Spezia vs Torino: The Eagles need to win more, but will they do it?

Saturday's program of the Serie A round 12 will open with the match between Spezia and Torino. The Eagles are in the relegation zone, so there’s absolutely no losing for them at home, but the very powerful Bulls also cannot allow it. Can Thiago Motta's team succeed? There are several options to bet on. 

Thiago Motta's team is 18th after 11 rounds, but to be honest, Salernitana after the change of coach and with Franck Ribery in the squad, let alone Cagliari, seem to be the teams whose chances of remaining in the elite are higher. Spezia is the clear underdog of the season and will almost certainly leave Serie A. The Eagles simply lack the resources to play in the country's top division. It is still surprising how coach Vincenzo Italiano managed to keep his place in the elite last season, that deserves respect.

In the previous round, Spezia lost away to Fiorentina 0-3 without any chance. The team has conceded a total of 26 goals, more than anyone else in the championship. Two victories over the newcomers from the Serie B, Salernitana at home and Venezia away, keep Spezia afloat.

I wonder what Ivan Juric will end up doing at Torino. The Croatian coach's former project, Verona, is still blooming on old yeast. The Turin club has more room to shape its roster, so the Bulls should be able to overcome a place higher than 9-10 with time.

After 10 rounds Torino is in 12th place, despite the very tough schedule – Napoli, Torino, AC Milan ( the team lost to all of them with the same score of 0-1, and Lazio, who got back in the last seconds to finish the game 1-1. In the previous match Torino once again confirmed its high class by beating Sampdoria 3-0 at home.

Last season saw Torino fail to beat Spezia 0-0 at home and 1-4 away. Former Torino coach Marco Giampaolo was sacked following the home draw.

It wouldn't be surprising if Torino win the upcoming game. But Ivan Juric's team is still raw, not always picking up their points and therefore could end the meeting with a draw as well. What is certain is that the upcoming game will be low-scoring. Torino concede very little, so the Eagles' talented forwards Nzola and Gyasi might not score at all. There are doubts that the Turin players will score too much; it's not the most important matchup, and their opponent really needs a lot of points.

Prediction: Torino will not lose in a not-so-high-scoring match.

Betting options:

• Torino Not To Lose + Total Under (3.5) for 1.85;
• Spezia Individual Total Under (1) for 1.95;
• Correct Score 1-1 for 7.00.