Saturday's Serie A predictions including Roma vs. Venezia

Empoli vs. Salernitana (Saturday, 2.00pm)

With their 'Great Escape' from Serie A relegation just two games from fruition, Salernitana tackle their final away game against Empoli on Saturday.

After both sides were promoted together just over a year ago, they have experienced contrasting fortunes, as this week's hosts started spectacularly before slumping down the standings, while their visitors have won four of their last six to finally haul themselves out of the drop zone.

We say: Empoli 2-2 Salernitana

As Empoli have already conceded the most goals in home matches during any single Serie A season (43 so far), Salernitana will surely fancy their chances of success, given recent results.

The hosts boast some attacking prowess of their own, though, and should be expected to score at least once in a potentially open affair.

Hellas Verona vs. Torino (Saturday, 5.00pm)

Separated by just one place in the Serie A standings, mid-table rivals Hellas Verona and Torino meet at Stadio Bentegodi on Saturday evening, for their penultimate fixture of the 2021-22 campaign.

While both were beaten by top-three clubs last weekend, the pair sit inside the top half, with the visitors now requiring a win to retain hope of overtaking their ninth-placed counterparts.

We say: Hellas Verona 2-1 Torino

Hellas have won half of their home fixtures to this late point in the season - demonstrating their impressive form in front of the Gialloblu faithful.

Also posing an attacking threat from several sources, the hosts are almost certain to find the net at least once, and can therefore complete back-to-back wins over their former manager.

Udinese vs. Spezia (Saturday, 5.00pm)

Still not safe from relegation, struggling Spezia travel to mid-table Udinese on Saturday, following a run of four successive defeats.

Before their penultimate league fixture, the Aquilotti are just four points above the Serie A drop zone, while their hosts can still post a top-half finish.

We say: Udinese 2-1 Spezia

Spezia's fight for survival may go down to the final 90 minutes of a testing campaign - depending on the results of their fellow strugglers - as they are likely to return from Friuli empty-handed, given an away record which features just four wins from 18 previous attempts.

Also conceding at a rate of over two goals per game on the road, the Aquilotti are set to be denied even a precious point by their hosts, who have improved offensively of late and tend to make the most of home advantage.

Roma vs. Venezia (Saturday, 7.45pm)

Yet to secure European football for next season, sixth-placed Roma welcome a desperate Venezia side to Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

While their visitors finally found a win last week, to keep alive hopes of a miraculous escape from relegation, the Giallorossi were beaten by one of their closest rivals in the Serie A standings on Monday and have not taken maximum points for over a month.

We say: Roma 1-0 Venezia

Only Udinese have scored more goals than Roma's seven after the 90th minute in Serie A this season, while Venezia have conceded the most times during this period (eight).

So even if the Lagunari's resistance holds deep into the second half, their more talented hosts will find a way to win and keep their push for a European return going into the final day.