Serie A Week 17 Key Match Previews

Atalanta – Milan

The Rossoneri will be hoping to return to winning ways after being unable to find the back of the net in their last home game against Sassuolo.

Meanwhile, the host, Atalanta could revert to a 44-2 formation against the five-times Champions League winners.

Although, Stefano Pioli’s men are looking to find their feet at San Siro after being unbeaten in four home games. A win at the Gewiss Stadium, will reduce their deficit on the log and put them four points behind La Dea.

Although they have made considerable progress considering where they were only a few weeks ago, this is one of Milan’s biggest tests against a Champions League side.

Although Atalanta lost their last domestic game 2-1 defeat to Bologna, it looked inevitable having been without Papu Gomez, Josip Ilicic and Duvan Zapata, who were exhausted from their midweek Champions League clash in Ukraine.

Now that the UCL is done and dusted, Atalanta will give Milan a run for their money in Bergamo as they are well-rested, enthusiastic and Gomez and Ilicic will be back in action.

To avoid last season 3-1 defeat here, the host will have to keep their eyes on Giacomo Bonaventura, their former player who has put his injury nightmare behind him by scoring two goals in his last four games.

Atalanta are priced at 1.84 to defeat AC Milan, while Milan are available at 4.33 to win Atalanta.

Fiorentina – Roma

This will be arguably the match of the week as Fiorentina will want to help their coach, Vincenzo Montella keeps his job.

All thanks to Dusan Vlahovic goal in their last encounter against Inter Milan. The former Italian his now facing a stiffer opponent in fourth-placed Roma.

Being at Stadio Artemio Franchi, Montella’s men need to find their winning form in the absence of injured Franck Ribery who is out for at least ten weeks following ankle surgery.

Who will Fiorentina be looking towards for inspiration against highly placed Roma? Federico Chiesa is not looking fully fit for some time now, and Vlahovic is likely to get the nod ahead of Kevin-Prince Boateng.

They will have to find a way to beat Roma that is sitting pretty well in the fourth place after three wins in their last four.

Although Roma has its injury headache, Paulo Fonseca has achieved remarkable results despite this challenge, and Roma is not looking like slowing down.

With the current situation, Fiorentina has found itself, Roma will be out to take their pound of flesh against their host. The last time Roma recorded a win against Fiorentina was two years ago, Two draws and two defeats, including a humiliating 7-1 Coppa Italia quarter-final loss at the Stadio Franchi in January 2019 followed.

Inter – Genoa

With Juventus scuffing out away against Sampdoria, Inter Milan has no choice but to get maximum points against Genoa at home.

The best will have to win without their highest goal scorer, Lautaro Martinez and Marcelo Brozovic who are both suspended as Thiago Motta battles to keep his job as Genoa’s coach.

With Juve back to the summit on Wednesday evening, the pressure is on Antonio Conte’s men, having lost the top spot due to 1-1 draw at Fiorentina.

With the Champions League schedule which had led to fatigue, Conte, apart from suspension will have to find a way of winning the game without Stefano Sensi, Nicolò Barella, Roberto Gagliardini, Alexis Sanchez and Kwadwo Asamoah who are injured.

Inter Milan are pegged at 1.36 to defeat Genoa, while Genoa are set at 8.85 to shock Inter.

Written by Oladipupo Mojeed