At 5/4 (), Milan can secure the Serie A title, helped by Pato, while Napoli and Miroslav Klose could also enjoy good seasons.
Milan’s two clubs dominated the Serie A title race last season and bookies expect that pattern to continue this term, with AC Milan 5/4 favourites to retain their crown and Coral quoting 9/4 for Internazionale to get the better of their city counterparts to clinch top spot.
Massimiliano Allegri’s charges ended up six points clear in the end last time around and they have to be considered the team to beat again having strengthened at the back with the capture of Philippe Mexes and Taye Taiwo.
Of course, some might consider playmaker Andrea Pirlo’s departure detrimental to the champions but his injury problems and dip in form over the past year suggests that his loss won’t be felt too keenly at the San Siro, where they should have more than enough in reserve to cover for the switch and make it back-to-back Scudettos. Considering they are as short as 11/10 in places, the Rossoneri have to be considered decent value at 5/4, although punters that were on the ball early in the week will have been able to scoop up tremendous odds of 13/8.
The pressure of course, is on Inter to close the gap on their rivals but Samuel Eto’o’s lucrative move to Russia and the unsettling of Dutch star Wesley Sneijder hardly help their cause and although the Nerazzurri still have a squad packed with high quality operators, they haven’t done enough pre-season to suggest that they will overhaul Milan. New boss Gian Piero Gasperini may therefore have to settle for second spot.
Napoli finished third last season and they catch the eye at 4/1 in bet365’s betting without the two Milan giants. Admittedly, they will no longer be a surprise package but star man Edinson Cavani has committed his future to the club and question marks undoubtedly surround Juventus (13/8, 888Sport) and Roma (11/4, William Hill), their potential main rivals, who both start the campaign in less settled fashion, with new managers.
Cavani and Udinese’s Antonio Di Natale, who has scooped the gong for the past two seasons, will be well fancied at 10/1 and 14/1 respectively via Totesport and Betfred to top the scoring charts. However, Milan’s Alexandre Pato managed 14 goals in 25 league appearances last season and the maturing Brazilian could enjoy an even more prolific season if he gets more games under his belt, so he catches the eye at 16/1 (Ladbrokes).
Meanwhile, Lazio new boy Miroslav Klose will be itching to make an impact in Italy in his first season outside of Germany and he may be worth considering on each-way terms (1/4 odds, four places) at 40/1 courtesy of William Hill.
Recommended Bets:
Milan to win the title – 5/4 ()
Napoli to win the title w/o AC Milan and Inter – 4/1 (bet365)
Pato e/w to be top scorer – 16/1 (Ladbrokes)
Klose e/w to be top scorer – 40/1 (William Hill)
Compare all Serie A and bet at the best price.
