SERIE B YTD – 81W 75L 39T (+57.72 units)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
></o>
<o> </o>
With six games remaining in the B league, there is no room for mistakes for the usual suspects seeking Serie A ascension. Same could be said for those trying to avoid relegation to the pit of hell, Serie C. Time to find a proper wave, and hopefully surf to the shore in one piece.<o></o>
<o> </o>
Albinoleffe at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1lace>TREVISO</st1lace></st1:City> – Let’s look at <st1:City><st1lace>Treviso</st1lace></st1:City>’s last four opponents: <st1lace>Napoli</st1lace> (in form), <st1:City><st1lace>Modena</st1lace></st1:City> (in form, surging to avoid relegation), <st1:City><st1lace>Genoa</st1lace></st1:City> (in form, and seeking Serie A graduation), last and not least, Mantova (in form with one loss in the last 13). Not surprised that they walked away from that stretch with just two draws. Nonetheless, their 0-0 against Mantova in mid week was very impressive, with a little luck in the finishing and they would have walked away with a much needed victory. With 41 points, <st1:City><st1lace>Treviso</st1lace></st1:City> is sitting dangerously close to the relegation sector, and cannot afford to underestimate sneaky Albinoleffe. There are a few bottom of the pack teams that I would back in this situation, with <st1:City><st1lace>Treviso</st1lace></st1:City> being one of them. Home record not the greatest, but always play tough on home turf. Got to believe that a draw here is a useless result for the home side, so expect them to play an aggressive front three in search for the ever important first goal. Speed will be a factor here, as <st1:City><st1lace>Treviso</st1lace></st1:City> likes to run, something that slower Albinoleffe does not excel at.<o></o>
Believe that by game time <st1:City><st1lace>Treviso</st1lace></st1:City> will be spotting the juice, hence the line is to my liking.<o></o>
<st1:City><st1lace>TREVISO</st1lace></st1:City> -0.5 +106 (7 units)<o></o>
<o> </o>
Napoli at MANTOVA – It goes without saying that both these teams excel on the defensive side, therefore an analysis of recent form is imperative if one is to take a dive on either of these two. You can argue that Mantova is the selection here, evidence of their record in the last 13 games, having lost just one game. However, <st1lace>Napoli</st1lace>’s latest 5 game stretch is even more impressive: 5 straight victories with just a single goal conceded. More importantly though, is the fact that the offense has finally come alive at the right time. Something that was arguably not there in the first half of the season, where they had to manufacture 1-nil victories. <st1lace>Napoli</st1lace> should be slightly favoured here, with a minimum PK and -0.5 -105 line. Obviously the books have to respect Mantova’s home record of 10W-7D-1L, 25 goals scored and only 11 against; but the visitor is a superior opponent with serious Serie A aspirations. Mantova is a defensive team first, who does not have the offensive creativity to seriously pressure <st1lace>Napoli</st1lace> into making defensive mistakes. With <st1:City><st1lace>Genoa</st1lace></st1:City> expected to beat Frosinone, they should be focused on keeping pace, and, more importantly, generating a victory. It won’t be easy, but I expect them to take control in the second half. The line is definitely to my liking, and would not be surprised if it surges to -140.<o></o>
<st1:Street><st1:address>Napoli PK</st1:address></st1:Street> -111 (6 units)<o></o>
<o> </o>
