Serie A Tips: Salernitana Set For Another Spanking

There were some humbling results in Serie A matchday 18 and Enzo expects there to be another thrashing handed out when Napoli meet Salernitana

Verona v Lecce

Sat 21st Jan 17:00

As one of the preseason relegation favourites it’s a tad surprising to see Lecce in 14th, a full eleven points clear of the dropzone. The Salentini’s position is in no small part due to their recent rich vein of form which saw them accumulate more than half their season points total in the space of just six games (W3 D3 L0). That unbeaten run also included a surprise victory over Atalanta and a draw with Milan in which the Rossoneri would have counted themselves lucky to have come away with a share of the spoils.

Despite being firmly rooted in the bottom three with just nine points, Verona can take heart from their performances since returning from the break. The Scaligeri have picked up four points from three games which has lifted them into 17th. There was no shame in their most recent 1-0 loss to Inter in which the Nerazzuri were made to work hard for the win. If Verona stand any chance of survival plenty more displays like that will be needed.

An away victory is priced at a very favorable 12/5 and is the pick I initially considered but after having seen Verona’s ‘resurgence’, for want of a better word, I’m going with a stalemate and backing the Draw @ 2/1.

Salernitana v Napoli

Sat 21st Jan 17:00

Fresh from a 5-1 thrashing of Juventus at the Maradona, Napoli’s confidence will be skyhigh. Spaletti’s side now have a nine point cushion over Milan at the summit of Serie A and a second scudetto is within touching distance.

Salernitana also played their part in a drubbing at the weekend but unfortunately for the Granata, they were on the receiving end. The 8-2 humiliation at the hands of Atalanta resulted in Davide Nicola being sacked only to be re-appointed again two days later in farcical style.

With Salernitana in chaos behind the scenes and Napoli being in such red hot form, this has the potential to be another bloodbath. Last weekends trouncing was not the first time Salernitana have been battered this season. They have already been beaten 5-0 by Sassuolo and 3-0 by Monza which shows that when the floodgates are opened, they often stay open. Napoli -2 @ 9/4 is my second Serie A bet of the weekend.

Monza v Sassuolo

Sun 22nd Jan 14:00

Sassuolo are a vey different team from the one that entertained us last season with their inconsistent but brilliant attacking displays. After Gianluca Scamacca left for West Ham and Raspadori joined Napoli, the trident became a spear with Domenico Berardi as it’s head. The Sassuolo stalwart missed the majority of campaign through injury but has recently returned and has made an immediate impact with two strikes in three games. On Sunday he will face a Monza side that, notwithstanding their recent form, are far from a finished article particularly when it comes to the defence. The Brianzoli have conceded five in three and I fancy Berardi to score anytime @ 12/5 at the Stadio Brianteo.