Lazio vs Juventus: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Lazio will look to continue their impressive run of form when they welcome Juventus to Stadio Olimpico this Saturday. The Rome-based club are currently of the most in-form teams in the Serie A, as they come into this tie on a run of six league games without defeat. Furthermore, each of those results came without Lazio conceding a goal, helping them to the number one spot as the club with the best defence in the Italian top flight this season. Read more: Nice vs PSG: Preview and Expert Football Prediction It’s been a remarkable turnaround for Lazio, who ended last season with the second-worst defensive record in the top half. At the same time, Maurizio Sarri‘s men now boast the division‘s best defensive record, with only 19 goals conceded. Back-to-back Serie A wins ‘to nil’ have seen them strengthen their grip on second place as they start this round with a four-point cushion over the chasing pack. Carrying such form, it seems like a great time to face a Juventus side they’ve beaten just once here across the last eleven H2Hs (D2, L8).  Given six of Lazio’s eight Serie A home wins this term came without conceding, another solid defensive display should be expected here, but considering the last time Lazio beat Juventus without conceding was back in 2004, that certainly isn’t a foregone conclusion. Despite being slapped with a 15-point deduction, Juventus are gradually pulling themselves back into the top-four race with solid results in the league. The Old Lady come into this tie on a run of three straight Serie A wins, taking them to seventh position, only six points behind the Champions League spots. So they would interestingly be four points clear of Lazio in second if not for the ban, and coach Massimiliano Allegri will be eager to confirm his side’s theoretical ‘second-place’ status that results have merited with an eye-catching result here.  However, something will have to change for them to achieve that, as the visitors have lost three of their four Serie A away matches against current top-six sides (W1) this season. Meanwhile, Juve has won the first half ‘to nil‘ in four straight H2Hs and will be backed to produce a low-scoring encounter. That said, an under 2.5 goals bet is the best prediction for this game. 

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AC Milan vs Empoli: Preview and Expert Football Prediction 

AC Milan will continue their quest for the top four this Friday when they welcome Empoli to San Siro for the 229th round of the 2022/23 Serie A season.  The hosts kept their chances of finishing in the Champions League spot of the Serie A table alive with a huge 4-0 win over champions-elect Napoli last time. The win ended a four-game (D2, L2) winless competitive run for Stefano Piolli’s men and .moved them into third position on the table.  While that should spark confidence for the rest of the season, Pioli warned, “It’s just one game”, as he aims to stay focused on two competitions. A win against Empoli will keep the pressure on second-placed Lazio. However, Pioli could already have one eye on their Champions League quarter-finals first-leg next week against Napoli. Read more: West Ham vs Newcastle: Preview and Expert Football Prediction  With six wins out of their last nine Seria A home matches (D2, L1), scoring 2+ goals on seven occasions, the Rossoneri could be warming San Siro for the bigger battle ahead. So we can expect an over 2.5 goals game here. Empoli will look to break a poor run of form in their games against AC Milan, having lost their last four games against their hosts.   They will hope to take advantage of a potentially distracted Milan as they travel with a 12-point cushion above the relegation zone after a 1-0 win over Lecce last matchday halted a four-game losing streak.  Coach Paolo Zanetti celebrated the three points and hinted that the visitors “want to make a good impression” here, aiming for their fourth win in a 16th away competitive H2Hs (D1, L11). Zanetti’s men had won at this venue earlier in February against Inter Milan (1-0) but failed to build upon that victory, losing three of their next four away league games (D1).  They will hope for a better away outing this time as they attempt to get into the top half.  Click here to get correct score tips daily.