Triestina at <st1:City><st1lace>BOLOGNA</st1lace></st1:City> – Playing 10 against 11 for the better part of the game, <st1:City><st1lace>Bologna</st1lace></st1:City> managed to overcome a 1 nil deficit against <st1:City><st1lace>Vicenza</st1lace></st1:City> in midweek play, to earn the single point. They could have folder right there and then, down a goal and a man short, against a team that knows how to protect a lead. Instead they went on the attack for the complete second half, pressing <st1:City><st1lace>Vicenza</st1lace></st1:City> till the 92<SUP>nd</SUP> minute in search of the go ahead goal. It didn’t happen, but the effort was valiant. Time is running out for <st1:City><st1lace>Bologna</st1lace></st1:City> to make a final push for Serie A graduation; with 6 games remaining, they have slipped to 6<SUP>th</SUP> in the standings with 57 points. They have no one to blame but themselves as the wounds were self inflicted, and now find themselves 11 points back of Napoli, and 10 from Genoa. If midweek play was any indication, they have not given up just yet, and will come out firing against Triestina. Match-up is to my liking, as <st1:City><st1lace>Bologna</st1lace></st1:City>’s midfield is vastly superior to the visitor, especially in the speed department. I am inclined to believe that this one could get ugly in the second half (please! No more red cards). Not a big fan of the inflated goal line, but see nothing but a decisive victory for the home side.<o></o>
<st1:City><st1lace>BOLOGNA</st1lace></st1:City> -1 and -1.5 +104 (7 units)<o></o>
<st1:City><st1lace>BOLOGNA</st1lace></st1:City> over 2.5 +115 (6 units)<o></o>
<o> </o>
<st1:City><st1lace>Rimini</st1lace></st1:City> at <st1:City><st1lace>PIACENZA</st1lace></st1:City> – Sorry Rimini, you played like crap against <st1:City><st1lace>Crotone</st1lace></st1:City> last week, which would mean that your head is in the clouds, dreaming sweet Serie A dreams. <st1:City><st1lace>Piacenza</st1lace></st1:City> is a complete disappointment on road, although they did manage to come back from 1-0 nil down to beat <st1:City><st1lace>Bari</st1lace></st1:City> 2-1 (a good sign), in midweek play. At home, total different story. In 17 games, they have compiled a 12W-1D-4L record. Also impressive is their goal differential, with 33 goals scored and 19 allowed. It is this predator like behavior that leads me to believe that they are primed to catch their opponent flat. Two teams separated in the standings by just 3 points, with an outside shot at Serie A graduation. With this line, will side with the home team in this situation, as I do not trust <st1:City><st1lace>Rimini</st1lace></st1:City> on the road against a quality offensive team like <st1:City><st1lace>Piacenza</st1lace></st1:City>.<o></o>
<st1:Street><st1:address>PIACENZA PK</st1:address></st1:Street> and 0.5 +106 (5 units)<o></o>
<o> </o>
<st1:City><st1lace>Brescia</st1lace></st1:City> at SPEZIA – Much like <st1:City><st1lace>Treviso</st1lace></st1:City>, Spezia very close to the relegation area. Good thing they have managed to win two in row and, surprisingly enough, seem to have found the scoring touch. <st1:City><st1lace>Brescia</st1lace></st1:City> playing well of late, but I suspect that they will be somewhat unmotivated by this opponent. Playing the trap here.<o></o>
<st1:Street><st1:address>BRESCIA PK</st1:address></st1:Street> and -0.5 -107 (4 units)<o></o>
<st1:City><st1lace>BRESCIA</st1lace></st1:City> over 2 and 2.5 -109 (4.5 units)<o></o>
<o> </o>
<st1:City><st1lace>Genoa</st1lace></st1:City> at FROSINONE – <st1:City><st1lace>Genoa</st1lace></st1:City> will be focused here, fully aware that <st1lace>Napoli</st1lace> will have their hands full with Mantova. The Bombers of the north are in excellent form with 7 wins in the last 8 games, averaging almost 2 goals a game. Doubt very much that Frosinone, losers of the last three, will be able to contain this offensive monster.<o></o>
<st1:City><st1lace>Genoa</st1lace></st1:City> pk and -0.5 -122 (5 units)<o></o>
<st1:City><st1lace>Genoa</st1lace></st1:City> over 2 and 2.5 -106 (5.5 units)<o></o>
<o> </o>
Best of Luck,<o></o>
<o> </o>
