Serie A: Juventus, AC Milan and Napoli in hunt for top-four spot
Inter Milan have ended a long wait to clinch a Scudetto and managed to do so with four games to spare. However, we will focus our attention this week on the race for the top-four, which is bubbling up nicely. We provide odds for and preview Spezia v Napoli on Saturday, and Sunday’s showdown between Juventus and AC Milan.
Napoli on the coattails of Juventus and AC Milan
Although their top-four charge was slowed down by Cagliari last weekend when the honours were shared, Napoli have only lost one of their past six Serie A matches. That defeat came at the hands of Juve at the start of last month. However, Napoli have a team brimming with talent and are potent up front with Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne, and Hirving Lozano.
Intriguingly, Napoli have been more prolific than Juve and AC Milan, as Gennaro Gattuso’s charges have hit 74 goals this term in Serie A. That is seven more than Juve, and 12 more than the Rossoneri. Currently, Napoli are fifth in the table just two points behind Juve and AC Milan, who are third and fourth respectively.
Napoli have to be wary of Lazio
While Napoli are still in contention for a top-four spot, and with it a coveted Champions League berth, they should not ignore Lazio who are in their rear mirror. As things stand, Lazio occupy the sixth spot in Serie A, and they are three points behind Napoli with a game in hand.
Spezia trying to keep their heads above water
Currently, Spezia are 16th in Serie A and just three points above the relegation zone. Preserving their status in Italy’s top flight will be vital, and on the surface, a home clash with Napoli may well be daunting. However, in their corresponding game earlier this term, Spezia went to Napoli and came away with a 2-1 win.
Juventus’ Serie A dominance comes to an end
After a near-decade dominance of Serie A, Juventus will hand over the title to Inter Milan. There will most likely be a guard of honour for when Inter roll into town a week on Saturday. Things may not have transpired as Juve fans would have hoped for this term; however, the Bianconeri can finish the season strongly and claim second spot.
Andrea Pirlo pays tribute to newly crowned champions Inter
As a player, Andrea Pirlo had a touch of class! And that has carried on as a manager too. After seeing his side cede the title to Inter, Pirlo was quick to hail the new Serie A champions. He said: “My congratulations to Inter. They had a great season, and they deserved it.”
Juve had lifted the Scudetto nine seasons on the trot, and there will be some hurting in the camp of the Old Lady. Nevertheless, Pirlo and his men will be desperate to wrench the title back from Inter next term and claim what they may well believe is rightfully theirs.
After years in the doldrums, AC Milan have made real progress over the past couple of seasons. And in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, they have a player who knows how to find the back of the net. Despite being in the autumn of his career, the Swede’s strike rate has been impressive, as he has scored 15 goals in 18 Serie A appearances this term.
Juventus v AC Milan: How past encounters have unfolded
Sunday’s meeting will see two of Serie A’s most decorated sides face off. A cursory look at the head-to-head record makes for interesting reading. Juve have come out on top in the 60 top-flight clashes, winning on 28 occasions, while Milan have tasted victory 16 times.
Juve ran out 3-1 winners when the two sides met in January. Last term, Milan enjoyed a rousing 4-2 comeback victory in which the Rossoneri rallied from 2-0 down. Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulled one back from the penalty spot just after the hour mark before Franck Kessie, Rafael Leao and Ante Rebic added further strikes.
As Inter strolled to the title, Roma announced Jose Mourunho will take over in time for next season and we already can’t wait for another year with the Special One in charge of a sleeping Italian giant!
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