Serie A: What Went Wrong for Jose in Rome?

When Jose Mourinho left the Roma training ground for the final time last week, there were fans waiting with tears in their eyes to say a fond farewell.

After two and a half years in charge at the Giallorossi the Special One has been dispensed with and the supporters, who genuinely adored him, must now move on. Roma legend Daniele de Rossi has been named as Jose’s successor after the Portuguese coach picked up just one win from his last six Serie A games.

While the fans loved him Mourinho has come under fire for the style of football his team has played. He guided Roma to the Europa League final last term where they were beaten by Sevilla on penalties; but in the aftermath of the Giallorossi’s 1-0 semi-final win over Bayer Leverkusen, Werkself midfielder Karim Derimbay was scathing, saying: “Roma achieved their goal in a disgusting fashion. It’s also bad for football in general. It’s a pity that a style of play like this can be rewarded in a semi-final of such high level.”

With a pragmatic approach and acute attention to detail Mourinho’s success has always been about results and that’s where the wheels have fallen off; not since 2003 has the Giallorossi collected so few points from their first 20 games and Mourinho left them in ninth place. The latest Serie A 2024 betting odds say Roma will struggle to finish in the top six and that simply isn’t good enough. Jose has been unlucky with injuries, with key players Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham long term absentees, but he did have plenty of quality in his side, with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini in his ranks.  

AS Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini celebrates scoring their second goal against Hellas Verona at home

Mourinho’s frustration has been clear for all to see at times, never far away from the Serie A 2024 news headlines and he has frequently watched his team from the stands due to suspensions, including his final game in charge, a 3-1 defeat to AC Milan last week. Tellingly, owner Dan Friedkin said: “If we win on the pitch and act the right way off it, we can showcase AS Roma to millions of people in Rome and all over the world.”

And there you have it…arrivederci Jose.

Winning start for De Rossi

What happens when you part company with a manager and draft a new man in? Conventional wisdom tells us you’ll see a new manager bounce. I don’t know if it’s really a ‘thing’ but the new Roma head coach had a perfect start as his team beat Hellas Verona 2-1 on Saturday. The Giallorossi still laboured to a degree, dominating possession but only registering two shots on target, but that was enough to see off struggling Verona.

Stephen El Shaarawy beat three defenders before teeing up Lukaku for the opener and then the Belgian striker crossed for Pellegrini who smashed his shot into the roof of the net to make it 2-0. Any thoughts the fans had of a relaxing second half soon disappeared as 18^th placed Verona went on the attack. The visitors had a goal harshly ruled out for the slightest of pushes, then Milan Djuric blasted a penalty way over the crossbar.

Folorunsho halved the deficit with a swerving strike from distance, but Roma held on to rise to eighth in the league table and just two points off the top four. What a difference one game can make and who’s to say Mourinho wouldn’t have won it?

Next up for De Rossi’s Roma, a trip away to Salernitana and they are at SBOTOP odds of 1.69 to win that one, and another three points could well see the Giallorossi climb back into the European places.        

What next for the Special One?

So, at 60 years of age, one of the finest managers of all time is back in the jobs market…or will he take a well earned break after collection a record haul of silverware in his glittering 24 year coaching career? Mourinho will always be a star attraction and romanticists have suggested he may make an emotional return to Real Madrid.

But there are Premier League fans watching the story with interest. Crystal Palace are struggling at the moment and manager Roy Hodgson may finally be ready to take his hard earned retirement. If he does fancy a return to England I suspect Mourinho may have his sights slightly higher, with all respect to the Eagles. He turned down the Portugal job in the summer and offers from Saudi Arabia. And while there is no suggestion that Newcastle United’s Saudi owners are considering a change at the helm, should Eddie Howe leave St James Park (the Magpies are currently tenth having lost four league games on the bounce) the Newcastle hierarchy are sure to look for a big name.

And they don’t come much bigger than Jose Mourinho.

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This message was edited by SBOTOP on 23-Jan-2024 at 2:11 PM

Serie A: Milan’s Scudetto Dream is Still Alive

AC Milan vs Bologna

For much of the 2023/24 Serie A campaign the race for the Scudetto has had two main players; and Juventus and Inter Milan sit proudly first and second.

