Predictions for the 21st round of Serie A, January 16-19
Pisa – Atalanta
Pisa is gradually forgetting the taste of victory, as the team hasn't won in 9 consecutive matches, losing five of them without scoring. Atalanta, on the other hand, is in great form: 9 wins in their last 11 matches, excelling both in defense and attack. The visitors appear to be the clear favorites for the upcoming clash and are quite capable of taking another three points.
Match Prediction for Pisa – Atalanta: away win
Udinese – Inter
Inter continues to delight their fans: the team has secured four wins in their last five matches, only slipping up against Napoli (1:1). In the league table, the “Nerazzurri” confidently hold the top spot and aim to increase their lead over the closest contenders. Udinese, however, has noticeably slowed down recently, making it extremely difficult to repeat the first-round upset when the “Little Zebras” defeated Inter 2:1.
Match Prediction for Udinese – Inter: away win with handicap (-1)
Napoli – Sassuolo
In the autumn, Sassuolo looked very convincing: the team consistently collected points and remained in the top half of the table for a long time. However, with the onset of winter, the “Black and Greens” have noticeably declined in their quality of play. Their winless streak has stretched to six matches, with the last two games ending in defeats with a combined score of 0:5. Napoli, engaged in a fierce battle for the title, unexpectedly slowed down, recording three consecutive draws. On home turf, the hosts need to break this unpleasant streak.
Match Prediction for Napoli – Sassuolo: home win
Cagliari – Juventus
In recent weeks, Juventus has been one of the most stable teams in Serie A. The Turin side has secured 9 wins in their last 11 matches, delivering powerful performances in the last two league rounds – a 3:0 away win over Sassuolo and a 5:0 home win against Cremonese. Cagliari, however, is going through a tough period and is hovering near the relegation zone. In such matches, the “Old Lady” cannot afford any slip-ups if they are serious about contending for the title.
Match Prediction for Cagliari – Juventus: away win
Parma – Genoa
The upcoming match is of great significance for both teams. Parma and Genoa occupy the 14th and 15th places respectively, being direct competitors in the battle for survival. In such a situation, neither side will want to concede, especially since both teams are in decent form: Genoa is unbeaten in three consecutive rounds, and Parma has lost only once in their last five matches. Given this scenario, the teams are quite capable of delivering goals.
Match Prediction for Parma – Genoa: total over 1.5 goals
Bologna – Fiorentina
Bologna continues to struggle with its own issues. The team is displaying low-quality football, rarely delighting fans with victories, and is gradually slipping down the league table. Fiorentina, on the other hand, has noticeably revived: just one defeat in the last five matches, and in the previous round, the "Violas" were very close to defeating Milan (1:1). It wouldn't be a surprise if the visitors manage to take points again from a team in the upper half of the table.
Match Prediction for Bologna – Fiorentina: the visitors will not lose
Torino – Roma
Torino and Roma met quite recently – on November 13, the teams played in the 1/8 finals of the Coppa Italia. Back then, the "Wolves" had the support of their home fans, but that didn't stop the Turin side from advancing with a 3:2 victory. Now Torino will try to repeat their success on their own turf, but Roma will surely be eager for revenge, especially since points are crucial in the battle for a top-4 spot. In such a scenario, a goal exchange can be expected.
Match Prediction for Torino – Roma: both teams will score
Milan – Lecce
Lecce is going through tough times: in the last five matches, the team has earned just one point, and even that was a miracle draw against Juventus (1:1). The "Salentians" have serious attacking problems – both in recent rounds and throughout the season: only 13 goals scored in 20 Serie A matches, which is the worst record in the league. Milan is also far from optimal form, but if the "Rossoneri" struggle even against such an opponent at home, they can be definitively ruled out as title contenders.
Match Prediction for Milan – Lecce: the visitors will not score
Cremonese – Verona
In the initial months after returning to the top division, Cremonese looked very confident: the team rarely lost and regularly took points even from stronger opponents. However, recently the hosts have noticeably declined – winless in six consecutive matches, and in five of those, they failed to score a single goal. Verona is also far from optimal form and often loses without scoring. Considering the serious attacking problems of both teams, a high-scoring game is not expected in the upcoming match.
Match Prediction for Cremonese – Verona: total under 2.5 goals
Lazio – Como
Despite the lifting of the transfer ban, Lazio has been unconvincing lately. In the last five matches, the Romans have secured only one victory, and that was snatched thanks to an own goal in the closing stages against Verona (1:0). Como, on the other hand, is in good form and has recently almost not...is losing, showing their readiness to fight for a spot in the Champions League until the end. In this scenario, the "Larians" are quite capable of taking points from Lazio even on the road.
