⚽ Complete Match Analysis, Betting Tips & Accumulator Picks for January 2-4 | Can the Big Four Navigate Tricky Fixtures? Pulisic vs Lautaro Golden Boot Race Intensifies
January 2nd - 4th, 2026 | The Title Race Intensifies
Executive Summary
As we enter the new year, Serie A's Scudetto race has reached fever pitch. After 17 absorbing weeks, we've got ourselves a proper title dogfight, and frankly, it couldn't be tighter if you squeezed it through a pasta maker. Milan lead the charge on 35 points after dismantling Verona 3-0, with Juventus level on 35, Napoli breathing down their necks on 34, and Inter (pending their Atalanta result) sitting on 33 with a game in hand.
Gameweek 18 kicks off with Milan's trip to the Sardinian coast, features Juventus trying to manage life without Dusan Vlahovic, and culminates with Inter hosting Bologna in what should be a routine Sunday night affair. The beauty of Italian football—even the routine ones occasionally decide they fancy a bit of chaos.
League Context & Current Standings
The Table After Matchday 17
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AC MILAN | 17 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 30 | 13 | +17 | 35 |
| 2 | JUVENTUS | 17 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 25 | 10 | +15 | 35 |
| 3 | NAPOLI | 17 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 26 | 12 | +14 | 34 |
| 4 | INTER * | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 34 | 14 | +20 | 33 |
| 5 | Roma | 16 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 25 | 15 | +10 | 30 |
| 6 | Como | 17 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 20 | +4 | 28 |
| 7 | Bologna | 16 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 21 | 18 | +3 | 26 |
| 8 | Lazio | 17 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 22 | 20 | +2 | 25 |
| 9 | Atalanta | 17 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 20 | 18 | +2 | 22 |
| 10 | Udinese | 17 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 22 |
* Inter have a game in hand
Key Observations
- MILAN'S DOMINANCE: Fifteen matches unbeaten in the league (W11, D4). That's the kind of form that wins titles, though they've made a habit of going behind early lately.
- GOAL SCORING TRENDS: Inter remain Serie A's most prolific attack with 34 goals from 16 games—that's over 2 per match. Milan (30 in 17) and Napoli (26 in 17) aren't far behind.
- DEFENSIVE SOLIDITY: Juventus have the tightest defence (10 conceded), though it's worth noting they've just lost Vlahovic and Gatti to injury.
- COMO'S SURPRISE PACKAGE: The newly promoted side sit sixth with 28 points, thanks largely to Nico Paz's brilliance. They've become this season's "everyone's second favourite team".
- RELEGATION BATTLE: Verona (12pts), Pisa (11pts), and Fiorentina (9pts) occupy the drop zone, with Genoa (14pts) and Lecce (16pts) nervously glancing over their shoulders.
Top Scorer Race & Individual Brilliance
The Capocannoniere Battle
After his strike against Verona on Sunday, Christian Pulisic has joined Lautaro Martinez at the summit. Both men have 8 goals, and honestly, watching them trade blows for the Golden Boot is one of this season's delights.
Leading Scorers
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals | Assists | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Pulisic | Milan | 8 | 4 | Most involved in goals in 2025: 21 contributions |
| 1 | Lautaro Martínez | Inter | 8 | 5 | On a 3-match scoring streak |
| 3 | Riccardo Orsolini | Bologna | 6 | 3 | 3 from penalties |
| 3 | Nico Paz | Como | 6 | 7 | Rising Star winner (Aug & Sept) |
| 3 | Hakan Çalhanoğlu | Inter | 6 | 2 | Elite penalty specialist |
| 3 | Kenan Yildiz | Juventus | 6 | 1 | Player of the Month (August) |
| 3 | Rasmus Højlund | Napoli | 6 | 2 | Scored in Supercoppa final |
Pulisic's Brilliance
The American has been nothing short of sensational. Since joining from Chelsea in 2023, he's been involved in 50 Milan goals across 80 Serie A appearances—only Lautaro (54) has more in that period. His ability to play anywhere across the front three while maintaining that goal threat is reminiscent of prime Eden Hazard, except Pulisic actually stays fit these days.
Assist Leaders
Federico Dimarco and Nico Paz lead the creative charts with 7 assists each. Dimarco's left foot should be bronzed and displayed in a museum somewhere—the man whips in crosses that defy the laws of physics.
