Serie A 2026/27 Preview 🔥 Table Predictions, Best Kits, Coaches, Top Scorers & Surprise Team!
Welcome, everyone! Today we're doing the ultimate Serie A season preview. We're going through the title race, predicting the final table, ranking the best kits, looking at the coaches, picking our top goal scorers — and, most importantly, identifying the team that could surprise everyone this season. Today's agenda: 🏆 Scudetto prediction 📊 Full Serie A table prediction 👔 Coaches to watch 👕 Best kits ⚽ Top goal scorers 🚨 Biggest surprise package ❓ Your predictions in the live chat
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Welcome to a new episode of the Football Italia live show. I'm Lorenzo Bettini, once again joined by the great Richard Hall. Richard, thank you so much for being here with me today. >> Love in the great intro, but yeah, I'll take it. No, it's always good [laughter] to be back always good to be back with your good self and yeah, looking forward to this one because Serie A is nearly upon us and that's exciting for so many reasons. >> So today we do a Serie A preview live with our followers. So send us your predictions, send us your thoughts about the new Serie A campaign. We will finish these live show with a prediction of table of title winner, top four relegated teams. But first of all, let's start with the surprise teams. Which teams will surprise us during the new season? Which players will likely surprise us during the new campaign which begins next Saturday with two games Como and Udinese Como and Inter Monza and Inter Monza is also the game that I will be covering live for Football Italia from San Siro with a dedicated post-match show live from San Siro with Richard as well. So stay tuned cuz we got a lot of updates and a lot of news for the new campaign here on Football Italia. You start, Richard. >> Okay, so surprise packages I mean surprise packages can come in all shapes and sizes, you know, you can be someone who avoids relegation, a surprise title contender, someone who, you know, comes from that mid-table obscurity and gets into the Europa League or something like that. But I'm going to start with one that I think will really benefit from the stability of coach and it might actually challenge I mean we'll talk about challenging for the title and how that could be quite difficult, but I actually think Roma this season will be really one to watch, personally. I think when you look at the Inter at the moment, you we'll talk about Inter probably later on, but you look at the the coaches in the turnaround. I think there's been nine overall. And there are some real heavyweight coaches in the league as well at the moment, but it's having that consistency. And for me, I think when you look at we'll talk about Inter and we'll say that they're going to probably maybe win the league, let's say that. Um but, as as a reigning champion, someone's going to compete with them. And for me, I think that Roma could be that. Now, Gasperini, obviously, is already um I thought that first season was fairly impressive to see who, you know, [clears throat] how he did. Um they finished What did they finish? Third? Surpassed that 70 goals, returned to Champions League, etc. Well, they've got a lot going on. I think that extension for Dybala is massive for them. And with him and Malen, I think if they can I don't know about it. If those can those two can stay fit under what they have with Gasperini and what they've built on already, then I just think that they've really got a a magnificent chance at this because they have a bit of excitement. They've got that stability I mentioned as well. I mean, look, what was it? I think Malen has 14 goals in He looks at his nose. Only uh 18 Serie A appearances last season. You have that and a fit Dybala, a crazy plan giving Malen that uh freedom to go and carry on doing what he was doing last season. And all of a sudden, that that's huge. That is absolutely huge. So, with Gasperini and a settled second season, uh Champions League squad depth, plus that Dybala and Malen situation, I think it's a great com- combination of uh an ability to to go far. I think if they navigate it properly, they could be the the nearest team to disrupt Inter, and therefore, probably a bit of a surprise package because with there's talk about Juventus and Milan, all the changes that have happened, and I just feel that there's something happening in Rome. >> Yeah, there's a lot of expectations around Dybala because the pre-season has been really good. I mean, for him, the performances have been quite good. The results for Roma overall not great, but um his performances have been pretty good. He looked really in shape uh during the pre-season. And uh arguably, it's going to be his last season in Rome, his last season in Serie A, sort of last dance. So, uh mentally as well, there's something on the player's side that I think uh will will give him extra motivation. I'm a bit surprised, to be fair, to um to talk about Roma in terms of potential challengers for uh for the Scudetto. I still think they need uh uh something up front. Uh they have depth. They