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Napoli vs AC Milan: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Serie A top four hopefuls AC Milan will travel to Naples this Sunday to face run-away league leaders Napoli.  The hosts are cruising to their first Scudetto since the 1990 season, thanks to a return of 23 league wins and just two losses (D2) in 27 games.  A club-record 71 points from those first 27 Serie A games has given the hosts an almost insurmountable 19-point lead atop the table, prompting talks of Napoli being ‘champions-elect’.  Read more: West Ham vs Southampton: Preview and Expert Football Prediction Coach Luciano Spalletti has been the architect of this campaign. The Italian will be desperate to extend his remarkable work at the Naples-based side in the Champions League too.  His side’s meeting with Milan on Sunday is the first of three H2H meetings over 17 days, with both sides set to meet in the Champions League quarter-finals next week.  A win here could tell what will happen in that game. Napoli will be confident of winning here, though, as they have enjoyed great success at home this season. Only Lazio have taken points from Napoli across their last eleven Serie A home games (W10, L1). So a return to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona reinforces their credentials in this match.  However, AC Milan will be mildly confident of getting a result, given that they have won the last two head-to-head meetings between both sides. But their form just before the international break doesn’t inspire confidence, with the San Siro side winless in their last four competitive games (D2, L2). They’ve won just three of their last eleven games (D3, L5), which not only dumped them out of the title race but also put their participation in next season’s UCL at risk. Manager Stefano Pioli tried to boost morale by stating, “nobody is perfect or unbeatable,” as he plots to avenge a 2-1 loss in the reverse fixture. However, his biggest hurdle looks to be his side’s wretched away form, with the Rossoneri losing four of their last five Serie A road trips (W1).  Ten goals conceded during those defeats is a stark reminder of their defensive frailties, as only relegation-battling Cremonese have conceded more goals than Milan. With Napoli scoring for fun, another high-scoring game with over 2.5 goals could be on the cards.

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Inter Milan vs Fiorentina: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Serie A returns this weekend with Inter Milan playing host to Fiorentina for the 28th Round of the 2022/23 season.  The San Siro side are looking to get back to form after a return of just three points in four games has put the job of head coach Simon Inzaghi in perspective (W1, D3). The most recent of those losses was a 1-0 defeat against fierce rivals Juventus, which saw Inter Milan lose twice to the Bianconeri without scoring in a single Serie A season for the first time since 1976/77. The defeat was also the ninth defeat for the Nerazzurri in the season’s Serie A– a fate they have suffered after the opening 27 rounds just once this century. Read more: Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund: Preview and Expert Football Prediction Having survived the international break, Inzaghi will probably end the season at Inter. But with his side just three points ahead of fifth-placed AS Roma in the top-four race, the former Lazio manager will know that he cannot afford his side to drop further points.  However, Inter will fancy their chances against a Fiorentina side they beat in five of the last six H2Hs (D1). Yet, the visitors were the most in-form team in Italy just before the international break, with their 13 points from five games (W4, D1) only matched by Lazio. It even gets better when you factor in other competitions for Fiorentina, who will travel to Milan on a seven-game winning run in all competitions. That run has seen them qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-finals and move back to the top half of the standings for the first time since mid-January.  Consequently, they started this round only four points away from seventh spot (and the potential European place that may come with it). That aforementioned run also consisted of consecutive clean-sheet away league victories which saw Fiorentina net five goals combined in those appearances.  That offers us a glimpse that this game could go either way. However, a potential ‘over 2.5 goals’ game is more likely.  Click here to get correct score tips daily. 

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Udinese vs AC Milan: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

AC Milan will travel to Udine this Saturday to face Udinese. The hosts clung onto their top-half position with just a one-point cushion ahead of this round thanks to a 1-0 victory over Empoli in their last Serie A outing. Manager Andrea Sottil stated that his side “deservedly won” that game. He will be hoping that his boys can use the confidence gained after ending a six-game winless run by putting together back-to-back victories for the first time since last October.  Read more: Southampton vs Tottenham: Preview and Expert Football Prediction A return to Dacia Arena could be a good omen for the host’s chances of entering the impending international break on a high as, despite failing to win here this year, they had lost only once (D4, L1).  AC Milan failed to boost their chance of a top-four finish last time when they were held to a 1-1 draw with Salernitana.  The Rossoneri are clinging onto a top-four berth by the skin of their teeth after a pair of winless league games (D1, L1). However, with their closest chasers, Roma playing on Sunday, Milan knows only a win will guarantee a top-four position during the international break. Improving on some suspect away Serie A form in 2023 (W2, D1, L3) will be vital to securing the visitors’ place in the top tier of European football.  Having won just two of the last six away H2Hs (D2, L2), this game certainly won’t be easy for Milan. Click here to get today’s soccer predictions.