But Stefano Pioli’s AC Milan, who have been watching from a distance, have suddenly come into view after a sequence of four league wins has brought them to within seven points of leaders Juve. It’s a fair gap to make up but it isn’t insurmountable and, should the margin be reduced to three or four points within the next few weeks, it will get very interesting.

The 2022 title winners have a good test of their title credentials coming up when Serie A: Milan vs Bologna is the main attraction at the San Siro on Saturday. The visitors, managed by Thiago Motta have been in the race for European places and will be keen to upset their hosts having fallen off the pace a little.

Motta is facing the biggest challenge of the campaign so far. His team comes into this game without a victory in four, losing at Cagliari last week while I Rossoneri won a five goal thriller away to Udinese; and the Milan vs Bologna betting odds say they are about to make it five wins on the bounce.

Talking Points

Milan’s multiple threat

I Rossoneri grabbed a last minute winner at Udinese last week as 23 year old winger Noah Okafor struck the dramatic blow. The Swiss star arrived in Milan in the summer in a switch from Red Bull Salzburg and he’s put in some eye-catching performances, scoring four goals. And Okafor is one of a number of attacking threats at Pioli’s disposal with a front line led by the evergreen Olivier Giroud, who has scored ten goals and made seven assists as the third top scorer in the league.

AC Milan’s Olivier Giroud during their Serie A match against Udinese

Rafael Leao has been one of the best creative players in Serie A over the past couple of seasons but, in the summer, Pioli added more attacking flair, bringing in Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus Cheek from Chelsea and striker Luka Jovic from Fiorentina as cover for Giroud.

When Milan met Roma two weeks ago the outcome was the departure of Giallorossi boss Jose Mourinho as Pioli’s team ran out 3-1 winners. Bologna is the next top ten challenger to visit and I think they may suffer the same fate.

Motta’s Bologna look for a restart

I Rossoblu had a great first half of the campaign and a lot of the credit goes to head coach Motta, who certainly isn’t under pressure from the club’s owners.

Motta was a combative midfielder with Inter Milan and Italy and he knows this league inside out and. Still only 41 years of age he’s already won a reputation as an innovative manager who’s team plays attractive, fluid football, though they can sometimes be caught out in defence, shipping five goals in their last two away games, to Cagliari and Udinese.

Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee is in his second season at Bologna and the 22 year old has broken through with seven goals and three assists and he will be a shoe-in to start on Saturday. And while Zirkzee has grabbed the headlines, the manager can be credited with bringing in some quality players who have played big roles so far. Netherlands centre back Sam Beukema, signed from AZ Alkmaar, has been the standout defender and Motta can rely on him to give Giroud a good game, while Swiss star man Remo Freuler, on loan from Nottingham Forest, is a strong defensive midfielder who will get stuck in and give his defence some protection.

With a ninth placed finish last season Bologna have punched above their weight so far in this campaign and they will be pleased with how they have performed so far. But if they slip below ninth there will be a deflated feeling at the club and Motta will be keen to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

History

I Rossoneri have had the better of the head to head Milan vs Bologna results over the past three decades, winning 31 and losing six and Pioli’s side won 2-0 when the two teams met in Bologna back in August.

In terms of recent form Milan are stronger, with five wins and one defeat from the last six while Bologna have won two, drawn one and lost three.

The San Siro has been a tough place to get a result; Milan have won eight of their ten home league games and Bologna have not picked up a win on any of their last seven visits.

Betting Tip

AC Milan VS Bologna

January 28, 03:45 (GMT+8)

AC Milan Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.96

Milan are clear favourites at SBOTOP odds of 1.71 with the draw at 3.27 and a Bologna win is 4.25. I can’t see anything other than a home in an attack versus defence affair where I believe Milan’s strikers will have too much for their visitors.

This message was edited by SBOTOP on 24-Jan-2024 at 1:04 PM

Serie A: Out with the Old, In with the New

With the transfer window almost closing, SBOTOP provides you with some of the latest Serie A transfer news and updates. It’s been a relatively quiet transfer window for the Italian top flight, but it was definitely not insignificant.

Top clubs like Napoli made bold moves, letting go of the reliable Elmas and deciding to go with a newer face, Cyril Ngonge. Meanwhile, Supercoppa Italiana champions Inter Milan bolstered their roster and acquired an insurance transfer, Tajon Buchanan. On the other side of the league table, Verona started selling players, which included Ngonge.

