It promises to be another cracking weekend of action in Italy, with the game of the weekend in Serie A taking place in the Italian capital on Sunday, when Lazio go head-to-head with defending champions Juventus.
Just two points separate the two sides going into the early kick-off and the hosts are looking to extend their unbeaten record to six games, in all competitions.
Despite being 17/10 favourites for the title, Juve clearly look a different team with Cristiano Ronaldo back in the side, but they appear to be overly reliant on their superstar and recent league displays have not been convincing.
Lazio have Impressive Recent Record
It’s also worth noting that Lazio, 53/20 to collect the three points, have won two of the last three meetings between the sides – including a 3-1 success in this fixture last season.
Last season’s Serie A top scorer Ciro Immobile has scored three in the last five matches and the Lazio striker is available at 7/5 to score at anytime on Sunday.
Following on from the clash at the Stadio Olympico, its fourth against sixth as Atalanta and Inter Milan collide in Bergamo. Both teams have been inconsistent in recent weeks and this will provide a clearer answer as to whether either are genuine title challengers this term.
Inconsistent Atalanta
After three straight league wins to start the season, Atalanta crashed back to earth with heavy defeats to Napoli and Sampdoria. They did pick up a much-needed win at Crotone last week, but a heavy home defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League midweek, will have dented confidence.
Inter will look to take advantage and seem like a good price of 27/20 to claim the win and, in the process, leapfrog their opponents in the table.
Antonio Conte’s men have been better on the road of late and are unbeaten in nine away league games, stretching back into last season. Inter also won this fixture 2-0 last season, but I’d expect goals from both sides in this clash – an Inter win and BTTS can be backed at 21/10.
Milan Title Challengers Again?
It’s been a while since we’ve seen AC Milan sat at the top of Serie A, but the Rossoneri look to be back to being considered serious title contenders.
Stefano Pioli’s men are still unbeaten after six league games – five wins and one draw – although they need to respond to their surprise home defeat to Lille in the Europa League on Thursday.
On Sunday evening, they face a Hellas Verona side that are seventh, after an impressive start to the campaign, and who claimed a point at Juventus in their last away game.
They will make it tough for Milan, but the hosts should have enough to break them down. A Draw/Milan result is worth considering in the HT/FT market at 16/5.
Just prior to the clash at the San Siro, Bologna will face Napoli at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara and the home team will fancy their chances of causing a surprise.
Bologna – coached by Sinisa Mihajlovic – go into the game following back-to-back wins in the Coppa Italia and the league. They have only lost one of their last seven home games and are 6/5 in the Double Chance market.
That looks a tempting price when you consider Napoli’s inconsistent form, with two wins and two defeats in their last four Serie A fixtures – including a 2-0 home reverse to Sassuolo last weekend.
*All odds correct at time of writing
