ITALIAN football expert Marco Di Cosmo (@scioltz) returns with his best bets from Sunday’s Serie A card.
Napoli v Empoli | Sunday 11.30 | BT Sport 2
Napoli are unbeaten in their last eight games, finally finding a bit of momentum after a tragic start to the season.
The hosts are clear favourites here and Empoli can’t really compete in terms of quality with Rafa Benitez’s men. But the Tuscans are a very well-managed team and they do create problems to big teams.
Roma and Juventus could only secure narrow wins, Milan were held and and Lazio lost 2-1 when taking on Empoli.
Napoli are going to rest Gonzalo Higuain for this match and they will also miss defender Kalidou Koulibaly and long-term absentee Lorenzo Insigne.
For this reason, I can't see an easy win for Napoli, and I like Empoli to keep things tight until half-time. Empoli are 1/1 (Paddy Power) in the first-half Double Chance market.
Genoa v AC Milan | Sunday 14.00 | BT Sport 1
This should be an highly entertaining match.
Genoa are absolutely flying at the moment, as they share third place with Napoli, playing an enjoyable style of football. However, they do still have a few defensive issues.
Milan are a fun team to watch. They don't usually play a possession-based game, choosing to play on the counter more often than not. Pipo Inzaghi’s men do boast the fourth best attack in the league but will miss key defensive players in Ignazio Abate, Mattia De Sciglio and Alex.
Instead of looking at Genoa in the Double Chance market, I much prefer the odds-against quotes on Over 2.5 Goals with BetVictor giving us 23/20.
Inter Milan v Udinese | Sunday 19.45 | BT Sport 1
After starting his second managerial career at Inter with such difficult matches, such as the Milan derby and an away game at Roma, Roberto Mancini will finally find his first win in Serie A since returning.
Inter host an Udinese side that started the season well but just the visitors have picked up just two points from their last five games and scored just twice in six road trips.
Udinese have long had problems on their travels, even during the Francesco Guidolin years, and I’m not expecting things to change under Andrea Stramaccioni during his first season in Udine. Back Inter at 8/15 with William Hill.
Best Bets
Napoli v Empoli – Empoli first-half Double Chance (1/1 Paddy Power)
Genoa v Milan – Over 2.5 Goals (23/20 BetVictor)
Inter v Udinese – Inter to win (8/15 William Hill)
