Matchweek 16 of the 2025/26 Serie A season is set for December 20–21, featuring a tight but exciting schedule as the league moves further into winter. Observations from this match form part of the wider Serie A predictions, alongside analysis of other games from the same matchweek.

Saturday kicks off at 18:00 with Lazio going up against Cremonese, where Lazio will aim to control the game and avoid any last-minute surprises. The focus then turns to the 20:45 match between Juventus and AS Roma, one of the most important games of the week, with both teams looking for a big win to boost their confidence and momentum.

Sunday starts bright and early at 12:30 when Cagliari takes on Pisa, a match that could be decided by little things and set-piece plays. At 15:00, Sassuolo faces Torino in a game that usually favors teams that are willing to attack and press high. The 18:00 match features Fiorentina against Udinese, a challenging tactical game where being patient with the ball might be crucial.

The weekend wraps up at 20:45 with Genoa hosting Atalanta. Atalanta will try to set their attacking pace, while Genoa will focus on staying organized and taking advantage of any mistakes on the counter.

With many direct matchups and tough away games, Matchweek 16 could quickly change the race for European spots and the battle for safety.

Table of Contents

:

:

vs

Lazio vs Cremonese

Lazio is in 8th place with 22 points so far, and they are trying to catch up with the top 6 teams in the league. The team plays with a controlled offensive style and a solid defensive setup, which is reflected in their goal difference of 17:11. Their game relies on possession, discipline in the midfield, and building attacks gradually, with Mattia Zaccagni and Cancellieri providing width and creativity, while Castellanos is the main finisher in attack. 

Their form is stable with important wins, although they have had some ups and downs against stronger opponents. At home, Lazio has 4 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss after 7 matches played, with a goal difference of 13:5, showing clear confidence and the ability to control the pace of the games at the ‘Olimpico’.

Cremonese is in 11th place with 20 points so far, just two points behind today’s opponent. The team has a balanced but cautious approach, with a goal difference of 18:18, showing limited offensive effectiveness and a focus on being compact. Recently, they have struggled with form, recording 4 losses and 2 wins in their last 6 matches. Their gameplay often relies on defensive organization and quick transitions, with Bonazzoli, Vardy, and Valoti being the most dangerous in front of goal. 

Their form is inconsistent, and the issues are more pronounced when they play away. On the road, Cremonese has three wins, two draws, and three losses from 8 matches, with a goal difference of 9:9, indicating they fight hard but face difficulties under sustained pressure.

The difference in quality, home performance, and control in midfield gives Lazio the advantage, as they will try to impose their style of play and maintain possession. Cremonese will look for opportunities through transitions, but it will be tough for them to respond to the continuous pressure from the home team.

1 (Lazio to Win)

Predicted CS: 2:0

:

:

vs

Juventus vs AS Roma

Juventus is in 5th place, with 26 points earned so far, which is 4 points less than today’s opponent. The team has a strong defense and a clear offensive strategy, as shown by their goal difference of 19:14. Their play style focuses on being compact, controlling space, and building attacks patiently, with Vlahovic being the main offensive player. However, he will be out for a while due to an injury, while Yildiz and Kostic bring creativity and speed on the wings. 

Their form is stable, with only one loss in the last 11 matches across all competitions, highlighting the team’s discipline. At home, Juventus remains unbeaten, with 4 wins and 3 draws in 7 matches, and a goal difference of 12:6, showing their control and ability to manage the game even when the pace is slower.

AS Roma is currently in 4th place with 30 points earned so far, just three points behind the top team, Inter. The team has a more offensive style and greater flexibility in attack, with a goal difference of 16:8, showing both efficiency and strong defensive balance. Their gameplay relies on quick transitions and individual talent, with Dybala and Soule being key creators, while Dovbyk contributes in finishing. 

Overall, their form is positive, although there have been ups and downs against direct rivals. Away from home, Roma has five wins and two losses in seven matches, with a goal difference of 8:4, indicating maturity and the ability to secure results even in tough away games. This season, after 15 matches played, they have achieved 10 wins and suffered 5 losses.

The upcoming match promises to be a tactically tight game with high intensity in the midfield and few clear chances. Juventus will try to slow down the pace and take advantage of their home stability, while Roma will look for space through quick transitions. In each of the last 6 encounters, there have been no more than two goals, so we expect a similar outcome in this match.

0-2 (Under 2.5)

Predicted CS: 1:1

:

:

vs

Cagliari vs Pisa

Cagliari is in 15th place, with 14 points earned so far, just two points above the relegation zone. The team plays with a strong fighting style, but they have limited offensive effectiveness, which is evident from their goal difference of 15:21. Their game usually relies on a solid defensive line and direct attacks, trying to take advantage of set pieces. Esposito and Gaetano are the most creative options in attack, while Borelli provides physical stability in the final moments. 

Their form is inconsistent, with several narrow losses showing that the team is competitive, but they often lack finishing when it matters most. At home, they have achieved two wins, two draws, and three losses after playing 7 matches, with a goal difference of 8:10, indicating moderate confidence but without dominating performances.

Pisa is in 19th place, having earned 10 points so far, and they just can’t seem to improve their form to escape the danger zone. The team is facing serious issues with creating chances and scoring, with a goal difference of 10:20, which shows their weak offense. Most of the time, their game relies on a deep defense and attempts at counterattacks, with Ndoja and Moreo being among the few who can bring some individual quality forward. 

