After a lackluster performance in the derby, Enzo thinks there is money to be made by backing Milan’s opponents in Serie A’s Friday fixture
AC Milan v Torino
Fri 10th Feb 19:45
Milan’s troubles continued on Sunday following the 1-0 derby defeat to Inter. The Rossoneri are now winless in five (W0 D2 L3) and have slipped down to 6th place. Stefan Pioli has been criticised for dropping Rafael Leao in favour of a 3-5-2 formation that in theory would give the side more defensive stability but that has failed to materialise. Questions are also being asked of the Scudetto winning tactician as to why has not made better use of some of the summer acquisitions like De Ketelaere and Pobega.
In the Friday night fixture Milan will face Torino who have only lost once in eight games (W2 D5 L1). Toro don’t score many goals but they dont concede many either and only one of those eight matches have exceeded the 2.5 mark. Milan will have hoped for easier opposition to get back on track but I feel that a stubborn Toro side will be more than capable of prolonging the Rossoneri’s misery and should come away with at least a share of the spoils. Double Chance Torino/Draw @ EVS is my first Serie A pick for the weekend.
Udinese v Sassuolo
Sun 12th Feb 12:30
It is hard to believe that Udinese were once as high as third in the table, boasted a six game winning strike and had beaten Roma and Inter. However, things have gone steadily downhill for the Zebrette who have only won once since early October (W1 D7 L 5). Despite all that, European football is still a possibility for Udinese as they are just one point behind Torino in 7th.
Their opponents Sassuolo find themselves on the opposite side of the spectrum. Having spent much of the season lingering around the foot of the table the Neroverdi are finally beginning to find some form which in no small part down to the return of Domenico Berardi. Two wins on the bounce, a 1-0 victory over Atalanta and a 5-2 drubbing of Milan in which Berardi scored one and assisted three, mean that Sassuolo now have a nine point cushion between them and the danger-zone.
After witnessing the stellar performance in the San Siro and the dogged display against Atalanta, I fancy Sassuolo to push on and make it three in a row against an Udinese side who look flat and out of ideas. Sassuolo win @ 13/5 is my second Serie A selection.
Bologna v Monza
Sun 12th Feb 14:00
My final Italian football bet of the weekend is there to be goals at the Stadio Dall’Ara. Both Bologna and Monza are having are having good seasons and sit in 9th and 11th respectively. Bologna have coped well in the absence of topscorer Marko Arnautovic with Riccardo Orsolini and Stefan Posch taking on the goalscoring responsibility. The Felsinei are not renowned for their thrilling football but three of their last home games have seen over 2.5 goals.
Monza’s primary objective of staying in Serie A looks to have already been achieved just halfway through the season. This recently prompted Silvio Berlusconi to outline his lofty ambition of winning the Scudetto in the near future. The pronouncement might seem a little far fetched but since Rafaele Palladino took over, the club have accumulated enough points to put them in 5th.
The key to Monza’s success has been their attack which has gone from strength to strength over the course of the campaign. The Brianzoli have scored 10 goals in the last five matches however, they have only kept one clean sheet over the same period. Even though Bologna are not the most attack minded side they have enough going forward to take advantage of Monza’s gung ho approach so Over 2.5 goals @ 11/10 looks like a price worth taking.
Smart Bets
AC Milan v Torino: Double Chance Torino/Draw @ EVS
Udinese v Sassuolo: Sassuolo win @ 13/5
Bologna v Monza: Over 2.5 goals @ 11/10
