Betdistrict.com
Udinese hosts Empoli at Sdadio Friuli in the Serie A Opener.
I like Udinese this season. Udine has mostly the same backbone as in last 2 years but with some new players also and should achieve easy mid table finish. Manager Guidolin stepped up as technical director and Adrea Stramaccioni is the new coach. Team is well renowned for the fact that they are very good at home so now will hope to capitalize on that vs. Serie A new boys Empoli. Silva and Pinzi will not play for Udinese. Hosts did not have a good friendly campaign but for sure it has little relevance once official season starts.
Udinese lineup: Scuffet – Heurtaux, Danilo, Domizzi – Widmer, Guilherme, Allan, Fernandes, Pasquale – Di Natale, Thereau
Empoli got promoted directly with a second place finish in Serie B last year. Team was way off the pace of Palermo but deserve to finish second. They do not have particular strengths or star players, are an all around balanced team with fighting spirit and decent tactical discipline. Team news are good for Empoli, only Maccarone is a doubt and if he is not fit enough than Tavano will start in the striker position.
Empoli lineup: Bassi – Laurini, Rugani, Tonelli, Hysaj – Vecino, Valdifiori, Guarente – Laxalt, Verdi -Maccarone (Tavano)
The visitors will try to stay up this season but I’m not sure they can, the roster is pretty poor and they have promoted from what was a very poor Serie B last season (except for Palermo). Udinese’s experience, quality and strength at home should be enough for the hosts to make a winning debut in Serie A; Empoli probably needs a couple of games to get the feel of the league and Friuli is not the best place to start your campaign. An Udinese win looks very, very good at odds of about 1.75 with 8-9 units bet, but this being the first round I think it’s better to risk a little bit less money and look for more value in the odds … so my tip will be Udinese to win to nil. They win most of their games at home without conceding with 1-0 or 2-0 and Empoli is not really a very good attacking team, also has Maccarone questionable. Correct score prediction: Udinese – Empoli 1-0.
Pick: Udinese to win to nil
Odds: 2.88 @ Bet365
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 13.16
Event date: 31 August
