Serie A action continues during this festive season as we take a look at three fixtures, providing insights and betting options for you to consider.
Before diving in, let’s take a look at the latest outright odds: Inter Milan remain the firm favourites to defend their Serie A title, priced at 8/10. Current league leaders Atalanta are close behind at 9/4, followed by Napoli at 4/1, with the rest of the field available at odds of 33/1 or higher.
Click here for all the long-term Serie A outright markets
SATURDAY
TORINO v BOLOGNA – Click here to bet
Torino will aim to build on last weekend’s much-needed victory when they host Bologna this Saturday. The Bulls finally snapped a six-match winless streak with a narrow 1-0 triumph over Empoli, but their form has been sluggish, collecting just five points from their last seven league outings. Paolo Vanoli’s side sits mid-table in 11th place with 19 points, having registered 5 wins, 4 draws, and 7 defeats this season.
Home Form: W2 D2 L3
Torino’s struggles at the Stadio Olimpico continue to hinder their campaign. The Bulls have earned just 8 points from a possible 21 at home, managing only 2 wins, 2 draws, and 3 defeats. They average a modest 0.86 goals per game on home soil while conceding 1 goal per match, highlighting their need for improvement in Turin.
Bologna, on the other hand, come into Saturday’s clash riding a wave of momentum. The Rossoblu extended their unbeaten run to five matches across all competitions with a gritty 1-0 victory over Fiorentina last weekend. Vincenzo Italiano’s side has been remarkably consistent this season and currently sits 7th in the standings with 25 points, thanks to 6 wins, 7 draws, and only 2 defeats.
Away Form: W3 D3 L2
Bologna have been impressive on the road, remaining unbeaten in six of their eight away fixtures. They’ve secured 3 wins and 3 draws in that span, averaging 1.63 goals per game while conceding an average of 2.25. Despite defensive lapses, their ability to find the back of the net consistently makes them a dangerous proposition away from home.
Head-to-Head
Last season, these two sides settled for a 0-0 draw in this fixture, while the reverse encounter resulted in a 2-0 victory for Bologna.
Betting
Torino 22/10
Draw 2/1
Bologna 31/20
Verdict
Bologna’s unbeaten streak and solid away form suggest they may have the upper hand in this encounter, but Torino’s renewed confidence from their recent victory could make this a tighter contest than expected. With Bologna’s defensive vulnerabilities on the road, there’s potential for goals at both ends, though the Rossoblu’s clinical edge may just see them through.
Suggested Bet: Both teams to Score at 12/10
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SUNDAY
ATALANTA v EMPOLI – Click here to bet
Atalanta host Empoli this Sunday in a Serie A clash at the Gewiss Stadium. The league leaders will aim to maintain their remarkable domestic form after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Cagliari last weekend, a result that marked their tenth consecutive Serie A win. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side has been outstanding this season, collecting 37 points from 16 matches with 12 wins, one draw, and three defeats.
Home Form: W6 D0 L1
At home, Atalanta have been dominant, earning 18 points from a possible 21 with six wins and just one loss. They have averaged an impressive 3.14 goals per game in Bergamo while conceding 1.29, showcasing their attacking prowess and strong performances on home turf.
Empoli come into this game following a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Torino, leaving Roberto D’Aversa’s side in 10th place with 19 points. Empoli’s overall record stands at four wins, seven draws, and five losses this season. Despite their mid-table position, they have been respectable on the road, picking up 12 points from eight away matches.
Away Form: W3 D3 L2
Away from home, Empoli are unbeaten in six of their eight outings, with three wins, three draws, and two defeats. They average 1.5 goals per game on their travels and concede at a rate of 1.25. However, their recent away form has been inconsistent, with only one victory in their last five league games, alongside two draws and two losses.
Head-to-Head
Atalanta have dominated recent head-to-head encounters with Empoli, winning four consecutive matches. Last season, they completed a league double with a 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture, followed by a 2-0 win at home.
Betting
Atalanta 3/10
Draw 9/2
Empoli 9/1
Verdict
Atalanta’s superb home form and attacking threat make them strong favourites to secure all three points and extend their winning streak this weekend. Empoli’s resilience on the road could make the game competitive, but the hosts’ firepower should ensure a comfortable victory in the end.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Atalanta -1.5 at 17/20
AC MONZA v JUVENTUS – Click here to bet
Juventus travel to Brianteo this Sunday to take on a struggling Monza side in a Serie A encounter that could prove pivotal for both teams at opposite ends of the table. The hosts, Monza, enter this fixture winless in their last nine matches across all competitions, a run that includes three consecutive defeats. Their latest setback, a 2-1 loss away to Lecce, leaves Alessandro Nesta’s side rooted in 19th place with just 10 points from 16 matches. With a solitary win all season, the Biancorossi are firmly entrenched in a relegation battle and will need a drastic turnaround to avoid the drop.
Home Form: W0 D3 L5
Monza’s home record has been particularly dismal, as they remain the only side in the division yet to win on their own turf. From eight matches, they’ve managed just three draws and five defeats, collecting only 3 points from a possible 24. Worryingly, they have scored just 6 goals at home, averaging 0.75 per game, while conceding at a rate of 1.37.
Juventus, meanwhile, arrive as clear favourites despite their recent reputation as draw specialists. The Old Lady were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Venezia last weekend, marking their fourth consecutive draw in Serie A. However, they come into this match on the back of an emphatic 4-0 victory over Cagliari in the Coppa Italia round of 16 on Tuesday night, which should boost their confidence. Currently occupying 6th place in the table with 28 points, Thiago Motta’s side will view this fixture as an ideal opportunity to return to winning ways and close the gap on the teams above them.
Away Form: W3 D4 L0
On the road, Juventus have been solid, amassing 13 points from a possible 21. They remain unbeaten in seven away matches, with three wins and four draws, including a streak of four consecutive draws in all competitions. The Bianconeri have also been efficient in front of goal, averaging 1.86 goals per game on their travels while maintaining a strong defensive record, conceding just 0.71 goals per match.
Head-to-Head
Juventus have dominated recent meetings between the two sides, winning both encounters last season after registering a 2-1 victory in this fixture, followed by a 2-0 win in the reverse encounter.
Betting
AC Monza 9/2
Draw 26/10
Juventus 8/11
Verdict
Juventus’ unbeaten away form and Monza’s struggles at home suggest a routine victory for the visitors, but it’s unlikely to be that straightforward given Juve’s recent run of draws. While I do fancy the visitors to walk away with all three points, I believe there is more value in backing both teams to score, a trend that has occurred in 6 of Monza’s last 8 home appearances in all competitions.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams to Score, yes at 5/4
Click here for all this weekend’s Italian Football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
