Pescara v Catania predictions

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Pescara v Catania predictions Serie A Italy, Italy	21/12/2012 18:00	full time result	Draw	3.2	Bet at Betsson
Betting prediction was written by Ian

PESCARA v CATANIA PREDICTIONS AND PREVIEW: BETTING STATS

This fixture looks like being one of the most closely matched of this weekend’s schedule in Italy as it brings together a home side that is in the relegation places and visitors that are just above mid-table. Pescara have won just four matches this season to date and would be a place lower but for the deduction of six points from Siena at the start of the season for alleged match fixing. Catania have had a solid season as the mid point in the schedule approaches. Six defeats have been offset by seven wins and four draws. Consequently they are 10 places and 11 points ahead of their opponents at the weekend. The average number of goals for these sides’ matches is almost three, an average that is maintained when respective home and away matches are considered.

TEAM NEWS AND RUN OF PLAY

Neither of these teams has a player that has scored more than five goals this season but Catania in particular share the goals and Vladimir Weiss’s contribution is significant from midfield. Francesco Lodi is a key player for Catania and he is the sides’ leading goalscorer this season. Pescara come into this match on the back of a heavy defeat away to AC Milan. From 41% of the possession they had more shots on target than their opponents. Catania won their last match, at home to Sampdoria. They had 52% of the possession which suggests efficiency in turning that share of the ball into three goals. As the away side they will be not able to dominate possession but that should not prevent them from avoiding defeat.

PESCARA - CATANIA PREDICTIONS: 1X2 BETTING PREVIEW

This match looks like providing one of the banker draws of the weekend. Catania are clearly the better side but home advantage could be key in determining that neither side will create a winning advantage. Pescara have avoided defeat in four of nine home matches plated this season to date. Catania have won just once away from home this season and they could add to a tally of three draws on the road. Pescara have lost four of their last five matches while Catania have won three games over that same spell. Both sides would see a draw as a decent result and a stalemate is anticipated.

Back the draw at 3.2 with Betsson.

PESCARA - CATANIA PREDICTIONS: ASIAN HANDICAP PREVIEW

With a draw the most likely results Catania should be backed with a start of half a goal. If there is a definite results then Catania are more likely to create a goals supremacy and only a defeat would make this a losing trade. On current form this is a match that Catania could win but their level of form away from home suggests avoiding defeat could be the best they can expect. Pescara struggle to win home matches against sides at Catania's level so the away side look a decent bet with the handicap in their favour. Beginners not familiar with Asian Handicap can find info here: http://howtobet.net/online-betting-guide/asian-handicap.

Take the 1.3 with Stan James for Catania +0.5.

PESCARA - CATANIA PREDICTIONS: TOTAL GOALS PREVIEW

Pescara’s home matches have produced slightly less than three goals per game. They have scored eight less goals than they have conceded. Catania’s away matches also average three goals per game so the relevant statistics indicate a relatively high scoring game in which the final tally of goals can exceed two. Both sides were involved in matches that saw more than three goals last weekend and it is fair to say defence is not the strongest area for either. Both teams to score looks an interesting bet and goals in each half should be followed but in any case backing over 2.5 goals is recommended.

188Bet quote 2.02 for over 2.5 goals.