Forecast for Italy: Fireworks are expected

Although it's not as quality and popular as it was during the 1990s and first years of the 2000s, the Italian Serie A still has a lot to offer. Moreover, alongside the Spanish La Liga, it's the only TOP 5 league where we have a thrilling title race.

Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich are already seen as champions of England, France, and Germany, respectively, as they have crushed all the rivals' hopes. Conversely, Barcelona, Real and Atletico Madrid battle out for La Liga trophy, while the Serie A race is led by a duo - Inter Milan and Napoli.

Milan arise from the abyss in a bizarre, frantic comeback against Lecce

The Nerazzurri were on the verge of a shocking defeat against the last-placed Monza last night but somehow managed to come from behind and triumph 3-2 at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, increasing the advantage in front of the Neapolitans to four points.

Hence, Antonio Conte's crew has to respond and keep the pace with the Milan side, but a tricky rival is standing on their way - Fiorentina (17.00). The visitors from Tuscany have their own motives, as they are fighting for European competitions, so they won't give up easily.

After a seven-game winning run during December and January, Napoli failed to triumph in the past five games, noting four draws and a defeat and allowing Inter to dethrone them from the top of the table. The situation with Fiorentina isn't much better, as Raffaele Palladino's men have only one victory in the past five matches.

Unlike Napoli and Fiorentina, Roma have been "reborn" since the super-experienced Claudio Ranieri sat on the bench, being unbeaten for more than a month in all competitions. At one point, the Wolfess' season seemed lost, but now the Giallorossi are only four points behind the sixth spot which guarantees European football next season.

The introduction for the clash against Empoli (20.00) couldn't have been better, as Roma brushed Athletic Bilbao aside in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 2-1 at Olimpico behind Eldor Shomurodov's stoppage-time goal. The confidence is high among the Romans, so the relegation-strugglers Empoli should brace themselves.

Finally, the penultimate game of the 28th Serie A round brings a treat, as Juventus await Atalanta in a derby (22.45). The two opponents' situations are pretty similar at the moment, given that they were both unexpectedly eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by PSV and Club Brugge.

In addition, they are direct rivals for the third spot, while Lazio breathe down their necks and lures the opportunity to leapfrog them. However, while La Dea's form in the domestic competition has ups and downs, Thiago Motta's men seem to have finally found the rhythm, noting five consecutive victories. The Bianconeri currently sit three points behind Atalanta, but the eventual win tonight would help them overtake La Dea's spot.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 28

Friday

Cagliari - Genoa 1-1 (1-0)

/Viola 18 - Cornet 47/

Saturday

Como - Venezia 1-1 (0-0)

/Ikone 49 - Gytkjaer 90+5 pen/

Parma - Torino 2-2 (0-1)

/Pellegrino 60,82 - Elmas 19, Adams 72/

Lecce - Milan 2-3 (1-0)

/Krstovic 7, 59 - Gallo 68 og, Pulisic 73 pen, 81/

Inter - Monza 3-2 (1-2)

/Arnautovic 45+1, Calhanoglou 64, Lautaro 77 - Birindelli 32, Balde 44/

Sunday

14:30: (5.00) Verona (3.50) Bologna (1.85)

17:00: (1.62) Napoli (3.80) Fiorentina (6.75)

20:00: (3.90) Empoli (3.40) Roma (2.00)

22:45: (2.50) Juventus (3.40) Atalanta (3.00)

Monday

22:45: (1.75) Lazio (3.75) Udinese (5.20)

***odds are subject to change***