Serie A Betting Odds Preview And Tips
Roma's record Champions League defeat at the Theatre of Dreams suggests that Serie A is well below the Premiership in European soccer's pecking order.
Certainly it has been a topsy-turvy season in the Italian top-flight, with Inter building a commanding lead, but there are still plenty of quality sides looking to restore Italian pride in next season's continental competitions.
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Inter Poised to Sink Palermo's Champions League Hopes
By Inter Milan's exceptionally high standards, last weekend's draw at Reggina was a disappointing result. It was the first time since last October that Roberto Mancini's side failed to score, but that failure was mitigated by absence of Patrick Vieira, Brazilian Maxwell, Dejan Stankovic and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. With the likely return of several of those stars Inter will be close to full strength for their home game against struggling Palermo on Sunday.
The Sicilians defeat at home to Cagliari extended their winless run to nine games, and brought them closer to the chasing pack, desperate to take the fourth Champions League spot. The Aquile (Eagles) were surprise Serie A leaders, but they have clearly lost the winning thread, and the San Siro is unlikely to be the place to regain it. Pinnacle Sports price the Nerazzurri 1.935 (-1) with Palermo 1.990 (+1).
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Roma Need Positive Reaction After Record Defeat
Roma captain, Francesco Totti, summed up the disappointment of the 7-1 defeat at Old Trafford, by saying 'It was the saddest night of my career'. The question that defeat now raises is whether the Giallorossi can bounce back. With most of their key players rested, Roma recorded their first away victory in eight games at Catania's temporary venue last weekend. If those that failed against Manchester United can pick themselves up, they have an opportunity to consolidate second position in Serie A with the visit of Sampdoria this Sunday.
With Roma and Inter Milan destined to qualify automatically for the Champions League while also contesting the Coppa Italia, the seventh placed side in Serie A will gain entry into next season's UEFA Cup. Samp are currently in eighth position just two points away from that possibility, so they have every reason to try to capitalise on Roma's Champions League hang-over. Four of the last six meetings of the clubs have ended in a draw, so Sampdoria could be interesting on Pinnacle Sports's Asian Handicap 1.746 (+1) with Roma favoured 2.240 (+1).
Lazio Looking to Continue Late Season Charge
Lazio's late-season charge looks to have earned them a return to the Champions League, but they can draw closer to making that a certainty by beating the division's bottom club, Ascoli. The Roman club have made light of their Calciopoli punishments, and are looking to record a ninth straight victory, and remain unbeaten in 15 Serie A fixtures. The Biancocelesti are one of Serie A's most potent attacking forces, scoring 11 goals in their last four games.
Despite benefiting from the punishments issued to four other Serie A sides, Ascoli are the side at the bottom of the stack. Two recent heavy defeats - 4-0 at Fiorentina and 4-1 at Empoli - seemed to have ended any hopes that the Woodpeckers can beat the drop. They are now five points adrift of Messina, and braced for the visit of Lazio, who have the best away record after Inter Milan. Pinnacle Sports price Lazio favourites 2.09 (-1 & 1.5) with Ascoli 1.847 (+1 & +1.5).
