Serie A Best Bets And Value Bets – Gameweek 1

The new Serie A season starts under a cloud of uncertainty, with Romelu Lukaku having departed for Chelsea as Inter Milan look to balance the books and Cristiano Ronaldo’s future still up in the balance.

It makes for an exciting and unpredictable season, which means that if you do manage to correctly forecast the season ahead, there is bound to be an opportunity to cash in on it.

We bring you our predictions for the first gameweek.

The Lab – Stats Centre

Saturday 21 August: Torino v Atalanta

Atalanta had the best attack of any team in Serie A last season, scoring 90 goals. However, their defence left a lot to be desired as they conceded 47 — well over a goal per game and the worst defensive record in the top five.

Torino, meanwhile, scored a respectable 50 goals but conceded 69. Recent history suggests matches involving each of these teams tend to see goals at both ends.

The last time these teams met, the game was drawn. Prior to that, they saw out another six-goal thriller and the score was 4-2 to Atalanta. This game is likely to see plenty of goals, with over 2.5 goals, over 3.5 goals and/or BTTS Yes worth considering.

Best Tip: BTTS Yes

Value Tip: Over 3.5 Goals

Sunday 22 August: Udinese v Juventus

Juventus have their old coach, Max Allegri, back to guide them to the summit of Italian football once again. Players will be eager to nail down starting berths and Cristiano Ronaldo remains at the disposal of the Old Lady.

Udinese have slid ever closer to the relegation zone in recent seasons and Juve have to be considered favourites to start the season off on a winning note against a team they did the double over last season and have five wins in their last fixtures against.

Best Tip: Juventus to Win

Value Tip: Juventus -1 Handicap

Sunday 22 August: AS Roma v Fiorentina

AS Roma are likely to be buoyed by the arrivals of Jose Mourinho as manager and a string of new players, with Tammy Abraham being the headline name. Whether or not new signings play, there is bound to be a ripple effect within the squad as players compete to impress the manager.

Fiorentina’s star players are being linked with moves elsewhere and they are likely going to struggle again after finishing 13th last season.

Best Tip: AS Roma to Win

European Football Weekend Round-Up By Zach Lowy

Monday 23 August: Cagliari v Spezia

The last time Cagliari hosted Spezia, the fixture ended in a draw. There was little to separate the two sides in the final standings, with Spezia finishing 15th and Cagliari 16th. 

The last three fixtures between these sides have seen goals at both ends, so a draw and BTTS Yes are the two main bets to consider between two evenly-matched sides.

Best Tip: Draw

Value Tip: BTTS Yes

Monday 23 August: Sampdoria v AC Milan

AC Milan only narrowly missed out on the Serie A title last season and have to be viewed as one of the main teams to watch this term.

The Rossoneri have signed a superb striker in Olivier Giroud to an already star-studded squad. They are likely to hit the ground running in pursuit of a long-awaited league crown.

Best Tip: AC Milan to Win