Juventus are 16th on the log with just one point after three league games; something I never thought I’d see. It’s their worst start to the Serie A in their successful history. Inter Milan lead the pack with a perfect start to the new campaign, winning all three of their matches – the only side in the top flight to do so. They edged city rivals AC Milan 1-0 at the San Siro and are looking a completely different team to last season. Roma maintained their winning form with a 2-0 victory away to newcomers Frosinone who suffered a third consecutive loss. Elsewhere, Napoli remained winless as they settled for a 2-2 draw at Empoli whilst Lazio and Fiorentina returned to winning ways.
Saturday 19th September
Udinese 11/10 | Draw 22/10 | Empoli 5/2
We kick-start things off at Udinese this weekend; who have lost back-to-back matches after falling to a 2-0 loss away to Lazio. They have scored just once in three matches thus far and will need to give a far better showing against their next opponents, Empoli. The Azzurri took the lead twice last time out against Napoli but in the end could only afford a point, drawing 2-2. Udinese have won the last three meetings against Empoli and with home advantage I think they can make it four on the trot.
AC Milan 15/20 | Draw 26/10 | Palermo 36/10
Mario Balotelli made his AC Milan debut, but that was spoiled as rivals Inter took the Milan derby 1-0. Milan have now lost two of their three matches, scoring twice and conceding four times. Palermo needed an 88th minute strike from Uros Djurdjevic to earn a 2-2 draw on home soil against newly promoted Carpi. A tight encounter is expected but AC Milan are tipped to get back to winning ways with a victory.
Sunday 20th September
Chievo 5/2 | Draw 9/4 | Inter Milan 11/10
It’s been quite an impressive start to the new campaign for Chievo, with two wins and a well-deserved 1-1 draw at Juventus last time out. They return to their ground where they ousted Lazio 4-0 last time around. Inter Milan are on a high as they remain the only side in the league to win all their matches. That alone is an impressive stat, but they have only managed to score four goals in the process. Chievo have scored double the amount of goals Inter has and have conceded just twice compared to Inter’s sole goal yielded. However, Inter’s resolute defending has been outstanding thus far and Chievo wouldn’t mind a draw against Italy’s most in-form team.
Atalanta 1/1 | Draw 5/2 | Hellas Verona 11/4
Mauricio Pinilla scored a brace, giving Atalanta the lead twice against Sassuolo but in the end leaving with just a point. Atalanta need to improve on their defending and their opponents Hellas Verona will look to exploit that. Verona were held to a 2-2 draw at home against Torino on Sunday afternoon. They remain winless, scoring three goals and conceding five times. Atalanta are tipped to utilize home advantage but with their defensive frailties, both teams should get on the scoresheet. Take Atalanta to win and Both Teams to Score at 28/10.
Bologna 1/1 | Draw 24/10 | Frosinone 29/10
Bologna fell to their third consecutive loss on Monday night as Sampdoria added insult to misery, with a 2-0 victory. Bologna have scored only once conceding five times but will welcome fellow newcomers Frosinone who sit at the foot of the table with a similar record. A bottom of the log clash sounds dull but it could be quite an entertaining affair with both respective clubs looking to claim their first point(s). With the pair struggling to score goals, Under 2.5 Goals looks well worth a punt at 13/20.
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Genoa 34/10 | Draw 24/10 | Juventus 17/20
Genoa fell to their second loss on the road, going down 1-0 against Fiorentina on Saturday evening. It’s Juventus up next for them but luckily for Genoa the champions have struggled to get going. Juventus opened the season with two losses and barely earned a point against Chievo, needing a late penalty from Paulo Dybala to steal a draw. After dominating the Serie A for the past four seasons, Juve have just one point from three matches and has looked far from the team that went to the Champions League final last season. Genoa surprisingly managed to edge Juve 1-0 in this fixture last term and I doubt they can repeat that feat here. Back the Old Lady to get back to their best, starting with a win here.
Roma 4/10 | Draw 36/10 | Sassuolo 13/2
The first ever derby clash between Frosinone and Roma went the way of the established Serie A giants as the Giallorossi emerged 2-0 winners at the Stadio Matusa. It was a consecutive victory for Roma after edging Juventus 2-1 on their turf the week prior. Sassuolo will look to upset the applecart as they remained unbeaten with a less than convincing 2-2 draw at home against Atalanta. They earned victories against Napoli and Bologna respectfully before the draw and will be hoping to get a positive result here. However, Roma are flying high at present and are tipped to Score in Both Halves at 11/10.
Torino 17/20 | Draw 5/2 | Sampdoria 34/10
Torino’s unbeaten start to the season continued as Afriyie Acquah’s equaliser secured them a 2-2 draw at Hellas Verona. They return to home soil where they ousted Fiorentina 3-1 last time around and will be looking for a similar result here. Italy striker Eder set the ball rolling as Sampdoria also maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Bologna. Sampdoria have scored an impressive nine goals in three matches; that’s more than any other team in the league. One thing is for sure; both sides can score goals, so I suggest backing Both Teams To Score at 19/20.
Carpi 34/10 | Draw 5/2 | Fiorentina 17/20
Carpi were unlucky not to take maximum points at Palermo last time out as they conceded a late goal to draw 2-2. Fiorentina made it consecutive home wins with a hard fought 1-0 win at home against Genoa. However, Carpi put in an inspiring performance at the weekend and should push Fiorentina all the way. The latter lack the consistency to win matches on the road and Carpi are tipped to win or draw at 9/10.
Napoli 17/20 | Draw 27/10 | Lazio 3/1
Napoli’s new manager Maurizio Sarri faced off against his former club Empoli, but was unable to earn a win, settling for a 2-2 draw as the club remains winless in the post-Rafa Benitez era. After a resounding 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Chievo, Lazio returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 2-0 home win against Udinese. However, they will have to be better if they are to walk away from Napoli with three points or even just one. One thing that looks certain here are goals, so Both Teams To Score is the way to go here at 13/20.
Serie A Picks
Udinese WIN 11/10
AC Milan WIN 15/20
Chievo DRAW 9/4
Atalanta WIN + BTTS 28/10
Bologna UNDER 2.5 GOALS 13/20
Juventus WIN 17/20
Roma TO SCORE IN BOTH HALVES11/10
Torino BTTS 19/20
Carpi WIN/DRAW 9/10
Napoli BTTS 13/20
Written by Aaron Crowie for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
