Serie A Matchweek 18 (2–4 Jan 2026) kicks off just as teams get back into league play, so being sharp and focused is super important—especially for teams that had a lot of holiday games or travel. As part of the broader Serie A predictions, this match is reviewed alongside other fixtures from the same round.
It all begins on Friday night with Cagliari taking on AC Milan, which is a classic “pressure test” for Milan: they need to control the game early and not let the home crowd turn it into chaos. Saturday is packed with action. Como vs Udinese is the type of match where one mistake can change everything, while Genoa vs Pisa and Sassuolo vs Parma both feel like games where momentum is key—quick starts, fast changes, and lots of transitions. Juventus vs Lecce is a big match: Juventus will be looking for points, but Lecce can be tough if they stay organized. Atalanta vs AS Roma wraps up Saturday and could be the tactical showdown of the week, with both teams being dangerous when there’s space to exploit.
Sunday wraps up the round with four exciting matches: Lazio vs Napoli is sure to be intense, Fiorentina vs Cremonese could be tricky if Fiorentina makes changes, Verona vs Torino looks like it will be tight and physical, and Inter vs Bologna is the main event—Inter’s consistency will be tested against Bologna’s solid defense.
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Cagliari vs AC Milan
Cagliari is currently in 14th place with 19 points earned from 17 matches played. The team has achieved 4 wins, 6 draws, and 7 losses, with a goal difference of 19:24, indicating an unstable season and a struggle for mid-table position. Their form is inconsistent, with two wins, two losses, and one draw in the last 5 matches, where the results often depend on individual moments. They create chances offensively, but their finishing varies, while the defense can falter under prolonged pressure.
Esposito, Borrelli, and Gaetano are key players in the final third and in creating opportunities. At home, Cagliari has a record of two wins, three draws, and three losses, with a goal difference of 10:12, showing moderate reliability. Their style is combative, focusing on compactness and quick transitions.
AC Milan is currently in 2nd place with 35 points after playing 16 matches. The team has a strong record of 10 wins, five draws, and just one loss, with a goal difference of 27:13, which shows their consistency and quality. They are only one point behind the top team, Inter. Their form is good, having gone 15 consecutive league matches without a loss, and they maintain stable control of the game. Offensively, Milan is diverse and dangerous on the wings, while their defense is among the most reliable in the league.
Pulisic, Leao, and Nkunku are the main offensive players. When playing away, they have 4 wins and three draws, with a goal difference of 12:5, showing they perform well even when not at home. Their style is dominant, with high possession and intense pressing.
Cagliari will try to play compactly and defend deeply, while AC Milan will control the game and the tempo. The difference in quality and depth is clear, especially in attack.
2 (AC Milan to Win)
Predicted CS: 0:2
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Como vs Udinese
Como is currently in 6th place with 27 points. After playing 16 matches, they have achieved 7 wins, 6 draws, and 3 losses, with a goal difference of 22:12, showing that they are a balanced and stable team. Their form is solid, with a few wins in the recent rounds and only a few dips in performance, especially against direct rivals. Offensively, Como looks organized and efficient, with good ball circulation and the ability to create chances from positional attacks. Their defense is one of the stronger ones in the league, rarely allowing open situations.
Paz is a key player in the attack, supported by the wings and midfield. At home, they have 4 wins out of 7 matches played and a goal difference of 11:3, confirming their strength at home. Their style of play is controlled, with high possession and disciplined positioning. In this match, besides the injured players, they will also be without defender Diego Carlos, who is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards.
Udinese is in 11th place with 22 points after playing 17 matches. They have achieved 6 wins, 4 draws, and 7 losses, with a goal difference of 18:28, which shows clear defensive weaknesses and inconsistency in their results. Their form is variable, with several losses in recent rounds and issues against teams with better organization. Offensively, they rely on individual solutions and transitions, but their finishing is not consistent, while the defense often leaves gaps between the lines.
Davis and Zaniolo are the most dangerous in the final third, with Atta providing support from the background. Away from home, Udinese has only three wins in 8 matches played and a goal difference of 9:15, highlighting their vulnerability on the road. Their style is direct and reactive, focusing on counterattacks. In this match, they will additionally be without striker Bayo, who is participating in the African Cup of Nations.
Como will try to impose possession and rhythm, while Udinese will wait for chances from transitions. A controlled game is expected from the hosts, with few chances for the visiting team. We expect the hosts to secure three points.
