Our Serie A first goalscorer predictions are back this week, as we predict who will get off the mark early in this weekend's round of fixtures in Italy's top flight. Our picks include leaders Inter Milan's tricky trip to Bologna with both in scintillating form, among some other exciting clashes.
Serie A first goalscorer predictions: Our picks
Bologna v Inter Milan first goalscorer: Lautaro Martinez – 9/2
Inter are 15 points clear at the top of the league, and look certain to wrestle the Scudetto off Napoli come the end of the season. However, they will not want to get complacent, and will be looking for all three points at Bologna.
It will not be easy, as even though the visitors are on a 12-game winning streak in all competitions, Bologna have won six matches on the bounce in Serie A themselves, and are sitting pretty in fourth place. They are also unbeaten in three H2Hs, so this is a tough game to call.
Nonetheless, we predict Inter's quality and resilience to shine through, and nobody shows that more in the team than captain Lautaro Martinez. The Argentine netted in the reverse league fixture, and is unsurprisingly the visitors' top scorer with 26 goals this campaign. Eight of those has seen him be the first goalscorer too, so we are backing Martinez to open the scoring again.
AC Milan v Empoli first goalscorer: Olivier Giroud – 4/1
AC Milan are 16 points behind fierce rivals Inter in third place, and with just 11 games to go and 33 points to play for, have very little chance of winning the Scudetto. However, they could cement themselves in the race for Champions League places with a win against Empoli, and should be confident of a positive result at the San Siro.
They impressively beat Lazio 1-0 away from home last time out, but the Rossoneri's overall form has been patchy, having lost two of their last four matches in all competitions. Empoli lost 1-0 to relegation-threatened Cagliari last weekend, but were unbeaten in six Serie A games previously. However, they have not beaten Milan in seven H2Hs, and lost 3-0 at home in the reverse fixture.
We expect Milan to win this one too on home turf, and Olivier Giroud is sure to have a say as their top scorer with 13 goals this term. Five of those have been as the first goalscorer, and we think he could continue this trend at the San Siro.
Juventus v Atalanta first goalscorer: Arkadiusz Milik – 6/1
Juventus have been in terrible form of late, winning just once in six Serie A games. It means they are 15 points behind leaders Inter in second place, and their title hopes all but ended. They did win the last time they were in Turin though – a 3-2 home victory against Frosinone.
Atalanta have not been on the best form either, as after six straight wins in all competitions, they are now winless in four. That has seen them slip to sixth in the table, but with five Champions League spots likely for Italian sides next season as it stands, their hopes of qualifying for Europe's elite competition remain alive.
Juve are unbeaten in their last four H2Hs, and so should be confident at home of getting a positive result. However, top scorer Dusan Vlahovic is suspended, so someone else will have to step up for the Old Lady. Arkadiusz Milik could be trusted to lead the line in his absence, and with five goals this season and three career strikes against Atalanta, the Pole could make the difference here. He has been the first goalscorer twice already this campaign, and will want to impress if given a start.
Check out our other Serie A betting tips and predictions!
