Saturday's Serie A predictions including Sassuolo vs. Bologna

Lazio vs. Sampdoria (Saturday, 2.00pm)

© Reuters

Ahead of their return to the Champions League knockout stages after an absence of more than 20 years, Lazio welcome mid-table Sampdoria to Stadio Olimpico on Saturday afternoon.

Bedevilled by injuries in defence, the Biancocelesti seek to bounce back from having their winning run brought to an abrupt end last week, as Claudio Ranieri's inconsistent side come to the capital.

We say: Lazio 2-2 Sampdoria

Though Lazio have certainly improved of late, neither side has been rock-solid in defence this term, so the hosts' patched-up back three can definitely be breached on Saturday.

Samp have been a hard-to-call prospect, as they are just as likely to topple one of the top clubs as they are to falter against an also-ran. With their own key attackers finding form in recent weeks, the visitors should take advantage of the circumstances to bring a point home to Genoa.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

Genoa vs. Hellas Verona (Saturday, 5.00pm)

© Reuters

One of Italy's most in-form sides seek a fifth win in seven on Saturday evening, as Genoa welcome mid-table Hellas Verona to Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Having seen their outlook transformed by incoming manager Davide Ballardini in recent weeks, the hosts now sit just two places behind their visitors in the Serie A standings.

We say: Genoa 1-1 Hellas Verona

Two of the tightest defences in Calcio during recent months meet at Marassi, with a finely-balanced encounter in prospect.

Verona's lack of a cutting edge has cost them on occasions, but the return of Mattia Zaccagni alongside Antonin Barak in the twin-tens role they share could help to unlock a resolute home rearguard. Genoa, meanwhile, can extend their unbeaten run, as they stride further away from the Serie A drop zone.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

Sassuolo vs. Bologna (Saturday, 7.45pm)

© Reuters

After ending a worrying run of results with a win last week, Sassuolo now prepare for an Emilian derby against Bologna on Saturday evening.

The Neroverdi welcome Sinisa Mihajlovic's 15th-placed side to the Mapei Stadium, having secured their first success in six games against bottom club Crotone, and are poised to push on now that their star strikeforce has been reunited.

We say: Sassuolo 2-0 Bologna

Sassuolo are set to extend a period of recent domination over their local counterparts this Saturday, as they have most of their key men back in harness and have lost ground to make up on the teams just above them.

With no apparent resolution to their goalscoring issues on the horizon for Bologna, they may find it tough to breach a Gian Marco Ferrari-marshalled defence and another 4-3 away-win thriller is unlikely this time around.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match