OUR man in Italy, Marco Di Cosmo (@scioltz) looks to continue his hot streak in Serie A with his best Sunday selections.
Sampdoria v Fiorentina | Sunday 11:30 | BT Sport Europe
Sampdoria are performing better and better in recent times, and their win against Inter just emphasised that point. Their loss against Juve was the only one in a fantastic run where they’d beaten Roma, Milan and Genoa in the derby.
Their chances of beating Fiorentina here are credible as well but I prefer to side with goals with the Viola in attendance. The Tuscan side are more suited to an open game away from the Artemio Franchi, where they’ve conceded twice as many goals.
Cagliari v Torino | Sunday 14:00
With their away victory on Sunday Cagliari have managed to get bedded into a safe place above the relegation zone. Torino have a similar position on the table despite having started the season with far different aims.
If there is something these sides have in common it's goals. I’ve never stopped backing them to score and I'm not doing it here.
The Sardinians have registered Over 2.5 goals in 80% of their home games, while Torino, as we know, never refuse an open battle and with Andrea Belotti in such tremendous form he should be able to exploit Cagliari weaknesses.
Crotone v Inter | Sunday 14:00
Last time we hit the wrong button backing Inter to win against Sampdoria. Honestly, Mauro Icardi missed an enormous chance less than a meter from the goal line with 20 minutes to go when the match was 1-1!
That chance proved to be costly as Inter failed to get the winner and ultimately they suffered as Samp scored a second goal. That is why I think their determination will be even stronger to overcome Crotone.
The home side are proud and fierce, but they do not have a single weapon to damage Inter. The neroazzurri will also be motivated by their chances to cut the deficit from Atalanta, who dropped two points on Saturday.
AC Milan v Palermo | Sunday 14:00
Milan are in a similar situation after their draw against Pescara. The number of chances they missed to get the 2-1 win last week was something incredible and surely they will be really furious after such a frustrating performance.
Palermo have proved to be very combative to test their chance to avoid relegation. They often got the first goal in their matches, but ultimately they’ve ended up losing those games.
This has happened against Cagliari, Udinese and Torino and I think they might also score here, while having zero chances to achieve the three points.
Lazio v Napoli | Sunday 19:45 | BT Sport Europe
Lazio have the chance to retain a role in the Champions League battle, as a win here would put them just one point behind Napoli.
The task is really hard though, and after their incredible victory over Roma in the Coppa Italia derby they will be asked another great step here.
Napoli have looked better away from home this season, in fact they top the away standings. They have scored regularly on their travels, failing to score only once in Genoa, and I am sure they will be able to score also here.
On the other hand their exposure will make Lazio’s fortunes stronger as we’ve saw against Roma in the derby. Backing both teams at least to score once is the safer option.
Best Bets
Sampdoria v Fiorentina – Over 2.5 Goals (8/11 888 Sport)
Cagliari v Torino – Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals (4/5 William Hill)
Crotone v Inter – Inter to win and Over 2.5 Goals (11/10 Bet Stars)
AC Milan v Palermo – AC Milan to win and Over 2.5 Goals (3/4 Bet Stars)
Lazio v Napoli – Both Teams To Score (8/15 888 Sport)
