Two likely lads in Torino tonight...
Wednesday 29th July 2020
In Across the Leagues today:
- A big night for Swansea…
- Serie A analysis…
- Torino v Roma, 8.45pm…
Two likely lads in Torino tonight…
It’s not often that we’ll land a 14/1 outsider in the First Goalscorer market. But it’s a good feeling when we do.
Dejan Kulusevski was the player to raise a toast to last night. The 20-year-old left-footer – who looks a class act – opening the scoring for Parma against Atalanta.
The soon-to-be Juventus player had already hit the inside of the post in the first half, before finding the net in the 43rd minute.
- Kulusevski will be one to keep on our radar next season for his new club Juventus, both in Serie A, and in the Champions League
I’ve got another player for us to follow in the Scorer markets in Italy this season, for the Torino v Roma game (8.45pm). See below.
A big night for Swansea…
In terms of our ante post bet positions, there are a couple of things that we’re cheering for this evening…
In the Championship playoff semi final, 2nd leg between Brentford and Swansea (7.45pm, Sky Sports), we’re looking to get our 40/1 (41.0) Promotion outsiders Swansea through to next week’s final at Wembley.
As it stands, after a 1-0 home win in the 1st leg on Sunday, the Swans are now down to 7/2 (4.5) in the Promotion market.
The bookies make our boys Evens (2.0) at best To Qualify this evening. A win or a draw will do it. That’s easier said than done, but we certainly have a great price on our side.
Will Ronaldo be rested?
Over in Italy, our 16/1 (17.0) season-long selection Ciro Immobile is three goals clear of Cristiano Ronaldo in the Serie A Top Goalscorer charts, with just two games left to play…
Immobile is now a short 1/20 (1.05) to land that bet. In this evening’s game v already-relegated Brescia (6.30pm), the Lazio striker is just 1/4 (1.25) to find the net again.
You can never rule out Mr Ronaldo, of course. The Portuguese superstar is trading at 12/1 (13.0) to overtake Immobile by the end of the campaign. Ronnie is 4/7 (1.57) to score at Cagliari tonight (8.45pm).
With his Juventus side now crowned Serie A champions, and a big Champions League match v Lyon to prepare for next week, there were stories in the Italian sporting press this week that Ronaldo would be rested for today’s game. Let’s see what happens.
Torino v Roma tonight…
Yesterday we talked up Dejan Kulusevski’s chances in his final home game before leaving Parma.
This evening could be the last time Andrea Belotti pulls on the home strip at Torino…
The 26-year-old Italian forward got 15 goals in Serie A last season, and he’s already bettered that in this campaign, bagging his 16th goal of 2019/20 earlier this month.
Belotti’s form has put him on the radar of both Inter Milan and Man Utd in the newly-opened summer transfer window. Torino rejected a 40 million Euros offer from Fiorentina at the start of the year. A couple more goals in the final two games, and Belotti’s 100 million Euros release cause might just get activated…
The home team are safe from relegation now, while visitors Roma are pretty much assured of a European place for next season. Roma have only managed one clean sheet in 10 games since the restart, so, as with yesterday evening, we have reason to go after a home player at a decent price here.
Star names on the away team-sheet include veteran striker and Roma’s top scorer this season Edin Dzeko (one goal in last eight Serie A appearances). Along with ex-Man Utd & Arsenal man Henrikh Mkhitaryan (three goals in last five games). And on-loan Atletico Madrid forward Nikola Kalinic (scored in last two games).
Those three Roma players occupy the top three spots in the Anytime Scorer betting for this game, with Dzeko the favourite, as short as 4/6 (1.67) with Bet365, and a best price 5/4 (2.25) with Sportingbet.
15/2 for Andrea…
Andrea Belotti is a top price 2/1 (3.0) to score Anytime, and a standout 15/2 (8.5) to score First.
The Torino top scorer has found the net in seven of his last 10 league games. That was actually a seven-game streak. Belotti is currently three games without a goal…
Three of those seven strikes paid out as First Goalscorer.
My pick here is to take the Each Way route in the First Goalscorer market, with Paddy Power the best place to go, at 15/2.
- Alternatively, you could take the best prices you can get on Belotti in the respective standard Anytime and First Scorer markets
A man for a booking…
With two games to go, Roma’s fiery central defender Gianluca Mancini could yet end up with the unwelcome title of most-booked player in Serie A…
Mancini is on 14 yellow cards for the season, level with two other players. He’s picked up three bookings in his last seven games, and eight in his last 16.
One of those was in the reverse fixture against today’s opponents. In which, as it happens, Belotti scored both goals in a 2-0 win for Torino.
At 24, Mancini is still relatively young for a centre back at a top-flight club. He’s no stranger to an argument or a bit of ‘afters’ on the pitch.
And considering his idol is reported to be Italian defender Marco Materazzi (the man who provoked that World Cup final headbutt from Zinedine Zidane), I wonder if Gianluca will get anywhere near his compatriot’s 25 career red cards. He’s got two so far in his career.
At odds not far off 2/1, Mancini To be Carded goes down a stats-bet selection for us this evening, too.
Today’s picks
Torino v Roma
Italy, Serie A
8.45pm, live on Premier Sports & the LiveScore app
- First Goalscorer – EACH WAY: Andrea Belotti @ 15/2 (8.5) with Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook
Each Way terms: 1/3 odds 1-5 places (goals).
- Player to be Carded: Gianluca Mancini @ 9/5 (2.8) with William Hill, Skybet, Vbet
I’ll be back tomorrow with your next email. My weekend research will be taking in the new Scottish Premiership season, and the FA Cup final.
Enjoy the football…
Best wishes,
Oliver Upstone
Across the Leagues |
