Torino v Cagliari – Olimpico di Torino at 11:30 GMT +1 live at Premier Sports
Only Juventus (1) and Napoli (5) have lost fewer Serie A games this season than Torino (6) but rather than occupying a top-two berth, or even a Champions League qualification place as we enter the final furlong of the season, Il Toro are sitting right back in eight position.
Clearly, Torino are a canny bunch under the stewardship of Walter Mazzarri, although the Granata have often struggled to make the most of their opportunities. Last weekend, for example, the former Watford boss described his side as “cursed” as they failed to make their dominance pay against Parma.
The Turin-based club played out a goalless draw despite enjoying the bulk of possession and the initiative, as Parma focused entirely on the counter-attack. Mazzarri claimed, “We more than deserved to win. We pinned them back, had so many scoring opportunities, but too often got the final ball wrong,”
Torino’s impressive home displays
He wasn’t wrong. However, Torino’s frustration has often arrived on the road with Il Toro now drawing 12 of their 16 games on their travels. It’s a different picture at their home Stadio Olimpico base with the Granata bagging W9-D1-L3 when excluding defeats when welcoming both Juventus and Napoli.
Since a derby defeat to Juve in mid-December, Torino have secured top honours in six of their following seven Serie A showdowns at the Olimpico, as well as six of eight encounters against the bottom-half, and the hosts look well worth supporting for another with generous 1.87 quotes available against Cagliari.
Cagliari opposable outside of Sardinia
Cagliari head coach Rolando Maran has guided the Rossoblu into the heady heights of mid-table after almost losing his job in the winter. Five triumphs in eight have propelled the Sardinians away from relegation concerns with their form on the island remaining as solid as ever.
Indeed, Cagliari have continued their Jekyll and Hyde results in home and away t football under Maran. The Rossoblu have W7-D6-L3 at their Sardegna Arena home but the visitors have W2-D3-L10 on their travels, and since the beginning of 2016/17 been beaten in 35/53 (66%) away Serie A matches.
Cagliari have fired blanks in over half of their 15 games as guests this season and they could be in for another tough contest on Sunday, so much so that I’m happy to oppose them with Torino appealing at 1.87 quotes.
Asian Handicap Betting Recommendation: Torino -0.50 at 1.870
Preview by: @MarkOHaire.
Can Torino continue their push for top six Serie A spot? Settle your Torino v Cagliari Asian handicap bets through VOdds or using Eastbridge Skype betting service.
