Italian Serie A Over/Under Assist Totals for Cristiano Ronaldo, Aaron Ramsey & Dries Mertens

• Serie A kicks off on August 24
• Sportsbooks are offering a series of over/under props for assists
• Ronaldo again in the frame for what looks easy money

Italy’s Serie A kicks off on August 24 when Juventus head to Parma for the start of their title defense at 12:00 pm EST. The reigning champions are again expected to lift the trophy next May with an attack that is led by Cristiano Ronaldo and a midfield that has been joined by Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey.

Both players have been offered up by one sportsbook for some over/under props for the number of assists they make this season, so I’ve taken a look at them and Napoli’s Dries Mertens to see if there is any value to be had.

Total Assists 2019/20 – Cristiano Ronaldo Odds

All odds taken 08/20/19.

While now 34-years-of-age, Ronaldo’s appetite for the game shows no sign of waning and he’s as committed as ever to lead Juventus to more domestic glory. Whether that can extend to the UEFA Champions League remains to be seen, but in Serie A it’s already Juve’s title to lose even before a ball has been kicked.

? Cristiano Ronaldo's competition record:

⚽️1⃣2⃣6⃣
?1⃣6⃣2⃣#UCL pic.twitter.com/e0DIYa0O7F

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 16, 2019

As such, the Old Lady will dominate games and will create chances galore, especially against those teams outside the top six. While Ronaldo is, of course, renowned for the goals he scores, as he’s entered his thirties he’s also added assists to his game, with eight to his name last season. There’s no reason to see that slowing up.

So, on the basis that Juve will continue to dominate games, I fully expect Cristiano to smash his total of 6.5 and probably even improve upon the eight assists he managed last season.

My pick: Ronaldo to get 10 assists and go over 6.5 (-115)

Total Assists 2019/20 – Aaron Ramsey Odds

Ramsey’s move from Arsenal to Turin has been in the offing for some time, and now that the new season is almost upon us the Welshman will be desperate to get his Juve career off to a flyer.

A first look at @aaronramsey in action for Juve ⚪️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/2HmZB0o6MA

— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 17, 2019

At Arsenal and when playing for his country, Wales, Ramsey developed a reputation for being a box-to-box midfielder with an eye for goal, in the Frank Lampard role. As a result, he was involved in lots of attacking moves in the final third, which saw him involved in creating as well as scoring.

Much depends on how Ramsey is used at Juve, and it may be that Sarri will see him as a deep-lying defensive midfielder – in which case he may get fewer assists. But he’s a good player who I expect to eventually thrive in Serie A. But, on the premise, that his role in the team is as yet unclear, I’d advise betting “Under” on this one.

My pick: Ramsey to record under 5.5 assists (-125)

Total Assists 2019/20 – Dries Mertens Odds

The Belgian international was joint-top in last season’s Serie A for assists, a ranking befitting a player renowned for his skill and creativity. Now in his seventh season at Napoli, Mertens is part of the team’s creative hub and will be at the heart of their quest to close the gap between themselves and Juve.

dries mertens pic.twitter.com/lWVGibY4j7

— jogadores q eu gostaria de sentar/pegar (@jogadoresfut1) April 20, 2019

So, given that goals and chances are not hard to come by with this Napoli team, the fact that oddsmakers have pitched the bar at 8.5 looks easy for those betting “Over”.

Mertens had 11 assists to his name last season, and I expect him to be in double figures again.

My pick: Mertens to have 10 or more assists and go over 9.5 (-115)