Pescara vs Udinese
Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 12 March 2017
Kick-Off: 14:00 UK,
Venue: Stadio Adriatico-Giovanni Cornacchia.
Bottom side Pescara saw their new manager bounce come to a very swift
end. Winning 5-0 over Genoa was an excellent result for the struggling
side, and it sparked optimism that Zdeněk Zeman could lead the team to a
shock push for safety. That optimism was very quickly dashed by back to
back defeats. The Delfini are going down with a whimper, it’s hard to
see much going their way in the final run of games. They face an
unsettled Udinese side who have just as little to play for. This is far
from the most watchable game in Serie A this weekend, but there’s still
some betting value here.
Pescara are widely seen as a goal
friendly team, and they’ve been involved in many high scoring
encounters. In fact, 62% of their home games have seen over 2.5 goals.
However, the Delfini have scored one goal or fewer in 74% of their
matches at home this term. On average, their outings at the Stadio
Adriatico have seen 3.15 goals scored in total per game. They average
just 1.07 strikes per game, conceding 2.08 in return. While their
matches may be entertaining, that has less to do with Pescara, owing
more to the standard of opposition they’ve been facing.
This clash
is likely to be a very different story for the Delfini, as Udinese
aren’t the kind of team you’d expect to come here and rack up goals.
While the hosts concede just over two goals per game here, the Zebrette
would be happy to even hit one on current form. They head for Pescara
having scored 10 away goals all season, which works out at 0.77 per
match. Both teams are in the bottom six in Serie A’s scoring charts, so
it’s easy to see this being a quiet affair.
The visitors have
scored just 34% of their goals this season away from home, while they
haven’t scored in their last five trips. They aren’t impressive results
wise, failing to win 76% of matches on their travels. It’s not like the
Zebrette have much to play for, as they sit 14th, eight points shy of
the top half. Despite their lacklustre season, fans are getting upset
that their owners, the Pozzo family, have made Watford their focus. It’s
hardly a surprising decision, given how much Premier League clubs earn.
Having said that, no fan wants their club to be a stepping stone.
It’s
hard to see Udinese doing much here, given their away struggles and the
current atmosphere surrounding the team. Meanwhile, Zeman’s Pescara
have seemed less adventurous in their last two games, so that should
lead to a tighter game. We’re expecting the Zebrette to continue their
recent away form, which has seen under 2.5 goals in four of their last
five, keeping two clean sheets. We’re backing under 2.5 goals, which is
priced at 23/20 with bet365.
Pescara vs Udinese: Head-to-head statistics
Pescara have a record of W10-D7-L3 in their last 20 home games against teams ranked above them in the table.
Udinese have a record of W2-D6-L12 in their last 20 away games against teams ranked below them in the table.
Udinese are unbeaten in seven Serie A games against Pescara (W5 D2).
During that time, the Zebrette have netted 15 goals.
Pescara have failed to win 26 of their last 27 matches.
The Delfini have conceded at least 2 goals in 8 of their last 9 matches
Pescara vs Udinese: Prediction
Don’t expect this to be a blockbuster clash. Neither team really has much to play for and Pescara, having lost their last two games will likely adopt a more defensive shape.
Meanwhile, Udinese don’t have the highest-scoring side and so it could take a bit for the Zebrette to find an opening. They, too, will not want to be too aggressive as it could leave them exposed.
Pescara vs Udinese: Betting tips
Under 2.5 goals at 23/20 (2.15).
Udinese – WIN at 7/5 (2.40).
