football | Friday, February 17, 2023 12:47 PM

Serie A Best Bets: Feb 17th-19th - Picks for Three Matches from Italian Top Flight

Sam Ingram

Serie A Best Bets: 17th-19th February

Sassuolo, Monza, and Atalanta are the destinations, with the respective kick-offs falling on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Let’s hope it will be a profitable one.

In this article:

Sassuolo vs Napoli Preview & Best Bet
Monza vs AC Milan Preview & Best Bet
Atalanta vs Lecce Preview & Best Bet

Sassuolo vs Napoli Preview

Friday, February 17th, 19:45 (UK)

Victor Osimhen has scored eight goals in the seven matches following the Qatari World Cup. There won’t be many strikers on the planet in as rich of a vein of form as him, playing in a side in the tip of form Napoli finds themselves in.

Napoli’s central striker leads Serie A’s goalscoring charts (17) with his side intent on guiding silverware to a football-mad, adoring city without a taste of top-flight silverware for more than thirty years.

Gianfranco Zola and Diego Maradona last claimed the Scudetto spoils for Naples natives. Will Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia be next to return former glory?

It looks that way. The 15-point gap at the top is as imposing as it gets throughout Europe’s top divisions. The Champions League provides another focus for Napoli next week as they enter the Sassuolo clash with one eye on Eintracht Frankfurt away.

Sassuolo vs Napoli Best Bet

However, Spalletti will want to ensure three points head back to Naples, sooner rather than later, and is likely to put out his best team from the off. If he does, and Osimhen starts against Sassuolo outfit keen to approach home games in a front-footed manner, expect chances to fall the way of Napoli’s leading man.

Osimhen’s 4.29 shots per90 figure is the tallest in the league, only just outshining Domenico Berardi’s 4.28. Unfortunately, the Sassuolo wide-man was taken off with an injury last time out and will miss this one. A hammer blow for the hosts, indeed.

Selection: Victor Osimhen to Score
Best Odds: 2.05 (Boylesports)
Stakes: 10/10

More Sassuolo vs Napoli Tips

Monza vs AC Milan Preview

Saturday, February 18th, 17:00 (UK)

The red faction of Milan leads the way in Serie A in the Both Teams To Score stakes. Fifteen of the 22 matches (68%) so far have encouraged the coupon to get over the line; a habit Milan fans are no doubt praying to see the back of.

Well, Monza, with 16 strikes in 11 home matches, may not be the best place for Milan supporters to hang their hat on a rare BTTS-No encounter.

Silvio Berlusconi vows not to move a muscle if either Milan or Monza score on Saturday, claiming he’ll remain in religious silence considering his ties to both clubs. He may have a job on his hands there, especially if the 4-1 October head-to-head is anything to go by.

Monza vs AC Milan Best Bet

Interestingly, Monza left Milan with a greater xG total (1.10xG Vs 1.20xG) and 12-16 on the shot count. I expect something similar, with both sides fancying their chances of creating high-quality opportunities.

And if there’s ever a time for Monza to capitalise on Milan’s current situation, it’s at a time of questionable form and straight after escapades on the European stage.

Selection: Both Teams to Score – Yes
Best Odds: 1.85 (William Hill)
Stakes: 10/10

More Monza vs AC Milan Tips

Atalanta vs Lecce Preview

Sunday, February 18th, 11:30 (UK)

Rasmus Højlund’s talent is starting to make ripples throughout Europe. Scouts will be well aware, as will their bosses who deploy them. Yet, we can likely expect another season in Italy, at least, as he hones his craft to a level that a likely eye-watering fee befalls Atalanta’s door.

Regardless of his future career path, the fixture against Lecce at the weekend is one where Atalanta will create chances. Lecce conceded an average of 13.64 shots per90 when on the road this season. I’m the home camp, a lofty 14.70 is the average sum to date.

Looking at Rasmus Højlund specifically, the burley Dane boasts a 2.83 shots per90 total, borne from registering 3+ shots in seven matches. With the Atalanta man starting just ten games this campaign, that’s not a bad return.

Gasperini is a big fan, as you may expect. The Atalanta gaffer spoke of his young striking talent recently; “Højlund has this spirit, energy, intensity, but also technical quality that is just remarkable. He still has so much margin for improvement, too. He has very similar characteristics to Haaland, not just his face.”

Atalanta vs Lecce Best Bet

For a shots bet, Højlund is gold. He’s a presence in the box for crosses and corners, for one. Secondly, his arcing runs on the shoulder of the last defender present a continuous threat throughout the 90 minutes.

And not only that, but his lightning-quick pace makes him a shoo-in for most one-versus-one wrangles with opponents. In short, there are plenty of ways that Højlund can muster a shooting opportunity – a handy trait for a shot selection.

Selection: Rasmus Højlund Over 2.5 Shots (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 2.60 (Unibet)
Stakes: 05/10

More Atalanta vs Lecce Tips

Best odds available as at 09:30, February 17th, 2022. Odds may now differ.

What are Football Best Bets?

Our best bets are posted by some of the best tipsters around. These are our tipsters best value bets. A best bet can be placed on any number of different markets. The most common of which are 1X2, the Asian handicap, BTTS, and the goals markets. Value can be found in matches from leagues across the world. Be sure to follow bettingexpert for the latest best bets.