just got Rodrigo Palacio uh from Porto. Uh Soler is still there, Dybala is still there, but I think Gasperini was looking for something more substantial in in attacking midfielder. I'm not too sure he's 100% happy with what he got from the market. Uh but he he he's never too happy about the market anyway, so >> [laughter] >> He hasn't been He hasn't been happy for years about the about the transfer. Ciao Thomas in the meantime, we've got comment from Lorenzo as well before. Send us your prediction, guys. Tell us who you think will win the Scudetto, who you think will be the surprise of the season. Um in terms of top four, um I mean, it's it's not It wouldn't be like a huge surprise because they've had a great transfer window. Um and I'm talking about Fiorentina, but there are uh very good teams competing for the top four. So, to me, it would still be surprising to see them fight for the top four. But, at the same time, they don't play in the Europa League, they don't play in the Conference League, they have no European competitions. There's great enthusiasm in Florence. I'm still away from Florence, but I'm coming back tomorrow and then and then go to London. >> [laughter] >> I think the the atmosphere hasn't changed in Florence. When I left for holiday, it was like crazy. Everyone was waiting for Mast Antuano, who's now arrived from Real Madrid. He even met some Fiorentina fans on on the seaside here, not too far away from where I am. And so, it's there's really a lot of excitement. I still think they maybe need a little extra push to make it to the top four. But, what we saw with Como last season is that you don't necessarily need to make it gradual, step-by-step. And go Conference League, Europa League, Champions League. Something similar to what Atalanta have done under Gasperini in the last decade. Sometimes it can just be from one day to another. You don't You don't play in Europe, and then you go to the Champions League straight away. So, Fiorentina are definitely one to watch and one of the potential surprises, I think. Do you have other teams in mind? >> Um I think that the other one, funnily enough, from similar region. I think Bologna. And I I know we shouldn't talk about Bologna as a surprise, because in previous seasons, obviously, you know, they've won the Coppa Italia, they've played European football, developed valuable players, established themselves very serious Serie A club. But, they've almost been a bit of a sleeper train in the in the last season. And obviously, going I think it was Who was it now? Motta to Italiano, now to Tedesco, who's to 28. I think that they might just have a bit of a a bit of a challenge again. I think people have sort of stopped talking about them a little bit. And um ciao. And then yeah, I just think that you know, look they when you look at can they turn that excellent club structure into another European qualification. Again, a lot of the teams in Serie A I always find it difficult to talk about surprises because there's so much potential in so many of them. So really it's I think it's almost instead of saying surprise, it's almost who's going to reach that potential um in that sense. And I think with Bologna as well, they just have the obviously good fan base stadium to you know, scratch. They just seem to have that capacity to do it. And I do think that with with them, you know, they've they've got an opportunity now to play with that sort of back three structure, but they're also flexible as well to change on depending on what personnel still come in. So tactically I think they'll be really good. You know, they've got that really sort of possession based but aggressive attacking football. So yeah, I think that maybe just maybe that with the balance in the team, is it right? Not sure, but they could when I say surprise could they push one of the bigger teams that we all expect to finish in the top four? Could they push them out? So very similar to your argument with Fiorentina. >> Before we discuss this comment from Lorenzo it doesn't happen very often, Richard, but this time I don't agree with you cuz I think Bologna have sold way too many good players. Then of course it depends cuz Dovbyk is I think he massively underperformed that role. So I think Dovbyk is if he's fit and this is something that I'm going to say about a few other players now. Uh but if he's fit, he can be a really added value at Bologna. But they've changed a lot cuz they've sold their best center back Lykogiannis sending him to Juventus. They've entirely changed their attacking structure, I would say um because they went from a I mean he's not very tiny but he's not a classic center forward Santiago Castro. >> No. >> Sold the Castro to Roma and now they go with Piccoli and Zapata who are more physical who are proper classic number nine. So um you have to see. It's Tedesco's first season at Roma in Serie A. And Bologna So I'm not too convinced they can challenge for Europe but honestly I I would love it because I love the Bologna fan base. I was covering the Coppa Italia final against Milan a couple of years ago and it's I mean the way