Italian Football / Dave Farrar / 26 September 2009 / Leave a comment

Dave Farrar expects a fabulous game between Serie A's form teams and perhaps a big upset at the San Siro.

Recommended Bets:
Over 2.5 Goals in Udinese v Genoa @ [1.88];
Over 2.5 goals in Samp v Inter @ [2.1];
Back Bari to beat Milan @ [11.5]

Sampdoria v Inter

The two in form teams of the early stage of the season meet in what should be a fabulous game in Genoa. Sampdoria have looked a different team home and away, and it's certainly their form at the Marassi that will sustain their push for a top six finish.

Three Samp home games in League and Cup so far have produced 17 goals, and with Inter looking potent going forward and a little vulnerable at the back, there's no reason why this match should prove any different. The only slight worry is the curse of the six o'clock kick off: there's something about this time on a Saturday night that can lead to games proving rather less enthralling than they might be - witness the Napoli v Udinese dud last week. That said, this is such a hyped encounter, with so much potential for goals, that I'll stick with the theme of Samp at home providing more excitement than any other team.

The best player in Italy takes on the best team in Italy: Cassano v Inter should make for riveting viewing. Make sure you watch it.

Recommendation: Over 2.5 goals in Samp v Inter @ [2.1]

Udinese v Genoa

Both of these teams showed in midweek that their ambition of finishing the season in the top four has some substance. Genoa held Juventus to an exciting 2-2 draw and Udinese comfortably put away a poor Milan side. The games will come thick and fast now for Genoa, who have a Europa League engagement on Thursday, and their squad will be tested to the limit over the coming weeks. It's holding up for now, though, and Gasperini's team will want to put the memory of their last away game firmly behind them.

Gasperini knows that his best chance of winning games lies with his attacking players, and with an all action style overcoming the opposition. Udinese are without their first choice central defenders, Zapata and Felipe, and will be vulnerable, while the brilliant Toto Di Natale will cause problems at the other end. A high tempo should lead to an exciting game, and even though there has been only one goal in Udinese's last two games, that looks set to change here.

Recommendations: Over 2.5 Goals in Udinese v Genoa @ [1.88]

AC Milan v Bari

Bari came close to causing a seismic shock at San Siro on the opening day of the season when they drew 1-1 here with Inter, and missed a fabulous chance in the dying moments which would have given them the unlikeliest win. After suffering an unfortunate defeat at the hands of Cagliari in midweek, they return to Milan to take on Inter's struggling rivals.

Milan were desperate in Udine on Wednesday, and one of the most fascinating aspects of that defeat was their nervousness, and an inability to impose themselves on a lesser group of players. Bari have already proved that they couldn't care less about reputations, and so they go to Milan with a real chance. Even more so given the absence of too many options for Leonardo. Flamini and Ambrosini are both out, as are Thiago Silva and Bonera, which means that, even if the Brazilian wants to freshen his team up, he isn't able to.

Bari have injury problems of their own, but that was the case on the opening day, and they came within a whisker of beating Inter. The visitors are smarting after that defeat by Cagliari and don't be surprised if they come to Milan and put up a really spirited display against a Milan side which has scored three goals in five games and look pitifully bad.

Milan are way too short at [1.37] and it's up to you which route you want to take in opposing them. Both a lay of Milan at that price and the Asian Handicap make strong appeal, but I'll chance Bari to pull off a shock win, and do to Milan what they should have done to Inter a month ago.

Recommendation: Back Bari to beat Milan @ [11.5]

Tags: AC Milan, Bari, Genoa, Inter Milan, Italian Football betting, Italian Football Betting Odds, Juventus, Sampdoria, Serie A betting, Tips, Udinese