Italian Serie A
2025-08-31 - Genoa vs Juventus
A Sports Betting Pick by Cafa
Italy Serie A - Round 2
Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa, Liguria, Italy (33,205)
Sunday, 31 August 2025, 18:30 CET
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Genoa Team News
Genoa has the luxury of starting the season with two consecutive home games, and for sure the idea was to win against Lecce and then try to grab a point against Juventus. The plan already backfired as the bore fest against Lecce ended 0-0 as neither side has attackers who can do anything with the ball, let alone score.
For years, Genoa has relied on a star offensive duo that's above the level of this team to carry the gameplay and to shift the focus towards the front. Now that is gone as Vitinha is the only big name remaining, and he's no prolific goalscorer. So the focus is shifting back to the defence, making Genoa a defensive team that it toothless going forward.
It's like a copy of Lecce. A more confident copy, with better players and better passing, with players who can actually receive the ball to their feet without it bouncing off, but still - Lecce through and through.
Juventus Team News
It was never meant to be easy, but Juventus took care of Parma at home with a 2-0 win. We remember, and so does everyone else, how troublesome such small home games can be for Juventus. The opponent sits back and Juventus, a side not designed for fluent play in the final third, struggles to create chances.
This time around, they looked better. This Juventus is reminiscent of some older generations that were winning titles in Italy and were a force in Europe too. The way they stand, the poise, the combinations - it all looks much better than last season.
Sure, the opponent was lowly Parma, but as we said these games can be the most challenging for Juventus. Here's another one, which will likely look the same.
Jonathan David seems like he won't really find his footing in this league, as he's not a physical presence and in Italy you either have to be physically strong or a true wizard on the ball. He's neither. Anyway, David scored, and so did the outgoing Dusan Vlahovic.
David will be on the pitch no matter what, as he's a new signing, but Kenan Yildiz is the best player here. Nico Gonzalez is waiting on the bench and don't be surprised if he becomes the face of this offense, when he'll finally be given an opportunity.
Probable Lineups
Genoa (4-2-3-1): Leali - Norton-Cuffy, Marcandalli, Vasquez, Martin - Masini, Frendrup - Carboni, Stanciu, Gronbaek - Colombo. Coach Vieira.
Juventus (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio - Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly - Kalulu, Locatelli, Thuram, Kostic - Conceicao, Yildiz - David. Coach Tudor.
For Juventus, Cambiaso is suspended following a red card against Parma.
The Betting Market
The price on Juventus is 1.88 and it seems fair. This will be a difficult game for the visitors against a side that doesn't surrender much space, with a quality coach in Patrick Vieira.
Under 2.5 Goals is priced at 1.61 and this is the most obvious bet here. But you know as well as we do, when unders in Serie A are obvious, the game turns out to be a goal fest. Still, if you have the nerve, take the under.
Both Teams To Score market is leaning towards a No with 1.70, while the price on Yes is 2.05. The latter would be a real stretch, and there's no value in this bet at all.
So, the decision needs to be made between three bets: Juventus to win, Under 2.5, and BTTS-No. Though, in all likelihood, all three could go through. For what it's worth, the price on Juventus to Win To Nil is 2.75.
The Betting Verdict
While it's dangerous to keep betting on away favourites like we seem to be doing in this round, this is a really good bet, same as Atalanta at Parma and Roma at Pisa.
1.88 is almost evens for a title contender against a side that can't score. If they couldn't score against Lecce, how can they expect to against Juventus?
We're looking at a confident win for the away side. Juventus never scores easily, they need to work for it, but to the trained eye it seems they are just a tad more fluent this season and a tad more comfortable on the ball in the penalty box.
Of course, if Genoa scores, then we're in trouble as then Juventus has to score two and this is not a side designed to do that. But everyone in Turin is perfectly aware - so they'll be going for a defensive-effort win. Not only here but in every game they play.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Genoa 0-1 Juventus
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
Take Juventus to Win at 1.88 at Bet365
