28 Dec 2021
Napoli v Sampdoria
Napoli continue to suffer from missing key players, but they were able to claim a useful point on the road at Juventus midweek. They’ll hope to return to winning ways against Sampdoria having beaten them all but one of their 12 encounters since 2016, even if they will still be without the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Andre-Zambo Anguissa, Adam Ounas, Fabian Ruiz, Hirving Lozano and Victor Osimhen.
Since the start of last season, Napoli have won 74% of their games that Koulibaly has started and just 40% in the 20 games he’s missed, conceding 104% more goals in those matches. A clean sheet here would appear unlikely then, especially as the hosts have registered just a single shutout across their past five home league games, losing the last three of them to Atalanta, Empoli and Spezia.
Both teams have actually scored in eight of Napoli’s past 12 in all competitions, with Luciano Spalletti’s side managing just two clean sheets across this spell, and just one from the past seven. Moreover, both sides have found the net in a massive 14 of Sampdoria’s past 16 games in all competitions, including each of the past eight. That includes clashes with the likes of Juventus, Atalanta, Fiorentina, Lazio and Roma, so they’re certainly capable of offering an attacking threat of their own.
PREDICTION:
BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Roma v Juventus
Although Juventus failed to capitalize on Napoli’s extensive list of absentees, the stalemate on Thursday still leaves them unbeaten in seven games now in all competitions as they’ve taken maximum points on five occasions. They’ve hardly been enthralling however, with all seven outings producing a maximum of two goals, and in fact each of their past nine league games have seen fewer than three goals.
Roma ended their clash against Milan last time out with nine men but in truth they were second best throughout and the 3-1 defeat leaves them with a poor record against the top sides this term. They’re W1-D1-L4 against the top five in the table, while against the same top five last term, Roma failed to win any of their 10 games as they lost six of them.
Juventus might be without veteran duo Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci at the back, but eight of the 10 games where the former has played no part this term have still been seen under 2.5 goals, as well as all five without the latter. Roma will be without Rick Karsdorp and Gianluca Mancini at the back after their red cards against Milan, but Juventus hold the worst offensive record amongst the teams in the top half of the table and don’t look like handing out a thrashing to anyone at the moment.
PREDICTION:
UNDER 2.5 GOALS
Inter Milan v Lazio
Inter are looking strong in the defence of their title and have put together an 11-game unbeaten streak in Serie A since these two last met, including victories in each of the last seven. Across all competitions, the Nerazzurri are W12-D2-L1 over this period, wile they’ve suffered just three defeats all season as two of them were inflicted by Real Madrid in Europe.
Lazio have been much more of a mixed bag, but the one thing that has remained consistent in their performances has been a high output at both ends. Their average of 3.95 goals per game is by far the highest in the division, with Inter fourth in that regard, so this promises to be an entertaining affair.
Indeed, each of the last two meetings between these sides featured four goals, with Inter winning 3-1 at the San Siro in February and the scorelines reversed in their meeting on Lazio’s patch in October. 10 of Lazio’s past 12 games in all competitions have seen at least three goals and in the last eight alone, there’s been a minimum of four on six occasions, including 14 across the past three.
PREDICTION:
OVER 3.5 GOALS
18+BeGambleAware
GENTING CASINO ONLY OFFERS SPORTS ARTICLES AND NOT SPORTS BETTING
Genting Casino is a leading global casino brand. We provide a premium online casino experience with our huge selection of online slots and live casino games. Genting has been recognized many times for its work in creating fun, safe gaming experiences winning multiple industry awards during its 50 years in business.
