Serie A returns this Saturday for week 19 and, with half the season gone in a matter of months, things are starting to heat up for all 20 teams in the league. All the teams are playing on Saturday, with big games for Juventus, AC Milan and Lazio especially - join CloudSports Football as we take a look at the predictions for this week's fixtures.
Juventus-Sampdoria
The Bianconeri are looking to put their somewhat surprising draw with Atalanta in Bergamo behind them and finish 2018 with a big win against a high-flying Sampdoria side. Juventus have dropped just two points at home all season whilst Sampdoria have won just once in their last five away games. A 4-1 thrashing by Roma in November and a 3-2 to defeat against AC Milan does not bode well for the Genoa-based side and therefore I'm expecting Juventus to walk this one. Prediction: Juventus 2-0 Sampdoria
Chievo-Frosinone
The two sides placed 20th and 19th respectively will meet in Verona on Saturday, with both sides struggling for form as of late. Chievo are yet to win a match this season but have secured draws against Napoli, Lazio and Inter Milan in the last month. Frosinone, meanwhile, managed a 0-0 draw with struggling Milan at the weekend but have just a single win to their name. For this reason, I'm not expecting either team to take it and therefore will settle for a draw.
Prediction: Chievo 0-0 Frosinone
Empoli-Inter
Inter Milan have been struggling as of late, with a rather inconsistent string of form dating back to the start of November. In their 11 games in all competitions since the start of November, they have won just four - recording defeats to Juventus, Tottenham and Atalanta, whilst drawing with Chievo, PSV, AS Roma and Barcelona. Most recently, Inter defeated Napoli in a match marred by the treatment of Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly. Empoli have lost their last three games and sit just three points above the drop zone in 16th. Inter should be able to use their momentum from the match against Napoli to secure an important three points to close off 2018.
Prediction: Empoli 1-2 Inter Milan
Genoa-Fiorentina
Fiorentina travel to Genoa to take on the Rossoblu in what promises to be one of the most interesting match-ups on Saturday. Genoa, after a strong start to the season, have won just one of their last thirteen matches in all competitions, which came just a week ago against Atalanta. Fiorentina, meanwhile, are unbeaten in 5 games away from home, defeating AC Milan in a shock 1-0 victory last weekend and only suffering defeats on the road to Inter, Lazio and Napoli this season. Fiorentina are without Brazilian defender Vitor Hugo and could also be without Serbian defender Nikola Milenkovic, which may cost them dearly.
Prediction: Genoa 1-1 Fiorentina
Lazio-Torino
Lazio prepare to host a Torino side who are yet to lose away from home in Serie A this season. The Turin club have won twice and drawn seven of their nine away fixtures so far and Lazio will need to be at their best to finish 2018 with a victory. Lazio have won back-to-back games after a six game winless streak but still look like a different side to how they were last season. Torino will likely extend their unbeaten away run but Lazio will try their best to bring it to an end.
Prediction: Lazio 1-1 Torino
Parma-Roma
Two sides with an inconsistent run of form will meet on Saturday as Parma host AS Roma. The newly promoted side currently sit in 12th place whilst the Giallorossi are placed 7th. Roma have just nine points from nine away games this season, winning on just two occasions on the road in the league. Parma are unbeaten in four home games, whilst also surprising Fiorentina in a 1-0 victory in Florence on Boxing Day. Despite this, Roma are due a win on the road and, given that Parma's last home defeat came to Roma's city rivals Lazio, who the Giallorossi defeated this season, Di Francesco will be hoping that his side can get all three points.
Prediction: Parma 1-2 Roma
Sassuolo-Atalanta
Sassuolo will host Atalanta this weekend as two fairly in-form teams meet for what is a real six-pointer. Atalanta sit in 9th place whilst tied on points with Sassuolo, who sit in 11th place. The home side are unbeaten in six in their own stadium whilst the Bergamo club have secured three wins and two losses in their last five on the road. It will be a close game and is arguably too tough to call between the two sides.
Prediction: Sassuolo 2-2 Atalanta
Udinese-Cagliari
Udine is the location of this clash on Saturday, as Cagliari hunt for just their second away win of the season. The away side defeated Atalanta 1-0 in September but haven't won a league game away from home since then; whilst the home side have picked up just four points from their previous five home matches. However, Udinese are without top scorer Rodrigo de Paul, who has been directly involved with 10 of the club's 14 goals this season, which could prove to swing the game in Cagliari's favour - Pavoletti and Joao Pedro both capable of scoring goals.
Prediction: Udinese 0-1 Cagliari
Napoli-Bologna
Napoli look to put the frustrating and disgraceful events in Milan behind them as they host Filippo Inzaghi's Bologna; the former AC Milan player's side sitting in 18th in the league and without a win on the road so far this season. Napoli, meanwhile, have dropped just 6 points at home in Serie A since March, picking up 23 points at home this season so far, from 9 games. Therefore, this will be an easy win for Ancelotti's side and one which could see them keep up the pressure on Juventus heading into 2019.
Prediction: Napoli 3-0 Bologna
AC Milan-Spal
The evening kick-off on Saturday will see AC Milan host Spal; in what could be Gennaro Gattuso's last game as head coach of the Rossoneri. Milan are without a win in five games, with disappointing defeats to Fiorentina and Olympiakos; the latter sending them out of the Europa League. Milan lost their last home outing against Fiorentina last week but Spal have picked up just two wins on the road this season; against AS Roma and Bologna. I expect Milan to rally for their boss and bring home an important victory.
Prediction: AC Milan 2-0 Spal