Pescara vs Cagliari
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 4 December 2016
Kick-Off: 14:00 UK,
Venue: Stadio Adriatico-Giovanni Cornacchia (Pescara).
Cagliari have built up a 12 point gap between themselves and the bottom three, which is an impressive record for a promoted side. Can they widen that even further when they take on 18th placed Pescara on Sunday? This seems like an excellent chance for them to move even further from danger, although the host will look to take advantage of their awful away record this season.
Pescara are actually yet to win a game this season, barring their victory by default over Sassuolo. They’ve lost four and drawn three of their seven home matches, which isn’t the record of a side who have a chance of surviving. They simply have to start winning games at their own ground, or else they face a swift drop down to Serie B.
The hosts would be getting cut adrift, but the sides above them aren’t that great either. They’re constantly passing up opportunities to widen the gap. Pescara simply concede too many goals at home to pick up results, and that has left them rooted in the bottom three. They’ve conceded in 86% of their matches at home, while they average 1.86 goals per game against them this term.
Having shipped 10 goals in their last three Serie A games, things aren’t getting easier for Pescara. They’re pitting their defensive problems against a high scoring Cagliari side. Will this be another entertaining game for the Sardinians? They’ve seen over 2.5 goals in an incredible 93% of their league matches this term. That’s partly down to a poor backline of their own, they’ve conceded more than any side in the league. They’ve seen 31 scored past them already, with 2.86 against them per game away.
That’s something to brighten Pescara fans before this game, they should be able to add to their goal tally in this clash. They’ll have chances at least; the visitors face almost 20 shots against them per away game. Cagliari have kept a clean sheet in just 7% of their games this season, while they’ve conceded in every game on the road. On the bright side, the Sardinians have scored 22 goals in return, which is an impressive 1.57 goals per game.
Cagliari give almost any side a chance going forward, while they have some decent firepower to respond with. That’s caused their huge number of high scoring games this term, and it’s unlikely to end any time soon. Given that just one of their last 15 in Serie A has seen under 2.5 goals, we like over 2.5 goals in this one, which is 8/11 with bet365.
Pescara vs Cagliari: Head-to-head statistics
Pescara have a record of W2-D4-L14 in their past 20 home games against teams ranked above them in the table.
Cagliari have lost just one out of their last six meetings against Pescara (across all comps).
The Rossoblu and the Delfini have never drawn before in Serie A.
Cagliari have won four, whilst Pescara have won twice.
The Rossoblu have seen over 2.5 goals in 14 out of their last 15 Serie A games.
Pescara vs Cagliari: Prediction
Cagliari have no problems scoring, but they surely have problems keeping their opponents from doing likewise. The Rossoblu have conceded a whopping 31 goals so far. That’s by far the worst in the league. Even Pescara, Palermo, and Crotone have done a bit better. Normally that’s something that will get any team rubbing their hands with glee. However, Pescara’s attack has contributed just 11 goals. Two of those were against Roma, however, and only Empoli (7) and Palermo (10) have done worse.
If Pescara can pull off the same kind of performance they did for most of the tie with Roma, they may be able to trouble Cagliari, who are facing an injury crisis of sorts at the back. The hosts also will be missing a few faces in defense, making this a likely open ended affair from start to finish.
Pescara vs Cagliari: Betting tips
Both teams to score – YES at 4/7 (1.57)
Over 2.5 goals at 8/11 (1.73)
Double chance Cagliari – DRAW or WIN at 3/5 (1.60).
