Serie A preview, Round 3: Milan - Juventus meet on Saturday

There’ve been just two rounds played in the 2014-2015 Serie A season, yet many have already drawn conclusions as to how everything will shake out. Juventus will win, but Roma will give them a good run. Two wins from two means that Filippo Inzaghi has sorted out Milan’s mess. Another blitzing of Sassuolo surely indicates that Inter will finish top three. And Napoli, well, they’re doomed.

Now it’s time for Week 3. Let’s find out how these teams can cater to everyone’s expectations.

Saturday, September 20 at 6 p.m. CET / 12 noon ET
The Stadio Dino Manuzzi, Cesena

Two newly promoted sides meet in an early relegation battle. Except Cesena have already earned three points, thanks to a surprise win over Parma. Empoli have yet to score a goal. Expect a win from the hosts.

Saturday, September 20 at 8:45 p.m. CET / 2:45 p.m. ET
The San Siro, MilanOooh, this one’s a little difficult to pin down. On one hand, Juventus remain favorites for the scudetto. On the other, Milan are suddenly darlings again, with everyone loving the pace of their attack, particularly that of Jérémy Menez. However, the rossoneri once again have ignored their defensive weaknesses. Expect Juve to score at least one from a set-piece situation.

And expect Max Allegri to scream “DAI! DAI! DAI!” at at least one Milan player, as he forgets which team he’s meant to be instructing.

Sunday, September 21 at 12:30 p.m. CET / 6:30 a.m. ET
The Bentegodi, VeronaChievo looked a third-division side against Juventus, but pulled off a win against Napoli -- a win that could be crucial in keeping them up come the end of the season. On the other hand Parma, who finished sixth last season, have yet to grab even a point. They saw their defense ripped apart against the pace of Milan, but that’s not in the Flying Donkeys’ handbook. Expect a rather dull affair.

Sunday, September 21 at 3 p.m. CET / 9 a.m. ET
The Stadio Olimpico, RomeCagliari now have Zdeněk Zeman in charge. Yet Cagliari have just two goals and one point. And a point to prove for Zeman -- it was Cagliari’s 4-2 win over Roma at the Olimpico that saw him sacked in February 2013. He’d love to replicate the isolani feat, but Roma are fresh off a 5-1 win over CSKA Moscow, and looking to make a title challenge. Expect an easy victory for the hosts.

Sunday, September 21 at 3 p.m. CET / 9 a.m. ET
The Marassi, GenoaGian Piero Gasperini may be famous for his attacking 3-4-3, but last season Genoa had difficulty scoring, and nothing seems to have changed. They’ve scored just one goal, against Napoli, and earned just a point, against Fiorentina. Lazio, meanwhile, shook off the beating given by Milan in round one to win 3-0 over Cesena. Expect Genoa to be a tougher nut to crack, particularly at home, and that a lone goal could make the difference.

Sunday, September 21 at 3 p.m. CET / 9 a.m. ET
The Città del Tricolore, Reggio EmiliaThe last time Sassuolo lost 7-0 to Inter, they headed to Naples and earned themselves a point. The neroverdi seem awfully resilient -- after all, they’re still here in Serie A -- but could find it rather difficult to break down Sampdoria, who sit on four points. Expect caution.

Sunday, September 21 at 6 p.m. CET / 12 noon ET
The Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia, BergamoWill Fiorentina ever again score a goal? Giuseppe Rossi is injured once again, and no one else is stepping up. They shouldn’t find it too difficult to contain Atalanta, however, as La Dea aren’t exactly a free-scoring side. Expect Fiorentina to finally break through this weekend.

Sunday, September 21 at 6 p.m. CET / 12 noon ET
The Stadio Friuli, UdineThere’s not a lot to take from the Andrea Stramaccioni era thus far. Udinese should’ve beaten Empoli, and they did. A loss to Juventus brings no shame, and that’s what occurred. So perhaps the first real test for the zebrette will be welcoming Napoli to Udine. And there’s no better time to do it. The partenopei look a broken team, having failed to qualify for the Champions League group stage, barely edging Genoa in the first round then losing to Chievo at home. Expect Napoli to stutter once more.

Sunday, September 21 at 8:45 p.m. CET / 2:45 p.m. ET
The Stadio Renzo Barbera, PalermoPalermo’s triumphant Serie A return hasn’t gone according to plan. Despite taking the lead in their first two matches, the rosanero have but a point. Improvement is necessary if they don’t want to slide right down to Serie B, but it’s hard to see them getting much against Inter, particularly as the nerazzurri are coming off that 7-0 win over Sassuolo. Expect Inter to win, although without seven goals this time.

Sunday, September 21 at 8:45 p.m. CET / 2:45 p.m. ET
The Stadio Olimpico, TurinOver the summer, Torino lost both Ciro Immobile and Alessio Cerci. And, apparently, their ability to score goals. They’ve yet to score in league play, which could make it rather difficult to survive in Serie A, much less reach last season’s heady heights. Verona, too, don’t have a lot of firepower, having lost Juan Iturbe to Roma. Expect a goal from Luca Toni -- if it comes at all.