Serie A showdown: Five out of seven league leaders play today

The Serie A fans will enjoy today, that's for sure. Not that games played yesterday weren't exciting - after all, Torino and Atalanta recorded critical home wins, while Lazio brushed aside Parma thanks to Tijjani Noslin's late winner, despite being two men down.

However, this Sunday brings an ultimate showdown in Italy's top flight, as five of the leading seven teams will be on the pitch all around the country.

The table-toppers, AC Milan, will open today's programme against Sassuolo at San Siro (14.30), hoping to remain leaders despite the pressure from Napoli and Inter Milan. Although the newcomers to the league, the visitors from Emilia-Romagna, are ninth, sitting only four points behind the European zone. Hence, Massimiliano Allegri's men have to remain cautious.

On the other hand, their "chasers", the aforementioned Neapolitans and Nerazzurri, will take on their rivals a couple of hours later.

The reigning Serie A champions face Udinese on the road (17.00) and must bounce back after suffering a 2-0 loss to Benfica in the Champions League four days ago. The popular Little Zebras haven't beaten Napoli since April 2016, but managed to salvage a draw - each time 1-1 - in three out of their last five clashes against the Neapolitans.

As for Cristian Chivu's lads, they'll travel to Liguria to lock horns with Genoa at Stadio Luigi Ferraris (20.00). The home team is on a five-game unbeaten run since Patrick Vieira left its bench. Daniele De Rossi made an immediate impact and created a group of fearless lions, willing to fight until the final second.

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Still, the Milan side must win to keep up with the leading duo and do so in a place where it hasn't triumphed since February 2022, making the challenge as tough as it gets.

Finally, the derby clash of the 15th Serie A round will be played at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, where Bologna will host Juventus (22.45).

Only two points separate the two rivals, and the Old Lady could leapfrog Vincenzo Italiano's team and finally enter the European zone with an eventual win. Yet, the last five clashes between Bologna and Juve ended in draws, and it speaks volumes about the similarity of their quality.

The tradition works absolutely in the Bianconeri's favour, as the Rossoblu hasn't beaten them since February 2011, when Juve's former striker Marco Di Vaio stunned them with a brace in Turin.

However, Bologna have been in excellent form and - given that they play at home - could even be considered favourites tonight.

SERIE A - ROUND 15

Friday

Lecce - Pisa 1-0 (0-0)

/Stulic 72/

Saturday

Torino - Cremonese 1-0 (1-0)

/Vlasic 27/

Parma - Lazio 0-1 (0-0)

/Noslin 82/

Atalanta - Cagliari 2-1 (1-0)

/Scamacca 11, 81 - Gaetano 75/

Sunday

14.30: (1.45) Milan (4.70) Sassuolo (8.00)

17.00: (1.90) Fiorentina (3.50) Verona (4.60)

17.00: (4.70) Udinese (3.50) Napoli (1.90)

20.00: (6.50) Genoa (4.20) Inter (1.53)

22.45: (3.00) Bologna (3.25) Juventus (2.60)

Monday

22.45: (2.15) Roma (3.30) Como (3.50)

*** odds are subject to change ***