The Seria B is the second tier of club football in Italy, and it is just as competitive. So competitive that last season’s relegated teams from the Serie A are struggling to find their feet in the division.
Asked about why Italian legend, Gianluigi Buffon chose to join Parma in the lower division, “The football is still round in the Seria B,” he replied.
Empoli and Salernitana gained promotion automatically to the top-tier as Venezia came in via the playoffs. While Gli Azurri are coping particularly well in 13th place, Venezia and Salernitana are struggling considerably in the relegation zone.
And yet, there is very little to separate the top five teams in the Seria B as the fight for promotion intensifies. Only three points between Cremonese in first place and Monza in fifth place.
A lot could still change with 13 matches to go. Some patterns have emerged so far this season making the Seria B a rewarding market for smart punters.
Here are four sensational bet options:
Goal/Goal In Matches Involving Lecce
Lecce is placed second on the log, a point behind Brescia. They are one of the more popular teams across both divisions in Italy.
And if they are not sitting comfortably at the top this season, the Giallorossi have themselves to blame. Since defeating Cremonese in game week 20, they have dropped nine points from their last five matches. On the other hand, Le Tigri have remained unbeaten since then.
In fact, Marco Baroni’s men have conceded first in three of their last four matches.
33-year-old forward, Massimo Coda has been very decent, scoring 13 goals. However, the defence has somehow managed to concede at crucial times.
Both teams have scored in 15 out of 25 matches played by Lecce. This is therefore an enticing option for punters invested in the Seria B.
Over 1.5 Goals In Matches Involving Parma
Parma ended last season in bottom place, managing to garner just 20 points the entire campaign. And even now in the lower tier, the struggle continues as they sit in 14th position, 17 points from an automatic spot.
The Crociati lost more than half of the squad that prosecuted last season’s matches, including forward Gervinho who signed for Trabzonspor.
They hired Guiseppe Lachini last November after leaving Fiorentina. And yet, the tides are yet to turn. The Italian manager has managed just two wins since arriving at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.
Nigeria international, Simeon Nwankwo joined in January and has scored one goal in five matches.
Lachini’s men have scored 29 goals and conceded 30, winning only six matches all season.
Parma has recorded 18 over 1.5 margins in 25. Punters can take advantage of this safe bet option.
Over 4.5 Yellow Cards In Matches Involving Perugia
Newly promoted from Serie C, Perugia is holding its own quite well, placed eighth on the log. Indeed, they share the same number of points with Frosinone in 7th position.
The Grifoni are a particularly low scoring side, averaging just about a goal per match. However, Massimiliano Alvini, who joined them last summer has favoured a more defensive approach. Only Pisa has conceded fewer goals than his team.
The strategy has for the Italian is to sit in a low block and try to win back possession as aggressively as possible. As a result, they tend to get cautioned more frequently.
Perugia has received 74 yellow cards in the league this season, an average of almost 3 per match. Smart punters can safely bet on at least five yellow cards in matches involving Perugia.
Under 3.5 Goals In Matches Involving Pisa
Pisa sits in fourth position, or joint-second, depending on the context- a point behind Brescia. Of course, they have their eyes on an automatic spot for promotion.
Like Perugia, the emphasis is on denying the opponent chances of scoring. The Nerazzurri have conceded the least number of goals in Seria B.
Luca D’Angelo’s men have only let in more than two goals once. However, they seemed to have slumped in recent matches, managing to win just one of their last five matches. They have drawn four of them.
21 of 25 matches involving Pisa have finished with less than four goals scored. This option is almost guaranteed to fetch great profits for punters.
