Serie A Best Bets – Matchday 5

Roma have started the new season in stunning style with four wins in four games ensuring the club have taken top spot in Serie A. Their 4-0 wins over Fiorentina and Lecce have been followed by wins over Atalanta (2-1) and Torino (2-0), with Roma ahead of Inter Milan in second on goal difference. While the two sides are tough to split in the odds, Roma have only won one of their last seven meetings with their opponents, with the other six ending in defeat. While elongating their winning-run will be at the forefront of their minds, I predict that this is the type of clash that will end in the points being shared. Neither side will want the other to gain an advantage and move clear at the summit, and I back the home side to hold the reigning champions. 

Fiorentina were in desperate need of a win last week and that is exactly what they got as they beat Venezia 4-2 in a thrilling match. Prior to this, they had succumbed to a humbling 4-0 loss to Roma before losing to Frosinone (3-0) and Torino (2-1). Their win over Venezia is a step in the right direction, but it does not make up for three successive defeats in matches they would have fancied their chances of getting something from. Last season, Fiorentina lost twice to Napoli, with this extending their winless run against Napoli to six games, including five defeats. Fiorentina will hope that home advantage has some sort of benefit in this one, but I predict that they will see their win over Venezia followed up with a loss to Napoli.