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| Things are look tight at the top of the Serie A table with five teams putting up a real fight for the title. |
Italian fans will be disappointed after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup next year in Russia for the first since 1958! But with the International breaks done and dusted for the year, players must now focus all their attention on reaching their goals and expectations of their respective clubs and supporters. Let’s get down to business.
Saturday 18 November
5/4 Roma | Draw 26/10 | Lazio 39/20 (19:00)
Round 13 kicks off with a mammoth Derby della Capitale contested between Roma and Lazio. There has been very little between these teams this season, with just one point separating the two title-hopefuls. Roma have been in top form with four wins in a row but Lazio have been just that much better with six straight wins. Form goes out the window in games like these and I would be insane to even try and pick a winner. Instead, I’m expecting both sides to come out firing on all cylinders after the break with the 1st Half Totals – Over 1.5 Goals – tipped at a tasty looking 12/10!
9/20 Napoli | 15/4 | AC Milan 5/1 (21:45)
And then we’re in for another cracker of note when Napoli welcome AC Milan to the Stadio San Paolo on Saturday evening. The Partenopei are top of the standings with an unbeaten record of 10 wins and two draws from 12 matches, scoring 32 goals and conceding just eight times. AC Milan have been off the boil in recent weeks but have won two matches on the bounce away from home. Nonetheless, I just don’t see them taking any points off the Azzurri. I do, however, see them finding the back of the net. Get on the Matchbet & Both Teams to Score market – Napoli and Yes – at 29/20.
Sunday 19 November
19/10 Crotone | 22/10 | Genoa 15/10 (13:30)
On to Sunday and I think the bookies might have got the odds wrong here. Crotone come into this one with back-to-back victories over Fiorentina (2-1) and Bologna (2-3). Genoa are placed in the drop zone with just one win from 12 matches, including three losses on the spin. I’m not under the impression that it will be cut and dry but I’m loving that 2-1 on offer for the home win. However, the Serie A has been known to tempt me with massive prices as such and with that being said, the Win/Draw Double Chance on Crotone is a much safer bet at 5/10.
28/10 Benevento | 26/10 | Sassuolo 19/20 (16:00)
Benevento look almost certain to make a swift return to the second division. The new boys on the block have been absolutely dreadful with 12 losses from 12 matches, scoring five goals and conceding 31 times. Their opponents, Sassuolo, are just two points clear of the relegation zone and will be desperate to get out of the slump they are currently in. The Neroverdi have lost three matches on the trot but they do have the fighting spirit to get up for the win. The away win should be backed.
47/10 Sampdoria | 31/10 | Juventus 11/20 (16:00)
Sampdoria will take on defending champions Juventus in what promises to be an enticing clash. La Samp have been in top form at home with five consecutive wins, scoring 13 goals and conceding just three times. Juventus have won 10 of their 12 matches but struggled before the break with a 2-1 home win over basement-dwellers Benevento. They might just find the going tough here as well and the draw offers plenty of value at 31/10!
3/1 Spal | 26/10 | Fiorentina 17/20 (16:00)
Spal have been dismal with just two wins from 12 matches, scoring 10 goals and conceding double that amount. Fiorentina would have been thankful for the break after suffering back-to-back defeats. Both sides will come out with the intension of bagging maximum points. It should go down to the wire with both teams tipped to find the back of the net at 13/20.
8/10 Torino | 28/10 | Chievo 31/10 (16:00)
Torino will come into this encounter against Chievo with a bit of confidence and momentum after holding Inter Milan to a 1-1 draw at the San Siro Stadium last time out. The Gialloblu are without a win in their last three matches but also will be confident after keeping Napoli at bay before the break, playing to a goalless draw on home soil. This one is another that will be too close to call but after both sides claimed impressive stalemates last time out, I’m expecting them to show off a more attacking brand of football on Sunday. Both Teams to Score – Yes – is the way to go at 13/20.
19/20 Udinese | 26/10 | Cagliari 11/4 (16:00)
Udinese and Cagliari are stuck on the same points (12) but the former has played one game less. The home side were on a roll before the break with two wins on the bounce, while the Rossoblu have travelled dismally with five losses from six matches, scoring four goals and conceding 13 times. Udinese are unbeaten in the last eight matches at home against Cagliari with five wins and three draws. I suggest you follow the trend and back the home team at 19/20.
15/20 Inter Milan | 29/10 | Atalanta 34/10 (21:45)
The penultimate match of the round will see Inter Milan come up against Atalanta. The Nerazzurri remain unbeaten with nine wins and three draws from 12 matches, scoring 23 goals and conceding just nine times. Atalanta have been inconsistent but what’s worse than that is that they are yet to win a match on the road this season. At 15/20 the Inter Milan win is a steal!
Monday 20 November
19/10 Hellas Verona | 43/20 | Bologna 15/10 (21:45)
Monday night football brings about one of the least glamourous matches of the round. Hellas Verona are 19th on the standings with just one win from 12 matches, including four defeats on the spin. Bologna have also been in horrific form, losing their last four games. Both sides will be more focused on not losing the match, rather than attacking the game. The Totals – Under 2.5 Goals – is worth taking at 13/20.
TREBLE @ 46/10
Udinese Win 19/20
Inter Milan Win 15/20
Hellas Verona vs Bologna Under 2.5 Goals 13/20
Written by Aaron Crowie
