Massive Italian and Portuguese Derbies Rock Friday Evening
Published January 15, 2021 by Florin P
Lazio and AS Roma lock horns in the most anticipated match in the Italian capital, while Porto and Benfica play a Portuguese classic on Friday.
It is not customary for the most exciting matches in flagship European competitions to be scheduled on Friday. This doesn’t make the games taking place this week any less exciting, especially for the fans of Italian and Portuguese football. The most anticipated match of the day will be played in Rome between AS Roma and Lazio, while Benfica and Porto try to stay within striking distance of Sporting Lisbon.
AS Roma Face Lazio on Olympico as Visitors
Lazio have returned to their winning ways and will be trying to win three consecutive games against their bitter rivals. Home pitch advantage doesn’t mean that much in this case, especially now when there will be no supporters cheering from the stands. Lazio will play the role of hosts, but with several players missing ahead of this fixture, bet365 Sports credit them with a second chance. Punters get odds of 19/10 on the hosts to prevail, while AS Roma are slight favorites and are priced at 13/10 by the same bookie.
Porto Try to Extend Invincible Run with Benfica Win
Sporting are currently leading the Portuguese first division, while Porto and Benfica are four points behind. This derby would be important regardless of context, but it is particularly meaningful now that the two teams play for the second place. Porto will play at home but on an empty stadium and they will have to do without five key players. Even so, they are undefeated in the last 15 games and won the last 10 games, so they get even odds at bet365 Sports, while those who bet on Benfica will be paid at 12/5.
In-Form Sporting to Extend Advantage in Primeira Liga
Sporting are flying high in the Primeira Liga and could extend their advantage if the derby of the day results in a draw. Meanwhile, they will need to do their part and win all three points in the nation’s capital as they take on Rio Ave. The visitors used to be a strong home team but are struggling recently and lost four of the last five matches. This explains why 888 Sport only offers odds of 2/5 on the home side, while a bet on the visiting team will produce odds of 13/2.
Low Likelihood for Draw in Monaco vs Montpellier Match
Monaco won three of the last four games, including two matches on the road, which is encouraging ahead of this fixture. They take on Montpellier, a team that used to earn most of the points in front of the fans, but they are winless in the last five games. 888 Sport expects the visitors to prevail, as reflected by the odds of 4/5, while the hosts start with the second chance and odds of 16/5. Monaco is the only team without a draw the entire season, while Montpellier split points just once at home.
Disclaimer:
The odds mentioned here were accurate at the featured bookmakers at the hour the article was written, respectively on Tuesday, January 13 at 8 pm UK time.