Clubs from top to bottom of the league standings aspire for strong 2024 campaigns, and transfer moves could be the key to get them over the hump. So, read more below for an in-depth read on the closing January transfer window of Serie A.

Eljif Elmas joins Leipzig but welcomes Ngonge

Napoli are among the few clubs in Serie A that are having a proactive January transfer window, moving and acquiring key pieces in hopes of bolstering their squad for the second half of the season.

One of their biggest moves is their decision to part ways with the serviceable midfielder, Eljif Elmas. Elmas has been a sturdy piece for the Blues, making 36 appearances during their 2022–23 championship season.

The Macedonian international gave Napoli a big boost on the offencive end of the pitch, scoring six goals and claiming three assists en route to the scudetto while netting two goals in 11 appearances this season to boot.

The promising 24-year-old now calls the German top flight his home. Acquired by RB Leipzig, Elmas has a great opportunity to blossom into one of the most talented and versatile players in the Bundesliga. Even though he has yet to tally a win with his new club, he made appearances in both bouts against Frankfurt and Leverkusen.

Marco Rose could be planning something special for his new player; it’s only a matter of time until Elmas is fully incorporated into the Leipzig system.

The Blues aren’t left empty-handed, though. Walter Mazzarri might’ve gotten the most back for their buck, acquiring the budding Belgian, Cryil Ngonge, from the struggling Verona for €18 million.

The 23-year-old winger has been fantastic for Gialloblu this season, scoring six goals and dishing out two assists in 19 appearances. With the opportunity to play for a contending team, it would be safe to assume that both Ngonge and Napoli are happy with their chances to improve in the second half of the Serie A season.

Inter acquires Tajon Buchanan

Inter Milan, the Serie A 2024 odds favourites, continue their quest for the scudetto by acquiring the budding right-back, Tajon Buchanan. With this signing, Buchanan becomes the first ever Canadian to play in the Italian top flight.

The former New England and Club Brugge star completed a transfer to Inter Milan with a price tag of €7 million. And with the budget they have for loaning Eddie Salcedo and Lucien Agoumé, the acquisition of Buchanan seems like a bargain.

The 24-year-old completed his transfer back on January 5, but he has yet to make an appearance for Inzaghi’s I Nerazzurri. Despite conceding the top spot in the Serie A table, Inter Milan managed to beat Napoli in the Supercoppa Italiana yesterday, making them the winningest club (8 titles) since the tournament’s birth in 1988.

For now, Inter Milan fans will just have to wait and see if the addition of Buchanan will translate into better Serie A 2024 results moving forward.

Radu Drăgușin leaves Genoa for Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur defender Radu Drăgușin warms up ahead of their Premier League match against Manchester United

Another Serie A product has yet again left the league for greener pastures in other competitive top flights. Genoa’s Radu Drăgușin was considered to be one of the best young centre-backs in the Italian top flight, anchoring Genoa’s defence with a sound, surgical, precise, and most of all, reliable style of play.

The 21-year-old was the subject of interest from numerous illustrious outfits, including German league champions Bayern Munich and Italian league champions Napoli, but the budding star opted to move to north London and join the poised Tottenham Hotspur.

With a price tag of €31 million, Drăgușin is now the most expensive Romanian player in football history and the fourth Romanian player to join Tottenham, after Ilie Dumitrescu, Gică Popescu, and Vlad Chiricheș.

His deal to the Spurs also included a swap deal, sending defender Djed Spence to Il Grifone on loan until the end of the 2023–24 season with an option to buy for €10 million. Tottenham will also shoulder Spence’s wages until the summer.

With Drăgușin in the lineup for Ange Postecoglou, the needle could definitely move for the Spurs once the defender gets fully acquainted with his new squad.

This message was edited by SBOTOP on 25-Jan-2024 at 1:59 PM

Serie A: Atalanta and Lazio is the Top Undercard Game in Matchday 23

Atalanta vs Lazio

Two of the top four hopefuls will clash in Bergamo this weekend as Lazio host Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium on Sunday evening.

Only two points separate these two sides in the Serie A table, as Atalanta are currently in fourth place with 36 points, while Lazio are not far behind in sixth place with 34 points.

