Italian Serie A: Gameweek 8 Preview

With club football returning this weekend, the Serie A reaches round eight with AC Milan leading the pack at the summit followed by Sassuolo, Napoli and Roma. The defending champions, Juventus, remain four points adrift in fifth place and will be desperate to get back to what they surely feel is their rightful place – top of the log. There are a couple of exciting clashes to get stuck into, so, let’s cut the small talk and get down to business.

Saturday 21 November

Crotone 7/2

Draw 31/10

Lazio 7/10

(16:00) 

We kick-start proceedings with basement-dwellers Crotone playing host to title-hopefuls Lazio. The newcomers are the only team in the league without a win, while Lazio have been decent on their travels with two wins from three games. Crotone have scored just six goals, conceding 17 times already. Lazio are tipped to come away with maximum points at 7/10.

Spezia 47/10

Draw 39/10

Atalanta 9/20

(19:00) 

Spezia pulled off an exceptional 3-0 win away to Benevento before the international break and will be looking to pick up where they left off. Atalanta have struggled for consistency this season but it’s only a matter of a time before they start firing. I’m leaning towards the exotic markets – specifically the Additional Totals. A high-scoring encounter looks very much on the cards. Take Over 3.5 Goals at 17/20.

Juventus 7/20

Draw 17/4

Cagliari 6/1

(21:45) 

I don’t need to look at the form guide to tell you that Juventus are an absolute banker on Saturday and I will be including in all multiples. The Old Lady have been nowhere near their best but remain unbeaten at home and that record will likely stay intact after this gameweek. Cagliari have won three of their last four games but have managed just one win from four travels so far this season. Like I said, get on the Juve win and if you want more value, the Handicap (-1) is there for the taking at 17/20.

Sunday 22 November

Fiorentina 11/20

Draw 7/2

Benevento 17/4

(13:30) 

Neither of these teams have too many positives to mention with just two wins from seven matches each. Nonetheless, Fiorentina, are likely to dominate the newly-promoted side who have suffered four losses on the spin. The Viola have won two of their three home games. It won’t be cut and dry, but Fiorentina should do enough to bag three points.

Hellas Verona 2/1

Draw 11/4

Sassuolo 12/10

(16:00) 

Hellas Verona are unbeaten in their last four games, including a 2-2 draw away to AC Milan last time out. However, Sassuolo remain unbeaten with four wins and three draws from seven matches and will look to keep that unscathed. Sassuolo have won the last two meetings – both 1-0 – at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi. However, I would stay away from a result and get on the Totals – Under 2.5 Goals – at 29/20.

Roma 5/10

Draw 15/4

Parma 9/2

(16:00)

Roma are unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions with six wins, including three on the spin. Parma have registered just one win from seven matches and are winless in their last four games. This looks like another banker to me. Roma have won four of the last five meetings against Parma at home. Take the home win at 5/10.

Inter Milan 7/20

Draw 9/2

Torino 13/2

(16:00) 

Inter Milan are another team that have made a bit of a stuttering start to the campaign and will be desperate to turn that around. Torino have been poor with only one win from seven matches as they lie just outside the relegation zone due to their superior goal-difference. The last five meetings have seen both sides find the back of the net at the San Siro Stadium. Climb on the Both Teams to Score – Yes – market at 6/10.

Sampdoria 15/10

Draw 5/2

Bologna 17/10

(16:00) 

Sampdoria’s unbeaten streak of four matches was ended before the break with a 2-0 defeat at Cagliari. Bologna have been dismal with five losses from seven matches and that doesn’t look likely to improve here. La Samp have won four of the last five meetings at home against Bologna and offer great value to build on that. Back the hosts to capitalize on home advantage. 

Udinese 9/10

Draw 51/20

Genoa 29/10

(19:00) 

Udinese lie second from bottom of the log with five defeats from seven matches, scoring six goals and conceding 11 times. Genoa have not been much better as they are winless in their last six league games, including back-to-back defeats. This one should go down to the wire with just one point separating the two. The sides are tipped to cancel each other out.

Naples 23/20

Draw 51/20

AC Milan 22/10

(21:45)

The curtain comes down with the match of the weekend which will see Napoli take on table-toppers AC Milan. The Azzurri have been in great form of late with three wins from their last four games, while AC Milan remain unbeaten with five wins and two draws from seven matches. Both meetings ended in a stalemate last term. I’m expecting an exciting contest with Both Teams to Score – Yes – looking a solid bet at 11/20.

TREBLE @ 4/1

Juventus Win 7/20

Roma Win 5/10

Sampdoria Win 15/10

Written by Aaron Crowie