The Italian top-flight returns with twenty games in the next four days to compensate for their two-week absence during the winter. Inter and Milan will continue their battle for the top spot without keeping their eyes away from some of the teams behind them, which include Atalanta, Napoli and the seemingly rising Juventus side.
The Italian league is one of the few European tournaments that has taken its chances without postponing any games due to rising cases of COVID-19, which is why these games could prove crucial for the state of the competition. Added to that, an extra element has hit teams hard for the ongoing month, as several Italian teams will have to make do without some of their key players due to their involvement in the African Cup of Nations.
Either way, all teams in the tournament will have something to hope for this weekend, which is why we want you to get ready for what should be an interesting weekend.
League standings ahead of Matchweek 20 in the Italian Serie A
Inter make it to this round as the top club in the Italian top-flight with a four-point lead over Milan. Former leaders Napoli are now third, and Luciano Spalletti's men will be eager to recover some ground despite complications caused by injuries and COVID-19. Atalanta will be wary og any slip-ups by the Partenopei, and Juventus complete the top five teams in this league after a streak that has seen them win four out of their last five.
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Top games to watch in the Italian Serie A
Bologna vs Inter - The first match in 2022 for all Italian teams will feature the league leaders traveling to face Bologna, a team ranked 10th in the competition and who will be looking to end a two-game losing streak at home.
Juventus vs Napoli - The bianconeri will want to continue their unbeaten run of five games against the third-placed Napoli, who will have to prepare for this game without up to ten players. A win here for Juventus, and we will have to consider them as title contenders for the rest of the season.
Milan vs Roma - The rossoneri enter this match after losing their last home game. That performance was quite baffling for Stefano Pioli's men, but the club has shown they can bounce back from unexpected losses. Now, the team will be challenged by Jose Mourinho's Roma, who will want to put an end to their two-game losing streak before their chances of making it to the UEFA CL fade away.
Roma vs Juventus - Once again, the Giallorossi are featured in this section, with their clash against Juventus being one of the most interesting this weekend. This will be a battle between two of the top six teams in the league, with a win here being crucial for both sides and a possible tiebreaker between them.
Inter vs Lazio - The nerazzurri will put an end to a hectic four days with this game against Lazio, who will enter the year with only one loss in their last five games. The first game between these sides this season saw Lazio claiming a 3-1 win. Will they be able to hurt Inter's title chances by repeating such a performance?
Serie A - Who's in and who's out of Matchday 20?
Atalanta - Injured: Robin Gosens, Duván Zapata. Ineligible: Jeremie Boga, Juan Musso.
Inter - Suspended: Hakan Calhanoglu. Ineligible: Edin Dzeko.
Juventus - Injured: Danilo, Leonardo Bonucci. Ineligible: Arthur, Carlo Pinsoglio, Giorgio Chiellini.
Lazio - Injured: Luiz Felipe, Francesco Acerbi. Doubtful: Toma Basic. Ineligible: Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro.
Milan - Injured: Simon Kjaer, Pietro Pellegri. Ineligible:Ciprian Tatarusanu, Ismael Bennacer, Franck Kessie, Fodé Ballo-Touré.
Napoli - Injured: Kevin Malcuit. Suspended: Mario Rui. Ineligible: André Frank Zambo-Anguissa, Adam Ounas, Kalidou Koulibaly, Elijf Elmas, Victor Osimhen, Hirving Lozano, Fabián Ruiz, Alex Meret.
Roma - Injured: Leonardo Spinazzola. Doubtful: Tammy Abraham. Ineligible: Amadou Diawara, Ebrima Darbe.
Serie A - Matchday 20 broadcast info
