Serie A Preview: Inter to ignore off-field antics and down Sampdoria?
Published:
Latest Odds, preview and news for Serie A matchweek 24
In the week where Inter have stripped Mauro Icardi of the captaincy and handed it to goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, Serie A football returns for another matchweek.
A home game against Sampdoria faces Inter this weekend which could cause them problems. Elsewhere, surprise-package Atalanta host AC Milan in the Saturday evening game, with Napoli hosting Torino in the Sunday evening match.
Inter v Sampdoria (Sunday, 5pm)
After Inter boss Luciano Spalletti stripped Icardi of the captaincy, the Milan side had to do without him for their Thursday night Europa League clash with Rapid Wien. They’ll have to do without him again, with a ‘twisted ankle’ reported to be keeping him sidelined.
Sampdoria come into the game off a shock defeat to Frosinone last weekend, and their boss Marco Giampaolo will be looking for a response. This could be the best time for them to face Inter if the captaincy issues cause tensions in the camp.
Inter remain heavy favourites to ignore the dressing room drama and pick up a home victory at 8/15. Sampdoria will be hoping to take advantage and get the three points, and they’re 5/1 outsiders with our traders.
I Nerazzurri beat I Blucerchiati 1-0 in the earlier fixture, and they’re 6/1 to repeat that and continue their push for a Champions League spot.
Atalanta v Milan (Saturday, 7:30pm)
Another weekend, another win for Atalanta. Six unbeaten in the league for them now, they’re not looking like slowing down.
Gennaro Gattuso and his AC Milan side visit the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia this weekend, and they’ll be looking to avoid defeat to remain ahead of Atalanta in the race for fourth.
Comfortable 3-0 winners last time out against Cagliari, Milan are also six unbeaten in the league and are looking the best they’ve looked in recent years.
It’s a close one to call, and the home side come in as 21/20 favourites to continue their hot-streak of form. They’ll need Duvan Zapata firing on all cylinders to beat Milan’s young Gianluigi Donnarumma between the sticks.
Milan are outsiders, but not by much. They’re 13/5 to come away with all three points. If both teams are going to extend their unbeaten league streaks, then a draw is priced at 12/5 by our traders.
A 2-2 draw was played out last time between these two, and a repeat of that scoreline is 12/1.
Napoli v Torino (Sunday, 7:30pm)
Second-placed Napoli have has Europa League duty too this week, and will look to return to league action with a win to maintain the small hope they have of overturning the gap to leaders Juventus.
Gli Azzurri come into the game unbeaten in five, but there have been some dismal draws in that time too. They drew 0-0 last time out against Fiorentina, so they’ll be hoping to find their shooting boots against Torino.
Torino edged past a ten-man Udinese last time out, with Chelsea loanee Ola Aina grabbing the only goal of the game. There’s been a red card each of the last three they’ve been involved in.
Napoli are resounding favourites for this one at 4/9, with boss Carlo Ancelotti hoping his big guns can fire them to victory.
Torino are out at 6/1 to notch a surprise win, with a draw coming in at 13/4. They drew 2-2 last time, and Both Teams to Score is priced at 10/11.
If you’re expecting goals in this one, it’s 9/5 for over 3.5 goals in the 90 minutes.
Best of the rest
Frosinone may have beaten Sampdoria last weekend, but they’re up against a whole different task in the form of league leaders Juventus.
Cristiano Ronaldo and his side are 2/15 heavy favourites to win and temporarily extend their lead in the table, with Frosinone 28/1 to get a surprise victory.
After being beaten 7-1 by Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia at the end of January, Roma have picked their form back up and have gone three unbeaten in all competitions.
A 2-1 home win over Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday will give Eusebio Di Francesco and his side confidence to get a result in the Monday night clash against Bologna. They’re 4/9 outright favourites to win, with Bologna out at 6/1.
Click here for the latest Serie A odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
