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The title race is wide open now after Juventus’ defeat to Fiorentina last weekend, losing 2-1. |
Just when I thought Juventus were surely heading for a sixth consecutive scudetto title, it took a single defeat at the hands of Fiorentina to bust the league wide open, with Roma, Napoli and Lazio doing well to capitalize on the Old Lady’s slip up. In the bottom half of the table, Palermo, Crotone and Pescara remain firmly planted in the drop zone and will be desperate to claw their way back to safety. With 18 rounds of Italian football to go, surely there is plenty of entertaining football to come. For now, let’s find out what’s worth backing in gameweek 21!
Saturday 21 January
9/4 Chievo | Draw 22/10 | Fiorentina 5/4 (19:00)
Serie A action gets underway at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi with Chievo playing host to Fiorentina. The home side have been poor in recent weeks with four consecutive losses in all competitions, including a 1-0 defeat at Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia Round of 16. Fiorentina maintained their unbeaten record at home last time out with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over table-toppers Juventus. They have won nine of the last 10 meetings against their opponents and are good value to build on that. Back Fiorentina for the win at 5/4!
5/2 AC Milan | 5/2 | Napoli 21/20 (21:45)
On Saturday evening the San Siro will be buzzing as AC Milan lock horns with Napoli. The Rossoneri stretched their unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions, while Napoli have been in fantastic form going 13 games without defeat and look to mount a title challenge. The last seven meetings between the sides have seen 24 goals – an average of 3.42 goals per game. At 7/10, Over 2.5 Goals looks a top bet!
Sunday 22 January
11/20 Juventus | 3/1 | Lazio 47/10 (13:30)
We kick-start Sunday off with what promises to be a cracking encounter between Juventus and title-hopefuls Lazio. The Old Lady have won all of their home games, scoring 27 goals and conceding only six times. Lazio, however, have been in great form in recent weeks with six wins from their last eight matches and will be eager to maintain that form. Nonetheless, Juve have won the last five meetings against Lazio and are tipped for the Win & Both Teams to Score at 17/10.
6/10 Genoa | 29/10 | Crotone 47/10 (16:00)
Genoa and Crotone will square off on Sunday. The hosts have been dismal in recent weeks with five losses from their last six matches, including four on the spin. Newcomers Crotone have travelled dismally as they remain winless on the road with nine losses from 10 games, scoring five goals and conceding 20 times. However, Crotone have shown plenty of improvement in their last three travels and will prove tough to beat here. Back the newly-promoted side on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 5/4.
47/10 Palermo | 3/1 | Inter Milan 11/20 (16:00)
Relegation-threatened Palermo have been horrendous in recent weeks with 12 losses from their last 15 league games. They are yet to win at home, suffering eight defeats from nine matches, scoring just four goals and conceding 18 times. Inter Milan have been in top form with six wins from their last seven matches, including five on the trot. They are unbeaten in the last five meetings against their opponents and are likely to extend that run. Back the away team to claim maximum points.
37/20 Pescara | 23/10 | Sassuolo 29/20 (16:00)
Bottom-of-the-log Pescara have been dreadful with one measly win from 19 games, including a winless run of 11 losses and three draws from their last 14 matches. Their only win this season was a 3-0 victory over their current opponents back in August last year. Sassuolo are coming off an excellent 4-1 victory over Palermo and will be extremely confident coming into this matchup. Revenge is best served cold and that’s exactly what we can expect here.Back Sassuolo to come away with all three points.
2/1 Bologna | 9/4 | Torino 27/20 (16:00)
Bologna come off the back a well-deserved 1-0 victory away to Crotone. They have been inconsistent on their ground but Torino have battled to maintain winning form as well. The away team have, however, won the last three meetings between the sides and will be eager to add to that. This clash has the potential to be a humdinger with neither side backing down and both looking to grab maximum points. An end-to-end game of football is expected with Both Teams to Score tipped at 7/10.
14/10 Empoli | 43/20 | Udinese 21/10 (16:00)
Empoli and Udinese are next up to go toe-to-toe. The hosts have been impressive of late, claiming back-to-back victories on home soil without conceding. Udinese have suffered two defeats on the bounce against Roma and Inter Milan respectfully. Empoli have failed to beat Udinese on home soil in the last five meetings. A tight affair is on the cards with the draw looking a likely result.
7/10 Atalanta | 26/10 | Sampdoria 39/10 (19:00)
In the penultimate match of the weekend, Atalanta will take on Sampdoria. La Dea have been strong on their turf with six wins from nine games. Sampdoria are without a victory in their last five matches and that doesn’t look like improving here. Sampdoria won the reverse fixture 2-1 but with home advantage Atalanta should come out on top. The home win is the way to go.
1/4 Roma | 52/10 | Cagliari 9/1 (21:45)
We round off an entertaining weekend of Serie A football with Roma welcoming Cagliari to the Stadio Olimpico. Roma have won all nine of their matches at home, scoring 27 goals and conceding seven times in the process. Cagliari struggled on the road with eight losses from 10 matches, scoring seven goals and conceding more than triple that amount (24)! At 1/4, Roma should have very little problem in dispatching their opponents, but if you looking for a little more value, take the home side on the (-) Handicap at 6/10.
TREBLE @ 83/10
Fiorentina Win 5/4
Sassuolo Win 29/20
Atalanta Win 7/10
Written by Aaron Crowie