Match-by-Match Comprehensive Previews
🔥 MATCH 1: CAGLIARI vs AC MILAN
Thursday, January 2nd, 2026 | 20:45 CET | Unipol Domus Stadium
Team News
CAGLIARI: The Sardinians have found some life recently with back-to-back wins (2-1 at Torino last time out). However, they've lost Mattia Felici to an ACL injury—that's their second such injury this season. Expect Fabio Pisacane to field a defensive setup, relying on counter-attacks.
Tactical Analysis
Cagliari under Pisacane deploy a pragmatic 3-5-2 at home, looking to stifle opponents and nick goals on the break. Milan's 4-3-3 under Allegri has evolved into one of Europe's most balanced systems—they'll dominate possession (expect 65%+) but need to avoid their recent habit of conceding first.
Recent Form
- CAGLIARI (Last 5): W-W-L-L-L (moving off the bottom of the table)
- MILAN (Last 5): W-W-W-D-W (15 unbeaten in Serie A)
Head-to-Head
Milan have won 9 consecutive meetings, scoring 19 and conceding just 6. Cagliari haven't beaten the Rossoneri since 2017. The fixture difficulty couldn't be more lopsided.
Key Battles
- Pulisic vs Azzi: If Cagliari's left wing-back can't contain Pulisic's inside runs, it'll be a long evening
- Nkunku vs The Cagliari Back Three: The Frenchman's pace terrifies slow defenders
- Tonali vs Deiola: Controlling the midfield tempo will be crucial for Milan's dominance
📊 Betting Analysis
| Milan Win | 1.40 |
| Draw | 4.80 |
| Cagliari Win | 9.00 |
| Over 2.5 Goals | 1.85 |
| BTTS Yes | 2.20 |
| Pulisic Anytime | 2.40 |
📊 PREDICTION: Milan to win comfortably, likely 0-2 or 0-3. The Rossoneri's form is imperious, and despite Leão's absence, they've got more than enough quality. Cagliari will make it awkward for 60 minutes, then tire.
CONFIDENCE: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommended Bets:
MATCH 2: COMO vs UDINESE
Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 | 12:30 CET | Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium
Team News
COMO: Fresh off that thumping 3-0 win at Lecce. Nico Paz continues his remarkable debut season, and Cesc Fàbregas has this team playing with the kind of flair you'd expect from someone who spent years at Barcelona. No fresh injury concerns.
UDINESE: Frustratingly inconsistent. The 1-1 draw with Lazio flattered them—they rode their luck. Without a proper goalscoring threat, they're toothless going forward.
Tactical Snapshot
Como's 4-2-3-1 is built around Paz's creativity in the hole. They'll dominate the ball against Udinese's rigid 3-5-2. Expect Como to create 15+ shots.
Recent Form
- COMO: Eight unbeaten, two consecutive home wins
- UDINESE: Winless in 5, drawing too many matches (7 draws this season)
📊 Betting Analysis
| Como Win | 2.00 |
| Draw | 3.60 |
| Udinese Win | 3.80 |
📊 PREDICTION: Como 2-1. They're too good at home, and Udinese don't have enough bite. Paz to orchestrate, someone like Patrick Cutrone to finish.
CONFIDENCE: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
MATCH 3: GENOA vs PISA
Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 | 15:00 CET | Stadio Luigi Ferraris
The Relegation Six-Pointer
Right, this is the real nitty-gritty stuff. Genoa (14 points) host bottom-three Pisa (11 points) in a match neither can afford to lose. Genoa have Daniele De Rossi in charge now after Alberto Gilardino's sacking—Roma DNA managing in Genova, the irony isn't lost on anyone.
Team News
GENOA: Still adjusting to De Rossi's methods. They're organised but lack creativity in the final third.
PISA: Back in Serie A after 34 years, they've struggled badly. Gilardino's moved here after leaving Genoa—awkward.
📊 Betting Analysis
| Genoa Win | 2.10 |
| Draw | 3.30 |
| Pisa Win | 3.60 |
📊 PREDICTION: Genoa 1-0. Scrappy, nervous, absolutely dire to watch—but three points are three points.
CONFIDENCE: ⭐⭐⭐
MATCH 4: SASSUOLO vs PARMA
Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 | 15:00 CET | MAPEI Stadium
The Emilia-Romagna Derby
Two promoted sides who've had contrasting fortunes. Sassuolo sit mid-table on 22 points (after that 1-1 draw with Bologna), while Parma are in the relegation mire on 17 points despite their shock 1-0 win over Fiorentina.
