Serie A Predictions: Back Juve To Continue Their Hot Start

Enzo started the season on the right foot by generating 1.25 units of profit. He is hoping to build on this next weekend with three more Serie A predictions.

After a long Summer, Serie A finally returned last weekend and matchday 1 did not disappoint. Despite only one round of games being played there were plenty of takeaways from the opening set of fixtures.

Two players who failed to register a single goal during the entirety of last season, Charles De Ketelaere and Andrea Belotti, got on the scoresheet and looked sharp. Many (including myself) had written them off as a flop and a has-been but perhaps we were too quick to judge.

The unthinkable happened at the Dacia Arena where Juve scored more than a single goal and actually played some entertaining football. Chiesa and Vlahovic were both on target in the 3-0 win and supposing the performance was not just a once-off, my pre-season prediction of a Juventus triumph has more than a good chance of coming to pass.

And finally, Antonio Candreva spat in the face of the ageists with a beautiful brace at the Olimpico. The Candyman is the definition of a fine wine, he just keeps getting better at football, and better looking, the older he becomes. Anyway, here are my Serie A predictions and bets for matchday 2.

Hellas Verona v Roma Prediction

Sat 26 Aug 19:45

Roma kicked off the season with a 2-2 stalemate at the Olimpico. On the face of it, a home draw with Salernitana is a disappointing result but there were some positive signs for the Giallorossi. Roma were without Dybala and Pellegrini but despite their absence, Mourinho’s side created numerous chances. On top of this, Andrea Belloti scored a brace and looks to have rediscovered the form he showed at Torino. Having il Gallo back scoring again will ease Mourinho’s mind as he faced the prospect of starting the campaign with an injured Tammy Abraham and a man who hadn’t scored since May 2022 as the only options upfront.

On Saturday, Roma face Hellas Verona who are one of the hot favourites for relegation. The Mastini secured a vital away win in Empoli thanks to a Caprile howler but on the whole, they showed very little to suggest their the favourites tag is wrong. Pellegrini and Dybala are available again for selection so, considering how well the Giallorossi performed without them last Sunday, the bet has to be a straightforward Roma Win @ 10/11.

Juventus v Bologna Prediction

Sun 27 Aug 17:30

Before the season kicked off, Juventus fans and fans of the beautiful game in general feared that they were in for another year of turgid, grinding football under Max Allegri. However, the Bianconeri looked like a completely new team in the 3-0 victory against Udinese. Instead of just sitting back and soaking up the pressure after taking the lead, uncharacteristically, Juve kept pressing and were rewarded with a further two goals.

Another positive was that Chiesa and Vlahovic both got off the mark. The duo have the ability to be one of the most potent partnerships in Serie A so it bodes well for the future to see them start so brightly.

Bologna began their campaign with a 2-0 loss to Milan at the Dall’Ara. In the absence of last season’s top scorer, Marko Arnautovic, the Rossoblù looked fairly flat, and apart from a couple of potshots, they created very little. This would make another Juventus win to nil the obvious selection but I am going for something a little juicier. Based on the premise that Max Allegri has indeed loosened up and that Juve’s first outing wasn’t just one of those opening weekend anomalies, Juventus -1 @ 7/4 looks tempting.

Salernitana v Udinese Prediction

Mon 28 Aug 17:30

My final Serie A prediction is a straightforward over 2.5 goals @ evs. This prediction is a hunch more than anything else. Salernitana found the net twice on the opening day even without the services of Boulaye Dia who could be fit to start this weekend.

Udinese can count themselves a little unlucky not to have scored against Juventus which is a tough assignment at the best of times. The zebrette will be eager to rectify this on Monday so I can see a fairly open match.