This weekend, we will examine three Serie A matches, offering insights and betting options for your consideration.
Before diving into the previews, let’s take a look at the latest outright odds: reigning champions Inter Milan remain firm favourites at 8/13, closely followed by Napoli at 3/1 and Juventus in third place at 5/1. AC Milan completes the top four at 12/1, while the remaining contenders are priced at 33/1 or higher.
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SATURDAY
NAPOLI v US LECCE– Click here to bet
This weekend, Napoli will host US Lecce in Naples, aiming to extend their impressive domestic form. Currently sitting at the top of the table with 19 points from 8 matches, following their 1-0 victory away to Empoli last weekend, the Azzurri are on a three-match winning streak in the league. With momentum firmly on their side, they will look to maintain this solid run. At home, Napoli has been formidable, boasting a perfect record of 4 victories and 2 clean sheets. They have managed to find the back of the net 10 times in Naples, averaging 2.5 goals per game in the league.
In contrast, US Lecce find themselves in 19th place in the league standings after suffering a heavy 6-0 defeat at home against Fiorentina last weekend. With just 5 points from 8 matches, Lecce has struggled to settle into the new season. They have particularly faltered away from home, failing to score a single goal on the road, resulting in three defeats out of four away games. However, having avoided defeat in their last two visits to Naples, the Yellow and Reds will be hoping to recapture some of their past success this weekend. Given their current form, it appears to be a daunting prospect for the Giallorossi, regardless of their recent track record against the Blues.
Head-to-Head
Last season, this fixture ended in a 0-0 draw, while the reverse encounter saw Napoli triumph 4-0 away from home.
Betting
Napoli 1/3
Draw 9/2
US Lecce 9/1
Prediction
Napoli are heavy favourites to win at 1/3, and rightfully so, given their impressive run of form and US Lecce’s overall inconsistencies. Having failed to score a single goal away from home all season, Lecce appears ripe for the taking, especially considering how successful the Blues have been upfront this season.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Napoli -1.5 at 10/11
BOLOGNA v AC MILAN– Click here to bet
This Saturday, Bologna will host AC Milan at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, hoping to improve their rather timid start to the campaign. After finishing in the Champions League places last season, the Red and Blues have yet to reach similar heights this time around, currently sitting 12th in the standings with 9 points from a possible 24. Winless in their last three league matches, Bologna have managed only 1 win all season, highlighting their struggles to convert draws into maximum points. Last weekend, they were particularly unlucky, throwing away a two-goal cushion against Genoa, which ultimately resulted in a 2-2 draw. Things have not been any better at home, as they have drawn all 4 league games this season, extending their run to 7 consecutive league draws overall, including the end of last season. During this stretch, they have averaged just 1 goal per game.
Sitting in 4th place with 14 points from their opening 8 games, AC Milan will travel to Bologna on a positive note, having secured all 3 points with a 1-0 win at home against Udinese last weekend. This victory marked their third home win out of four matches this season. However, the Rossoneri have shown some vulnerabilities on their travels, managing just 1 win and 1 draw from their four away league appearances. After suffering a 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina in their most recent away match, they will aim to reverse this trend and improve their relatively poor record on the road, where they average 1.5 goals scored and 1.8 goals conceded per game this season.
Head-to-Head
Last season, AC Milan secured a 2-0 victory in this fixture, while the reverse encounter ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw, with both teams settling for a point.
Betting
Bologna 26/10
Draw 26/10
AC Milan 21/20
Prediction
With AC Milan looking to maintain their push for the Scudetto and Bologna seeking their first home win, we can expect a competitive fixture filled with intensity that is unlikely to feature all that many goals. Given Bologna’s struggles to convert fixtures into wins, a chance is taken on the visitors to get something from the game with no more than 3 goals featuring in the game.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance and Totals, Draw/AC Milan and under 3.5 at 17/20
SUNDAY
INTER MILAN v JUVENTUS– Click here to bet
This Sunday, the stage is set for a captivating clash between Inter Milan and Juventus at the San Siro, where the hosts will look to stamp their authority in pursuit of bragging rights while also chasing table-toppers Napoli. Having secured all three points away to Roma this past Sunday with a 1-0 victory, Simone Inzaghi’s boys have now registered three consecutive wins in the domestic league, placing them 2nd in the standings with 17 points from 8 games. Inter has been in fine form upfront, scoring a total of 17 goals this season, including 10 at home. With just 2 points separating them from Napoli in 1st, the Nerazzurri will be keen to keep breathing down their necks. However, with Juventus being a potential stumbling block, Inter will need to be at their very best if they are to continue their winning run in the league.
Not to be written off, Juventus arrives with a renewed sense of purpose under Thiago Motta. After securing a 1-0 victory against Lazio over the weekend, the Bianconeri now sit just one point behind Inter Milan with 16 points. Juventus has shown remarkable resilience and grit this season, having kept 7 clean sheets in their first 8 Serie A matches—an incredible defensive feat they will look to extend at the San Siro against the formidable Nerazzurri. This season, Juventus has been solid on the road, remaining unbeaten and yet to concede a single goal in away league matches. They have collected 7 points from a possible 9, with 2 wins and 1 draw. Offensively, the Bianconeri have scored 11 goals overall, with 6 of those coming in away fixtures—further emphasizing how difficult it could be for Inter Milan to secure maximum points in this highly anticipated clash.
Head-to-Head
Last season, Inter Milan secured a 1-0 victory in this fixture, while both teams had to settle for a point in the reverse encounter, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Betting
Inter Milan 8/10
Draw 5/2
Juventus 4/1
Prediction
Inter’s current form, along with their pursuit of the Scudetto, certainly gives them the edge in this massive clash, but one cannot discount how impressive Juventus has been defensively this season. With goals likely to be at a premium, a chance is taken on the hosts to avoid defeat, with 2 goals or fewer expected between these two Italian heavyweights.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance and Totals, Inter Milan/Draw and under 2.5 at 19/20
Click here for all this weekend’s Italian Football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