MA<o></o>
fficeffice" /><o></o><o
> </o>With six games remaining in the B league, there is no room for mistakes for the usual suspects seeking Serie A ascension. Same could be said for those trying to avoid relegation to the pit of hell, Serie C. Time to find a proper wave, and hopefully surf to the shore in one piece.<o
></o><o
> </o>Albinoleffe at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
ffice:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1lace>TREVISO</st1lace></st1:City> – Let’s look at <st1:City><st1lace>Treviso</st1lace></st1:City>’s last four opponents: <st1lace>Napoli</st1lace> (in form), <st1:City><st1lace>Modena</st1lace></st1:City> (in form, surging to avoid relegation), <st1:City><st1lace>Genoa</st1lace></st1:City> (in form, and seeking Serie A graduation), last and not least, Mantova (in form with one loss in the last 13). Not surprised that they walked away from that stretch with just two draws. Nonetheless, their 0-0 against Mantova in mid week was very impressive, with a little luck in the finishing and they would have walked away with a much needed victory. With 41 points, <st1:City><st1lace>Treviso</st1lace></st1:City> is sitting dangerously close to the relegation sector, and cannot afford to underestimate sneaky Albinoleffe. There are a few bottom of the pack teams that I would back in this situation, with <st1:City><st1lace>Treviso</st1lace></st1:City> being one of them. Home record not the greatest, but always play tough on home turf. Got to believe that a draw here is a useless result for the home side, so expect them to play an aggressive front three in search for the ever important first goal. Speed will be a factor here, as <st1:City><st1lace>Treviso</st1lace></st1:City> likes to run, something that slower Albinoleffe does not excel at.<o></o>Believe that by game time <st1:City><st1
lace>Treviso</st1lace></st1:City> will be spotting the juice, hence the line is to my liking.<o></o><st1:City><st1
lace>TREVISO</st1lace></st1:City> -0.5 +106 (7 units)<o></o><o
> </o>Napoli at MANTOVA – It goes without saying that both these teams excel on the defensive side, therefore an analysis of recent form is imperative if one is to take a dive on either of these two. You can argue that Mantova is the selection here, evidence of their record in the last 13 games, having lost just one game. However, <st1
lace>Napoli</st1lace>’s latest 5 game stretch is even more impressive: 5 straight victories with just a single goal conceded. More importantly though, is the fact that the offense has finally come alive at the right time. Something that was arguably not there in the first half of the season, where they had to manufacture 1-nil victories. <st1lace>Napoli</st1lace> should be slightly favoured here, with a minimum PK and -0.5 -105 line. Obviously the books have to respect Mantova’s home record of 10W-7D-1L, 25 goals scored and only 11 against; but the visitor is a superior opponent with serious Serie A aspirations. Mantova is a defensive team first, who does not have the offensive creativity to seriously pressure <st1lace>Napoli</st1lace> into making defensive mistakes. With <st1:City><st1lace>Genoa</st1lace></st1:City> expected to beat Frosinone, they should be focused on keeping pace, and, more importantly, generating a victory. It won’t be easy, but I expect them to take control in the second half. The line is definitely to my liking, and would not be surprised if it surges to -140.<o></o><st1:Street><st1:address>Napoli PK</st1:address></st1:Street> -111 (6 units)<o
></o><o
> </o>Triestina at <st1:City><st1
