Lazio edged into the Champions League last-16 despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Belgians Club Brugge in midweek but they have not been at their best domestically or in Europe this campaign.
The Rome-based club advanced to the knockout stages in Europe but won only two of their six group-stage assignments and they have not fared much better in Serie A this term.
Ciro Immobile has still managed five strikes in Italy’s top flight in 2020-21 but they have managed only 16 goals in ten matches and they could struggle to break down one of the division’s fiercest rearguards this weekend.
Verona are in the top half thanks largely to a defence which has shipped a mere eight goals in ten games and their performances against the league’s elite this season suggest they can get something from their game with Lazio.
Verona have beaten Roma and Atalanta and held Juventus and league leaders AC Milan to draws this season and Verona or draw looks a great double chance selection at 5/4
.
Torrid Torino’s Woes Set to Continue
Udinese may have issues to attend to in the final third but they should get plenty of opportunities to breach Torino this weekend.
No Serie A side have conceded more goals than the Turin club (24) this campaign, shipping four goals in each of their matches with Atalanta, Inter Milan and Lazio this season.
They have managed only one win in ten league affairs in 2020-21 and, after battling bravely for 77 minutes, conceded two late goals against rivals Juventus to lose 2-1 last time out, delivering a hammer blow to their already-low confidence levels.
Udinese will themselves be looking over their shoulders at the Serie A drop zone but saw off European hopefuls Lazio 3-1 last weekend, having edged Genoa in their previous league encounter.
Their front line still needs work but in Fernando Forestieri, Ignacio Pussetto and Rodrigo de Paul, they have players capable of finding the net and could represent value at 31/20
to take maximum points.
Inter Can Bounce Back From Champions League Upset
Inter Milan’s shock exit in the Champions League group stage and failure to finish third in their section could raise questions about Antonio Conte’s credentials but the Nerazzurri can respond with a comfortable win in Serie A.
Now that their European endeavours are over, Inter can put full focus on their domestic duties and they have enjoyed a good run of results in the league.
Conte’s men are unbeaten in their last six in the league, beating Genoa, Torino, Sassuolo and Bologna as part of that run and all of those successes were by at least two-goal margins.
That enhances appeal about a comprehensive victory against Cagliari, who have only one win ifrom their last five league affairs and have conceded an average of two goals per game in 2020-21. Punters should consider an Inter win by two goals or more by backing Conte’s side at -2 goals on the handicap at 20/21
.