Saturday's Serie A football predictions including Udinese vs. AC Milan

Fiorentina vs. Salernitana (Saturday, 2.00pm)

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Seeking to establish themselves as genuine European contenders with a fourth win from five, Fiorentina welcome rock-bottom Salernitana to Stadio Artemio Franchi on Saturday afternoon.

While the vibrant Viola won at Bologna last weekend, their southern counterparts were beaten once again amid a tricky run of fixtures, and are now four points from Serie A safety.

We say: Fiorentina 4-1 Salernitana

The contrasting combination of Fiorentina's relentless attack and Salernitana's inability to defend suggests only one outcome in the Tuscan capital, as the hosts should hit the net multiple times.

Though old warrior Franck Ribery will be determined to shine again on the Florentine stage, his lesser-known teammates are finding the adaptation to life in the elite a little too hot to handle.

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Venezia vs. Juventus (Saturday, 5.00pm)

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Having put together a run of three successive wins, Juventus continue their quest to catch the top four on Saturday, as they visit Venezia at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo.

Though progress as group winners has been sealed in the Champions League, the fifth-placed Bianconeri must still close a seven-point gap to the sides above them in Serie A.

We say: Venezia 1-3 Juventus

These two sides are trending in opposite directions as the mid-season break approaches, and there is little evidence to suggest that Juventus will not continue to improve an under-par points tally at the expense of their hosts.

Venezia's defensive deficiencies should play into the hands of a Juve team often lacking inspiration inside the final third, and a two-goal margin of victory is possible for the visiting side.

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Udinese vs. AC Milan (Saturday, 7.45pm)

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Though they crashed out of Europe in midweek, AC Milan lead the Serie A standings approaching the halfway stage, and will visit Udinese on Saturday seeking to maintain their slim advantage at the top.

Tuesday's loss to Liverpool consigned the Rossoneri to concentrate only on domestic matters from now on, while their next opponents made a change in the dugout after being beaten by promoted Empoli the day before.

We say: Udinese 1-2 AC Milan

While Udinese are second only to Brighton for draws in the top five Euro leagues since October, they are unlikely to emerge with even a point from their encounter with the leaders, who will be eager to return to winning ways on Saturday.

Milan may lack the nous to succeed at the elite level, but their rebuild over recent years should still help them challenge for the Scudetto next spring, and increasing squad depth means they can brush off their hosts even with several men down.

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