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Serie A Preview: Juventus Look To Protect Their Home Fortress Against Napoli As Roma Aim To Halt Milan’s Scudetto Momentum
Serie A gears up for one of its most dramatic weekends of the season, featuring heavyweight clashes at both ends of the table.
From Juventus’ battle with Napoli to Roma’s showdown with Milan, and from Atalanta’s fight to regain momentum to Fiorentina’s bid to escape the relegation zone, this matchday promises implications that could reshape the standings.
Below is a fully detailed preview of all the major fixtures.
A Tactical Duel Between Spalletti and Conte
One of Italy’s fiercest rivalries reignites in Turin, as Juventus welcomes reigning champions Napoli. The two sides are separated by four points, yet the emotional and tactical stakes go far beyond the table.
Juventus Seeking Stability After a Setback
Luciano Spalletti’s arrival has rejuvenated Juventus, who have lost only twice since the new manager took charge. Their defeat at Cagliari last weekend was unexpected and likely ended their faint dreams of a title push.
But their midweek 2–0 win over Benfica in Europe restored confidence and secured progress in the Champions League.
At home, Juventus remain a formidable force. They have not been beaten at the Allianz Stadium since March and continue to treat Turin as a fortress.
Their home draws and victories have kept them in the top-four hunt, though their recent record against Napoli is concerning.
The Bianconeri have won only once in their last nine Serie A meetings with the champions.
Napoli Searching for Consistency Amid Injuries
Antonio Conte’s Napoli have experienced a mixed season, combining silverware in the Supercoppa Italiana with puzzling domestic dips. Their midweek draw against 10-man Copenhagen dealt another blow to their Champions League campaign, and Conte made his frustrations clear afterward.
On the road, Napoli have struggled for control and results, winning only a handful of their away matches. Conte has also never beaten Juventus in Turin as a Serie A manager, which adds another narrative layer.
With key players like Kevin De Bruyne, David Neres, and Billy Gilmour still missing, and Romelu Lukaku not yet fully fit, Napoli arrives with significant disadvantages.
Prediction: Juventus 2–1 Napoli
Napoli’s injuries and inconsistent away form, combined with Juventus’ strong performances at home, suggest a narrow win for Spalletti’s men.
Roma vs AC Milan
Shortly after Juventus and Napoli conclude, attention shifts to the Stadio Olimpico where Roma host AC Milan. This clash carries massive implications for both the title race and the battle for Champions League qualification.
Roma Rising at the Perfect Moment
Roma appear to have turned the corner after a difficult spell, entering the weekend with three consecutive league victories and clean sheets.
Their confidence was strengthened further by a 2–0 Europa League win over Stuttgart, where Donyell Malen marked his debut with a goal and Paulo Dybala delivered a moment of quality.
With improvements in both attack and defense, Roma now sit within range of the top four and remain, at least mathematically, in the Scudetto conversation.
However, they have historically struggled against Milan, losing the majority of recent head-to-head meetings.
Milan Riding an Incredible Unbeaten League Run
AC Milan arrives in Rome full of momentum. Max Allegri’s men are unbeaten in 20 straight Serie A matches, a run only Bayern Munich can surpass in Europe’s top leagues.
Their gritty win over Lecce last weekend demonstrated both resilience and maturity, with Niclas Füllkrug scoring his first league goal for the club.
Despite their excellent league form, Milan’s cup performances have been inconsistent, including a Coppa Italia defeat at the Olimpico.
Their firepower remains impressive, with Rafael Leão, Christian Pulisic, Christopher Nkunku, and Füllkrug all vying for starting roles.
Prediction: Roma 1–1 AC Milan
With both sides organized, disciplined, and full of confidence, a tight and tactical draw appears likely.
La Dea Look to Reset After European Frustration
Atalanta’s strong start to 2026 suffered a shock midweek collapse when they allowed three quick goals against Athletic Bilbao.
The defeat pushed them out of the automatic qualification spots in Europe and exposed defensive vulnerabilities.
Atalanta Still Showing Signs of Growth
Despite the European setback, Atalanta have shown significant improvement since Raffaele Palladino took charge. They have conceded very few goals in recent league matches and continue to create chances with fluid attacking play.
Ademola Lookman’s return from AFCON further strengthens their attacking options.
Parma Improving But Still Goal-Shy
Parma have quietly climbed away from the relegation zone under Carlos Cuesta, collecting valuable points over recent weeks. Their structure and discipline are improving, but goals remain scarce.
With only six league goals, Mateo Pellegrino has been responsible for nearly half of their total output.
While their defensive resilience has earned back-to-back 0–0 draws, it is unlikely to be enough against an Atalanta side with far more firepower.
Prediction: Atalanta 2–0 Parma
Parma’s scoring struggles and Atalanta’s attacking variety make a home win the most probable outcome.
A Crucial Relegation Fight in Florence
Saturday’s action begins with Fiorentina hosting Cagliari in a fixture loaded with stakes at the bottom of the table. Both teams have endured challenging seasons, but momentum currently favors the hosts.
Fiorentina Finding Hope After a Turbulent Season
Fiorentina’s recent upturn, highlighted by a 2–1 win over Bologna in the Derby dell’Apennino, has breathed new life into their campaign. Their players dedicated the victory to late club president Rocco Commisso, adding emotional weight to the match.
Four games unbeaten and the arrival of several impactful January signings, including Manor Solomon, Jack Harrison, and Giovanni Fabbian, have reshaped the squad and renewed optimism.
Cagliari Savoring a Famous Win But Still in Trouble
Cagliari’s unexpected victory over Juventus was one of the shocks of the season, yet the performance behind it raised concerns.
They managed only three shots and held just 22% possession, relying heavily on defensive resistance and fortune.
Their away form remains particularly problematic, and with several key players still missing, consistency remains elusive.
Prediction: Fiorentina 2–1 Cagliari
With confidence rising and home support behind them, Fiorentina are positioned to continue their positive run.
