2020 Serie A Opening Odds: Juventus -250 Favorite to Retain Title

• Juve odds-on to win 2019/20 Scudetto
• Napoli spending big in the summer
• See the opening odds here

Juventus’ grip on Italian football has been strengthened even more over the last few seasons but they are already the most successful team in Italy, with an incredible 35 Serie A titles.

2020 Serie A Winner Odds

*Odds taken June 8 2019. For a full list of teams visit the link in the table

It’s therefore no surprise that the Zebras have been immediately installed as odds-on favorites for next season’s title.

Ronaldo Still the Key

The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer of 2018 added another superstar name to a squad that was already Serie A’s best by some considerable distance, and it seemed inevitable they would win the 2018/19 title with an element of comfort.

As it transpired, they won by a margin of 11 points.

Every Cristiano Ronaldo goal for Juventus this season! https://t.co/ITXP5O5Iyn pic.twitter.com/zdUVVWi7xD

— Rusdi Budak Parean (@Rusdi_1897) June 5, 2019

They have won every Serie A since 2011/12 and with more new faces certain to arrive over the summer, there appears no let-up in Juve’s desire to rule the roost in Italy, with manager Massimiliano Allegri being tasked with winning another Serie A title alongside a successful UEFA Champions League campaign.

A serious Champions League challenge next season is high on Allegri’s list of priorities as they fell short in 2018/19, coming unstuck against a young, vibrant Ajax side in the quarter-finals.

It will also not be lost on Juve fans that they exited the Coppa Italia in dramatic fashion, losing 3-0 to Atalanta in the quarterfinal.

Champions League a Juve Priority?

So, while there will be a desire among the Juve hierarchy to maintain their grip on the Scudetto, there is a chance that the same hierarchy’s wish that the club goes deep in next season’s Champions League could offer a glimmer of light to those chasing them in Serie A.

Names linked to Juve already this summer include Turkish centre-back Merih Demiral, Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, PSG defender Marquinhos and Manchester United’s Paul Pogba. In other words, they are looking to refresh their squad ahead of next season.

Napoli to Challenge

Their nearest challengers, again, look almost certain to be Napoli, although the two Milan clubs may dispute this. Gli Azzurri had a fine season under Carlo Ancelotti, who arrived last summer, and will be looking to bring in players over the coming months who will help them close that 11 point gap.

Carlo Ancelotti admits while he hopes to stay at #Napoli for a long time, ‘this city could be nicer, with a little more public spirit from everyone’ https://t.co/b7w2iOwqnB pic.twitter.com/EImUvgUaAv

— footballitalia (@footballitalia) May 30, 2019

They haven’t won Serie A since 1989/90, which was only their second ever league win, but they have been very consistent over the past few seasons where they have re-established in Italy’s elite.

Interestingly, they appear to have some ambitious plans for this summer’s window and are reported to have put bids in for no less than three Real Madrid players – Dani Ceballos (€20m), Marcos Llorente (€15m) and Theo Hernandez (€15m).

While they may not all come to fruition, it’s a massive signal of intent from the Naples club.

Big Gap to Plug for the Milan Teams

Of the two Milan clubs, it’s Inter who look best placed to make a challenge and in the last few days, they have been linked to Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku – who would add some much-needed firepower – and also Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng.

With Antonio Conte newly appointed as coach they have ambition, but whether players of the ilk of Lukaku would be enough to see them challenge Juve remains to be seen.

Romelu Lukaku wants to leave Manchester United and join Antonio Conte at Inter Milan.
(Source: Sport Mediaset) #MUFC #Transfers pic.twitter.com/bVCHptNvoc

— Hala Transfer News (@HalaTransfers) June 3, 2019

AC Milan only finished a single point behind Inter, but just missed on a Champions League place, and have on paper a weaker squad than their neighbours.

They too will look to strengthen over the next few months, with links being made to Danish defender Joachim Andersen and Tottenham’s Fernando Llorente. Again, it’s hard to see players of that quality boosting them sufficiently to challenge Juve.

Best of the Rest

AS Roma and Atalanta – Juve’s conquerors in the Italian Cup – will both try and mount a challenge but it’s hard to see them having enough to overturn Juventus in a 38-game season.

So, Juve are favorites again for a reason but let’s not discount Ancelotti’s Napoli, who we have a feeling could cause a big upset.

Pick: Napoli +700