Before the Round – Trends on Italy Serie A (28-29/01)

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Serie A moves into round 20 this weekend with Napoli now 12 points clear of second-place AC Milan. The title is Napoli’s to lose, as Milan, Internazionale, and Lazio chase the southern club. Meanwhile, Cremonese continue to sit last with zero wins this season.

Empoli – Torino

Three of the last six games between Empoli and Torino finished as draws, while Torino picked up two wins and lost once. The Azzurri went to Turin and picked up a 1-1 draw in the teams’ reverse fixture this season.

Torino are nine points off the top six in Serie A. They can still make a run at the European qualification places. Torino picked up nine points from the last six games and went unbeaten in five of those six fixtures. Torino are unbeaten in three straight away matches.

Empoli can leapfrog Torino in the table with a win. The Azzurri are unbeaten in five straight games and each of their last two league matches ended as wins. Empoli do not score a lot of goals, as they tallied a mere 17 this term.

• In Empoli FC's last 3 home Serie A matches, they have managed to keep a clean sheet.
• Torino FC have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 6 games in Serie A.
• Empoli FC have won their last 3 home games in Serie A.
• In their last 6 games in Serie A, Torino FC have recorded 5 undefeated encounters.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @1.67

Cremonese – Inter

Cremonese are the only Serie A team to not win a match this season. Eight points have been picked up from 19 games and relegation is likely for La Cremo.

Inter go into the weekend in fourth place and 13 points off Napoli. The Nerazzurri suffered a shock 1-0 home loss to Empoli last time out. Inter are not a great away team with four wins, one draw, and four defeats this term.

La Cremo are on a two-game home losing streak. They picked up just three points at home this term, with all three points coming from draws.

• On average, Cremonese have allowed 1.74 goals in their most recent games in Serie A.
• Inter Milano are undefeated at half time in their last 16 Serie A games in a row.
• Cremonese are on unfortunate period of 4 straight losses from their last 6 encounters in all competitions.
• Inter Milano haven't lost a match in 5 of their last 6 matches in Serie A.
• Prediction: Inter Milano @1.50

Milan – Sassuolo

AC Milan are unbeaten in back-to-back games versus Sassuolo. The Neroverdi took points off AC Milan earlier this term with a nil-nil draw at the Mapei Stadium.

Milan are winless in three straight Serie A games, which has led them to fall well off the pace for the Scudetto. Only two of their last six games ended as wins. Milan were thrashed in midweek by Lazio 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.

Sassuolo are on a two-game winning streak at San Siro against AC Milan. The Neroverdi will fancy their chances of a third straight win in the Fashion Capital against Milan. Sassuolo are battling relegation and sit 17th. The Neroverdi picked up two points from the last six games in Serie A.

• AC Milan are undefeated at half time in their last 19 home Serie A games in a row.
• We have seen Sassuolo Calcio concede 1+ goals in their last 11 matches in Serie A.
• AC Milan are unbeaten in 32 of their 35 most recent matches (Serie A).
• Sassuolo Calcio are conceding an average of 1.53 goals in Serie A games.
• Prediction: AC Milan @1.44

Juventus – Monza

Juventus and their fanbase are reeling from the points deduction handed out to them over financial issues and transfer valuation issues. The team has fallen to 10th place and right now, are unlikely to make the top six.

Monza shocked Juventus at the beginning of the Serie A campaign with a 1-0 win at home. The team goes into the match on Sunday on a five-game unbeaten streak. Monza took nine points from the last six games.

Juve are winless in back-to-back games in the league. The Bianconeri are coming off a wild 3-3 draw with Atalanta in Turin. Thirteen points were picked up by Juve in the last six games. However, can the players rebound after the points deduction?

• A period of 13 straight home games without a defeat marks the Serie A campaign of Juventus FC.
• Monza are conceding an average of 1.89 goals in away Serie A matches.
• Juventus FC haven't lost a match in 37 of their last 43 matches in Serie A.
• Monza have only 1 loss in their last 6 encounters in all competitions.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score @1.95