There is a full midweek fixture list in Serie A this week, with the top two – Milan giants AC and Inter – among those playing on Wednesday.
Across the course of the next three days, all 20 top-flight Italian sides are in action and, with the season now beginning to reach its business end, results could be pivotal at both the top and bottom.
After ninth-placed Hellas Verona host struggling Fiorentina in the only game on Tuesday, there are seven games on Wednesday and a further two on Thursday with the Milan duo’s games standing out.
Milan Must Not Slip Up
Leaders Inter have now opened up a nine-point lead over AC Milan so it’s getting to the stage where the Rossoneri simply cannot afford to slip up. Stefano Pioli’s side host Sassuolo, who still have outside chance of a top-six finish, but, in truth, the the home shouldn’t have too many problems getting a home win.
"We need to play to our fullest potential"
Coach Pioli's take on tomorrow's matchup at San Siro
La conferenza stampa integrale del Mister è sull'Apphttps://t.co/k2zluita95#MilanSassuolo #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/imqZLgM6lE
— AC Milan (@acmilan) April 20, 2021
Milan’s form at the San Siro has been poor over the past few months, with Sunday’s 2-1 win over Genoa their first victory in seven at home in all competitions. But now they have finally returned to winning ways at the Giuseppe Meazza, expect another three points to swiftly follow.
There’s little value in the straight home win at 8/15 but both teams to score and a Milan victory at 8/5 appeals considering both teams have netted in three of Milan’s last four home league games and Sassuolo have got on the scoresheet in all of their last six.
Inter Almost on Home Straight
Sadly for Milan, a win may not count for too much because Inter should also secure another victory when they go to 14th-placed Spezia. Inter’s 11-game winning league run did come to an end when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Napoli at the weekend but Spezia, who have been inconsistent in recent weeks, are unlikely to offer much resistance. An away win to nil, on offer at 7/5, is probably the way to go.
Of the rest of the games on Wednesday, Cagliari will be desperate to follow up their remarkable 4-3 win over Parma last time out with another three points when they go to Udinese. With the visitors’ need greater, an away win at 39/20 may well be worth taking a risk on.
The Islanders are five points from safety with seven games to go but still have hope of getting out of trouble, especially as Benevento directly above them are themselves tipped to go down to an away defeat at Genoa.
Top Six Race Intensifies
On Thursday, there are two big games in the race for the European places when Roma, in seventh, host third-placed Atalanta, while Napoli and Lazio go head-to-head.
Roma were beaten 2-1 by Torino at the weekend and may struggle to contain an Atalanta outfit who have won their last four and still have designs on finishing second as they’re only two points adrift of Milan. An away win at 20/21 could be a wise selection.
Napoli, meanwhile, are fifth and will be looking to put clear daylight between themselves and Lazio, who are two points behind them but they have a game in hand. Napoli impressed when holding Inter and Lazio have won their last four so these two do genuinely look quite evenly-matched. A draw, therefore, at 53/20 is tempting.
*All odds correct at time of writing