Hellas Verona vs. Sassuolo (Saturday, 5.30pm)
© Reuters
Both under new management for 2021-22, Hellas Verona and Sassuolo clash at Stadio Bentegodi on the opening day of the Serie A season.
With recently installed coaches equally keen to get their reign off to a winning start on Saturday - following the exit of overachieving predecessors - an appetising encounter is in prospect.
We say: Hellas Verona 1-2 Sassuolo
Despite change at the top, Sassuolo can continue their upward trajectory this season - providing no further exits occur - so can get 2021-22 off to a flier with an away win in Veneto.
While Verona often proved hard to beat under Ivan Juric, the Croatian coach's successor does not carry the clout he once did - and the Gialloblu's goalscoring problems do not appear to have been resolved.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Inter Milan vs. Genoa (Saturday, 5.30pm)
© Reuters
After a summer of change, Inter Milan aim to mount a successful defence of their 19th Scudetto - starting on Saturday, against Genoa.
Under new management and without absent stars, the Nerazzurri return to San Siro, where they meet a side which flirted with the drop before ultimately finishing in mid-table last term, having returned to a three-time former manager.
We say: Inter Milan 2-0 Genoa
Precedent tells us that only one result is on the cards this Saturday - and Simone Inzaghi's Inter are not set to disappoint.
The Nerazzurri have drawn only one of their last 10 season openers and have established a reign of utter dominance over Genoa in recent times, so a convincing win should settle some new faces in at San Siro, as the champions welcome back some of their long-missed fans.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Empoli vs. Lazio (Saturday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Having seen a club legend depart their dugout during the summer, Lazio start the new Serie A season with a trip to promoted Empoli on Saturday.
Following Simone Inzaghi's switch to champions Inter, now Maurizio Sarri is the man charged with ensuring the Biancocelesti contest a top-four place, while the home side are also finding their feet under new management.
We say: Empoli 1-3 Lazio
If Lazio's experienced squad can take on board Maurizio Sarri's demands, they may be ready to prove their alliance is one made to last - not a mere marriage of convenience due to lack of other suitors.
Certainly, the prospect of an Empoli side who generally preferred the front foot last term should please the visitors' rapid forwards - as space to exploit is exactly what Immobile, Correa and company thrive upon. For the hosts, a tough start to top-flight life beckons.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Torino vs. Atalanta (Saturday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
After another season of near-misses, ambitious Atalanta BC start their new Serie A campaign with a trip to Torino on Saturday evening.
Calcio's great entertainers ultimately finished third in the 2020-21 standings and were beaten in the Coppa Italia final by Juventus, so will seek to get off to a winning start in pursuit of further progress this year.
We say: Torino 2-3 Atalanta BC
Ivan Juric and his mentor Gian Piero Gasperini may be old friends, but both men will be intent on sealing success in this curtain-raiser - and it promises to be an entertaining 90 minutes.
Atalanta are associated with all-out attack for a reason and - even in the absence of some key men - can continue their goalscoring feats where they left off in May. Torino, meanwhile, may take a while to learn the methods of their new manager and will come up short on Saturday.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Barney Corkhill