Key Context
Sassuolo captain Domenico Berardi remains out until 2026, but they've coped admirably. Parma's Carlos Cuesta has steadied the ship since replacing Cristian Chivu, but defensive lapses continue to haunt them.
📊 Betting Analysis
| Sassuolo Win | 2.30 |
| Over 2.5 Goals | 1.95 |
| BTTS | 1.75 |
📊 PREDICTION: Sassuolo 2-2. Local derbies are always feisty, and both teams leak goals. Four goals is near-certain.
CONFIDENCE: ⭐⭐⭐
⭐ MATCH 5: JUVENTUS vs LECCE
Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 | 18:00 CET | Allianz Stadium
Vlahovic's Absence Looms Large
Here's where things get interesting. Juventus come into this on the back of a 2-0 win at Pisa, but they've just lost Dusan Vlahovic (2-3 months, adductor) and Federico Gatti (hamstring). That's their first-choice striker and centre-back gone in one swoop.
Team News
JUVENTUS: Luciano Spalletti will likely deploy Jonathan David and Lois Openda in attack—hardly relegation-standard replacements, mind you. Defensively, expect Bremer to anchor the back three with more responsibility.
LECCE: Eusebio Di Francesco's side are in deep trouble (16 points, five points above the drop). They were humiliated 3-0 at Como and look terrified of their own shadow at times.
Tactical Analysis
Juve's 3-5-2 should overwhelm Lecce's 4-3-3. The question isn't if Juventus win, but by how many. Seven of Lecce's last nine results were decided by a single goal—they're brittle but rarely battered.
Recent Form
- JUVENTUS (Last 5): W-W-W-L-W (joint-top of the table)
- LECCE (Last 5): L-L-L-W-L (one win in eight)
Head-to-Head
Juventus haven't lost to Lecce at home in over a decade. The most recent meeting was a 2-0 Juve win, with Kenan Yildiz scoring.
📊 Betting Analysis
| Juventus Win | 1.30 |
| Draw | 5.20 |
| Lecce Win | 11.00 |
| Juventus -1.5 | 2.00 |
| Under 2.5 | 1.85 |
📊 PREDICTION: Juventus 2-0. Clinical but not spectacular. David to score on debut as Vlahovic's replacement. Lecce will defend deep and hope to keep it respectable.
CONFIDENCE: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommended Bets:
MATCH 6: ATALANTA vs ROMA
Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 | 20:45 CET | Gewiss Stadium
Raffaele Palladino's Litmus Test
Atalanta finally seem to have found their groove under Palladino after that shaky start following Ivan Jurić's sacking. Three wins on the bounce, including that gutsy 1-0 over Genoa. Roma, managed by Gian Piero Gasperini (yes, the irony of facing his former club), sit fifth on 30 points.
Team News
ATALANTA: Missing Ademola Lookman and Odilon Kossounou (both at AFCON). Gianluca Scamacca has stepped up brilliantly—5 goals since Palladino arrived. Defensively solid with Berat Djimsiti fit.
ROMA: Artem Dovbyk not ready for this one per Gasperini's comments. Rasmus Højlund leads the line instead, riding high after his Supercoppa goal against Milan.
Key Battles
- Scamacca vs Mancini: Can Roma's experienced defender handle the in-form Italian striker?
- Ederson vs Paredes: Midfield control will be paramount
- Zappacosta vs Angeliño: Both wingbacks love to bomb forward—expect fireworks
📊 Betting Analysis
| Atalanta Win | 2.50 |
| Draw | 3.40 |
| Roma Win | 2.80 |
| Over 2.5 | 1.90 |
📊 PREDICTION: Atalanta 2-1. Home advantage and momentum should see them through, but Roma will make them work for it.
CONFIDENCE: ⭐⭐⭐
🔥 MATCH 7: LAZIO vs NAPOLI
Sunday, January 4th, 2026 | 12:30 CET | Stadio Olimpico
Title Contenders Collide
This is the weekend's marquee fixture. Napoli (34 points, 3rd) travel to face Lazio (25 points, 8th) in what should be a fascinating tactical battle. Antonio Conte's Napoli are defending champions and look every bit like title contenders again.
