Title hopefuls Inter and Roma meet on Saturday after a winning start in Serie A, and it’s a chance for one of them to make their case.
Most football betting experts are looking elsewhere for a league winner, with Juventus, Napoli and Milan being the favoured three, but a fast start could easily put another name in the frame.
WEEK 2 SUNDAY:
AS Roma vs Inter Milan
I expect a tight game in Rome with betting odds at 2.36 for a home win, 2.96 an Inter victory and 3.25 the draw. Inter had the more comfortable start last week with the prolific Mauro Icardi bagging a brace in a 3-0 win over Fiorentina, while Roma needed an Aleksandar Kolarov free kick to earn a single-goal win over Atalanta.
Genoa vs Juventus
After losing the Supercoppa to Lazio, Juventus swept past Cagliari in their opening game. The Bianconeri will face a Genoa side which picked up a useful point at Sassuolo. The Old Lady is at 2.17 to win with a -1.50 handicap.
Benevento vs Bologna
Saturday’s other game sees new boys Benevento aiming to pick up their first point against Roberto Donadoni’s Bologna who got off the mark with a 1-1 draw at home to Torino. I can see some home cheer in this one, with Benevento at 2.65 to win.
WEEK 2 MONDAY:
Torino vs Sassuolo
There was one point each on the opening day for these two, and while neither will be particularly happy with another draw making it a sluggish start, Torino will want to make home advantage count. And if we get a repeat of their last meeting at the Stadio Olimpico, a 5-3 home win, the fans are in for a treat!
Napoli vs Atalanta
Napoli are one of the teams waiting for Juve’s first slip, but they will be without Elseid Hysaj who picked up a red card in the victory over Verona. Atalanta lost their opener but will present stiff opposition, having performed so well to finish fourth last season.
AC Milan vs Cagliari
It’s not the easiest of starts for poor Cagliari, destroyed by Juventus on the opening day. They now make a trip to Milan to face the third favourites who will be greeted passionately by the home fans after a 3-0 win in Crotone. A home win here, I expect.
Chievo vs Lazio
I wonder if Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio were suffering a bit of a Supercoppa hangover when they greeted newly promoted SPAL and then failed to score. And this won’t be easy. Rolando Maran will have his team up to frustrate the Romans after a great away win in Udinese.
Fiorentina vs Sampdoria
The Viola had a thumping last week, succumbing 3-0 to Inter. Their fans will want to see an immediate reaction when they welcome Sampdoria, who bagged an opening-day win against Benevento. All eyes will be on Fiorentina’s new £15m star striker Giovanni Simeone.
S.P.A.L. 2013 vs Udinese
With one point already in the bag, SPAL have a good chance to add another one or three and get some of that essential early-season momentum. Udinese lost their home game against Chievo and will be desperate to get off the mark. I don’t expect any more than a one-goal margin in this game.
Crotone vs Hellas Verona
Newcomers Verona visit Crotone in what already looks like a bottom end six-pointer. It’s too early to be sure, of course, but both teams were hit for three last week and another defeat here could suggest a long, long season for someone.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
