Prediction: Juventus vs Sampdoria

Prediction: Juventus win

Best Odds: 27/100

Bookmaker: 888sport

In the wake of the new domestic season getting underway in England, all of the other top leagues across the European elite will be getting underway sooner rather than later. This weeekend we will see the turn of Serie A, the first major league to shut down towards the start of the year, and today we’ll be taking a look at the meeting between Juventus and Sampdoria. A few years ago this would’ve been viewed as a clash between two clubs who are fairly close to one another in terms of ability, but now, it could rightly be seen as a David vs Goliath encounter.

Juventus

Juve managed to beat Sampdoria back at the end of July but with the title won, they slowed down a bit in their last two games with losses against Cagliari and Roma. Unfortunately that didn’t quite prepare them well enough for the return of the Champions League, because despite their win against Lyon on the night, they were knocked out of the competition by the French side.

Team News

There are two major absences for Juventus to deal with as Dybala and de Ligt have both been ruled out for the season opener. As well as that, Bernardeschi is a doubt with question marks surrounding whether or not Juve will do any more business in the transfer window.

Sampdoria

It was a poor season for Sampdoria but in the final few games, the main focus was purely on surviving in the top flight for another year. They registered successive victories against Cagliari and Parma, but they really did limp over the finish line with three defeats against Genoa, Juventus and AC Milan before they drew with Brescia.

Team News

Askildsen is out of action for the visit to Turin due to a suspension, with the only other absence being Felice D’Amico who is injured. Outside of that Sampdoria should have a fully fit squad to choose from in what is bound to be a really huge task.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting back in December, Juventus beat Sampdoria 2-1.
• Juventus have won three and lost three of their last six games.
• Sampdoria have won two, drawn one and lost three of their last six games.
• Juventus have scored 11 goals and conceded eight in their last six games.
• Sampdoria have scored nine goals and conceded 11 in their last six games.

Conclusion

This is being positioned as an easy three points for Juve on the opening weekend, but if Sampdoria can get men behind the ball and really frustrate the hosts, then they could come away with something. We think that’s definitely going to be their strategy and they’d be fools if it wasn’t but in the end, Juventus will just about do enough to secure all three points. It won’t be pretty but their fans probably won’t care all too much about that so long as they can start to build some momentum.

Prediction: Juventus win

Best Odds: 27/100

Bookmaker: 888sport