ITALIAN SERIE A BETTING PICK - REGGINA V EMPOLI

Italian Serie A

2008-05-11 - Reggina vs Empoli

A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser

Analysis:

Reggina comes into this match on the back of their first ever win in Serie A and also managed back to back wins and now a win here would definitely confirm their top flight status when they host Empoli in the battle of the basement boys.

Their earlier meeting earlier this season finished all square as it ended 1-1 after a Fabio Ceravolo’s goal was cancelled out by Luca Saudati. Reggina had to thank their goalkeeper in the form of Nicola Campagnolo who saved a penalty from Saudati to endsure both sides shared the spoils. But this time around Saudati is not available for this match so Empoli is likely to struggle upfront without his services.

Empoli also have to do without the services of Nicola Pozzi. So that means thay have to do without any centre forwards coming into this match. That means that for this match, Ighli Vannucchi partners Under-21 International Sebastian Giovinco. Giovinco a product of the Juventus academy is still relatively inexperienced and it showed after he missed a penalty which was saved by Samir Handanovic last weekend.

Empoli’s defeat in their last match saw them go into the bottom two and if they failed to get any points here would surely means that they will be playing Serie B football next season. Their cause is not helped by the fact that Alessandro Budel is suspended for this match. Even though Ignazio Abate returns from suspension at best he is going to warm the bench.

As for Reggina, year in and year out they have been the favourites to go down but seems to make it through and stay in Serie A after a late charge. Reggina have managed good wins against the likes of Sampdoria, Parma and Catania and with the backing of the home crowd, who is to say that they will not collect maximum points in this match.

After managing their first away win after a year, they know they cannot be complacent and must follow it up with another win to guarantee their top flight status against a team that is fighting for their lives as well. A defeat here could see their opponents draw level on points with them which is unthinkable.

Reggina will miss the services of Salvatore Aronica who is out on a suspension. Valdez will undergo a late fitness test and hopes to make it in time before kickoff. Costa will form a three man defence. The home side have a good experience attack as they are led by Ciccio Cozza, Franco Brienza and Nicola Amoruso.

For Amoruso who was on target last week, he will be aiming to put his name on the scoresheet once again and take on the relatively young and inexperienced defence. Amoruso has a good record in this fixture after he scored two goals when Reggina thrashed Empoli 4-1 when they met at the Stadio Granillo.

At Reggina’s venue the Stadio Granillo as well, they have a good record against Empoli as the visitors have lost three of their previous four trips there since gaining promotion to Serie A. Their only win was a 2-0 victory back in March 2006.

The visitors who have taken full points on their travels when they have beaten Torino and Genoa last month will hope to cause an upset here. But watchg out for Nicola Amoruso who have just found the back of the net against Catania scoring twice and will be eager to put his name on the scoresheet once again here.

Take Reggina and give the 1/2 ball away here.

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser

The Statistics :

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Take Reggina to win this match.