And away we go! The Italian Serie A is the last of the ‘big five’ leagues to kick off and what better way to get the 2019/20 season underway than with Juventus travelling to Parma with nothing but a victory in mind.
The defending champions have only grown stronger during the transfer window so you can expect another one-horse race with the Old Lady gunning for a record ninth-straight league title. There are nine other cracking fixtures so let’s find out what’s good for the opening round.
Saturday 24 August
Parma 8/1
Draw 4/1
Juventus 7/20
Despite finishing 14th on the table last season, Parma showed glimpses of promise throughout the 38-round marathon for the all-important Scudetto. Reigning champs, Juventus, have made a couple of additions to the team which should see them dominate even more.
However, I doubt these players were brought in because they fear losing their title as champions of Italy but were brought in to help bring in European success, notably, the UEFA Champions League. Five of the last six meetings between these sides at Stadio Ennio Tardini have ended in low-scoring affairs. Given that this is the opening match of the season, it’s likely to be cagey. Get on the Under 2.5 Goals market at 11/10.
Fiorentina 7/2
Draw 11/4
Napoli 15/20
Towards the back end of the 2018/19 campaign, Fiorentina were on a downward spiral and had the Serie A lasted another two or three games longer, they would have been in big trouble. However, this is a new season with new goals to achieve.
Napoli will be hoping this is their year and it would be nice to see another Italian side other than Juventus lift the title but it would take a masterclass season to snatch the Scudetto away from the Old Lady. Back to the match at hand, both sides have goals in them, so take Both Teams to Score (Yes) at 7/10.
Sunday 25 August
Udinese 26/10
Draw 47/20
AC Milan 21/20
Udinese proved to be a decent team on home soil last season but were almost useless on their travels. The White and Blacks have won their last three friendlies and should have a bit of confidence coming into this matchup.
AC Milan ended the 2018/19 season with four wins in a row but struggled in pre-season. Back Udinese on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 7/10.
Roma 5/10
Draw 33/10
Genoa 11/2
Roma would have been disappointed in finishing sixth and missing out on Champions League football and will have made the necessary changes to take the team forward. Genoa only survived the relegation-battle due to a superior goal-difference (It wasn’t that much superior; it was a mere goal).
Roma have won the last five meetings at home against Genoa and look likely to build on that. The home win is on the cards.
Cagliari 8/10
Draw 51/20
Brescia 33/10
Cagliari finished just three points above the drop zone last season and will be hoping to not be involved in the relegation battle this time around. They take on newly-promoted Brescia, who won Serie A in order for a place in the top flight.
As impressive as that was, they registered just five wins from 19 games on the road last term. They will want to make a name for themselves, I just don’t see them doing it on their travels. Neither team look very promising on the goal front and with that being said, the Under 2.5 Goals market looks well worth a punt at 15/20.
Torino 17/20
Draw 5/2
Sassuolo 32/10
Torino are improving every season and are always good value for money on home soil. Sassuolo travelled poorly last season with just four wins from 19 matches and will certainly look to improve on that this coming Sunday.
Torino are unbeaten in the last six meetings against Sassuolo and will be hopeful of adding to that tally. Get on the home win.
Sampdoria 47/20
Draw 24/10
Lazio 23/20
Both Sampdoria and Lazio play attacking football so it’s very likely that this will be one of the more entertaining encounters. La Samp won 10 of their 19 home games last season and should give a good account of themselves here.
The last six meeting between these sides have produced 24 goals at an average of four per game. The Totals – Over 2.5 Goals – market is tipped at 17/20.
SPAL 36/10
Draw 26/10
Atalanta 15/20
SPAL placed just four points above the relegation zone last season and will be looking to make sure they don’t start the campaign off on the wrong foot. Atalanta, on the other hand, did absolutely brilliant to finish third on the standings last season.
They might have finished on opposite ends of the table, but the hosts looked far more promising in pre-season. With that being said, the Both Teams to Score – Yes – market should be backed at 17/20.
Hellas Verona 23/10
Draw 43/20
Bologna 5/4
Maybe it’s just me, but when I look at fixtures like these, I can actually visualise the final score and in that vision, it would be goalless. It might not be an entertaining fixture but it’s still one that can make you a profit.
For the bold out there, a correct score – 0-0 – will get you a healthy 7/1! And for those who will be cautionary for the Serie A’s opening round, the Totals – Under 2.5 Goals – market is the way to go at 6/10.
Monday 26 August
Inter Milan 1/4 | Draw 5/1 | Lecce 10/1
Every year it looks like this could be the year Inter Milan to produce the goods we all know they are capable of but time and time again they disappoint. With the new arrivals of Romelu Lukaku, Valentino Lazaro, Matteo Politano and Diego Godin, they might just have a winning formula this time around.
Newly-promoted Lecce placed second in Serie B last season but travelled poorly with just six wins from 18 games. The Home Win to Nil – Yes – market looks well worth a punt at 9/10.
TREBLE TIPPED @ 4/1
Torino Win 17/20
Roma Win 5/10
Inter Milan Win to Nil 9/10
