Sassuolo 1 - 1 Avellino

1 - 0 A. Noselli  12.min

1 - 1 N. Ciotola 38.min

http://it.eurosport.yahoo.com/

Betting or watching?

One friend asked me once why odds for Championship is on higher level than for other leagues? THAT'S WHY!!! Few rounds till the end, Reading, Birmingham and Sheff.Utd., three promotion chasers didn't win! Birmingham took two points from two games against outsiders. Alex McLeish is proud. Yes mate, I'm too. 

Today is CL and few games beside. Won't touch those two, though I would like to see another over on Stamford. Just watch the footie. But, I've found something for warming up. He he So...

Sassuolo - Avellino

Italian Serie B, postponed game because L’Aquili earthquake and internationals. The hosts share 6th place (2-6 play-off places) with two more teams, but 5th Brescia and 4th Triestina have just a point more (all have a game more too, than Sassuolo). Three points today would launch them in play-off. This season is their debut in Serie B. The primary target was middle table position, but chairman invested some, bought few experienced players and so far everything goes very well. But, Serie A is maybe, little over their capabilities. Five games without a win (three draws and two defeats). Much better play at home ground (in fact, Modena's ground, Stadio Alberto Braglia), nine wins from 15 games, with 22 scored and just 12 goals conceded. Very important player, striker Zampagna came back and scored against Cittadella (1-1 away). Important thing is Sassuolo will face big rival Modena at Saturday. Maybe, they have already started to think about that.

Avellino is on the bottom. Six points less from play-out line (and, again a game less). They have two straight home wins (Pisa 2-0, Ancona 3-0), but also five straight defeats on the road. In the previous season they relegated, started to prepare a team for third league, than Messina announced a bankrupt and Avellino stayed is Serie B. Relegation this season would be more than logic, but boss Campilongo said that they won't surrender. The space for faith is decreasing, anyway. They bought some players in january, but usually face the injury problems. On the road, they play with all players on own half, trying to keep 0-0, hoping for space to make a counter-attack. Few times surprised much stronger teams (Livorno, for example, 0-0). 

I can't see goals, but odds for under are miserable. I think Avellino can stay undefeated. Double chance on them is about 2.20. But, I will gamble. Odds for a draw are very nice. Betfair offers the highest 3.70, Expekt 3.20. I'll take it. Draw.

Empoli - Frosinone, Italy Serie B

Empoli lies on 7th place with 50 points, the same as 6th (2-6 play-off zone) Sassuolo. This season looks very disappointing for the hosts. After the relegation from Serie A, president Corsi held the best players, even bought some fresh faces to achieve express return to the crew of the best. From this distance, eleven rounds before the end, it's clear that Bari and Parma will win direct promotion, so Empoli can only fight for the place of best play-off team. Otherwise, Corsi will sell the best players to cover the financial deficit in club's budget and Serie A will be a dream at least few years. The biggest problem is defence line-conceded at home, for Serie B huge 23 goals (only second worst league team Treviso conceded so much). Good side is very solid attack line. In last two rounds they have two wins (mentioned Sassuolo, 3-2 at home and Ancona 2-1, away) and it seems they found the balance between good attack and bad defence. Win tonight is more than important, can decide between the main scene and stucking in second league for a long time.

On the other side, Frosinone has different ambitions, bravely fighting to avoid relegation. They're 17th with the same points as 18th Mantova (18th and 19th will go in play-out). In the last round, without a dozen (precise-seven) players, they played 2-2 against very good Triestina, two times coming from behind and at the end, had a chance for whole 3 points. Talented Brazilian striker Edgar shows a great potential. They're weaker than the last season, best player, midfielder Lodi went to tonight's opponent, Empoli and that player decided their first season match (Frosinone-Empoli 0-1). Frosinone is one of the efficient away teams in Serie B, but same as Empoli, defence is the weaker side. Importance of tonight's match isn't less than for the home side.

Two teams desperately need the three points, both sides have very good attacks and disasters in defence and both must attack tonight. Only conclusion that I can get is open game with goals. Maybe I'm under the impression of all those internationals and see regular friday as a big thing, but this bet seems very good, with very high odds (surprisingly Bwin is currently on the top with offer 2.20). No doubt for me. Over!