MY ACCOUNT
The 2021/22 Serie A campaign comes to an end this weekend, with everything to play for going into the final round of fixtures.
While the title race has yet to be decided, fans know the trophy will end up in Milan one way or the other, with AC Milan and Inter separated by two points.
The top-four battle may have already been decided, but the likes of Roma, Lazio, Fiorentina and Atalanta are still fighting for places in the top seven.
Both Venezia and Genoa have been relegated to Serie B ahead of the season finale, but Cagliari and Salernitana will fight it out to stay in the top flight.
With so much still to decide across the division, we have picked out our best bets for the final round of fixtures.
Lazio vs Hellas Verona (Saturday, 7.30pm)
Lazio are already guaranteed a place in Europe after their 2-2 draw against Juventus in midweek, and they will want to sign off in style in front of their own supporters, not least because any positive result can see them finish about fierce rivals Roma in fifth.
The Giallorossi won 3-0 at Torino on Friday to go fifth and Lazio will now look to respond.
Maurizio Sarri’s side are unbeaten in three matches in the Italian top flight, while Verona have lost two on the spin.
The Biancocelesti have made the Stadio Olimpico something of a fortress in recent times, having lost only three of their last 31 league outings at home, while they have not struggled to find the back of the net as they are the second-top scorers in Serie A this season with 74 goals.
Over 2.5 goals has landed in 19 of Lazio’s last 24 games, and a home win with over 2.5 goals could be the way to go on Saturday night.
Inter Milan vs Sampdoria (Sunday, 5pm)
Inter Milan will need Sassuolo to do them a favour on Sunday if they are to successfully defend their title, but they should have no issues in fulfilling their part of the bargain by beating Sampdoria.
Since suffering a surprise 2-1 defeat at Bologna – perhaps the killer blow in the title race, Inter have won four matches on the spin, while they have the best home record in Serie A this season, winning 13 matches and losing just twice at the San Siro.
Only bottom side Venezia have suffered more than Sampdoria’s tally of 11 away defeats this term, while Marco Giampaolo’s men have struggled away from the comforts of the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in 2022 in particular with just one win, one draw and seven defeats from their nine away games this year.
The Blucerchiati have also found difficulty in finding the back of the net, having failed to score in six of their last 10 games away from home, with an Inter win to nil worthy of consideration.
Sassuolo vs AC Milan (Sunday, 5pm)
AC Milan only need one more point to win their first Serie A title in 11 years, and Stefano Pioli’s side should have what it takes to do just that, rendering Inter’s result meaningless in the process.
The Rossoneri have been in fine form with the winning line in sight, going unbeaten in their last 15 games, winning 10 — which includes the last five on the bounce.
Milan have built their success on solid foundations, boasting the joint-best defensive record alongside Napoli with just 31 goals conceded, while they have kept eight clean sheets in their last 10 matches in Serie A.
Sassuolo have actually won the last two meetings with the champions-elect, which includes a 3-1 win in the reverse fixture earlier this season, but both of those wins came at the San Siro.
However, Milan have won the last five matches between the two at the Citta del Tricolore and they should be able to neutralise the mid-table hosts, given their form and what is at stake, with Sassuolo having won six, drawn six and lost six games at home.
Pioli’s troops have beaten the likes of Lazio, Fiorentina and Atalanta in recent weeks, and they should pick up all three points to secure the title this weekend.
