Serie A 21 & 22 April

Saturday’s games

Sampdoria will host Messina in what is a must win game for the away side. Messina have dropped like a lead weight down the table, losing their last five matches and they are just one place off the bottom of the table. Sampdoria are comfortable enough in the top half of the table but have lost their last two games. This match is a no bet for me as I think the bookies have the value sewn up.

AC Milan are the form team in Serie A at the moment, they have comfortably won their last three domestic games and have knocked Bayern Munich out of the Champions League. They face Cagliari and will be hoping for three points in order to catch third placed Lazio who are struggling to reproduce their recent stunning grun of form. Cagliari sit in the middle of the table, their results have been inconsistent lately (beating Palermo and losing to Chievo). AC are in such good form at the moment that even though there is a big handicap I think they are more than capable of winning have a two point bet on AC (-1 ½) at 2.06.

[AC won 3-1]

Sunday’s games

Atalanta will host a Roma side who have returned to from remarkably well after their 7-1 mauling at Old Trafford. They beat Sampdoria 4-0 and then Inter 3-1 at the San Siro, in a mouth watering performance. Atalanta will be looking for at least one point if they are to challenge for European qualification but I think they will be lucky to get any. Have a three point bet on Roma (-½) at 2.10.

[Roma lost 2-1]

Empoli will be hoping for three points as they look to cement a UEFA Cup position, they welcome Torino who are falling down the table at an alarming rate. Having lost their last three games including a loss to Siena confidence will be very low in the Toro camp. I think the bookies are way off on this match and recommend a three point bet on Empoli (-½) at 2.09 .

[Empoli drew 0-0]

Lazio v Fiorentina is an interesting battle for Europe, with Lazio not so hot at the moment and having a number of players suspended one might think of backing Fiorentina. However, the visitors have a host of injuries and they lost to Parma last week. The bookies are being very cagey with their prices and there is little value, this match is a no bet for me.

None of the other bets represent great value for me and are best left alone.