Betfair Live Video: Livorno to edge ever closer to Paulinho inspired promotion party

4May 2013

Betfair

With most European seasons coming to an end in the next few weeks, promotion, relegation and league titles are hot topics in some of the most exciting leagues. Betfair Live Video has the pick of the bunch with a promotion push from Livorno in Serie B, as well as Porto's fight to keep the title race alive in the Primeira Liga.

Ternana vs Livorno

Saturday 13:00

With Livorno pushing for a spot in Serie A next season, this weekend's clash at the Stadio Libero Liberati will be a nervy affair.

Four points off top spot and only one ahead of third placed Verona, Davide Nicola's side are looking to cement their promotion spot with a win over the Serie B new boys in a must win match in Terni.

After gaining automatic promotion last season, Ternana have had an impressive campaign in Serie B, if not inconsistent at the best of times. Despite being the lowest scorers in the league, their defence has proved stubborn conceding just 35 goals this season, second only to Verona.

Sitting in eleventh spot with three games remaining, only a catastrophic series of results could drag them into trouble, meaning this game will have a certain 'end of season feel' to it for the home side.

The visitors Livorno are on the brink of promotion. Needing to better the results of a pressing Verona, the Amaranto know that three points is a necessity with their rivals playing at home in a favourable tie.

After escaping relegation last season, coach Nicola will take all the plaudits for his teams turn-around this campaign - and with only two away defeats all season the travelling partisan crowd will arrive in expectation rather than hope.

In Brazilian striker Paulinho, the visitors have the firepower to cause any Italian defence problems. The twenty goals he has scored this season have proved crucial to Livorno's promotion push and will be relishing the chance for a season in Serie A.

With the home side struggling for motivation, expect the visitors to mirror the reverse fixture earlier on this season with a slender one-goal victory.

Recommended Bet:

Back Livorno to win 1-0 @ 6.6

Back Under 2.5 goals @ 1.76

Nacional vs Porto

Saturday 18:30

Before next weekend's O Clássico, Porto know that time is running out in their pursuit of league leaders Benfica. Four points the difference with three to play, the reigning champions know that this year's title is out of their hands and must rely on Benfica dropping points.

With a tiring week consisting of Europa League action for the league leaders, Porto may smell blood going into this weekend knowing that their rivals face a less than favourable visit from Estoril on Monday.

With Nacional still clinging onto hope of a Europa League spot, coach Manuel Machado won't need to remind his side of the incentives going into this tie. Sitting in ninth spot, a late surge towards the all-important sixth spot is still a possibility.

Their defence will be a concern going into this fixture. Conceding the third most in the league all season, coming up against the right boot of prolific goal scorer Jackson Martinez won't fill the Alvinegros with too much confidence.

Still unbeaten all season, the title holders go into this weekend's fixtures knowing that time is well and truly against them. With the title in Benfica's hands, coach Vitor Pereira will be thankful that they play 48 hours before Benfica this weekend - allowing the perfect opportunity to heap the pressure on Jorge Jesus' Benfiquistas come Monday evening.

Porto have looked good in recent weeks. Scoring freely and conceding few, the Portistas have had plenty to cheer about and will be fully expecting their side to push Benfica to the final minute of the final match day.

With previous encounters in mind, there is only one winner going into this tie. Considering the last nine meetings have gone handsomely in the favour of Porto, the hosts will no doubt have damage limitation in mind if the visitors get off to a quick start.

Expect the Colombian partnership of Rodriguez and Martinez to prove a handful inside the Estadio da Madeira, with the shaky Nacional defence being breached more than once.

Recommended Bet:

Back Porto to win @ 1.36

Back Porto to win 3-0 @ 10.0