Italian Serie A Preview

Serie A action returns with 5-time winners Juventus taking on AC Milan in this weekend's big game.
Serie A action returns with 5-time winners Juventus taking on AC Milan in this weekend’s big game.

Last week’s Serie A results left a hole in my pocket, but as they say, you win some, you lose some. Gameweek 9 offers plenty of value and I am eager to return to winning ways. High-flying AC Milan will take on defending champions Juventus at the San Siro in our Italian match of the week. The Old Lady are at the summit, five points clear of the next best team. On the opposite end of the table, newly-promoted Crotone remain the only side without a league win to their name, and to make matters worse, title-chasing Napoli are next up for them. That’s enough small talk, let’s get down to business.

Saturday 22 October



21/10 Sampdoria | Draw 9/4 | Genoa 27/20 (18:00)

Sampdoria made a blistering start to the 2016/17 campaign, claiming maximum points from their opening two matches. However, since then, they are without a victory; a winless run which dates back to 27 August. Genoa come into this encounter unbeaten in four matches, but drawing three times. Their goalscoring ability has been less than impressive in recent weeks, netting just twice in their last five games. At 21/10, Sampdoria are definitely in with a chance but for safe measure, the Win/Draw Double Chance at 11/20 should be backed.

33/10 AC Milan | 26/10 | Juventus 8/10 (20:45)

This week’s blockbuster pits an in-form AC Milan side up against the team to beat, Juventus. Milan are undefeated in their last five matches with four wins, while claiming three victories from four games at the San Siro. Defending champions Juventus have been outstanding with seven wins from eight matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding just five times. The Old Lady has dominated recent meetings between the sides, winning seven of the last eight encounters. Nonetheless, a tight affair is on the cards, with Under 2.5 Goals tipped at 17/20.

Sunday 23 October



17/20 Udinese | 51/20 | Pescara 32/10 (12:30)

Udinese and Pescara will kick-start proceedings on Saturday with a lunch-time kick off. The former are winless in their last five games, including three defeats on the spin. Udinese have scored just seven goals in eight matches while conceding double that amount. New boys on the block, Pescara, have managed just one win from eight matches and are without a victory in their last six. Neither team can afford to drop more points here and both sides have struggled in the goalscoring department. Back Under 2.5 Goals at 17/20.

24/10 Atalanta | 24/10 | Inter Milan 11/10 (15:00)

Atalanta are coming off a hard-fought and well-deserved goalless draw away to Fiorentina, extending their unbeaten record to three matches. Inter Milan have been poor of late with back-to-back defeats and will be determined to get back to their best. This one is a difficult match to call, but looking at past meetings between the sides, Both Teams To Score has occurred in six of the last eight encounters. Follow the trend at 7/10.

10/1 Crotone | 5/1 | Napoli 1/4 (15:00)

Basement-dwellers Crotone currently look a sinking ship at present. They are without a win this season, suffering seven defeats from eight matches, scoring a measly six goals and conceding 18 times. Napoli come to town in a bit of a slump themselves, losing two matches on the bounce. But one must expect them to return to winning ways against a team that doesn’t belong in Italy’s top tier. However, the last three meetings between these sides have been separated by a single goal, with Napoli winning twice and Crotone claiming one victory. Crotone have scored a goal in five of their last six matches, so backing Napoli to Win + Both Teams To Score could prove worth your while at 27/20.

27/20 Torino | 9/4 | Lazio 2/1 (15:00)

Torino have been in top form in recent weeks with three wins on the spin, scoring nine goals and conceding just three times. They are unbeaten at home with three wins from four matches and look a top bet to build on that. Lazio have been inconsistent, but have a top record against their opponents. They are unbeaten in the last six meetings against Torino, claiming four victories. Instead of picking a winner, I’m leaning towards the Both Teams To Score market at 15/20.

33/20 Empoli | 2/1 | Chievo 37/20 (15:00)

Empoli are currently placed second from bottom on the log, with just one victory from eight matches, scoring just twice and conceding 11 times. They are winless in their last five matches, suffering three defeats. Chievo have been inconsistent in recent weeks but will still fancy their chances against the league’s lowest-scoring team. However, it’s not worth backing a team that has struggled to maintain a winning run. Rather get on the Under 2.5 Goals market at 11/20.

39/20 Cagliari | 23/10 | Fiorentina 14/10 (15:00)

Cagliari have been in fantastic form in recent weeks, winning four of their last five matches, including three on the trot. Their opponents, Fiorentina, are without a win on their travels and are winless in their last four matches. Five of the last six meetings have seen both sides find the back of the net. In what is likely to be an end-to-end game of football, Both Teams To Score is tipped at 7/10.

29/20 Bologna | 43/20 | Sassuolo 2/1 (18:00)

Bologna will hope to maintain their phenomenal home record when they welcome Sassuolo to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. They have won three of their four home games, while Sassuolo have been in the opposite form on the road, going down three times in four matches. A tight and heated encounter is expected but Bologna are tipped to capitalize on home advantage, just as they have done so far this season.

1/5 Roma | 57/10 | Palermo 11/1 (20:45)

Roma are coming off back-to-back wins against Inter Milan and Napoli respectively. The Giallorossi have won all four of their home games, scoring 13 goals and conceding just three times. Relegation-threatened Palermo have registered just one win from eight matches, but are surprisingly unbeaten on their travels. However, Roma should prove too strong for the Rosanero just as they did last season, winning this fixture 5-0. Over 1.5 Goals First Half gets you a bit of value at 19/20.

TREBLE @ 4/1

Sampdoria Win/Draw 11/20

Cagliaria vs Fiorentina BTTS 7/10

Roma vs Palermo Over 1.5 Goals First Half 19/20



Written by Aaron Crowie