Bologna vs. Fiorentina (Sunday, 11.30am)
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Four wins from their last five games sees Bologna now level on points with unpredictable Fiorentina, before the in-form pair clash at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on Sunday.
An impressive victory over Roma in midweek lifted the Rossoblu to eighth in the Serie A standings, separated only by goal difference from their Viola visitors.
We say: Bologna 1-1 Fiorentina
While Fiorentina cannot stop scoring on home soil, they have netted just once during their last four away matches, so a solid Bologna side should probably have the edge in Sunday's early kickoff.
However, logic dictates that the Viola must eventually record a first draw of the season, and it could come at Dall'Ara this week, thanks to an attacking triumvirate which will cause problems for their hosts' back three.
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Venezia vs. Hellas Verona (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Venezia welcome Hellas Verona to the Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium for their Serie A encounter on Sunday afternoon.
The last time that these two clubs met was back in the 2001-02 season, with Verona winning both top-flight fixtures by a 1-0 scoreline.
We say: Venezia 0-2 Hellas Verona
Hellas Verona will arguably view Sunday's fixture against Venezia as their best chance of claiming their first three points away from home this season.
With the hosts struggling to score goals of late, we can see the visitors finally breaking their duck on the road and securing a routine win at the Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium.
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Spezia vs. Sassuolo (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Following three successive losses, Spezia seek a positive result against Sassuolo on Sunday, as they continue the quest to prolong their Serie A stay into a third term.
While the Aquilotti were beaten by the champions in midweek, their visitors fought back to hold leaders Napoli to a draw - just days after downing second-placed Milan.
We say: Spezia 1-2 Sassuolo
Confidence will be coursing through the veins of Sassuolo's squad following two commendable results in the space of a week, so their impressive front three should anticipate their trip to the Picco with great relish.
Spezia's defensive woes do not seem set to end any time soon, given Thiago Motta's approach so far, and that will cost them again on Sunday afternoon.
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Sampdoria vs. Lazio (Sunday, 5.00pm)
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Following a chaotic end to their midweek match, Lazio have slipped to ninth in the Serie A standings, so will look to get back on track with a win at Sampdoria on Sunday.
With just one point from their past three games, the Biancocelesti visit Stadio Luigi Ferraris in danger of falling off the pace in the top-four race, while Samp are still glancing over their shoulders at the drop zone.
We say: Sampdoria 2-3 Lazio
Recent events have confirmed that both sides are a work in progress under managers appointed during the summer, so an open affair should be decided by the odd goal in Lazio's favour - due to their more diverse attacking talent.
Sampdoria may be set for a testing second half of the season if they cannot improve at the back, and look bound for a ninth loss of the campaign on Sunday.
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Juventus vs. Genoa (Sunday, 7.45pm)
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Stranded outside the European places approaching the season's halfway stage, Juventus face a must-win encounter with lowly Genoa on Sunday evening.
After the Bianconeri enjoyed some brief respite from their Serie A travails with a win in over rock-bottom Salernitana in midweek, they will expect to back that up with maximum points against the division's 18th-placed side.
We say: Juventus 2-0 Genoa
Successive wins should be a formality for Juventus this week, as Genoa offer little attacking threat and are always likely to concede at least one goal.
Though victory would do nothing to answer Max Allegri's critics, the potential for an extended spell of success exists, given the Bianconeri's favourable run-in to the winter break.
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Barney Corkhill
