It promises to be another exciting weekend in the Italian Serie A as things look to be getting tight at the top. AC Milan have a three-point lead over their city rivals, Inter, with Roma six points off the pace in third. Juventus are seven points behind back in fourth, but they are coming into this week’s round of matches on the back of three wins in a row. Let’s get straight into it!
Friday 15 January
Lazio 18/10
Draw 5/2
Roma 13/10
(21:45)
Lazio are undefeated in their last three encounters, winning their last two. It will, however, be tough to keep their undefeated record intact as they face a fierce Roma side. In the visitors’ last encounter, they managed to salvage a late equalizer to draw 2-2 with Inter. I’m expecting this clash to be a tight one but with Roma having their eye on much bigger things this season, they should be able to edge it. The away win looks the way to go here.
Saturday 16 January
Bologna 14/10
Draw 21/10
Hellas Verona 2/1
(16:00)
Bologna are winless in their last eight games and find themselves in 13th on the table, it must be noted that five of those games have ended in draws. They face a Hellas Verona side who are undefeated in their last three games and are 10 points above them in ninth place. It looks to be a tight encounter, but the away side may just hold one ace too many. I’m going with the Away Double Chance for Hellas Verona and Both Teams to Score at 13/10.
Torino 1/1
Draw 24/10
Spezia Calcio 27/10
(19:00)
It looks to be a relegation battle in this encounter as 18th welcomes 14th. Torino didn’t disgrace themselves in their last contest when going down by just two goals to log leader’s AC Milan. They face a tricky task as they take on fellow strugglers Spezia who are five points ahead of them. It promises to be a mouth-watering affair with both teams knowing that these three points will mean a lot come May. I can’t split them, but Both Teams to Score is worth a punt here at 7/10.
Sampdoria 16/10
Draw 21/10
Udinese 17/10
(21:45)
Sampdoria started the year off on a hight note as they beat Inter 2-1 which saw them move up to 11th on the table. They unfortunately went back to losing ways in their latest game as they were downed 2-1 by Spezia. They face an Udinese side who are winless in their last six matches and are currently 15th. With Udinese not knowing when they might win again, the home win looks the way to go here.
Sunday 17 January
Napoli 6/10
Draw 31/10
Fiorentina 9/2
(13:30)
Napoli got back to winning ways after a shock defeat in their opening game of 2021. The win catapulted them right back into the Europa League positions as they now see themselves in sixth place. They host a tricky Fiorentina team who famously downed the mighty Juventus away from home a few weeks ago. It looks to be another hard-fought encounter, but with Napoli being just a few points off the Champions League spots, I’m sure the urge to win should be much more. The home win is the selection.
Sassuolo 7/10
Draw 3/1
Parma 34/10
(16:00)
Sassuolo find themselves high up in seventh place on the table. In their last encounter, they went down by three goals to one against defending champions, Juventus. They face a Parma side who have lost their last five games in a row and find themselves second from bottom. Sassuolo should be added to all multiples.
Crotone 18/10
Draw 24/10
Benevento 14/10
(16:00)
Crotone find themselves at the foot of Serie A with just two wins in their 17 games so far this season. They come up against a Benevento team who finds themselves in 10th spot. The visitors may have lost their last game 4-1 but their last two wins have been away from home and that should hold them in good stead here. Benevento looks like a bit of value here.
Atalanta 1/4
Draw 5/1
Genoa 8/1
(19:00)
Atalanta have won their last three games on the bounce, scoring 12 goals along the way. They face a Genoa side who are currently in 17th place after bouncing back to winning ways in their last start, running out comfortable victors against Bologna. Atalanta, however, face a different type of opposition in this contest and will find it hard to overcome here. The hosts on the (-1) Handicap at 13/20 looks the way to go here.
Inter Milan 14/10
Draw 24/10
Juventus 18/10
(21:45)
Second takes on fourth as Inter host Juventus in what looks to be the most mouth-watering clash of the weekend. Inter come into this contest after conceding a last-gasp equalizer against Roma in their last encounter. After a dismal performance at home against Fiorentina, the Old Lady look to have regained their best form again as they managed to win their last three games in succession. I’m expecting the away team’s form to continue. Juve look to be decent value at 18/10.
Monday 18 January
Cagliari 9/2
Draw 34/10
AC Milan 11/20
(21:45)
Cagliari, who have lost their last four games, host the log leaders, AC Milan, on Monday night. Aside from losing their last four games, Cagliari have also conceded 10 goals in those ties. AC Milan have just got back to winning ways in their last encounter and also have the bonus of welcoming back their leading goal scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic into the side from injury. With the return of their veteran striker, the away team should too good here. Include AC Milan in all multiples.
TREBLE @ 10/1
Sampdoria Win 16/10
Juventus Win 18/10
AC Milan Win 11/20
Written by Venal Naidu