Fiorentina vs. Sassuolo (Sunday, 11.30am)
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Now up to fifth following three wins on the spin, Fiorentina welcome mid-table Sassuolo to Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday afternoon.
Having won five of their last six matches in all competitions, the Viola are in scintillating form approaching the mid-season break, but must face a visiting side unbeaten in their last five Serie A games.
We say: Fiorentina 3-2 Sassuolo
Expect goals in the Tuscan capital on Sunday lunchtime, as neither side prioritises their defensive duties and are generally focused on maximising the attacking talent at their disposal.
In-form forwards such as Berardi, Raspadori, Gonzalez and Vlahovic should ensure an entertaining affair, which the home side may just edge - keeping their momentum rolling on into the final game of 2021.
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Spezia vs. Empoli (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Empoli make the trip to Spezia looking for the victory which could move them right into the mix for European qualification at the end of the season.
While the visitors start the weekend in eighth position in the standings, Spezia are 17th after losing four of their last five fixtures.
We say: Spezia 1-2 Empoli
Despite their contrasting positions in the table, respect must be given to Spezia's recent return on home territory. Nevertheless, Empoli have been fantastic for a large period of the campaign, and we are predicting another three points for Andreazzoli's side.
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Sampdoria vs. Venezia (Sunday, 5.00pm)
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Separated by just two points and two places in the Serie A standings, Sampdoria and Venezia meet at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday evening.
Ahead of the clubs' penultimate league fixture of 2021, they both progressed to the Coppa Italia's last 16 in midweek, and the visitors could now follow up a fine result last weekend by leapfrogging their hosts with a win.
We say: Sampdoria 2-1 Venezia
Sampdoria are stirring into life after their sluggish start to the 2021-22 campaign, and can earn a third straight win at the expense of their Venetian counterparts on Sunday.
As the hosts' strike force have found their feet, ongoing defensive deficiencies matter a little less - and Venezia are very unlikely to keep them at bay for a full 90 minutes.
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Torino vs. Hellas Verona (Sunday, 5.00pm)
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Having both been eliminated from the cup in midweek, mid-table rivals Torino and Hellas Verona convene on Sunday evening with three valuable points at stake.
With the clubs separated by just a point in the Serie A standings, the hosts' coach Ivan Juric will meet up with some familiar faces as his former team come to town.
We say: Torino 1-1 Hellas Verona
There is little to choose between these two sides this term, and a ninth draw from 10 top-flight meetings could be on the cards this weekend.
While Belotti's absence will be a blow, Torino have coped well enough without their attacking talisman on several recent occasions, and have proven their ability to keep the back door shut - which could restrict Verona to no more than a single goal.
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AC Milan vs. Napoli (Sunday, 7.45pm)
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After both clubs were recently toppled from the summit of Serie A, second-placed AC Milan and Napoli - who sit fourth - convene in a classic Calcio fixture at San Siro.
While Milan remain adrift of their city rivals despite Zlatan Ibrahimovic's late heroics last weekend, their southern counterparts have picked up just one point from their last three league matches amid an ongoing injury crisis.
We say: AC Milan 1-1 Napoli
In what is sure to be an intensely-contested affair, a low-scoring draw could be the outcome, with both sides still diminished by injuries up front.
Milan have won six from eight on home soil in Serie A this term, but Napoli have held the edge over them during recent years, and can use their counter-attacking pace and interplay to snatch a point.
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Barney Corkhill
