Our football expert previews round 23 of the Italian Serie A which resumes on Thursday the 7th of February 2019.
It was a rough week for table-toppers Juventus who were knocked off their high horse with a rampant 3-0 defeat at Atalanta in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, before being held to an exciting 3-3 draw on home soil by a determined Parma side.
That would have opened the door just a peep for Napoli, who are now nine points adrift of the defending champions. That’s enough catching up for now, let’s get to round 23.
Thursday 7 February
Lazio 7/20 | Draw 4/1 | Empoli 13/2
Following a winless run of three matches, Lazio bounced back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory away to Frosinone. Empoli are without a win in their last seven games, including five defeats and are yet to win a match on the road.
The Eagles have won the last three meetings at the Stadio Olimpico against Empoli, scoring eight goals without reply. Back Lazio on the (-1) Handicap at 8/10.
Friday 8 February
Chievo 39/10 | Draw 29/10 | Roma 13/20
Basement-dwellers Chievo have been dreadful this term with just one measly win from 22 matches. Roma are unbeaten in their last five matches but have struggled on their travels and will be desperate to break into the top four with a victory.
It won’t be a walk in the park but I’m expecting the Giallorossi to come out on top. Take Roma to bag all three points.
Saturday 9 February
Fiorentina 29/10 | Draw 26/10 | Napoli 9/10
Fiorentina were absolutely resilient in the Coppa Italia last week as they brushed Roma aside with a 7-1 beating but failed to build on that win as they could only muster up a 1-1 draw at Udinese on the weekend.
Napoli have been excellent with six wins from their last eight matches. A goal fest looks very much likely, so I suggest backing the Both Teams to Score – Yes – market at 7/10.
Parma 36/10 | Draw 28/10 | Inter Milan 7/10
Parma battled their way to an impressive 3-3 draw away to Juventus last time out and will be looking to pull off another positive result against one of the big guns. Inter Milan have been poor of late with back-to-back 1-0 defeats against Torino and Bologna respectively.
The newcomers have caused many teams problems at Stadio Ennio Tardini and will be looking to pull a rabbit out of a hat here. Take Parma on the Win/Draw Double Chance at even money.
Sunday 10 February
Bologna 5/4 | Draw 43/20 | Genoa 47/20
Bologna ended a winless run of seven matches with a hard-fought and impressive 1-0 victory away to Inter Milan last time out. Genoa have travelled terribly with seven losses from 10 matches and that doesn’t look likely to improve here.
The last 11 meetings between these sides have produced just 13 goals at an average of 1.18 per game. The Totals – Under 2.5 Goals – market is tipped at 6/10.
Sampdoria 11/20 | Draw 3/1 | Frosinone 11/2
Sampdoria were humbled 3-0 at Napoli last weekend but return to their turf where they have won four on the spin, scoring 12 goals and shipping just one. Frosinone have been shoddy with three losses from their last four matches.
La Samp won the reverse fixture a whopping 5-0 and they will be looking to complete the double over the relegation-battlers. Back the hosts to come out on top.
Atalanta 3/10 | Draw 17/4 | SPAL 9/1
Atalanta are undefeated in their last five matches, including three wins. SPAL come to town off the back of a dour goalless home draw against Torino. They have managed just one win from their last 14 games and are expected to struggle here.
La Dea are another team looking to break into the top four and have the quality to do just that on Sunday afternoon. Take Atalanta to Score in Both Halves at even money.
Torino 7/10 | Draw 26/10 | Udinese 4/1
Torino’s lack of consistency has been down to their poor away form. At home they are a different beast of late with three wins from their last four matches. Udinese have an awful record on their travels with just one win from 10 games, scoring eight goals.
The Maroons are unbeaten against Udinese in the last six meetings. With that being said, get on the Torino victory at 7/10.
Sassuolo 47/10 | Draw 3/1 | Juventus 11/20
Sassuolo will play host to Juventus in the penultimate match of the week. The Neroverdi played to a 1-1 draw at Genoa last time out and will somehow be looking to come out unscathed against the league-leaders on Sunday.
Juventus have been brilliant on the road as they remain unbeaten with nine wins from 10 matches. The Old Lady is a top bet and should be included in all multiples.
AC Milan 4/10 | Draw 34/10 | Cagliari 13/2
AC Milan are looking like draw specialists these days with five stalemates from their last eight games. However, they have won the last 13 meetings at home against Cagliari and look a banker bet to add to that already impressive tally.
The Islanders have lost three of their last four matches, including two on the bounce and their away record leaves a lot to be desired. Milan are a banker bet! Another one for the multiples!
TREBLE TIPPED @ 5/2
Bologna vs Genoa Under 2.5 Goals 6/10
Juventus Win 11/20
AC Milan Win 4/10
