The Specter of Relegation Looms Large Over Lowly Serie A Teams
Published August 2, 2020 by Florin P
Genoa and Lecce play the most important matched of the season in the quest to remain in Serie A for at least one more year.
The best Italian teams have already played on Saturday, but there is no shortage of exciting matches on the last day of the weekend. On Sunday evening, Genoa and Lecce play decisive games in their quest to avoid relegation and play for one more season in the top flight. In the Belgian second league, a similar battle is underway, with Leuven and Beerschot playing the second leg of the promotion race. Meanwhile, the Scottish Premier League has returned, with Celtic and Hamilton in the spotlight.
A Draw Could Keep Genoa in the Serie A
Genoa has played much better in recent weeks and as a result, the team sits above the relegation line. It has won the head to head match with Lecce, so it can afford to finish the last match undecided. All they need is a draw against Verona to remain in the top division and they are confident to secure it at home. The hosts start with the first chance and have odds of 13/20 at bet365 Sports, whereas the visitors are priced at 4/1. A draw would satisfy both parties and we currently get odds of 3/1 on this outcome.
Lecce Need a Miracle in the Final Round
Lecce have played poorly throughout the season and the recent defeat Genoa could well be the last nail in their coffin. They need a miracle result in the final round, as they must defeat Parma and also hope that Genoa lose at home to Verona. These are unlikely outcomes, but at least the hosts will throw everything they’ve got in the final match of the season. bet365 Sports offers odds of 13/20 on the home side to win, whereas the visiting team is priced at 4/1, since it lacks any clear objective.
Celtic and Hamilton Meets as the Premier League Resumes
Celtic will play the first match of the season at home against Hamilton and the Scottish champions are expected to secure an easy victory. The odds of 1/10 offered by 888 Sport highlight the lopsided nature of this game in which the visitors are priced at 20/1. Celtic has a crushing record in the head to head matches and should do it by several goals, so punters should consider an Asian handicap bets on the home side.
Leuven and Beerschot Play the Second Leg for Promotion
Leuven and Beerschot have played the first leg in the race for promotion and it was the latter that emerged victorious. Leuven now have home pitch advantage and they’ve played well on their own stadium throughout the season. This explains the odds of 5/4 on the hosts and the 2/1 offered on the visitors who will try to defend the scoreless draw and will gladly settle for a single point.
Disclaimer:
The odds mentioned here were accurate at the featured bookmakers at the hour the article was written, respectively on Thursday, July 30 at 10 am UK time.
