Football Bet of the Day: Pirlo and pals to struggle

Champions to slip up again

Udinese v Juventus
Sunday 02 May, 17:00

Sporting have specialised in late goals in the Portuguese title race this season, and last night was no exception. The league leaders found the net twice in the last seven minutes to secure a 2-0 win over rock-bottom Nacional, but the game still stayed under the 2.5 goals line, so we got what we wanted as well.

We'll finish the week in Italy, because Juventus are not only about to lose their long-held Serie A crown, but they are in serious danger of not even making the top four.

Today the struggling Bianconeri visit an Udinese side that is tough to beat, and that doesn't often lose by multiple goals. Luca Gotti's side are pretty much safe from the drop, and are set for another perfectly respectable mid-table finish.

Udinese have lost their last three home games 1-0, but they had won the three home matches before that, and overall they have lost five of their last 16 games in the top flight. The key for us here is that they haven't lost a match by more than one goal since mid-February, and they haven't lost by two goals or more at home since December.

So what of Juventus? Well, they have been consistently dropping points on their travels, and as such they are in a real fight for Champions League qualification. Rookie coach Andrea Pirlo has found it difficult to locate consistency, and there is little sense that the team has progressed under him.

Juve have won just one of their last six on the road, and overall in Serie A this term they've only won six of their 14 away games. They lost 2-1 at Udinese last season, and I think they'll find life tough again.

I'll back Udinese +1.0 & +1.5 on the Asian Handicap here at 1.910/11, which gives us a half-win if Udinese only lose by a goal, and gives us a full win if they draw or win.