Depending on this weekend’s Serie A 2024 results, there’s a chance that things will stay the same or that these two teams could switch places.

As the title of this article suggests, SBOTOP football fans are in for a huge treat because after this game, there’s the famous Derby d’Italia game between Inter Milan and Juventus, which will pose major ramifications in the Scudetto race.

Talking Points

No Lookman, no problem for Atalanta

With Ademola Lookman still competing in the AFCON after Nigeria are through the semi-finals, Atalanta have been trying their best to cope with his absence, and so far they’ve done well.

In their last five games across all competitions, Atalanta’s free-scoring ways haven’t taken a hit at all, as several players have stepped up, a key reason why they’ve improved to fourth place.

Enter the trio of Teun Koopmeiners, Charles De Ketelaere, and Gianluca Scamacca, who are responsible for eight of their last 13 goals scored.

Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere in action with AC Milan’s Simon Kjaer during the Coppa Italia match

Charles De Ketelaere kicked off the New Year for Atalanta by registering a brace in their 3-1 Coppa Italia Round of 16 win against Sassuolo, and then he was one of the five men who found the back of the net in their 5-0 shellacking of Frosinone.

Teun Koopmeiners scored their only goal against AS Roma and also had a brace in their 2-1 victory over AC Milan. He also found the back of the net against Frosinone.

And last but not least, Gianluca Scamacca broke his scoring drought in Atalanta’s 2-0 win against Udinese on Saturday. The former West Ham United striker now has six league goals this season from just eight starts.

With all of them being 100-per cent fit, Lazio’s defence will have their hands full trying to keep them at bay.

Who’s available for Lazio?

Patric is still out due to a shoulder injury, so Mario Gila will continue his centre-half partnership with Alessio Romagnoli this weekend.

Central midfielder Danilo Cataldi is not available for this contest because he picked up his fifth yellow card against Napoli, so Nicolo Rovella or Matias Vecino will start in his place in midfield.

But the biggest news for the Biancocelesti is the forthcoming return of Ciro Immobile from suspension, their top scorer this season with seven goals. The veteran striker will displace Taty Castellanos, and he’ll be paired with Felipe Anderson and Gustav Isaksen up front.

History

Atalanta and Lazio last faced off in October, where the latter won 3-2 at home in the Stadio Olimpico. The Biancocelesti were up by two goals early, courtesy of Charles De Ketelare’s own goal in the fifth minute and Taty Castellanos 11^th-minute goal, but Ederson and Sead Kolasinac drew level for La Dea.

Matias Vecino scored the marginal goal during the 83^rd minute, and Lazio held on even as their manager, Maurizio Sarri, was sent off for dissent in the final minutes.

Lazio are undefeated in five of their last six Serie A encounters with Atalanta (W3, D2) after failing to win any of their previous seven league games (D3, L4), including going unbeaten in Bergamo in their last three (W2, D1).

Should the Biancocelesti beat La Dea again, it would be their first league double over them since 2016-17 under Simone Inzaghi.

But Atalanta have been good at home this season, gathering 25 points from their opening 11 home league games, which is their best mark at this stage of the season.

Betting Tip

Atalanta VS Lazio

February 5, 1:00 (GMT+8)

Total Goal 2-3 @1.89

The Serie A 2024 odds predict another close fight between these two sides on Sunday. Being the hosts, Atalanta were given the slight edge at 2.08, while Lazio were at 3.36 odds, and a draw is at 3.09 in the 1X2 market.

With these two sides capable of scoring a bunch of goals, Total Goal 2-3 at 1.89 seems like the safest bet, while Over 2.50 at 2.21 and Total Goal 4-6 at 3.96 are also worth considering. As for choosing the winner of this matchup, it’s a toss-up. The one particular bet that caught my eye is the Correct Score of 3-2 in favour of Lazio, the same exact result as their reverse fixture, because it is on a whopping offer of 55.00

This message was edited by SBOTOP on 03-Feb-2024 at 8:56 PM

Serie A: Can Roma Interrupt Inter’s Title run?

AS Roma vs Inter Milan

League leaders Inter Milan head to the capital city on Saturday to meet in form Roma in the Serie A clash of the weekend.

Roma’s 4-0 win over Cagliari on Monday made it four wins on the bounce for I Giallorossi while Inter’s 1-0 victory over Juventus put some distance between them and the Old Lady in the race for the 2024 Scudetto.

