It looks like an eighth straight Serie A title for Juventus is academic at this point. The Turin-based club is already three points up on SPAL and Napoli and five points up on every other team in Italy after the first month of the season. It hasn’t been as easy as you might think though. Three of Juventus’ four games were decided by just one goal, and that has led to them failing to cover on the Serie A goal line on three separate occasions. They are once again favored by multiple goals against this week’s opponent, Frosinone, despite the trend.
Don't miss the Italian Serie A action from Stadio Benito Stirpe in Frosinone, Italy at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 23, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN Plus.
Italian Serie A Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Juventus -526
Frosinone +1422
Draw +559
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
To say that Frosinone have gotten off to a rocky start is an understatement. The only reason they aren’t currently in last place in Serie A is because Chievo was docked points for financial issues. Frosinone is 0-1-3 through four matches, and they were blitzed 4-0 by Atalanta in their opener and lost 5-0 at home to Sampdoria last week. Their defense has been terrible, and the offense has yet to score this season.
Juventus have not been spectacular on the road this year. The club had to come from behind to beat Chievo in the season opener, and they didn’t put away Parma until the second half. However, they were able to beat Valencia on the road in Champions League action Wednesday in one of the weirdest games you’ll ever see. Cristiano Ronaldo picked up a red card for no real reason, and Juventus won 2-0 off of two penalty kicks.
Injury Report
Douglas Costa will not be available for the next four matches for Juventus after picking up a red card in the win over Sassuolo last week. The club will also be without another forward, Sami Khedira, for the next few weeks after he picked up a thigh injury against Valencia. Mattia de Sciglio and Leonardo Spinazzola are also ruled out, while Andrea Barzagli is questionable.
Frosinone have been bit hard by the injury bug too, and the club will be without a number of players for this match. Andrea Pinamonti, Luca Matarese, Luca Paganini, Emmanuel Besea, Alessandro Iacobucci, Mirko Gori, Federico Dionisi, and Paolo Ghiglione have all been ruled out. Andrea Errico is questionable to play.
Player to Watch
Ronaldo finally ended his 320-minute goalless drought in Serie A last week. His first goal for Juventus was an unspectacular one, but it was a goalscorer’s goal. Ronaldo followed up a corner kick and was there to pick up the mess when a Sassuolo defender misplayed it.
He will have to focus on Serie A for the next few weeks, as he will serve at least a one-match ban after picking up the red card in Valencia. That’s not the worst news considering Juventus should easily win their group, and Ronaldo can get a better feel for Italian football. Ronaldo will have a little more of the burden on him to score with Costa and Khedira out.
Serie A Prop Bet – Frosinone to score at +115
This pick might come off as crazy since I’m calling on Frosinone to break their scoring drought against Juventus, but Frosinone have been able to create some chances. They aren’t completely bereft of offensive options, and all it takes is a good chance or a fortunate bounce to cash this bet. Juventus have not been as stolid in the back as you might think either, allowing goals in three of their four matches. The Serie A leaders won’t have the focus they normally would have in a road trip to the current cellar dwellers, and that will give the hosts a goal.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Juventus could win this one handily, so the over is the good bet. However, I still think Frosinone to score is the best bet as the visitors won’t be fully focused on the task at hand.
Italian Serie A Odds: Juventus 3, Frosinone 1
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