With four matchdays remaining in the current Serie A season, just about everything is still up for grabs.
Most notably, of course, is the Scudetto race. Following Napoli’s last-minute triumph at the Allianz Stadium, Maurizio Sarri’s side only trail Juventus by a single point. This is the closest title race we’ve had during the Bianconeri’s recent reign of six consecutive Scudetti.
Juventus has the more difficult schedule down the stretch, having to travel to play Inter and Roma, but Napoli does not have a cake-walk as they play Fiorentina and Sampdoria away from home. This Scudetto race could be decided on the final matchday, May 20.
Remaining #SerieA matches
Juventus:
Away vs. Inter
Home vs. Bologna
Away vs. Roma
Home vs. Hellas VeronaNapoli:
Away vs. Fiorentina
Home vs. Torino
Away vs. Sampdoria
Home vs. Crotone— Get Italian Football News (@_GIFN) April 22, 2018
With Juventus and Napoli having already mathematically secured Champions League football for next season, the race for the final two spots is a nailbiter. Roma, Lazio, and Inter are currently separated by just one point. The Roman clubs are currently both on 67 points while the Nerazzurri have 66.
As previously mentioned, both Roma and Inter still have to play the defending champions Juventus.
The final day of the season also features a massive match between Lazio and Inter at the Stadio Olimpico, which could determine who earns the fourth and final Champions Leauge spot.
The battle for Europe Leauge spots is also very tight. Just four points separate Atalanta in 6th place and Fiorentina in 9th, with AC Milan and Sampdoria in between. Granted, Milan can automatically clinch a Europa League berth if they beat Juventus in the Coppa Italia Final on May 9, this is another race that will go down to the wire.
Atalanta have continued their impressive performance from last season’s fourth-place finish under Gian Piero Gasperini. Gattuso led a Milan resurgence despite their recent struggles. Sampdoria have quietly been in the top half of the table all season, behind Fabio Quagliarella’s 18 goals. Meanwhile, Fiorentina went on a six-match winning streak after the tragic death of their captain Davide Astori in early March.
After their record-breakingly poor start to the season, Benevento have officially been relegated. And while Hellas Verona is currently six points from the drop and look likely to return to Serie B, they are still mathematically alive.
The real relegation battle concerns SPAL, who are in their first Serie A campaign since 1968. The club from Ferrara sit on 29 points and are currently just two points from safety. Both Crotone and Chievo Verona are within striking distance with 31 points.
The notable relegation-battle matches remaining are SPAL vs. Hellas this weekend and then Crotone vs. Chievo on May 6.
Even with a little more wiggle room on 33 points, Udinese must be mentioned as they are currently on an 11 game losing streak and have just made a coaching change.
Unlike the other major leagues across Europe, every single match remaining in Italy carries importance. The Scudetto race, the right to play in European competitions and even the fight for survival are all still up in the air. We are all in for a thrilling final weeks to close the Serie A season.