Simone Inzaghi’s Nerazzurri are a handy four points clear at the top of the table and with a game in hand. The latest Serie A 2024 betting odds say this is Inter’s Scudetto to lose; meanwhile Roma, under their new boss Daniele de Rossi are back in top four contention and they will give the league leaders a serious test on Saturday.    

Talking Points

The De Rossi effect

From the moment Jose Mourinho departed Rome and de Rossi arrived at the club, there has been quite a transformation, as I Giallorossi have picked up three league wins and a friendly victory over Al-Shabab under the new boss.

2-1 victories at home to Hellas Verona and then Salernitana showed the belief had returned, but Roma’s 4-0 thumping of Cagliari on Monday was a real statement. Goals from Lorenzo Pellegrini, a brace from Paolo Dybala, and a fourth from defender Dean Huijson gave Roma a resounding three points and lifted Roma to within a place of Atalanta in fourth place.

So with a perfect set of Serie A 2024 results since he took over, the mood in the dressing room has improved markedly, and if de Rossi can pick up a result against I Nerazzurri the Roma fans will start to believe that Champions League football is within their grasp. And that seemed a long way away just a month ago.

Both Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala have been contributing to AS Roma’s attack in Serie A this season

Romelu Lukaku is top-scoring with nine goals, and he will relish the chance to face his old club, while Paulo Dybala’s double against Cagliari made it eight for the season for the Argentine striker. Both forwards are 30 years old, pretty much in their prime these days, and with skipper Lorenzo Pellegrini back to his best form, Roma have plenty of big-game players to take on the best team in the league.

Inzaghi banned and Frattesi out  

The top two clash between Inter and Juventus was as tight as you’d expect and only an own goal from Federico Gatti could separate the two sides. But it was a crucial victory, and as tension rose on the touch line, head coach Simone Inzaghi picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign, and he will watch this huge match from the stands.

The one-match ban comes at a bad time for Inzaghi, as his team comes up against a group of players brimming with confidence, and if Roma grab a lead, Inter will need to react quickly.

On the pitch, there are more problems, as influential midfielder Davide Frattesi is highly doubtful after suffering a muscle strain in training. He was an unused substitute in the win over Juventus, having picked up the injury in Inter’s final training session, and the head coach is unlikely to risk the 24-year-old when I Nerazzuri arrive at the Stadio Olimpico. 

In a quiet transfer window Inzaghi stuck with his players which have served him so well in the first half of the campaign. He only brought in Tajon Buchanan, from Club Brugge, and the wide midfielder might make the squad in Frattesi’s absence but there are unlikely to many more changes to the line-up.

Striker Lautaro Martinez, who is in the lead of the race for the Capocannoniere, with 19 goals from 20 games, bagged the winner in I Nerazzurri’s last away game, against Fiorentina, will lead the line and all eyes will be on his shootout with his old striking partner Lukaku. 

History

Inter have won 34 games in the head-to-head with Roma over the past 30 years, including a 1-0 win at the San Siro in October, while I Giallorossi have recorded 21 victories in that time.

And while De Rossi’s men have racked up four consecutive wins, Inter have been triumphant in their last five. Roma have a home record of seven wins, three draws, and a single defeat, while Inter have won nine away games and drawn two.

Betting Tip

AS Roma VS Inter Milan

February 11, 01:00 (GMT+8)

Over 2.25 @ 1.97

Roma are at SBOTOP odds of 3.58 to win and the draw is 3.06 with Inter Milan odds at 1.91 to take all three points. While Inter have become the 1-0 specialists over the past two weeks, I think Roma will push them hard, and the league leaders will need to score more than once to continue their winning run. 

This message was edited by SBOTOP on 08-Feb-2024 at 12:59 PM

Serie A: Can Lazio Boss Their Way Past Fiorentina?

Fiorentina vs Lazio

Things are starting to heat up in the midfield of the Serie A standings. Six top-flight outfits currently separate themselves by just five points, and every point they can garner from this point on could be detrimental to their final rankings by the end of the season.

Lazio and Fiorentina are two of the clubs caught in a close competition for midfield spots. Although, at this point in the season, their chances of winning the Serie A championship have already slimmed down. But luckily for them, both outfits may still be able to make it into the European race the following term.

