Round 28 of the Italian Serie A kicks off on Friday the 9th of March! Find out who our football expert is backing.
Following the tragic sudden death of Fiorentina captain, Davide Astori, last Sunday’s Serie A fixtures were cancelled. The defender passed away after a “sudden illness”, his club confirmed on their official Twitter feed. The club said the Fiorentina fraternity are distraught and appealed for ‘everyone’s sensibility’ in this trying period, especially for the family.
Back on the football front, Napoli finally slipped up with a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Roma, while Juventus capitalized with a 1-0 victory away to Lazio. The Old Lady have a game in hand and need only a draw to leapfrog the Azzurri into pole position. That’s enough chit chat for now, let’s get into the thick of it.
Friday 9 March
Roma 15/20
Draw 28/10
Torino 7/2
Roma ended Napoli’s tremendous 10-match winning streak last time out, thrashing the Azzurri 4-2 in front of their own fans, making it four victories from their last five games. Torino have been poor of late with back-to-back defeats.
At 15/20, Roma are well worth a punt to claim maximum points and they will be even more confident after winning the reverse tie 1-0. The home team is tipped and should be added to all multiples.
Saturday 10 March
Hellas Verona 47/20
Draw 23/10
Chievo Verona 12/10
Hellas Verona and Chievo Verona will go toe-to-toe in the Derby della Scala in Saturday’s only matchup. The hosts are 19th on the standings but impressed last time out with a 2-1 home win over Torino.
Chievo have lost eight of their last 10 matches, including six consecutive defeats. Hellas Verona are much more desperate for the win and should be backed at 47/20! 
Sunday 11 March
Fiorentina 7/20
Draw 4/1
Benevento 7/1
Fiorentina’s lack of consistency this season has placed them mid-table after their mediocre performances this term. However, Benevento are bottom of the log with 22 losses from 26 games, scoring just 18 times and conceding 60.
With that being said, the Viola should do enough to see off the relegation-bound newcomers. Take Fiorentina on the (-1) Handicap at 19/20.
Bologna 3/1
Draw 47/20
Atalanta 19/20
Bologna were disappointing last time out, going down 1-0 at Spal 2013. However, they have won two matches on the bounce on home soil and will be looking to make it three on the spin here. Atalanta are unbeaten in their last six travels with four wins.
The reverse tie ended 1-0 in favour of La Dea and I’m expecting another cagey low-scoring contest. The Totals – Under 2.5 Goals – market should be backed at 13/20.
Crotone 43/20
Draw 9/4
Sampdoria 13/10
Relegation-candidates Crotone are winless in their last five matches with back-to-back defeats. Sampdoria have struggled to maintain winning form in recent weeks but did oust their opponents 5-0 in the corresponding fixture and will be confident of pulling off the double.
Sampdoria have lost three of their last four travels but look a much better team coming into this clash. It will be tight but I’m backing La Samp to come away with maximum points.
Sassuolo 1/1
Draw 47/20
SPAL 29/10
Sassuolo are without a win in their last eight matches, including back-to-back defeats, scoring only once and conceding five times. SPAL 2013 have been impressive of late with consecutive wins as they continue their fight for survival in the top flight.
Sassuolo have scored a measly 15 goals in 26 games this season – the lowest in the league. Take Spal on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 15/20.
Juventus 1/4
Draw 9/2
Udinese 11/1
Juventus have been brilliant with 10 wins on the trot and have won 10 of their 12 home games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just four times. Udinese have been poor in recent weeks with three losses on the trot.
Juventus and Napoli are having a tightly fought battle for the Scudetto and neither team can afford to drop points this weekend. The Old Lady are tipped to come out firing on all cylinders and should be backed on the Half-time/Full-time win at 15/20.
Cagliari 17/4
Draw 29/10
Lazio 13/20
Cagliari have been poor of late with two losses on the bounce, scoring once and conceding seven times, including a 5-0 thumping on home soil against Napoli last time out. Lazio have been excellent on the road this season with nine wins from 14 games.
Lazio have won seven of the last eight meetings between the sides and will be eager to build on that. The away win is the way to go.
Genoa 22/10
Draw 2/1
AC Milan 14/10
Genoa have won three of their last four matches but suffered a 2-0 defeat at Bologna last time out. AC Milan are unbeaten in their last eight matches with six wins, including back-to-back victories on the road, scoring six goals without conceding.
Genoa have proven to be stubborn on home soil, while a lot will be taken out of AC Milan after their Europa League clash with Arsenal. The Totals – Under 2.5 Goals – market is on the cards at 11/20.
Inter Milan 11/4
Draw 24/10
Napoli 1/1
The match of the weekend will see Inter Milan take on Napoli at the San Siro Stadium. The Nerazzurri have won nine of their 14 home games, including back-to-back wins. However, Napoli have the best away record in the league with 12 wins from 13 games.
The Azzurri might be a little shaken up after their defeat against Roma last time out but they have plenty of character and fighting spirit and should bounce back to winning ways. Napoli are tipped to edge the win.
TREBLE TIPPED @ 10/1
Roma Win 15/20
Hellas Verona Win 47/20
Fiorentina (-1) Handicap 19/20