lace>BOLOGNA</st1lace></st1:City> – Playing 10 against 11 for the better part of the game, <st1:City><st1lace>Bologna</st1lace></st1:City> managed to overcome a 1 nil deficit against <st1:City><st1lace>Vicenza</st1lace></st1:City> in midweek play, to earn the single point. They could have folder right there and then, down a goal and a man short, against a team that knows how to protect a lead. Instead they went on the attack for the complete second half, pressing <st1:City><st1lace>Vicenza</st1lace></st1:City> till the 92<SUP>nd</SUP> minute in search of the go ahead goal. It didn’t happen, but the effort was valiant. Time is running out for <st1:City><st1lace>Bologna</st1lace></st1:City> to make a final push for Serie A graduation; with 6 games remaining, they have slipped to 6<SUP>th</SUP> in the standings with 57 points. They have no one to blame but themselves as the wounds were self inflicted, and now find themselves 11 points back of Napoli, and 10 from Genoa. If midweek play was any indication, they have not given up just yet, and will come out firing against Triestina. Match-up is to my liking, as <st1:City><st1lace>Bologna</st1lace></st1:City>’s midfield is vastly superior to the visitor, especially in the speed department. I am inclined to believe that this one could get ugly in the second half (please! No more red cards). Not a big fan of the inflated goal line, but see nothing but a decisive victory for the home side.<o></o><st1:City><st1
lace>BOLOGNA</st1lace></st1:City> -1 and -1.5 +104 (7 units)<o></o><st1:City><st1
lace>BOLOGNA</st1lace></st1:City> over 2.5 +115 (6 units)<o></o><o
> </o><st1:City><st1
lace>Rimini</st1lace></st1:City> at <st1:City><st1lace>PIACENZA</st1lace></st1:City> – Sorry Rimini, you played like crap against <st1:City><st1lace>Crotone</st1lace></st1:City> last week, which would mean that your head is in the clouds, dreaming sweet Serie A dreams. <st1:City><st1lace>Piacenza</st1lace></st1:City> is a complete disappointment on road, although they did manage to come back from 1-0 nil down to beat <st1:City><st1lace>Bari</st1lace></st1:City> 2-1 (a good sign), in midweek play. At home, total different story. In 17 games, they have compiled a 12W-1D-4L record. Also impressive is their goal differential, with 33 goals scored and 19 allowed. It is this predator like behavior that leads me to believe that they are primed to catch their opponent flat. Two teams separated in the standings by just 3 points, with an outside shot at Serie A graduation. With this line, will side with the home team in this situation, as I do not trust <st1:City><st1lace>Rimini</st1lace></st1:City> on the road against a quality offensive team like <st1:City><st1lace>Piacenza</st1lace></st1:City>.<o></o><st1:Street><st1:address>PIACENZA PK</st1:address></st1:Street> and 0.5 +106 (5 units)<o
></o><o
> </o><st1:City><st1
lace>Brescia</st1lace></st1:City> at SPEZIA – Much like <st1:City><st1lace>Treviso</st1lace></st1:City>, Spezia very close to the relegation area. Good thing they have managed to win two in row and, surprisingly enough, seem to have found the scoring touch. <st1:City><st1lace>Brescia</st1lace></st1:City> playing well of late, but I suspect that they will be somewhat unmotivated by this opponent. Playing the trap here.<o></o><st1:Street><st1:address>BRESCIA PK</st1:address></st1:Street> and -0.5 -107 (4 units)<o
></o><st1:City><st1
lace>BRESCIA</st1lace></st1:City> over 2 and 2.5 -109 (4.5 units)<o></o><o
> </o><st1:City><st1
lace>Genoa</st1lace></st1:City> at FROSINONE – <st1:City><st1lace>Genoa</st1lace></st1:City> will be focused here, fully aware that <st1lace>Napoli</st1lace> will have their hands full with Mantova. The Bombers of the north are in excellent form with 7 wins in the last 8 games, averaging almost 2 goals a game. Doubt very much that Frosinone, losers of the last three, will be able to contain this offensive monster.<o></o><st1:City><st1
lace>Genoa</st1lace></st1:City> pk and -0.5 -122 (5 units)<o></o><st1:City><st1
lace>Genoa</st1lace></st1:City> over 2 and 2.5 -106 (5.5 units)<o></o><o
> </o>Best of Luck,<o
></o><o
> </o>MA<o
></o>
