As the Serie A season heads into its final third, it is the perfect time for anyone who likes to place a wager to take a serious look at some of those outrights that have been monitored at the bookies all year.
The strange thing about bets like these is that punters tend to place them right at the beginning of the season when anything seems possible or towards the end when it all starts falling into place.
There is still some way to go, but even so, few would bet against 1-4 favourites Inter to finish top, but there are plenty of other intriguing Serie A odds out there for the taking, especially if one takes a look further down the table.
Champions League Qualification
The top four spots look all but settled in Serie A. However, the operative words are “all but.” It would take an act of epic destruction for Inter, AC Milan and Napoli to miss out, but at the time of writing, just four points separate the next four teams.
Juventus are holding on to that precious number four slot for now, but if any team is capable of self-detonating, it is the men from Turin. Bookmakers are offering 4-1 for Juventus to finish outside the top four and if that happens, Lazio are ready to strike. With relatively friendly fixtures up ahead against Bologna and Udinese, those 25-1 odds look too good to refuse.
The Battle for the Wooden Spoon
Salernitana was always going to struggle to stay up when promoted to the top flight, and sure enough, relegation is practically a certainty. Bookies have been certain all season that they will finish bottom of the table, but that is by no means assured.
Genoa have played one game more and have managed only one win all season compared with Salernitana’s three, including that dramatic win over Verona last month. They are just playing for pride now, and if one thinks they can leapfrog Genoa to avoid last place, the bookmakers are offering 3-1 odds.
Who Else Will Fall?
Just as three of the top spots seem certain, the same can be said about two of the relegation berths. The narrative according to most of the bookmakers is that it is a straight fight for survival between Cagliari and Venezia.
However, there is the possibility that they will both survive by getting ahead of Sampdoria, whose win on 06 February finally broke a losing run that dated back to before Christmas. It would be a major headline if I Blucerchiati went back down to Serie B, and one can get 5-1 odds if they think it is going to happen.
Other Outrights Worth a Look
Mid-table battles are also hard to call, so there are some interesting offers as to which teams will finish in the top 10. Empoli at 5-1 is interesting, especially as they look destined for a strong finish.
The other outright is for the Golden Boot. This currently looks like a shoot-out between Lazio’s Ciro Immobile and Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, and most bookies have both at even money.
