Serie A Race for the Champions League Betting Tips & Odds
Last Sunday saw a record-breaking Juventus take the Serie A title for the eighth consecutive year. That they did so with five games still remaining just serves to highlight the sheer dominance of the Old Lady over her domestic rivals, and that they still have a very long way to go to even come close to catching her.
Yet while the title race has been a mere formality for several weeks, the race for the fourth and final Champions League spot is closer than ever. This creates a range of fascinating options for fans of betting on football, and one we take a closer look at here.
AC Milan - 4th - 56 points
Remaining matches: Torino (A), Bologna (H), Fiorentina (A), Frosinone (H), SPAL (A)
While Milan are the side with the highest pedigree in this race to reach the Champions League, Gennaro Gattuso’s men are on somewhat of a downward spiral. Not only were the Rossoneri eliminated from the Coppa Italia by Lazio on Wednesday evening, but have managed just one win in their last six matches. This weekend sees them face fellow fourth-place chaser Torino, a team who have been extremely difficult to break down this term.
“I don’t think it’s an issue of systems or individuals, but the entire team has taken steps backwards,” the Coach admitted after the aforementioned Coppa defeat. “We’re playing with the handbrake on and paying a price for that. We had tried to play a life or death game today, but it didn’t work. There’s no point denying it, we were embarrassed tonight and have to look forward.”
Verdict: Avoid
Atalanta - 5th - 56 points
Remaining matches: Udinese (H), Lazio (A), Genoa (H), Juventus (A), Sassuolo (H)
Odds: 2/1 with BetHard
Since reaching a club-record points total with Coach Gian Piero Gasperini in 2016/17, traditional minnows Atalanta have earned a solid reputation as a side built to defy the odds. Their never-say-die attitude has taken them to Europa League qualification in the last two consecutive seasons, but this season they are eyeing an even bigger prize.
That said, their inexperience, plus a potential appearance in the Coppa Italia final may see them ultimately fall at the final hurdle.
Verdict: Worth a punt but approach with caution.
AS Roma - 6th - 55 points
Remaining matches: Cagliari (H), Genoa (A), Juventus (H), Sassuolo (A), Parma (H)
Odds: 7/2 with MoPlay
Sitting just one point away from 4th placed Milan, AS Roma have what looks to be the easiest run-in of any side hoping to make the Champions League this season. Furthermore, interim boss Claudio Ranieri has the Giallorossi playing much better football since coming in to replace former boss Eusebio Di Francesco.
Unbeaten in the last three matches – a run that includes 1-0 wins versus Sampdoria and Udinese and a draw with Inter – the “Tinkerman” has seemingly got to grips with the issues that had plagued this team for the majority of the campaign.
“We must respect every team we face,” said Ranieri said at his press conference ahead of this weekend’s fixture with Cagliari. “It would be a mistake to underestimate the game as we’re fighting for the Champions League. Cagliari are a fearsome team made up of excellent players, so maximum focus will be needed.”
Verdict: Back
Torino - 7th - 53 points
Remaining matches: Milan (H), Juventus (A), Sassuolo (H), Empoli (A), Lazio (H)
There is absolutely no doubt that former Watford Coach Walter Mazzarri has done a superb job at Torino this season. Working to make the Granata defensively sound in his typical style, his team has conceded just 29 goals this season, a tally less than that of Napoli, Milan, Atalanta and Roma.
While they remain a long shot to reach the Champions League for the first time in their history, should they pull off a result at home to Milan this Sunday, they are worth a bet at the given odds.
Verdict: Back with caution as a long-shot
Lazio - 8th - 52 points
Remaining matches: Sampdoria (A), Atalanta (H), Cagliari (A), Bologna (H), Torino (A)
It was a bitter-sweet evening for Lazio on Wednesday as a 1-0 win over Milan saw them advance to the Coppa Italia final, but were disappointed by a nasty-looking injury to star player Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. With these distractions and a difficult run-in to bear in mind, they are unlikely to reach fourth, and it’s pretty safe to count them out.
Verdict: Avoid
