Roma vs. Salernitana (Sunday, 5.30pm)
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Having finished sixth in their first two seasons under Jose Mourinho, a precious top-four finish is the target for Roma this term, and they start the new Serie A campaign at home to Salernitana on Sunday.
While the Giallorossi narrowly missed out on claiming successive European trophies in 2022-23 and failed to find consistency in the league, the visitors consolidated their place in Italy's top tier.
We say: Roma 1-1 Salernitana
No team drew more games in Europe's top five leagues last season (15, level with Reims and Nantes), so Salernitana are not easy to beat under Paulo Sousa. With a settled side and a proven goal threat, the visitors can therefore frustrate their hosts on matchday one and restrict new-look Roma to just a point.
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Sassuolo vs. Atalanta (Sunday, 5.30pm)
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After some eye-catching trading in the transfer window, Atalanta BC kick off their Serie A campaign on Sunday, when they visit Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium.
While the Bergamaschi finished fifth last term to secure a return to Europe, their hosts posted another bottom-half placing and will aim to improve in 2023-24.
We say: Sassuolo 1-1 Atalanta BC
Often a tricky place to tread, Sassuolo's Mapei Stadium would not be Atalanta's first-choice venue for their Serie A opener, and they may have to settle for taking home just one point. With their new forwards still settling in, the Nerazzurri can be caught out by their hosts, who boast several attacking threats of their own.
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Lecce vs. Lazio (Sunday, 7.45pm)
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Having finished second in last season's Serie A standings, Lazio aim to go one better this year, and they kick off their 2023-24 campaign at Lecce's Stadio Via del Mare.
Ahead of their upcoming return to the Champions League, the Biancocelesti will target a fast start in Serie A, where Sunday's hosts remain after defying the drop last term.
We say: Lecce 0-2 Lazio
As Lazio are a well-drilled side and seem to be on the up under Maurizio Sarri, they can rightly aim to sustain last season's progress. Starting with a tough trip down south on matchday one, the Biancocelesti should safely overcome Lecce, as the home side have surely been weakened by their dealings during the summer.
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Udinese vs. Juventus (Sunday, 7.45pm)
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Two months after meeting on the final day of last season, Juventus and Udinese reconvene on Sunday evening for their first Serie A fixture of the new campaign.
In a battle of the Bianconeri, Juve will try to turn over a new page following a tumultuous first half of 2023, while their hosts hope to end a dismal run of results against the Turin giants.
We say: Udinese 0-1 Juventus
For all their flaws, Max Allegri's Juventus generally find a way to get the job done, and they can continue their dominance over Udinese this weekend. Kicking off a fresh campaign with a typically no-frills win, Juve should be able to shut out their hosts for 90 minutes and sneak a goal or two at some stage.
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Matt Law
