There are plenty of tasty dishes available on the Serie A menu this weekend. For starters, after the Derby della Madonnina produced an entertaining 2-2 draw, Milan will be looking to claim back second spot against struggling Empoli. Sunday’s main course, sees leaders Juventus aiming to go ten points clear at the top if they can win at Genoa. However, the most mouth-watering fixture this weekend is Inter vs Fiorentina at the San Siro on Monday night, with both sides looking to get their stuttering seasons back on track. Here are five reasons to watch Serie A this weekend:

 

With Juventus weakening their closest challengers in the summer by signing Pjanic and Higuain from Roma and Napoli respectively, it is no surprise they are out in front again. On top of this, Mario Mandzukic will be looking to score in three consecutive league games for the first time. The Croatian has been superb lately, stepping effortlessly into the shoes of the injured Dybala and Higuain. Juve have only lost twice to Genoa in the last 20 games (both at the Marassi) and with them showing no signs of weakness up front, it could be another profitable afternoon in the port city.

 

Inter were the better team in last weekend’s Milan derby despite only coming away with a point. However, another Jekyll and Hyde performance saw them knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday, losing 3-2 to Hapoel Beer Sheva. Stefano Pioli questioned his teams’ mentality after the defeat in Israel which saw Samir Handanovic sent off. Up next for the nerazzurri is Fiorentina, who are also not hitting the heights of last season. La Viola are two points above Inter in 8th place and a win could take them closer to the European places. What will be interesting however, is to see how Inter’s under performing squad react to Pioli’s criticism. If they begin to show their quality, they will be back where they feel they belong in no time. A defeat for either side in this match could prove disastrous come May – making this game already a must win for either side.

 

3. MILAN & THE HUNT FOR SECOND PLACE:

AC Milan has never lost to Empoli and the current standings in the table suggest that after 90 minutes on Saturday evening, it will be business as usual. However, as we’ve already seen this season, Milan have a tendency to lose to the much weaker teams.  Vincenzo Montella has named defender Alessio Romagnoli in his squad after injury as well as Andrea Bertolacci, both of whom have been severely missed. With these two returning, Milan should see of the challenge for the struggling Tuscan outfit. 

 

With Juventus dominating Italy’s north-western city for many decades now whilst showcasing some of football’s biggest talents, The Old Lady has always achieved great success. However, one player in Turin this season, has emerged as one of the best strikers in Europe – and he does not play for Juventus. Andrea Belotti has been the main man for rivals Torino this campaign with 10 league goals to his name so far in just ten appearances.  The Italian has a better goal per minute ratio than that of Gonzalo Higuain and has led to some at the club to value him at €94.5 million. With his team at home to Chievo on Saturday, it will be a good opportunity for scouts to continue to observe Belotti and for him to prove his rather outrageous price tag. 

 

 

A team in the top five, wearing a blue and black kit and hailing from Lombardy; it would be easy for many to assume that I am talking about Inter. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth as it’s actually Atalanta who are holding their own in 5th after 13 matches. Having already beaten Inter in the league, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side showed this was no fluke when they also took three points from Roma in their last game. A potentially tricky game away to Bologna will definitely show what this young side are capable of. Are they the new Leicester City? Who knows.