Team News
LAZIO: Maurizio Sarri has them playing his trademark possession football. The 1-1 draw at Udinese was frustrating—they dominated but couldn't find the killer instinct. Ciro Immobile remains their talisman.
NAPOLI: Fresh off that comfortable 2-0 win over Cremonese. Rasmus Højlund has 6 goals already and is forming a lethal partnership with David Neres. Billy Gilmour remains out post-surgery.
Tactical Preview
Sarri's 4-3-3 versus Conte's 3-4-3. It's like watching two master chess players—tactical tweaks every five minutes. Lazio will try to control possession (they average 58%), but Napoli's counter-attacking threat through Neres and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is frightening.
Historical Context
The last four meetings have been absolute crackers—three have featured 4+ goals. Napoli have won 3 of the last 5.
📊 Betting Analysis
| Lazio Win | 3.20 |
| Draw | 3.50 |
| Napoli Win | 2.25 |
| Over 2.5 | 1.80 |
| BTTS | 1.85 |
📊 PREDICTION: Lazio 1-2 Napoli. A proper end-to-end thriller. Lazio will score (they always do against the big boys at home), but Napoli's quality should prevail. Højlund and Neres to combine for the winner.
CONFIDENCE: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommended Bets:
MATCH 8: FIORENTINA vs CREMONESE
Sunday, January 4th, 2026 | 15:00 CET | Stadio Artemio Franchi
Bottom Meets Rock Bottom
Fiorentina (9 points, dead last) host Cremonese (21 points, mid-table promoted side). The Viola have been an absolute disaster this season—sacking Stefano Pioli after just 11 games was the board's admission of catastrophic failure.
Team News
FIORENTINA: In crisis. New manager bounce? They'd need a trampoline. Zero confidence, leaky defence (28 conceded), toothless attack. A club of this stature being in the relegation zone is borderline scandalous.
CREMONESE: Davide Nicola has them well-organised and difficult to beat. That 2-0 loss to Napoli wasn't embarrassing—they just ran into a buzzsaw. Solid enough defensively.
📊 Betting Analysis
| Fiorentina Win | 2.40 |
| Draw | 3.30 |
| Cremonese Win | 3.00 |
📊 PREDICTION: 1-1 draw. Neither team has the quality to dominate. Fiorentina desperate for points, Cremonese happy to frustrate.
CONFIDENCE: ⭐⭐
MATCH 9: HELLAS VERONA vs TORINO
Sunday, January 4th, 2026 | 18:00 CET | Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi
Survival Scrap
Verona (12 points, relegation zone) versus Torino (20 points, just outside danger). Verona come into this shell-shocked from that 3-0 hammering at Milan. Coach Paolo Zanetti is suspended, and star man Tomáš Suslov remains injured.
Team News
VERONA: Just 16 goals conceded isn't actually bad—their problem is scoring (16 also). Gift Orban has shown flashes but needs support.
TORINO: Marco Baroni has steadied them after a shaky start. That 2-1 loss to Cagliari was disappointing, but they're not in real danger yet.
📊 Betting Analysis
| Verona Win | 3.10 |
| Draw | 3.20 |
| Torino Win | 2.45 |
📊 PREDICTION: Verona 0-1 Torino. Low-scoring grind. Torino's defensive solidity should see them nick it.
CONFIDENCE: ⭐⭐⭐
⭐ MATCH 10: INTER vs BOLOGNA
Sunday, January 4th, 2026 | 20:45 CET | San Siro
Inter's Bounce-Back Mission
The weekend's finale features Inter (pending Atalanta result, likely 36 points) hosting Bologna (26 points). Inter will be smarting from that penalty shootout defeat to Bologna in the Supercoppa semi-final—yes, these two literally just played, and Bologna won. On penalties. In a competition Inter were favourites for.
Team News
INTER: Cristian Chivu's side lead Serie A's scoring charts with 34 goals in 16 games. Lautaro Martinez is on fire (8 goals, 3-match scoring streak), and Marcus Thuram provides the perfect foil. Hakan Çalhanoğlu back from injury is massive—his passing range from deep is unmatched.
BOLOGNA: Vincenzo Italiano has them organised and dangerous on the counter. Riccardo Orsolini (6 goals) is their main threat, though half his goals are penalties. They'll set up defensively and hope to snatch something on the break.
