The season is progressing and starting to take shape with teams competing at the highest level and giving a good account of themselves. The early stages have been dominated by Inter Milan while defending champions Napoli look to claw their way back to the top after a slow start to the season.
Friday 22 September
29/20 Salernitana | Draw 9/4 | Frosinone 2/1
Salernitana have not been able to get a grip of things this season and are yet to register a victory after four games. They were outplayed in their previous game and don’t look like improving any time soon. A soldier’s performance will be required to come away with something from this fixture.
Newly promoted Frosinone proved their Serie A credentials with an outrageous 4-2 home win over long-term top-flight tenants Sassuolo. Frosinone captain Luca Mazzietelli who bagged a brace in the previous fixture will be called upon once again in leading the team to a third consecutive victory. Frosinone are by far the better team and will win comfortably.
5/4 Lecce | Draw 22/10 | Genoa 24/10
Lecce is the thorn amongst the roses and despite having a young squad they are finding ways to grind out results which sees them occupy fourth place with eight points from 12. Lecce will need to be more confident and creative on the ball if they look to snatch the three points on home soil.
Genoa put up their best performance of the campaign so far after their incredible 2-2 draw against Napoli last time out. The Rossoblu look dangerous under the guidance of Alberto Gilardino and will want to pick up maximum points this time around. This will be a low scoring game, but I back a home win for Lecce.
Saturday 23 September
4/10 AC Milan | Draw 39/10 | Verona 7/1
AC Milan where embarrassed by their biggest rivals Inter Milan – losing 5-1 in their previous game made It five consecutive losses in the Derby della Madonnina in all competitions. A win will be on the cards for the Rossoneri at home as they look to recover and restore their confidence.
Verona was held to a 0-0 stalemate against Bologna last time out. They will be happy with the start to the new season, picking up seven points from four games. This will be the biggest test for Verona so far and will need to stick to a gameplan and execute it well on the day. AC Milan for the win.
26/10 Sassuolo | Draw 11/4 | Juventus 19/20
Sassuolo still have a point to prove after picking up a single win in their opening four fixtures. Alessio Dionisi will be under immense pressure and will need his team to make the most of their chances in front of goal if they look to come away with anything from this difficult encounter.
Juventus have turned a new leaf and look a solid outfit for the new campaign. Picking up maximum points in that impressive performance in their previous game against Lazio will allow the Bianconeri to play with authority as they look to pick up their third consecutive win. Juventus will continue to impress and pick up their fourth victory away from home.
17/20 Lazio | Draw 26/10 | Monza 31/10
Lazio where outplayed in their previous fixture, going down 3-1 to Juventus. The start of the season has been a difficult one for the Biancocelesti, managing just a single win out of four matches. Maurizio Sarri will be desperate to pick up maximum points in their own back yard.
Monza showed a lot of promise in their previous game and were unlucky not to come away with the victory. The Biancorossi will be cautious and look to get on the ball as they more of a threat when they control proceedings and dictate play. Both teams in bad form but I back Lazio to come away with the win.
Sunday 24 September
13/2 Empoli | Draw 42/10 | Inter Milan 4/10
Empoli are yet to register a point this season and struggling to reach the standards of the Serie A, after four games played, they sit rooted to the bottom of the table. The Gli Azzurri need to stay positive and give a good account of themselves against the best team in the league so far.
Inter Milan have been head and shoulders above the rest in the early stages of the campaign. Simone Inzaghi and his team demolished local rivals AC Milan in the derby and will treat this fixture no differently with the objective of collecting all three points to maintain their unbeaten record. Clear and obvious, Inter Milan to win.
1/3 Atalanta | Draw 42/10 | Cagliari 15/2
Cagliari drew twice and lost twice in their four Serie A games. Claudio Ranieri still has a lot of work to do as they lack that cutting edge in the final third. The Sardinians will need to put in a shift and not allow Atalanta space and time but will want to be aggressive and play on the counterattack.
Atalanta will be looking to bounce back in this home fixture after a disappointing 3-2 loss to Fiorentina. Finding consistency has been an uphill battle thus far but will be eager to pick themselves up and give off a performance worthy of three points. This will be a cagey affair and will come down to fine margins in the end, back the home team to win.
21/10 Udinese | Draw 5/2 | Fiorentina 13/10
Udinese have had a dismal start to the new campaign picking up three points from 12. Having home ground advantage in this fixture could play a big part in motivating and encouraging them to play without fear as they still look to register their first win of the season.
Fiorentina are a work-in-progress team with glaring defensive issues and a lack of goal scorers bar Nicolas Gonzalez so far. The manner at which they picked up their victory in their previous fixture shows the potential La Viola has and will want to make it back-to-back wins. Fiorentina are growing in confidence and will snatch all three points.
31/10 Bologna | Draw 11/4 | Napoli 17/20
Bologna picked up a point in their previous meeting with Verona. This will be the toughest challenge so far and will need to be at their very best against the defending champions. The home fans will want to cheer on their team in hopes of pulling off an upset.
Napoli have not been at their very best so far and were pushed to their limit in the 2-2 draw against Genoa. It hasn’t been smooth sailing for Rudi Garcia and getting back to winning ways will be the extra boost to finding consistency going forward. Napoli for the victory.
39/20 Torino | Draw 2/1 | Roma 16/10
Torino are playing well and look ready to go toe-to-toe in every match they play in. Winning comfortably away from home last time out is exactly what they needed before facing Roma. Ivan Juric will encourage his team to go for the win and put on a show for their home fans.
After a horror start to the season, Jose Mourinho’s Roma earned their first win of the season, thrashing bottom placed Empoli 7-0. Mourinho will have the weight lifted off his shoulders and will want his team to replicate the same performance as they look to make it back-to-back wins. Both teams to score with Roma walking away with the win.
