Our football guru gives his predictions ahead of the 2018/19 Italian Serie A campaign. Find out who Aaron Crowie is backing to lift the Scudetto at the end of the season.
The Italian Serie A returns on the 18th August 2018 and fans couldn’t be happier. With Cristiano Ronaldo joining the seven-time defending Scudetto Champions, Juventus, it seems like the title is more than likely set to remain in Turin. Not unless Napoli, Roma or either of the Milan giants have anything to do with it though. Let’s find out what we can expect from the 2018/19 season.
To Win (Outright)
Juventus 4/10
Inter Milan 6/1
Roma 7/1
Napoli 7/1
AC Milan 16/1
The Contenders
Will it be a case of déjà vu for Juventus? It has been for the past seven seasons with the Old Lady making it look about as routine as brushing your teeth, and I used that comparison because the defending champions have brushed aside their opponents all too easily. And now with one of the world’s best players – if not the best – joining the Serie A giants, it looks extremely doubtful that anyone will stand much of a chance. Ronaldo has proven his talent time and time again for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Portugal and will surely rise to the occasion for his new team.
Inter Milan made a solid attempt at reclaiming the title last season but they are still very much a work in progress. The signings of Sime Vrsaljko from Atletico Madrid (loan), Kwadwo Asamoah from Juventus and Radja Nainggolan from Roma will definitely increase their chances of knocking Juventus off their high horse. The Old Lady will also be focused on winning the UEFA Champions League and might just put less effort into bagging the Scudetto for an eighth straight season.
Roma will be in and around the top of the table but are likely to fall short yet again. They play wonderful attacking football but struggle to back it up with their half-hearted, unorganised defending. They have plenty of quality amongst their ranks but I just don’t think they can push Juventus all the way, especially after the sales of Brazilian shot-stopper Alisson and Nainggolan.
Napoli are the fourth favourite to win the league despite mounting an incredible title-challenge last term, falling short by just four points. Carlo Ancelotti’s men are likely to give Juventus a run for their money but I don’t think they have the legs to keep it up for a 38-game season. Besides replacing Maurizio Sarri with Ancelotti, Napoli haven’t done much in terms of strengthening their team.
AC Milan have added to their firepower up front with the signing of Argentine forward Gonzalo Higuain and but at 16/1, they just don’t have the depth and quality to bring back the glory days to their supporters. The Rossoneri finished the Serie A in sixth place last season and I can only see them placing as high as fourth this time around.
Verdict: Juventus (4/10)
I’m expecting Juventus to continue their domination this season. It’s been far too easy for them and with CR7 joining the Old Lady, I believe most football supporters would see this as another title-winning campaign for Juventus.
