Italy’s Serie A gets underway this weekend, with all 20 clubs returning to action in one of global soccer’s premier sporting competitions.

Inter Milan will be aiming to retain their title after claiming their 21st league title with three games to spare in Christian Chivu’s first season in charge (claiming a domestic double).

Napoli pushed them, but were 11 points behind them in second, with Roma third and Como fourth.

So, who is likely to get the season off to a winning start?

Quick Picks

Our pick: Inter Milan to win

Value bet: Cagliari win

Long shot: Lazio win

Betting Preview

The Matchweek 1 schedule is as follows:

• Udinese vs Como - Sunday, August 23 (02:30 AEST)
• Inter Milan vs Monza - Sunday, August 23 (02:30 AEST)
• Parma vs Cagliari - Sunday, August 23 (04:45 AEST)
• Genoa vs Napoli - Sunday, August 23 (04:45 AEST)
• Venezia vs Lecce - Monday, August 24 (02:30 AEST)
• Frosinone vs Juventus - Monday, August 24 (02:30 AEST)
• Torino vs AC Milan - Monday, August 24 (04:45 AEST)
• Atalanta vs Sassuolo - Monday, August 24 (04:45 AEST)
• Bologna vs Lazio - Tuesday, August 25 (02:30 AEST)
• Roma vs Fiorentina - Tuesday, August 25 (04:45 AEST)

Betting Markets to Watch

The moneyline markets for the first matchweek of the upcoming Serie A season feature several huge favourites, with only a few matches perceived as close.

Of course, when margins are as wide as they are in the opening weekend, there’s potential value worth exploring across some games.

While the “bigger” clubs will want to establish themselves immediately, many will have had players playing in the World Cup this winter and may not be match-fit or ready.

Clubs have also undergone extensive personnel changes, which could mean odds are not as reflective.

Napoli are considered big favourites to win against Genoa, as they are unbeaten in 25 of their last 26 Serie A matches against Genoa.

They won both encounters last season. Napoli have also won eight of their last nine Serie A opening day matches.

Rasmus Højlund, as an anytime goalscorer, could have value, as Genoa is the team against which he has scored most of his Serie A goals (three).

He scored in his last two Serie A matches, as well.

Roma are big favourites against Fiorentina , having won each of their last three Serie A games.

They’ve also been extremely strong in openers, having lost only once in their last 14 Serie A season openers.

Our Prediction

Check the latest Serie A betting odds at Sportsbet.

Our prediction regarding the most likely outcome is an Inter Milan win against Monza.

Inter will aim to start their title defence strongly, and will have too much quality for Monza, who were promoted last season.

Monza have never won their opening Serie A match of the season, while Inter have lost just one of their 18 opening Serie A matches as reigning champions.

Our value bet is on Cagliari to beat Parma.

Cagliari have won four of the last five meetings and are the perceived underdog in this one, despite being unbeaten in their last nine Serie A matches against this opponent.

A long shot is Lazio to beat Bologna . As underdogs, Lazio have value but won the last time this fixture was played 2-0.

Bologna are unbeaten in five of their last seven Serie A games, but have won just one of their last nine opening Serie A matches.