Predictions for Matchday 4 of Serie A, September 19-22
Lecce vs Cagliari
Last season, Lecce was very close to being relegated to Serie B, but thanks to crucial victories over Torino (1:0) and Lazio (1:0), they managed to secure 17th place and maintain their spot in the top flight. In the new season, the objectives for the "Salentians" remain unchanged – the team will once again fight for survival. However, the start has been extremely unsuccessful: after three rounds, Lecce is at the bottom of the table with only one point. Last weekend, the team was literally destroyed by Atalanta (1:4), which itself lacks stability. Cagliari, on the other hand, looks more cohesive and organized. Despite a challenging schedule, the "Islanders" managed to collect four points, and in the match against Napoli (0:1), they even made the champions nervous. Based on the current dynamics, the hosts seem closer to defeat.
Match Prediction for Lecce vs Cagliari: the visitors will not lose
Bologna vs Genoa
Bologna and Genoa share two common traits. First, both teams had an unsuccessful start in the new Serie A season. The "Red and Blues" recorded only one victory with two defeats, while the "Griffins" managed only two points out of a possible nine. Second, their playing style. Both Bologna and Genoa focus on cautious, defensive football, which directly affects the results. In the six matches involving them in the championship, more than two goals have never been scored. Moreover, all of Bologna's matches ended with the same score of 1:0 – just with different winners. In such a situation, expecting a high-scoring game is clearly unrealistic.
Match Prediction for Bologna vs Genoa: total under 2.5 goals
Verona vs Juventus
Verona and Juventus are at opposite ends of the league table. The "Old Lady" started the championship confidently, collecting maximum points, while the "Mastiffs" remain winless after three rounds and sit in 17th place. Notably, Verona shared points with equal or slightly weaker opponents (1:1 with Udinese and 0:0 with Cremonese), but when faced with a stronger opponent – Lazio – they suffered a crushing defeat with a score of 0:4. Juventus, on the other hand, demonstrated character last weekend, snatching a thrilling victory over Inter (4:3). If Igor Tudor's team continues in the same vein, the hosts are unlikely to pose a serious challenge in the upcoming encounter.
Match Prediction for Verona vs Juventus: victory for the visitors
Udinese vs Milan
Milan managed to recover after a poor start and displayed quality football in the second and third rounds. After beginning the championship with an unexpected home defeat to Cremonese (1:2), the "Rossoneri" confidently dealt with Lecce (2:0) and narrowly defeated Bologna (1:0), allowing them to climb to fifth place in the table. Udinese also deserves Praises. The "Little Zebras" are in the top-4 after three rounds, having not suffered a single defeat (two wins and one draw). Moreover, we should not forget their confident victory over Carrarese in the 1/32 finals of the Coppa Italia (2:0), which was achieved in mid-August. The upcoming match should be spectacular.
Match Prediction for Udinese vs Milan: Both Teams to Score
Lazio vs Roma
Neither Lazio nor Roma can be proud of their start to the championship. The "Eagles" have only earned three points in the first three rounds, and last weekend they suffered a dry defeat to Sassuolo (0:1), who were promoted from Serie B. As for Roma, after Gian Piero Gasperini took over as head coach, fans expected bright attacking play and confident victories, but so far things are different: only two goals scored in three matches and an unexpected home defeat to Torino (0:1) in the last round. An additional detail is the statistics of the Rome derbies. In the last seven head-to-head encounters, the teams have never exceeded the three-goal mark, and given the current form of the opponents, this tradition seems likely to continue.
Match Prediction for Lazio vs Roma: Total Under 2.5 Goals
Cremonese vs Parma
Cremonese surprised with their start to the new season. Despite not having the strongest squad, the team managed to earn seven points in the first three rounds (two wins and one draw) and secured the third spot, trailing only Napoli and Juventus, who remain unbeaten. In the last round, the "Gray-Reds" played away against Verona and, despite significant pressure from the opponent and a crushing defeat in all statistical indicators, they showed character and kept the scoreboard at zero (0:0). Parma, on the other hand, is clearly struggling. Two goalless defeats and one draw have sent the team to the bottom of the standings. In such a situation, the hosts should definitely not look worse than their opponent.
Match Prediction for Cremonese vs Parma: The Hosts Will Not Lose
Torino vs Atalanta
"Torino vs Atalanta" appears to be one of the most intriguing fixtures of the fourth round of Serie A. Both teams have been extremely inconsistent at the start of the season. The "Bulls," after showing weak performances against Inter (0:5) and Fiorentina (0:0), unexpectedly managed to secure an away victory against Roma (1:0). Notably, Marco Baroni, who was brought in to transform the team from a defensive to an attacking one, had to abandon his principles: against the "Wolves," Torino had only 27% possession, but it was enough to score and keep a clean sheet. Atalanta also started the season with ups and downs: after two draws, the team impressively thrashed Lecce (4:1). Moreover, head-to-head meetings between these clubs have long been known for high scoring: since the 2019/20 season, only once have fewer than three goals been scored. All this givesgrounds to expect a spectacular and open game.
Match Prediction for Torino vs Atalanta: total over 2.5 goals
Fiorentina vs Como
Four points out of a possible nine is clearly not the result Como was hoping for. Over the summer, the club spent a significant amount of money in the transfer market, strengthened with high-class players, and openly declared its intention to compete for European competitions, but the start of the season has been inconsistent. In the previous round, the "Larians" painfully missed out on a victory against Genoa (1:1), conceding an unnecessary goal in the 90+2 minute. However, Fiorentina is also far from its optimal form. After draws with Cagliari (1:1) and Torino (0:0), the "Violas" lost at home to Napoli (1:3), with the scoreboard showing an unpleasant 0:3 during the match. Against this backdrop, Como has a good chance to improve its standings and at least secure a draw in Florence.
Match Prediction for Fiorentina vs Como: the visitors will not lose
Inter vs Sassuolo
A month ago, in anticipation of the Inter vs Sassuolo match, most fans and experts would not have doubted that the "Nerazzurri" would easily deal with their opponent. However, the situation has noticeably changed now. The Milan club is clearly far from its optimal form: in the last two rounds, the team suffered painful defeats – first losing at home to Udinese (1:2), and then losing to Juventus in Turin (3:4), despite leading in both matches but failing to maintain the advantage due to a lack of concentration. Sassuolo, on the other hand, secured their first victory after returning to Serie A last weekend, sensationally defeating Lazio (1:0) and showing a substantial game. Success against such a high-profile opponent should boost the team's confidence and positively affect their morale ahead of the visit to Milan.
Match Prediction for Inter vs Sassuolo: victory for the visitors with a handicap (+2)
Napoli vs Pisa
Napoli, as befits the champion of Italy, started the new Serie A season with maximum confidence. The team secured three victories in the first three rounds and is positioned at the top of the table, surpassing Juventus on goal difference. In the last round, the "Partenopei" comfortably dealt with a strong Fiorentina away (3:1), confirming their class. Pisa, having risen from Serie B, is currently experiencing significant difficulties adapting to the level of the elite division. Yes, in the first round, the team surprisingly took points from Atalanta (1:1), but then suffered two goalless defeats, struggling to create dangerous chances. With such play, it will be extremely difficult to breach Napoli's defense.
