Back Lazio and Cagliari in the Coppa Italia
There's no Europa League football this week but fear not, there's a Coppa Italia double header live on ESPN tonight to help guide you through to Friday.
The first clash kicks off at 5pm and pits Serie A surprise package Lazio against second-tier strugglers AlbinoLeffe at the Stadio Olimpico. The visitors knocked out two teams who are above them in Serie B - Pescara and Crotone - to get this far but it's the Biancocelesti who are firm favourites at [1.23].
AC Milan and Roma are the only sides to have taken any points off Edy Reja's high-flyers in the capital this season and that record shouldn't be blemished by a club with only one away win to their name, especially as Lazio's last home game was an impressive 2-0 victory over in-form Napoli.
Judging by the players Reja selected against Portogruaro Summaga in the last round, the hosts will field a second string despite having won this competition two years ago. They strolled to a 3-0 win in that tie though so are unlikely to slip up. Back them to keep a clean sheet at [2.14] and 2-0 at [8.2].
The second encounter is an all-Serie A affair as Cagliari and Bologna collide at 7.45pm. Both teams have taken 14 points from their first 13 matches and have had an eventful few weeks, with Cagliari bringing in one-time Italy coach Roberto Donadoni and Bologna enduring severe financial problems that could result in a points deduction.
Cagliari won the corresponding league fixture between the sides 2-0 last month and benefitted from the new boss bounce to enjoy their first away triumph in 17 against Brescia, the previous having come against Bologna in January. In fact, they've come out on top in four of their last five collisions.
Bologna haven't delivered at the Stadio Sant'Elia since 1998 and Alberto Malesani's men have lost four successive games on their travels, which suggests that Cagliari are a decent bet at [1.78]. For longer odds, consider punts on Bologna scoring first at [3.25] and leading at half-time then losing at [40.0].
Got any wagers lined up for either of these matches? Let us know below...
Published: 25 Nov 2010
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