Saturday's Serie A predictions including Juventus vs. Roma

Atalanta vs. Lecce (Saturday, 11.30am)

In their final game of the calendar year, Atalanta BC aim to end 2023 on a high when they host Lecce at the Gewiss Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

After losing to fellow top-six contenders Bologna just before Christmas, the Bergamo club sit only four places above their latest visitors in the Serie A standings and languish outside the European places.

We say: Atalanta BC 1-1 Lecce

A total of five draws from eight on their travels shows how hard Lecce can be to beat, so Atalanta may have to settle for a point in their final game of 2023. The hosts are often caught out at the back, and an away side led by La Dea loanee Roberto Piccoli could take advantage.

Cagliari vs. Empoli (Saturday, 2.00pm)

Gameweek 18 in Serie A sees two relegation-threatened sides battle in Sardinia on Saturday when Cagliari host Empoli at the Unipol Domus.

Claudio Ranieri's men have lost two on the trot but come into round 18's clash in slightly healthier form than their second-bottom opponents.

We say: Cagliari 2-1 Empoli

While the away side may find the back of the net, Cagliari hope to extend their undefeated run at home to five games.

Udinese vs. Bologna (Saturday, 2.00pm)

In contention for an unexpected top-four finish, Serie A's surprise package Bologna aim to maintain their momentum when they visit Udinese on Saturday.

The Rossoblu sit fourth in the standings and recently followed up Coppa Italia victory over Inter Milan with a league win against Atalanta; meanwhile, their hosts are embroiled in a battle against the drop.

We say: Udinese 0-1 Bologna

Bologna are a well-oiled machine under Thiago Motta, and it is not asking too much for the Rossoblu to post a fifth straight win to finish 2023 in fitting style. As Udinese lack a reliable finisher and are at a low ebb in terms of confidence, expect the away side to head home with all three points.

Hellas Verona vs. Salernitana (Saturday, 5.00pm)

Hellas Verona seek to avoid slipping into the bottom three in Serie A when they welcome cellar-dwelling Salernitana to Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on Saturday.

The home side's 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Cagliari before Christmas saw them leave the danger zone, but it will count for little if the bottom side defeat them in gameweek 18.

We say: Hellas Verona 1-0 Salernitana

Verona could nick a slender win over the struggling Salernitana to continue their recent admirable run at the Bentegodi against the poor travellers.

AC Milan vs. Sassuolo (Saturday, 5.00pm)

Wrapping up their schedule for 2023, AC Milan host Sassuolo on Saturday evening, when they aim to recover from their latest setback in the Serie A title race.

Having fallen 11 points behind arch-rivals Inter Milan after drawing down in Salerno, the Rossoneri now return home to San Siro, where this week's opponents have thrived in recent seasons.

We say: AC Milan 3-2 Sassuolo

Neither side can be relied upon to keep the other at bay for 90 minutes, and with a number of men missing from both squads, it could be an open and unpredictable encounter. Ultimately, Sassuolo's frailties are just as much psychological as defensive, so Milan can edge to victory and keep Pioli in-post for now.

Juventus vs. Roma (Saturday, 7.45pm)

Two giants of Calcio collide in Serie A's Saturday night kickoff, as Scudetto contenders Juventus host Roma at the Allianz Stadium.

Separated by 12 points in the standings, both sides won their final fixture before Christmas and now hope to conclude 2023 in style.

We say: Juventus 1-0 Roma

The 1-0 win is written deep in Juve's DNA, and a tactical tussle between Allegri and Mourinho is not likely to develop into a goalfest. Therefore, a single strike could decide the points' destiny, and the hosts' ability to get the job done against other top-four contenders should prove enough to see off Roma.