Written by Aaron Crowie for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
The only team from the top five sides on the log to drop points last weekend was Fiorentina, otherwise, all went according to plan. Juventus and Napoli earned narrow 1-0 victories over Sassuolo and Palermo respectively, whilst Roma and Inter Milan claimed nail-biting 2-1 wins against Udinese and Bologna. Further down the table, the bottom-three remain the same, with Carpi closing the gap between themselves and Frosinone to just one point after edging the latter 2-1. With just two months left to go, the Serie A is showing no signs of slowing down. Roma take on Inter in this week’s blockbuster, but let’s see where else we can find good value for money.
Saturday 19 March
Empoli 8/10 | Draw 27/10 | Palermo 34/10
Vincent Laurini’s first Empoli goal earned a 1-1 draw with Sampdoria at the Stadio Castellani. The home side are without a win in their last 10 games, including four defeats from their last five matches. Palermo’s winless streak continued last Sunday night after Napoli edged them 1-0 on their own turf. They are now without a victory in their last eight games, with back-to-back defeats. Empoli have won three of the last four meetings at home against Palermo, scoring nine goals and conceding just twice. The home win is tipped.
Roma 17/20 | Draw 26/10 | Inter Milan 33/10
Luciano Spalletti has reinvigorated Roma since replacing Rudi Garcia as head coach. The Giallorossi remain an outside bet in the Serie A title race after beating Udinese 2-1 to register an eighth straight victory. Inter Milan found the going tough against a well-disciplined Bologna outfit, but they eventually sealed a fundamental win through two set-piece goals to clinch a 2-1 victory. Inter have now won five home games in a row in all competitions, but have lost back-to-back matches on the road in the league. Seven of the last nine meetings between the sides have seen Roma and Inter find the back of the net. Both Teams To Score is available at 8/10.
Sunday 20 March
Atalanta 12/10 | Draw 21/10 | Bologna 5/2
Atalanta are flirting with relegation as they lie 16th on the log, just four points clear of the drop zone. They are without a win in their last 10 games, including six draws and four losses. Bologna are winless in their last four matches after falling to a 2-1 defeat at Inter Milan last time out. They have scored just three goals in their last seven games and will be looking to improve on that. With both teams struggling to score goals and win games, backing the Under 2.5 Goals market at 11/20 could be well worth a punt.
Frosinone 47/10 | Draw 32/10 | Fiorentina 11/20
Relegation-bound Frosinone fell to a 2-1 defeat last weekend. They will be looking to return to winning ways against Fiorentina, who are without a victory in their last four matches in all competitions. Neither team give me any the confidence to back them, but the Canarini are fighting for survival and could just capitalize on home advantage. However, for safe measure, back Frosinone on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 13/10.
Hellas Verona 14/10 | Draw 21/10 | Carpi 21/10
Hellas Verona were impressive last weekend, earning a brave 1-1 draw at European hopefuls Fiorentina. They have managed just two wins from 15 matches at home, but have scored six goals in their last three matches on their ground. Substitute Jonathan de Guzman fired Carpi to a vital 2-1 victory over relegation rivals Frosinone. The Dutch midfielder dragged the promoted side to within two points of safety with his 90th-minute penalty at the Stadio Alberto Braglia. A bottom of the table clash can sometimes be dull, but this one looks could be quite a cracking encounter. Get on Both Teams To Score at 17/20.
Sampdoria 9/10 | Draw 24/10 | Chievo 33/10
Sampdoria are off the back of a hard-earned 1-1 draw away to Empoli, whilst Chievo managed a well-deserved goalless draw at home against AC Milan. Sampdoria are unbeaten in their last three games, and have won the last three meetings at home against their opponents, scoring six goals and conceding only twice. Chievo have lost two consecutive matches on the road and that doesn’t look like improving here. The home win is tipped.
Sassuolo 9/10 | Draw 24/10 | Udinese 32/10
Despite a 1-0 defeat at Juventus last weekend, Sassuolo can hold their heads high. Prior to that loss, the Neroverdi were on a three-game winning streak. Udinese suffered a 2-1 defeat last Sunday at home against Roma, making it four losses from their last five matches, including two on the bounce. Sassuolo have won their last two home games, while Udinese have scored just 14 goals in 15 travels. It should be a cagey affair, but Sassuolo are tipped to come out victorious.
Torino 37/10 | Draw 24/10 | Juventus 8/10
It’s derby day in the city of Turin – all the more exciting to have a punt. The home side are without a win in their last four matches after their most recent defeat, going down 3-2 in a five-goal thriller at Genoa. Gianluigi Buffon is three minutes away from equalling a 22-year record after Juventus beat Sassuolo 1-0 to move six points clear at the top of Serie A at the time on Friday. Paulo Dybala scored the only goal of an entertaining match as Juventus kept a 10th successive clean sheet in the league. Buffon has now not been beaten in Serie A in 926 minutes, the second-longest stretch in league history. Juve are on fire, back them to come away with maximum points.
Napoli 3/10 | Draw 42/10 | Genoa 17/2
Gonzalo Higuain’s penalty saw Napoli squeeze past Palermo 1-0 and maintain their pursuit of the Serie A title. The Azzurri are three points behind reigning champions and current leaders Juventus with nine games remaining after former Real Madrid striker Higuain matched his career-best haul of 27 league goals in a season. Genoa recovered from going two goals down after 15 minutes to pull well clear of the relegation zone with a 3-2 victory over Torino. Both sides have been impressive of late, claiming back-to-back wins. However, Napoli have the best home record in the league – unbeaten with 11 wins from 14 matches, scoring 31 goals and conceding only 10 times. Take Napoli to Win + Both Teams To Score at 7/4.
AC Milan 21/20 | Draw 9/4 | Lazio 11/4
AC Milan lacked guts and determination last Sunday and as a result, they were held to a dour draw at Chievo. It’s the second game in a row that Milan have failed to score a goal, and the Rossoneri need to find some sort of form here. Veteran striker Miroslav Klose fired Lazio to a 2-0 home victory over Atalanta that kept faint dreams of European football alive. Milan have been strong at home, winning nine of their 14 games, but their form in recent weeks, leaves a lot to be desired. Five of the last six meetings has seen both sides find the back on the net – get on at 19/20.
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