OUR man in Italy, Marco Di Cosmo (@scioltz) looks to continue his hot streak in Serie A with three selections on Sunday.
Torino v Atalanta | Sunday 11:30 | BT Sport
Torino and Atalanta are the two teams that have showed the greatest offensive quality beyond the top sides. The Granata are a scoring machine with 38 goals in 21 games, only being outscored by the top trio.
Atalanta are a more balanced team and you can see it from their table, where they are doing better than Fiorentina, Milan and Inter among others.
Scoring has never been a problem for Giampiero Gasperini’s sides and the attacking trio composed by El Papu Gomez, Andrea Conti and Andrea Petagna are well replacing the absences of big players lost in the transfer window or in the African Cup of Nations.
I’m backing Over 2.5 Goals (22/23 188BET) here, especially for Torino’s home form. They have registered this outcome in nine of their 11 home matches, and when they face an attacking-minded team like Atalanta, I have little doubts in terms of goals.
Cagliari v Bologna | Sunday 14:00
Cagliari have also been one of the most prolific sides in terms of goal in the whole Serie A. The Sardinians entered the season with a number of consecutive Over 2.5 goals matches, but unfortunately their mind-set is becoming more defensive as the season goes on.
They’ve showed some reluctance to play, for example against AC Milan and Roma where they just sat back to defend, despite also losing those matches. For this reason I rate them to be more active on the offensive end, especially when facing a team that is no much superior, Bologna.
At home, they still have a 100% record of matches finished with more than two goals as this reflect their different approach to their game. That’s why I will also back Over 2.5 goals here at 11/12 (188Bet).
Sampdoria v Roma | Sunday 14:00 | BT Sport
Roma are showing to be a serious contender for the title, despite Juventus being merciless and leading the table since early September.
The Giallorossi have turned themselves into a more rationale animal, while on the first part of their season their approach was as entertaining as crazy, if we keep in mind matches against Sampdoria, Atalanta and others.
Since Mohammed Salah first got injured and than left for AFCON, the coach Luciano Spalletti switched to three-man defence that is definitely paying dividends, and where former Spurs defender Federico Fazio is expressing as a stunning leader.
Roma have conceded only one goal in the last five, and their impressive defensive solidity is also combined by the ability of their strikers, Edin Dzeko above of all, who usually find the spot for a goal in the 90 minutes.
Sampdoria are a strange animal this year, with their inconsistent trend that make impossible a final judgement on them. Despite the Marassi being always a difficult place, they are not performing at home on the same notes they were able to do some years ago.
This season Samp have already lost twice, to Inter and Lazio. Roma are a superior side than the latter and should get the three points even with some difficulties at 4/5 (Betfair).
Best Bets
Torino v Atalanta – Over 2.5 Goals (22/23 188Bet)
Cagliari v Bologna – Over 2.5 Goals (11/12 188Bet)
Sampdoria v Roma – Roma to win (4/5 Betfair)
