WE'VE sealed another stellar signing for the new campaign with Serie A don Paolo Bandini bringing his expertise to the site thanks to our partner Unibet.
Paolo is an Anglo-Italian sportswriter who pens a superb weekly Serie A column for the Guardian and his other credits include ESPN, the BBC and TalkSport as well as making regular appearances on the Football Weekly podcast.
He's a Trevi Fountain of knowledge and we're delighted to have him on board. Here he previews Atalanta's trip to Torino.
Torino v Atalanta (Sat 7.45pm)
If results at your own home ground were all that mattered then Atalanta would be fourth – behind only Juventus, Inter and Sampdoria. Regrettably, that is not the case. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side appear to be suffering from travel sickness: with just two points to show for six away games.
Torino are unbeaten in four league games since Andrea Belotti returned from his knee injury, having lost two out of three while he was absent. The curious note here is that he has not scored in any of them. His aerial ability and willingness to hold the ball up should not be underestimated, but the Granata would welcome a goal at this point from a man who hit 26 in Serie A last season.
Belotti did find the net during a Coppa Italia win over Carpi on Wednesday, so perhaps the drought is at an end. Atalanta’s three-man defence, anchored by Mattia Caldara, is solid, but the erratic performances of goalkeeper Etrit Berisha have often threatened to undermine them.
And whilst Dutch right wing-back Hans Hateboer has shown some promise, he is a step down from the departed Andrea Conti. Adem Ljajic, lining up opposite him for Torino, should find opportunities to get in behind – whether he chooses to centre the ball for Belotti or to go it alone.
Paolo's Tips
- Torino 2, Atalanta 1 (8-1, Unibet)
- Ljajic to score first (11-2, Unibet)
- Torino draw no bet (3-4, Unibet)
Anglo-Italian Paolo Bandini writes about Italian football for the Guardian and his tips appear here thanks to our football partner at MrFixitsTips, Unibet. They're making a big splash in the UK betting scene and if you join them today you can claim up to £30 in Welcome Bonuses when you deposit and place your first bet.
