OUR man in Rome Marco Di Cosmo (@Scioltz) has been showering us with winning Serie A tips of late. Can his stunning run continue on Wednesday night?
Juventus v Fiorentina | Wednesday 19.45 | BT Sport 1
I’m regretting not having this piece published earlier as Juventus opened at 9/10 to win a league match on home soil. The odds are really shortening and this should really be a banker, even at 8/11 (Betfred) now.
Juve’s performances have been somewhat predictable this season because although they occasionally lack concentration, they always deliver when it’s most required, showing exactly why they are the most consistently team in the league.
The Old Lady are a different animal under Massimiliano Allegri. The former AC Milan coach is not used to getting the same stress over results as Antonio Conte, where the Bianconeri set a 102-point record in Serie A. Performances are no worse though as Juve look set to seal a fourth straight Scudetto whilst playing in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2003. With the match against Real Madrid on Wednesday, they will have time to focus on their domestic season, and getting the four points they need to lift the title.
If last Sunday I advised to bet against Juventus, I would not suggest you to do the same on Wednesday. When the Bianconeri have lost this season, they have immediately followed that result with a strong reaction, as showed in their last home win against Lazio and previously when taking on Genoa.
Fiorentina are not on the same level as Juventus. The Viola play an entertaining style but their pace and consistency just isn’t matched by their hosts. When these two teams met earlier this season, Fiorentina surprisingly won 2-1 but that was mainly down to Juve rotating players. And even after that loss, the Old Lady’s reaction was stunning; destroying Viola in the return.
On Wednesday I’m expecting something pretty similar. I’m not saying Juventus will dismantle La Viola but their superiority should prevail. Fiorentina have an important match against Sevilla next midweek on their mind and will be more focussed on the Spaniards than this encounter, as they no longer have any important Serie A targets.
Sampdoria v Hellas Verona | Wednesday 19.45
My second banker from Serie A this midweek will take place in Genoa. Sampdoria are clearly one of the better home sides in the league – they remain unbeaten on home soil (the only side in the division along with Juventus) and can also boast the second best defensive record in Serie A at the Marassi.
Verona have recently played a tough match against Sassuolo – they won 3-2 but they had to play almost the entire match with 10 men. Luca Toni again proved decisive (even at 39) but I don’t think he will be able to perform to the same levels just three days later.
Moreover, Verona are not the same team they used to be last season: they had a relatively safe season, avoiding relegation pretty early, but they showed a lot of defensive issues that Sampdoria should exploit.
The home team managed by Sinisa Mijalovic is developing a fast and offensive style of football that should be repeated tonight, playing against one of the weakest defences in Serie A. So backing Sampdoria to score more than one goal is a wise option along with the hosts to register a win.
Lazio v Parma | Wednesday 19.45
I’m probably starting to bore you by talking about him every week but honestly, I reckon he’s one of the best and most intriguing talents in the league and I’d just love to watch him play every week. I'm talking about Felipe Anderson.
I'm not a Lazio supporter but their draw against Chievo was very disappointing, and so was his performance. This evening Lazio have a similar task taking on Parma, already relegated to Serie B.
This Parma team are really showing pride though, not letting anyone win easily against and moreover beating Juventus and holding Inter and Roma to a draw.
I think Lazio should win here though but their odds are really not appealing. But what is appealing is the price on Felipe to score. The young Brazilian can be backed at 7/4 simply to find the net and with Miroslav Klose sidelined because of injuries, he will be the main offensive threat of the team.
Best Bets
Juventus v Fiorentina – Juventus to win (8/11 Betfred)
Sampdoria v Hellas Verona – Sampdoria to win (4/6 Coral)
Sampdoria v Hellas Verona – Sampdoria to score Over 1.5 Goals (13/20 William Hill)
Lazio v Parma – Felipe Anderson to score at anytime (7/4 Bet365)
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