The international break is over, with the UEFA Nations League group fixtures coming to an end. Italy will be playing in the semi-finals for the Nations League glory after edging out the Netherlands by a solitary point. Roberto Mancini will be putting his mind against the best in Europe with Belgium, Spain, and France to contend with. While that fate is some time away, the battle for Serie A glory is back. It is back to the domestic grind for players, and the Italian top-flight has plenty to offer.
There is a lot of action on Matchday 8 and it comes to a conclusion with a mouthwatering clash between Napoli and Milan as domestic bragging rights are on offer. The two-day extravaganza will be a treat to watch, and we are here to give you our betting tips into the weekend’s festivities.
Crotone – Lazio
Simone Inzaghi’s men travel to Crotone as Serie A resumes. With Ciro Immobile returning to the first-team fold, the Biancocelesti will be in a good mood. Lazio are unbeaten in their last six competitive outings and have the upper hand. Meanwhile, Crotone are at the bottom of the points table and have lost five of their last six outings.
Bet365 offers odds of 1.77 for the Roman side’s triumph and there is value to be had. With Crotone conceding at an average of 2.43 goals, the over 2.5 at 1.61 is also worth consideration.
Spezia – Atalanta
Gian Piero Gasperini’s men had a couple of hiccups as they lost Napoli and Sampdoria in successive outings. Their 0-5 Champions League thrashing at the hands of Liverpool showed they had significant chinks in their armor. On the other hand, Spezia have impressed with hard-fought draws against Parma and Fiorentina while also claiming an exciting 0-3 away win over Benevento.
Atalanta are favorites for this fixture at odds of 1.44, but the offer is not worth it. Even the over and under markets are tricky for this encounter. Both sides like to attack and tend to concede; both teams to score market has offers for punters. We expect both goalkeepers to pick the ball out of their net, and there is value at odds of 1.53.
Juventus – Cagliari
After a tough start to the campaign, Cagliari have impressed in recent weeks. Only three points separated them and the reigning champions. Juventus will have a vengeful Cristiano Ronaldo to call upon, and the visitors will have their work cut out for themselves.
The Old Lady is the favorite to claim the points at odds of 1.35, great odds for a team yet to taste defeat in the Italian top flight. The Islanders will not be slouches and have managed four wins in their last four competitive outings. With Juventus’ last clean sheet coming six matches ago, both teams to score offer at 1.72 odds has value to capitalize upon.
Fiorentina – Benevento
Benevento have impressed in periods of games but do not have the quality to impose themselves. La Viola are in a similar phase and have only claimed a single victory from their previous six domestic outings. A couple of points separates both sides, and this can change over the weekend.
Bookmakers have placed confidence in Fiorentina’s ability to get back to winning ways with odds of 1.53. However, for a team that has struggled to score and cannot stop conceding, it will be a tough outing. The Sorcerers’ Serie A life is on the line, and they will look to end their five-match losing streak. The over/under market is enticing, and we like the Over 2.5 market with odds of 1.51.
Roma – Parma
The Romans are on a roll with four wins in five games. Only Milan denied them victory in that entertaining 3-3 draw. They will be taking on the challenge of Parma, who have drawn their last three games.
What is interesting is that Roma’s last six games have seen over 3.5 goals, while Parma’s five out of eight outings have seen a similar result. The odds for a Roman victory are 1.50, but there is more value to be had in the Over 3.5 market at 2.17 odds. With Roma managing a paltry two clean sheets, this is worth looking at.
Inter – Torino
Neither the Inter board nor Antonio Conte would be content with their seventh place in Serie A. They need a run of victories to challenge crosstown rivals Milan at the top of the podium. Meanwhile, Torino have struggled to make their early starts count. While Andrea Belotti has started the season brightly, their defense continues to ship in goals, a problem equally plaguing the Nerazzurri.
Inter are favorites for the fixture at odds of 1.33, and the Over 2.5 market does not have much to offer as well. With odds of 1.68 for both teams to score, there is value to be had. Belotti has six goals to his name from his seven outings. The odds for him to get on the scoreboard stand at 2.6, and it is worth a punt.
Sampdoria – Bologna
After a poor start to the season, Claudio Ranieri’s Sampdoria have turned the tide. They have begun scoring goals after shipping in regularly against the big wigs. Meanwhile, Bologna have struggled to get the results they seek. With five defeats already, they have the joint-worst losing record.
It will be a tough encounter that is difficult to call. However, with Samp claiming victories over Atalanta and Lazio, we rule in their favor. Bookmakers offer odds of 2.63 for a home win, and it is a juicy enough offer to take a punt.
Verona – Sassuolo
Sassuolo have been impressive this season and are in UEFA Champions League qualifying spots this early into the campaign. Verona have impressed as well and take eighth place. While Verona have the best defensive record, Sassuolo have the best offensive record.
The hosts defeated Roma on opening day and have since managed draws against Juventus and Milan. On the other hand, Sassuolo have come back from the jaws of defeat on numerous occasions and defeated Napoli at the San Paolo. It is a tough call, but we back the attacking instincts of Roberto De Zerbi’s men at odds of 2.10 as Verona have eight players out injured.
Udinese – Genoa
This potential six-pointer in the race to avoid relegation has plenty to offer. The form of both sides is woeful, and there is little to separate them. However, Genoa have further setbacks as they travel to Udine with a severely depleted squad as seven players are on the medics table.
With the Zebras improving their goal scoring in recent outings and fighting it out, they are favorites for the tie at 1.83 odds. Matches between relegation candidates can be tricky, and we suggest going for both teams to score market. The two rivals need points, and there will be opportunities. We expect both sides to hit the back of the net, and at odds of 1.80, this is a worthwhile punt.
Napoli – Milan
Rarely does it happen that the creme de la creme of any matchday is saved until the end? This is a potential six-pointer in the title race, and both sides cannot slip. Gennaro Gattuso will come up against his old side, one whose stars he carefully assembled.
The combative tactician will have his work cut out against Stefano Pioli’s Milan led on the pitch by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Napoli averaged over four goals in their three home games, while the Rossoneri have seen three or more goals in their last four competitive outings.
Both teams are packing with enterprising attacking talents, and it will be a battle of wills. The hosts are favored for the trip at odds of 2.25 while Milan can take the points at 3.00 odds. There will be goals, but we see both teams canceling each other out and a tie is a worthwhile punt at odds of 3.5. A seemingly less tricky outcome is both teams scoring at odds of 1.57. For this encounter, we will go with the draw at 3.5 odds.