All good things must come to an end, well in the terms of the Serie A, it’s just for the time being. With the 2018 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, club football will be on break until August, but with one final round of football to go, a money-making weekend is very much possible. Juventus reigned supreme for a seventh consecutive season after holding Roma to a goalless draw last time out, defending the all-important Scudetto with style and grace. The relegation battle continues this week with five teams still involved in the dogfight despite Benevento and Hellas Verona facing the axe. So, for one last time this season, let’s get to it!
Saturday 19 May
Juventus 1/11
Draw 17/2
Hellas Verona 24/1
(18:00)
Saturday’s first and only contest will see reigning champions Juventus play host to relegation-bound Hellas Verona in what should be one of the least competitive matches of the round. However, the Old Lady will look to end the season on a high in front of their beloved fans. Juve have won 15 of their 18 matches on home soil, while Hellas Verona have suffered 13 defeats from 18 games. The Home to Win Both Halves – Yes – looks well worth a punt at 8/10.
Sunday 20 May
Genoa 14/10
Draw 51/20
Torino 7/4
(15:00)
Genoa will take on Torino at Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Sunday’s opening clash. The Red and Blues have been dismal in recent weeks with three consecutive losses, while are winless in their last three travels. Both teams are safe from the drop with neither in need of playing a competitive game of football. However, Genoa can go up a place or down a place on the table depending on results. They have won three of their last four home games and are tipped to build on that. Back the home team to capitalize on home advantage.
SPAL 14/10
Draw 32/10
Sampdoria 17/4
(18:00)
SPAL are coming off a 2-1 defeat away to Torino but prior to that loss they had won back-to-back matches. Sampdoria have been poor in recent weeks with three losses from their last four games, including two defeats on the bounce. La Samp have lost eight of their last 10 matches on the road and that doesn’t look like improving here. The White-Blues are facing relegation and will be desperate to collect maximum points. SPAL look well worth a bet – get on.
Cagliari 17/10
Draw 51/20
Atalanta 29/20
(18:00)
Cagliari are fighting for survival and their fighting spirit was on show last time out after grinding out a narrow 1-0 win away to Fiorentina. Atalanta are placed seventh on the log – Europa League play-off spot – but will be hoping to clinch sixth place and cement their place in Europe next term. Both sides have something to play for which makes for an extremely entertaining matchup. With that being said, I’m backing Both Teams to Score – Yes – at 5/10.
Chievo 9/20
Draw 37/10
Benevento 52/10
(18:00)
Chievo have won back-to-back matches but need one more victory to guarantee another season in Italy’s top tier. Their opponents, Benevento, have already officially been declared relegated after just one season in the Serie A. They have lost 16 of their 18 travels and should go down here. Benevento Calcio won the reverse tie 1-0, so revenge will certainly be sweeter should the Flying Donkeys come out on top. Take Chievo on the (-1) Handicap at 11/10.
Udinese 9/20
Draw 34/10
Bologna 11/2
(18:00)
Udinese – another club needing maximum points in order to ensure survival – scraped a narrow and much-needed 1-0 win at Hellas Verona last weekend and will be hoping to build on that momentum with another victory. Bologna are without a win in their last five matches, including three losses on the spin, while they are also winless in their last nine games. The Little Zebras won the reverse leg 2-1 and are tipped to pull the double over Bologna. Back Udinese on the Half-time/Full-time win at 11/10.
Napoli 13/20
Draw 33/10
Crotone 36/10
(18:00)
Napoli fell short of yet another league title despite this season being one of their best Scudetto challenges in recent years. They should make some changes in their final league match of the campaign which might give Crotone – who are facing the drop – the upper hand on Sunday. With that being said, I feel the Sharks will be hungrier for the win given that they have more to play for. Crotone might be a bit of a left field call but they are my value bet for the weekend.
AC Milan 9/10
Draw 11/4
Fiorentina 28/10
(18:00)
AC Milan need all three points to guarantee sixth place and a Europa League spot next season. Fiorentina have been inconsistent this season and their final home game of the campaign was just disappointing, going down 1-0 to Cagliari. The Red and Blacks have won the last two meetings at home against the Viola and will be hoping to build on that. Get on the home win.
Lazio 14/10
Draw 5/2
Inter Milan
(20:45)
Lazio are currently placed fourth on the table and it would take a winning margin of four or more for Inter Milan to leapfrog the White and Sky Blues. The Nerazzurri have blown hot and cold in recent weeks with their latest disappointing and humiliating 2-1 home defeat against Sassuolo. However, Inter have won two matches on the bounce away from home and will be keen to add a third straight win. Lazio on the other hand are unbeaten in their last 10 games. The Totals market – Over 2.5 Goals – is tipped at 6/10.
Sassuolo 7/2
Draw 31/10
Roma 7/10
(20:45)
Sassuolo have been in great form in recent weeks with four wins from their last five matches, including two straight victories. Roma have won four of their last five matches and have lost just one game on the road this season. I’m expecting an attacking game from the get-go, with the first half likely to be end-to-end action. The 1st Half Total Goals (2+ ) is tipped at 23/20.
TREBLE @ 6/1
Chievo (-1) Handicap 11/10
AC Milan Win 9/10
Juventus to Win Both Halves 8/10
Written by Aaron Crowie