Serie A makes a return after a short and exciting international break. The two Milan teams continue to lead the way at this stage of the season and will be fascinating to see which of the other top clubs like Juventus, Napoli, and Roma pose a strong challenge in the Serie A race.
Saturday 21 October
5/1 Verona | Draw 33/10 | Napoli 11/20 (15:00)
Verona host defending champions Napoli in the first fixture of the weekend. It has been a difficult start for the Gialloblu, picking up just two victories after eight games. Coach Marco Baroni will hope his players have reset and are ready to challenge Napoli in front of their home faithful.
Napoli are up to fifth place after a slow start to the season. Having lost to Fiorentina at home just before the international break would have unsettled the momentum they picked up, but now have a chance to get back to winning ways as they look to maintain their unbeaten record on the road. Napoli will dominate and get the much-needed win.
7/2 Torino | Draw 26/10 | Inter Milan 8/10 (18:00)
Torino have failed to reach any sort of consistency up to this point and will be looking for a robust performance upon their return to domestic football. There is no doubt that this will be a tough task and will need to have courage to give a good account of themselves and challenge Milan.
Inter Milan started the season like a house on fire and made their ambitions for the season clear for everybody to see. The draw against Bologna just before the international break saw the Nerazzurri drop to second place. This will be a must win for Milan if they look to stay on the heels of city rivals AC Milan who occupy top spot. Inter Milan to win.
15/10 Sassuolo | Draw 26/10 | Lazio 33/20 (20:45)
Sassuolo have managed to collect ten points after eight games, three wins, one draw and four losses. They have struggled to reach the standards the club have set over the years, but they do have the quality to turn it around. The Neroverdi will play for the win against an underperforming Lazio team.
Lazio have had a poor start to the new campaign after finishing runner’s up last season. Maurizio Sarri will be under immense pressure coming into this game but will be full of confidence as they have had the better of Sassuolo on many occasions. Both teams’ level on points and I see Lazio coming away with a hard-fought victory.
Sunday 22 October
13/20 Roma | Draw 28/10 | Monza 42/10 (12:30)
Roma had the worst start to the season managing just a single point from their opening three fixtures. They come into this fixture unbeaten in two matches and will need a top performance to pick up where they left off. Picking up maximum points will be priority for the Giallorossi.
Monza have had a great start to the season and look the surprise package thus far. It will take a lot of dedication and commitment to maintain this level of performances and compete with the best teams in the league. The Biancorossi are on a five-match unbeaten run which will encourage them to go toe-to-toe with Roma. This will be a tight contest, but Roma is at home and will get the win.
15/20 Bologna | Draw 28/10 | Frosinone 38/10 (15:00)
Bologna returns to action on a five-match unbeaten streak. The confidence and belief within the camp will be sky high at the moment and will be looking to add Frosinone to their list of casualties. A win will see the Rossoblu maintain their unbeaten run and leapfrog Frosinone in the league standings.
Frosinone have had a mixed bag of performances leading up to this fixture and will be looking to return after the international break with a much-needed win. Frosinone will need a striking master class on the day as they have failed to record a victory away from home on three occasions. It has been four years since these two teams met and I see Frosinone coming away victorious.
29/20 Salernitana | Draw 9/4 | Cagliari 39/20 (15:00)
Salernitana are struggling to match the standards of the Serie A and after eight games played, they sit deep in the relegation zone with three points. The Granata will need a mammoth performance to pick up their first victory of the season and end their three-game winless streak.
Cagliari are by far the worst performing team thus far and are yet to taste victory after eight games played. Claudio Ranieri will hope his team have used this international break to reset and come back with the hunger to turn their season around and hopefully pick up their first win of the season. This is a battle of the two worst teams in the league and I back Cagliari to come out winners.
11/20 Atalanta | Draw 31/10 | Genoa 5/1 (18:00)
Atalanta have work to do in reaching the peak of their powers. Their three-match unbeaten run ended just before the international break with a disappointing 3-2 loss to Lazio. La Dea will be looking to keep their 100 percent record at home with another important victory.
Genoa went into the international break on the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat to AC Milan. The Vecchio Balordo are desperate to return to winning ways after a string of inconsistent results. Having solidity in the defence could help Genoa come away with a positive result. Atalanta to win at home.
13/10 AC Milan | Draw 23/10 | Juventus 22/10 (20:45)
AC Milan is the team to chase down as they occupy top spot with 21 points after eight games played. The Rossoneri are currently unbeaten after they lost 5-1 to city rivals Inter Milan in the derby. The home crowd can play a significant role in boosting the team’s morale and inspire the players to go all out for the win and maintain top spot.
Juventus have turned a new leaf and look like they have found the love and joy for the game again. The Bianconeri come into this huge fixture full of confidence as they are unbeaten in their previous three outings. Executing a well-planned gameplan with precision is the best way for Juventus to maximise their chances of winning at the San Siro. A must win for both teams but I see a low scoring draw in this one.
Monday 23 October
12/10 Udinese | Draw 47/20 | Lecce 24/10 (18:30)
Udinese are hanging on by the skin of their teeth as they sit just one point above the relegation zone. Le Zebrette will need to maintain their composure and mental strength throughout the game and look to utilize fast-paced counter attacks to catch Lecce off guard while being defensively lock-tight.
Lecce started the season unbeaten in their first five fixtures picking up 11 points along the way. The Wolves have fallen off the pace since their last win and having effective communication and understanding between players is vital. This will be a good chance to get back to winning ways considering the form Udinese find themselves in. Lecce to win away from home with over 2.5 goals.
9/20 Fiorentina | Draw 37/10 | Empoli 56/10 (20:45)
Fiorentina are the only club in the top four to return to action unbeaten in the last five outings. La Viola defeated defending champions Napoli 3-1 on their own home turf before the international break and will go for the win here to keep their unbeaten record at home alive.
Empoli are one of two teams to lose six of their opening eight games. The Blues should focus on maintaining a strong and organized defence. Having good positioning, disciplined marking, and effective communication will be of the utmost importance to getting a positive result. Fiorentina are unbeaten at home and are in hot form, Fiorentina to win with over 2.5 goals.