Talking Points

Lazio might have their swagger back

Lazio players warm up before their Serie A match against Napoli starts

The Eagles are finding it hard to find consistent Serie A 2024 results, but they could definitely start turning things around, especially after their 1-0 first-leg win over Bayern in the Champions League Round of 16.

Their current season has been a far cry from what they were able to produce in the 2022–23 campaign, and their title hopes for this season might already be down the drain. But if they string up a tail-end run to finish the season, Lazio could feature in European football again next season.

Just five points behind Europa League hopefuls Atalanta, the Eagles are well within striking distance of qualifying for European football next term. Already with six points in their last three top-flight matches, they have a great opportunity to add to their tally when they visit Fiorentina at Stadio Artemio Franchi.

The glaring struggles of their final third to find the back of the net have been costing them this season, but they’re starting to ramp up in the past few weeks, scoring eight goals in their last five matches across all competitions.

Immobile stands as their top goal scorer this season with six goals, while Luis Alberto and Felipe Anderson follow suit with three goals apiece.

If Ciro Immobile and the rest of Lazio’s forwards could continue to ramp up their production moving forward, Lazio could find themselves in the upper echelon of Serie A sooner than later.

Fiorentina are simmering down

La viola just won one top-flight match since the new year, and their defence is the culprit for their shortcomings.

In all of their matches in Serie A since January, Fiorentina’s first third failed to tally a clean sheet. With 29 allowed goals thus far, Fiorentina have the third most goals allowed in the top 10 teams in the Serie A table, trailed by Roma with 30 and Milan with 31.

The difference between these three clubs is that Roma and Milan have a more potent offence than La viola, who boast Nicolás González, who has just seven goals this season as their top scorer, while Milan have Oliver Giroud and Roma have Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala.

With just four accumulated points in their last five top-flight matches, Fiorentina’s match with Lazio comes with bigger stakes than we thought. Fiorentina are now just two points clear of Napoli, Torino, and Monza, and if Vincenzo Italiano can’t garner much-needed points against Lazio, then they could possibly fall to the lower half of the Serie A table after this week.

So SBOTOP football fans should expect a fiery Fiorentina outfit when they host the Eagles this week.

History

To say that these teams are well acquainted would be an understatement, as they’ve faced each other 43 times since 2005.

In those matches, Lazio have bossed Fiorentina, winning 25 head-to-heads, while Fiorentina have only 11 wins and seven draws.

During their most recent matchup, Lazio successfully defended their home field with a 1-0 victory against a visiting Fiorentina. Ciro Immobile scored the only goal of the match via a penalty in the second half.

La viola have only garnered one win against Lazio in their last 10 meetings, so punters should be mindful of this statistic when they look at the main lines for their upcoming bout. 

Betting Tip 

Fiorentina VS Lazio

February 27, 3:45 (GMT+8)

1X2 Lazio @3.05

Both Fiorentina and Lazio boast 1.6 goals per match in their last five head-to-heads, which is why the middle line for their total goals is 2.25, but because both outfits have been struggling offencively in the past few weeks, goals under 2.25 at 1.88 could be the sweet spot in terms of their possible goal production.

Meanwhile, in their main lines, the Serie A 2024 betting odds have Lazio as the underdogs at 3.05, which poses immense value, which is why that is my betting tip for this top-flight bout. Despite their recent struggles, Fiorentina are the slight favourites with 2.29 and a draw price of 2.97.

Although neither team has been playing at its best lately, Lazio is beginning to perform better in both the Serie A and the Champions League, so bettors shouldn’t ignore them as the underdogs at 3.05 against a struggling Fiorentina.

This message was edited by SBOTOP on 28-Feb-2024 at 3:25 PM

Serie A: Atalanta Will Take a Crack at Inter Milan

Inter Milan vs Atalanta

Simone Inzaghi’s outfit looks invincible this season, and it seems like they have no plans on slowing down. Inter have won all their matches across all competitions since the start of the new year, winning the Supercoppa Italiana, claiming the first leg of their Round of 16 clash in the Champions League, and dominating every rival in Serie A.

Not to jump the gun, but a treble might be in the works.

