We are shaping up for one of the most intriguing Serie A title races for a number of years and this weekend’s action is likely to add to the drama.
Udinese to Add to La Dea’s Domestic Struggles
Atalanta have seemingly been everyone’s second team in Serie A over recent seasons,not only breaking up the established hierarchy in Italian football with back-to-back third-place finishes, but they have done so playing an exciting brand of attacking football.
La Dea have also impressed in Europe, reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season and they again appear well placed to qualify for the knockout stages this term.
However, it seems their congested schedule has had a negative effect on Atalanta’s domestic form of late, as Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have won just one of their last six in Serie A, a run that includes a recent 4-1 defeat at Napoli.
Usually a trip to a Udinese side languishing in the bottom-half of the standings would not look too daunting for Atalanta, but the Bianconeri have won each of their last two in the league, including inflicting a post-European defeat on Lazio last weekend, so backing the home win on Sunday at 12/5 may not be as out there as first seems.
Home Delight in Rome
Both Roma and Sassuolo saw their impressive starts to the season abruptly ended last weekend, with the Giallorossi going down 4-0 at Napoli, while the Neroverdi lost for the first time this season as they were humbled 3-0 at home by Inter Milan.
However, while Sassuolo have spent the last week licking their wounds, Roma were able to bounce back with a 3-1 home victory over Young Boys in the Europa League and they have certainly impressed at the Stadio Olimpico so far this term.
Indeed, Juventus are the only side to have taken a point from their Serie A trip to Roma this season, with Paulo Fonseca’s team having scored 10 goals across their last three league matches on home soil.
Roma are also unbeaten in their last seven home meetings with Sassuolo, winning the previous two, so they look good value at 20/29 to extend that run on Sunday.
Milan to Maintain Impressive Run
The one team that looks like denying us a title race in Serie A this year is AC Milan, as the Rossoneri came into the weekend five points clear at the top of the standings, while they are unbeaten in 21 league games, a run that stretches back to March.
Sunday’s trip to the Luigi Ferraris Stadium should see Milan stretch that run further, given opponents Sampdoria have failed to win any of their last five games across all competitions, losing their last two at home against Bologna in the league and city rivals Genoa in the Coppa Italia.
Milan have also won each of their last six Serie A matches on the road, including a 4-1 triumph at Samp back in July, so backing another away day success for Stefano Pioli’s side on Sunday could prove shrewd at 20/27.
*All odds correct at time of writing
