Torino vs Sampdoria: Preview and Prediction

Torino vs Sampdoria
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Saturday, 29th April 2017
Kick-Off: 19:45 UK,
Venue: Stadio Olimpico (Turin).

Both Sampdoria and Torino will be eager to secure a top ten finish as they lock horns on Saturday evening.

Only three points divide the Blucerchiati, who sit in tenth from the Granata, who find themselves in ninth. Arguably, Torino will be the more disappointed of the two, as Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side were once believed to be dark horse considers for a European football spot. They do boast the highest-scoring attack outside the top three, and are spearheaded by the rising striker Andrea Belotti, who is in contention for the Capocannoniere title.

But their defensive frailties have cost them dearly. That has seen them drop vital points, and they come into this game on a five game unbeaten streak. The last loss for the hosts was on March 13th, when they went down 3-1 to Lazio. Since then, clean sheets have been hard to come by, but they are still picking up good results.

Meanwhile, Sampdoria will be devoid of confidence after slipping up to a 2-1 home defeat against Crotone. The Blucerchiati have been quite poor on the road, where they have lost half of their trips and won just four on the road all season. Sampdoria have had nothing short of a roller-coaster season, where they have had their fair share of ups and downs.

That includes seven game winless runs, but thanks to how badly the bottom-placed sides have fared, they have never been in danger of relegation. They come into this game having lost back to back games, including the recent loss to Crotone, whilst Torino have lost just once at home against Juventus.

Torino vs Sampdoria: Head-to-head statistics

• Torino have a record of W11-D8-L1 in their last 20 home games against teams ranked below them in the table.
• Sampdoria have a record of W2-D5-L13 in their last 20 away games against teams ranked below them in the table.
• Torino have won just twice in their last 12 Serie A meetings against Sampdoria (D5 L5).
• However, the Granata have beaten Sampdoria in their last two home league games, scoring seven goals.
• Sampdoria have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches.
• Torino are unbeaten in their last five Serie A games (W2 D3).
• The last time they went six without defeat was in October (W3 D3).

Torino vs Sampdoria: Prediction

Sampdoria have won just one out of their last five away games, and come into this game having lost their last two games. In addition, they have won just four on the road and are expected to struggle against a Torino side who have no problems winning and scoring at home.

The visitors have netted more than one goal in just two out of their last 16 road fixtures, whilst the Granata have scored at least two goals in nearly 70 per cent of their home games.

Given Torino’s woes at the back, Sampdoria may be able to grab a goal, however.