After yet another international break passes us by; the Serie A will return to the betting front. Fiorentina are still looking strong at the summit of the table, with Inter Milan keeping them on their toes in second place – only on goal difference. Roma and Napoli are separated by just a point in third and fourth place respectively, whilst the bottom half of the table is a tight affair with the likes of Sampdoria in 10th place, only five points off the drop. With 26 matches to go; there is still plenty of twists and turns, not to mention money to be made. But for now, let’s just get through the weekend.
Saturday 21 November
39/10 Bologna | Draw 27/10 | Roma 7/10 (19:00)
We kick-off Saturday evening at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, where Bologna host Roma. Bologna have looked impressive of late with back-to-back wins, scoring five goals and conceding none. A loss against Roma could see Bologna drop into the relegation zone, so they will be under immense pressure to come up with a positive result against the title challengers. Giallorossi have been in top form with six wins from their last seven matches and don’t look like slowing down anytime soon after their convincing 2-0 victory over city rivals Lazio in Gameweek 11. They are unbeaten away to Bologna in the last five meetings, winning four times. The away win is tipped.
6/10 Juventus | 28/10 | AC Milan 5/1 (21:45)
This weekend’s mega-match sees champions Juventus take on AC Milan. Juve earned their first consecutive victory last time out with a well-deserved 3-1 win at Empoli. However, taking down Empoli is one thing, but claiming maximum points against AC Milan is a whole different ball game. Milan are unbeaten in their last five games with three victories, drawing twice. However, they were underwhelming prior to the international break, settling for a goalless draw at home to Atalanta. The Old Lady has just started to hit form, but can they maintain it? Or will the Rossoneri stop them in their stride?I’m backing Juve to stay strong and earn the all-important victory with Both Teams To Score at a mammoth 28/10.
Sunday 22 November
11/10 Udinese | 23/10 | Sampdoria 26/10 (13:30)
Sunday’s opening match pits 16th place Udinese up against a poor travelling Sampdoria. Udinese are winless in their last three games but are coming off an impressive showing at Napoli, despite going down 1-0. Sampdoria sacked manager Walter Zenga before the international break, after less than half a year on the bench. The 2-0 defeat to Fiorentina last time out proved fatal for the coach. Udinese are just a point off the bottom three clubs and will be desperate for the win. Back Bianconeri Friuliani to get the better of a vulnerable Sampdoria team.
15/10 Atalanta | 23/10 | Torino 19/10 (16:00)
Atalanta have been outstanding on their ground as they remain unbeaten with four wins from their last five matches. They earned a hard fought goalless draw away to AC Milan last time out and will be looking to return to winning ways. Torino are without a win in their last six matches, including four defeats. They have also travelled dismally losing four of their six games. Torino have had the better of Atalanta in recent head-to-heads, but their form this season leave a lot to be desired. The home team should be backed.
18/10 Carpi | 2/1 | Chievo 31/20 (16:00)
New boys Carpi just can’t seem to climb the table as they lie at the root of the log with six points from 12 matches. The bottom-dwellers have lost four of their last five matches and nothing but a victory will do here. Chievo come to town in similar form compared to their opponents, losing four of their last five matches. However, they have proved dangerous, playing counter-attacking football away from home and could just come up with the goods. Back Chievo on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 4/10.
5/10 Fiorentina | 32/10 | Empoli 5/1 (16:00)
Table-toppers Fiorentina have been brilliant with nine victories from 12 matches, scoring 24 goals and conceding 9 times. Their home form has been phenomenal, winning 5 of their 6 games. Empoli fell to a 3-1 home defeat last time out against Juventus; and as a result, they are now just three points off the relegation zone. Fiorentina are unbeaten against Empoli in the last 13 meetings and are tipped to add to that impressive record with another victory.
21/20 Genoa | 23/10 | Sassuolo 27/10 (16:00)
Genoa have proven strong on their turf thus far with three wins from five matches. However, their current form sees them without a victory in their last 4 games. Sassuolo are next up, looking to exploit their weaknesses. They are undefeated in their last three matches and are unbeaten against Genoa in the last three meetings. However, their lack of consistency doesn’t give a punter much confidence to place a bet on them. Rather back Both Teams to Score at 17/20, after all, the last three head-to-heads has seen an exchange of 16 goals between the teams.
62/10 Hellas Verona | 32/10| Napoli 4/10 (16:00)
Hellas Verona are starting to look like a division two side; they remain winless as we head into matchday 13. It’s hard to tell if they are even trying anymore, that’s how pathetic they are starting to look – hopefully it’s not another Italian corrupted scandal. To make matters worse, Napoli come about in the kind of form that they can only dream of – unbeaten in their last eight matches, winning six times. Napoli have lost just once against Hellas Verona in the last 11 meetings.Back the Away Team Score In Both Halves at 21/20.
5/10 Lazio | 32/10 | Palermo 57/10 (16:00)
As bad as Lazio have been away from home with five defeats from six matches, they have been in the opposite form on their ground, winning five times from six games. Palermo will look to test that home form but their current form looks very displeasing. They have scored only three goals in their last five matches and their record on the road has been dismal as well. Lazio are unbeaten against Palermo in the last seven home games with five victories. The home win is on the cards.
1/5 Inter Milan | 11/2 | Frosinone 13/1 (21:45)
Inter Milan will look to keep the pressure on log-leaders Fiorentina who are only ahead on goal difference. Goals have been difficult to come by for Inter, and many have criticized them for their boring 1-0 victories, but just take a look where it has gotten them – joint leaders at the top of the table. They are the only team in the top four that has scored less that 20 goals (12), and that aspect of their game will need to change, especially if they are to make a serious title challenge. But looking on the brighter side – they have the best defensive record in the league, conceding just seven goals in 12 matches. Relegation-threatened Frosinone are winless away from home, scoring a measly two goals while conceding 11 times. The newcomers look far from a side able to pull off a shock result here.Take Inter on the Halftime-Fulltime Double at 6/10.
Serie A Picks
Roma WIN 7/10
Juventus WIN + BTTS 28/10
Udinese WIN 11/10
Atalanta WIN 15/10
Chievo WIN/DRAW 4/10
Fiorentina WIN 5/10
Genoa BTTS 17/20
Napoli TO SCORE IN BOTH HALVES 21/20
Lazio WIN 5/10
Inter Milan HT-FT DOUBLE 6/10
Written by Aaron Crowie for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
