Italians suffered the effects of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic more than the rest of Europe. However, the overall situation is stabilizing and schools will reopen in September which will signal an almost 100 percent return back to normality. One thing that is for sure, Italians are passionate about their love for football and it makes a glorious return this weekend with the resumption of the second-leg ties of the Coppa Italia, one week before all 20 sides in the top division are back in Serie A action.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Napoli bring in a 1-0 lead from the first leg thanks to influential Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s 90th minute penalty cancelled out Croatian Ante Rebic’s goal to leave the encounter in Turin delicately poised at a 1-1 aggregate. These teams want to get to the final and as punters we want to win our double at 4/1. Good luck!
Friday 12 June
Juventus 11/20
Draw 3/1
AC Milan 47/10
Maurizio Sarri has one of the most gifted squads in football. Juventus were my personal pick to lift the UEFA Champions League and they would love to pile on the accolades with a possible treble still on the cards. It’s very simple for the Bianconeri – win this match and reach the final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli replaced Zvone Boban who signed controversial striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The decision of the change in manager and wage cut disputes have led the Swedish hitman to set his sights on another club and want away from the club. Juventus’ 19 games in Turin across all competitions this season have seen them win 17 times, draw once and lose once. Expect Juve to go through in style, back the (-1) Handicap at 14/10.
Saturday 13 June
Napoli 17/10
Draw 47/20
Inter Milan 29/20
Napoli are very hard to break down as a defensive unit when they want to defend a lead. Just ask Liverpool and Barcelona, both of whom were on course to suffering Champions League defeats to Gennaro Gattuso’s men, but managed to score an equalizing goal and snatch a draw. Their only chance of silverware would end if they fail to come out victorious after this encounter. Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan have been preparing well to get back on track.
Aside from the reverse tie which was lost 1-0, Inter were slipping and lost two Serie A matches against Lazio and Juventus that severely derailed their hopes of ending Juve’s reign on the Scudetto. A fresh start is exactly what this team needed and they will be hoping that all their efforts this campaign earns them some silverware as they were odds on favourites to win the UEFA Europa League as well. If this was a league game, I would pick a winner, or try for total amount of goals. Instead, take Draw in the Half Time market at 23/20.
DOUBLE TIPPED @ 4/1
Juventus (-1) Handicap 14/10
Napoli vs Inter Milan: Half Time – Draw 23/20
Written by Bryan Naicker
