Juventus vs Napoli
It’s been the fixture in Serie A in recent seasons.
The champions of the past eight seasons against the runners-up in three of the past four years.
The giant ‘old lady’ of Turin against the smaller, plucky Partenopei from Naples.
In many ways – and the SBOBET Serie A betting odds back this up – this should be a home banker.
Yet, Carlo Ancelotti is a wily coach and, if anyone can cause a surprise, it is him.
Talking Points
Napoli produced Serie A highlights galore in the opening weekend of the season as they edged a seven goal thriller at Fiorentina with two-goal Lorenzo Insigne scoring the winner for the Neapolitans.
Meanwhile, veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini’s early goal proved enough to seal a 1-0 win over Parma for Juventus.
There was contrasting drama in both games and perhaps a sign of things to come?
Certainly, Juventus are more solid at the back and, even when not at their most fluid, seem better placed for another title tilt.
As they bid for a record-extending ninth straight title, they showed only shades of the high-speed passing game preferred by new coach Maurizio Sarri.
Yet with prized signing Matthijs de Ligt left on the bench, still controlled their lead on a stuffy night at the Ennio Tardini stadium.
Napoli though will have no fear as they arrive in the champions’ backyard.
They may have finished 11 points off the pace last term, and certainly lack the defensive resoluteness of their opponents, but have given their rivals a bloodied nose in recent seasons.
Most recently in April 2018 when a last gasp goal kept the title race alive when Juventus were threatening to run away with it.
Then, last season, they only had themselves to blame for failing to claim at least a point – even with 10 men.
Ancelotti still managed to guide Napoli to the runners-up spot ahead of the Milan giants, Lazio et al and now has had a full pre-season to put his stamp on the club.
He has added Hirving Lozano to the ranks and Lozano was officially unveiled as a Napoli player this week after he completed a €40 million transfer from PSV Eindhoven, the most expensive signing in the club’s history.
Who knows, perhaps he could be joined by Mauro Icardi from Inter Milan after the agent of free agent Fernando Llorente was spotted at the Inter HQ.
Ancelotti will also have Dries Mertens available to play this week after he avoided punishment after being accused of conning the referee as he won a penalty during that 4-3 victory over Fiorentina.
Intriguingly, it’s all change at Juventus with the arrival of Napoli’s former favourite son, and Ancelotti’s predecessor, Sarri.
With the exception of new signing Aaron Ramsey (hamstring), Juventus should be at full strength themselves but, for all the stars on show, the focus will be on Sarri in what should be his first game back in Serie A following his 12 months with Chelsea in the English Premier League.
He was initially due to miss the showdown as he was still being treated for a bout of pneumonia.
Indeed, the tactician had been struggling for several weeks and was eventually signed off by the club medic for the opening two Serie A games of the season -the club reportedly irritated by his refusal to stop smoking.
However, there are now rumours he has improved sufficiently to be in the home dugout against his old club.
Both on and off the pitch, there is so much to watch this weekend.
It has become the clash of Serie A in recent years: this could set the scene for 2019-20 too.
History
Last season, Juventus recorded 3-1 and 2-1 wins over Napoli with Mario Mandzukic and Emre Can proving the respective matchwinners.
It was much tighter the season before when both sides won 1-0 away from home.
Kalidou Koulibaly and ex-Neapolitan Gonzalo Higuain – now back at Juve after briefly following Sarri to west London – were the scorers.
While victory in Naples has traditionally been shared out, Juventus have the upper hand in their clashes in Turin with 46 Serie A victories to Napoli’s eight. A further 20 have ended all square.
Betting Tip
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Juventus vs Napoli | Correct score 1-1 @ 6.20 |
| September 1, 02:45 (GMT+8) |
Juventus 1X2 @ 1.98 and Napoli 1X2 @ 3.75 – the draw is @ 3.30 – shows how strongly the hosts are backed.
Asian Handicap -0.75 Juventus @ 2.25 grabbed my attention, as did over 2.50 goals @ 2.13.
Yet I’m going to be risky this weekend.
| A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR () BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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