Roma vs. Parma (Sunday, 11.30am)
© Imago
Both struggling in the bottom half of the Serie A standings, Roma and Parma will hope for an early Christmas gift when they meet at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
The Giallorossi's dismal run of form continued last week - before strolling through a midweek Coppa Italia contest - so their promoted visitors sit just one point behind.
We say: Roma 2-1 Parma
Roma's home form is totally hit-and-miss, having both won and lost four times at the Olimpico in Serie A, but they surely cannot slip up against Parma.
The visitors have produced just one win from seven road trips since earning promotion, and their soft centre is set to cost them again.
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Venezia vs. Cagliari (Sunday, 2.00pm)
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Both stuck inside the Serie A drop zone, Venezia and Cagliari will meet for a survival scrap at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Sunday.
The hosts were cruelly denied a famous away win over Juventus last weekend, before their Sardinian counterparts succumbed to Juve in a midweek cup tie.
We say: Venezia 1-1 Cagliari
As Venezia are generally tougher to beat at home and Cagliari tend to struggle on their travels to the mainland, the hosts can at least make it three games unbeaten.
They may come up just short of a much-needed victory, though, as some serious defensive issues remain.
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Atalanta vs. Empoli (Sunday, 5.00pm)
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After 10 straight wins took them top of the tree in Serie A, Atalanta BC will aim to celebrate Christmas as Italy's number one when they host Empoli on Sunday evening.
Having taken their remarkable success streak into double figures last weekend, La Dea then swept through a midweek Coppa Italia tie, but their visitors arrive in Bergamo boasting an impressive away record.
We say: Atalanta BC 2-0 Empoli
Atalanta have drawn only one of their last 23 Serie A home fixtures - and none since mid-April - while averaging 2.6 goals per game.
A clear outcome should be expected, then, and even Empoli's admirable away record cannot help them defeat La Dea.
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Monza vs. Juventus (Sunday, 7.45pm)
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Still unbeaten but with just six Serie A wins on the board, Juventus will visit Monza on Sunday, sorely in need of a pre-Christmas success.
After their latest league draw last weekend, Juve finally found the right formula to progress in the Coppa Italia; meanwhile, Monza are still searching for a first home win.
We say: Monza 0-1 Juventus
Juventus are under intense pressure to produce, but their midweek run-out may have helped boost flagging morale heading into the weekend.
A toothless Monza attack will hold no concerns for the Bianconeri's generally watertight defence, and they can surely score at least once.
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Ben Knapton
