Serie A serves up a packed weekend featuring three standout fixtures across Saturday and Sunday.
Juventus open the action in Turin as they look to extend their unbeaten home run against a Cagliari side still searching for fluency on the road. Later that evening, AC Milan return to San Siro full of confidence after their derby victory, welcoming a Lazio team whose away form remains a concern. The focus then shifts to the capital on Sunday, where early-season leaders AS Roma host defending champions Napoli in a high-stakes showdown at the Stadio Olimpico. Here are my thoughts on each match, along with a suggested bet for each one.
Before we dive into the weekend’s fixtures, a quick look at the outright market shows Inter Milan still leading the way at 6/5 despite last week’s setback, with Napoli next in line at 3/1. AC Milan remain firmly in the hunt at 7/2, while Roma have shortened to 17/2. Juventus sit just outside the main chasing pack at 25/1, with the rest of the field available at 50/1 or bigger.
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SATURDAY
JUVENTUS v CAGLIARI – Click here to bet
We kick off the weekend with an early evening clash at the Allianz Stadium, where Juventus welcome Cagliari on Saturday. Luciano Spalletti has only been in charge for three league games, but there has already been a noticeable shift from the inconsistency seen under Igor Tudor. The Bianconeri also featured in the Champions League on Tuesday, where they were made to work hard away to Bodo/Glimt before eventually prevailing 3–2, a result that adds a bit of mileage to their week but also keeps the mood positive.
Juventus remain unbeaten under their new manager in Serie A, collecting one win and two draws, the latest being last weekend’s 1–1 away to Fiorentina. They enter the round in 7th place on 20 points after 12 matches, with a record of five wins, five draws and two defeats.
In Turin, Juventus have yet to taste defeat in the league this season. Their home return stands at three wins and three draws, giving them 12 points from a possible 18. Their most recent outing at the Allianz ended in a goalless draw against Torino, which was also their second 0–0 in their last three home league matches.
Cagliari hit the road this weekend looking to build on some improved performances. After last week’s 3–3 thriller against Genoa, Fabio Pisacane’s side sit 14th in the table with 11 points. The Sardinians, however, are still on an eight-match winless stretch, taking just four points from a possible 24 in that period, with an overall return of two wins, five draws and five defeats.
Their away form, however, has shown a touch more resilience. Cagliari have lost just once in their last four road games, recording one win, two draws and a single defeat. Their latest away result was a 0–0 stalemate at Como. Goals have been hard to come by on their travels, just five scored and seven conceded in six outings, but they have still managed to avoid defeat in four of those matches.
Head-to-Head
The sides met three times last season. Juventus went unbeaten in the league meetings, drawing 1–1 in the first fixture before edging the reverse 1–0. They also clashed in the Coppa Italia, where Juventus ran out comfortable 4–0 winners in Turin.
Betting
Juventus 33/100
Draw 4/1
Cagliari 17/2
Verdict
Juventus look far more assured under Spalletti, even if they’re not quite firing in the final third just yet. Cagliari showed last weekend they can spring to life, but their away games have mostly been tight, low-scoring affairs. This one feels like it could follow a similar pattern, with Juventus well placed to avoid defeat again under their new manager.
Suggested Bet: Juventus Double Chance (Win or Draw) & Under 2.5 at 11/10
AC MILAN v LAZIO – Click here to bet
We continue on Saturday with a late-evening encounter at the San Siro as AC Milan host Lazio. The Rossoneri arrive in excellent spirits after last weekend’s impressive 1–0 derby win over Inter. Massimiliano Allegri may only be twelve league games into his tenure, but the turnaround has been striking: Milan are unbeaten in their last twelve matches in all competitions, including their last eleven in Serie A. They now sit second with 25 points from 12 games, seven wins, four draws and just a single defeat on opening weekend against Cremonese, leaving them only two points off top spot.
