Fiorentina vs Brescia
Time: 1:30 PM EST
Odds: Fiorentina -280, Draw +370, Brescia +700
Last Game: Brescia 0 : 0 Fiorentina
Watch: ESPN+
Fiorentina return to Serie A action in 13th after winning just one of their previous six matches before the break. Fiorentina finds themselves in the congested lower half of the table and sit just five points from the drop zone, despite sitting 4 places above relegation. Dalbert will miss this match with a suspension, while the biggest lineup news is the return of Frank Ribery.
Brescia find themselves in last place in Serie A as the league resumes. Winless in their last twelve and losers of their last three straight, the recently promoted side sits eleven points from another year of Serie A football. Mercurial striker Mario Balotelli will miss this match due to suspension and wunderkid Sandro Tonali is doubtful with an injury.
Brescia’s bid for safety will not get off to an easy start here, where they face a Fiorentina side they haven’t beaten in over ten years. Fiorentina have enjoyed hosting Bresicia taking four wins and two draws from their last six visits. Fiorentina have struggled at home this year, with only four clubs collecting fewer points at home, Fiorentina’s home defense has been respectable, ranking 8th in fewest goals against, but their offense has been anemic scoring the 4th fewest goals at home. Brescia’s road performance hasn’t been much better, where they rank 19th in points, and have scored the fewest goals in Serie A away this campaign. Given that an already pedestrian Brescia offense will be without two of their primary offensive forces, expect a low scoring match here with a draw or home win the likely outcome.
Lecce vs AC Milan
Time: 1:30 PM EST
Odds: Lecce +500, Draw +340, AC Milan -195
Last Game: AC Milan 2 : 2 Lecce
Watch: ESPN / ESPN Deportes
Lecce return to Serie A action in 18th place, tied with 17th place Genoa on points but behind on goal differential. Khouma Babacar and Filippo Falco are both ruled out for the home side.
AC Milan return to Serie A action in 9th, and sit just three points back of a European spot. Their last match saw them draw 0-0 away to Juventus in the Coppa Italia. Legendary striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains out with an injury.
This has been an evenly matched affair when played at the Stadio Via del Mare with four draws and a win each in the last six matches. Lecce have struggled at home this year with only two wins from thirteen matches. Lecce have done well offensively at home scoring the 8th most goals at home, but their defense has been porous, allowing the most goals against. Milan have been an average team on the road, ranking 13th in goals for and 10th in goals against. This is a critical match for both sides, but Milan will benefit from having the Juventus game to shake off the rust from the hiatus and is likely to get the win in what looks to be a low scoring affair.
Bologna vs Juventus
Time: 3:45 PM EST
Odds: Bologna +500, Draw +290, Juventus -170
Last Game: Juventus 2 : 1 Bologna
Watch: ESPN +
Bologna return to Serie A play in 10th after going winless in their previous three matches before the break. Bologna now sit five points from a European berth. Jerdy Schouten, Federico Santander and Mattia Bani are all suspended for the hosts while Mitchell Dijks will return from injury.
Juventus return to Serie A action in 1st after their loss to Napoli in the Coppa Italia final. Juventus sit just one point ahead of Lazio and will feel the pressure to get the win here. Alex Sandro and Sami Khedira are both out with injuries for the visitors.
Juventus have enjoyed their recent visits to Bologna winning five and drawing one of their last six, and holding the hosts to five clean sheets. Bologna have been an average side at home this year, collecting the 12th most points at home. Bologna’s offense and defense has also been average at home where they rank 10th in goals for and 13th in goals against. Juventus have played well away this year, collecting the 4th most points away in Serie A this campaign. Juventus’ offense has been good, ranking 7th in goals for, while their defense has been stellar, ranking 2nd in fewest goals against. Juventus should have an edge in fitness after their Coppa Italia games against Napoli and AC Milan, although their offensive struggles continued in those matches which each ended in a 0-0 draw. Juventus is the better side and should be expected to get the win here.