La Dea will be next to take a crack at the Nerazzurri. Gasperini’s outfit is currently in a tough race with Bologna for a top-four seed in the league standings, and a win against Inter could be just what Atalanta need to secure their Champions League berth.

There’s still a lot of football left in the season, but Atalanta can’t afford to miss out on any points, as they have a tough slate ahead of them. La Dea already stole a point with a draw against AC Milan, but Inter will be next on the menu, followed by Bologna, Juventus, Fiorentina, and Napoli.

Talking Points

Lautaro Martinez reaches 100 Serie A goals

Inter marched to Stadio Via del Mare for their Matchday 26 bout against the struggling Lecce. In that match, Inter Milan thumped Lecce in front of their home crowd with a 0-4 score line, bringing their lead up to nine points with a game in hand.

It was a dominant outing, to say the least, but it’s not the biggest Serie A 2024 news story that came out of that match, as Lautaro Martinez scored twice against Lecce, recording his 100^th and 101^st Serie A goals.

Now that Martinez has entered the elite group of players to reach 100 goals in the Italian top flight, he becomes the third foreigner in Inter’s history to reach triple figures in Serie A.

The Argentine marksman now has 22 goals this season for the Nerazzurri, is on pace to be the club’s top goal scorer for the third season in a row, and is currently unrivaled in the Serie A Golden Boot race.

The 26-year-old went to social media to celebrate the win over Lecce and his personal milestone.

“Another important away win! We have to keep going like this on our journey to our goals!” He stated

“And a big personal milestone for me. 101 goals in this glorious shirt! Thanks everyone for supporting me.”

Lautaro is undeniably the main catalyst for Inter’s success this season. He has found the back of the net 22 times in 23 matches, claiming two assists to boot. Not to mention, he also does his fair share of goal-scoring in other competitions like the Champions League and the Supercoppa as well.

But the job’s not done. Expect Lautaro’s goal tally to increase even more, as there is still a lot of football to be played in the top flight.

Atalanta have the Champions League in sight

Atalanta’s Sead Kolasinac, Marco Carnesecchi and Isak Hien react after their match against AC Milan

La Dea are well on their way back to Champions League contention if they manage to keep their form all throughout the rest of the season.

Like Inter, La Dea have remained unbeaten in the top flight since the start of the new year, and they will put their streak to the greatest test when they face the final boss of the league.

Gasperini and his men are on a remarkable run, successfully keeping up with the red-hot Bologna in the league standings. Currently in fifth place with a game in hand, a win against Inter could see Gasperini’s outfit cruise past Bologna and be in the top four.

It’s easier said than done, though, as the Serie A 2024 betting odds have Atalanta as the underdogs against Inter, and it would take a herculean effort from La Dea’s first third to stop Lautaro Martinez and his mates from scoring.

But Atalanta proved that they could get points at San Siro after recently tallying a 1-1 draw against AC Milan, so the hostile atmosphere of San Siro coupled with the roars and chants of Milano fans shouldn’t be a problem for Gasperini’s men.

History

Inter Milan have bossed their head-to-heads against Atalanta for two decades now. Since 2004, these rivals have faced each other 38 times across all competitions. Among those matches, Inter have won 20 games, while Atalanta have only won six and have tallied a draw 12 times.

The Nerazzurri are on a four-game winning streak against Atalanta across all competitions, and I personally don’t see that streak ending this time around, especially with how Inter have been playing this season.

Both outfits have been spotless these past few months and are yet to taste defeat in the top flight since the start of the 2024 calendar year.

Betting Tip

Inter Milan VS Atalanta

February 29, 03:45 (GMT+8)

Over 2.75 @ 1.99

Goals over/under 2.27 is the middle line at SBOTOP, and it just shows the ability of these rivals to find the back of the net. Inter Milan boast the most potent offence in the top flight with 63 tallied goals, while Atalanta are in the upper echelon themselves with 48. Which is why having these clubs score a total of over 2.75 goals at 1.99 is a value bet, in my opinion.

For their main lines, Inter Milan are understandably the favourites to win at 1.61, while the visiting Atalanta are the underdogs at 4.70 with a draw price of 3.75.

Inter at 1.61 is the move as far as their 1X2 lines go, for reasons already mentioned throughout this match preview.

