After the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo was officially confirmed on transfer deadline day, the Italian Serie A will resume bereft of any global superstars, giving it a great chance to cultivate a new set of superstars.
With many of the big boys looking good so far in the season, every matchday promises to be eventful. Our in-house experts have put together a preview and tips ahead of matchday three of the Italian Serie A;
Empoli vs Venezia: Newly-promoted Venezia find themselves at the bottom of the pile after losing both of their league games so far. They will face an Empoli side that capitalised on the uncertainty in the Juventus camp to hand the Old Lady a surprise defeat in their matchday two clash at the Allianz Stadium. Empoli would look to keep up the performance with another win here against Venezia.
Empoli win- 1.80 odds; Venezia win- 4.15 odds; Draw- 3.65 odds.
Napoli vs Juventus: Napoli would look to take advantage of a struggling Juventus side that has started the season with the same form that saw them get dethroned by Inter Milan last season. Juventus have picked up only one point from their two games this season and already find themselves five points adrift of Napoli, one of the teams with a 100% record this season. Napoli would be boosted by the return of striker Victor Osimhen after the striker completed his ban.
Napoli win- 2.40 odds; Juventus win- 2.90 odds; Draw- 3.25 odds.
Atalanta vs Fiorentina: Atalanta and Fiorentina will square up in Bergamo with both sides separated by just one point on the Serie A standings. Fiorentina picked up their first win of the season just before the international break as the normally free-scoring Atalanta stumbled to a goalless draw.
Atalanta win- 1.54 odds; Fiorentina win- 5.75 odds; Draw- 4.15 odds.
Sampdoria vs Inter Milan: Sampdoria will face the perilous task of hosting red hot champions Inter Milan on matchday three of the Serie A season. Sampdoria’s lone defeat so far this season came against AC Milan on the opening day of the season, while Inter Milan have won both their matches so far this season, and have a 100% record in the league this season.
Sampdoria win- 4.80 odds; Inter win- 1.66 odds; Draw- 3.90 odds.
Cagliari vs Genoa: Cagliari will host Genoa in their matchday two encounter hoping to pile more misery on Genoa, who have failed to win any of their two matches this season. Cagliari have only managed to pick up one point this season in the league.
Cagliari win- 2.05 odds; Genoa win- 3.50 odds; Draw- 3.35 odds.
Spezia vs Udinese: Spezia and Udinese will lock horns in their matchday three encounter with both sides on different levels in the league this season. While Udinese have picked up four points and are undefeated in their first two matches, Spezia have only managed to draw one and lose one of their two Serie A matches this season.
Spezia win- 2.90 odds; Udinese win- 2.40 odds; Draw- 3.30 odds.
Torino vs Salernitana: Newly-promoted Salernitana will visit Torino for their matchday three encounter with both sides yet to record a single point in the league this season. Salernitana would hope that their side would be lifted by the presence of experienced French winger Franck Ribery, who joined the club.
Torino win- 1.57 odds; Salernitana win- 5.75 odds; Draw- 3.95 odds.
AC Milan vs Lazio: Maurizio Sarri’s exciting Lazio side are on top of the Serie A with maximum points from their opening matches, and they would now test themselves against another side that has won both of their matches convincingly, AC Milan. The Rossoneri would be hoping that legendary striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is able to make his long-awaited return from injury against Lazio.
Milan win- 2.25 odds; Lazio win- 3.05 odds; Draw- 3.40 odds.
AS Roma vs Sassuolo: Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma have started the season in very good form, thanks in no small part to the contribution of English striker Tammy Abraham. They would now test themselves against a Sassuolo side that is undefeated in the league this season. AS Roma would look to keep up their good start to life under Mourinho with another win.
Roma win- 1.54 odds; Sassuolo win- 5.25 odds; Draw- 4.45 odds.
Bologna vs Verona: An undefeated Bologna side will take on a pointless Hellas Verona in their matchday three clash. Bologna will look to keep up their impressive start to the season with another win over a struggling Hellas Verona side.
Bologna win- 2.15 odds; Verona win- 3.15 odds; Draw- 3.45 odds.
