Serie A league action is back with another bang as we head into gameweek three. There are some exciting games to look forward to this weekend, with Juventus vs Roma the headline act.
Friday 26 August
Monza 18/10
Draw 23/10
Udinese 31/20
(18:30)
Newly-promoted Monza, who lie bottom of the table following a poor start, host Udinese on Friday night, with both sides hoping to register their first win of the campaign. The White and Reds have lost both of their games thus far, going down 2-1 at home to Torino followed by a 4-0 defeat away to Napoli last time out. As for Udinese, a trip to the San Siro to face AC Milan was always going to be a tough task. The White and Blacks were beaten 4-2 by the Serie A champions, but what was very disappointing was their failure to see off Salernitana at home, with the game ending goalless. With both sides struggling, the draw looks likely.
Lazio 28/10
Draw 28/10
Inter Milan 9/10
(20:45)
Inter Milan will take on Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday night in what looks an exciting matchup. The Eagles are the underdogs heading into this game, but Maurizio Sarri’s side will fancy their chances of an upset having beaten Inter 3-1 in this fixture last season. In fact, Simone Inzaghi’s men have failed to beat Lazio on their turf since 2018/2019. I foresee an entertaining game between both sides who thrive on attacking football and therefore I’ll play it safe and back Both Teams To Score at 6/10.
Saturday 27 August
Juventus13/10
Draw 9/4
Roma 9/4
(18:30)
All Italian football lovers will be looking to this entertaining encounter on Saturday as Juventus go head to head with Roma at the Allianz Stadium. The Old Lady will be confident of picking up their second win of the campaign as they have won their last three meetings against Jose Mourinho’s side. The hosts will be looking to make a statement here as they have not been convincing in their last two games. The Giallorossi, meanwhile, have made a perfect start to the season and will look to continue their winning ways. I expect goals in this match, much like last season with these sides producing a seven-goal thriller with Juventus running out 4-3 winners. I see the same outcome here.
Cremonese 2/1
Draw 24/10
Torino 27/20
(18:30)
Torino will have an opportunity to return to winning ways when they visit newly-promoted Cremonese who have suffered back-to-back losses on their return to the top flight. The Turin-based outfit followed up their 2-1 victory at Monza with a goalless draw at home to Lazio. I’m backing the visitors to come away with all three points as they look to improve on last season’s 10th-placed finish.
Spezia 2/1
Draw 5/2
Sassuolo 27/20
(20:45)
After suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat at the hands of Inter Milan last weekend, Spezia will look to bounce back strongly when they host Sassuolo who come off the back of a 1-0 home win over Lecce. Both clubs are on three points after two games and have had the same results, as Sassuolo were also beaten 3-0 at Juventus in their opening fixture, while Spezia won their first game 1-0 at home to Empoli. These sides shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw in this fixture last season, and I’m backing them to cancel each other out once more.
AC Milan 7/20
Draw 42/10
Bologna 13/2
(20:45)
AC Milan will be confident of returning to winning ways when they welcome winless Bologna to the San Siro on Saturday evening. The reigning Serie A champions had to settle for a 1-1 draw away at Atalanta following their 4-2 win over Udinese in the opening gameweek. Stefano Pioli’s side will be eyeing maximum points against the Greyhounds whom they have dominated in recent times. Milan are unbeaten in their last 12 encounters with Bologna, registering 11 wins. The home win looks a certainty.
Sunday 28 August
Verona 28/10
Draw 28/10
Atalanta 19/10
(18:30)
On Sunday, Atalanta will look to get back to winning ways when they travel to face Verona who are still searching for their first win of the campaign. The hosts started their season with a heavy 5-2 home defeat against Napoli and failed to see off 10-men Bologna with the game ending in a 1-1 draw. The visitors, meanwhile, claimed a 2-0 victory at Sampdoria and then earned a creditable 1-1 draw at home to Serie A champions AC Milan. A trip to Verona has proven difficult in recent times for Atalanta, but at 19/10 they are well worth a punt.
Salernitana 14/10
Draw 23/10
Sampdoria 2/1
(18:30)
Both teams have not started well this season, with a point apiece, and will look to pick up their first three points of the campaign. Salernitana suffered a narrow 1-0 loss in their opening game at Roma and played to a goalless draw away to Udinese. Sampdoria, on the other hand, were beaten 2-0 by Atalanta but improved in their second game, holding Juventus to a goalless draw – both ties played at home. The away side won this fixture 2-0 last season and I’m backing them to come out on top once again.
Lecce 29/20
Draw 5/2
Empoli 37/20
(20:45)
Newly-promoted Lecce have not had a great start so far which is not a surprise as they try to adjust to the top flight. The hosts have lost back-to-back matches against Inter Milan and Sassuolo and as a result, find themselves in 19th position. Empoli are also yet to taste victory so far, though they at least earned a point in a goalless draw at home to Fiorentina following a 1-0 loss at Spezia. A tight affair is expected, with the sides tipped to cancel each other out.
Fiorentina 43/20
Draw 51/20
Napoli 12/10
(20:45)
We wrap up the Serie A fixtures at the Artemio Franchi Stadium where Napoli take on Fiorentina. Sitting top of the table following two wins from two, Napoli head into this clash as favourites to claim maximum points. Luciano Spalletti’s side have been rampant, scoring goals for fun in comprehensive victories over Verona and Monza. Fiorentina, on the other hand, scraped a 3-2 win over newcomers Cremonese, while they failed to see off 10-men Empoli last Sunday, settling for a goalless draw. Napoli have won on each of their last three trips to the Artemio Franchi Stadium. The away win is the way to go.