Their form is negative, with three consecutive losses and a very low number of goals scored, especially in away games. They still haven’t won on the road, having drawn 4 times and lost 3 out of 7 matches, with a goal difference of 9:15, indicating vulnerability under continuous pressure. This season, after 15 matches played, they have only achieved one victory.

Considering the home field advantage and greater stability in the midfield, Cagliari has a clear edge in this matchup. Pisa will try to close down the game and aim for a positive result through counterattacks. The match is expected to have a tough rhythm and a limited number of chances.

1 (Cagliari to Win)

Predicted CS: 1:0

:

:

vs

Sassuolo vs Torino

Sassuolo is in 9th place, having earned 21 points so far, and they are trying to catch up with the top 6 teams in the league. The team plays with an offensive style and a clear desire to control the game through possession, which is reflected in their goal difference of 21:19. Their gameplay is based on quick combinations and creativity in the final third, where Berardi is a key player with a direct impact on the pace and finishing, while Pinamonti and Lauriente consistently pose a threat in attack. 

Their form is inconsistent, but the team shows the ability to respond against stronger opponents, as seen in their draw with Milan last round. At home, Sassuolo has achieved three wins, one draw, and three losses after 7 matches played, with a goal difference of 10:9, indicating that they score goals but also concede them.

Torino is in 13th place, with 17 points earned so far. They haven’t won in three matches, but last round they managed to beat Cremonese and grab three points. The team plays a more defensive style, focusing on a strong structure, but they have limited offensive production, which is reflected in their goal difference of 15:26. 

Their game often comes down to a low line and attempts at direct attacks, lacking consistent creativity in offense. Their form is weak, and they struggle when forced to play defensively for long periods. Away from home, they have only one win, three draws, and three losses after seven matches, with a goal difference of 6:12, indicating difficulties in defense when under continuous pressure.

We expect Sassuolo to take clear initiative and have more possession in this match, while Torino will try to close down space and capitalize on the opponent’s mistakes. Both teams have certain weaknesses in defense, so we anticipate a match where we will see at least one goal from both sides.

GG (BTTS-Yes)

Predicted CS: 2:1

:

:

vs

Fiorentina vs Udinese

Fiorentina is currently in 20th place, having only earned 6 points so far. The team is facing a serious crisis in their performance, with a goal difference of 12:26, which shows clear defensive weaknesses and a lack of control during crucial moments of the matches. Their style of play relies on possession and building up attacks slowly, but they lack precision and stability between the lines. Mandragora and Gudmundsson are the most active players in the midfield, while Kean Moise leads the attack, but their offense is not very effective. 

Their form is really poor, with a series of losses and very few chances created. At home, Fiorentina has not won in 7 matches, with two draws and five losses, and a goal difference of 7:13, which further highlights their insecurity and drop in confidence. Also, this season they have yet to win a single match, having drawn 6 times and lost 9 times.

Udinese is in 10th place, having earned 21 points so far. The team shows a stronger and more organized performance, with a goal difference of 16:22, indicating that while the offense isn’t dominant, the defensive structure is much more effective than that of the home team. Their play relies on compactness, physical duels, and direct transitions, with Lorenzo Lucca and Thauvin posing a threat in attack, while Zaniolo and Davis are active in the offensive rotation. 

Their form is inconsistent, but the team demonstrates the ability to earn points in tough matches, having recently defeated Napoli at home. Away from home, Udinese has three wins, one draw, and three losses after playing 7 matches, with a goal difference of 8:10, showing solid competitiveness outside their stadium.

Considering their current form, defensive stability, and mental state, Udinese enters with greater confidence and a clear tactical advantage. Fiorentina will try to take the initiative, but the risks in the back line could be costly.

X2 (Draw or Udinese to Win)

Predicted CS: 0:1

:

:

vs

Genoa vs Atalanta

Genoa is in 16th place, having earned 14 points so far. The team plays with a strong fighting spirit and a direct style, focusing on physical play and a compact defense, but they have a limited offensive impact, which is evident from their goal difference of 16:23. Most of their attacks are built through long balls and set pieces, where Gudmundsson and Thorsby bring energy and movement, while Malinovskyi adds creativity from the background. 

Their form is unstable, but in the last 6 league matches, they have only lost once. At home, Genoa has one win, three draws, and four losses from 8 matches, with a goal difference of 5:11, indicating issues in creating and maintaining results under pressure.

Atalanta is in 12th place with 19 points so far. The team keeps its recognizable dynamic style with high intensity, aggressive pressing, and quick vertical attacks, even though their consistency in results isn’t as good as in previous seasons. The goal difference of 19:18 shows that their matches are open and they take more risks in their play. Scamacca is the main offensive option, while De Ketelaere and Koopmeiners bring creativity and technical skill between the lines. 

Their form has improved, and they have 5 wins in the last 6 matches, including two in the Champions League. Away in the league, Atalanta has only achieved one win, three draws, and three losses after 7 matches played, with a goal difference of 8:10, which shows that despite their risky style, the team knows how to stay competitive even on the road.

The difference in dynamics and quality in the midfield favors Atalanta, which will try to impose a higher tempo and wear down the home team’s defensive structure. Genoa will look for chances through set pieces and transitions, but prolonged pressure could lead to mistakes in their back line. We expect a dynamic match with at least three goals during the game.

3+ (Over 2.5)

Predicted CS: 1:2

Published:

:

:

 

To track how teams have progressed, you can compare this round with Serie A Matchweek 15 predictions and preview the next set of fixtures in Serie A Matchweek 17 predictions.