Football Betting
Serie A Betting Preview
Once dubbed the best domestic league in Europe, Italian football restored itself to some of it’s former glory, following the remarkable Champions League Final win by Inter Milan last season. A new Serie A campaign beckons and it seems change is the keyword this time round – eleven of Serie A’s twenty clubs have new managers! Let’s take a look at the betting for the opening matches taking place this weekend and hopefully select some winning football tips.
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Betting Odds
Bari 5/2 v Juventus evens (Draw 11/5) Sunday 5pm (Setanta Sports)
Preview
Bari exceeded all expectations last season to finish in 10th place. Their defensive pairing of Andrea Ranocchia and Leonardo Bonucci were standout performers but unfortunately they’ve been unable to hold on to both players and they go into their new campaign seemingly struggling at the back.
Juve, under new manager Luigi Delneri, have been busy in the transfer market, capturing Serbian international Milos Krasnic. They’ve also nabbed Liverpool’s out-of-favour midfielder Alberto Aquilani on a season-long loan, as well as Italian international Marco Motta.
Betting Tips
Correct Score: Bari 2 Juventus 2 (12/1) 0.5pt win
Number of Goals: 4 or more (5/2) 1pt win
In this corresponding fixture last season Bari ran out 3-1 winners. In their final 11 home games last term, Bari scored 2 or more goals on six occasions and conceded two goals in one match on four occasions. For the new campaign, attack-minded Bari aren’t as strong defensively, so Juventus will be confident of finding the back-of-the-net at least once.
Betting Odds
Bologna 9/2 v Inter Milan 4/7 (Draw 5/2) Monday 7:45pm (Setanta Sports)
Preview
Following a mediocre home record, Bologna narrowly avoided relegation last season. They have recruited some exciting youngsters for the new campaign, including Slovenian midfielder Rene Krhin (who is on-loan from Inter Milan), Swedish attacking midfielder Albin Ekdal and Uruguayan Gaston Ramirez, who was snapped up from Urguayan club side Penarol.
Inter Milan, under new manager Rafael Benitez, are yet again title favourites and considering they had the second best away record in Serie A last season, Bologna’s new-look side will fear the worst on the opening day of the new season.
Betting Tips
Draw No Bet: Bologna 7/2 2pt win
This is pretty much a no brainer. Inter Milan do have the superior side on paper, however, big things are expected of Bologna this season and this is a fantastic platform for them to display their credentials to the rest of the Serie A. They have a fantastic goalkeeper in Viviano, great goal-poacher in Di Vaio and some classy youngsters in the middle of the field. I’ll be surprised if Inter Milan come away with all three points.
Betting Odds
Udinese 13/10 v Genoa 19/10 (Draw 21/10)
Betting Tips
Handicap Betting: Udinese -1 (4/1) 1pt win
Udinese finished in 15th place last season but that was solely due to their deplorable away record. At home, they were a completely different outfit, winning 10 games and scoring 38 goals. Genoa also had a desperate record on the road, winning just three games and netting just 15 goals. Udinese beat Genoa 2-0 in this corresponding fixture last season and I can see a similar result this time round.
