Serie A: AC Milan will look to get back to winning ways and Napoli face tough away test to Sassuolo

(Football news) After their unbeaten start to the season, AC Milan suffered consecutive defeats to Fiorentina and Sassuolo to somewhat derail their title challenge. AC Milan now face their club legend Andriy Shevchenko’s Genoa in what is a crucial encounter for both the teams. Pioli has witnessed his team concede 16 goals in their last nine league games, after having previously shipped only two in the previous nine, a run which featured a remarkable seven clean sheets. The absences of first-choice goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who has settled into life so well as Gianluigi Donnarumma's replacement and impressive centre-back Fikayo Tomori have undoubtedly played their part in keep the backline tight but since their injuries AC Milan have looked fragile at the back. For Milan, Davide Calabria, Samu Castillejo, Ante Rebic and Oliver Giroud all are a major doubt for the fixture.

Inter Milan start off their busy December with a home match against Spezia as the defending champions are getting to some superb form recently. The Nerazzurri will be seeking an eighth win from 10 while Spezia are languishing just a point above the drop zone after their latest loss on Sunday. Matteo Darmian and Andrea Ranocchia both suffered thigh strains and could be out till Christmas, Lautaro Martinez is expected to come in the starting XI as Inzaghi will look to rotate his squad after playing three matches in 10 days. He might hand starts to bench players like Matias Vecino and Stefano Sensi.

Juventus take on Salernitana as Max Allegri will be under pressure to produce a good performance. They suffered their second straight defeat in four matches and are currently 14 points away from the league leaders. The Old Lady have registered just 18 goals in their 14 Serie A matches this term, the lowest total in the top half of the division, as Dybala and Alvaro Morata have blown hot and primarily cold. For Juventus, the injury list is growing as Federico Chiesa and Weston McKennie look to be out for a long period of time while Aaron Ramsey and Mattia De Sciglio still haven’t recovered from their injuries.

Napoli take on giant killers Sassuolo as they look to maintain their three point gap over AC Milan. Spalletti’s side snapped out of a three match winless run as they comprehensively beat Lazio 4-0 courtesy of two spectacular goals from Dries Mertens as he’s back to his best form after his injury. Spalletti will also hope that his backline can stay on the right track after keeping their first clean sheet since October 31 at the weekend, a period stretching five games. Napoli will only have Osimhen and Politano out of this fixture, rest of the squad will be fit and hoping to keep their dream for a Scudetto alive.

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