Italy Serie A Week 29 Betting Preview: Juventus’ Odds Slip Following Cristiano Ronaldo Injury
AP. Pictured: Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo
- The International Break was unkind to league-leaders Juventus as Cristiano Ronaldo (thigh) was subbed off in Portugal's Euro 2020 qualifier against Serbia.
- Juventus' odds quickly slipped from -450 to -360 for their match against Empoli on Saturday (1:00 p.m. ET) but they're still big favorites to win.
- We've broken down the betting market for this weekend's entire Serie A slate to show where the public and sharps are putting their money.
Juventus and Ronaldo will garner the headlines in Serie A this weekend, but two marquee matches toward the top of the table, Napoli-Roma and Lazio-Inter Milan, should not be ignored.
It'll be a quick turnaround after this weekend's action as Week 30 takes place next Tuesday/Wednesday.
Here's a look at the title race, relegation battle and Week 29 betting action across Italy's Serie A.
Italy Serie A Week 29 Betting Odds
Title Race
In their most recent Serie A outing against Genoa, league-leaders Juventus lost a league match for the first time all season, but they still hold a 15-point lead over Napoli for the title.
You would need to wager $1,500 just to make $1 on Juventus to win the league at this point. A $1 bet on Napoli would net $150, while a $1 wager on either AC Milan or Inter Milan would return $4,500, somehow still shorter odds than Leicester City to win the Premier League in 2015-16.
Prior to the season, Juventus were listed at -260 to win the league with Napoli (+600), Roma (+650) and Inter Milan (+800) the closest contenders.
Relegation Battle
The three teams with the lowest point totals will automatically be relegated from Serie A this season.
Chievo sit in last place with just one win and eleven points, so they appear destined to be demoted. Frosinone (17 points) aren't looking good either and are eight points from safety. That leaves at least four clubs (Udinese, SPAL, Empoli and Bologna) all battling to avoid 18th place, but just two points separate those teams.
Udinese recently parted ways with manager Davide Nicola, and there have now been 11 managerial changes during the season including two apiece at Udinese, Chievo and Empoli. Many clubs have been desperate to turn things around and stay in the league for another year, but that hasn't exactly been working.
Week 29 Betting Market Breakdown
Serie A leaders Juventus have seen the biggest shift in odds this weekend, dropping from -450 to -360 as soon as Cristiano Ronaldo (thigh) was subbed off of Portugal's Euro 2020 Qualifying match against Serbia on Monday.
There's no need to risk Ronaldo since the title race is already wrapped up, and Juventus' biggest focus will be getting him healthy for the Champions League quarterfinal opener against Ajax on Wednesday, April 10th.
As for line moves caused by sharp action this weekend, bettors have hit Chievo (+200 to +170 vs. Cagliari) and Sampdoria (+275 to +235 vs. AC Milan).
Chievo have won just one Serie A game all season long but smart money likes them to beat Cagliari on Friday night.
Sharp money is also fading AC Milan despite their incredible recent away form. I'm not too keen on either of these sharp moves so I'll be passing on both.
In the marquee matches, there's been very limited line movement but we have seen a slight shift toward the road sides: Lazio (+250 to +235 at Inter Milan) and Napoli (+140 to +130 at Roma).
Value Plays
- Lazio-Inter Milan Draw (+235)
Want live updates of the action all weekend? Be sure to follow @actionnetsoccer on Twitter for all the latest soccer betting news around the market.
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