Serie A: What’s left to play for on the final day?
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What needs to be wrapped up…
The Premier League concluded last weekend so all eyes turn to the final match days up and down Europe. La Liga, Eredivisie and Ligue 1 all come to a close this weekend.
However, there’s no league more competitive for places than Serie A going into the last match day.
The Coral News Team delves into the fight for survival as well as the battle for European places in Italy’s top flight.
Champions League
Juventus were confirmed as champions last weekend following a 0-0 with Roma.
However, Napoli’s persistence meant it’s the closest the Old Lady have come to relinquishing their long-running domestic dominance in the last four years.
The aforementioned Napoli, as well as third-placed AS Roma, also take their place in next season’s Champions League.
This leaves the fourth and final spot still to play for. Lazio have had a firm grip on the position for much of the campaign but still have work to do.
They host Inter Milan in what can only be described as a winner-takes-all Champions League shoot-out. Lazio hold a three-point advantage over Inter and are slight favourites at 7/5. The two clubs are 14/1 to repeat their 0-0 from December.
However with Serie A looking at head-to-head records over goal difference, a win for Inter would mean they climb above their rivals.
Europa League
Inter have assured their spot in the Europa League and will be joined by their fierce local rivals AC Milan in the competition.
But there’s still one more place to settle. 7th placed Atalanta are three points clear of 8th placed Fiorentina with a final match to play.
Atalanta travel to relegation threated Cagliari and should be confident of seeing the job through. They’re 6/5 to win and are at 5/2 for the draw they’d require. However, if at some point during the 90 minutes Cagliari get in front then Fiorentina may have their say.
La Viola take on Milan though, who won’t want to end the season with a loss in front of their home fans.
Relegation scrap
Relegation has already been confirmed for Benevento and Hellas Verona who are now cut well adrift at the foot of the table.
However, just two points separate Crotone in 18th and Chievo Verona in 14th going into the final match day.
Crotone travel to Napoli knowing they will surely have to beat Maurizio Sarri’s men with 17th placed SPAL hosting a Sampdoria side with nothing to play for.
If Crotone were to win then this will heap pressure on Cagliari in 16th, Udinese in 15th and 14th placed Chievo. Despite being clear of relegation right now they share only three victories between them in their last fifteen games combined.
Nonetheless, Udinese should feel confident of getting the victory they need to ensure top-flight survival.
The clubs top goal-scorer Kevin Lasagna will be hungry for a final flourish as they play Bologna who’ve lost four out of their last five games. Udinese to win and over 3.5 goals is at 12/5.
Cagliari are 2/1 to pick up a win as they face a slightly tougher fixture versus Atalanta.
Atalanta will hope Fiorentina slip up against Milan to ease any nagging fears of letting their Europa League position slip.
Chievo are in the best place of all five clubs and will be pleased they’re facing already relegated Benevento. Aside from a ridiculous run of results on the final day then a point at 17/5 should be enough for I Gialloblu.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
