Round 36 of the Italian Serie A kicks off on Saturday 5 May! Find out who our football pundit is backing.
There might be three rounds of football remaining in Serie A, but following Napoli’s catastrophic downfall this past weekend – suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Fiorentina – Juventus is likely to reclaim the title for another campaign. The Old Lady need just two wins to ensure they wrap up the league and while they might find the going tough against Roma next weekend, two home games against Bologna and Hellas Verona should see Juve crowned champions for a seventh consecutive season. Let’s get to this weekend’s clashes.
Saturday 5 May
AC Milan 2/13
Draw 13/2
Hellas Verona 15/1
AC Milan ended a run of six matches without a win last time out with a 2-1 victory away to Bologna. Hellas Verona have been terrible with six consecutive defeats, scoring just once and conceding 15 goals. The reverse tie finished 3-0 in favour of Hellas Verona and their opponents will be desperate to avenge that loss. The Rossoneri are unbeaten in their last seven matches on home soil against Hellas Verona and will be looking to build on that. Back AC Milan to Win to Nil at 15/20.
Juventus 1/7
Draw 13/2
Bologna 21/1
Juventus struck twice in the final three minutes against Inter Milan to stay on course for a seventh straight Scudetto with a 3-2 win. The Old Lady have won 14 of their 17 home games, scoring 40 goals and conceding just six times. Bologna are winless in their last eight games on the road, including six losses and two draws. I’m expecting Juventus to come out firing on all cylinders and most likely wrap this game up in the first half. Get on the 1st Half Totals – Over 1.5 Goals – at 13/10.
Sunday 6 May
Udinese 5/1
Draw 3/1
Inter Milan 11/20
Udinese are without a win in their last 13 matches with 11 defeats and two draws. Inter Milan’s run of back-to-back wins came to a holt after Juventus bagged a late 3-2 victory at the San Siro last weekend. The last seven meetings between these sides have seen 28 goals, averaging four per game. With that being said, the Totals – Over 2.5 Goals – market is tipped at 8/10.
Chievo Verona 27/20
Draw 43/20
Crotone 43/20
Chievo Verona will be desperate to capitalize on home advantage this weekend with relegation looming large. Crotone, however, have spent most of the season in the bottom three and will be determined not to get themselves into that position. The hosts are winless in their last six matches, struggling to score goals. With both sides battling to find the back of the net, the Totals – Under 2.5 Goals – market should be backed at 13/20.
Genoa 26/10
Draw 47/20
Fiorentina 21/20
Genoa are placed 11th on the standings, a distance from the zone, while also unlikely to catch the 10th place team in front of them. Fiorentina are still capable of playing European football next season after thumping Napoli 3-0 on home soil. The Viola have won in three of their last four travels and will be eager to end the season on a high note. Back Fiorentina to come away with maximum points.
Lazio 21/20
Draw 26/10
Atalanta 5/2
Lazio are unbeaten in their last eight matches, including three wins on the spin. Atalanta have won three games in a row as well, which makes this encounter all the more enticing. The corresponding fixture ended in a six-goal thriller with the sides playing to an entertaining 3-3 draw. This time around, my money is on Lazio utilizing home advantage.
SPAL 9/20
Draw 37/10
Benevento Calcio 57/10
This is the perfect opportunity for SPAL to collect three points and give them a greater chance of surviving the fall to Serie B. Benevento Calcio’s future is written in stone with the Serie B-bound side inevitable to play second division football. The traveling team have lost 15 of their 17 matches on the road, scoring just 10 goals and conceding 41 times. Take SPAL on the (-1) Handicap at 21/20!
Napoli 1/4
Draw 52/10
Torino 19/2
Napoli would have been disappointed following their 3-0 humbling at the hands of Fiorentina last time out, all but most likely handing Juventus the Scudetto. Torino are winless in their last four games, including two losses on the bounce. The last five meetings have produced 23 goals between the sides at an average of 4.6 per match. I’m going to chase the value here and go for Both Halves Over 1.5 Goals – Yes – at a hefty 23/10.
Sassuolo 14/10
Draw 47/20
Sampdoria 39/20
Sassuolo were hammered 4-0 at Crotone last time out following consecutive 1-0 victories over Fiorentina and Hellas Verona. Sampdoria have been horrific on their travels with seven losses from their last 10 games. The reverse leg saw Sassuolo earn a hard-fought 1-0 win away to La Samp and they will be looking to get the double. However, both sides have been weak on the goal-scoring front of late and the Totals – Under 2.5 Goals – market should be taken at 17/20.
Cagliari 52/10
Draw 34/10
Roma 9/20
Cagliari are without a win in their last three matches, including a 4-1 defeat at Sampdoria last weekend. Roma have been in top form with three wins on the trot, scoring nine goals and conceding just twice. The Giallorossi are unbeaten against Cagliari is the last 10 meetings and that run looks set to continue. The away win is on the cards.
TREBLE @ 13/2
Udinese vs Inter Milan Over 2.5 Goals 8/10
Fiorentina Win 21/20
Lazio Win 21/20
