Before the Round – Trends on Italy Serie A (11-12/03)

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First-place Napoli lost for just the second time this season on matchday 25. Still, the gap to the top is 15 points.

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the table, things are getting interesting, as Hellas Verona and Cremonese attempt to hunt down 17th-place Spezia.

Empoli – Udinese

Udinese edged Empoli in their last six matches with 3W-1D-2L. The teams’ reverse fixture in Serie A this season ended in a 1-1 draw, which continued a trend of the home team going unbeaten in six straight fixtures between them.

Empoli are on a two-match losing streak in Serie A and are 14th in the table. The Azzurri took three points from their last six matches but failed to win all six of them. Empoli conceded at least two goals in five of their last six Serie A games.

Udinese are 10th and are benefitting from a great start to the Serie A campaign. Like Empoli, Udinese failed to win any of their last six matches. The Zebrette took four points from the last six matches. They are on a two-match draw streak.

• Empoli FC have achieved just 1 wins in their 7 most recent games in Serie A.
• Udinese Calcio are on a run of 7 consecutive half time draws in Serie A.
• In their last 6 home games in Serie A, Empoli FC have recorded 5 undefeated encounters.
• Udinese Calcio have managed just 1 wins in their last 17 league games.
• Prediction: Draw

Bologna – Lazio

Lazio are fresh off defeating Napoli 1-0 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Now, the Biancocelesti are seeking a fourth straight victory in Serie A. Lazio are on a three-match winning streak in all competitions against Bologna.

Bologna are one of the hottest teams in Serie A. The Rossoblu are eighth in the competition and seven points off the final European qualification place. Bologna took 12 points from the last 18 points on offer.

Lazio picked up 11 points from the last six matches. Goals have dried up for Maurizio Sarri’s team despite three straight wins in Serie A. Lazio scored six times across the last six matches. The defence conceded just four times.

• In Bologna FC's last 4 home Serie A matches, there have been under 2.5 goals.
• Lazio have kept a clean sheet in each of their last 3 Serie A games.
• Bologna FC have defeated Lazio in just 2 of their last 19 meetings in Serie A.
• Lazio have won their last 3 matches in Serie A.
• Prediction: Lazio

Cremonese – Fiorentina

Fiorentina and Cremonese faced off for the first time earlier this season, with La Viola winning 3-2 at home. Now, Fiorentina are seeking a second straight win over Cremonese and a third straight win in Serie A in their last three matches.

Cremonese are making a move into the relegation zone. La Cremo took four points from the last six matches in Serie A, and they are now nine points off 17th-place Spezia. Cremonese lost to Sassuolo 3-2 a week ago.

Fiorentina will play in the Europa Conference League in midweek, which could affect their play on Sunday. However, La Viola are in great form and are coming off a 2-1 win over AC Milan. Fiorentina took eight points from the last six games, scoring eight goals and conceding six.

• A poor streak of 11 matches in Serie A where they have conceded at least 1 goal marks Cremonese's recent performance.
• Fiorentina have won their last 3 matches in all competitions.
• Over 2.5 goals have been scored in the 4 most recent games in Serie A of Cremonese.
• There have been just 1 loss for Fiorentina in their last 6 fixtures in all competitions.
• Prediction: Fiorentina

Hellas Verona – Monza

Monza picked up a home 2-0 win over Hellas Verona earlier this season. Hellas Verona are three points off relegation safety and could move above Spezia with a win and results going their way elsewhere.

Monza took 10 points from their last six matches in Serie A. They scored seven goals and conceded seven times. Monza picked up three wins from their last four matches on the road.

Hellas Verona went unbeaten in four of their last six matches in the league, picking up six points. Goals have been a struggle all season. The Gialloblu scored just three times across the last six matches.

• Hellas Verona have failed to score a single goal in their last 3 Serie A games.
• In their last 11 games in Serie A, Monza have been undefeated on 9 occasions.
• Hellas Verona have won just 4 of their last 28 matches in Serie A.
• Monza have managed to win just 1 of their last 6 games against Hellas Verona.
• Prediction: Both Teams to score - No