Serie A Betting Guide: Best Bets, Dark Horses and Teams to Avoid in 2026/27

The new Serie A season is almost here, and that means bettors are already looking for teams that could deliver value. The 2026/27 campaign begins on August 22-23, with 20 clubs set to play 380 matches before the season finishes in May 2027.

Inter Milan enter the season as defending champions after winning their 21st Serie A title last season. Napoli, Juventus, AC Milan and Como will also attract plenty of attention, but the best betting opportunities may not always come from the biggest clubs.

Here is a closer look at some teams and players worth watching before placing any Serie A bets.

Best Serie A Teams to Back in 2026/27

Inter Milan have earned the right to be considered one of the safest teams to back. They scored 89 goals in Serie A last season, the joint-highest total by a team in the league over the previous five seasons. Lautaro Martinez also finished as the league's top scorer with 17 goals.

That makes Inter an obvious team to consider in markets such as match winners, top-four finishes and the title race. However, bettors should always compare the available odds before taking a short-priced favorite.

Napoli are another interesting option. They won the 2024/25 Scudetto and finished second behind Inter in 2025/26. The club already has a winning formula under Antonio Conte, although defending against a strong Inter side will be a major challenge.

Juventus and AC Milan could also attract plenty of money, especially in the Champions League race. But at the start of a long season, it can be smarter to wait for early results rather than automatically backing famous names.

Serie A Dark Horses With Betting Value

Como may be the most interesting dark horse going into the new season. The club finished fourth in Serie A last season and will play in the Champions League for the first time in its history. That is a huge achievement for a club that has only recently returned to the top flight.

The big question is whether Como can handle the extra workload. European football brings more matches, more travel and more pressure. That makes them difficult to trust blindly in the league, but they could still provide value in selected markets.

Another team worth watching is Atalanta. They have appointed Maurizio Sarri as their new head coach, giving the club an experienced manager with a Serie A title and Europa League trophy on his résumé.

A new manager can create uncertainty, but it can also bring a fresh start. Bettors should watch Atalanta closely during the opening weeks before deciding whether they are worth backing regularly.

Teams That Could Disappoint Punters

The newly promoted clubs are naturally among the teams that require caution. Venezia, Frosinone and Monza are all back in Serie A for 2026/27. Venezia won Serie B, Frosinone finished second, while Monza returned after winning the promotion playoffs.

Promotion creates excitement, but surviving in Serie A is a completely different challenge. Frosinone, for example, have never managed to avoid relegation in their previous three Serie A campaigns. That does not mean bettors should automatically back these clubs to lose. Instead, it is better to examine their opponents, home advantage, injuries and recent form before making a decision.

Como also deserves some caution despite their impressive fourth-place finish. Champions League football could make their league schedule much harder than it was last season.

Serie A Players Who Could Offer Betting Value

Player markets can sometimes offer better opportunities than simply picking match winners. Lautaro Martinez is an obvious name after finishing as Serie A's top scorer last season. His 17 goals made him the league's leading scorer, although the relatively low winning total shows how competitive the scoring market can be.

For bettors, that means it may be worth looking beyond the outright top-scorer market. Goalscorer bets in individual matches, shots markets and player performance markets can provide more opportunities throughout the season.

Como's attacking players are also worth monitoring. Their fourth-place finish last season shows that the club can compete with established Serie A sides, but their Champions League involvement means player rotation could become important.

The best approach is to wait for confirmed lineups before taking player-specific bets. A player who normally starts every week may suddenly be rested because of European commitments or a midweek fixture.