Betfair Live Video: Sassuolo to take another step towards the Title

13Apr 2013

Betfair

On Saturday Betfair Live Video brings some Italian action as we check on the race for promotion in Serie B, after that it's off to Denmark for a crunch clash in the battle to avoid relegation from the Superliga. Reuben Thomas sets the scene

Sassuolo vs Brescia

Saturday 14:00

First up on Saturday we've got action from Italy's Serie B as Sassuolo and Brescia fight for promotion to the top flight.

After missing out on the automatic promotion spots by one place last year Sassuolo have been the standout team in Serie B this season. They've enjoyed a glorious campaign and look likely to be on their way to Serie A for the very first time.

The 'Neroverdi' have led the way nearly all season but a recent wobble has seen their lead cut down to six points. They are no longer cruising to the title the way they were a month ago. They're now without a win in four and last weeks loss to Novara has made the unthinkable possible.

Due to their stadium being revamped they've played their home fixtures up the road in Modena at the Stadio Alberto Braglia and it's been a happy adopted home; they've only suffered one loss there so far this season. A lot of that success has been down to their rock solid defence, only conceding nine in their seventeen home matches played so far.

As well as a tight defence they're the top scorers in the league, they have three strikers in double figures including eighteen year old Domenico Berardi who has caught the attention of lots of Europe's top clubs, Alex Ferguson is said to be keeping a keen eye on his progression.

With seven games to go and a six point lead Sassuolo are firmly expected to be mixing it with the big boys next year but they'll have to snap out of their sloppy spell and get a few more decent results to get over the line.

Brescia have a much harder task on their hands to reach the promised land. Sitting in seventh they are hoping a strong end to the campaign will clinch a promotion playoff spot.

Coach Alessandro Calori and 'The Swallows' are on a strong run, especially on their travels, they've won three from four away and shouldn't be intimidated by facing the league leaders.

Striker Daniele Corvia is their main threat, signed from Lecce in the summer he leads the way with twelve goals so far. He was on target when these two met in Brescia back in November. That match ended in a draw and considering the form of these teams a repeat at 3.35 seems tempting.

However I expect Sassuolo to get back on track on Saturday. Their stuttering form has gone on too long, Coach Eusebio di Francesco will have his team fired up and they should get another good result in Modena.

Recommended Bet:

Back Sassuolo to win @ 2.06

Back Sassuolo to win 2-1 @ 9

FC Midtjylland vs AC Horsens

Saturday 16:00

Next we're off to Denmark and a relegation scrap between Midtjylland and Horsens. These two finished third and fourth last year but have both struggled this time, staying in the Superliga is all that matters now.

'The Wolves' of Midtjylland are draw specialists in Denmark, ten already and seven have them have been at home. If they could have turned a few of those draws into wins they wouldn't be in such a precarious situation.

They currently occupy eight place but are only four points above the drop zone. The good news for them is they are playing at home this Saturday. They certainly haven't been in scintillating form at the MCH Arena but they have proved hard to beat there; they've only been turned over twice there all year and are unbeaten in five.

Midfielders Petter Andersson and Mads Albaek have been the star performers and should carry the heaviest danger to the Horsens defence.

Oddly despite Horsens awful season and perilous league position their defence has been pretty impressive. Despite sitting second from bottom and currently heading for the drop they have actually conceded less goals than any other team on the road in Denmark this season.

Their problems are at the other end of the pitch; they're the lowest scorers in the league and no single player has found the net more than three times. As a team they have failed to score in five of their last six matches. Toothless.

All is not lost for Horsens though, with so many other teams in close proximity they just need a couple of positive results to pull clear. If they win on Saturday they will pull Midtjylland within a point. It's apt then that their nickname is 'Yellow Danger', a couple more losses and it'll be 'red alert'. Manager Johnny Molby, cousin of Jan, needs to get his team playing before it's too late.

With this one it's impossible to ignore the form. Horsens have lost eight out of ten and five in a row away in the league. Midtjylland have only suffered one loss in nine at home and are coming off a decent win last weekend, they must be favoured.

Recommended Bet:

Back Midtjylland to win @ 2.04

Back against both teams to score @ 1.84