The 2018/19 Coppa Italia final will take place at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday evening and both Lazio and Atalanta will be confident of coming out on top.
An exciting affair could be on the cards in Rome and, from a neutral perspective, it will be refreshing to see an Italian final without Juventus or Napoli involved.
Lazio won this competition in 2008/09 while Atalanta’s supporters have had to wait over 50 years since their most recent triumph.
At the time of writing, Atalanta are third in the Serie A table and Gian Piero Gasperini’s side sit seven points clear of their opponents. Winning the Coppa Italia would be the perfect way to end an impressive campaign.
According to the latest football betting odds, Lazio and Atalanta are BOTH priced at 6/4 to win inside 90 minutes on Wednesday night.
Atalanta may kick-off as slight favourites after completing a league double over Lazio but traders are having a tough time splitting the two teams. All signs point towards a thrilling encounter in Rome.
Over 2.5 goals is worth a punt here. This tip has landed in four of Atalanta’s last five games in all competitions as well as winning in Lazio’s previous three fixtures.
Currently available at 3/4, punters should snap that price up ahead of kick-off. On paper, this should be played at a fast space and outscoring opponents is the aim of the game.
By the same token, the 3/5 available for both teams to score is an absolute steal. With so much attacking talent on show, an open and expansive contest is expected and you won’t find many punters backing a goalless draw here.
Lazio are used to playing at Stadio Olimpico but will ‘home advantage’ help on Wednesday night? Only time will tell.
La Dea have had to wait a long time since their last Coppa Italia success in 1962/63 but fans could be celebrating long into the night come the final whistle.
Atalanta have won their last four league games and Gasperini will be demanding more of the same from his players here. The 6/4 for an Atalanta win could turn out to be a huge price.
Watch out for Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata. The Colombia international is currently second in the Serie A top goal scorer charts with 22 goals this season and plenty of punters will be backing him to get his name on the scoresheet.
33/20 to score during 90 minutes is a decent price given his exploits this season. Atalanta should create lots of chances for Zapata against this leaky Lazio defence.
Lazio are no slouches though and this will be their fourth Coppa Italia final appearance since 2013.
However, the Biancocelesti have won two of their last eight games in all competitions and that is not a good omen ahead of this clash. Momentum is important ahead of any big game but it is imperative for a cup final.
Despite their recent struggles, Lazio have the quality to make a game of it on Wednesday evening.
Atalanta may start to panic if Lazio notch an early goal and 19/20 for the six-time Coppa Italia champions to score in the first half is well worth considering. Watch this space, a Lazio opener will put the cat amongst the pigeons.
Atalanta have done the double over Lazio already this season and a third win looks likely. However, this one could go the distance – hence why I’m taking the shorter odds to lift the trophy.
Fingers crossed for a quality game of football and plenty of goals; the 4/1 for Atalanta to win and both teams scoring is also worth a punt.
TIP: Atalanta to lift the trophy @ 9/10
LONGSHOT: Atalanta to win and both teams to score (4/1 with 888sport)
PREDICTED SCORE: Lazio 1-2 Atalanta (17/2 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
