Before the Round – Trends on Italy Serie A (03/05)

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The race for Champions League qualification in Serie A has heated up. Juventus’s points deduction was overturned, propelling them back into the top four, and making even more congestion.

Six teams are in the mix for three Champions League places as second-place Lazio and seventh-place Atalanta are separated by six points.

Juventus – Lecce

Juventus are third in the league ahead of matchday 33 on Wednesday. However, since having their points deduction overturned, Juventus have been on an awful run of form. Lecce are 16th in the standings and only four points above the relegation zone.

Juventus are unbeaten in five of their last six matches versus Lecce. Earlier this season, the Bianconeri won 1-0 away at Lecce. Juve took only seven points from their last six matches, scoring just four goals and conceding five times.

Lecce took four points from their last six matches. They are coming off a 1-0 win over Udinese. Lecce scored just three times across the last six fixtures.

• Juventus FC are unbeaten in 25 of their 28 most recent home matches (Serie A).
• US Lecce have lost their last 4 away league games.
• Under 2.5 goals were seen in Juventus FC's last 3 matches in Serie A.
• No goals have been scored by US Lecce in their last 4 away games in Serie A.
• Prediction: Juventus

Hellas Verona – Inter

Hellas Verona have a lifeline in the race for survival. The Gialloblu are 18th in the standings and only off safety due to goal difference. Inter Milan won a massive top-four six-pointer against Lazio at the weekend, 3-1, at San Siro.

The win against Lazio has Inter in fourth place. Inter’s better goal difference compared to Roma has them in the Champions League qualification places. The Nerazzurri are on a two-match winning streak, as they have found form.

Hellas failed to win any of their last 22 matches against Inter Milan. The Gialloblu’s form has improved, and they go into the match with Inter unbeaten in four straight matches. The team was outscored 7-6 across its last six matches.

• Hellas Verona are unbeaten in 7 of their last 8 home matches in Serie A.
• Inter Milano are undefeated at half time in their last 13 away Serie A games in a row.
• Hellas Verona have conceded an average of 1.50 goals in their home league games.
• Inter Milano are undefeated in their last 19 games against Hellas Verona in Serie A.
• Prediction: Inter Milano

AC Milan – Cremonese

AC Milan and Cremonese drew nil-nil in their reverse fixture this season. It was the teams’ first meeting in the modern era.

The Rossoneri are in good form ahead of Cremonese’s trip to San Siro. Milan took nine points from the last five matches in Serie A. They went unbeaten in all five of those games. Milan drew 1-1 with Roma at the weekend.

Cremonese are 19th in the standings, seven points away from Serie A survival. With six matches left to play, Cremonese must begin winning to prevent relegation. La Cremo took eight points from the last six matches in the league.

• AC Milan have a good record of 41 undefeated games of their last 48 encounters in Serie A.
• Cremonese's form hasn't been good, as the team has won only 3 of their last 32 matches (Serie A).
• There have been under 2.5 goals in 5 of the latest home games in Serie A of AC Milan.
• Cremonese score an average of 0.88 goals in their matches in Serie A.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals

Monza – Roma

Monza are on a three-match winning streak in Serie A and are set for another season in the top flight. Despite their excellent campaign, Monza fell to Roma 3-0 earlier this season at the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma are sixth in the standings after slipping to a 1-1 draw with AC Milan at the weekend. The Giallorossi are now winless in back-to-back Serie A matches. Roma took 10 points from the last six matches, scoring nine times and conceding five goals.

• Monza are on a run of 3 consecutive wins in their domestic league.
• AS Roma's performance has been disappointing of late, as they have won just 1 of their 6 most recent away Serie A clashes.
• In their 8 most recent matches of Serie A, Monza have been undefeated 7 times.
• There have been under 2.5 goals in 4 of Roma's last 6 away encounters in all competitions.
• Prediction: Roma