Leaders Juventus and fourth-placed Roma come into Sunday’s Serie A fixtures on the back of wildly contrasting results in Europe, while on-song Sassuolo can put another nail in bottom-placed Benevento’s coffin.
Here are the talking points:
JUVENTUS V SAMPDORIA (20:00)
For all their domestic dominance of the previous 50 years, European pain is not an alien emotion for the Old Lady.
Yet the 97th-minute heartbreak at Santiago Bernabeu will arguably have hurt more than last year’s final defeat to the same opponents.
To earn a 3-0 lead at the two-time-successive holders is an incredible achievement. For this to be taken away by a late, late penalty – hotly contested, at that – could inflict serious wounds.
Coach Massimiliano Allegri will know his team cannot wallow. A four-point lead over Napoli can soon disappear, especially as Samp have already inflicted a 3-2 loss this term.
But Juve have won 14 of the last 15 league games to storm past the Neapolitans.
Their professionalism and strength in depth should see them through.
It's all about the response tomorrow vs @sampdoria_en. @OfficialAllegri 🗣 ➡️ https://t.co/RtgsynXYaS#JuveSamp #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/75EOypVPEY
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) April 14, 2018
Prediction 2-0
LAZIO V ROMA (22:45)
The chance to secure one of the greatest weeks in Roma’s 90-year history is at hand for Eusebio Di Francesco’s current vintage.
Fresh from the blitzkrieg of Tuesday’s ‘Romantada’ to eliminate hallowed Barcelona with a 3-0 second-leg triumph in the Champions League’s quarter-finals comes the derby with hated rivals Lazio.
Sunday’s combatants are virtually inseparable having won, drawn and lost the same amount of games across the campaign. But Lazio suffered the indignity of blowing a 5-2 aggregate lead and conceding three goals in four minutes to exit the Europa League to unfancied Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday.
Simone Inzaghi’s troops, like Juventus, can ill-afford to mope around. A loss would have a major impact on their hopes of reaching the Champions League.
It should be intriguing to see how this situation plays out at Stadio Olimpico.
Di Francesco: "I’m not going to give anything away with the formation for tomorrow. One of Patrik Schick and Cengiz Under will definitely play."#ASRoma #LazioRoma #SerieA pic.twitter.com/jwKdW5FuzU
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) April 14, 2018
Prediction 2-2
SASSUOLO V BENEVENTO (17:00)
After building the foundations during five undefeated matches, it is now time for Sassuolo to go on the offensive in the battle against the drop.
Impressive draws have been earned during this spell against title-chasers Napoli and resurgent AC Milan. But still only three points and four places separate them from third-bottom Crotone.
A double header against rock-bottom Benevento and second-bottom Hellas Verona begins on Sunday. Goals have been the major issue for Beppe Iachini’s side, finding the back of the net just 21 times.
Now would be the time for out-of-sorts prospect Domenico Berardi to rediscover his best form.
Opponents Benevento have long since been resigned to relegation, but in five-goal January buy Cheick Diabate they boast a sharpshooter who could inflict real damage.
Prediction 3-0
