Round seven of the Italian Serie A kicks off on Saturday the 30th of September! Find out who our football expert is backing.
The Italian Serie A has all the ingredients for a cracking season with Napoli and Juventus showing early signs of dominance, including 100 percent win-records for both of them. Inter Milan are not too far off the pair and will be determined to remain hot on their heels. Round seven offers a couple of enticing clashes, with AC Milan and Roma the pick of the bunch. There are 10 ties to get through so let’s leave the small talk out for now and get stuck in.
Saturday 30 September
Udinese 17/10 | Draw 9/4 | Sampdoria 16/10 (18:00)
It’s a no-brainer for me. Home advantage should prove a stern test for La Samp, but they will be determined to maintain the excellent form they have shown thus far. The away win is tipped.
Genoa 27/20 | Draw 22/10 | Bologna 43/20 (20:45)
Genoa have been horrendous as they have failed to record a win after six matches, scoring only five times and conceding double that amount. Bologna are coming off a morale-boosting 1-0 win away to Sassuolo and will be eager to build on that.
I’m tempted to jump on the Bologna win, but there’s just too much risk in doing that. The last eight meetings between these sides have produced Under 2.5 Goals. Follow the pattern and get on at 6/10.
Sunday 1 October
Napoli 1/8 | Draw 15/2 | Cagliari 16/1 (12:30)
Napoli are looking like a team out to prove a point as they’ve maintained a 100 percent win-record after six matches, scoring 22 goals and conceding just five times. Cagliari have been dismal with four losses from six games, including back-to-back defeats.
The Azzurri are firing on all cylinders with an average of 3.6 goals scored per game. They will be looking to close up shop early so I would suggest getting on the 1st Half Totals – Over 1.5 Goals at 7/10.
Spal 19/20 | Draw 47/20 | Crotone 3/1 (15:00)
Spal 2013 made a decent start to life in the top flight, but have since went on a downward spiral with four losses on the spin. Crotone haven’t been any better, but did earn their first win of the season last weekend, claiming a 2-0 home win over newly-promoted Benevento.
This one is expected to go down to the wire. Between the two sides, they have managed to find the back of the net on eight occasions from 12 matches – showing their lack of quality going forward. Under 2.5 Goals is well worth a punt at 13/20.
Torino 7/20 | Draw 17/4 | Hellas Verona 15/2 (15:00)
Torino were hammered 4-0 at city rivals Juventus last weekend. Nonetheless, they will be determined to get back to winning ways and are expected to do just that against Hellas Verona, who are without a win, scoring only once and conceding 14 times.
The away team must be more organised and solid defensively if they are to turn things around. It’s a bit of a left field call but I like the look of Both Teams to Score – Yes – at 15/20.
Lazio 9/20 | Draw 36/10 | Sassuolo 11/2 (15:00)
Following a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Napoli, Lazio returned to winning ways with a 3-0 triumph away to Hellas Verona. Sassuolo were disappointing last time out as they went down 1-0 in front of their own fans against Bologna.
The Biancocelesti have won four of their six matches compared to their opponents, suffering four losses from six games. Lazio are tipped on the Half-time/Full-time win at even money.
Benevento 10/1 | Draw 47/10 | Inter Milan 1/4 (15:00)
New boys on the block, Benevento, are the only team in the league yet to claim a point, scoring only once and conceding 16 times.
Inter Milan are unbeaten with five wins from six matches, scoring 12 goals and conceding just twice. There can only be one winner here for me and I’m expecting them to win by at least two goals. With that being said, the Inter Milan (-1) Handicap is tipped at 15/20.
Chievo 18/10 | Draw 9/4 | Fiorentina 31/20 (15:00)
Chievo and Fiorentina have both lacked consistency this season. The hosts were impressive last time out, coming away with a 2-0 win at Cagliari. Fiorentina settled for a 1-1 draw at home to Atalanta and will be looking to build on that. The Viola have a top record against Chievo with five wins from their last six meetings in all competitions, scoring 10 goals without conceding. The Totals – Under 2.5 Goals – is tipped at 15/20.
AC Milan 16/10 | Draw 5/2 | Roma 16/10 (18:00)
This week’s blockbuster will see AC Milan play host to Roma in what promises to be an entertaining encounter. The Rossoneri were ousted 2-0 away to Sampdoria last weekend, but will gladly return to the San Siro Stadium for the mouth-watering clash.
Roma have won four of their five matches, as well as their last nine away games. They have won the last three meetings against Milan and are tipped to add to that. Back the away team to come away with maximum points.
Atalanta 38/10 | Draw 26/10 | Juventus 15/20 (20:45)
Atalanta will face a tough test in the form of reigning champions Juventus. The home side are unbeaten in their last four matches with two home wins on the bounce, scoring seven goals and conceding just twice.
The Old Lady have been outstanding with six consecutive victories, scoring 18 goals and conceding only three times. Juve look as though they are cruising and are tipped to come out on top yet again.
TREBLE TIPPED @ 10/1
Sampdoria Win 16/10
Genoa vs Bologna – Under 2.5 Goals 6/10
Roma Win 16/10