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Atalanta vs Empoli: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Atalanta’s quest for a top-four finish in the Italian Serie A will continue this Friday when they welcome Empoli to Bergamo. The hosts are fighting to return to continental football next season after an eight-place finish kept them off a place in any of the UEFA competitions.  But it’s been a poor recent run for Atalanta who, following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Napoli, are now winless in four successive Serie A outings (D1, L3). As a result, La Dea have fallen out of the top four and they now face a huge challenge to try to get back into those positions. Read more: Real Betis vs Manchester United: Preview and Expert Football Prediction They finished the last round six points adrift with their tally of 42 points after 26 games their lowest in four years. Their main issue has been a lack of goals, as they’ve managed just one across their last four league matches.  Empoli have shut them out in three of their last four H2Hs at this venue (W1, D2, L1), though it should be noted that Gian Piero Gasperini’s men have netted at least once in all of their nine matches against teams starting this round 14th or below, thus not enthusing them about their arrival. The hope for Atalanta is that the visitors will visit Gewiss Stadium in pretty rotten form, with no league win in seven outings (D3, L4). Their main issue have been defending set-pieces this season, as there’s only one side that has conceded more Serie A goals from set-pieces (nine) than Empoli. At the other end of the pitch, there are only three teams who have scored fewer league goals (23) than Empoli. So, improving in both boxes will be crucial if the Blues are to have any chance of beating one of the sides featuring in the top ten ahead of the round for only the third time this season (D4, L8). Click here to get today’s football prediction.

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AC Milan vs Salernitana: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

AC Milan will rekindle their top-four quest this Monday when they host Salernitana at the San Siro. The hosts are trailing in the top-four race after another defeat last weekend. That 2-1 loss to Fiorentina was their sixth loss of the season. For context, Stefano Pioli’s men suffered just four losses in their title-winning 2021/22 season. So things have become bad for the hosts. However, their most-recent loss ended a run of three straight wins in the league. So, it’s safe to say that they are gradually getting back into their groove after a bad start to the year. Also, a first UEFA Champions League quarter-final since 2011/12, thanks to a 0-0 draw at Tottenham in midweek, will have the San Siro side in a good mood ahead of this game. Read more: Fulham vs Arsenal: Preview and Expert Football Prediction They come into this tie in fourth position, level on points with AS Roma. So they can’t afford many more slip-ups with Inter Milan, Atalanta Lazio, and all vying for a place in the top four.  Salernitana have a poor record at San Siro, having lost their last three visits here. But they will care little about their San Siro record as they are fighting for their lives at the moment. They’re on track to achieve their aim for the season following a goalless draw with Sampdoria last time out. The draw kept them clear of the relegation zone.  Meanwhile, Salernitana have righted the ship since losing 8-2 to Atalanta in January, with a much better return from their last three league away games (W1, D1, L1). Another positive defensive performance here can help them to go at least eight points ahead of the bottom three. Click here to get accurate football predictions.

