Serie A title odds: Can Lazio end Juventus' reign?
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The Scudetto race is set to heat up in a big way this summer.
Serie A is slated to return on June 20, with 124 matches scheduled over a 43-day span in an effort to complete the season in a little over six weeks.
At the time the season was suspended, Juventus held a one-point lead over Lazio at the summit.
| CLUB | POINTS | MATCHES PLAYED | GOAL DIFFERENCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juventus | 63 | 26 | 26 |
| Lazio | 62 | 26 | 37 |
| Inter | 54 | 25 | 25 |
Despite the narrow lead, oddsmakers have priced the Bianconeri as heavy favorites to win Serie A.
| CLUB | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Juventus | -250 |
| Lazio | +250 |
| Inter | +1400 |
Their quest for a ninth successive Scudetto will begin Monday, June 22 at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara when they visit Bologna.
Here are the remaining fixture lists for the three clubs still in the hunt for the Serie A title. Inter holds a game in hand over the two sides they're chasing.
| JUVENTUS | LAZIO | INTER |
|---|---|---|
| @ Bologna | @ Atalanta | vs. Sampdoria |
| vs. Lecce | vs. Fiorentina | vs. Sassuolo |
| @ Genoa | @ Torino | @ Parma |
| vs. Torino | vs. Milan | vs. Brescia |
| @ Milan | @ Lecce | vs. Bologna |
| vs. Atalanta | vs. Sassuolo | @ Hellas Verona |
| @ Sassuolo | @ Udinese | vs. Torino |
| vs. Lazio | @ Juventus | @ SPAL |
| @ Udinese | vs. Cagliari | @ Roma |
| vs. Sampdoria | @ Hellas Verona | vs. Fiorentina |
| @ Cagliari | vs. Brescia | @ Genoa |
| vs. Roma | @ Napoli | vs. Napoli |
| N/A | N/A | @ Atalanta |
A quick glance at the remaining schedules shows Lazio are at a clear disadvantage. Seven of their remaining 12 matches are away from home, including daunting trips to Juventus, Atalanta, and Napoli.
Lazio also have the most matches remaining against clubs in the top eight, with four of those five fixtures taking place away from home, as the odds are stacked against Simone Inzaghi's side. At the current price, I'm steering clear of buying in on the Biancocelesti.
Some aspects of Inter's remaining schedule are appealing to bettors: They have a game in hand, they have the most home matches remaining (seven), and they play five of the bottom six clubs while avoiding the likes of Juventus and Lazio. Trips to Atalanta and Roma will prove decisive in how seriously Inter are to be taken as title contenders.
No matter which way you spin it, however, it's hard to dispute that Juventus have the friendliest remaining schedule. Eight of their remaining 12 matches come against clubs sitting 10th or lower in the table, while all three of their matches against the top six clubs take place at home.
A visit from Lazio on July 20 is the biggest hurdle for Juventus to clear in their Scudetto chase. Should they beat their nearest title challengers, it's hard to see them being dethroned.
All signs point to Juventus finishing the season strong and securing a ninth successive Serie A title, and I wouldn't shy away from laying -250. But if you're looking for a 'dog to back, I'd much rather be invested in Inter at +1400 than Lazio at +250.
Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.