Betfair Live Video: Serie B special - Three's into two don't go as the sprint for promotion awaits.

18May 2013

Betfair

As the Serie B season reaches it's climax, Betfair Live Video has the two decisive fixtures covered in the race for promotion. With two spots up for grabs in next season's Serie A, as well as the Ali della Vittoria trophy - which side will tasty glory on the final day. Lewis Watson takes a closer look...

Verona vs Empoli

Saturday 15:30

With a draw confirming Verona's climb back into Serie A, a sold out crowd at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi will arrive in partisan style awaiting their clubs promotion - in typical Italian style...

With four wins on the spin, the Gialloblu have leap-frogged Verona into third spot. With a better head to head record than Livorno, as well as league leaders Sassuolo, promotion is assured if they can secure a point on Saturday afternoon.

Andrea Mandorlini will be delighted with his side's improvement this season. After missing out in last year's playoffs, defensive stability has been the key to their rise to the top of Serie B with an impressive 32 goals being conceded all campaign.

Furthermore, striker Daniele Cacia looks like he has finally settled in club football. After playing for six different teams in six seasons, the 29 year old has had a blistering campaign in Verona, which has seen him lead the race for the Italian golden boot with 24 goals. Scoring seven league doubles this season along with a hat trick in Varese, expect the Italian to finish the season in style with a contribution to the score sheet.

With the visitors secured of their playoff position, expect a weakened side to be picked by Maurizio Sarri, as he will be conscious of next weekend's crunch tie. Finishing last season in 18th spot, Sarri has performed a minor miracle in his first season at Empoli and will be keen to carry on this success with a return to the top flight after a five-year wait.

With a draw @ 1.26 the value looks to be in the correct score market - Empoli wouldn't have the nerve to spoil Verona's party would they?

Recommended Bet:

Back 1-1 @ 2.52

Sassuolo vs Livorno

Saturday 15:30

Buckle up - it's winner takes all in Sassuolo as first vs third face-off for promotion paradise. A win for either side could see them claim the Ali della Vittoria trophy as well as trips to the San Siro and Stadio San Paolo in next season's Serie A.

After effectively having the title in the bag three weeks ago, the hosts have crumbled in recent matches taking only two points from a possible nine making hard work of getting over the finish line.

However, their campaign has been solid. Amounting twenty-four wins and only seven defeats has seen them at the summit for the majority of the season, with a lot of Di Francesco's side's good work being done in the early stages of the season.

With a plethora of goal-scoring options, the league's top goal-scorers have had sixteen different players contribute this season - and with four players on eleven goals, expect no shortage of candidates praying for a game winning opportunity to fall their way on Saturday.

The visitors have a chance to steal promotion in dramatic style. Arguably the form side of the league, Livorno have only lost once in their last thirteen outings and with Sassuolo struggling for confidence, Aldo Spinelli will take a Amaranto side to the Stadio Alberto Braglia in expectation rather than hope.

A draw is no good for Livorno. Assuming that Verona and Empoli play out an expectant draw, Livorno will have to take all three points in a hostile environment if they are going to return to the promise land.

Expect a nervy performance by both sides amounting in Sassuolo clinging onto a crucial point.

Recommended Bet:

Back the draw @ 3.4

Back 0-0 @ 2.22

Back under 1.5 goals @ 3.5