Over the past few weeks, there have been some major shake-ups in the Serie A standings. Once on top of the table after an impressive start, Napoli have stumbled lately, causing the Partenopei to slide down into fourth. Meanwhile, reigning Scudetto champs Inter, who were initially playing catch-up to Napoli as well as cross-town rivals AC Milan, have now seized top spot. As for the Rossoneri, they sit in second, just a point behind, but will face a tricky test as they take on Napoli this weekend.
Here's all you need to know ahead of matchday 18.
Serie A standings heading into matchday 18
Here's how the top five looks heading into matchday 18
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Serie A games you won't want to miss on matchday 18
Lazio vs Genoa: Maurizio Sarri's side started off the season brightly, but have since slid down the table after a series of negative results. The Biancocelesti come into this game sitting in ninth spot, with just one win from their last five games. However, they have a great chance to get some much needed points on the board when they take on Genoa to kick off matchday 18.
Salernitana vs Inter: The reigning Scudetto champs have now claimed top spot but can't rest easy just yet, especially with cross town rivals Milan lurking just behind. Inter have been given a "gift" though, with their next match seeing them taking on relegation threatened Salernitana, who have won just once all season and have earned just one point from their last five. Can Simone Inzaghi's side take advantage of this and put some distance between themselves and other teams like Napoli and Milan? They come into this tie having won their last five Serie A games and haven't lost a match in over two months, so it's safe to say it should be all advantage Inter in this contest.
Atalanta vs Roma: Once again, Atalanta continue to make their case as to why they deserve to be taken seriously, as La Dea have crept up the table to sit in third spot. Last season saw them finish in third spot, again qualifying from the Champions League and Gian Piero Gasperini has clearly made a top four finish the team's goal this time around. They were dumped out of the Champions League, but with more experienced teams like Manchester United and Villarreal for company, that was hardly shocking. That being said, Atalanta did beat Napoli and Juventus recently, and are on a six game winning streak in the league - which doesn't bode well for a Roma side who have struggled to achieve consistency under Jose Mourinho so far.
Bologna vs Juventus: This should present a great chance for Juventus to close the gap on the top four, but it may be a lot easier said than done. Yes, Bologna come into this tie having lost their last two games, but the Rossoblu have been doing a lot better than expected this season, and could cause problems for a Juventus side who are no longer as dominant as they used to be a few years ago.
Milan vs Napoli: Arguably the highlight game of this round, as second placed Milan will face Napoli, who sit in fourth. The visitors, who were once on top of the table, have seen their form take a hit recently, and will be looking to avoid losing a third straight game in the row if they want to avoid slipping out of the top four entirely. Milan, for their part have slipped up as well, with just two wins from their last five and were dumped out of the Champions League. Given that they finished bottom of their quartet, the Rossoneri will have to focus only on domestic competition, and first up will be try to prevent city rivals Inter from pulling too far ahead.
Team news for matchday 18
Here's who's out or in doubt for matchday 18
*All info as of 16 December 2021
AC Milan: Alessandro Plizzari (Knee Surgery), Davide Calabria (Calf Problems), Olivier Giroud (Muscular Injury), Rafael Leão (Muscular Injury), Ante Rebic (Thigh Injury), Pietro Pellegri (Muscular Injury), Simon Kjaer (Knee Injury)
Inter: Matteo Darmian (Hamstring Injury), Joaquín Correa (Hamstring Injury), Gabriel Brazão (Knee Injury)
Juventus: Aaron Ramsey (Unknown Injury), Paulo Dybala (Muscular problems), Federico Chiesa (Muscular problems), Danilo (Tear in the abductor muscle)
Roma: Felix Afena-Gyan (Suspended), Stephan El Shaarawy (Calf Injury), Leonardo Spinazzola (Achilles tendon rupture), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Thigh Injury)
Napoli: Filippo Costa (Suspended), Mário Rui (Muscle Fatigue), Fabián Ruiz (Tear in the abductor muscle), Victor Osimhen (Cheekbone Fracture), Stanislav Lobotka (Dead Leg), Kalidou Koulibaly (Biceps femoris muscle injury)
Lazio: No notable injuries or suspensions
