Series A, Sunday, 18.08.2024 at 18:30
This Serie A pairing is interesting. Because it involves two of the very few opponents on matchday 1 who competed in the first round of the Coppa Italia and now face each other directly.
You should definitely read my Hellas Verona Napoli tip when you’re on your way to the betting shop. This will make it easier for you to understand why overestimating the “Azzurri” would be a mistake
I recently went to Oddset to pursue my favorite activity at the start of every new Serie A season: checking out the long-term betting offers.
I came across an offer with odds of around 1.35 if Napoli crack the top 4 of the overall standings at the end of the season. It’s a shame that the bookmaker doesn’t allow an offsetting bet.
Because although the southern Italians have signed Antonio Conte, who is known for “success”, the multi-award-winning master coach has not been able to make any major transfers so far
Napoli, however, have put together a completely new defense and signed Riccardo Spinazzola (AS Roma), Rafa Marin (Real Madrid) and Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino) for a total of 50 million euros.
So far, so good, but Conte’s real dream player, Romelu Lukaku, is still being held hostage by Chelsea London.
The island is demanding an absurdly high transfer fee for the Belgian. In fact, everything seems to be moving towards a player swap with the Blues in the coming days, which could also involve Victor Osimhen
Fact is: Matchday 1 is just around the corner, and Napoli do not yet have the regular squad their new coach would like to start the season with.
Although Napoli have not lost 13 of their last 14 Serie A games against Verona and last conceded a defeat against them in January 2021, the Veronese should by no means be taken lightly.
And even if you don’t think the hosts can spring a surprise, you should at least consider scoring a consolation goal. Because in 5 of Verona’s last 6 Serie A home games against Napoli, both teams have scored once or more
Napoli traditionally start the season strongly. There is no other explanation for why they have always won on matchday 1 in the last seven Serie A seasons.
However, the question arises as to whether you should actually do this after last Saturday.
Napoli almost crashed out of the first round of the Coppa Italia just under a week ago.
Only the penalty shoot-out and their own keeper prevented the 2022/23 champions from embarrassing themselves to the bone against FC Modena right at the start of the new season.
In fact, the second division side had two great chances in the first half alone, which Palumbo should have converted!
The clean sheet against second-division side Modena, in which they were only very lucky to reach the penalty shoot-out, also revealed the tricky dilemma facing Antonio Conte in the SSC forward line.
He lacks a powerful wall striker who he can deploy as a lone striker. With Romelu Lukaku not yet available and Victor Osimhen wanting to leave, the only alternative available to him was Raspadori
Napoli created a lot of fuss up front, but there were no really big chances.
Against Verona, the game could be as tense as against Modena, which is why I tend to favor the following two betting scenarios: Double chance 1X & Under 3.5 goals.
In fact, I would place these two bets together as part of a Hellas Verona Napoli betting tip if you expect a decent result for the home side anyway.
Should this scenario actually occur, then it will most likely take the form of a 0-0, 1-1 or even a 1-0 draw
Conclusion: Antonio Conte may have got the defense he wanted, but the most important issue, the center forward position, still needs to be resolved.
This is where SSC are lacking and it could actually happen for the first time in years that Napoli drop points on matchday 1.
I wouldn’t rule out this scenario against the deep-lying Veronese, who could make life as difficult for the southern Italians as Modena did in the Coppa Italia …
My Hellas Verona Napoli tip: DC 1X & under 3.5 goals
