Monday's Serie A predictions including Udinese vs. Sampdoria

Empoli vs. Salernitana (Monday, 5.30pm)

Both waiting to confirm their Serie A status for another year, Empoli and Salernitana meet on Monday at Stadio Carlo Castellani.

Locked together on 35 points in the standings, the two sides have had their ups and downs this season, but victory for either would all but assure safety.

We say: Empoli 2-2 Salernitana

While Salernitana are certainly tough to beat under Paulo Sousa, they have not travelled too well this season - winning only twice on the road. Both sides seem to have found some fluency in the final third, so another score draw between them could be on the cards.

Udinese vs. Sampdoria (Monday, 5.30pm)

Sampdoria will be bidding to give their slim Serie A survival hopes a boost on Monday evening when they make the trip to Stadio Friuli to take on Udinese.

The visitors are currently rock bottom of the table, 10 points from the safety of 17th position, while Udinese are 12th, boasting 43 points from their 33 matches this term.

We say: Udinese 1-0 Sampdoria

Udinese have only actually won one of their last six league matches, but they will be expecting to collect all three points on Monday. Sampdoria appear destined to drop into Serie B for next term, and we can see the strugglers suffering their 23rd league loss of a difficult season in this game.

Sassuolo vs. Bologna (Monday, 7.45pm)

Separated by just two points in the Serie A standings, Emilian rivals Sassuolo and Bologna meet at the Mapei Stadium on Monday evening.

Both assured of safety but set to come up short in their pursuit of European qualification, the teams have shared 10 goals across their last three encounters - including a 3-0 win for the Rossoblu earlier this season.

We say: Sassuolo 2-1 Bologna

Only Ligue 1 strugglers Troyes have dropped more points from winning positions than Bologna across the top five European leagues this season, so even if they do take the lead at Sassuolo there is no guarantee they can retain it.

In fact, their hosts' home form has been such that it is the Neroverdi who should be favourites to prevail; leapfrogging their rivals in the table as a result.