Serie A Betting: Free-scoring Lazio to continue streak in 2018

Chievo v Udinese
Friday, 17:00 GMT
Live on BT Sport 2 and Betfair Live Video

As Serie A goes to sleep for a brief mid-season break, the fixture list hasn't done us many favours. There's one relatively big game in the shape of Inter's trip to Florence, but that's not too interesting from a betting point of view, and so I'll look to some of the lower reaches for a bit of value.

Udinese have been in decent form recently, and are threatening a top half finish if this run continues; they visit a Chievo team who are on a worrying run.

Chievo always seem to find a way to survive, and that may end up being the case this season, but they've won only once since the middle of October, managing one point from five rounds and became the first ever Serie A side to lose against Benevento. I suspect that they need the winter break.

Udinese have now won their last five on the trot and have been full of goals lately too. They've scored 14 in those five victories, with everyone's favourite main course - Kevin Lasagna - netting in each of those, and I think that we can support them at the Bentegodi with a little bit of confidence.

Having learned plenty in his two years at Pescara, Massimo Oddo is a coach who is going places, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Udinese have a resurgent second half of the season. They should certainly finish the first half strongly, and I'll be supporting them to come away from Verona with a win.

Recommended Bet
Back Udinese to beat Chievo @ 3.10

Spal v Lazio
Saturday, 14:00 GMT
Live on Betfair Live Video

Lazio head for Spal, and while I expect them to win, I think there'll be some entertainment along the way. Lazio have been the goal kings of Serie A, and wherever they end up this season, they're never a team that will go down wondering.

Much has been made of Harry Kane's goal-scoring record this calendar year, but Ciro Immobile has managed 30 in 2017, and has been the unsung hero of the top five European Leagues.

Spal are improving, though, and offer a realistic goal-scoring threat. Their last five games have produced 17 goals and their veteran strike-force of Mirco Antenucci and Sergio Floccari have been a good recent complement to the rather younger Federico Viviani and Alberto Paloschi.

Lazio's goal-scoring credentials are clear, but they're a long way from solid defensively, and have conceded in seven of their last nine in Serie A. I think that Spal will score and ultimately lose, and am fairly confident that there'll be at least four goals in this one.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 3.5 Goals in Spal v Lazio @ 2.50

Torino v Bologna
Saturday, 11:30
Live on BT Sport 1 and Betfair Live Video

Torino seem to be on one of their good runs of goal-scoring form and we've had some real profit thanks to them in the last two Serie A seasons, so let's go to that particular well once again.

Three of their last four Serie A games have had four goals, and they face a Bologna side who have been typically frustrating lately, winning twice at the Bentegodi against Verona and Chievo, and yet throwing away points against Cagliari, Milan and Udinese.

Concentration and focus is the key for Roberto Donadoni's team, who should be in a better position than the mid-table spot they've made their own. Those two 3-2 wins in Verona show us that they can be drawn into a high-scoring battle, and with Torino reverting to their attacking philosophy after a few downbeat weeks, I think that these two will provide us with some New Year entertainment.

Recommended Bet
Over 3.5 goals in Torino v Bologna @ 2.90