Serie A Predictions: Juventus To Make Life Tough For Milan

Italian football returns after the international break and Enzo has three Serie A predictions for matchday 9 including one for the crucial clash of Milan v Juventus

Matchday 8 was another profitable one for the Serie A tips section but it’s a pity that the international break came to interrupt a decent run of Serie A predictions. Monza cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over goal-shy Salernitina to land the win to nil selection and Roma comfortably exceeded the -1 handicap when they swatted Cagliari aside 4-1.

Speaking of betting, Serie A has since been embroiled in yet another scandal with Tonali, Zaniolo and Fagioli all being investigated for illegal gambling. The situation is particularly grim for Fagioli who admitted to placing bets on football using an illegal platform and as a result has been banned for seven months. The Juventus youngster was reportedly up to €250,000 in debt at one point and even borrowed €40,000 from his teammate Gatti to finance his addiction.

Gambling addiction is probably not the best segue into presenting my Serie A betting predictions but here they are anyway. However, don’t forget to gamble safely and always be gamble aware.

Verona v Napoli Prediction

Sat 21st Oct 14:00

Under pressure Napoli coach, Rudi Garcia, received more bad news this week when it was announced that Victor Osimhen would be unavailable for selection. Last season’s capocannoniere picked up a thigh injury while on International duty with Nigeria and could be ruled out for up to a month.

Osimhen will be a huge loss but his replacement, Giovanni Simeone, has an excelent record for the Partenopei when called upon to deputise. Starts were few and far between for Cholito in 2022/23 but he did manage 4 goals in 385 minutes of football which roughly equates to a goal a game. This season the Argentine is on track to do something similar having scored once in 109 minutes of pitchtime. On Saturday Simeone faces the club where he enjoyed his breakout season and I fancy him to make the most of a rare start and get on the scoresheet. Giovanni Simeone anytime scorer @ 2/1 is my first Italian football betting tip for the weekend.

Roma v Monza Prediction

Sun 22nd Oct 11:30

Roma have had a topsy turvy opening to their Serie A campaign (W3 D2 L3). Following a horrendous first two games, Mourinho’s side have finally begun to find their feet. Two wins in their last two games, albeit against Cagliari and Frosinone, see the Giallorossi back inside the top 10 and just three points outside the European spots.

Monza too are on the up. Unbeaten in their last five (W2 D3 L0) and going for three victories in a row, the Brianzoli are currently three places above their opponents in the table.

This is much closer game than the odds suggest. Roma are 7/10 favourites which in my view, is a real slap in the face to Monza especially when you consider that the home side will most likely be without Paolo Dybala. An away win at 4/1 might be asking a bit much but Draw/Monza double chance @ 5/4 is certainly a price worth taking.

AC Milan v Juventus Prediction

Sun 22nd Oct 19:45

Without a doubt, this is the clash of the weekend. First place Milan take on third place Juventus in a match that could be pivotal for the Scudetto. The onus in on Juve to close the four point gap or at least not allow it to increase to seven which could be too wide a margin to recoup, even at this early stage.

Apart from a couple of disappointing draws, Max Allegri’s outfit have improved a lot since last season, particularly in the attacking department. However, a slightly more attacking brand of football will not be enough to keep him in a job come the end of the season and a serious title challenge is expected, especially with Juve not having the burden of European football.

Unfortunately for Allegri, the Bianconeri could be without Federico Chiesa who returned early from the Italy camp with a knock. In that case I would expect Juventus to return to type and play to shut Milan out. Even with Chiesa on the pitch, not losing is the most important thing for them so keeping it tight will be the priority. A drab draw @ 23/10 seems the most likely outcome. A 1-1 scoreline at 11/2 is also worth chancing.