Sunday's Serie A predictions including Juventus vs. AC Milan

Empoli vs. Sampdoria (Sunday, 11.30am)

Sampdoria go in search of their first win of the Serie A season on Sunday afternoon, as they visit Empoli at Stadio Carlo Castellani.

Though they picked up a first point of the campaign against reigning champions Inter Milan last time out, the visitors will be keen to take advantage of more modest opposition, who last week were defeated by one of their fellow promoted sides.

We say: Empoli 1-2 Sampdoria

Sampdoria must surely get off the mark this weekend, as there are tougher tests ahead in the next few days and they need to make some commendable performances start to count.

Their greater experience and final-third guile could be enough to snatch the points, but Empoli are sure to cause them problems at the other end and cannot be discounted - as Juventus fans will testify.

Venezia vs. Spezia (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Newly-promoted Venezia will be looking to claim successive Serie A victories when they host Spezia on Sunday afternoon.

The two sides last faced each other in July 2020, when the Arancioneroverdi secured a narrow 1-0 victory in Serie B.

We say: Venezia 2-1 Spezia

Both Venezia and Spezia will view this fixture as a winnable Serie A game and a great opportunity to put three points on the board.

There is little to separate the two sides, but as the hosts seem to have a stronger forward line, including Henry and Okereke, we think they may have enough to claim a narrow victory this weekend.

Hellas Verona vs. Roma (Sunday, 5.00pm)

Relentless Roma take on winless Hellas Verona on Sunday evening, with both sides at opposite ends of the Serie A standings.

A perfect record of three wins from as many games - plus several more European successes - sees the Giallorossi travel to Veneto in fine form, while their hosts still seek a first league point of the season.

We say: Hellas Verona 0-2 Roma

While Roma's run must surely end before too long, they can add another three points to their tally on Sunday, against a Verona side lacking ideas in attack and now leaking more goals than in recent seasons.

Likely to be back to near full-strength, the visitors have already shown that they possess the prowess to blow mediocre opponents away, and will do so again this time out.

Lazio vs. Cagliari (Sunday, 5.00pm)

After consecutive defeats at home and in Europe, Lazio host Cagliari, who became the first Serie A side to switch managers earlier this week.

While the Biancocelesti were off the pace in a 2-0 loss to Milan - which was then followed by defeat in the Europa League - their visitors suffered a second successive reverse and moved swiftly to sack Leonardo Semplici.

We say: Lazio 2-0 Cagliari

Cagliari's woes are unlikely to be remedied in the space of a few days, no matter how much experience Walter Mazzarri can bring to the table.

Therefore, they are set to be unpicked on several occasions by an attacking Lazio side, whose main limiting factor may be fatigue following a frantic period of travel in the past week.

Juventus vs. AC Milan (Sunday, 7.45pm)

After both sides got their continental campaigns underway in contrasting fashion, Juventus and AC Milan clash in Turin on Sunday, with the hosts sorely in need of a win.

Though their morale was boosted by a Champions League victory in midweek, Juve have stuttered badly in Serie A, while their visitors are flying high with maximum points from their first three games.

We say: Juventus 1-1 AC Milan

Milan have rarely started this fixture as favourites in the past decade, but are certainly the side in the ascendancy, with a largely young and cohesive side.

While Juventus have found expectations too much to handle in the early stages of their Serie A campaign, a European victory may boost brittle confidence.

Therefore, home advantage can see them take a point from this prestigious occasion, but a first league win will have to wait.

> How AC Milan could line up against Juventus

> How Juventus could line up against AC Milan