-
Back goals between Juve and Milan
-
Bologna form will continue
-
Atalanta will put pressure on Empoli
-
Roma value to win Derby del Sole
-
Saturday's Serie A action features an enticing fixture between Juventus and AC Milan sides that are both struggling for form.
With five games to go of the season, the Old Lady can count themselves lucky that five teams will qualify for the Champions League from Italy this season. Though they currently sit third in the table, it would be no surprise if the likes of Bologna and Roma leapfrogged them before the campaign finishes. Juve have failed to win any of their last three games, having lost 2-1 at Lazio last week after previously drawing with Cagliari and Torino.
Milan are without a win in four across all competitions (D1 L3), with their latest defeat seeing them face the indignity of their rivals Inter securing the Scudetto against them. With neither side looking secure in defence, combine both teams to score with over 2.5 goals at 23/20.
Bologna will be looking to take a step closer to Champions League qualification when they host Udinese.
Thiago Motta's side have been the surprise package in Serie A this season and they pulled off a great result last weekend when they won 3-1 at fifth placed Roma. Only Inter have now beaten Bologna in their last 13 Serie A games (W9 D3). They are fourth in the table, only two points behind Juventus in third, as we enter this weekend.
Udinese are hovering just outside the relegation zone in 17th place and their form suggests that they could drop into the bottom three. On Thursday they completed their suspended fixture against Roma, which they lost 2-1, stretching their run without a win to six games (D1 L5). Bologna have kept clean sheets in four of their last five outings, so back them to win to nil at 7/52.40.
Both Atalanta and Empoli will be looking for points when they meet on Sunday.
Atalanta are sixth in Serie A and still have a chance of qualifying for the Champions League. They currently trail fifth placed Roma by four points, but hold a game in hand. A big obstacle for them is how successful they have been in cups this season. Atalanta reached the Coppa Italia final this week when they won 4-1 in the second-leg of their semi-final against Fiorentina, while they are also through to the last four of the Europa League.
Empoli are fighting against relegation. Three points clear of the drop zone, they claimed a valuable 1-0 home win against Napoli last weekend. Their away form suggests that they might struggle to pull off another shock, having lost their last three games on the road without finding the net. Back an Atalanta win and under 3.5 goals at 6/52.20.
European qualification hopes are on the line when Napoli clash with Roma in the Derby del Sole.
Napoli are currently eighth, which would see them qualify for the Europa Conference League play-off round. Though the Champions League is out of reach, they still stand a chance of making the step up by clinching a Europa League qualification spot. Yet their form suggests that this is unlikely, with Napoli having only won one of their last seven games across all competitions (D3 L3).
Roma suffered a rare defeat when they lost against Bologna last weekend, but bounced back with that midweek victory against Udinese. Napoli are strangely odds-on favourites to win this match, which makes the 3/14.00 available for a Roma win, great value.