Serie A Matchweek 34 Preview, Betting Tips, Odds
Title Fight Continues as Milan Sides Take on Roman Opponents
AC Milan Holds Two-Point Lead over Inter
Inter Milan may have defeated bitter rival AC Milan 3-0 in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinals on Tuesday, but the Nerazzurri still trail the first-place Rossoneri in Serie A by two points. It certainly appears that a thrilling title race between Milan rivals will go down to the wire, but Serie A betting tips currently point to Inter as more likely winners.
That’s because Inter Milan has a game in hand and a more favorable remaining schedule than AC Milan. This weekend, it’s Milan vs. Rome in Serie A as AC Milan head to Lazio and Inter host Roma. It’s also too early to count out third-place Napoli just yet.
Lazio vs AC Milan
Game Info:
- Lazio: 7th, 56 pts, Last Five: D,W,W,L,W
- Injuries and suspensions: D Patric (muscle)
- AC Milan: 1st, 71 pts, Last Five: W,D,D,W,W
- Injuries and suspensions: D Alessio Romagnoli (muscle), F Zlatan Ibrahimovic (head), D/M Alessandro Florenzi (meniscus), D Simon Kjaer (ACL)
Despite AC Milan’s midweek Coppa Italia disappointment, both teams have been playing well recently. Lazio still have some work to do to secure European qualification next season, but Ciro Immobile has been on fire lately. The striker, who leads Serie A’s Golden Boot race, has scored four goals in his last two matches, including a 90th-minute equalizer last weekend vs. Torino. He’ll need to have a big name for Lazio to knock off leaders AC Milan as home underdogs.
Meanwhile, AC Milan have been absolutely outstanding on defense lately and have kept six consecutive Serie A clean sheets. The problem is that they haven’t always been able to capitalize, but they did score two goals for the first time since February vs. Genoa last Friday. Unders in recent Rossoneri matches have been a great Serie A betting tip as their last seven have gone under 2½ goals.
Inter Milan vs AS Roma
Game Info:
- Inter Milan: 2nd, 69 pts, Last Five: W,W,W,D,D
- Injuries and suspensions: None
- Roma: 5th, 58 pts, Last Five: D,W,W,W,D
- Injuries and suspensions: F Nicolo Zaniolo (ankle)
Two of the hottest teams in Serie A will face off as defending champions Inter host Jose Mourinho’s improving AS Roma. Roma are unbeaten since January in Serie A and are coming off a solid draw on the road at Napoli. Inter are on a roll as they’ve won their last four in all competitions and are unbeaten in their last 10 in all competitions.
The Italian Serie A betting odds favor Inter at home, where they’ve lost just twice all season. The Nerazzurri are at full strength and Lautaro Martinez has rounded back into form as of late, which could be a problem for Roma’s defense. Inter have shut out Roma in both meetings this season, including a recent 2-0 result in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals.
Even so, a wise Serie A betting tip in this fixture has been to expect a draw. Six of the last nine meetings in all competitions have finished level, but Inter have been particularly strong over the last couple of seasons. Roma’s 13-game scoring streak in all competitions could be at risk here.
Empoli vs Napoli
Game Info:
- Empoli: 14th, 34 pts, Last Five: L,D,L,D,L
- Injuries and suspensions: M Szymon Zurkowski (suspension), D Lorenzo Tonelli (ACL), D Riccardo Marchizza (ACL), F Federico di Francesco (undisclosed), M Nicolas Haas (meniscus)
- Napoli: 3rd, 67 pts, Last Five: D,L,W,W,W
- Injuries and Suspensions: M Stanislav Lobotka (hamstring), G David Ospina (flu), D Giovanni Di Lorenzo (sprained knee)
Napoli’s Scudetto hopes have suffered huge blows in the last two matches with a draw vs Roma and a loss to Fiorentina. They’re still just four points behind leaders AC Milan with five games remaining, but need a win more than ever at Empoli on Saturday. Tuscan underdogs Empoli had a solid first half of the season but injuries have decimated them since.
When making Serie A betting predictions for this match, note that two of Empoli’s top four scorers, Szymon Zurkowski and Federico di Francesco, could both be out. Empoli have also been shut out in four of their last six matches, are winless in their last 17 Serie A matches and are coming off a 4-1 loss to Udinese.
Their last win? A surprising 1-0 victory over Napoli all the way back in December that will still be fresh in the Partenopei’s minds. Expect Napoli to be motivated to get back in the win column, but they’ll have to be better defensively. They’ve conceded in each of their last five matches but could get fullback Giovanni Di Lorenzo back in time for this important match.