At home, Milan have lost just once all season and come into this fixture unbeaten in their last five league outings at San Siro, winning four and drawing one. They’ve collected 13 points from a possible 18 in front of their own supporters. Allegri’s side have been strong but not watertight at home, scoring nine and conceding six in the league, with only two clean sheets from seven matches in all competitions at San Siro.
Lazio, meanwhile, returned to winning ways last weekend with a 2–0 home victory over Lecce, a much-needed response after their 2–0 defeat to Inter before the break, which snapped a seven-match unbeaten run. They now make their second trip to the San Siro this month and will be hoping for a far more positive outcome. Maurizio Sarri’s side sit 8th with 18 points from 12 matches, courtesy of five wins, three draws and four defeats.
However, Lazio’s away form remains a concern. They have managed just one win on the road from six attempts, drawing twice and losing the other three. Their most recent away outing was the aforementioned 2–0 defeat to Inter. With only three goals scored and five conceded away from home, Sarri faces a difficult task given Milan’s current momentum.
Head-to-Head
Lazio went unbeaten against Milan last season, taking four points from a possible six, drawing 2–2 in the reverse fixture and following up with a 2–1 win at San Siro, their first victory over Milan in their last five meetings.
Betting
AC Milan 61/100
Draw 3/1
Lazio 9/2
Verdict
Lazio had Milan’s number in this fixture last season, but it’s hard to see them repeating the trick given their away struggles and Milan’s sharp start under Allegri. Without European commitments this year, Milan look fresher, more focused, and far more consistent on the domestic front. With form and confidence firmly on their side, they’re well placed to hand Lazio another difficult evening at the San Siro.
Suggested Bet: AC Milan to win at 61/100
SUNDAY
AS ROMA v NAPOLI – Click here to bet
We close out the weekend in the capital, where Roma welcome defending champions Napoli to the Stadio Olimpico. After last Sunday’s 3–1 win away at Cremonese, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side come into this round on the back of consecutive league victories for the fourth time this season, and now have the chance to make it three in a row for only the second time. Roma sit top of the table with 27 points from 12 matches, winning nine and losing three, and this fixture should offer a clearer indication of whether they have the staying power to mount a genuine title challenge.
At home, Roma have occasionally looked less assured than on their travels. They’ve won four and lost two at the Olimpico, taking 12 points from a possible 18, scoring seven and conceding three. Encouragingly, though, they’ve won their last two home league games, scoring twice in each.
Napoli arrive in Rome with Antonio Conte searching for stability amid growing external scrutiny. Their 3–1 victory over Atalanta last weekend lifted them to third place on 25 points, but tension around the squad has led many to question whether the manager still has full buy-in from his players. His sharp comments before the break, suggesting the team lacked hunger, added fuel to that narrative, though last weekend’s performance hinted that his criticism may have stung the right nerves. Napoli also featured in Europe this past week, winning 2–0 against Qarabag in Naples in the Champions League, a result that keeps confidence ticking over even as the pressure around Conte continues to simmer. Despite the noise, they remain just two points behind Roma, with eight wins, one draw and three league defeats so far.
Away from home, though, Napoli’s form has been inconsistent. They’ve registered three wins and three defeats on the road in Serie A, but their wider away record is far more concerning, losing five of their last six in all competitions, including a 2–0 defeat at Bologna in their most recent trip. They have scored seven and conceded six away in the league, but Conte will know his side must tighten up if they’re to halt this poor run.
Head-to-Head
Napoli went unbeaten against Roma last season, winning 1–0 in this fixture and drawing 1–1 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Betting
AS Roma 8/5
Draw 19/10
Napoli 43/20
Verdict
Roma look like a side growing in belief, and their recent momentum gives them a useful edge against a Napoli team still struggling for rhythm away from home. This may not develop into a free-flowing contest, more likely a tight, tactical battle, but Roma’s current confidence and Napoli’s unsteady road form suggest the hosts are slightly better placed to emerge with something.
Suggested Bet: Roma Double Chance & Under 3.5 Goals at 69/100
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
