Serie A: The Juve Juggernaut is Set to Roll On

Juventus vs Chievo

It’s top versus bottom in Serie A.

One team fresh from securing yet another trophy with the best player in the world in their ranks against a side which has won only one match all season.

No wonder some SBOBET fans are expecting a cricket score.

Talking Points

It’s exactly the halfway stage of the season, and the Serie A 2019 news is as follows.

Juventus are clear favourites with Serie A 2019 betting odds to claim an eighth successive title and the Bianconeri already enjoy a dominant nine-point lead at the summit.

Cristiano Ronaldo helped them win their final match of 2018, and they have now won their opener of the new year.

It was Max Allegri’s 10th trophy as Juventus boss and, after losing two of the last three Super Cup trophies, a boost in his side’s assault on all fronts including the Champions League.

Seventeen victories and two draws from their 19 league games so far highlights their total dominance, and Allegri’s side has a habit of winning when it matters.

That they will lift the Supercoppa Italiana in front of their home fans ahead of this clash with Chievo – when skipper Giorgio Chiellini and his teammates present the silverware to their supporters – will further highlight the mighty task facing the league’s bottom club in Turin.

Chievo have hit good form lately, can Cristiano Ronaldo help the Serie A leaders win? — Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal against AC Milan

They are already eight points from safety after a three-point penalty was imposed for financial irregularities.

Confirmation came through this week that the Flying Donkeys penalty for a series of deals that were found to exchange minor players for vastly inflated prices would stand.

On saying that, a club director has warned suitors to keep their ‘hands off our star players’, insisting they would not be treated as a fire sale during this month’s transfer window.

The side’s only win away from home this season came against fellow strugglers Frosinone, whereas Juventus have managed to keep four clean sheets in their last five matches at home; all of those games ended in 1-0 wins.

It’s reported Juventus are eyeing up a move for Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele this summer.

According to reports, a meeting is planned with the Ligue One club and the 22-year-old’s agent to lay the groundwork for a future move.

What’s the betting that if he does join, Ndombele – who has scored two goals with five assists in 27 competitive games so far this season – will be joining a team which has been crowned champions for the eighth year on the bounce.

The second half of Juve’s run to the title starts here.

History

You have to go back to January 2010 to the last and only time Chievo defeated the mighty Juve.

That was a 1-0 win at home secured by a Gennaro Sardo strike.

Since then, they have met on 17 occasions with 12 Juventus wins and five draws.

Last season in this fixture, Juventus ran out 3-0 winners with goals from Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain and an own goal.

The return fixture saw Juventus triumph 2-0 with Sami Khedira and Higuain, again, on the scoresheet.

They met Chievo on the opening day of this season when Ronaldo made his Serie A debut, and it was an exciting contest.

On that occasion, it took a Federico Bernardeschi goal in the third minute of stoppage time to earn the champions a hard-fought win, moments after the home goalkeeper – Stefano Sorrentino – had gone off injured.

Khedira had put Juve ahead before Mariusz Stepinski and Emanuele Giaccherini turned the match in Chievo’s favour. An own goal had then drawn the ‘old lady’ level.

Betting Tip

	Juventus vs Chievo	Juventus First Half Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 1.97
	January 22, 03:30 (GMT+8)

You don’t need me to tell you there is a gulf in expectations between the two teams.

Juventus are a formidable prospect in the Allianz Arena and are 1X2 @ 1.10 compared to Genoa @ 19.00. Even the draw is priced @ 9.00.

It’s a similar set-up with Asian Handicap odds.

Juventus are – 2.25 @ 1.93 and -2.50 @ 2.17, with Chievo + 2.25 @ 2.00.

A repeat of the opening day’s scoreline in Juve’s favour – correct score 3-2 offers odds of @ 80.00, while a repeat of last season’s scoreline – correct score 3-0 – pays out @ 5.40.

In fairness to Chievo, they have been on a decent run of late with a win and three draws in their last five outings.

However, my tip has to be in favour of the home side, and I expect Juventus to be in front at the break en-route to victory.