1 (Como to Win)
Predicted CS: 2:0
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Genoa vs Pisa
Genoa is currently in 17th place with 14 points, just above the relegation zone. After playing 17 matches, they have achieved three wins, five draws, and nine losses, with a goal difference of 17:27, which clearly shows serious issues with consistency and stability in their results. Their form is weak, with more losses in recent matches and difficulties in finding their rhythm, although they can occasionally put up a fight. Offensively, the team has limited creativity and often relies on individual efforts, while the defense is vulnerable, especially under pressure and during set pieces.
Ostigard and Colombo are among the more notable players, with Malinovskyi as a backup option. At home, Genoa has only one win in nine matches and a goal difference of 5:12, indicating that they struggle to establish security even on their own turf. Their style is cautious, with a low line and attempts at direct play. For this match, they will be without Jean Onana, who is part of the Cameroon national team in AFCON.
Pisa is in 18th place with 11 points after playing 17 matches. So far, they have only achieved one win, drawn 8 times, and lost 8 times, with a goal difference of 12:24, which shows serious offensive inefficiency and problems in finishing. Their form is very poor, with a long streak without a win and frequent drops in the second halves. Offensively, they create very few clear chances and rely on individual actions, while the defense often breaks under continuous pressure.
Moreo and Nozola are the main threats up front, but they lack sufficient support from the midfield. On away games, Pisa has not won a single match after playing 8 games, with a goal difference of 11:17, highlighting their weakness on the road. Their style is reactive and defensive, focusing on closing down space. Additionally, they will be without midfielder Akinsanmiro, who is part of the Nigerian national team.
Both teams are struggling with form and confidence, so a cautious and closed match is expected. Genoa has a slight advantage due to playing at home, but without domination. We expect a tight match and a narrow victory for the home team.
1 (Genoa to Win)
Predicted CS: 1:0
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Sassuolo vs Parma
Sassuolo is currently in 9th place with 22 points. After playing 17 matches, they have achieved 6 wins, 4 draws, and 7 losses, with a goal difference of 22:21. This shows that the team has a solid offensive potential, but they lack complete consistency in their results. Their form has been inconsistent, with a mix of wins, draws, and losses in recent matches, indicating issues with maintaining continuity. Offensively, Sassuolo can be dangerous with quick plays and wing play, but their finishing varies, while their defense often allows space during transitions.
Berardi is the main creator and scorer, with Pinamonti and Lauriente providing significant support in attack. At home, they have three wins from 8 matches and a goal difference of 10:10, which suggests moderate security without dominance. Their style of play is open and dynamic, focusing on offense. In today’s match, they will also be without defender Coulibaly, who is part of the Mali national team.
Parma is currently in 15th place with 17 points earned from 16 matches played. They have achieved 4 wins, 5 draws, and 7 losses, with a goal difference of 11:18, indicating limited offense and frequent defensive issues. Their form is unstable, showing occasional positive results but lacking a consistent streak that would provide confidence. Offensively, Parma creates few chances and struggles to score from open play, while their defense often breaks under pressure.
Pellegrino and Bernabe are the key offensive players, with Benedyczak as an additional option. Away from home, they have two wins in 7 matches and a goal difference of 4:7, showing they can be competitive but rarely dominant. Their style is cautious, focusing on compactness and counterattacks.
Sassuolo will try to control the game through possession and offensive pressure, while Parma will look for chances from a closed setup and transitions. A close match is expected, with the home team taking the initiative and at least one goal from both sides.
GG (BTTS-Yes)
Predicted CS: 2:1
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Juventus vs Lecce
Juventus is currently in 5th place with 32 points. After playing 17 matches, they have a record of 9 wins, 5 draws, and 3 losses, with a goal difference of 23:15, showing that they are a stable team with consistent results. Their form is good, having a series of wins in the last few rounds and only one loss in the last 13 matches across all competitions. Offensively, Juventus plays smartly, taking calculated risks, but they are effective when they create chances. Their defense is well-organized and rarely gives up too much space.
Yildiz is the most creative player, while Vlahovic is the main scorer in attack. At home, they have five wins and three draws from 8 matches, with a goal difference of 14:7, confirming their strength in Torino. Their style of play is controlling and tactically disciplined.
Lecce is currently in 16th place with 16 points after playing 16 matches. They have achieved 4 wins, 4 draws, and 8 losses, with a goal difference of 11:22, indicating serious issues with their offensive production and defensive stability. Their form is weak and inconsistent, with more losses than positive results in recent rounds. Offensively, they struggle to create chances and often rely on individual efforts, while their defense frequently breaks under continuous pressure.
