It’s safe to say that the majority of football fans would be thrilled with the return to club football. Round four of the Serie A serves up a couple of exciting fixtures. Atalanta and AC Milan are currently neck-and-neck at the summit with both sides winning three from three. Juventus and Napoli have only played two each, they were scheduled to square off before the international break but the match was abandoned.
Andrea Pirlo named a starting XI to play in the match despite the visitors not travelling due to a coronavirus outbreak. It’s not confirmed as to whether Juventus will be awarded a 3-0 victory or if the game will be scheduled for later on in the football season. Anyway, this is a soccer preview, so let’s cut the small talk and get down to business.
Saturday 17 October
Napoli 29/20
Draw 11/4
Atalanta 16/10
(15:00)
Both Napoli and Atalanta come into this tie with 100%-win records. The hosts have scored eight goals without shipping any, while La Dea have found the back of the net on 13 occasions and conceding five times. The last four meetings at San Paolo Stadium between these sides have produced 14 goals at an average of 3.5 per game with both teams getting on the scoresheet. Both Teams to Score – Yes – is the way to go at 4/10.
Sampdoria 26/10
Draw 26/10
Lazio 1/1
(18:00)
Before the international break, Sampdoria ended a disappointing run of two losses on the bounce with a hard-earned 2-1 win away to Fiorentina. Lazio have had a bit of an inconsistent start to their campaign and will be desperate to claim maximum points here. The last nine meetings have produced 36 goals at an average of four per match. With that being said, I’m expecting a high-scoring affair on Saturday evening. The Totals Over 2.5 Goals market looks well worth a punt at 7/10.
Inter Milan 5/4
Draw 5/2
AC Milan 2/1
(18:00)
In what’s arguably the match of the week, the Milan Derby promises to be a cracking affair. Inter Milan have won two of their three matches, while AC Milan remain unbeaten with three wins on the spin, scoring seven goals without conceding any. Inter have dominated this fixture in recent seasons, winning the last four meetings. Nonetheless, their city rivals look solid defensively and organised in attack. I’m backing AC Milan to edge the win here.
Crotone 17/2
Draw 9/2
Juventus 3/10
(20:45)
Newly-promoted Crotone have made a dreadful start to the season with three losses on the trot, scoring twice and conceding 10 times. To make matters worse, they come up against Juventus this weekend. I can give you all the stats and figures you like, but in the end, I just can’t see the Old Lady dropping points against Crotone. The defending champions should easily dominate this game. Get on the Away to Win to Nil (Yes) market at even money.
Sunday 18 October
Bologna 19/10
Draw 26/10
Sassuolo 5/4
(12:30)
Sunday’s lunch-time kick-off will see Bologna square off against Sassuolo. The hosts have lost two of their three matches but won their last home game 4-1 against Parma. Sassuolo have been impressive of late with back-to-back wins, scoring eight goals and conceding only twice. The last five meetings have seen both sides find the back of the net with a total of 17 goals scored at an average of 3.4 per meeting. Get on the Totals Over 2.5 Goals market at 11/20.
Spezia 39/10
Draw 29/10
Fiorentina 13/20
(15:00)
Let’s keep this one short and sweet. Spezia and Fiorentina have made poor starts to the 2020-21 Serie A season with both suffering two defeats from three matches. I’m not convinced by either team’s attacking prowess which is pointing me to the exotic markets. The Totals Under 2.5 Goals market looks a decent bet at 21/20.
Torino 23/20
Draw 24/10
Cagliari 23/10
(15:00)
Torino have been dismal thus far with back-to-back defeats, scoring twice and conceding five times. Cagliari are not much better with just one point from three matches, finding the back of the net three times and conceding eight goals. Following their poor starts to the season, I’m expecting a fiery affair on Sunday afternoon. However, I think home advantage might just be the difference here. The home win is on the cards.
Udinese 11/10
Draw 24/10
Parma 24/10
(18:00)
Udinese are placed second from bottom on the log with three defeats from three matches, conceding four goals without scoring any. Parma earned their first win of the season before the break with a hard-earned 1–0 home win over Hellas Verona. Parma have won the last three meetings against Udinese and make a great value bet at 24/10. However, for the more cautious punters, the Away Win/Draw Double Chance looks ripe for the picking at 13/20.
Roma 7/20
Draw 17/4
Benevento 7/1
(20:45)
Roma earned their first win of the season before the international break with a 1-0 win away to Udinese. Newcomers Benevento have been impressive with two wins after three games. While that is an impressive start, I can’t see them getting anything out of this contest. From start to finish, I’m tipping Roma to control the game. Back the Giallorossi on the Half-time/Full-time win at 8/10.
TREBLE @ 5/1
Sampdoria vs Lazio Over 2.5 Goals 7/10
Juventus Win to Nil 1/1
Roma HT-FT Win 8/10
Written by Aaron Crowie