Upon their return to domestic action, leaders Napoli host lowly SPAL and champions Juventus have the derby with Torino to look forward to. There are also key points to play for elsewhere, especially when relegation rivals Benevento and Crotone meet.
Here are the talking points:
Torino v Juventus (15:30)
There is no time for the Old Lady to wallow in misery after the shock of the midweek capitulation to Tottenham in the Champions League’s round of 16.
A heated trip to their Turin neighbours awaits on Sunday – a game they cannot afford to drop points in with leaders Napoli hosting third-bottom SPAL.
The challenge for head coach Max Allegri is to reinvigorate a side who had kept 15 clean sheets in 16 matches in all competitions, prior to giving up a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 on Tuesday.
Statistically, everything is in Juve’s favour. Torino have managed just one point in their last seven derbies.
But with Italy centre forward Andrea Belotti sensationally getting back among the goals in last week’s 2-0 win over Udinese and Il Toro boasting a seven-match unbeaten stretch, a Juve team feeling the bite of injury could be in for a tough afternoon.
They will need to show the usual grit and hope the goals of Gonzalo Higuain and the returning Paulo Dybala see them through.
Andrea Belotti (c) has been back among the goals for Torino.
Prediction: 0-2
Napoli v SPAL (18:00)
Napoli have been brazen about their scorn for the Europa League and Thursday’s clash with RB Leipizg was an exhibition in this stance.
A sparsely attended San Paolo Stadium was populated by a Napoli team in the round of 32 for whom goalkeeper Pepe Reina, centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, right-back Elseid Hysaj, captain Marek Hamsik and roving forward Jose Callejon were the only recognisable starters.
A 3-1 loss was embraced as the Serie A-pacesetters channel their commitments upon the domestic quest.
But this tunnel vision has invited a pressure of its own. There are no second prizes as a cherished first Serie A-crown since 1989/90 since the glory days of Diego Maradona is relentlessly chased.
Belgium forward Dries Mertens, he of 15 goals and six assists, will be back and hopeful of terrorising third-bottom opponents who are without victory in seven Serie A-games.
SPAL also have the third-worst defensive record in the competition and have conceded 15 times in their last six run-outs. A 4-0 home loss to AC Milan last-time out makes an upset seem a total long shot.
Dries Mertens was rested for the Europa League.
Prediction: 5-0
Benevento v Crotone (18:00)
Walter Zenga’s personal rehabilitation and his rescue job at Crotone will be put to the test in the relegation six-pointer at Benevento.
Zenga, 57, had endured several disasters in the dugout at Sampdoria, Al Shaab and Wolverhampton Wanderers prior to receiving the call from the Serie A-debutants.
The ex-Italy No1 has added an air of resilience, detailed by three-successive 1-1 draws. But the time has come to turn those stalemates into three points if they are to motor away from the drop zone.
“A challenge is always a challenge. I want to do well today and in future,” Zenga told RMC Sport.
“I am here because Crotone called me, so why shouldn’t I have accepted?
“There are 14 games to go and we mustn’t think that we’ve achieved anything yet.
“We are improving, but the most important thing for me is the work we do during the week. I hope our attitude never changes.”
Benevento had a historically bad start to the campaign, but troubled fourth-placed Roma in spells of last week’s 5-2 loss.
Winter freebies Bacary Sagna – who debuted in the capital – and Sandro have added experience and steel.
Roberto De Zerbi’s men need all the help they can get in this respect, conceding an incredible 56 times thus far in the 2017/18 top flight.
Prediction: 1-1
Walter Zenga has embraced the challenge at Crotone.
Players to watch
Manuel Locatelli
AC Milan’s resurgence will be put to the test in the absence of suspended Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie, who has started every Serie A game this season since making the move from Atalanta. Locatelli will likely be the man to slot into his spot in midfield.
If he does, this will only be the third top-flight start handed to the Italy Under-21 star this term.
Manuel Locatelli (l) needs to embrace his rare chance to start for AC Milan.
Federico Chiesa
The forward has been a rare bright spot in a trying season for La Viola.
But those supporters will be sitting uneasy after a revealing interview in Corriere dello Sport in which he replied “I don’t know” when quizzed about his future.
Chiesa will need to be back to his best against Atalanta after scoring just once in his last 11 matches in all competitions.
Federico Chiesa (l) has been dropping hints about his future.
Paulo Dybala
A huge injection of class has been experienced by Juve this week after forward Paulo Dybala returned to training.
The Argentina international has not played for the Bianconeri since January 6 because of a hamstring problem but has returned to full training and could feature. Dybala has 14 top-flight goals this term and should terorrise Torino.
Paulo Dybala at Juventus training.
