Looking At The Betting Scene – Serie A Week 8 Preview

This week of the Serie A sports very few big name matchups, the only one being between Lazio and Fiorentina. While this may be disappointing for soccer fans, the smaller, less-known teams often provide better value than the league leaders.

There are plenty of interesting betting opportunities this week, and I’ll detail my favorite ones, previewing all of this week’s games and making my own picks and predictions as well. Let’s get started!

Money Matchups

 

Napoli vs Sassuolo

Preview

Napoli have been on fire as of late, and they’ll be coming into this game filled with confidence from a 1-0 win against Liverpool, one of the best teams in the world. The Partenopei are second in the league, their only losses coming against Sampdoria and Juventus, and it looks like the scudetto race will be between Napoli and the Bianconeri yet again.

Sassuolo have surpassed all expectations, and while they suffered a humiliating defeat against Milan at the San Siro, the Neroverdi can only be pleased with how they’ve performed thus far. Sassuolo is finally beginning to look like the team that made the Europa League just two years ago.

While Napoli are certainly favorites for this game, as reflected by the overwhelming odds, I think Sassuolo have a decent shot at pulling off a draw. The Neroverdi are known to surprise, and they’ve often come up with big upsets, and if the Partenopei are still tired from their midweek match against the Reds, Sassuolo might be able to take advantage. With such great odds, Sassuolo is a medium-risk, high-reward bet for this week.

Prediction: Napoli 2-2 Sassuolo.

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Atalanta vs Sampdoria

Preview

Atalanta have seriously struggled so far this season, earning just six points in seven games, and after failing to qualify for the Europa League, it’s been nothing but disappointment for the team from Bergamo.

Sampdoria, on the other hand, have had a solid start to the season. While they’ve cooled off since the beginning of the season, they’re still eighth in the Serie A, and their defense has been excellent – only conceding four goals throughout their first seven games.

This is by far my favorite pick of the week. Sampdoria’s odds of winning are more than five to one, and there’s absolutely no reason why this matchup should be that lopsided. The Blucerchiati have impressed all this season, and Atalanta have yet to find their form. Sampdoria should be able to shut down a struggling Atalanta attack, and their own offense, led by Defrel, will look to get them the full three points.

Prediction: Atalanta 0-1 Sampdoria.

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Genoa vs Parma

Preview

Genoa have quietly had a great start to the season. With a game in hand, Genoa are sixth in the league, and win in that missing fixture would push them up to third in the league, a remarkable result for a team that has typically floated around mid-table.

While Parma struggled early on in the season, they’ve been great the past weeks, winning three of their past four games – including a convincing upset win against Inter. A couple of scrappy wins have seen them climb to tenth place in the Serie A, and they’re beginning to distance themselves from the relegation zone.

Despite Genoa’s great start, I think Parma could certainly challenge the Rossoblu. Parma have been on excellent form recently, and that momentum could carry into this week’s game; Piatek and his Genoa will have a tough match ahead of them, and with the odds looking very favorable, Parma are a great pick to add to their point tally.

Prediction: Genoa 1-1 Parma.

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Empoli vs Roma

Preview

Simply put, Empoli have been very poor. They’re averaging less than a point per game, and their only win came against Cagliari in the first game of the season. Since, they’ve failed to register a win, and they’ve been thoroughly outplayed by almost all their opponents.

While Roma struggled early on in the league, they’ve since rekindled their flame, and after a 5-0 demolishment of Viktoria Plzen, the Giallorossi will come into this matchup with all the confidence in the world, Edin Dzeko leading the charge.

This is about as lopsided a match as you can get. Roma are the overwhelming favorites, yet the odds they’re given are still relatively decent. This is the safest bet outlined in this article, and Roma should come away with victory quite comfortably.

Prediction: Empoli 1-3 Roma.

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Rapid-Fire Round

 
If you didn’t see the matchup you’re interested in above, I’ve listed the remaining matchups below along with my personal picks. There are certainly some good opportunities here as well, so if you do some research, you’ll be able to find value.

