The 2024 Serie A season begins with an exciting matchup as Juventus hosts newly-promoted Como at the Allianz Stadium on Monday.
This encounter promises to be intriguing, with Juventus aiming to reclaim their title aspirations and Como focused on establishing their foothold in Italy’s top flight.
Both teams come into the season with distinct goals, setting the stage for an engaging opening match.
Match Preview
Juventus enters the new campaign with high expectations after a summer of significant changes.
The appointment of Thiago Motta, a promising young manager who previously gained acclaim with Bologna, marks a pivotal shift for the club.
Motta takes over after the departure of Massimiliano Allegri, signaling a fresh start for the Turin giants.
The club has undergone an overhaul, parting ways with several key players, including Wojciech Szczęsny, Alex Sandro, Adrien Rabiot, and younger talents like Moise Kean and Samuel Iling Junior.
To rejuvenate the squad, Juventus has made notable signings, bringing in players such as Michele Di Gregorio, Khéphren Thuram, Juan Caba, and Douglas Luiz.
Although their pre-season results included only one win from four matches, Juventus remains a strong contender for the Serie A title, bolstered by an unbeaten run of eight games from last season. They will look to build on this momentum as they face Como in their season opener.
Como, on the other hand, approaches the new season with renewed determination after gaining promotion from Serie B.
Under the leadership of head coach Cesc Fàbregas, Como finished a commendable third in the league, just three points shy of the top spot.
The club has also made strategic signings, adding experienced players such as Andrea Belotti, Raphael Varane, Pepe Reina, and Alberto Moreno, indicating their ambition to compete effectively in Serie A.
Como’s primary objective will be survival in the top tier, and their pre-season form has been a mixed bag with two wins from four friendlies.
They will need to harness that momentum to secure points in the league.
Last season, Como ended with two wins in their last six Serie B matches, highlighting the need for greater consistency in their performances.
Defensively, they have shown promise, conceding an average of just 0.5 goals in their last six away games, but facing a formidable Juventus side at their home ground will be a significant challenge.
Head to Head
Historically, Juventus has had the upper hand against Como, with one win and a draw in their past encounters.
The last meeting between the two teams took place in 2003, where Juventus emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline.
This historical context adds to the anticipation of their upcoming clash, as Juventus looks to maintain their dominance.
Team News
In terms of team news, Juventus will be missing Fabio Miretti and Arkadiusz Milik for the opening match, while Filip Kostic remains a doubt.
Como, on the other hand, will be without new signing Raphaël Varane, who is recovering from a knee injury, and Alessio Iovine, who is suspended for this encounter.
Both teams will need to adapt to these absences as they prepare for the match.
Prediction
Given the significant differences in squad depth and experience between the two teams, we predict that Juventus will secure a comfortable 2-0 victory over Como.
This result would underline the gulf in class as the two sides begin their respective campaigns in Serie A.
- Score Prediction: Juventus 2-0 Como
Betting Tips
Juventus to Win: Betting on a Juventus victory is a safe choice given their historical dominance and improved squad depth.
Under 2.5 Goals: Considering Como’s defensive ability and Juventus’s recent pre-season form, wagering on under 2.5 goals could be a wise option.
Both Teams to Score – No: With Juventus’s solid defense and Como’s potential struggles, placing a bet on both teams not to score could yield favorable returns.
Juventus to Win to Nil: Given the expected performance disparity, betting on Juventus to win without conceding a goal is a favorable proposition.