If you had told me at the start of the season that Inter Milan would be at the summit after 18 rounds, I would have never believed it, but seeing is believing and the Nerazzurri are starting to believe they can snatch what has been Juve’s title for the last eight consecutive campaign’s. The defending champions, however, are only behind on goal-difference and will look to keep the pressure on Inter. That’s enough about the two main title-contenders, let’s get to this weekend’s action.
Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore
Saturday 11 January
Cagliari 19/10
Draw 49/20
AC Milan 27/20
(16:00)
Cagliari have been dismal with three consecutive defeats, scoring just twice and conceding eight times. AC Milan have managed just six wins from 18 matches and are without a victory in their last three games, including two goalless draws and a 5-0 hammering at Atalanta. A tightly contested game is on the cards with a low-scoring affair looking the likely result. Get on the Totals – Under 2.5 Goals market at 9/10.
Lazio 11/10
Draw 26/10
Napoli 22/10
(19:00)
Lazio face a tricky test on Saturday evening with Napoli coming to town. The hosts have been absolutely brilliant with nine wins on the spin, while the Azzurri have been inconsistent to say the least and have managed just three wins from nine matches on the road. Both sides play attacking football, so I think we are in for a cracking contest. However, the momentum is with the Eagles and with that being said, I’m backing Lazio to bag maximum points.
Inter Milan 1/1
Draw 11/4
Atalanta 5/2
(21:45)
Inter Milan remain at the top of the standings with 14 wins from 18 games, including two wins on the bounce, scoring seven goals and shipping just one. Atalanta have been in top form with four wins from their last five matches with back-to-back 5-0 home victories against Parma and AC Milan. Three of the last four meetings between these sides have produced under 2.5 goals, as well as the last fixture which ended goalless. Follow the trend and take Under 2.5 Goals at 12/10.
Sunday 12 January
Udinese 5/4
Draw 24/10
Sassuolo 2/1
(13:30)
Udinese have been impressive of late with back-to-back wins and will be looking to build on that. Sassuolo have been in the opposite form, suffering two defeats on the bounce and that doesn’t look likely to improve here. Home advantage is likely to play a vital role in the result here. Take Udinese to grind out a narrow win.
Sampdoria 19/20
Draw 24/10
Brescia 29/10
(16:00)
Sampdoria are just two points above their opponents who are placed 18th on the standings. The hosts are coming off a hard-earned goalless draw away to AC Milan which should give them a bit of confidence going into this encounter. Brescia have lost 12 of their 18 matches and are winless in their last three games. It won’t be cut and dry, but Sampdoria are tipped to make home advantage count.
Fiorentina 9/20
Draw 33/10
SPAL 11/2
(16:00)
Fiorentina have been nowhere near what is expected of them with just four wins from 18 matches. However, they will be expected to see off basement-dwellers SPAL who have lost four of their last five games. Nonetheless, the relegation candidates have found the back of the net in their last three contests and might just fancy their chances here. Take Both Teams to Score – Yes – at even money.
Torino 23/20
Draw 49/20
Bologna 9/4
(16:00)
Torino are coming off the back of a hard-fought and impressive 2-0 victory away to Roma, but have struggled at home in recent weeks. Bologna are undefeated in their last three games and will be looking to maintain that form. The last three meetings between these sides have produced 12 goals at a rate of four scored per game. The Totals – Over 2.5 Goals – market should be backed at 8/10.
Hellas Verona 23/20
Draw 47/20
Genoa 47/20
(19:00)
Hellas Verona ended a winless streak of three matches last time out with a 2-0 win away to relegation-threatened SPAL. Genoa remain the only team in the league without a victory on the road, but narrowly defeated Sassuolo 2-1 at home last time out. This one should go down to the wire but Hellas Verona are tipped to come out on top.
Roma 21/10
Draw 51/20
Juventus 12/10
(21:45)
Roma’s seven-match unbeaten run came to an end last time out with a 2-0 home defeat against Torino. Juventus have been excellent of late with three wins on the trot, scoring nine goals and conceding just twice. The Old Lady know that they can’t give Inter Milan too much breathing space at the top of the standings, making this game a must-win match. Back Juventus to come away with all three points.
Monday 13 January
Parma 9/10
Draw 11/4
Lecce 28/10
(21:45)
Parma were humiliated last weekend, going down 5-0 at Atalanta, ending an unbeaten run of three games. However, Lecce remain just a point off the bottom three and have lost three matches in a row. The last time these sides met, Parma triumphed 4-0 at home. The hosts offer great value at 9/10 to return to winning ways and are tipped to do just that.
TREBLE @ 15/2
Sampdoria Win 19/20
Fiorentina vs SPAL BTTS (Yes) 1/1
Juventus Win 12/10
Written by Aaron Crowie