Serie A Betting: Stalemate for Napoli-Juventus showdown

Napoli v Juventus

Friday, 19:45
Live on BT Sport 2 and Betfair Live Video

Napoli would appear to have passed just about every examination of their title credentials so far this season, but the sternest awaits them at the San Paolo on Friday night.

Napoli don't have to beat Juve, as they're four points clear of them and a draw would be a perfectly respectable result, but there's just a feeling: move seven points clear and Juve's swaying ship would start to sink. Lose, and suddenly they'd be vulnerable to Inter and Roma and only a point clear of the Champions.

My position on the season remains the same as when we kicked off in August. As a football fan, I want Napoli to win Serie A. As a pragmatist, I still think that Juve will win it.

Max Allegri's team may have lost Leo Bonucci, may have made a mistake leaving behind Mattia Caldara, may have, to use that hackneyed phrase, lost their mojo. But they're still fighting, and no one does fighting better than Juve. They're a punter's dream, as they'll give you everything that they have. The question that we face is whether that will be enough on Friday night.

Napoli's squad is a worry, as is the tiredness in their legs. They came close to being exposed in that home game against Shakhtar, and then did just enough to win in Udine that weekend. The suspicion remains that they struggle for a Plan B, and that might end up costing them.

I think that this game may go the way of last season's encounter. Both teams would be happy with a draw. Napoli because it maintains their lead, Juve because it keeps them in touch and leaves them with a home game to come against the Neapolitans.

Juve don't have a great record here, Napoli don't in general have a great record against Juve, and there's a strong chance that the two will cancel each other out. Gonzalo Higuain is a doubt, but I think he'll play, and Napoli's reliance on their excellent defence will be tested.

It wouldn't shock me if this finishes 1-1, as it did last season, but I'll back the draw.

Recommended Bet
Back the Draw in Napoli v Juventus @ 3.60

Bologna v Cagliari

Sunday, 14:00
Live on Betfair Live Video

I'm not sure that Bologna have suddenly become a rock solid weekly banker, but they're in a good run of form and are certainly worth supporting at home against Cagliari at the weekend.

They've won each of their last four meetings here against the Sardinians, are fresh from thrashing Sampdoria, and look somewhere near the peak of their powers.

They scored three times against both Verona and Samp, and Simone Verdi and Mattia Destro have started to combine well, with Orji Okwonkwo a bonus goalscorer in the last two games. His physical presence and energy has added plenty to their forward line.

Cagliari are Destro's favourite opposition in Serie A, which adds something to the mix, and when you consider that Cagliari have lost all but two of their away games so far, I think that Bologna rate a solid bet. They're trading at odds against because there's still some uncertainty about them, but I think they're a solid proposition this week, and have no hesitation in recommending them.

Recommended Bet
Back Bologna to beat Cagliari @ 2.10

Torino v Atalanta

Saturday, 19:45
Live on BT Sport 3 and Betfair Live Video

I'm looking forward to watching Torino's home game against Atalanta on Saturday night. Both teams can play, and even though Atalanta are terrible away from home (only Benevento have a worse record than them) and Torino are in poor form, I think that the sides can still put on something approaching a show.

Over 2.5 Goals is trading at 1.90 and that seems a reasonable price. The teams have both been a little shot shy lately (Andrea Belotti is in poor form for the home team) but that could change under the lights, especially given the nature of both teams.

Atalanta look set to recall Andrea Petagna, which will give them a solid attacking base, while Belotti may be helped by the inclusion of Mbaye Niang out wide.

Torino's games have been short of goals lately, but they'll explode into life again soon, and Atalanta will look to counter them, and we might see something akin to their free-scoring Europa League form here. Forget Monday night against defensive Benevento, and just ask Everton fans. These boys can play.

Atalanta are interesting at around 3.00, but the 'overs' make more appeal, albeit at a shorter price.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 2.5 Goals in Torino v Atalanta @ 1.90

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