Sassuolo vs. Hellas Verona (Sunday, 11.30am)
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Separated by only a point in the Serie A standings, mid-table rivals Sassuolo and Hellas Verona meet at the Mapei Stadium on Sunday.
The hosts won handsomely last time out to sneak inside the top half of the table, while after just two wins from their last nine games, their visitors from Veneto have slipped to 13th place.
We say: Sassuolo 2-1 Hellas Verona
Both Sassuolo (36) and Verona (37) have recorded their respective best goals returns following the first 21 games of a Serie A season, so chances at either end should not be in short supply.
While the home side have too often been unable to convert one point into three, they should do so on this occasion, given their visitors' absences and inability to keep the back door shut.
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Venezia vs. Empoli (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Both sides will seek their first win for over a month on Sunday, as relegation-threatened Venezia welcome Empoli to Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo.
Promoted together last spring, the clubs convene following comprehensive defeats last week, and they have picked up just one point between them in 2022.
We say: Venezia 2-1 Empoli
Not long before the mid-season break, Empoli would have been favourites for this battle of promoted clubs, but Venezia can now take advantage of their visitors' loss of momentum to snatch a precious three points.
Neither side has proved themselves capable defensively, so expect goals at either end in this encounter, played out at one of Calcio's most iconic venues.
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Roma vs. Cagliari (Sunday, 5.00pm)
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Still reeling from their late implosion last weekend, Roma welcome improving Cagliari to Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, in search of a much-needed three points.
Before the clubs clash in the capital, Jose Mourinho's expensively assembled side have picked up fewer points than their Sardinian counterparts from the teams' respective last four Serie A games.
We say: Roma 2-1 Cagliari
Though momentum is definitely in the visitors' favour, Roma can relieve the growing pressure on their shoulders by taking advantage of Cagliari's tendency to toil fruitlessly on the mainland.
Some fresh blood may help heal the psychological scars of last week's defeat, and a potential shift of formation may bring some short-lived vitality to an ailing Giallorossi side.
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Atalanta vs. Inter Milan (Sunday, 7.45pm)
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Following hot on the heels of their dramatic midweek success, Inter Milan continue their Scudetto defence on Sunday evening, when they visit local rivals Atalanta BC.
The teams will contest a Lombardy derby in which the Nerazzurri have historically held the upper hand, and they will arrive in Bergamo having secured the first silverware of the season by lifting the Supercoppa Italiana.
We say: Atalanta BC 2-2 Inter Milan
Atalanta rarely sit back against the top sides, and Inter have opened the scoring more often than any other team in Serie A this season - on 16 occasions - so this enticing encounter could be explosive right from the kickoff.
Therefore, a repeat of the scoreline the pair produced in a thunderous first meeting of the season a few months ago is in prospect - with a score draw the likeliest result.
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Barney Corkhill
