OUR man in Italy, Marco Di Cosmo (@scioltz) returns with key thoughts on the Sunday Serie A action.
Napoli v Torino | Sunday 14:00 | BT Sport 2
This will be the match of most interest to me between two of the best attacks of the whole Serie A.
Napoli have found their old form in recent times, trashing 3-0 Inter away, Cagliari 5-0 and beating Benfica easily on their home ground. I would expect such form to continue against Torino, who rely much of their performances on home form.
Away, the Granata do not score as easy as at the Olimpico, but they do concede more with 12 goals suffered in eight games.
Torino’s attack is always a threat though, as showed last Sunday when they were able to exploit Juventus’ defence after just 16 minutes. They kept creating chances for the whole match, but the inability to convert them into goals cost them the match, as they opened up their area to Juve’s attacks.
I think they will risk the same against Napoli here, so backing the home side to win plus Over 2.5 Goals in the game is definitely my banker of the day at even-money (BetStars).
Pescara v Bologna | Sunday 14:00
Pescara are one of the most disappointing teams in the league so far, being able to win only one game because of judiciary review against Sassuolo, which were playing with a suspended man on the bench.
Despite the promising start against Napoli and Inter, this team have found so many difficulties in front of goal, while also not keeping things tight in the defensive end.
At home, their record says four draws and four losses, and I’m not expecting things to change on Sunday.
Bologna are not among the best teams in Italy, but I see them much more solid. I’ll back them just to avoid defeat, as a draw could be another result here.
Bologna +0.50 on the Asian Handicap is 7/11 (BetVictor).
Udinese v Crotone | Sunday 14:00
Victory on Saturday gave Empoli a five-point advantage over Crotone with Crotone still struggling in 18th position.
Their trend has improved slightly after they had the possibility to have their stadium back, registering two wins and two important draws which gave them some chance to avoid relegation.
Udinese have just won a lucky game against Atalanta, but I think that a 3-1 win in Bergamo will boost their morale, and the indisputably superiority of their players could easily make their mark here.
Crotone are the worst travellers in the league, with only one point acquired in eight games. I expect Udinese to show up their superior quality and come away with three points but I’ll add Over 1.5 Goals into the mix for an 11/10 shot (BetStars).
Lazio v Fiorentina | Sunday 19:45 | BT Sport
Sunday night’s match sees two interesting sides meet with seventh-placed placed Fiorentina visiting Lazio, who sit in fifth and aim for a win to come back to within just one point of city rivals Roma.
Should we apply ‘theory’ into this game, goals should flow at ease as Lazio have a promising record for scoring goals when not playing against superior sides.
Fiorentina are a mid-range club with high quality players that have recently found their goal form. If you think at their difficulties at the start of the season, they’re now finding the net so easily, scoring 10 goals in the last four matches, while also conceding a lot.
I’ve not taken into account Fiorentina’s match on Thursday against Genoa, which was a resumed game from a couple of months ago, where they rotate a lot of players.
We should have an entertaining game on here, and I’m happy to back Both Teams To Score at 7/10 (888).
Best Bets
Napoli v Torino – Napoli to win and Over 2.5 Goals (1/1 BetStars)
Pescara v Bologna – Bologna +0.50 Asian Handicap (7/11 BetVictor)
Udinese v Crotone – Udinese to win and Over 1.5 Goals (11/10 BetStars)
Lazio v Fiorentina – Both Teams To Score (7/10 888)