Tactical Breakdown
Inter's 3-5-2 should dominate possession. Federico Dimarco and Carlos Henrique as wingbacks will provide width, with Barella and Mkhitaryan controlling the midfield tempo. Bologna's 4-2-3-1 will sit deep, deny space, and look to Orsolini's pace.
Head-to-Head
Inter won the last eight league meetings before that Supercoppa result. At San Siro, they've been imperious against Bologna—4 clean sheets in the last 5 home games versus I Rossoblu.
Key Statistics
- Inter average 2.13 goals per game at home this season
- Bologna have conceded first in all of their last 7 matches
- Lautaro has scored in 9 of his last 12 appearances against Bologna
- Under 2.5 goals has landed in Inter's last 6 matches (oddly defensive run)
📊 Betting Analysis
| Inter Win | 1.35 |
| Draw | 5.00 |
| Bologna Win | 10.00 |
| Inter -1 | 1.80 |
| Under 2.5 | 1.90 |
| Lautaro Anytime | 1.95 |
📊 PREDICTION: Inter 2-0. Clinical, controlled, absolutely no drama. Lautaro to score (of course), possibly Thuram as well. Bologna will defend resolutely but won't threaten. Inter need to respond after that Supercoppa humiliation, and home league form is where they excel.
CONFIDENCE: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommended Bets:
Accumulator Suggestions
🔐 THE BANKER'S SPECIAL (TREBLE)
- Milan to Win @ Cagliari (1.40)
- Juventus to Win vs Lecce (1.30)
- Inter to Win vs Bologna (1.35)
CONFIDENCE: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
These three are as close to certainties as you'll find in football
🎯 THE VALUE HUNTER (FOUR-FOLD)
- Milan -1 Asian Handicap @ Cagliari (1.90)
- Como to Win vs Udinese (2.00)
- Napoli to Win @ Lazio (2.25)
- Under 2.5 Goals in Juventus vs Lecce (1.85)
CONFIDENCE: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Riskier but excellent value
⚽ GOALS GALORE ACCUMULATOR
- Over 2.5 Goals in Cagliari vs Milan (1.85)
- Over 2.5 Goals in Sassuolo vs Parma (1.95)
- Over 2.5 Goals in Lazio vs Napoli (1.80)
CONFIDENCE: ⭐⭐⭐
These fixtures have goal-fest written all over them
🎲 THE AUDACIOUS PUNT (FIVE-FOLD)
- Pulisic Anytime Goalscorer @ Cagliari (2.40)
- Jonathan David Anytime for Juventus (3.20)
- Højlund Anytime for Napoli (2.60)
- Lautaro Anytime for Inter (1.95)
- Nico Paz Anytime for Como (3.50)
CONFIDENCE: ⭐⭐
High risk, astronomical reward. Small stakes only!
Statistical Deep Dives
Form Guide Analysis
Hottest Teams (Last 5 Matches):
- MILAN: W-W-W-D-W (15 unbeaten overall)
- INTER: W-W-W-W-L (Supercoppa loss only)
- NAPOLI: W-W-W-W-L (Supercoppa final defeat)
- COMO: W-W-D-W-D (8 unbeaten)
Struggling Teams:
- FIORENTINA: L-L-L-L-L (9 points from 17 games)
- LECCE: L-L-L-W-L (1 win in 8)
- VERONA: L-W-W-L-L (Still in drop zone despite recent wins)
Goals Per Game Metrics
| Metric | Leader | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Scoring | Inter | 2.13 goals per game |
| Tightest Defence | Juventus | 0.59 goals conceded per game |
| Most Clean Sheets | Lazio | 9 clean sheets |
| Worst Defence | Fiorentina | 28 goals conceded in 17 games |
Home vs Away Splits
Best Home Records:
- Inter: 21 goals scored at home in 8 games (2.63 per game)
- Milan: 15 goals scored at home in 8 games
- Napoli: 14 goals scored at home in 9 games
Away Specialists:
- Inter: 13 goals in 8 away games
- Milan: 12 goals in 9 away games
- Juventus: 9 goals in 8 away games (but only 1 goal conceded!)
