Serie A Betting Analysis from PinnacleSports
12th May 2007, 8:56
Just when it looked like Inter Milan could do nothing wrong on the domestic scene, they were brought crashing down to earth in a 6-2 Coppa Italia thrashing by Roma. That result was another great example of how football can throw up shock results when you least expect them. Thankfully for serious soccer punters that kind of score-line is very rare, but whatever this weekend’s fixtures produce, www.PinnacleSports.com can be relied on to provide 60% better Serie A odds than traditional bookmakers.
Inter Looking to Bounce Back from Roma Bashing
Lazio can confirm their qualification for next season’s Champions League with victory this Sunday. However, they face the toughest possible Serie A fixture away to recently crowned Champions, Inter Milan. Coming into this fixture the Nerazzurri have 29 points more than the Biancocelesti, demonstrating how dominant Roberto Mancini’s side have been, however that air of invincibility will have been shaken by a 6-2 midweek defeat by Roma in the first leg of the Coppa Italia. That dramatic hammering may reflect Inter’s injury problems, and could certainly lead them to field a weakened side on Sunday as they prepare to salvage pride in the return leg against Roma this coming Wednesday.
Having gathered real momentum in the second half of the Serie A season, Lazio’s charge has suddenly faltered. The Eagles have gone from being one of the division’s most potent attacking forces, to a side struggling for goals. Lazio have found the net once in their last four fixtures, which is not the best form to take into an away game against Inter Milan. Despite the goal-drought the Rome side remain unbeaten in nine road-trips, and can also take confidence from a very reliable history in this fixture, which has ended as a draw on six of the last seven occasions. On that basis www.PinnacleSports.com’s price Lazio 1.806 (+0.5), with Inter Milan 2.140 (-0.5).
Milan Looking for Champions League Security
AC Milan have a great opportunity this weekend to confirm their place in next season’s Champions League, thereby allowing the Rossoneri to focus on this season’s final, in which they face Liverpool on May 23rd. Milan have risen into the upper reaches of the Serie A table on the back of impressive recent form. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are unbeaten in eight league fixtures and the contributions of their two Brazilians, Kaka and Ronaldo, have been integral to that success. Unfortunately, Ronaldo looks likely to sit this one out. Though Milan are seven points ahead of Empoli in fifth, and could qualify by winning the final in Athens, Ancelotti will be taking no chances until he has made a certainty of Champions League football next term.
On Sunday Milan travel to Bologna to play an away game against Sicilian side Catania. That strange circumstance exists because Catania are still being punished after the death of a policeman in their game against Palermo in February. Currently placed 12th the Elefanti (Elephants) would in a normal campaign be safe from relegation, but the congested nature of this season’s table means that the Sicilians are far from safe, just three points above the drop zone with one of the poorest goal-differences. At least their fans will for the first time since their stadium ban be allowed to watch them, giving some much needed encouragement in the battle against relegation; Pasquale Marino’s side have just one win from their last fifteen fixtures. www.PinnacleSports.com certainly favour AC Milan 1.862 (-0.5) with Catania 2.07 (+0.5).
Roma May Rest Stars Ahead of Coppa Italia Conclusion
Roma will have eased some of the pain from their 7-1 thrashing at Old Trafford by scoring six against Inter Milan in the first leg of the Coppa Italia. That result should have destroyed Inter’s hopes of a double, and ended Roma’s poor run in the final of that competition against the Nerazzurri. The Wolves have a home game against Torino on Sunday before looking to close out the Coppa Italia on Wednesday. Luca Spalletti could well rest his stars expecting a backlash from the Champions at the San Siro on Wednesday.
That scenario could give Torino a helping hand as they struggle to stave off relegation. Last week they ended a six game winless streak by beating bottom club Ascoli, but they only managed a single goal in an unconvincing display, and finding the net remains a problem for Gianni di Biasi’s side. Il Toro have scored just twice in their last seven league fixtures, one of the main reasons they are just two points above relegation. www.PinnacleSports.com aren’t optimistic about the Turin club’s chances in the capital pricing Roma favourites 1.893 (-0.50 with Torino 2.040 (+0.5).