This weekend’s Serie A schedule throws up another fascinating set of fixtures, headlined by Napoli’s title-defence test against Inter Milan in Naples, a clash that pits two of the league’s early frontrunners against each other. Elsewhere, Fiorentina’s search for a first win of the campaign continues at home to an in-form Bologna, while Lazio host Juventus in Rome in what could prove a crucial momentum-builder for both sides after mixed starts.
In the outright market, Inter Milan have shortened slightly to 7/4 favourites, with AC Milan now 2/1 as the nearest challengers. Napoli have drifted out to 9/4 following last weekend’s defeat, while Roma are trading around 16/1 to mount a sustained challenge. The rest of the field, including Juventus and Como, can be backed at 19/1 or greater.
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SATURDAY
NAPOLI v INTER MILAN – Click here to bet
Defending champions Napoli will be eager to get back on track after suffering a 1-0 defeat away to Torino last weekend, compounded by their disappointing 6-2 thrashing away to PSV in midweek European action. Those results extended their losing streak on the road to four in all competitions and have seen Antonio Conte’s men slip to third in the Serie A standings with 15 points from seven games. The Azzurri will, however, take comfort in returning to Naples, where home form has been spotless so far this season. They’ve won all three of their league outings at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, scoring six and conceding just three. Conte will hope that fortress-like form continues as Napoli look to reignite their title defence after a testing run on the road.
Inter Milan, meanwhile, make the trip south in buoyant mood following a gritty 1-0 win away to Roma, their fifth successive victory against the Giallorossi in the capital and seventh in a row in all competitions. That came on the back of Tuesday’s commanding 4-0 win away to Union SG in Europe, another statement performance that underlines their growing momentum under Cristian Chivu. The Nerazzurri currently sit second in the table, edging Napoli only on goal difference after matching their tally of five wins from seven. Inter have looked increasingly assured away from home too, taking six points from a possible nine on their Serie A travels and keeping four consecutive clean sheets on the road in all competitions.
With both sides level on points and chasing top spot, Saturday’s encounter promises to be a fierce battle between the champions and their closest challengers.
Head-to-Head
These two sides couldn’t be separated last season, with both meetings ending 1-1. In fact, each of the last three encounters has finished with the same scoreline, while two goals or fewer have featured in their last four consecutive head-to-heads overall.
Betting
Napoli 2/1
Draw 9/4
Inter Milan 29/20
Verdict
Napoli have hit a few bumps in the road of late and will be desperate to steady the ship after back-to-back defeats. Returning to Naples should offer some relief for Antonio Conte’s men, who have been near-flawless at home this season. Inter, though, look the more complete unit right now and will fancy their chances of extending their winning run. With both sides level on points and boasting strong arguments for victory, this could once again end all square, just as it has in each of their last three meetings.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – Draw at 9/4
SUNDAY
FIORENTINA v BOLOGNA – Click here to bet
Fiorentina return to Florence on Sunday evening still searching for their first win of the Serie A campaign after a 2-1 defeat away to Milan extended their winless run to seven league matches. That result leaves Stefano Pioli’s men languishing in 18th place on just three points, having collected three draws and four defeats from their opening fixtures. La Viola have now lost back-to-back league games and will be desperate to avoid a third consecutive defeat, something they experienced only once during the latter stages of last season. Worryingly, home comforts have deserted them too, with all three of their league outings at the Stadio Artemio Franchi ending in defeat, a sharp contrast to last season’s strong home record.
Both sides are in European action on Thursday, adding a potential twist to their preparations for this one. Fiorentina travel to Rapid Wien in the UEFA Conference League, while Bologna make the trip to Bucharest to face FCSB in the Europa League, leaving precious little recovery time before Sunday’s showdown. That quick turnaround could prove influential, particularly if either manager chooses to rotate or if fatigue creeps in during the latter stages.
Bologna, meanwhile, arrive in Tuscany in fine form on the domestic front, unbeaten in their last four league matches (W3, D1) to climb into fifth place on 13 points from seven games. Vincenzo Italiano’s side, buoyed by a 2-0 win away to Cagliari last weekend, have now registered back-to-back victories, with in-form forward Riccardo Orsolini scoring his fifth goal of the campaign in Sardinia. While the Rossoblù have looked formidable at home, their away form remains less convincing, with just one win and one draw from four road trips so far (four points from a possible twelve). Even so, Bologna will fancy their chances of compounding Fiorentina’s misery given the contrasting trajectories of the two sides.
Head-to-Head
Last season saw both sides claim a win apiece on home soil, with Bologna edging the reverse fixture 1-0 before Fiorentina hit back with a 3-2 victory in Florence.
Betting
Fiorentina 17/10
Draw 9/4
Bologna 7/4
Verdict
Fiorentina look short on confidence and have yet to show any of the verve that made them so hard to beat in Florence last term. Bologna, on the other hand, are brimming with belief after a strong run and the form of Orsolini up front. The visitors have the momentum and look better equipped to take something from this one, even if goals could be in short supply.
Suggested Bet: Draw No Bet – Bologna at 93/100
LAZIO v JUVENTUS – Click here to bet
The weekend’s Serie A action concludes at the Stadio Olimpico, where Lazio will look to extend their unbeaten run to four matches following last weekend’s goalless draw away to Atalanta. That result lifted Maurizio Sarri’s side into 12th place on eight points after seven games. The Eagles have now drawn back-to-back league matches, collecting five points from a possible nine during their recent steady spell (W1 D2). Home form, however, remains inconsistent. Lazio have taken four points from their opening three matches in Rome (W1, D1, L1), having started brightly with a commanding 4-0 victory over Verona before taking just a single point from their next two outings at the Olimpico. Sarri will be eager to see his side rediscover that early spark in front of their supporters as they seek a climb up the table.
Juventus, meanwhile, travel to the capital after a demanding run of fixtures that will see them contend with three games in eight days. A 2-0 defeat away to Como last weekend ended their unbeaten start to the league campaign and perhaps hinted at fatigue ahead of their midweek European clash in Madrid, where they fell 1-0 to Real Madrid on Wednesday night. Igor Tudor’s men currently sit seventh in the standings with 12 points from seven matches, having opened their season with three straight wins before drawing three and losing one since. Away from home, the Bianconeri have collected four points from a possible nine (W1, D1, L1), scoring just twice while conceding three on their travels.
With both sides struggling for rhythm and looking to reassert themselves among the early European contenders, Sunday’s clash in Rome could be a tense, tactical affair between two sides still seeking consistency.
Head-to-Head
Juventus went unbeaten against Lazio last season, taking four points from a possible six across their two league meetings. The Bianconeri claimed a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture in Turin before the sides played out a 1-1 draw in Rome.
Betting
Lazio 43/20
Draw 9/4
Juventus 27/20
Verdict
Neither side is exactly firing on all cylinders, and with both managers likely to prioritise structure over attractive football, this has all the makings of a cagey tactical duel. Juventus have the edge in quality and recent record, but Lazio’s resilience at home can’t be ignored. A tight affair could be settled by a single moment of quality, or not at all.
Suggested Bet: Totals – Under 2.5 at 13/20
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
