Last16 – B team cup
By David, BettingExpert.com | Published
The cup may not be a serious enough argument for many teams, top sides or minnows both looking towards solidifying their respective positions in the league table. Some, like Lazio, do however need a boost and this may be a chance for reviving hopes and increasing confidence.
Lazio – Verona
The two have not met for a long time but at the moment both are doing very well for themselves in the first two divisions in Italy. Lazio is in fourth but has for a while been unrecognizable. The humbling against Siena came as no surprise with Dias at the heart of defence proving a key miss for them. Stankevicius made a whole mess of it.
Reja already had to do without a few important men in midfield and now Cana is also ruled out for two months. Hernanes was not of the game on Saturday but he should be here as Reja vowed to make up for the bad restart by continuing their run in the Coppa Italia. In fact, there should be quite a number of regulars on the pitch at the Olimpico on Tuesday night. Dias may be back whilst Carrizo, sent off in the league match with Siena, should start again before giving up his place to the returning Marchetti in the coming Serie A matches. Klose should be rested though with Rocchi taking his place in attack.
Verona’s run is the best of both top divisions in Italy. In the last ten league matches they dropped only two points. That would proclaim their form as best even in comparison to other European leagues. There were a few doubts which emerged in their first game for 2012 though, needing a late goal to record their fifth consecutive home victory.
In general Verona have done very well against weaker teams. They rarely let those easy points slip away. Yet they were close against 19th placed Modena last Friday. When they played the top twelve sides in Serie B, out of eleven matches they won four, two home and two away, and lost four.
In the last four encounters in Rome between these two sides it was always a high scoring match, Lazio scoring five on two occasions and four in the preceding two instances. A punt on an Over 2.5, considering also that Lazio will be almost at full strength, should be considered.
Verdict: Lazio -1
Lazio are in need of a win to ease the heavy atmosphere at Formello. Even if it is a cup game Reja should be fielding a strong eleven. Hernanes can make the whole difference and I believe he should show the way with his class. Verona have an excellent league run backing their argument but they were poor against Modena on Friday.
Napoli – Cesena
This should be the chance for Napoli fans to enjoy the debut of newcomer Edu Vargas. A lot of good things have been said about the young Chilean forward who I supposed to bring goals to a Napoli side deprived of a regular goalscorer. He was second behind Neymar in the South American equivalent of the Golden Ball award and has won the Copa Libertadores with his club Universitad de Chile.
Mazzarri is always one to be cautious before handing out such chances to players coming from a very different style of football but with Lavezzi still out and the likes of Lucarelli and Mascara heading to another club – Lecce and Novara respectively, most probably – this could really be the youngster’s chance to shine.
As for the rest of the team it should be chock full of reserves. Chavez may be given a chance in attack as well. Rosati should be the goalkeeper with defenders Britos, back from injury, Fernandez, Fideleff and Grava competing for three starting places. Dzemaili will replace Inler and play alongside Donadel in central midfield.
Cesena have sunk deeper into relegation troubles after the defeat against third-placed Udinese in the Sunday early afternoon kick off. The distance between them and the closest team out of the danger zone is now six points. It was the second 4-1 defeat in as many games. The third defeat in a row. Back home they will expect three points in a match which, at this point, is more of a six-pointer considering they play against Novara, level on points with them at twelve. Arrigoni should be resting many of his key men for this midweek clash.
Verdict: 1
Both teams will be playing with reserves and this should hand the favourite role right back to the home side. Many fringe players know they can cut it into the first team and with their desire to become part of the exciting Napoli project they should fill up the big shoes well enough. I think Vargas can show his qualities right away if given the chance. I will go for a home win despite the unknown status such games usually prove before kick off.
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