Our Serie A tipster previews gameweek 27 of the 2016/17 Italian top-flight.
After Napoli’s 2-0 defeat on home soil at the hands of Atalanta last weekend, leaving them 12 points off defending champions Juventus, it looks as though only Roma stand a realistic chance of pushing the table-toppers all the way.
There are still 12 rounds of action remaining but the Old Lady are proving to be unstoppable. Week in and week out Juve seem to consolidate their position at the summit and it just seems a matter of time before their challengers fade away like seasons of the past. But we still have enough football to look forward to, with plenty of money to be made, so let’s find out what’s worth backing this weekend.
Saturday 4 March
Roma 21/20 | Draw 51/20 | Napoli 23/10
We kick-start game gameweek 27 with a mammoth clash between title-chasers Roma and Napoli. It’s a must win for both teams who have been trailing Juventus for the majority of the campaign. Roma have been in tremendous form and remain unbeaten on home soil with an immaculate record of 12 wins from 12 games, scoring 36 goals and conceding just eight times.
Napoli were handed another setback last weekend after Atalanta claimed a 2-0 victory in their own backyard. Another loss at the hands of Roma will all but surely dismiss any hopes of wrestling the title away from Juve. Giallorossi have won the last five meetings at home against Napoli and are tipped to add to that record. Back Roma to claim the all-important victory.
Sampdoria 13/20 | Draw 31/10 | Pescara 36/10
Sampdoria stretched their unbeaten run to five matches last time out with a 1-1 stalemate away to relegation-threatened Palermo. They will return to their ground where they have registered seven wins from 13 matches. That may not be the greatest home record but Doria should do enough to see off Pescara.
The Biancazzurri are placed at the foot of the table with a mere two wins from 26 matches. Pescara have lost 10 of their 13 travels, scoring 13 goals and conceding 30 times, while they have lost seven of their last eight league matches. I can’t see anything past a home victory. Get on!
AC Milan 6/10 | Draw 28/10 | Chievo 9/2
AC Milan have lacked consistency this season but three wins from their last four games, including back-to-back victories keeps them in the hunt for a UEFA Champions League spot. Chievo’s mid-table placement is justified by their inability to maintain winning form.
The Rossoneri’s record against Chievo speaks for itself. Milan are unbeaten against them since 2005 – a run of 20 matches which include 17 victories and three goalless stalemates away from home. The home win should be backed and added to all multiples!
Sunday 5 March
Atalanta 9/10 | Draw 5/2 | Fiorentina 29/10
Sunday’s Serie A action gets underway with an enticing lunchtime contest between high-flying Atalanta and an unpredictable Fiorentina. The hosts have been in top form with four consecutive wins, scoring eight goals and conceding just once.
Fiorentina on the other hand, are off the back of a disappointing 2-2 home draw against Torino. The Viola have suffered back-to-back defeats on the road and will face another stern test at Atalanta, who have claimed nine wins from 12 home games. However, Atalanta are winless against Fiorentina in the last 10 meetings in all competitions with nine defeats. Both Teams to Score is tipped at 15/20.
Empoli 31/20 | Draw 21/10 | Genoa 18/10
Empoli have been dismal in recent weeks with four losses from their last five games, including three consecutive defeats against top opposition in the form of Inter Milan (2-0), Lazio (1-2) and Juventus (2-0) last time out.
Genoa are without a win in their last 11 meetings in all competitions with eight defeats and three draws in the process. A tightly contested matchup is expected but Empoli are tipped to make home advantage count.
Cagliari 9/2 | Draw 31/10 | Inter Milan 11/20
Cagliari come into this game off the back of a hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Crotone. Next up is a much trickier test in the form of Inter Milan. They have won seven of their 12 home games and will look to improve on that.
Inter Milan were ousted 3-1 at the San Siro last Sunday and will be eager to return to winning ways. They have won nine of their last 11 league games and after losing the reverse tie 2-1, revenge will be on the minds of the Nerazzurri players. The away win is tipped.
Udinese 52/10 | Draw 31/10 | Juventus 5/10
Juventus come to town on Sunday afternoon determined to stretch their winning run to eight consecutive matches. Udinese are there for the taking after suffering a third straight defeat last time out but the Bianconeri certainly won’t go down without a fight.
It’s difficult to go against Juventus, especially in the kind of form they are in. The Old Lady are playing with purpose and composure and are well worth a punt to take one step closer to regaining the Scudetto.
Torino 5/10 | Draw 33/10 | Palermo 47/10
Torino will gladly return to home soil after playing to a well-earned 2-2 draw away to Fiorentina on Monday night. They have won seven of their 12 matches on their ground, going down just once and drawing four times.
Relegation-bound Palermo have lost five of their last eight matches but have impressively managed to score in 13 of their last 15 matches in all competitions. Get on the Matchbet + Both Teams To Score – Home + Yes – at 13/10.
Crotone 23/10 | Draw 9/4 | Sassuolo 23/20
Relegation-candidates Crotone have been terrible in recent weeks with five consecutive defeats. They have claimed just three wins from 26 matches, with all three victories coming on home soil and that doesn’t look like improving here.
Sassuolo have won their last three league games away from home and will be determined to make it four in a row. Crotone are desperate for points and that might just leave them vulnerable to exploit. Back Sassuolo to come away with a narrow victory.
Bologna 34/10 | Draw 51/20 | Lazio 8/10
Bologna are without a win in their last six matches, including four defeats. They have been inconsistent on their turf with five wins, six defeats and just one draw from 13 games and will need a big performance to come out of this one unscathed.
Lazio have won five of their last eight matches, including two victories on the bounce. The Biancocelesti are unbeaten in their last seven meetings against Bologna and are tipped to claim maximum points here.
TREBLE TIPPED @ 11/2
Sampdoria Win (13/20)
AC Milan (6/10)
Empoli Win (31/20)
Written by Aaron Crowie @Hollywoodbets
Bet on these matches now at Hollywoodbets.net! Haven’t got an account? Open one here!