Cagliari vs Bologna

Prediction: Cagliari 2-1 Bologna.

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Lazio vs Fiorentina

Prediction: Lazio 2-0 Fiorentina.

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SPAL vs Inter

Prediction: SPAL 1-3 Inter.

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Torino vs Frosinone

Prediction: Torino 3-1 Frosinone.

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Udinese vs Juventus

Prediction: Udinese 0-3 Juventus.

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AC Milan vs Chievo

Prediction: Milan 3-1 Chievo.

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Extras – Other Opportunities Around The League

Cutrogol – Milan’s Next Striking Prodigy?

• Odds – 1 Goal (2)
• 2 Goals (5.5)
• Hat-Trick (20)

Cutrone has been stellar for Milan the past year. Ever since establishing himself as one of Milan’s main attacking options, the Italian has been the Rossoneri’s leading goalscorer, and despite his young age, he’s displayed incredible maturity and poise under the spotlight.

This week, the Rossoneri take on Chievo, the Serie A’s worst team. Chievo have allowed 16 goals in just 7 games, and Milan should have plenty of chances and opportunities to score, many of which should land at Patrick’s feet. Cutrone scored two goals for Milan against Olympiakos earlier this week, and he’ll be more than eager to add to his tally against one of the league’s worst defenses.

With the odds set to double your money with a “Cutrogol”, I think this is a great pick for this week’s matchups.

Are Inter Back – Will The Nerazzurri Impress Yet Again?

• Odds – Inter -1 (2.88)
• Inter -2 (6.25)

Inter didn’t have the best of starts to their season, but they’ve rebounded quite well, climbing back up to fourth in the league and earning wins in their first two Champions League matchups, a particularly impressive feat considering they’re part of the tournament’s most difficult group.

The Nerazzurri should have no problem extending their win streak to five games against a lackluster SPAL side. Inter have a stellar attack led by none other than Mauro Icardi, and I think this could quite easily turn into a lopsided victory. If Inter were to win by two goals or more, the odds would almost triple your money, making this one of my preferred bets of the week.

Blue vs Purple – A Tale of Offense

• Odds (O/U) – 2.5 Goals (1.75)
• 3.5 Goals (3)
• 4.5 Goals (5.75)

In what is likely to be the league’s most entertaining matchup this week, Lazio and Fiorentina square off in Rome as the Biancocelesti look to rebound from a poor performance against Eintracht Frankfurt. While this matchup is likely to be an incredibly even one, one thing seems almost certain: there will be plenty of goals scored.

In the 14 games that these two teams have combined to play thus far in the Serie A, a total of 38 goals have been scored, averaging just under 3 goals per game. With two high-powered teams with great offenses and mediocre defenses, this trend should continue, and it should be an incredibly thrilling matchup filled with scoring chances and action.

This game could easily see three or four goals being scored, and the odds aren’t too bad – promising a three to one return if the latter comes true. Lazio and Fiorentina will look to score as much as possible, and this game could quickly turn into one of this year’s best.

The Battle of The Bianconeri – Will Juventus Dominate Their Opponents?

• Odds – Juventus to Lead At Half Time & Win (2)

The Bianconeri (Juventus) will take on the Bianconeri Friulani (Udinese) this week, and Juventus seem intent on keeping their perfect record going. Juventus have yet to drop a point through their first seven games, and they’re looking unstoppable as they continue on their run to yet another scudetto.

While Juventus may not be playing in Turin, they are still the overwhelming favorites for this matchup and rightfully so. Even though we’re still very early into the season, Juventus’ eighth consecutive league title is looking all but secured. No one can match their firepower, both on offense and defense, and with Ronaldo leading the charge, they’ll be incredibly difficult to stop.

You’ll double your money if Juventus lead at half time and end up winning the game, a scenario that seems increasingly likely with each game they play.