Berisha and Coulibaly are among the few offensive threats, with Ndri providing support from the midfield. Away from home, Lecce has two wins in 7 matches and a goal difference of 5:11, highlighting their vulnerability outside their home ground. Their style is defensive, and they often make mistakes in defense. In today’s match, they will also be without midfielder Lassana Coulibaly, who is part of the Mali national team.
Juventus will control the game through possession and positional attacks, while Lecce will defend deep and wait for rare counterattacks. A match with minimal risk is expected from the hosts, where they will secure a victory and score two goals.
1 & T1 2+ (Juventus to Win & Over1.5)
Predicted CS: 2:0
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Atalanta vs AS Roma
Atalanta is currently in 10th place with 22 points. After playing 17 matches, they have achieved five wins, seven draws, and five losses, with a goal difference of 20:19. This shows that the team has solid quality, but they lack consistent performance. Their form is variable, with some important wins in the league, but also losses at crucial moments, which affects their consistency. Offensively, Atalanta is aggressive and attacking, with good intensity and frequent entries into the opponent’s goal area, while their defense can be vulnerable during quick transitions.
Scamacca is the main attacking threat, with Krstovic as an additional option in the finishing phase. At home, they have three wins, four draws, and two losses after nine matches, with a goal difference of 11:9, indicating moderate confidence. Their style of play is intense, featuring high pressing and pace. In this match, they will also be without Kossounou and Lookman, who are part of AFCON.
AS Roma is in 4th place with 33 points after playing 17 matches. They have achieved 11 wins and 6 losses, with a goal difference of 20:11, which shows they have a strong defense and are effective in key moments. Their form is solid, although they sometimes struggle against direct rivals. Offensively, Roma doesn’t create a lot of chances, but they are clinical when given space, while their defense remains compact and disciplined.
Soule is their most creative player, with Wesley Franca providing important support from the background. On the road, they have secured five wins in 8 matches and have a goal difference of 9:6, confirming their good performance away from home. Their style is tactical, focusing on controlling the pace and building patiently. In this match, they will additionally be without Ndicka and El Aynaoui, who are part of AFCON.
A clash is expected between Atalanta’s intensity and Roma’s tactical discipline. The home team will press, while the visitors will wait for their moments. We anticipate a balanced match with a low number of goals.
X (Draw)
Predicted CS: 1:1
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Lazio vs Napoli
Lazio is currently in 8th place with 24 points. After playing 17 matches, they have a record of 6 wins, 6 draws, and 5 losses, with a goal difference of 18:12. This shows they have a solid defense, but their offense is not very consistent. Their form has been variable, with a series of draws in recent games and struggles to finish matches in their favor. Offensively, Lazio creates chances but often fails to finish them, while their defense works well and rarely allows many goals.
Zaccagni and Cancellieri are the most active in attack, with Castellanos playing as a classic ‘number nine.’ At home, they have achieved 4 wins in 8 matches and a goal difference of 13:5, highlighting their strength at home. Their style of play is balanced, focusing on possession control and patient buildup. In this match, they will also be without Dele-Bashiru and Boulaye Dia, who are part of AFCON.
Napoli is currently in 3rd place with 34 points after playing 16 matches, just two points behind the team at the top of the table. They have achieved 11 wins, a draw, and 4 losses, with a goal difference of 24:13, which shows they are a high-quality team with strong offensive power. Their form is good, with several wins in the recent rounds, although they have had some ups and downs in derby matches. Offensively, Napoli plays fast and direct, with a strong attack from the second line and good finishing, while their defense is compact but can be vulnerable to high pressing.
Hojlund is the main attacking threat, with Anguissa being an important factor in the midfield. Away from home, they have 5 wins in 9 matches and a goal difference of 10:7, showing they can be effective even on the road. Their style is intense and offensive.
A tactical duel is expected between Lazio’s controlled approach and Napoli’s intensity. The home team will try to slow down the pace, while the visitors will look for a more dynamic tempo. We expect a match where there won’t be more than two goals.
0-2 (Under 2.5)
Predicted CS: 1:1
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Fiorentina vs Cremonese
Fiorentina is currently in 20th place with just 9 points. After playing 17 matches, they have only managed to win once, along with 6 draws and 10 losses, resulting in a goal difference of 17:28. This clearly shows that they are facing a serious crisis in their performance and lack stability. Their form is weak, with many losses in recent games and only a few positive moments, although they can sometimes play decently at home. Offensively, Fiorentina creates chances, but they struggle to convert them into goals, while their defense often makes individual mistakes and has a hard time handling pressure.
