It’s been a very long time since Sampdoria have competed at the top of Italian football and they meet Crotone this weekend to move into the top five places.
Sampdoria have won the Serie A title once in their history, which was back in 1990/91 and have struggled to come close again since, having suffered relegation to Serie B between then and now. However, if they can continue their decent start to this season, they could finish close to the European places this season.
Crotone will have only one thing on their mind and that is to prevent relegation to Serie B and to avoid the drama of last season, when they manged to avoid the drop on the final day of the season.
Serie A – Luigi Ferraris, Genua – Saturday 21st October – 17:00 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 14/5 at Ladbrokes |
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Morecambe FC
FC CrotoneSampdoria Form
Sampdoria bounced back from their heavy 4-0 defeat at Udinese prior to the international break by defeating Atalanta 3-1 at home last weekend. Considering Atalanta finished fourth last season, that must go down as being a very good result. That defeat to Udinese has been Sampdoria’s only defeat this season and they have become very tough to beat. At home, Sampdoria have won their last 3 games, including the win over Atalanta and a good 2-0 win against big spending AC Milan. Interestingly, both teams have scored in 10 of Sampdoria’s last 12 home league games.
Crotone Form
Crotone come into this match sitting 14th in Serie with 6 points, just 1 point clear of the relegation zone. They have won only just 1 of their 8 league games this season, which came just before the international break at home against bottom of the table Benevento. However, since that win Crotone have remained undefeated and have picked up a point at SPAL and at home in a 2-2 draw with Torino last weekend. Away form has been poor this season and Crotone have 1 point to show from their 3 away games in Serie A, which was gained at SPAL. Prior to that draw, Crotone lost 1-0 at Cagliari and 5-1 at Atalanta, the team Sampdoria defeated convincingly last weekend.
Team News
Sampdoria have no injury or suspension concerns ahead of this game and should line up in a 4-3-1-2 formation. Edgar Barreto should return to the starting XI having missed the previous match through suspension. Crotone are without the injured Aleksandar Tonev but he is the only selection problem for Davide Nicola. Crotone are expected to start in a 4-4-2 formation with Marcello Trotta and Ante Budimir up-front.
Top Betting Tips
Sampdoria have scored 2 or more goals in each of their 3 home games this season. Crotone have struggled at the back away from home and have conceded 7 in their 3 matches on the road. Sampdoria are 4/6 with Coral to score 2 or more goals. Crotone have managed to get a goal in 2 of their 3 away matches this season and Sampdoria have kept 1 clean sheet in their 3 home matches. This suggests Crotone could get a goal and Ladbrokes offer 7/5 for Sampdoria to win and over 2.5 goals. Former Udinese man Duvan Zapata has been in good form in attack for Sampdoria and has scored 3 goals in 5 games this season. The Colombian is 5/1 with Ladbrokes to score the first goal of the game.