Injury & Suspension Roundup
Major Absences
AC MILAN:
- Rafael Leão (adductor) - Expected return: Mid-January
- Santiago Gimenez (knock) - Day-to-day
- Matteo Gabbia (hamstring) - Return date unknown
JUVENTUS:
- Dusan Vlahovic (adductor) - OUT 2-3 months
- Federico Gatti (hamstring) - Return: Early January
INTER:
- Denzel Dumfries (ankle surgery) - OUT until March
- Francesco Acerbi (thigh) - Expected return: Early January
- Yoan-Ange Bonny (knee sprain) - Short-term
NAPOLI:
- Billy Gilmour (groin surgery) - Long-term absence
ATALANTA:
- Ademola Lookman (AFCON) - Available late January
- Odilon Kossounou (AFCON) - Available late January
- Mitchel Bakker (knee) - Long-term
CAGLIARI:
- Mattia Felici (ACL) - Out 5-6 months
SASSUOLO:
- Domenico Berardi (flexor) - Out until 2026
Suspensions
- Paolo Zanetti (Verona coach) - Suspended for Verona vs Torino
Weekend Predictions Summary
| Fixture | Predicted Score | Confidence | Key Bet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cagliari vs Milan | 0-2 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Milan -1 AH @ 1.90 |
| Como vs Udinese | 2-1 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Como Win @ 2.00 |
| Genoa vs Pisa | 1-0 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Genoa Win @ 2.10 |
| Sassuolo vs Parma | 2-2 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Over 2.5 @ 1.95 |
| Juventus vs Lecce | 2-0 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Under 2.5 @ 1.85 |
| Atalanta vs Roma | 2-1 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Over 2.5 @ 1.90 |
| Lazio vs Napoli | 1-2 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Napoli Win @ 2.25 |
| Fiorentina vs Cremonese | 1-1 | ⭐⭐ | Draw @ 3.30 |
| Verona vs Torino | 0-1 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Under 2.5 @ 1.85 |
| Inter vs Bologna | 2-0 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Inter Win to Nil @ 2.30 |
Tactical Spotlight: The Title Race
Why This Gameweek Matters
We're entering the business end of the first half of the season. After Gameweek 18, teams get a brief respite before the winter transfer window opens. Current leaders Milan, Juventus, Napoli, and Inter all face winnable fixtures—which means the gap between first and fourth could remain razor-thin or expand slightly.
Milan's Approach Under Allegri
Allegri has transformed Milan into a pragmatic winning machine. They're not always pretty, but they're effective. The 4-3-3 offers defensive solidity while allowing Pulisic, Nkunku, and whoever plays right wing to terrorise opponents. Leão's absence is a blow, but Nkunku's two-goal cameo against Verona suggests they'll cope.
Inter's Firepower
Chivu inherited a well-oiled machine from Simone Inzaghi, and aside from that bizarre Supercoppa exit, they've been imperious. Lautaro and Thuram are Serie A's deadliest strike partnership, while the midfield trio of Barella, Çalhanoğlu, and Mkhitaryan controls games.
Juventus Without Vlahovic
Losing your 15-goal-a-season striker is never ideal, but Juve have depth. Jonathan David (signed from Lille for £40m) was bought for exactly these scenarios. Expect Spalletti to deploy a more fluid system, with Kenan Yildiz dropping deeper.
Napoli's Championship Mentality
Antonio Conte knows how to win titles—he's done it at Juventus, Chelsea, and now he's trying to defend Napoli's crown. The Supercoppa triumph over Milan showed they've got bottle. Højlund's integration has been seamless, and if David Neres stays fit, they're genuine contenders.
Final Thoughts
Gameweek 18 presents a fascinating mix of banker bets and potential upsets. Milan, Juventus, and Inter all face teams they should beat comfortably, but this is Serie A—predictability is for the Premier League.
The real entertainment comes from fixtures like Lazio-Napoli, where two excellent teams will produce proper football, and the relegation scraps at the bottom, where desperation breeds chaos.
If I'm putting my own money down? The Milan-Juventus-Inter treble at 2.46 combined odds is about as close to free money as you'll find. Throw in Como to beat Udinese at 2.00 for a four-fold paying nearly 5.00, and you've got a weekend sorted.
Just remember: In football, as in life, there are no certainties. Except Pulisic being brilliant and Inter scoring at least twice at home. Those are certainties.
Enjoy the football. Gamble responsibly. And may your accumulators not be ruined by a 93rd-minute Verona equaliser.
This preview is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All odds are approximate and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly. If gambling is causing you problems, seek help from organizations like GamCare or BeGambleAware. You must be 18+ to bet. When the fun stops, stop.
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