Lazio to continue fine spell by serving time on Siena

19Dec 2012

Christian Crowther picks out some midweek bets from around the continent for televised domestic cup games...

Augsburg v Bayern Munich, Tuesday 19:30, ESPN, Match Odds: Augsburg 16.0, Bayern Munich 1.26, The Draw 6.4

Bayern Munich make the trip to struggling Bundesliga outfit Augsburg in the German Cup, with their hosts a full ten points from guaranteed safety (the team finishing 16th contest a play-off with the second tier's third-place side) heading into the Christmas break. Augsburg's season to date tells a story of woe, recording just one league win ten losses from 17 fixtures. One such defeat arrived in a replica of this fixture earlier this month with Bayern triumphing 2-0, their ninth clean sheet in a dozen away games. It's difficult to see a different outcome here.

Recommended Bet: Back Bayern Munich to win to nil @ 1.79

Lazio v Siena, Wednesday 14:00, ESPN, Match Odds: Lazio 1.56, Siena 7.2, The Draw 4.2

This Coppa Italia tie pairs two sides at distinctly opposite ends of the form spectrum. Lazio's weekend win over top-three rivals Inter was the capital club's sixth in a run of nine games unbeaten across all competitions. Contrastingly, sorry Siena are in the midst of their most trying period of the season having been thumped three times on the trot in Serie A, shipping ten goals in the process to prompt Serse Cosmi's dismissal. Lazio don't concede many either - just two in their last seven - making it difficult to see another semi-final appearance for Siena this season.

Recommended Bet: Back Lazio to win to nil @ 2.7

Udinese v Fiorentina, Wednesday 16:30, ESPN, Match Odds: Udinese 2.86, Fiorentina 2.7, The Draw 3.4

When these sides met in Serie A under the August sunshine, it was Fiorentina who ran out marginal 2-1 victors at home. Guided by Vincenzo Montella, this exciting Fiorentina side were on a remarkable run of five straight Serie A wins before a pair of draws slowed progress. However, since their wobble was confounded by defeat to Roma, they have bounced straight back with a Luca Toni-inspired 4-1 thumping of Siena. The only thing consistent about Udinese this season is their inconsistency, though their seven goals in three league games suggest there could be a few in this one.

Recommended Bet: Back over 2.5 goals @ 2.2

Borussia Dortmund v Hannover, Wednesday 19:30, ESPN, Match Odds: Borussia Dortmund 1.3, Hannover 96 9.2, The Draw 5.5

Dortmund have lacked the ruthless consistency from the back end of their second title-winning campaign this season, but the Bundesliga holders have been excelling in cup football once more. The hosts have been brilliant in the Champions League and also made light work of Oberneuland and Aalen in this competition, winning 3-0 and 4-1 away. Hannover did manage a draw against Dortmund at home in the Bundesliga but they make bad travellers in general, losing six of their nine away games.

Recommended Bet: [bf]Back Dortmund -2 to win @ 3.1