Serie A preview: Como Chases UCL Dream As AC Milan Seeks Stability against Torino

‎As the Serie A season enters its decisive final stretch, several heavyweight fixtures promise to shape the race for European qualification and survival.

‎From Juventus chasing a top-four berth to Roma attempting to arrest a slump, and Como pushing for an unexpected Champions League place, this weekend offers defining storylines across Italy.

‎Juventus vs Sassuolo

‎Resuming their pursuit of Champions League football, Juventus welcome mid-table Sassuolo to Turin. Despite consecutive victories, the Bianconeri remain outside the top four, trailing Como and Roma in a tightly contested three-way battle.

‎With Scudetto holders Napoli poised to close out a top-three finish, the pressure is mounting on Luciano Spalletti’s men.

‎History overwhelmingly favours Juventus. They have taken maximum points from their last two meetings with Sassuolo, scoring six without reply, while the Neroverdi have won just once in Turin and concede heavily at the Allianz Stadium.

‎Team News

‎Juventus are nearly at full strength. Only Emil Holm misses out, while forwards Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik have returned but remain short of match sharpness.

‎Jonathan David is expected to lead the line unless Kenan Yildiz reprises his false nine role after contributing 20 goal involvements this season across all competitions.

‎Sassuolo arrives with several absences. Alieu Fadera, Daniel Boloca, and Fali Cande are all sidelined.

‎Fabio Grosso is expected to field the attacking trio of Domenico Berardi, Armand Laurienté, and Andrea Pinamonti, who have combined for 18 league goals.

‎Prediction: Juventus 2–1 Sassuolo.

With renewed momentum and a clearer squad picture, Juventus should emerge with a narrow but vital win.

‎AC Milan vs Torino

‎After seeing their fleeting Scudetto hopes damaged by a 1–0 defeat to Lazio, AC Milan now turns its attention to securing second place. Their setback opened the door for Napoli to challenge for the runners-up spot, meaning Milan must avoid consecutive losses.

‎Torino, meanwhile, has struggled away from home all season and holds one of Serie A’s weakest defensive records. Despite leading Milan 2–0 earlier this season, they collapsed to lose 3–2, a result emblematic of their inconsistency.

‎Team News

‎Milan remains without Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Matteo Gabbia, while Santiago Gimenez may not yet return to action. Adrien Rabiot’s comeback boosts midfield structure, and Luka Modric continues to defy age with the highest outfield minutes in the Milan squad this campaign.

‎Up front, Christopher Nkunku, Niclas Füllkrug, Rafael Leão, and Christian Pulisic compete for starting places.

‎Torino welcomed a morale-boosting 4–1 win over Parma under interim coach Roberto D’Aversa, with Duván Zapata scoring off the bench and pushing for a start. Zakaria Aboukhlal remains doubtful after knee problems.

‎Prediction: AC Milan 1–0 Torino.

Despite recent stutters, Milan should regain stability at San Siro against a Torino side that continues to struggle on the road.

‎Bologna vs Lazio

‎Fresh from an exhilarating extra-time triumph over Roma in the Europa League, Bologna refocuses on domestic matters as they host Lazio. Bologna’s resurgence, with four wins in their last five league matches has propelled them firmly back into the European spots.

‎Lazio arrive equally energised after defeating Scudetto contenders AC Milan.

‎Lazio’s away form remains paradoxical: defensively superb, but with the fewest away goals in the division.

‎Team News

‎Bologna will rotate after 120 taxing minutes in midweek. Juan Miranda returns from suspension, but first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski remains injured, leaving Federico Ravaglia to deputise in a circumstance that statistically weakens Bologna’s defensive output.

‎Lazio misses key players including Ivan Provedel and Mattia Zaccagni, while Toma Basic remains uncertain. Alessio Romagnoli has returned to full training and could feature.

‎Prediction: Bologna 1–1 Lazio.

Both sides arrive with momentum, but their recent meetings and contrasting strengths suggest a balanced stalemate.

‎Roma vs Lecce

‎After Europa League heartbreak against Bologna, Roma must immediately regroup for a Serie A clash with relegation-threatened Lecce.

‎Gian Piero Gasperini’s side has slipped to sixth amid a five-match winless run, struggling defensively and lacking attacking clarity due to a wave of injuries.

‎Lecce, meanwhile, remain embroiled in the survival battle and have suffered five defeats in their last six away matches. Their record at Stadio Olimpico is dire, with no victory there since 1986.

‎Team News

‎Roma remain without Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Matías Soulé, and now Manu Koné. Wesley is suspended. Evan Ndicka returns, having scored in three straight league matches.

‎Donyell Malen may start again despite heavy minutes in midweek.

‎Lecce continues to lack a reliable goalscorer since Nikola Krstović’s departure. Lassana Coulibaly picked up a thigh strain and is unlikely to feature, compounding selection problems.

‎Prediction: Roma 2–0 Lecce.

Despite their slump, Roma should leverage home advantage and Lecce’s limited firepower to end their winless streak.

‎Como vs Pisa

‎In one of the weekend’s more intriguing fixtures, Champions League-chasing Como meet second-bottom Pisa. Como’s unbeaten run and impressive victories over Juventus and Roma underline their status as the division’s most surprising overachievers.

‎Pisa’s victory over Cagliari ended a miserable run, but their away form no wins and 14 attempts remains alarming.

‎Team News

‎Como has a near-full squad, missing only Jayden Addai. Their attacking core of Anastasios Douvikas (10 goals) and Nico Paz (9 goals) continues to deliver.

‎Pisa faces a lengthy absentee list: Rafiu Durosinmi and Michel Aebischer are suspended, while Marius Marin, Simone Scuffet, Juan Cuadrado, Lorran, Isak Vural, Daniel Denoon, and Arturo Calabresi are all injured.

‎Their hopes rest with Stefano Moreo, who has scored five of his six goals away from home.

‎Prediction: Como 3–1 Pisa

With greater cohesion, superior form, and home advantage, Como should comfortably strengthen their hold on a Champions League position.