Italian Serie A
2005-09-11 - Empoli vs Juventus
A Sports Betting Pick by BiancoNero
History angle :
Empoli 2 wins – 1 draw – Juventus 3 wins
We already said in general preview that Juventus won the title last year because of Milan blunders and not especially good performances over the season.
Milan's main problem were games vs lesser teams, whereas Juventus usually won games they are rated as favourites. It is our biggest advanatage over Milano rivals.
So Capello will be aware not to repeat some mistakes of the past when the Bianconeri lost easy points away to the likes of Cagliari,Parma and Messina.
In order to defend lo scudetto, Juventus have to win games vs teams like Empoli.
Two years ago Juventus played horrible and managed to take only draw in Empoli It was 3–3 and I remember our former youth product Rocchi scored three goals for home side.
Juve had problems in last week, after Buffon, Thuram and Del Piero picked injuries while they were on international duty, also Zebina is out but I don’t see it as handicap. Also Birindelli is long term injured.
Capello stated he will try with young talented ex Torino Balzaretti as right back (it is weakest point of our team) and new signing Kovac will be given chance instead Thuram.
There was some speculation about Ibrahimovic health problems, but he is fit and will play from first minute alongside Trezeguet, so Juve starting XI should be :
Balzaretti, Cannavaro, Kovac, Zambrotta
Nedved, Vieira, Emerson, Camoranesi
Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic
This team is capable of beating solid Empoli team away from home, but Juve will have to play better than in second half of Chievo game…
I like Empoli team, they were promoted in style and look better than at least fouro five teams in Serie A. It will be interesting to see if they can solve goalscoring problem, they created chances against Udinese but failed to score.
However this team created some problems to Juventus in previous years as they won once and drew twice vs Juve in six previous encounters.
They have solid team, new signing ex Viola captain Rigano will play on Sunday and watch talented Andrea Coda, Italian U21, maybe hottest prospect in Serie from all defenders.
There are voices he is already signed for Juve but was left to Empoli in order to pick valuable Serie A experience. So Empoli coach Somma will field this team :
Bonetto, Pratali, Coda, Busce
Almiron, Ficini, Lodi, Vannucchi, Tavano
Rigano
You see a 4–5–1 formation and it is clear Empoli will defend and try to score from counterattack - it is only way to match Juventus…
Well if Juve were complete I would advice you to try huge bet on away win, but Capello can't count on three regular defenders, and even Juve are favourites I don’t like the odds. The price of 1.50 for away win is bad.
Estimations : 15 – 30 – 55
BEST BETTING TIP :
So I will try only1) OVER 2.5 GOALS (medium bet) – I think Empoli can score
2) Away win (small bet) but with cover 1–1 draw
