Our football expert previews round two of the Italian Serie A which resumes on Saturday 25 August 2018.
Round one of the Italian Serie A proved to be tricky and yours truly might have had the treble if it wasn’t for the tragic bridge collapse where 39 people lost their lives. Due to the unfortunate incident, AC Milan’s opening match against Genoa had been postponed, along with the Sampdoria vs Fiorentina clash.
Nonetheless, my double of Empoli to win and Atalanta to win to nil won at 33/10, something at least worth smiling about. Anyway, let’s cut the small talk and get down to business.
Saturday 25 August
Juventus 7/20
Draw 39/10
Lazio 7/1
Draw 39/10
Lazio 7/1
Juventus made a bit of a rocky start to the new season after coming from 2-1 down to edge Chievo 3-2 at Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi. Next up is Lazio, who fell to a 2-1 defeat at Napoli, their third consecutive loss – including defeats against Borussia Dortmund (1-0) and Arsenal (2-0) in friendlies.
Cristiano Ronaldo was a shining beacon despite failing to find the back of the net. The Portuguese superstar had eight shots (four on target), which is a sign of great things to come from the former Real Madrid forward. I’m expecting a much more convincing performance from the defending champions with the Old Lady tipped to Win To Nil at 21/20.
Napoli 13/20
Draw 29/10
AC Milan 4/1
Draw 29/10
AC Milan 4/1
The Stadio San Paolo in Naples, where the game will be played, has been a difficult ground for Milan, but with an improved team headlined by former Napoli man Gonzalo Higuain, the Rossoneri will fancy their chances against the Partenopei, now managed by Milan’s greatest manager, Carlo Ancelotti. Ancelotti’s reign as Napoli manager got off to a winning start as they claimed a 2-1 victory away to Lazio last weekend, while AC Milan’s meeting with Genoa was called off in the wake of the Morandi bridge collapse.
Despite the loss of Sarri and Jorginho, Napoli are still a top side and Ancelotti is one of the best managers in the world. The Partenopei are tough to beat on their turf and I don’t see them losing this game, however, their open game could hand Milan goalscoring opportunities. I suggest taking Napoli on the Double Chance & Both Teams to Score at even money. Get on the Double Chance & Both Teams to Score – Home-Draw/Yes (1/1).
Sunday 26 August
SPAL 21/20
Draw 43/20
Parma 29/10
Draw 43/20
Parma 29/10
SPAL 2013 made a terrific start to the season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Bologna. Their pre-season preparation saw them win four of their six club friendlies, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the House of Este have a decent season ahead of them. Parma have had a rough couple of seasons but with their hard-work and determination, returned to the Serie A.
However, the season has just about began and they are already behind with a five-point deduction and without Emanuele Calaio, who has been banned for two years. The sanction has been imposed by the Italian Football Association’s national tribunal for an alleged match manipulation attempt towards the end of last season in Serie B. Nonetheless, Parma earned a point at home against Udinese last time out and will be desperate to get more points on the board. Both Teams to Score – Yes – is tipped at 19/20.
Genoa 19/20
Draw 9/4
Empoli 31/10
Draw 9/4
Empoli 31/10
Genoa’s opening match against AC Milan might have been postponed after the tragedy but the team are looking focused and eager to make a solid start to the season. Empoli, as expected, came out on top against Cagliari with a 2-0 victory.
In the last 13 meetings between the Griffin and the Blues, there have been a lack of goals with all those encounters ending with Under 2.5 Goals. More of the same looks likely so follow the pattern and get on at 6/10.
Fiorentina 9/20
Draw 33/10
Draw 33/10
Chievo 6/1
Fiorentina are another team that were affected by the collapse of the bridge but it might have been better for the Viola’s match to be postponed as they looked in no way ready for the new season and maybe, just maybe the fact that Fiorentina had an extra week to prepare might be a positive.
Chievo took on Juventus without fear last weekend and it nearly paid off as the Flying Donkeys led until the 77th minute. However, their defensive gameplay needs work and it’s away from home where they need to raise their game. Fiorentina have won the last eight meetings at home against Chievo and are tipped to utilize that advantage once again.
Udinese 13/10
Draw 47/20
Sampdoria 21/10
Draw 47/20
Sampdoria 21/10
Udinese are without a win in their last four matches in all competitions, including a 2-2 draw at newly-promoted Parma last time out.
Sampdoria were another team affected by last weekend’s tragedy but come into this contest in a good head space after they remained unbeaten in pre-season with four wins and two draws from six matches. The away win is tipped.
Inter Milan 5/10
Draw 33/10
Torino 5/1
Draw 33/10
Torino 5/1
Inter Milan shocked me at how poor they were last weekend after going down 1-0 at Sassuolo. The Nerazzurri will look to make amends at the San Siro when they play host to Torino on Sunday evening.
The latter have proved to be a tough side to break apart when playing at home but their performances on the road leave a lot to be desired. The last 11 meetings between these teams have been separated by a single goal or ended in a draw. I’m backing Inter to grind out a hard-fought and narrow victory with the Nerazzurri faithful behind them.
Cagliari 31/20
Draw 22/10
Sassuolo 18/10
Draw 22/10
Sassuolo 18/10
Cagliari are one of my early season tips to be relegated and round one saw the Islanders fall to a 2-0 defeat at Empoli. They showed no fighting spirit and looked flat for 90 minutes and if that doesn’t improve, they’re in for a long season.
Sassuolo were one of the most talked about Serie A teams last weekend after capitalizing on home advantage to see off Inter Milan 1-0. They have won five of their last six matches in all competitions (including friendlies) and are tipped to build on that. Back Sassuolo to come away with maximum points.
Frosinone 22/10
Draw 21/10
Bologna 27/20
Draw 21/10
Bologna 27/20
Frosinone got off to the worst possible start on Monday evening after Atalanta ran riot at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia to claim a convincing 4-0 victory. Bologna, like their opponents, struggled to go forward and lost 1-0 at home to SPAL 2013.
Neither of these teams excite me going forward and with that being said, I just don’t see either team scoring too many goals. The Under 2.5 Goals market is there for the taking at 11/20.
Monday 27 August
Roma 15/20
Draw 11/4
Atalanta 36/10
Draw 11/4
Atalanta 36/10
Roma got off to a good start with a nail-biting 1-0 win at Torino last week Sunday. The hosts struggled with consistency last season but there were many positives from their pre-season campaign. However, I like the look of this Atalanta side and they seem to be improving every season.
La Dea have taken points off Roma in their last four visits and I’m backing them to continue that trend. The Away Win/Draw Double Chance is tipped at even money.
TREBLE TIPPED @ 17/2
Juventus Win To Nil 11/10
Genoa vs Empoli Under 2.5 Goals 6/10
Sassuolo Win 18/10
