Italian Serie A Preview

Juventus' lead at the top of the summit stretched to eight points, despite drawing 1-1 at Udinese.
Juventus’ lead at the top of the summit stretched to eight points, despite drawing 1-1 at Udinese.

It was a case of mixed results in round 27 of the Italian Serie A campaign. It started with a bang as Roma fizzled out in the curtain raiser, suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of title-rivals Napoli. They were fortunate, however, as defending champions Juventus could only muster up a point away to Udinese. Those are the results that make this league so interesting and entertaining. Week 28 has me licking my lips at some of the eye-catching clashes that just may be worth a dabble. That’s enough chit chat for now, just 10 rounds of football remain, so let’s make it count while we still can.

Friday 10 March



9/20 Juventus | Draw 33/10 | AC Milan 57/10 (21:45)

We kick-start the round with another humdinger as Juventus take on AC Milan. The hosts were restricted to just a point last weekend as they settled for a 1-1 draw at Udinese. However, Juve will return to home soil on Friday night determined to maintain their 100% home-win record of 14 wins from 14 games, scoring 36 goals and conceding just seven times. AC Milan extended their unbeaten run to five matches last time out with a 3-1 home victory over Chievo. It was their third win on the spin and fourth from their last five. These sides have already met three times this season. The first meeting saw Milan edge Juve 1-0 in the reverse tie, they then played to a 1-1 draw in the Italian Super Cup before the Old Lady claimed a 2-1 victory over the Rossoneri in the Coppa Italia. Another tight contest is expected, but Juventus are tipped to capitalize on home advantage yet again.

Saturday 11 March



27/20 Genoa | 23/10 | Sampdoria 19/10 (21:45)

Genoa ended a run of 10 league games without a victory last time out by claiming a 2-0 victory away to Empoli last Sunday afternoon. With just four wins from 13 home games, Genoa will need to up their game if they are looking to make it back-to-back victories. Sampdoria have been in top form in recent weeks with an impressive unbeaten run of six matches, including four wins. La Samp are looking the stronger of the two sides and have won the last three meetings away to Genoa. Get on the Doria Win/Draw Double Chance at 11/20.



Sunday 12 March



19/20 Sassuolo | 47/20 | Bologna 28/10 (13:30)

Sassuolo played to a dour goalless draw at Crotone last time out and will look to bounce back to winning ways here. That will be easier said than done as they have lost their last three home games, scoring just once and conceding six times. Bologna, however, have been in worse form. They are winless in their last seven matches with five defeats and two draws. Two wins from 13 matches on the road doesn’t boast confidence on the betting front either. Both sides are struggling to keep goals out, so I suggest taking Both Teams to Score at 17/20.

9/20 Fiorentina | 7/2 | Cagliari 11/2 (16:00)

Fiorentina will welcome Cagliari to the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday afternoon. The Viola are unbeaten on their turf with six wins and seven draws from 13 games. Their opponents, Cagliari, have suffered away from home with 10 losses from 14 games, scoring 10 goals and conceding 29 times. It was quite an entertaining game when the sides clashed in the corresponding leg with Fiorentina claiming a 5-3 victory. More goals are expected here with another victory in favour of Fiorentina. Back the home side on the (-1) Handicap at 11/10.

1/8 Napoli | 13/2 | Crotone 19/1 (16:00)

Following back-to-back defeats in all competitions, Napoli returned to winning ways with an impressive 2-1 victory away to Roma. Gli Azzurri have won nine of their 14 home games and are favourites to add to that tally with a win over newly-promoted Crotone. Their relegation-bound opponents are placed 19th on the standings with just three wins from 27 matches. They are winless on the road with 11 defeats from 13 games, scoring just seven goals and conceding three times that amount. There is a lack of value here but following their 2-1 victory over Roma and still a home game against Real Madrid to contend with at the time of writing, Napoli might be a little worn out by Sunday. I feel as though Napoli will make a bright start to the game and fade out in the second stanza after what has been a tough two weeks of football for the Gli Azzurri. I’m going to make a bold call here and back the Highest Scoring Half market – First Half – at 19/10.

21/20 Chievo | 9/4 | Empoli 26/10 (16:00)

Chievo have lacked consistency in recent weeks as they have battled to maintain winning form. They will return to their ground where they will have the perfect opportunity to utilize home advantage against their opponents who seem to be ripe for the taking. Empoli are without a win in their last six matches with five defeats, including four on the trot. The Azzurri have claimed just one win from 13 travels, scoring six goals and conceding 19 times.A tight affair is on the cards, making the Under 2.5 Goals tasty looking bet at 6/10.

8/10 Inter Milan | 26/10 | Atalanta 33/10 (16:00)

Inter Milan bounced back to winning ways last time out with a convincing 5-1 victory over Cagliari. The win made it 10 wins from their last 12 matches and they look more than capable of adding to that on Sunday afternoon. Atalanta stretched their undefeated run to seven matches last time out with a goalless home draw against Fiorentina. In those seven games, they have claimed five wins and two draws, including a 2-0 victory at Napoli on their last trip out of town. The last 19 meetings between these sides have seen both sides find the back of the net. Get on the Both Teams to Score (Yes) market at 15/20.

7/4 Pescara | 47/20 | Udinese 29/20 (16:00)

Bottom-of- the- log Pescara have registered just two wins from 27 games. Their last home game, however, saw them thrash Genoa 5-0. Udinese, on the other hand, are winless in their last five matches with three defeats but will be buzzing with confidence following their 1-1 draw on home soil against Juventus last time out. This one has goals written all over it. Pescara’s last four home games have produced 20 goals – an average of five goals per game. It wouldn’t hurt to have a small go on the Additional Totals – Over 3.5 Goals at 29/20.

11/2 Palermo | 7/2 | Roma 9/20 (21:45)

Relegation-threatened Palermo have been horrendous with 10 losses from 13 home games, scoring seven goals and conceding 23 times. Roma have been in top form besides going down 2-1 against Napoli last Friday and will be keen to get back to winning ways here. The reverse tie saw Roma hammer Palermo 4-1 and much of the same is expected here. Back the Giallorossi on the (-1) Handicap at even money.



Monday 13 March



6/10 Lazio | 31/10 | Torino 4/1 (21:45)

The final fixture of the round pits Lazio up against Torino in Monday night’s only matchup. The home side are unbeaten in their last five matches with four wins, including three on the spin. Lazio have won nine of their 14 home games and will be aiming to close in on third-placed Napoli with a victory. Torino are off the back of a 3-1 victory over Palermo, courtesy of a hat-trick from the league’s top scorer Andrea Belotti. Nonetheless, the Italian hitman won’t be able to save them on a consistent basis. Take Lazio on the Matchbet & Both Teams To Score (Yes) market at 27/20.

TREBLE @ 46/10

Chievo vs Empoli – Under 2.5 Goals (6/10)

Inter Milan vs Atalanta – BTTS (15/20)

Roma (-1) Handicap (1/1)



Written by Aaron Crowie