Before the Round – Trends on Italy Serie A (19-20/08)

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Serie A kicks off this weekend with round No 1 on the peninsula. There was a lot of change in the offseason, with players and managers leaving clubs for pastures new.

Inter – Monza

Inter will welcome new goalkeeper Yann Sommer to the club after moving from Bayern Munich in the offseason. The club saw several players leave, including Andre Onana, Marcelo Brozovic, and Milan Skriniar. Marcus Thuram has also arrived to play in attack.

Monza had a great season against Inter last term. The Biancorossi took four points off Inter in two meetings. Monza went to San Siro and won 1-0 after a 2-2 draw at home versus Inter.

Inter won seven of their last eight Serie A games of 2022-23. The Nerazzurri reached the Champions League final unexpectedly, losing 1-0 to Man City. Simone Inzaghi will hope to retool the team to make a run at the Serie A title.

• Inter Milano have won their last 3 home Serie A games in a row.
• Monza are unbeaten in 6 of their last 7 away matches in Serie A.
• Inter Milano haven't lost in 7 of their last 8 matches in Serie A.
• Monza won only 2 of their last 6 encounters in all competitions.
• Prediction: Both teams to score.

Genoa – Fiorentina

Genoa are back in Serie A after one year in Serie B. Since being relegated, Genoa were sold and bought by 777 Partners and are part of the ownership’s group of football clubs.

Genoa posted a record of 1W-3D-2L against Fiorentina in their last six head-to-head meetings.

Fiorentina reached the Conference League final, losing to West Ham, last season. La Viola have spent some money this offseason, adding Lucas Beltran and M’Bala N’Zoni. Both forwards are expected to score goals this season.

Genoa don’t have many familiar names in the squad. The Grifone do have ex-Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman, Junior Messias, and Koni De Winter in the side.

All three could start against Fiorentina. Before being relegated in 2021-22, Genoa failed to win 32 of their final 35 games.

• Genoa have managed to win in only 2 of their 25 most recent clashes with Fiorentina in Serie A.
• Fiorentina haven't lost in 14 of their last 16 games in Serie A.
• Genoa have defeated Fiorentina in just 1 of their last 11 league encounters.
• Fiorentina are unbeaten in 23 of their 25 most recent clashes against Genoa in Serie A.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals.

Roma – Salernitana

Roma and Salernitana met four times previously in Serie A, with the former winning three times and drawing once. Last season, Salernitana went to the Stadio Olimpico and picked up a 2-2 draw.

Salernitana finished 15th in the standings last season. They posted a record of 9W-15D-14 and a goal difference of –14.

Roma ended the campaign in sixth place. Jose Mourinho’s team had a record of 18W-9D-11L. The Giallorossi took 36 of their 63 points at home.

• AS Roma haven't lost in 11 of their last 13 home matches in Serie A.
• Salernitana have not been beaten in 13 of their 15 most recent matches in Serie A.
• AS Roma have managed just 1 wins in their last 8 league games.
• Salernitana's performance has been disappointing of late, as they have won just 1 of their 13 most recent away Serie A clashes.
• Prediction: AS Roma to win.

Udinese – Juventus

Juventus won their last three matches against Udinese in all competitions. The Bianconeri kept clean sheets in all three of those games. Last season, Juve won both Serie A matches versus Udinese by identical 1-0 scores.

Juventus took 62 points last season and finished seventh. The Bianconeri were punished for financial issues and will serve a suspension with UEFA this season.

Udinese lost their final four games of the 2022-23 season. The Zebrette started well and fought for first place early in the campaign before falling off the pace. They ended the season in 11th. Udinese won just six times in 19 matches at home last term.

• In their last 30 games in Serie A, Udinese Calcio have a poor record of just 5 wins.
• No defeats can be found in Juventus FC's 6 most recent games against Udinese Calcio in Serie A.
• Udinese Calcio's last 4 home games in the Serie A have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored.
• Juventus FC have kept a clean sheet in all of their last 3 games against Udinese Calcio in Serie A.
• Prediction: Both teams to score(NO).