Meanwhile, Inter Milan’s Asian Handicap of -0.75 at 1.84 is also a good line for punters to keep an eye on. I predict the Nerazzurri to win by two goals in this clash, so -0.75 at 1.84 poses enough value and excitement for punters to consider.

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This message was edited by SBOTOP on 28-Feb-2024 at 3:32 PM

Who Can Claim Coppa Italia Clash Glory?

Lazio vs Juventus

The Coppa Italia has always meant a lot to both these clubs.

It is a competition Juventus have won a record of 14 times, while Lazio also have fond memories of winning this competition on seven occasions, most recently in 2019.

But which one of them can create tangible Coppa Italia highlights to keep their season alive?

Talking Points

For all of Juventus’ flaws in recent months – and there have been plenty as their form has become pedestrian-like – they are still faring much better than Lazio.

The ‘old lady’ of Turin already have one foot in the final after their first leg triumph, when second half goals from Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic earned a 2-0 success for Max Allegri’s side – a victory which edged Juventus closer to their 22nd Coppa Italia Final

However, it would be wrong to say it’s been plain or smooth sailing of late for the Turin team.

On Friday night, they drew 2-2 with strugglers Cagliari (their third draw in five league outings), although they showed character to fight back from a 2-0 half-time deficit through Vlahovic and an own goal.

There had also been suggestions Chiesa could be punished for his outburst at Allegri in the Derby della Mole draw with Torino last weekend.

The 26 year-old is known to have a rocky relationship with the Bianconeri tactician and the Italian winger raged at his coach after being taken off just after the hour in the derby, complaining that he’s ‘always the first’ player substituted.

Yet he started against Cagliari and it’s doubtful such a name would be left out of the squad for such an important game as this one.

Lazio’s team players pose with the Coppa Italia trophy as they celebrate winning against Atalanta

Whether Allegri survives the summer is unclear, even if he brings cup success to Turin and a first trophy in three seasons.

Despite winning just two league games from the last 12, Juve are currently third in Serie A and, in Allegri’s eyes, this means being in the race to fulfil the club’s target for 2023-24 to qualify for the Champions League.

For Lazio, 1-0 winners at Genoa on Friday evening with a Luis Alberto goal, they lie in sixth spot but Atalanta, who are a point behind them, have two games in hand.

Under Igor Tudor, who succeeded Maurizio Sarri last month, Lazio have won three of their last four league meetings – form they will need to replicate between now and the end of the campaign if they are to secure a top six finish (fifth place may well seal a Champions League berth).

In recent days, the club has announced the signing of Matteo Guendouzi from Olympique Marseille after the conditions of his obligation to buy clause were met.

The 25 year-old French midfielder arrived in the Italian capital last summer on a season-long loan deal with an option to make permanent.

It does seem like it could be a busy summer of ins and outs with Felipe Anderson’s contract expiring at the end of June and a deal reportedly agreed to sign for Brazilian club Palmeiras, despite reports he was on Juventus’ radar.

Perhaps he can give Lazio fans the perfect farewell present in this competition.

History

Juventus have had a significant edge over Lazio historically with 97 wins compared to 45 Le Aquile successes and 42 draws.

However, there have been special times in this fixture for Lazio and their fans.

Indeed, they have only lost one of their last five home meetings with Juve and defeated them in Serie A just a few weeks ago, courtesy of a last minute Adam Marusic header.

Juventus won earlier in the season 3-1 in Turin when Vlahovic (two) and Chiesa were their goal-getters.

Lazio have never managed a league double over the ‘old lady’ of Turin, although did beat them in both the Italian Super Cup finals of 2017 and 2019.

Last season the two clubs met in the Coppa Italia, with Juventus claiming a 1-0 home win in the quarter-finals when Gleison Bremer was on target.

Betting Tip

Lazio VS Juventus
April 24, 03:00 (GMT+8)
1X2 Draw @ 3.03

Juventus have the first leg advantage and it is one I expect them to hold.

Even if Lazio were to win the game, I do not think they will win the tie.

That is also reflected with the SBOTOP Coppa Italia betting odds with Lazio priced 0.00 @ -0.95 compared to Juve 0.00 @ 0.81 – all with Asian Handicap offerings.

Likewise, the home side are on offer 1X2 @ 2.68 with Juve 1X2 @ 2.38.

This message was edited by SBOTOP on 22-Apr-2024 at 6:04 PM