here to bet
AC Milan host Roma at the San Siro on Sunday evening for what promises to be an intriguing Serie A encounter. Both sides will be looking to climb the standings and build on positive results from the previous weekend. Paulo Fonseca’s side head into this clash after a narrow 1-0 victory away to Verona last Friday, a result that saw the Rossoneri move to 8th place with 26 points (W7 D5 L4) from 16 matches.
Home Form: W4 D3 L1
Despite their mid-table position, Milan’s form at the San Siro remains solid, having earned 15 points from a possible 24. The Rossoneri have scored 13 goals at home this season, averaging 1.62 goals per game, while conceding just 4 at a rate of 0.5 per match. With a packed home crowd behind them, Milan will be aiming to deliver a strong performance against their capital visitors, mindful of their struggles on the road.
Roma, meanwhile, enter Sunday’s encounter on the back of a resounding 5-0 victory over Parma at the Stadio Olimpico last weekend. The emphatic win would have served as a morale booster for Ranieri’s side, who currently sit 10th in the Serie A standings with 19 points (W5, D4, L8). Roma will be eager to build on that momentum in Sunday’s clash as they strive for greater consistency, especially away from home moving forward.
Away Form: W0 D4 L4
The Yellow and Reds have yet to secure an away victory, managing just 4 points from 8 matches. They’ve scored 5 goals, averaging 0.62 per game, while conceding 13 at a rate of 1.62 per match. With their struggles on the road, Claudio Ranieri’s side will need to dig deep to secure a positive result in Milan given their dismal away record this season.
Head-to-Head
Interestingly, AS Roma are unbeaten in their last three encounters against Milan, including fixtures in Europe and a pre-season friendly. However, in the league, it was AC Milan who secured the double over Roma last season, winning 2-1 in the reverse encounter and 3-1 in this fixture.
Betting:
AC Milan 23/20
Draw 5/2
AS Roma 5/2
Verdict
AC Milan will be confident of securing all three points at home on Sunday evening, given their solid record at the San Siro this season and Roma’s inconsistent away form. Although Roma were impressive in their recent home win over Parma, they have struggled to maintain that level on the road, a trend I expect will continue this weekend.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result, AC Milan at 23/20
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
