Inter Milan survived a tense last 20-minute period to hold on to a vital 2-1 win over Udinese last time out, simultaneously bouncing back from a costly 2-1 loss to Bologna four days earlier. The Nerazzurri are two points behind AC Milan in the Serie A title race and can stay atop for a couple of days with a win here against Empoli, a team that has failed to beat them since April 2006.Coach Simone Inzaghi wants his side to focus on taking it “step by step” as he looks to make home advantage count in this pulsating title fight. Inter look in good shape for a victory as not only have they won nine straight home head-to-head encounters, but they also have four wins across their last five home matches, so they should be confident of securing another three vital points here. Each of those four wins saw Inter score the opener at or before the 30th minute, and another quick start will likely ease any tension in the San Siro.Nine-man Empoli lost 3-1 to Torino last weekend, stretching their poor record to one win across 18 league games (W1, D8, L9) although they are still 14th and all but safe already. That sole win, which came last month, was a momentous one though, as Empoli practically killed Napoli’s title chances in a stunning 3-2 comeback, and in search of motivation, boss Aurelio Andreazzoli might call on his side to play spoilsport for another title-chaser again.Welcome to Fatal Verona! Milan must overcome the old curse of Bentegodi to keep their hands on the titleYet it’s hard to see an away victory coming to fruition based on Empoli’s torrid record on the road, with no win since mid-December (D5, L5). They’ve picked up just one point from their last five road trips too, which includes three straight losses. However, they could take some confidence from their disciplined performance at this venue against AC Milan in March where they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat.Inter will have to make a late check on the fitness of Nicolo Barella, who has a knee injury – it seems unlikely that the Italian will be in the starting eleven. As a result, there could be a spot in the middle of midfield for Arturo Vidal. Aside from Barella, Inter will also be missing Alessandro Bastoni due to a calf problem. Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko should continue as the front two, with Perisic and Matteo Darmian operating in the wing-back positions.As for Empoli, Valerio Verre and Petar Stojanovic will both be absent following their red cards in the home defeat to Torino last time out. Lorenzo Tonelli and Nicolas Haas are both out through knee injuries, and Federico Di Francesco and Andrea Pinamonti should continue playing as a front two.Mourinho: This is the victory of the Roma family; Carleto, my friend, let’s both go and win the finalsAs for Juventus – a grinding 2-1 victory over bottom-side Venezia (coupled with Roma’s failure to win) saw the Old Lady secure a Champions League spot for the 11th consecutive season running. They face Genoa away this evening and with their title dreams long gone – coach Massimiliano Allegri will be looking at positives and we may see more youngsters make their first start, just as 18-year-old academy product Fabio Miretti did on Sunday in midfield.Four consecutive league away victories, each of which saw both teams score, means Juventus have already bettered their away points tally from the previous two campaigns (35). With Juventus‘ last three away victories against Genoa also featuring over 3.5 goals, there is also a chance for Juve’s much-criticized attack to start making amends for a disappointing season.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Failure to score a stoppage-time penalty vs Sampdoria last weekend (L 1-0) may prove costly for relegation-threatened Genoa, who now sit three points from safety as they welcome fourth-placed Bianconeri. While the task ahead looks huge, Genoa may still believe they can survive the drop after finishing in 17th place in Serie A four times across the last decade. But it’s not hard to see where they must improve if that’s to happen, as their mere four goals scored across the last ten rounds (W2, D4, L4) is a league-low by some distance.With only 14 points won at home, there seems little in the way of home advantage for Genoa here, but the truth is the Rossoblù have collected both their home league victories this term across their last three home outings (L1). However, their survival chances could fade quickly if Alexandre Blessin’s men don’t start well as they’re yet to win a league home match after conceding first (D2, L7), although across the last seven head-to-head meetings here Genoa have shown they’re no pushovers when Juve come to town (W3, L4).Bonucci’s advise to Vlahović: He brought us a lot, but he needs to be calmer with the ballGenoa are expected to be without Zinho Vanheusden, Nicolo Rovella, Andrea Cambiaso, Lennart Czyborra, Nikola Maksimovic and Roberto Piccoli through injury on Friday. The team facing Juventus tonight could ultimately be unchanged from the 1-0 defeat last time out.As for the guests from Turin – Federico Chiesa, Manuel Locatelli, Kaio Jorge and Weston McKennie will definitely be absent while Mattia De Sciglio and Juan Cuadrado are doubtful. Head coach Allegri is expected to potentially feature Arthur alongside Adrien Rabiot and Denis Zakaria, while Giorgio Chiellini could return at the back. Dusan Vlahovic is set to be joined by Alvaro Morata in the final third of the field while Alex Sandro is also pushing to be involved on the left thus replacing Luca Pellegrini.SERIE A – ROUND 36Friday19:45: (1.15) Inter (8.50) Empoli (15.0)22:00: (3.90) Genoa (3.40) Juventus (1.98)Saturday16:00: (3.50) Torino (3.45) Napoli (2.10)19:00: (2.40) Sassuolo (3.45) Udinese (2.90)21:45: (1.45) Lazio (4.40) Sampdoria (7.25)Sunday13:30: (6.25) Spezia (4.40) Atalanta (1.50)16:00: (2.95) Venezia (3.30) Bologna (2.45)19:00: (2.45) Salernitana (3.25) Cagliari (2.95)21:45: (4.90) Verona (3.60) Milan (1.75)Monday21:45: (2.50) Fiorentina (3.35) Roma (3.05)***odds are subject to change
