Serie A Early Bird Acca Tips: attacking football pays dividends

New season, new Serie A Early Bird, but some things never change: Victor Oshimen and Lautaro Martinez led Napoli and Inter to wins, Juventus did not concede and Ciro Immobile scored on the opening day for the sixth year in a row.

Seria A’s first weekend did not disappoint, and there were a few surprises too as Lecce stunned Lazio, with two goals in 90 seconds, and Fiorentina rolled past Genoa.

Can la Viola and Juventus, who both displayed excellent attacking styles, add three more points in the table? Salernitana scored two beautiful goals at the Olimpico, thanks to 36-years-old Antonio Candreva, will they continue to be Serie A’s entertainers?

• Early Bird Fiorentina vs Lecce: Fiorentina -0.75 Asian Handicap
• Early Bird Juventus vs Bologna: Juventus To Score Over 1.5 Goals
• Early Bird Salernitana vs Udinese: Salernitana +0.25 Asian Handicap

Acca odds: 5.11

Odds via OddsChecker as at 4pm, Monday, August 20th. Odds may now differ.

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Fiorentina vs Lecce: La Viola off to a flying start

Italy, Serie A, Sunday, August, 27th, 5.30pm (UK)

Determined, clinical, dominant. Fiorentina were the big winners of matchday one in Italy as they imposed their style and rhythm against Genoa. Unfazed by the electric atmosphere at Marassi, to celebrate il Grifone’s return to the top flight, la Viola players pressed high and kept their cool in front of goal.

Last Saturday, they scored four goals away from home for the first time since March 2021 (4-1 win at Benevento), controlled the midfield, thanks to Arthur Melo, and displayed an array of attacking options. Fiorentina will be looking at this home fixture with much-justified optimism.

On the other hand, Lecce showed outstanding character and, especially in the second half, went toe-to-toe with Lazio.

Despite lacking a centre forward, the Giallorossi produced 26 shots towards Provedel, scoring two in 90 seconds with Pontus Almqvist (two goals in two games for the young Swede) and Federico Di Francesco. The amazing comeback earned Lecce their first-ever win in a Serie A opening game and their seventh point out of nine against Lazio since last season. But I believe Fiorentina, in front of their crowd, won’t show Lazio’s lack of intensity and could win by a healthy margin.

• Selection: Fiorentina -0.75 Asian Handicap
• Best Odds: 1.70
• Bookmaker: bet365

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Juventus vs Bologna: Glimpses of ‘old’ Juve as the Bianconeri look to build on positive debut

Italy, Serie A, Sunday, August, 27th, 5.30pm (UK)

New season, new Juve? The Bianconeri were impressive in Udine, not only because they went 3-0 up in the first half but mostly thanks to their fierce approach to the match, in total contrast to what we were used to seeing last year.

At last, Juventus were no longer camped in their midfield waiting to capitalise on the opponent’s mistake. Massimiliano Allegri’s side pressed high and showed great energy, especially in players like Federico Chiesa and the two wing-backs, Andrea Cambiaso and Timothy Weah.

Of course, Juventus will face sturdier opponents than Udinese, who are much weaker compared to last season, but the debut has been extremely encouraging. Last year they collected 42 points at home, only three less than Napoli, beating Bologna 3-0.

It wasn’t all negative for the Rossoblù in their 2-0 defeat against AC Milan; in fact, they produced a fair amount of chances and hit the post twice (their xG in the end was 1.17, slightly better than the visitors).

Last season Bologna only kept one away clean sheet but had the third-best attack with 29 goals. I feel this could be a high-scoring game.

• Selection: Juventus To Score Over 1.5 Goals
• Best Odds: 1.74
• Bookmaker: UniBet

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Salernitana vs Udinese: Weakened visitors could be in trouble

Italy, Serie A, Monday, August, 28th, 5.30pm (UK)

Salernitana picked up from where they left last season: entertaining, full of flair and shaky at the back. During the 2-2 draw at the Olimpico against Roma, the team managed by Paulo Sousa showed a cohesiveness that earned them salvation last year.

Despite starting the game with last year’s top scorer Boulaye Dia (14 goals), on the bench, the Ippocampi fancied their chances and were rewarded by two beautiful goals from veteran Antonio Candreva.

Apart from Memo Ochoa, Salernitana doesn’t have a particularly strong defence, and their open style of play makes them unpredictable. Last year they achieved 11 more points if we consider xG for and against, and that’s perhaps why the odds for them to beat Udinese at home are high.

I consider Udinese as one of those teams that have been weakened by the transfer market. They have lost plenty of good ball carriers and struggle without the creativity of Gerard Deulofeu.

Last season they lost ten away games, including a 3-2 defeat in Salerno, and averaged less than a goal x game on their travels.

I think for Udinese coming away with a point would already be a good achievement.

• Selection: Salernitana +0.25 Asian Handicap
• Best Odds: 1.73
• Bookmaker: BetVictor

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