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| Juventus return from the international break charging for their sixth consecutive Serie A title. |
Now that the International break is behind us, we can return to club football’s thrills and spills. The Serie A enters the final stretch of the season with round 30 on the horizon. Defending champions and title-favourites Juventus have lead the pack from week five with Roma and Napoli the only genuine challengers for the Scudetto. In the bottom half of the standings, Palermo, Crotone and Pescara have populated the relegation zone since round 12 and I highly doubt that nor will the Old Lady’s position at the summit change. That’s enough small talk for now, let’s find out what’s good on the betting front this weekend!
Saturday 1 April
33/10 Sassuolo | Draw 26/10 | Lazio 15/20 (18:00)
Sassuolo and Lazio will open proceedings on Saturday evening. The hosts have been poor in recent weeks with three losses from their last four matches, while losing their last five home games, scoring just twice and conceding nine times. Lazio, on the other hand, are unbeaten in their last seven matches with five victories and two draws. Looking at the form guide, it suggests the away team should win this one comfortably, but I’ve seen stranger things happen after the international break. Six of the last seven meetings between these sides have seen Over 2.5 Goals and I think we might just have another goalfest to look forward to. Follow the trend at 13/20.
2/11 Roma | 57/10 | Empoli 25/2 (20:45)
Empoli will look to keep a free-scoring Roma side at bay in the final tie on Saturday night. The Giallorossi have won 13 of their 14 home games, scoring 40 goals and conceding just 11 times. Their opponents are bordering the relegation zone with seven defeats from their last eight games, including six on the spin. Roma are tipped on the (-1) Handicap at 5/10.
Sunday 2 April
17/20 Torino | 26/10 | Udinese 3/1 (12:30)
Torino played to a 2-2 home draw against Inter Milan last time out and will be eager to return to winning ways. They have tasted defeat just once on home soil this season and possess the league’s top scorer in Andrea Belotti. Udinese were impressive before the break, claiming back-to-back victories against relegation-bound Pescara (1-3) and Palermo (4-1). The reverse tie ended 2-2, but with home advantage, Torino are tipped to edge the win.
17/4 Pescara | 34/10 | AC Milan 5/10 (15:00)
Pescara are rooted to the bottom of the table with just two wins from 29 games, scoring 29 goals and conceding 66 times – the league’s worst defence. The basement-dwellers have lost four consecutive matches and that doesn’t look like improving here. Next up, AC Milan come to town and in a bit of form I might add. The Rossoneri have won five of their last seven matches and will look to build on that. Pescara might show a little backbone in the first half but Milan will are tipped to come out on top. Back the away team on the (-1) Handicap at 12/10.
51/20 Genoa | 23/10 | Atalanta 21/20 (15:00)
Genoa have been poor in recent weeks with five losses from their last seven matches, including two defeats on the bounce. Atalanta have been in the opposite form with five wins from their last seven games and will look to build on that. However, Genoa have proved to be a tough team to beat on their turf and might just have a trick up their sleeve here. The last five meetings at Stadio Luigi Ferraris have seen both sides find the back of the net. Get on the Both Teams to Score (Yes) market at 17/20.
5/10 Fiorentina | 32/10 | Bologna 11/2 (15:00)
Fiorentina have been impressive of late with back-to-back 1-0 victories against Cagliari and Crotone respectfully. The Viola are unbeaten on their ground with seven wins and seven draws from 14 matches. Bologna have also impressive in recent weeks with two victories on the bounce. Nonetheless, their away record has been horrendous with just three wins from 14 games. The Rossoblu have lost the last four meetings at Fiorentina without scoring and conceding eight times. Back the Viola to claim maximum points.
13/10 Palermo | 23/10 | Cagliari 2/1 (15:00)
Relegation-threatened Palermo are winless in their last six matches with five losses, including three on the trot. The Rosanero have lost 11 of their 14 home games and will need to improve drastically here if they are to take a point let alone three. Cagliari have travelled poorly this season with 11 losses from 15 matches, scoring just 10 goals and conceding triple that amount (30). Both sides have defensive frailties, making the matchup all the more enticing. Both Teams to Score – Yes – is the way to go at 15/20.
8/10 Chievo | 24/10 | Crotone 7/2 (15:00)
I’m going to make this short and sweet! Chievo are off the back of a 4-1 thrashing away to Bologna but will gladly return to their fortress, where they have won back-to-back games, scoring six goals without conceding. Crotone are winless on their travels, scoring seven goals and conceding 27 times. Back the home win at a valuable 8/10.
29/20 Napoli | 22/10 | Juventus 37/20 (20:45)
In the penultimate match of the weekend, Napoli and Juventus will clash in what promises to be a cracking contest. The home side have been excellent on their ground with 10 wins from 15 matches and have won six of their last seven games. Juventus are unbeaten in their last 14 in all competitions with 13 victories. The Old Lady has the best away record in the league this and will look to maintain that status. This one will go down to the wire but with home advantage, Napoli are tipped to scrape a narrow victory.
Monday 3 April
7/20 Inter Milan | 4/1 | Sampdoria 6/1 (20:45)
On Monday evening, Inter Milan will welcome Sampdoria to the San Siro Stadium. The Nerazzurri have been superb on home soil with 10 wins from 14 games, while Sampdoria have travelled poorly with 3 wins from 14 matches. Inter Milan are unbeaten in the last 17 matches at home against Sampdoria and are tipped confidently to bag all three points here. For more value, take them on the (-1) Handicap at 17/20.
TREBLE @ 5/1
AC Milan (-1) Handicap 12/10
Fiorentina Win 5/10
Chievo Win 8/10
Written by Aaron Crowie
