Our Serie A scribe previews gameweek two of the Italian Serie A season, which sees Lazio host the defending champions in the opening match.
It was an average weekend on the betting front for yours truly, after being reacquainted with the Italian Serie A. Gameweek One got off to a firing start, with Roma racing to the top of the log with a 4-0 victory over Udinese in the opening game of the season. Defending champions Juventus battled to a 2-1 home win over Fiorentina, while Napoli stumbled to a 2-2 draw at newcomers Pescara. I will give more insight into that shortly, as week two looks promising from a punters point of view. The opening week had goals galore, upsets and a bit of value about it. Let’s find out what’s worth a dabble in week two.
SATURDAY 27 AUGUST
Lazio 36/10 | Draw 24/10 | Juventus 8/10
We kick-start the weekend with an absolute cracker, as Lazio play host to defending champions Juventus. Both teams started the new campaign with victories last time out. Lazio edged Atalanta 4-3 in a seven goal thriller on Sunday but will need to improve defensively if they are to stand the slightest chance of taking maximum points against the Scudetto holders.
Juve’s record signing Gonzalo Higuain has been mocked non-stop about his weight since joining the Italian champions, but made his critics eat their words in Turin on Saturday evening. In a tightly contested game against a resilient Fiorentina, the Argentine international came off the bench to clinch a 2-1 victory for the Old Lady, ensuring his new side’s 2016/17 campaign got off to the best possible start.
Juventus are unbeaten in the last 11 meetings in all competitions against Lazio, including nine victories. Nonetheless, the Bianconeri will be weary of Lazio upsetting the applecart. In a heated matchup, the Under 2.5 Goals market is what looks the most tempting at 13/20. After all, five of the last six meetings have followed suite.
Napoli 13/20 | Draw 3/1 | AC Milan 4/1
The second humdinger on Saturday evening sees Napoli take on AC Milan. Last season’s runners-up Napoli stared defeat in the face last Sunday after going 2-0 down at newly-promoted Pescara, but fought back in outstanding fashion to earn a well-deserved point.
Carlos Bacca scored a hat-trick and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved a last-gasp penalty to give AC Milan a dramatic 3-2 win over Torino in their Serie A opener last Sunday. They can, however, expect a tougher test from Napoli, who remained unbeaten on home soil last season, winning 16 of their 19 matches.
Napoli may have won four of the last six meetings between the teams, but after Milan’s heroics last weekend, they might just have the momentum and confidence to get them a favourable result. I think we could be in for a goal fest here, so get on the Over 2.5 Goals market at a tempting 15/20.
SUNDAY 28 AUGUST
Inter Milan 7/20 | Draw 36/10 | Palermo 15/2
Inter Milan started the season with a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Chievo and will be eager to get back to winning ways here. They return to the San Siro Stadium where they managed 13 victories from 19 home games last term.
Palermo made quite a horrid start themselves, falling to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sassuolo in their own backyard. They finished just a point above the drop last term and had a dismal record on their travels.
I think Inter should get up for the win here, but at the same time, I feel they might concede at least one goal. So get on the matchbet, Inter Milan + Both Teams To Score at a valuable 21/10.
Cagliari 29/10 | Draw 51/20 | Roma 9/10
Cagliari found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-1 dismantling against Genoa last Sunday evening. To make matters worse, table-toppers Roma come to town high on confidence, and hungry to build on their 4-0 hammering of Udinese.
A brace and man-of-the-match performance from Diego Perotti sent Roma on their way, stretching their unbeaten record to 18 league games, after ousting a lifeless Udinese side. The victory shows just how serious they are about challenging Juve’s league dominance.
Cagliari will be looking to capitalize on home ground advantage against Roma, but that looks highly doubtful. The Giallorossi have won the last three meetings against their opponents and are tipped to build on that.
Sampdoria 23/20 | Draw 22/10 | Atalanta 51/20
Sampdoria fought to a well-earned 1-0 victory away to Empoli in their season opener and will be looking to build on that in front of their beloved fans on Sunday evening. They have won six of the last eight meetings at home against Atalanta, so history is on their side as well.
Atalanta fell to a pitiful 4-3 home defeat against Lazio last Sunday. La Dea were terrible on the road last season with just three wins from 19 matches, scoring only 14 goals. The home win is the way to go here.
Udinese 21/20 | Draw 9/4 | Empoli 26/10
Udinese were involved in the biggest thrashing of the weekend last time out as Roma ran riot with a 4-0 hiding. They will need to find some sort of confidence and fighting spirit to overcome Empoli on Sunday evening.
Empoli failed to start the campaign with a win either, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat on their turf against Sampdoria. With both teams struggling to score goals, I think Under 2.5 goals could be worth a punt at 13/20.
Crotone 11/4 | Draw 9/4 | Genoa 21/20
Crotone were unlucky at the weekend as they suffered a hard-fought 1-0 defeat away to Bologna. Genoa are up next and they look up for the challenge after ousting Cagliari 3-1 at home last weekend. Crotone will be desperate not to fall to another defeat, while Genoa will be looking to make it back-to-back wins.
A cagey and tight affair looks likely and the draw is the predicted outcome. But if you looking for one of the more exotic markets, I would have another punt on the Under 2.5 Goals market at 13/20.
Sassuolo 13/20 | Draw 28/10 | Pescara 17/4
Sassuolo will be looking to build on their excellent league start with another victory after edging Empoli 1-0 away from home last weekend. New boys Pescara made a great start as well, earning a 2-2 draw at home against Napoli and now they will be looking to go one better and snatch their first win.
Sassuolo have won the last two meetings against their opponents and are deserved favourites for the win. Pescara might put up a decent fight, but in the end, should fall short. The home win is the way to go.
Fiorentina 13/20 | Draw 26/10 | Chievo 9/2
Although Fiorentina fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat at Juventus last Saturday, they looked solid, organized and lively. Chievo started the campaign with an impressive 2-0 victory over Inter Milan and will feel they have the momentum to pull off another upset.
I simply don’t see that happening. They may have shocked Italy with that win, but I’m not convinced just yet. Fiorentina have won the last five meetings at home against Chievo, scoring 12 goals and conceding just twice. Get on the home win.
Torino 8/10 | Draw 49/20 | Bologna 38/10
Torino put in a spirited performance against AC Milan last Sunday, despite going down 3-2. Their opponents – Bologna – claimed a hard-fought 1-0 home win against newcomers Crotone to get the campaign off to a winning start.
However, Torino have won four of the last six meetings against Bologna, including both meetings last term. This one should go down to the wire, with the sides tipped to cancel each other out. For those looking for a market to punt on, Both Teams To Score is eye-catching at 11/10.
Written by Aaron Crowie @Hollywoodbets
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