Serie A Matchday 17 betting picks, best odds & predictions

Serie A continues this weekend with 10 matches of top-flight Italian soccer action across two days. Here is our preview for Matchday 17, with free Serie A betting picks for every game on the slate.

Empoli vs Lazio

Friday, December 22 – 6:30pm CET – Stadio Carlo Castellani

Locked in a relegation battle, Empoli continued their poor run of form last weekend as they recorded their fourth consecutive match without a win. With the worst attack in Serie A, they will need major improvements in front of goal as they welcome Lazio on Friday night. After finishing second in Serie A last season, Lazio have been very disappointing so far this campaign, but they should have too much quality here as they look to salvage their season.

Sassuolo vs Genoa

Friday, December 22 – 6:30pm CET – MAPEI Stadium

After holding Juventus to a draw last weekend, Genoa will be looking to turn their fortunes around as they as they head to face fellow relegation contenders Sassuolo this weekend. The Neroverdi have not kept a clean sheet in six matches, but they haven’t lost to Genoa in their last five meetings. As such, Sassuolo should be too strong in a high-scoring affair.

Monza vs Fiorentina

Friday, December 22 – 8:45pm CET – U-Power Stadium

Sat on the verge of a top-four position, Fiorentina’s hopes took a major hit last week as they lost star winger Nicolas Gonzalez to injury. Despite this, they will be looking to extend their three-match unbeaten streak when they head to Monza on Friday. Monza have held their own this season but have struggled in front of goal, and this is shaping up to be a low-scoring affair.

Salernitana vs AC Milan

Friday, December 22 – 8:45pm CET – Stadio Arechi

At the bottom of the league and conceding goals like crazy, things won’t get much easier for Salernitana this week as they face AC Milan. With wins in three of their last four matches, Milan should win this match comfortably as they hold onto their improbable title hopes. With the odds skewed towards Milan, look to pair the result with a high-scoring match as the exciting Milan attack faces the worst defence in Serie A.

Frosinone vs Juventus

Saturday, December 23 – 12:30pm CET – Stadio Benito Stirpe

After dropping critical points in their 1-1 draw with Genoa last weekend, Juventus now find themselves four points behind Inter Milan. Needing a win to stay in touch with the league leaders, Juve should be confident as they face a side they have never lost to before. A shock 4-0 win over Napoli during their midweek Coppa Italia clash shows that Frosinone can cause an upset, but Juventus have too much quality.

Bologna vs Atalanta

Saturday, December 23 – 3pm CET – Stadio Renato Dall’Ara

Two of the form sides in Serie A clash on Saturday afternoon as Bologna take on Atalanta. On a four-game unbeaten run after their excellent win over Roma last weekend, Bologna are now in the top four with a stellar defensive record. Facing a big test against this dynamic Atalanta attack, expect this to be a close one.

Torino vs Udinese

Saturday, December 23 – 3pm CET – Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino

Having turned their form around, Torino now find themselves in ninth place after just one loss from their past seven matches. Sitting just four points away from the European positions, Torino should continue this streak as they welcome an Udinese side who are winless in their last five. These are two of the lowest-scoring sides in Serie A, so throw in the unders on the total goals market.

Hellas Verona vs Cagliari

Saturday, December 23 – 6pm CET – Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi

A key match in the relegation picture, Hellas Verona will be looking to break their 15-match winless streak when they host Cagliari. Verona should be looking to make the most of the leaky Cagliari defence, which has kept just one clean sheet away from home this season. Cagliari have scored in all but one of their last eight matches, so look for both sides to find the back of the net.

Inter Milan vs Lecce

Saturday, December 23 – 6pm CET – Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

With clearly the best attack and defence in Serie A, Inter Milan look unstoppable at the moment. While Lecce are unbeaten in their last five outings, Inter should be far too strong at home. With a wide variety of attacking options, watch out in particular for French striker Marcus Thuram, who has three goals in his last three Serie A matches.

Roma vs Napoli

Saturday, December 23 – 8:45pm CET – Stadio Olimpico

Saving the best till last, two heavyweights of Italian football will be looking to break poor runs of form. Napoli have had a terrible time defending their title, as they sit in fifth place with just one win from their last three matches. Roma will be looking to bounce back from their loss to Bologna last weekend with the return of star striker Romelu Lukaku, but their defence has been poor, so expect goals at either end.

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