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AS Roma vs Sassuolo: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

AS Roma will host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico this Sunday for the 26th game of the 2022/23 Serie A season. The hosts recorded their 14th win of the season last time with a narrow 1-0 victory over Juventus. The result boosted Roma’s chances of claiming a top-four spot in Serie A come the season’s end. José Mourinho’s men backed up their weekend win with a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League last 16 tie. Consecutive victories without conceding made the Portuguese strategist happy as he claimed’ he couldn’t ask for more’. Read more: Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona: Preview and Expert Football Prediction They will be happy to return to the Stadio Olimpico, where Roma have won each of their last five Serie A home matches without conceding a goal. So the Giallorossi will believe they can go six in a row without conceding for the first time since 2014. Read more: Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona: Preview and Expert Football Prediction Sassuolo looks ready to bridge that Roma backline, though, given that they failed to score twice in their last ten outings. Nevertheless, they make the trip to the capital in good spirits, with four wins in their last six Serie A matches to move away from relegation danger and into mid-table (D1, L1).  Only Napoli have earned more points in the division in that period, and another win would match their three-match winning streak from March 2022 – their longest under current coach Alessio Dionisi. So they will fancy their chances of winning here and ending a five-game winless run against Roma (D4, L4).Meanwhile, Roma have won a joint-league-high nine matches by a single-goal margin this season. So this game will likely feature Under 1.5 goals scored.

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Napoli vs Atalanta: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Serie A high flyers Napoli will look to get back to winning ways when they welcome top-four hopefuls Atalanta to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Saturday.  The hosts suffered a rare loss last weekend when they went down 1-0 to Lazio at home. The loss ended a run of seven consecutive wins for Luciano Spaletti’s side, who maintained a healthy double-digit lead at the top of the table regardless of the result.  They will fancy their chances of winning here, given that they have yet to lose consecutive matches this Serie A season. However, an upcoming Champions League round of 16-second leg after this clash against Atalanta, who defeated them 3-2 in their last Serie A home head-to-head, adds to the intrigue. Read more: Bournemouth vs Liverpool: Preview and Expert Football Prediction The visitors are among the only two teams to have beaten Napoli this season. Yet they are losing steam in the top-four race with only two wins from their last seven league games (D2, L3). Moreover, they have suffered indifferent results in their previous nine league games away from home (W3, D3, L3), threatening their Champions League qualification for next season. They have failed to score in three successive league games for the first time since October 2018 after firing blanks against Milan (2-0) and Udinese (0-0). But this trip may help them avert that prospect as the visitors have scored in the last nine Serie A H2Hs, their longest run against Napoli. Given the history of this tie, we can expect both teams to score here. So a BTTS/GG bet is the best prediction for this game. 

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Spezia vs Inter Milan: Preview and Expert Football Prediction

Inter Milan will travel to Stadio Alberto Picco this Friday to face Spezia in the 26th Round of the 2022/23 Serie A season. Struggling Spezia did little to boost their survival hopes at the weekend as they held to a goalless draw by Hellas Verona. That draw means they missed the chance to open up a six-point gap to 18th place, with Spezia currently sat in 17th position, three points ahead of Verona. Read more: AS Roma vs Real Sociedad: Preview and Expert Football Prediction But that result did at least extend Spezia’s unbeaten run under new boss Leonardo Semplici to two matches (D2). They will now face one of the biggest occasions Serie A can offer – Inter Milan.  Spezia have not fared well in this fixture, as they have zero wins in their last six encounters with Inter (D1, L5). And considering Semplici’s side are winless in their last nine league home games (D5, L4), failing to score a goal across the previous five, there appears little chance of a maiden head-to-head win here. Inter Milan look primed to take all three points from this game, considering their form heading into this fixture. The visitors are currently the second-best team in the league, with four wins in their last six league games (D1, L1), giving them a grip on second place as their quest for a sixth successive top-four finish continues. After suffering a rare 1-0 loss to Bologna on their last away trip, Inter will be desperate to bounce back from that loss which was their first league away defeat of 2023 on their previous road trip. Considering they come into the round with a joint-second most Serie A goals scored in the opening ten minutes of games (five), they will fancy their chances of ensuring they bounce back very early in this game. That said, a ‘Goal First Half’ bet will be the correct prediction for this game.

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