Why January Could Be the Month AC Milan Leapfrog to the Top of Serie A

A point separates each of the top three as the Serie A season approaches the halfway stage, and January could be a pivotal month for AC Milan as they attempt to close the gap on Inter.

Serie A is, once again, providing perhaps Europe’s most competitive league, with very little to separate this season’s title chasers. Even further down the table, the battle for European qualification is tighter than ever, with every team in the top-half in with a feasible chance.

January could be a more competitive month than most, with skipped matchday 16 matches set to be sandwiched in between 20 and 21, along with the final round of 16 Coppa Italia games and European fixtures for a select few.

This condensed schedule may well play into the hands of certain teams down on their luck heading into 2026, and it will certainly be a test of the resolve for those near the summit, who must prove their squad depth can handle the strain.

Wins for Inter, Milan, and Napoli. What a title race we have on our hands, folks 👀 pic.twitter.com/HxtHfEueEf

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) January 4, 2026

Which Serie A Title Contender Has the Easiest Schedule in January?

FootItalia decided to crunch the numbers to determine who may come out of January in the best shape.

By comparing each of the top five’s schedules, AC Milan have – on paper – the most favorable January slate with an average opponent position of 13th across five fixtures.

Max Allegri’s side are also unshackled by the absence of European competition, while their round of 16 exit against Lazio in the Coppa Italia means their sole focus this month is firmly on chasing leaders Inter Milan.

At the other end of the spectrum, Roma have the highest average of opposition in January, and their month got off to the worst possible start after succumbing to defeat against Atalanta.

Along with Inter, they are anomalies in Serie A’s high draw rate having failed to register one this season, so it is usually all or nothing for Gian Piero Gasperini this season.

It allowed Juventus to move level over the weekend, albeit with a lacklustre draw at home to Lecce, but both teams now find themselves four points adrift of third-placed Napoli.

As for league leaders Inter, they have the second-most favorable run behind Milan, albeit with a potentially significant title clash against Napoli on January 11.

They also have two Champions League matches to contend with – first with Arsenal who have a 100 percent record this season, before travelling to Dortmund to round off January.

This could well mean AC Milan have an opportunity to close the gap on the leaders, particularly with home fixtures against Genoa and Lecce identified as must-wins, while they will be expected to pick up three points on the road in Florence.