they supported the team, the way they celebrated at the end of the match was absolutely fantastic and I would love them to see up there again but I think they are weaker than last season so I'm not too sure they can challenge there. Let's focus on this message from Lorenzo. I really think Malen struggle because he's now known within the league and look at his numbers within his second season. The numbers aren't really poor. I see this point. I can understand it. But I think it's also the first time in Malen's career that he has such a central uh part in a project and he plays consistently as a center forward and is not one game as an attacking midfielder, one game as a winger. He has a clear role at Roma and in a few minutes we're going to talk about the potential Capocannoniere winner in Serie A and I think he'll be in the conversation. >> Yeah, definitely. I I get the point as well because you know it is that second season syndrome. I get that and but I think that like you say within being central, within being trusted and the point you made before about Gasperini still maybe looking for someone else and a different type of element to him, you you a different type of striker. Maybe he did you need a different type? But what they've got there and then again, you know, when you think of what he did last season, then you put Dybala into the mix if he stays fit. And there's a lot of ifs, buts, and around all these conversations that will be, but yeah, I get your point, but I still think that we're going to see some big numbers from him. >> Yeah, I think so. In fact, I think so. You see, we agreed a few minutes ago, but then we back on track again now. >> [laughter] >> Uh top scorers, let's go with top scorers, uh Richard. >> Uh >> Lautaro is there. >> I've I've got a >> Lautaro is there. Yeah, go. >> I'll do my top five, yeah? And then just a quick quick line under each. I mean, yeah, look, Lautaro, of course. Um good World Cup, great last season. Massive Inter bias from me, sorry. I'll be honest. But yeah, of course, of course. I mean, for me he's the top striker in the league at the moment and you wouldn't expect any more cuz I do predict Inter are the strongest team to win the title. Second one, you might Um this is going to cause a few eyebrows, probably. Uh But Gonçalo Ramos for Milan. I've just got a feeling. I just feel he's what they need. I think it's going to be very interesting to see how Amarendra's with his system. Uh it's a high-risk prediction, understood. But if Amarendra's system works, I just have a feeling that Ramos could explode. Not saying he's going to be top scorer, but he'll be in there. The other one, and I'm not doing this cuz of an Inter bias, but the way that Kivy rotates, if you put in Lautaro up there, I just think you've got to put Marcus Thuram up there. I think they'll both get good numbers uh for no other reason that he's done it before. So, even if he's almost not playing second fiddle to to Lautaro, but just that partnership that we see, um you would put him in there. Um I'd also have Rasmus Højlund for Napoli. I think that's going to be a Now again, that's a I I think his game might suit Allegri and what he does there, but it's a huge transition into that tactical shift. So, there are ifs, ands, and buts about that, but will he get as many chances under Allegri than he did with Conte? Don't know. But, he will be the man who has to provide for Napoli. So, if Napoli are to be successful, he needs to be successful. And then, I think uh Kolo Muani from from Juventus, I think uh it's I think he could score heavily if if Juventus become more dominant uh territorially, uh which I think they can. Um and I think Juventus are creeping right back up there, that freight train that they are. I think he could have a really good season. So, yeah, it's uh >> Sparta Warrior mentioned the Vicas, which uh is an interesting pick, but we've got reports from Fabrizio Romano this morning saying that Como will come back to Fiorentina and make an improved offer for Moise Kean. Uh the first one was uh 35 minute uh 35 million euros including add-ons has been rejected by Fiorentina. So, the Vicas is an interesting pick because last season I had it in my fantasy football team, actually, and I got it from not too much money, but it was a very good investment in my team. Um and uh but yeah, Como play with so many different systems. They can play with a center forward, they can play with a full sign. He wasn't always a starter, especially in the first part, and even in some big games the Vicas didn't start. But, you know, they play just Como I think Como just played too well. So, if you get their wingers, attacking midfielders, strikers, you're going to have their 10 plus goal contributions from Nikopolidis, from the Vicas, from Moise candidate he goes there. So it's uh it's always a safe option to pick on personally for Como. I think maybe that might struggle a bit just in the first part because it's the first time in history they play in the Champions League. Playing once a week or playing two or three times a week per week is not the same thing, but I expect [snorts] something similar for example to when Bologna went to the Champions League with with Vincenzo Italiano. You remember that that run in in Europe wasn't great and they had mixed results in um in Syria, but then the second part was really strong because they kind of learned what it takes to you know be there and uh and you know yeah, learned a lot from that Champions League journey. So I would expect something similar even though I see the Como project and the Como team way more solid that Bologna was a few years ago even though that Bologna side was was really really good. We have a cheeky comment from Thomas cuz we mentioned Milan before. Thomas says you mean they just >> [laughter] >> So ex- explain a bit of context Thomas. Do you mean that they're just getting too many signings or spending too much money on on players that won't do really well? Personally for Milan I think the same as you Richard. I I mean Gonzalo Ramos it's a big transfer fee so we'll have pressure on him. But he's a very good striker for Syria level currently. >> Yeah. >> To be fair I have I've even more doubts on the new guy Diego Moreira. Uh purely because um Amorim plays with the three-man defense so Moreira is not going to be an attacking winger. Um the world of the chick Pulisic. True, they got lot of ex-Chelsea players. >> [laughter] >> Uh, but Tomori is probably going. Loftus-Cheek is staying. Pulisic is staying. Uh, but yeah, talking about Milan, this new Diogo Moreira guy, something I said in the previous uh um, in the previous podcast as well. The fact that he plays as a left midfielder, as a left wing-back uh I'm not too convinced he can have an impact upfront. Personally, I would have loved to see a big investment on an attacking midfielder because as as things stand, then maybe Loftus-Cheek mentioned by Thomas is is one potential starter as an attacking midfielder. And I think if you want to challenge for this Scudetto, you need more quality in that area of the pitch. I may be wrong. I I am often wrong, but >> [laughter] >> This is This is This is This is This is what I feel. I mean, it's good investments, exciting players. But they still need something. >> See, I think the summer and the players that Milan have, the fact that, you know, obviously Modrić has put another year on it. Um, you know, he they play that sort of So, what is it? 3-4-2-1 that Amrabat plays? That I think they're going to score a lot of goals. I don't think they're going to I think I put I would well, come to where I think Milan will end up at the end of the show, but uh I wherever they I think that he will get 20-plus goals because I think they're going to be reliant on Ramos. I think that uh that system suits him. Uh, but again, it all depends, doesn't it? It's always in those in those first few games. He scores day one, that prediction's on, you know? But if we it's that initial how long's it taking to get off the ground, so it will be interesting. >> Um, my top scorers, cuz we answered a few questions. Um, I think Malen and Lautaro top everyone else. I have the few the same doubts as you about Haaland. Uh, I think he'll be up there, maybe among the top five. But with Allegri um I can't remember the last top scorer uh that played under Allegri in Serie A. Probably there was somebody at Juventus. Uh [snorts] but mm I mean generally speaking about Napoli, I think they'll do much better than people think because Allegri's results over the last few years it it doesn't is not Guardiola. Uh he doesn't play attacking football. He's not uh spectacular in his playing style, but I think the quality of the Juventus and Milan teams over the last few years really weren't there. Last year didn't have a center forward. He even made a joke when he was um unveiled as the new Napoli coach saying that last season I was close to Hojlund and now I'm actually getting him cuz Milan were in talks to get Hojlund and now he's actually coaching him. So mm I think it's going to be a better season for Napoli than what what people expect. Little spoiler from what we're going to say later on. I think Napoli will be in the top four 100%. >> I agree one thing. Just sorry to interrupt, but the one thing I didn't put Malen in mine and I should have done because if I expect their Roma to finish second then Malen should 100% be in mine. So yeah, I think I he they definitely will be. Sorry, carry on. >> No, I'm just um just saying about about about Napoli. I think they're going to have a much better season than what most people think. We got a few um comments and questions about Allegri in the last podcast which we didn't have time to answer and personally I think they're going to be in the probably in the top three. Um it's my guess. I think they'll finish second, but this again it's it's a little spoiler from what we'll have at the end of this live stream. Um we got a few more comments. Keep sending your comments. Keep sending your predictions, your favorite players, your any prediction, everything you have in you have in mind about the new Serie A season that begins next next Saturday. Um Surprise players, I think there are a f