Another week hock full of European fixtures so it’s a short week for some and a long week for others. Does that really mean anything? Hard to say. After this though no Europe for the Big teams top to bottom as we get into the meat of the schedule in the BEST LEAGUE IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matchups
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EMPOLI V TORINO As mentioned last week this is usually the time of year that Empoli soars. Even for them this is an especially good start. 19 points from 15 and sitting 10th is rock solid. Things are gonna get tough though, especially here. Liam Henderson is out due to card accumulation. Haas is already out for the year. As usual though guys step up. This is the way. Torino keep sliding down. They can’t score without Zapata and going down 1-0 feels like 4-0. Empoli closes the door. Take the under. Also look for Esposito shots. Maybe even sweat the 0-0? DRAW
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CAGLIARI V ATALANTA Cagliari are always tough at home, against even the best teams. This comes against an Atalanta team on a short week after 2 very difficult games. Thing is they are so deep does it really matter? Watch the lineups here. I think we get Retegui up top who will want some redemption after blowing a late chance against Madrid. Caglairi gets at least one here. Maybe even 2? Why? Who can explain Cagliari, they just find ways at home. Against all reason I like BTTS here and a Cagliari DC. Atalanta always flatter as challengers but find games to slip up. This certainly smells like one. DRAW
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UDINESE V NAPOLI Speaking of flattering to deceive. Before the season I stated I thought Napoli and Roma were NOT contenders for top 4. Well I sure as hell was right about Roma and Napoli are showing cracks. Kvara is hurt. Lukaku can’t score. They are not a great defensive team. They really need someone to step up in attack. Maybe that means doing something in January? Udinese might be just what they needed. Okoye is out in goal and Sava has been a sieve. They can’t score and are sliding down the table. A win over Monza did give them a lifeline. Napoli need this but so does a hungry Udinese. If Udinese get one early watch out. Let’s go with that. Udinese get one early and Napoli scratch something late. DRAW
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JUVENTUS V VENEZIA Juve have to break out sooner or later right? Probably at home? Likely against a terrible team? CERTAINLY after coming off a big CL win against Man City? Yeah. Let’s not question things. TSOA for Koopmeiners. AGS for Vlahovic if he starts. Clean sheet at home. JUVE WINS
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LECCE V MONZA This is more like the Giampaolo we knew. Honeymoon is over. you know I’ve always had a soft spot for Lecce but I can’t with this guy. They are dead to me until he is gone. Unfortunately they welcome Monza. They stink. Love my guy Nesta but it’s just not happening. The defense has been suffering and hitting balls off Djuric’s head is their only attack. Can’t rely on the random Kyriakopoulos banger though. You can rely on both for shots though. Against my better judgement you really gotta go Lecce here I think. Krstovic SOG and probably AGS as well. LECCE WINS
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BOLOGNA V FIORENTINA The Italiano Derby has to be the GAME OF THE WEEK! Fiorentina come in high flying having just dropped SEVEN against LASK in Conference action and also 15 in their last 5. You get a goal! You get a goal! EVERYONE GETS A GOAL! They come up against Bologna who have scored 9 and conceded just 2 in their last 4. This really is a battle of 2 teams totally locked in. So what will happen? Probably a 0-0 first half. I mean maybe someone gets 1 but I’m not sure. What you can bet on is more goals in the second half than the first. As far as the scorers take your pick. If Orsolini starts he’s a must. Kean too? La Viola will be on the front foot and Bologna will look to counter. Whatever the shot total is take the over. Just not sure how many will go in. I like Bologna DC and over 1.5 at home. That should be money in the bank. As far as the result? I still have a soft spot for Bologna after last year. BOLOGNA WINS
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PARMA V HELLAS Two teams that are tough to figure except one thing…GOALS! Never mind the result. Take the over 2.5. Maybe even over 3.5? You all KNOW that Man is the MAN. Guy has created the 5th most BIG CHANCES in all of the top 5 leagues. TSOA all day. For Hellas I love shots for Duda and Tengstedt. Magnani crashing the box on a corner worth a flyer. Could be a 3-2 or 3-3 game here. Both teams are desperate and can’t defend. I like Parma at home though. PARMA WINS
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COMO V ROMA Two teams I had little praise for before the year and they have not let me down. Some people had Como top 10 and many of the same people had Roma top 4. Come on now. That’s just total nonsense. Don’t be mad I’m smarter than you Ernie. I’m not a know it all if I’m right buddy. That being said a big opportunity for Roma to at least get back into the top half here. Como are not good. They might score but have they kept a clean sheet all year? Go check. Roma are playing well now under Raineri and are getting contributions from everywhere. Case in point their last 7 goals are from 7 different players. Shaarawy is reborn for like the tenth time and Salad shooter is back in fine form. If those 2 start take a SOT for each. Como score here but can’t slow down Roma. It’s a Roma win and BTTS. ROMA WINS
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MILAN V GENOA Tune in Sunday afternoon for the details!
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LAZIO V INTER This probably SHOULD be the game of the week but I’m just not a big fan of either. Yes they are 3 and 5 in the table and YES there could be some fireworks…so maybe it is? Historically this game has goals in it. Of the last 10 meetings 7 of them have had 3 goals and the other 3 had 2. Also of those 10 the home team have only lost 1. Lazio DC and 2-4 goals is +175. I like that A LOT. I also like over 1.5 first half goals at +275. We get some early and then the teams settle in. 1-1 seems right. 2-2 is possible as Inter tend to pack it in in Europe but really look to stretch their legs in the league. Love a Dimarco assist here as well. I almost never pick against Inter but this time I’m say we get a very spicy DRAW.
Final Thoughts
A few heavy weight battles, some relegation 6 pointers and at least a few must win games for teams that wanna stay near the top. More of the same in what Sabrina promises is the BEST DAMN LEAGUE IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Forza Milan
Lisi
PS: If you enjoy making a few bets the KICKS and PICKS PODCAST is a must listen. They touch on a lot of Serie A action but also have their eyes on other leagues across Europe. Fun show with excellent insight. Also follow my boy Burroaks77 on Twitter. Guy knows ball and always has great tips. Great for anyone new to the betting scene. Enjoy the calcio!