Serie A: Inter take on Juventus as AC Milan look to extend their lead

(Football news) Napoli take on Atalanta in what could be a potential title decider as well. Napoli sit just three points behind league leaders Milan and the hosts are in a scrap for a top-four finish following some terrible form before the international break. Luciano Spalletti's side will start as favourites as they lead Atalanta by 12 points in the table. Napoli have won 70% of their Serie A games this season when Osimhen is in the starting lineup and the win-rate drops to half without him up front but for Spalletti the big blow is that he misses out through suspension this week. Napoli have just lost only one league match at the Diego Maradona stadium, winning 10 times in the process, so three points is a necessity for the side especially when Inter is taking on Juve.

For Napoli, Amir Rrahmani must also fulfil a one-match ban, while Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Andrea Petagna and back-up goalkeeper Alex Meret remain on the treatment table as Piotr Zielinski came off injured during Poland's win over Sweden and is expected to miss out. For Atalanta, centre-forward Duvan Zapata and captain Rafael Toloi are going to be out of action due to injury.

Inter face Juventus in what could be a title decider for both teams. Juve have closed a gap between them to a single point and victory could even haul the Turin giants back into the Scudetto race. The clubs met back in 2021 in October, when the points were shared in a 1-1 draw as Paulo Dybala scored a late equaliser from the spot after a controversial late penalty call. Juve have the longest current unbeaten run in Serie A, which extends to 16 games, of which they have won 11. Since the end of November, the old lady are one of only two sides in the top five European Leagues to remain undefeated, along with Sevilla.

Inter, when they lifted the Supercoppa in January, enjoyed an 11-point lead over Juventus and were top of the table but since then they have fallen out of the title race with some disappointing results. In addition to the disappointment in the league they were ultimately unsuccessful to make it past Liverpool in the Champions League. Inter have picked up only 11 points from their last nine Serie A matches. Inter have won only one of their last 15 matches at Turin against Juventus in the league and none since 2012. For Juve, long-term absentees Federico Chiesa, Weston McKennie and Kaio Jorge are sidelined. For Inter, they will have most of the squad fit for this crucial encounter.

AC Milan take on Bologna in a crucial encounter which could see them extend their lead at the top. AC Milan were held to back-to-back draws by Salernitana and Udinese in their final two league games of February but since then have enjoyed a strong March, recording three straight Napoli, Empoli and Cagliari which has given their season a much needed lift. AC Milan have managed a total of 66 points from 30 matches which has left the Milan giants at the top of the table, three points clear of second-placed Napoli and six ahead of third-placed Inter Milan, who still have a game in hand. Stefano Pioli's side are unbeaten in Serie A since the middle of January, but the leaders have performed better away from home this season, as they boast only the fourth-best home record, in contrast to the strongest away record. If Stefan Pioli wants Milan to win their first league title since 2011-12 then they need to improve their record.

Also read: Barcelona vs Sevilla to headline La Liga's return after Internationals

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