- Atalanta hold a two-point lead ahead of this round of games
- Juventus have drawn four consecutive games in Serie A
- Como have ended a run of nine games without a win

With just six points between first and fifth, the Serie A title race is one of the tightest in Europe and there is a full set of intriguing games to enjoy in the Italian top-flight this weekend.

A lot of the big boys have easy games on paper, so any slip-up could be costly, making this an extremely important week in what promises to be a hotly contested battle for Lo Scudetto.

Verona vs AC Milan (Friday, 7.45pm)

Verona snapped a four-game losing run with a 3-2 win over Parma last time, but they have conceded 39 league goals this season and they lack the discipline to keep a talented Milan quiet for long.

Score prediction: Verona 1-3 AC Milan

Torino vs Bologna (Saturday, 2pm)

Torino are struggling towards the wrong end of the table and a Bologna side fresh off a 1-0 win over high-flying Fiorentina are likely to prove too strong in Turin.

Score prediction: Torino 1-2 Bologna

Genoa vs Napoli (Saturday, 5pm)

Patrick Vieira’s arrival at Genoa has had the desired impact, with the Frenchman leading his side to one win and three draws and that momentum means their unbeaten run can continue with a shock stalemate against title-chasing Napoli. 

Score prediction: Genoa 1-1 Napoli

Lecce vs Lazio (Saturday, 7.45pm)

Lecce are unbeaten in four home games, but the majority of those results came against struggling sides and Lazio, who beat Napoli in their last away match, can overpower their hosts.

Score prediction: Lecce 0-2 Lazio

Roma vs Parma (Sunday, 11.30am)

Roma have won their last three home games by an aggregate score of 11-2, suggesting that they should have far too much firepower for lowly Parma in the capital. 

Score prediction: Roma 3-0 Parma

Venezia vs Cagliari (Sunday, 2pm)

Basement boys Venezia are winless in six, but they held Juventus to a draw last time and may have enough to earn another crucial point against fellow strugglers Cagliari, who have lost to nil three times on the spin.

Score prediction: Venezia 0-0 Cagliari

Atalanta vs Empoli (Sunday, 5pm)

With Atalanta on a 10-match unbeaten run in Serie A, which has seen them score 28 goals, it is hard to envisage anything other than one-way traffic when mid-table Empoli arrive in Bergamo.

Score prediction: Atalanta 2-0 Empoli

Monza vs Juventus (Sunday, 7.45pm)

Despite drawing their last four away games, Juventus are still fancied to narrowly get the better of a Monza side who have gone nine matches without a victory.

Score prediction: Monza 0-1 Juventus

Fiorentina vs Udinese (Monday, 5.30pm)

Fiorentina have netted 27 goals in a run of nine home games which includes eight wins, suggesting that they should bag a few while seeing off an out-of-form Udinese on Monday.

Score prediction: Fiorentina 3-0 Udinese

Inter Milan vs Como (Monday, 7.45pm)

There are 19 points between these sides in the standings and that gulf in class should show on Monday, with champions Inter Milan fancied to cruise to a comfortable victory against promoted Como. 

Score prediction: Inter Milan 3-0 Como