Serie A Matchday 8 Top Betting Picks

Serie A back is back with a blast: This weekend we have Juventus-Roma and Lazio-Inter. These are huge games that can mean a lot for winners, something more complicated than usual due to the late return of players that took part in the South American qualifiers.

As for Fiorentina, they present us with the best Serie A odds of the week.

Juventus Turin vs. AS Roma

Sunday, October 17, 2021 - 02:45 PM EDT at Juventus Stadium

Roma has lost points and credibility for the title after being defeated in Verona and then in the derby. In Turin, they will wait until the very last minute to know whether if Abraham can recover from the knock to the ankle in one of England's games during the international break.

Abraham is a game-changer, unmatched for dynamism, and one of the few strikers that can challenge the strong but static Juventus defense.

https://youtu.be/4FGjTCpNqHM

The latter is working on their defensive stability in quite a basic way as Allegri understood that his last line is wearing very thin and needs to be helped by the whole team. Hence, better to concede the majority of the pitch and backtrack enough to not get exposed, picking up on the paced frontline, feeling perfectly comfortable on counters.

Dybala is supposed to be back and recovered on time, having avoided the international break. This is one of the keys for Juve to gain power upfront.

https://twitter.com/OptaPaolo/status/1444362272734945282?s=20

Probably Cuadrado, Danilo, Alex Sandro and Bentancur will all be benched, as they got back too late from international duties: the last three only one day before the game; Cuadrado two days before, which could allow him to play the last half hour of the game. One more reason for Allegri to stay pretty tight and sting like a scorpion.

Serie A Pick: Juventus to Win ML (-120)

Inter Milan's Italian head coach Simone Inzaghi gives instructions in a match against Sassuolo on October 2, 2021. Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP

Lazio vs. Inter Milano

Saturday, October 16, 2021 - 12:00 PM EDT at Stadio Olimpico

Lazio's lack of consistency is well represented by the frustrating 3-0 defeat in Bologna, right before the international break, especially right after winning the derby, as if they don't possess the mentality to not get carried away by the enthusiasm from an important win.

This rollercoaster of performances has been quite visible since the beginning, and what they seemed to lack the most is the ability to endure the pressure. Immobile should be back on time, after recovering from injury, while Inter is coping, as well, with the issue of the South Americans on late flights. In the end, they could be compelled to play Lautaro in spite of having only 24 hours in Italy before the game.

https://twitter.com/OptaPaolo/status/1444398796553736193?s=20

The rest would have probably been benched either way. It's gonna be pretty tough, emotionally and psychologically, for Simone Inzaghi who spent five years on the Lazio job, and 20 years in the club.

Lazio is, basically, the most important team he had trained before leaving overnight when the Inter proposal came and just a few hours after a handshake with Lazio president overextending the contract -- a handshake thought that was put on hold for almost a year by the president himself. Anyway, these are pros, and won't be affected by this, although Inter is missing that killing instinct.

Serie A Pick: Draw ML (+240)

Fiorentina's striker Dusan Vlahovic (R) fights for the ball with Napoli's midfielder Fabian Ruiz (C) on October 3, 2021. Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

Venezia FC vs. ACF Fiorentina

Monday, October 18, 2021 - 02:45 PM EDT at Stadio Penzo

Fiorentina has been pretty unlucky, earning way fewer points than deserved as they have been playing great and much better than fragile Venezia. Now, parlay that with very juicy odds to win this match.

The only doubt lies around the argument that blew up during the international break at Fiorentina when president, Rocco Commisso, came out denying any intentions to extend the contract of Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic, which, in turn, could ruin the peachy atmosphere they've enjoyed so far.

https://twitter.com/OptaPaolo/status/1445334410392387590?s=20

Still, let's back them for the last Serie A pick of the week.

Serie A Pick: Fiorentina to Win ML (-118)

*The pick reflects the line at the moment the writer made the play, the odds at the beginning of this article show the live line movement. Since the lines might vary, don’t forget to refer back to our live odds.