Our football analyst previews the Italian Serie A week four action which kicks off on Saturday 16 September 2017.
Round three of the Serie A proved to be a successful week of punting for yours truly, after tipping a fruitful eight out of nine clashes. I’m confident that I can maintain that form with the enticing fixtures taking place this weekend.
Italy’s top tier is beginning to take its accustomed shape in the opening stages of the 2017/18 campaign. Juventus, Napoli and Inter Milan have all maintained 100% win-records with the champions leading the pack on goal-difference. Matchday four looks pretty straight-forward but as we all know so well; in football anything is possible. Let’s find out what’s in store this weekend.
Saturday 16 September
Crotone 17/2 | Draw 17/4 | Inter Milan 3/10
It all begins on Saturday afternoon with relegation-contenders Crotone taking on title-challenging Inter Milan. The hosts are yet to win a match, failing to score a goal and conceding four times, while Inter have won all three of their contests, scoring eight goals and conceding just once.
Crotone caused an upset in this fixture last term, claiming a hard-fought 2-1 win and they will be looking to somehow replicate that feat. The Rossoblu will need to maintain their shape and organisation but I just feel Inter will prove too strong for them. The away win should be backed.
Fiorentina 5/10 | Draw 33/10 | Bologna 52/10
Following back-to-back defeats, Fiorentina bounced back to winning ways in emphatic fashion, thrashing Hellas Verona 5-0 away from home. Their opponents this week, Bologna, were humiliated on home soil as Napoli ran riot, recording a 3-0 victory.
The Viola have won the last five meetings against Bologna, scoring nine goals without reply. And after last weekend’s confidence boosting win, I can only see one result – get on the home win!
Roma 2/11 | Draw 6/1 | Hellas Verona 13/1
Roma’s fixture with Sampdoria in round three was forced to be abandoned following a threat of dangerous weather conditions in Genoa last Saturday. That would have given them two weeks without club football, taking into account the international break.
Hellas Verona could be in for another annihilation after Fiorentina wiped the floor with them. They are yet to win a match, scoring just once and conceding eight times. Back the Giallorossi on the (-1) Handicap at 5/10.
Sunday 17 September
Sassuolo 57/10 | Draw 33/10 | Juventus 9/20
Sunday’s Serie A action resumes with a lunch-time kick-off between a struggling Sassuolo side and the champions elect – Juventus. The Neroverdi are winless after three matches, scoring only once and conceding five times.
Juventus have been their usual juggernaut selves with three consecutive wins, scoring 10 goals and conceding just twice. The Old Lady are showing no signs of slowing down and are tipped to come away with maximum points.
Spal 14/10 | Draw 9/4 | Cagliari 39/20
New boys on the block, Spal 2013, suffered their first defeat of the campaign last time out, despite putting up a valiant effort to keep Inter Milan at bay. They showed plenty of guts and determination and left it all out on the field, despite going down 2-0.
The Biancazzurri will gladly return to their home patch this weekend and will be determined to come out on top. Cagliari earned their first win of the season last time out following two defeats on the bounce. However, they have lost their last five travels and are tipped to struggle here. The home win is tipped.
Torino 7/10 | Draw 3/1 | Sampdoria 36/10
Torino and Sampdoria are next up to do battle. The home side have been on fire of late with back-to-back wins, scoring four goals without conceding.
Sampdoria have been just as good, making this clash all the more captivating. This one looks set to go down to the wire and with that being said, I suggest staying away from the full-time market. Instead, jump on Both Teams to Score at 11/20.
AC Milan 4/10 | Draw 36/10 | Udinese 13/2
The San Siro Stadium will host our next contest with AC Milan and Udinese set to lock horns. The Rossoneri tasted their first defeat of the season last time out, going down 4-1 to Lazio, while Udinese earned their maiden win of the campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Genoa.
Udinese claimed the double over AC Milan last term, so revenge will definitely be on the cards for the latter. Back Milan to bag all three points in what is likely to be a heated affair.
Napoli 1/10 | Draw 8/1 | Benevento 21/1
This clash has goals – for the home side – written all over it. Napoli have scored three goals in each match thus far, conceding just twice while accumulating maximum points. They look determined and ready to push Juventus all the way this season.
Newcomers Benevento find themselves at the pit of the table with zero points after three rounds of football. To make matters worse, they come up against last season’s top goal scorers, Napoli. The 1/10 on offer for the home win is way too short for me and as I mentioned above, I’m expecting a goal fest. With that being said, I will be having a strike on the Both Halves Over 1.5 goals – Yes – market at 17/10.
Chievo 37/20 | Draw 22/10 | Atalanta 15/10
After a bright start to the campaign, Chievo have suffered two losses on the spin against Lazio (2-1) and Juventus last time out (3-0). Atalanta earned their first win with a hard-earned 2-1 win over Sassuolo at home. With one team looking to bounce back to winning ways and the other determined to make it consecutive victories, we could be in for an entertaining clash. Both Teams to Score is well worth a punt at 8/10.
Genoa 26/10 | Draw 5/2 | Lazio 1/1
Genoa and Lazio will bring the curtain down on gameweek four. The Rossoblu are yet to win a match, as well as suffering two defeats on the trot. Lazio have been impressive in recent weeks, including an outstanding 4-1 home win over AC Milan last time out.
Genoa can’t afford to suffer a third straight defeat, while their opponents must maintain their red-hot form in order to mount a genuine title-challenge. The away win is tipped at even money.
LAST WEEK’S TREBLE WON @ 42/10
Juventus (-1) Handicap 11/20
Fiorentina Win 23/20
Bologna vs Napoli Over 2.5 Goals 11/20
THIS WEEK’S TREBLE @ 7/2
Fiorentina Win 5/10
Roma (-1) Handicap 5/10
Lazio Win 1/1
