MARCO Di Cosmo (@scioltz) has been on a stunning run of Serie A form lately. He's back with more Sunday thoughts here.
Lazio v Atalanta | Sunday 14:00
Despite missing two key players in youngsters Franck Kessiè and Roberto Gagliardini, Atalanta still proved to be dangerous in their Coppa Italia clash against Juventus.
Their performances are not on the same level as they were playing some weeks ago but they still represent an offensive force and are able to score against anyone.
Lazio, on the other hand, have showed to be very efficient against smaller teams, showing little mercy at the Olimpico. Their ability to score a goal should not be contested, while they often concede as they kept a clean sheet only against Pescara, Crotone and Empoli. It's BTTS for me.
Sampdoria v Empoli | Sunday 14:00
Empoli are one of the team I often lay when travelling, and I’m keen on that here, especially factoring in recent Sampdoria matches. The blucerchiati put Napoli in a dangerous situation last week, only surrendering in injury time.
The quality from their midfield and their attacking duo is finally proving to be consistent and I expect that will be enough to beat a side who have had only one away win (against Pescara) and are really struggling to find goals. That is why I will back Sampdoria to win adding a safety cushion of Under 4.5 in the match.
Sassuolo v Palermo | Sunday 14:00
A team that surely has no difficulties to find goals are Sassuolo, with their problems mainly relying on the defensive end. What is incredible from this team however, is that they’ve failed to score in four out of their last 5 matches on home soil. When you consider they scored in 11 straight games earlier in the season it really is a tough one to understand.
I think the match against Palermo could be the key for their season and the right occasion to bring Sassuolo back their old form. They will face a team who are a total mess, as often happens, with their President who tried to sack old manager Corini after the defeat against Empoli.
In such a messy situation, and with the return of the young talent Domenico Berardi, Sassuolo should win this match, and I’m backing them on to score two or more.
Best Bets
Lazio v Atalanta – Both Teams To Score (5/6 Coral)
Sampdoria v Empoli – Sampdoria to win and Under 4.5 Goals (19/20 Betfair)
Sassuolo v Palermo – Sassuolo to score Over 1.5 Goals (5/6 Bet Stars)
