Sassuolo vs. Napoli (Wednesday, 5.30pm)
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After a commendable first of half of the Serie A season, both Sassuolo and their visitors on Wednesday evening, Napoli, have been held back by inconsistency since the turn of the year.
Separated by just one place - but eight points - in the table, the two clubs meet at the Mapei Stadium in need of maximum points to remain in the mix for European football next term.
We say: Sassuolo 2-2 Napoli
Though Napoli are capable of ending a three-match losing streak away from home in Serie A, they may find that their hosts' attacking threat has sparked back into life - not long after it seemed like Sassuolo's hopes of a European place would be extinguished.
Considering the Partenopei's defensive selection issues, the Neroverdi can capitalise on their current frailty to claim a point, which would not bringing them any closer to the top seven but still keep the fire burning with 13 games to go.
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Cagliari vs. Bologna (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
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Cagliari will be looking to drag themselves out of the Serie A relegation zone when they welcome Bologna to the Sardegna Arena on Wednesday evening.
The Islanders ended a 17-game wait for a league win at the weekend and are now within two points of safety, while Bologna are 11th after beating Lazio 2-0 last time out.
We say: Cagliari 0-2 Bologna
Cagliari's win against Crotone has restored hope of moving out of the relegation zone and new boss Semplici will be eager to build some momentum.
However, Bologna have won two and drawn two of their last four matches and we can see them coming away from the Sardegna Arena with all three points on Wednesday.
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Atalanta vs. Crotone (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
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Free-flowing Atalanta BC host rock-bottom Crotone on Wednesday evening, with the gulf in class between the sides translating into a 34-point gap in the Serie A standings.
Ahead of major clashes with Inter and Real Madrid in the next fortnight, Gian Piero Gasperini's side must first take care of business against the relegation-haunted Calabrian minnows at the Gewiss Stadium.
We say: Atalanta BC 4-1 Crotone
Even if Gian Piero Gasperini does decide to rotate - quite prudently, with both Inter and Real Madrid to take on in the coming fortnight - nearly any combination of his ever-deepening pool of talent would have enough guile to pull apart Crotone's ropey rearguard.
With their current stay in the top flight set to be a brief one, given their current status and an uninspiring managerial appointment this week, the visitors will find themselves overwhelmed on the flanks by Atalanta's dynamic wing-backs and could be set for a punishing 90 minutes.
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Fiorentina vs. Roma (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
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Seeking to bounce back quickly from another spirit-sapping defeat to a major rival at the weekend, Roma travel to Stadio Artemio Franchi on Wednesday, targeting all three points to keep up with the pace near the Serie A summit.
The 14th-placed hosts, meanwhile, are still mired in mid-table obscurity, after a run of three defeats from their last four league games.
We say: Fiorentina 1-2 Roma
Although Roma's away record pales into insignificance when compared to their generally excellent form in the capital, they should have just enough firepower to overcome a relatively turgid and directionless Fiorentina outfit on Wednesday.
The hosts have not beaten the Giallorossi at Stadio Artemio Franchi since 2016 and simply do not possess the individual quality to break that run this time around.
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Genoa vs. Sampdoria (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
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Liguria's capital city will come to a standstill on Wednesday night, as the third Derby della Madonnina of this season's trilogy sees mid-table rivals Genoa clash with old foes Sampdoria at the Marassi.
Both bosses effectively forfeited any hope of points against top-four contenders at the weekend, resting a whole swathe of first-teamers in advance of the 103rd staging of an all-consuming Calcio rivalry.
We say: Genoa 2-1 Sampdoria
A close one to call, as in many derbies - which often narrow the gap between sides and reduce the outcome down to decisive moments - but Genoa can complete a second win of the season over their old foes on Wednesday.
Providing their new-found sense of direction and cohesion has not been sacrificed at the altar of pre-match rotation by Ballardini, the Grifone certainly have it within them to close the once gaping chasm between the clubs in the Serie A standings down to a single point.
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AC Milan vs. Udinese (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
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Scudetto challengers AC Milan return to the scene of their recent struggles, as they host a mid-table Udinese side at San Siro on Wednesday.
Having faltered on home turf of late, the Rossoneri pulled off an excellent victory away to Roma at the weekend to stay within touching distance of city rivals Inter at the Serie A summit, while the visitors also won to establish a ten-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.
We say: AC Milan 2-0 Udinese
Expect a regulation win for Stefano Pioli's Scudetto-seekers on Wednesday, as the weekend's impressive success in Rome re-established their credentials as contenders for the title after a major wobble.
In addition to their lack of a consistent goal threat, Udinese do not tend to travel well and are not best placed to take advantage of Milan's returning injury woes.
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Benevento vs. Hellas Verona (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
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Hellas Verona will be looking to build on their draw against Juventus when they make the trip to out-of-form Benevento on Wednesday evening.
The Gialloblu enter the midweek round of fixtures ninth in the table, while Benevento are just seven points above the dropzone after a run of eight games without a win.
We say: Benevento 2-2 Hellas Verona
Benevento are on a bad run of form and are now well and truly in a relegation battle, whereas Verona look good value for a top-half finish after holding Juventus last time out.
However, the home side have drawn their last three matches at Stadio Ciro Vigorito and we can see them taking a point from Wednesday evening's clash.
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Parma vs. Inter Milan (Thursday, 7.45pm)
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Relegation-haunted Parma seek to bridge an unimaginable gap against league leaders Inter Milan on Thursday, as the second-from-bottom side attempt to end a record winless streak against the Serie A champions-elect.
With many pundits, coaches and ex-professionals lining up to crown the Nerazzurri as potential Scudetto winners, coach Antonio Conte will expect his in-form team to sweep aside the home side's challenge at the Tardini.
We say: Parma 1-3 Inter Milan
Few would be bold enough to suggest that the home side can end their winless run against Inter this week, as the gulf between the clubs has only grown wider since the 2-2 draw earlier in the season.
The power, pace and precision the Nerazzurri can offer on the flanks is just one of several factors which make them the overwhelming favourites to run out comfortable winners at the Tardini and stay clear at the top of the table.
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Barney Corkhill
