The Serie A Race for Champions League Qualification

Inter have led the way for much of the campaign but are now tied on the same points as title challengers Napoli. The two teams are almost guaranteed a place in Europe's premier competition so long as they avoid what would be a monumental collapse.

The race for the top four is really hotting up heading into the final month of the campaign with seven sides all battling out with various chances of sealing a place in the Champions League positions.

With big games still to come, Atalanta and Juventus are among the favourites to qualify according to 1xbet and fans can take advantgae of a 1xBet Bonus Nigeria to enhance their matchday during the run-in. This article will run through all of the teams in the mix ahead of what is sure to be an exciting end to the season.

Atalanta are now established European regulars Gian Piero Gasperini and look the side most in control in the hunt for Champions League football. La Dea boast one of the best defences in Serie A but what has made the biggest difference this season is their form in front of goal.

The team have found the net at a rate of two goals per game and are the second highest scorers behind top of the table Inter. Striker Mateo Retegui has scored fun, topping the charts in Italy this term with 23 goals and looks set to clinch the Golden Boot.

Juventus have experienced a curious season having lost only three matches though they have simply drawn too many games to be in the mix for the league title. The Bianconeri dismissed manager Thiago Motta after successive heavy defeats by Atalanta and Fiorentina and have turned to former defender Igor Tudor in a bid to end the season strongly.

As is often the case, Juventus have been strong at the back, conceding less than a goal per game but they haven't found the net as freely as some of their rivals and so are having to settle for a top four push. With history and a new-manager bounce in their favour, Juventus are the favourites to get the job done with Atalanta.

Bologna were the surprise package in Serie A last season after qualifying for the European Cup for the first time in 60 years. With head coach Motta departing for Juve and some key players including Joshua Zirkzee also moving on, many predicted the Red and Blues would fall back down to mid-table. However, with Vincenzo Italiano in charge, Bologna are pushing hard to qualify again.

One of the high points came in the recent home win over title hopefuls Inter as Riccardo Orsolini scored a dramatic 94th minute for the hosts. A run of five straight league victories through February and March catapulted Bologna into the conversation and they are Juve's main rivals for that coveted fourth-placed spot.

Roma have endured a testing campaign having employed three different managers this season and so it is testament to current coach Claudio Ranieri that the Giallorossi are just three points off the top four with five games remaining.

The Friedkin ownership group faced fierce criticism from a large section of the fanbase after sacking club legend Daniele De Rossi and his replacement Ivan Juric was also dismissed in less than two months after a stuttering spell in which Roma lost five in twelve games.

Since then, Roma have a nearly 60 per cent win rate under Ranieri and are on course for a strong end to the season.

Milan, Fiorentina and Milan are the teams in hot pursuit of the sides currently in the top six and all have an outside chance of clinching fourth place. However, one false move could end the dream.

Lazio have conceded more goals than any team in the top ten and as is the case in Italy, stopping the opposition is the key to success in a league that is so skilled in defending. With that in mind, manager Marco Baroni has insisted attack is the best form of defence and this has been the case for the Eagles.

Fiorentina, meanwhile, have been buoyed by the goals of Moise Kean who has netted 17 times for La Viola this campaign and has been a big positive. This will be a fourth consecutive finish in the top ten for the club and a sign of sustained progress.

Milan are one of the most famous and storied clubs in Europe and the European Cup is part of the club's identity yet the club have been off the pace in the league this season. The team, down in ninth, need to win at least four of the remaining games while also hoping those above trip up.

Overall, Atalanta took a giant step closer to qualifying for the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Milan at the San Siro while Juve are showing good form at the right time and remain a difficult side to beat. With nine teams still with plenty to play for in the top half of the table, it's sure to be a month full of drama and thrilling action.