The Serie A shifts into the next gear this upcoming weekend as the second half of the season gets underway. Juventus by no surprise, find themselves second on the log after a terrible start to the season, and it will be a truly remarkable comeback should they win the Scudetto for a fifth consecutive season. However, Napoli are at the summit and will be eager to remain there for as long as possible, while Inter Milan and Fiorentina aren’t too far off in third and fourth place respectively. Newly-promoted Frosinone and Carpi find themselves in the relegation zone, along with Hellas Verona at the foot of the table. AC Milan and Lazio have failed to impress on a consistent basis, while Roma have lacked also consistency. And that just about sums it up. Now enough with the small talk, let’s get right into the thick of things. There is plenty of value to be found and money to be made!
Saturday 16 January
27/10 Atalanta | Draw 22/10 | Inter Milan 21/20 (16:00)
Atalanta extended their horrid form last time out to four defeats on the spin, conceding eight goals in the process. Inter Milan have been inconsistent in recent weeks, but their away form is the best in the league. They have won six of their nine travels, scoring 13 goals and conceding just five times. Inter have shown hard work and determination to grind out victories when it didn’t seem possible. They have won the last three meetings against Atalanta and should do enough to claim maximum points here.
1/4 Torino | 42/10 | Frosinone 10/1 (19:00)
Torino’s current form is three losses on the trot, scoring just once in the process. They will be glad to return to home soil to take on a relegation-bound Frosinone side. The newcomers have lost four of their last five matches and are without a win on the road, scoring just five goals and conceding 21 times. However, Torino’s form is too weak to back them at 1/4; Both Teams To Score offers much more value at 5/4, and judging by the way both sides are shipping goals at present, it looks a safer bet.
1/4 Napoli | 47/10 | Sassuolo 95/10 (21:45)
Saturday night rounds off with table-toppers Napoli hosting European hopefuls Sassuolo. The Azzurri are undefeated on their ground with seven wins from nine matches, while their more recent form is quite impressive as well, winning three consecutive games. Sassuolo are unbeaten in their last five games and remain one of only two teams to inflict defeat on Napoli this season. However, ‘revenge is best served cold’ and Napoli will be hungry to teach their opponents a lesson in football. The home win is tipped.
Sunday 17 January
8/10 Genoa | 5/2 | Palermo 36/10 (13:30)
Genoa ended a winless streak of five defeats last time out, with a 2-0 victory away to Atalanta. The Rossoblu have lacked consistency on their turf and will be looking to improve on that. Palermo have lost four of their last six matches and their away form this term has been dismal to say the least. They have lost five of their nine travels, scoring just seven times. The last 10 meetings between the teams on Genoa’s ground have seen six draws. Judging by the form of both sides, another draw looks a likely result.
26/10 Bologna | 21/10 | Lazio 11/10 (16:00)
Bologna have lost two home games on the bounce against Empoli and Chievo respectively. Lazio will look to take advantage of that vulnerability as they are unbeaten in their last four matches. However, their record on the road leaves a lot to be desired, suffering six defeats from nine games, scoring nine goals and conceding 19 times. This one could go down to the wire, with a cagey affair expected. Back Under 2.5 Goals at 11/20.
18/10 Carpi | 2/1 | Sampdoria 16/10 (16:00)
Carpi returned to winning ways last time out with a 2-1 victory at home against Udinese, only their second home win this season. Sampdoria fell to a 2-1 defeat in front of their own fans against a rampant Juventus side. La Samp have managed just one win from nine travels, scoring nine goals and conceding 17 times. Prior to the Juve defeat, Sampdoria had won back-to-back matches, so they are more than capable of producing the goods here. However, Carpi are fighting for survival and have a chance as well. Both Teams To Score is the predicted outcome at 19/20.
15/10 Chievo | 2/1 | Empoli 19/10 (16:00)
Chievo are off the back of a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Bologna. Their last home game saw them earn a well-deserved 3-3 draw against Roma and they will be looking to build on that with a victory here. Empoli are one of the most in-form sides in the league with five wins from their last six matches, conceding just three goals. Six of the last eight meetings between the teams have produced Under 2.5 Goals at Chievo’s ground. Follow the trend at 5/10.
7/20 Roma | 38/10 | Hellas Verona 7/1 (16:00)
Roma are unbeaten in their last five matches, but drawing four times. However, they have been excellent on their ground with six victories from nine games, scoring 20 goals, only Fiorentina have scored more at home. Hellas Verona still haven’t won a game in the 2015-16 season and relegation to Serie B looks ever more likely. They sit bottom of Serie A with eight points, with Carpi now six points ahead of them.Roma are tipped on the Halftime/Fulltime Double at 9/10.
52/10 Udinese | 28/10 | Juventus 11/20 (16:00)
Udinese are coming off a disappointing 2-1 defeat away to new boys Carpi. The Zebrette have battled on their turf, scoring just eight goals in nine home games. Juventus will be looking to make it 10 wins on the spin on Sunday. They are looking a totally different team after their early-season struggles and find themselves fighting to defending their title as the champions of Italy. Juve have been strong on the road and should do enough to claim the win.
14/10 AC Milan | 21/10 | Fiorentina 19/10 (21:45)
AC Milan are off the back of a well-deserved 1-1 draw at Roma. They return to the San Siro where they have looked good, winning five of their nine matches. Fiorentina have been just as strong on their travels and they have won three of their last five matches. A thrilling game is expected here, including tricks, flicks and goals galore. Fiorentina have won the last two meetings between the sides, but a lack of consistency makes them unfavourable. Rather take Both Teams To Score + Over 2.5 Goals at 13/10.
Serie A Picks
Inter Milan WIN 21/20
Torino BTTS 5/4
Napoli WIN 1/4
Genoa DRAW 5/2
Bologna UNDER 2.5 GOALS 11/20
Carpi BTTS 19/20
Chievo UNDER 2.5 GOALS 5/10
Roma HT/FT WIN 9/10
Juventus WIN 11/20
AC Milan BTTS + OVER 2.5 GOALS 13/10
Written by Aaron Crowie for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
