Serie A returns once again after the much-anticipated start to the season. Oening day saw a lot of goals and quality football which shows the intent and ambitions from each team, but its week 2 and another opportunity to pick up maximum points.
Saturday, 26 August
Frosinone 15/4 | Draw 29/10 | Atalanta 5/8
Taking on the defending champions Napoli in the season opener was not the start for which they had hoped. Frosinone will look to improve on their previous performance and make the most of the home ground advantage once again in hopes of recording their first points of the season.
Atalanta were superb on the opening day winning comfortably 2-0 away from home. Gian Gasperini will expect the same level of performance from his team as new boy Charles De Ketelaere looks to impress and get on the score sheet again for his new club. Back the away team to win.
Monza 10/11 | Draw 5/2 | Empoli 3/1
Monza got off to a losing a start, going down 2-0 to Inter Milan. Despite losing the game Monza played a good game of football and showed their potential to go out and perform at the highest level. Playing at home will boost their pursuit of picking up maximum points.
Empoli will be disappointed after losing 1-0 to Verona in their previous fixture as they showed a lot of belief and desire to win. This will be a test of character for Empoli to come out and put in a performance that could potentially get the win away from home. This will be an opened game and I see the win favouring the home team.
Verona 7/2 | Draw 12/5 | Roma 5/6
Verona got off to a good start with a hard-fought victory in their previous game, winning 1-0 against Empoli. Welcoming Roma to the Marc’Antonio Bentegodi Stadium will get the fans behind their team in hopes of clinching maximum points once again.
Jose Mourinho will not lose sleep by the draw they picked up in their previous game as it is still early days with so much more still to offer going forward. The Giallorossi will come out with a point to prove and hunger to go all out for the win. Roma to return stronger and pick up the win.
AC Milan 4/6 | Draw 13/5 | Torino 21/5
Italian powerhouse AC Milan got off to a smooth start with a comfortable 2-0 victory away to Bologna. Olivier Giroud was the man on form with a goal and assist. Stefano Pioli will be happy with the team’s performance and will expect to continue in this fashion going forward.
Torino will be happy with the point picked up in the previous fixture but know there is still a lot of work to be done. Facing AC Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium will be challenging and must soak up the pressure and capitalize on the mistakes made by AC Milan. AC Milan to prove to strong and clinch all three points.
Sunday, 27 August
Fiorentina 8/13 | Draw 13/5 | Lecce 9/2
Fiorentina smashed Genoa on the opening day 4-1, dominating the game and showing their superiority. Playing at home will bring the home fans to their feet as they look to take control of proceedings and make it two out of two.
Lecce put in a mammoth performance in their 2-1 win against Lazio, showing resilience and determination to fight until the final whistle. Travelling to the Artemio Franchi Stadium will be tough but the confidence will be flowing through the team as they look to make it six points out of six. Fiorentina to win.
Juventus 46/100 | Draw 16/5 | Bologna 11/2
Juventus got off to a flyer in their previous fixture sweeping Udinese 3-0. The Bianconeri displayed signs of improvement and hunger to win which was alarmingly absent from last season. With this good start Massimiliano Allegri’s men can build up momentum and push for the title amidst the lack of European commitment.
Bologna lost their opening home fixture of the season 2-0. Having to face two Italian giants at the start of the season is no easy task. Controlling possession is their strength which will frustrate their opponent and will contribute to carving out opportunities beneficial to the team and scoring goals. Juventus to win in their first home game of the season.
Lazio 4/7 | Draw 9/2 | Genoa 21/5
Lazio were beaten 2-1 away to Lecce, not the start for a team with title ambitions. It was not the usual easy pickings for Cairo Immobile and his team but now have a chance to rectify their mistakes and put in a stronger performance which reflects their capabilities as they set their sights on all three points.
Genoa got dismantled by Fiorentina in their first game of the season, a performance they would not be happy with going forward. Italian native Alberto Gilardino and his team will be cautious in their approach to the game and play on the counterattack while being defensively sound. Lazio to come out guns blazing for the win on home soil.
Napoli 31/100 | Draw 9/2 | Sassuolo 13/2
Napoli picked up where they left off last season and won their opening game in fashionable style. The performance was a champions performance and newly appointed Rudi Garcia will expect the same energy and hunger to go on and defend their title with another three points on the line.
Sassuolo have underachieved to a significant extent considering the pedigree they established a few seasons ago. Facing the champions will be a tough challenge after losing their opening game but must remain positive and play to their strengths with the hopes of clinching a point or more. Napoli to win.
Monday, 28 August
Salernitana 13/8 | Draw 85/40 | Udinese 8/5
Salernitana displayed huge courage and character in their 2-2 draw away to Roma. A good starting point to build on and create an identity going into the season. The veteran Antonio Candreva who bagged a brace in the previous fixture will be the man to lead the team to victory.
Udinese were outplayed in their opening fixture, losing 3-0 to Juventus. The Little Zebras must pick up the pieces, prepare well and come back with the desire to win. Playing away from home can be tricky but the right game plan could potentially contribute to pulling off an upset. I fancy the home team to pinch the win.
Cagliari 5/1 | Draw 15/4 | Inter Milan 42/100
Italian giants Inter Milan hit the ground running in their season opener with a comfortable 2-0 home victory. Dominating position will be the game plan as it will allow Nico Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu to create opportunities Lautaro Martínez can feed off and lead the team to victory.
Cagliari picked up a point on their return to the topflight with a 0-0 draw away to Torino. Claudio Ranieri will demand a champions performance from his team and to play without fear as they plan to pick up maximum points in front of their home fans. Inter Milan to be too strong on the day, Inter Milan to win.
