Serie A Tips: Back Verona To Continue Their Survival Drive

There are some important clashes at both the foot and the head of table this week in Italy and Enzo has three selections for the big games

Napoli v Salernitana

Sat 29th Apr 14:00

Victor Osimhen has yet to find the net since his return from injury so its high time that he gets back amongst the goals. Against Juve last Sunday, he looked back to his old self having seemed a little rusty during Napoli’s Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of Milan. The bookies feel the same and have the Nigerian priced at odds on to find the net anytime which offers very little value so I will avoid. Instead, I am going to risk it and take Victor Osimhen first goalscorer @ 14/5.

Inter Milan v Lazio

Sun 30th Apr 11:30

It has been a good week for Simone Inzaghi and Inter Milan. The Nerazzurri ended their five match Serie A winless streak by trouncing Empoli and they reached the Coppa Italia final thanks to a 1-0 triumph over Juve on Wednesday. However, success in the cups does not always correlate with league wins as we have previously witnessed with this side and it may be a little early to announce the end of the crisis.

Sunday morning’s fixture is a must win for Inter if they are to qualify for next seasons Champions League. They currently sit in 6th place, 2 points shy of 4th spot. Unfortunately for Simone Inzaghi, they face his former side who are riding high in second place. Lazio have gained a reputation as giant killers in recent years and have already beaten the Nerazzurri 3-1 in the reverse fixture as well as all the teams that make up the top 7. They have proven themselves to be formidable opponents and I fancy them to get the better of this mentally fragile Inter side so Lazio win @ 7/2 is the bet.

Cremonese v Verona

Sun 30th Apr 14:00

After the mini resurgence which saw them beat Empoli and Sampdoria, Cremonese’s push for survival was halted by a humbling 3-0 loss to Udinese. La Cremo’s unlikey Coppa Italia run also ended this week when they eliminated in the semi finals by Fiorentina. With just seven games remaining in the league, it is highly unlikely that Cremonese can make up the 8 point gap between them and safety so Serie B beckons next season.

Fellow basement dwellers Verona on the other hand have a real chance of staying in the top flight. Following a three match unbeaten run (W2 D1 L0) which saw them beat Bologna and Sassuolo and draw with Napoli, the Mastini are just a single point behind Spezia who are in 17th.

To give Cremonese credit they have put up a decent fight this year and have caused a number of upsets but realistically, with the current squad, staying in Serie A was always going to be a tough ask. Verona possess some genuine quality in their ranks and, if anything, have under performed this campaign. Now that they appear to be on a run of form I fancy them to all but condemn an undoubtedly demoralised Cremonese. Verona win @ 11/8 is my final Italian football prediction for matchday 31.