OUR man in Rome Marco Di Cosmo (@Scioltz) has been in flying form with his Serie A selections. Can he continue his hot streak this weekend?
Hellas Verona v Bologna | Saturday 17.00 | BT Sport 2
Verona have collected just three points at home this season and made their worst start to a Serie A campaign in history.
They are therefore struggling without last season’s top Serie A goalscorer Luca Toni but their main issue has been at the back where they have the third worst defensive record, and the second worst at home. Hellas have leaked eight goals in just five games in Verona.
On the other hand, we have Bologna who predictably beat Atalanta last week as advised here. They have benefited from the arrival of new coach Roberto Donadoni and the bounce that so often arrives with a new man in charge. Continuity and consistency requires time though, and there’s still plenty of work to be done.
Verona are still waiting to get their first win and whilst I expected it to come at Carpi, we managed to get our stake back with the match ending level. So I’ll support them on Saturday instead against one of the league’s weakest opposition at their home ground.
Hellas welcome back Giampaolo Pazzini and Emil Halfredsson and despite having a few injury concerns elsewhere, these two players will be a welcome boost. Last season the hosts finished with a W7-D5-L7 home record and at 13/10 (William Hill) look a decent bet to get up and running here.
Sassuolo v Carpi | Sunday 14.00
Talking about new coaches and the boost effect they bring, Carpi have decided to take back their former coach, as the change in leadership wasn’t well-received by the players.
Fabrizio Castori will face a tough first test back in the dugout at Sassuolo, where the home team are still unbeaten and sitting pretty in fifth. And the home side have already taken the big scalps of Napoli, Lazio and Juventus at the Mapei Stadium this term.
With all their best players available I see Sassuolo keeping their excellent record going and I expect the dark clouds to continue to circle over Carpi. The visitors are the worst travellers in Serie A with W0-D1-L4, just six goals scored and a huge 17 conceded.
I like the home win at 3/4 with Coral but there’s also a good opportunity to mix it with team goals. Sassuolo have scored an average of 1.6 goals-per-game at home whilst Carpi have leaked 3.4 goals-per-game away – the best odds for the hosts to score Over 1.5 goals looks very appealing at 20/21 with Boylesports.
Sampdoria v Fiorentina | Sunday 19.45 | BT Sport Europa
Sunday evening’s clash between Sampdoria and Fiorentina should be a belter. The home side are proving very hit-or-miss and inconsistent in the early stages of the season, alternating between big results and rotten performances, as seen against Empoli on Monday.
I’m pretty sure I know how this fixture will play out. Fiorentina will enjoy plenty of possession, forcing the home side into their own half for the majority of the match. That’s pretty much what Sampdoria will hope for anyway with Walter Zenga’s side preferring to play patient, counter-attacking football.
Both clubs boast quality in offensive areas and we should be in for a decent high-scoring encounter. The likes of Joaquin Correa, Luis Muriel and Eder have combined for a total of 19 goals for Samp. But their defensive issues have seen the Blucerchiati leak 15 goals themselves.
Still, Sampdoria have scored 16 in six home games but only kept a solitary clean sheet against lowly Bologna., emphasising our expectation for a goal-heavy game.
I don’t think Samp will keep a clean sheet on Sunday night with Fiorentina playing the best football in Serie A along with Napoli. The visitors always team to grab a goal, even away from the Artemis Franchi, and they shouldn’t have any problems here.
Both Teams To Score can be backed at 10/13 with 10Bet.
Best Bets
Hellas Verona v Bologna – Hellas Verona to win (13/10 William Hill)
Sassuolo v Carpi – Sassuolo to win (3/4 Coral)
Sampdoria v Fiorentina – Both Teams To Score (10/13 10Bet)
100% Acca Bonus With Bet365
Did you know Bet365 offer up to a 100% bonus on winning accumulators from the top European leagues? Just place a pre-match acca (three or more picks) featuring teams from the English, Spanish, German or Italian leagues and if your bet wins you’ll pick up a guaranteed bonus.
Sounds good, eh? Check out the Bet365 site for full details.
Yet to sign-up to Bet365? Drop us an email at hello@welovebetting.co.uk before joining and we’ll give you the chance to earn up to £100 cash!
TOPICS
