A fantastic weekend of football awaits and Napoli’s trip to Juventus seems set to produce fireworks.
The Bianconeri have won all seven of their competitive fixtures this season, while despite some initial issues, the Partenopei are unbeaten in four and Carlo Ancelotti will see his return to Turin as a chance for his side to set their stall out.
All good for Allegri
After a summer of success in the transfer market, most notably signing Cristiano Ronaldo, who received a reprieve in the week after only being handed a one-game ban for his sending off in the Champions League, Juve are bubbling under nicely.
Massimiliano Allegri is still finding his best combinations and formation, but the signs are good and Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Bologna was as routine as it gets.
The 51-year-old is again likely to tinker on Saturday, but the depth of his squad shows just why they are the 1.78 favourites to take the points.
Napoli not quite there yet
Ancelotti was appointed by Napoli with the idea that he would bring a bit more stability to proceedings, after three years of brilliant but occasionally unpredictable football under Maurizio Sarri.
A run of four games unbeaten suggests he is getting it right and the Partenopei warmed up nicely for their trip to Turin by beating Parma 3-0.
‘Carletto’ spent a couple of years in charge of Juve and will relish the underdog tag, with his side the value pick at 5.20, while the draw is 3.75.
Napoli are still developing their more pragmatic style, but are undefeated in 33 of their last 35 Serie A away games and a win on Saturday would indeed show they are heading in the right direction.
Goals could be at a premium
Funnily enough, both of the fixtures between these sides last season finished 1-0 to the away side and it could be another tight affair at Allianz Stadium.
Juve have kept clean sheets in their last three outings and the return of Leonardo Bonucci has only further solidified a magnificent back-line.
The Partenopei themselves have avoided conceding in three of their last four and with so much as stake in terms of landing an early psychological blow in the race for the Scudetto, the teams are likely to build from the back.
Another case of under 3.5 goals is 3.45, while a 1-0 home win is 7.50, with an away victory by that score 13.00.
Watch out for Ronaldo
When he announced his intention to leave Real Madrid, Juventus was always Cristiano Ronaldo’s preferred option and this looks the perfect chance for him to really announce himself in Italy.
The 33-year-old has had an eventful start to his Bianconeri career, scoring three times and being sent off in seven appearances.
After conquering the Premier League, La Liga and the Champions League, Serie A is now his goal and he continues his bid to surpass the Gods (in his opinion at least).
Ronaldo is 3.60 to score first on Saturday, and in what looks set to be a tight contest, that may not be such a bad bet.
