Written by Aaron Crowie for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
There were quite a few upsets last weekend as first and second-placed Juventus and Roma both settled for draws against bottom-dwellers Cesena and Parma, who lie nineteenth and twentieth on the log respectively. Elsewhere, Napoli fell to a 3-1 defeat away to Palermo whilst AC Milan could only manage a point at home against newcomers Empoli. The Serie A kicks off on Friday night with the log leaders hosting Atalanta.
Juventus 1/5
Draw 11/2
Atalanta 13/1
Italian champions Juventus were held to a 2-2 draw away to nineteenth place Cesena, with Arturo Vidal missing a penalty to seal the victory in the 82nd minute. They return to their home ground where they have been unbeatable this term, winning nine times and drawing just twice from eleven matches. Atalanta have been poor of late with back-to-back defeats after going down 4-1 at home against Inter Milan. Juve have won the last nine meetings against their opponents and the half-time – full-time double looks a good bet at 6/10.
Sampdoria 27/20
Draw 22/10
Genoa 21/10
A 2-1 defeat away to Chievo extended Sampdoria’s winless run to four matches. They will be looking to maintain their unbeaten home record when they host a Genoa team boasting confidence after thrashing Hellas Verona 5-2 on their turf. It was their second win in as many weeks and Genoa have the chance to build on that form. They won this fixture 3-0 last season and are tipped to edge the away win once again.
AC Milan 4/10
Draw 7/2
Cesena 67/10
AC Milan are coming off yet another disappointing result, drawing 1-1 at home against Empoli. They face Cesena who fought bravely against table-toppers Juventus to earn a 2-2 draw in front of their fans. However, their away record has been terrible, managing only one win from eleven travels, scoring a measly nine goals and conceding 22. Back Milan to get the victory with Both Teams To Score, available using the Matchbet + Both Teams to Score market at 24/10.
Empoli 1/1
Draw 22/10
Chievo 31/10
Empoli picked up a valuable point last weekend, drawing 1-1 away to AC Milan. Chievo have been impressive of late with back-to-back wins after scraping a 2-1 win at home against Sampdoria. Both sides have been impressive in recent weeks. They drew the reverse tie 1-1 and another draw looks well worth a punt.
Hellas Verona 39/10
Draw 27/10
Roma 7/10
A 5-2 hammering at the hands on Genoa led to Verona’s third consecutive defeat. Roma, on the other hand, were held to a dour goalless draw on their home ground against bottom of the log Parma. Roma need nothing less than a victory here. They have won eight of the last ten meetings against Verona, drawing the other two games. The away win is tipped.
Lazio 6/10
Draw 3/1
Palermo 9/2
A fearless Lazio side got back to winning ways with a hard fought 1-0 win away to Udinese. Palermo got their second straight home win after an impressive 3-1 victory against Champions League contenders Napoli. It should be a tight affair but Lazio are tipped for a home victory after annihilating Palermo 4-0 in the reverse fixture.
Parma 19/10
Draw 22/10
Udinese 29/20
After holding second-place Roma to a goalless draw, Parma will be looking to do one better and get the victory against Udinese. Udinese have been poor of late with back-to-back losses. They fell to a 1-0 defeat at home last weekend against Lazio and need to find some sort of form here. Bottom of the log Parma have conceded an astounding 47 goals in 23 matches; scoring just twenty times. Udinese have scored only ten goals in eleven travels but look likely to get on the score-sheet against the relegation contenders. Both Teams To Score is tipped at 17/20.
Fiorentina 8/10
Draw 5/2
Torino 36/10
Fiorentina are flying high after a 3-1 win away to Sassuolo on Saturday night. Unbeaten in their last six matches with four wins and two draws, the home side looks like a team full of confidence. Turin come to town fresh off a disappointing 1-1 draw on their home turf against Cagliari. However, they are unbeaten in their last eight matches. The sides have drawn five of their last six meetings and are tipped to cancel each other out yet again.
Napoli 5/10
Draw 33/10
Sassuolo 47/10
Napoli fell to a shock 3-1 defeat at the hands of Palermo. Despite that loss their form has been excellent; winning six of their last eight matches. Sassuolo are off the back of a 3-1 loss at home against Fiorentina and that poor form looks set to continue. Napoli won the reverse tie 1-0 and are tipped to capitalise on home advantage here.
Cagliari 23/10
Draw 23/10
Inter Milan 12/10
Cagliari earned a hard fought 1-1 draw at the weekend away to Torino. They have registered just two wins from eleven home games and should struggle here. Inter Milan have been impressive of late, earning their second straight victory after thrashing Atalanta 4-1. Inter have battled on the road but should do enough to get the win.
