Serie A: More misery looms for the Milan clubs

Fiorentina v Milan
Saturday, 11:30
Live on BT Sport 3 and Betfair Live Video

Fiorentina last lost on November 5, and it would seem that Stefano Pioli is finally getting the message across. This current version of La Viola doesn't exactly fit their glorious attacking tradition, but they're half decent to watch, and I suspect that they'll have too much for Milan.

I know that's not an original thought, and I know that I'm jumping on a similar bandwagon to last week, but opposing Milan has been a route to profit. Their last away win was on the same day that Fiorentina last lost, and since then they've changed their Coach, but not their on-field fortunes.

They were well beaten by Atalanta last week, and there isn't too much sign that Gennaro Gattuso is having an influence. They're too easy to play against, fragile and ineffective, and I could see Fiorentina's muscular approach getting them the win.

There's no particular zing about Fiorentina's price, but in a weekend that is short on excitement on the betting front, they rate a solid, rather than spectacular, proposition.

Recommended Bet
Back Fiorentina to beat Milan @ 2.30

Inter v Lazio
Saturday, 17:00
Live on BT Sport 3 and Betfair Live Video

Inter's stumble has now taken on serious proportions, after their defeat by Udinese was followed by a more surprising reverse at Sassuolo. I was convinced that Inter would quickly put their problems to one side, but now they're in a slump, and need to snap out of it quickly.

That will be difficult against a high-class Lazio side: Simone Inzaghi's team bounced back to form with a thrashing of Crotone, and it was good to see Ciro Immobile on song once more. He followed his two goals in the Coppa Italia with another here, and that means that his goal drought is over, and Lazio are firing on all cylinders once more.

Inter's game against Sassuolo was worryingly wide open, and while they can point to chances (including a penalty) missed by Mauro Icardi, they might have conceded again themselves, and they seem to have lost their ability to control games, something that they had started to do particularly well.

I can't see them wresting that back against a Lazio side which is phenomenal going forward, excellent at using midfield space, and capable of making the most of Inter's issues.

Inter will come on strong again at some point this season, but they're bleeding right now, and Lazio are perfectly positioned to twist the knife again.

Recommended Bet
Back Lazio to beat Inter @ 3.80

Sampdoria v Spal
Saturday, 14:00
Live on Betfair Live Video

Two of Serie A's most reliable goalscorers come together at Marassi, and I can see a high-scoring game between Sampdoria and improving Spal. Leonardo Semplici's newly promoted team are now unbeaten in their last three games, and they've moved into a position from which they might realistically avoid relegation.

Spal have found their recent success partly thanks to a more open approach: three of their last four games have had over 3.5 goals, and they've now scored in their last 10 Serie A games. Sampdoria aren't often denied a place on the scoresheet, and their games have been full of goals this season, with the 58 in their fixtures only topped by Lazio's remarkable 65.

Semplici against Marco Giampaolo will be interesting, and Spal will feel that they have a chance of getting something from this one. I believe that Samp will win a high-scoring game, with both teams finding the back of the net, and Spal doing their growing confidence no harm at all.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 3.5 Goals in Sampdoria v Spal @ 3.00