Napoli and Monza will kick off Serie A Gameweek 18 when both teams meet on Friday night at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and I have made predictions and betting tips on the fixtures that will take place between Friday and Saturday.
Serie A Gameweek 18 Predictions
Napoli vs Monza
Napoli may have lost three of their last five league matches, but I think they will bounce back with a win over Monza. Napoli won 4-0 the last time they hosted Monza in Naples City, and I expect them to repeat the same win but not by the same goal margin.
Prediction: 2-0
Betting Tip: Home win
Fiorentina vs Torino
Both teams are in decent form, having lost only once in their last five league matches, but I think Fiorentina are likely to win this encounter because Torino struggles to score goals. The visitors scored 15 goals in 17 league matches, unlike the hosts, who scored 26 goals in 17 games. I think the attacking line could decide this game.
Prediction: 2-0
Betting Tip: Home win
Genoa vs Inter Milan
Inter Milan are the clear favourites to win this game, and this is why. Genoa only managed one win in their last five league matches, while Inter won four and drew one of their last five league games. The visitors are massively clear of Genoa, both defensively and offensively.
Prediction: 0-2
Betting Tip: Away win
Lazio vs Frosinone
The visitors head into this game in high spirits after thrashing Napoli 4-0 in a cup game. Lazio may have only won two of their last five league matches, but I believe they will get the maximum points off Frosinone, who lost three of their last five league matches. I doubt the hosts will keep a clean sheet, though, because Frosinone has scored 22 goals in 17 games already.
Prediction: 2-1
Betting Tip: Home win
Atalanta vs Lecce
Lecce may have lost just once in their last five league matches, but I think they will succumb to a defeat at Atalanta because they are winless in their last five trips. They drew three and lost two, and both defeats came against top sides like AS Roma and Inter Milan, and I believe Atalanta can stand as tall as Roma and Inter at home.
Prediction: 2-1
Betting Tip: Home win
Udinese vs Bologna
Udinese are winless in their last five league matches, with three draws and two defeats, and I doubt they can get a win over Bologna, who are unbeaten in their last five league matches, but there's a catch. Udinese drew their last five home league matches and failed to keep a clean sheet. I feel they may drag Bologna down that path as well. After all, the visitors have drawn seven league games this term so far.
Prediction: 1-1
Betting Tip: BTTS
Cagliari vs Empoli
Although both teams are in the relegation zone as a result of their slow starts to the season, I think Cagliari have a better chance to come out on top. Empoli have struggled in the opposition box, scoring only 10 goals in 17 games and conceding 30, while the hosts managed 16 goals in 17 games. I feel this tie will be tight, and a draw can also take place, but I will back a narrow win for the hosts.
Prediction: 1-0
Betting Tip: HWEH
Hellas Verona vs Salernitana
Both teams are struggling, but Verona are somewhat better at the back and upfront. This encounter will lack goals and may end in a draw, but because Salernitana are struggling defensively, I feel the hosts may salvage this game by a single goal to nil.
Prediction: 1-0
Betting Tip: Under 2.5 goals
AC Milan vs Sassuolo
The visitors are winless in their last four league matches, while Milan only lost once in their last five league matches. Sassuolo are scoring good goals, but their defence has let them down on several occasions, and I think they may experience something similar against Milan. Will Milan keep a clean slate? I don't think so, because they have conceded 20 goals in 17 games already.
Prediction: 2-1
Betting Tip: BTTS
Juventus vs AS Roma
Juve are unbeaten in their last five league matches, with three wins and two draws, but I believe they will find it hard to break down AS Roma. Juventus may have the second-best defence in the league, but I doubt they will keep a clean sheet against Roma, who have scored 30 goals in 17 league games already. I personally think Juve will win this encounter because the last three times they hosted Roma, they won two and drew one.
Prediction: 2-1
Betting Tip: BTTS