Mandragora and Kean are the standout players in attack, with Gudmundsson providing additional creativity. At home, they have only one win from 8 matches and a goal difference of 12:14, indicating that they are not reliable even in front of their own fans. Their style of play is open, attempting to maintain possession, but they lack sufficient control.
Cremonese is currently in 12th place with 21 points after playing 17 matches. They have achieved five wins, six draws, and six losses, with a goal difference of 18:20, which shows they are a solid team, but not dominant. Their form is inconsistent, with a mix of wins and losses, but they generally leave a better impression than their opponents. Offensively, Cremonese plays directly and effectively at times, while their defense is more organized, although they can struggle under continuous pressure.
Bonazzoli is the main threat in attack, with Vardy providing experienced support. Away from home, they have three wins in nine matches and a goal difference of 9:9, indicating solid competitiveness outside their home ground. Their style is pragmatic, focusing on results.
Fiorentina will try to impose possession, but Cremonese appears more organized and stable. The visitors have a better balance and can take advantage of the host’s weak defense.
X2 (Cremonese to Win or Draw)
Predicted CS: 1:2
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Verona vs Torino
Verona is currently in 18th place with 12 points earned. After playing 16 matches, they have a record of two wins, six draws, and eight losses, with a goal difference of 13:25. This shows serious issues with their defensive stability and frequent drops in performance. Their form is inconsistent, with a few positive results but also many losses in the recent rounds, keeping uncertainty about their continuity. Offensively, Verona has moments of quick attacks and individual solutions, but their finishing is unreliable, while the defense often leaves gaps between the lines.
Orban and Giovane are the main players in attack, with Belghali as an additional option. At home, they have only one win in seven matches and a goal difference of 8:9, indicating that they don’t seem secure even at home. Their style of play is direct and combative, with attempts for quick transitions.
Torino is currently in 13th place with 20 points earned from 17 matches played. They have achieved five wins, five draws, and seven losses, with a goal difference of 17:28, indicating a team with noticeable fluctuations and defensive weaknesses. Their form is unstable, showing a mix of wins and losses in recent rounds, without a longer positive streak. Offensively, Torino has solid individual players, but they struggle to maintain a high intensity, while their defense often allows easy goals.
Vlasic and Simone are the most dangerous in the finishing phase, with Adams providing support from the background. Away from home, they have two wins in eight matches and a goal difference of 7:12, highlighting their vulnerability outside of their home ground. Their style is physical and direct, focusing on duels. In this match, they will additionally be without defender Adam Masina, who is part of the Moroccan national team.
Both teams have stability issues, and a close, competitive match with few chances is expected. Verona will be looking for points at home, while Torino will try to take advantage of their physical readiness.
X (Draw)
Predicted CS: 1:1
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Inter vs Bologna
Inter is in the top spot with 36 points. After playing 16 matches, they have 12 wins and 4 losses, with a goal difference of 35:14, which clearly shows their dominance and offensive strength. Their form is excellent, with a series of wins in the recent rounds and a high level of confidence, even though they have had some ups and downs in derby matches. Offensively, Inter is the most dangerous team in the league, with quick transitions, a strong positional attack, and constant pressure, while their defense is solid and well-organized.
Lautaro Martinez is the top scorer, with Calhanoglu as a key creator. At home, they have 6 wins out of 8 matches played and a goal difference of 21:5, which shows their strong confidence. Their style of play is dominant, with high intensity and control of the rhythm.
Bologna is in 6th place with 26 points after playing 16 matches. They have a record of 7 wins, 5 draws, and 4 losses, with a goal difference of 24:14, which shows they have a well-organized and competitive team. Their form is solid, even though they have some ups and downs against stronger opponents, but overall they maintain a steady level. Offensively, Bologna plays in a disciplined and efficient way, taking few risks, while their defense is compact and rarely allows easy goals.
Orsolini is the main threat in attack, with Castro and Odgaard providing significant support. When playing away, they have three wins, three draws, and two losses from 8 matches, with a goal difference of 13:8, showing they can be competitive even on the road. Their style is balanced, focusing on organization and transition.
Inter will impose their dominance through possession and high pressure, while Bologna will try to stay compact and look for chances on the counter. The quality and form are in favor of the home team.
1 (Inter to Win)
Predicted CS: 2:0
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For additional context, you can review the analysis from Serie A Matchweek 17 predictions and look ahead to Serie A Matchweek 19 predictions as the season progresses.