football | Friday, February 24, 2023 2:00 PM (Revised at: Monday, February 27, 2023 1:21 PM)

Serie A Best Bets: Goals in Lecce Amongst a Trio of Serie A Picks This Weekend

Sam Ingram

Serie A Best Bets: 25th-27th February

Serie A best bets is back for another week, focused on goals in Lecce, a Scudetto-chasing Napoli in Empoli, and a Tuscan shots punt to see out the weekend in Florence.

In this article:

Lecce vs Sassuolo Preview & Best Bet
Empoli vs Napoli Preview & Best Bet
Fiorentina vs Hellas Verona Preview & Best Bet

Lecce vs Sassuolo Preview

Italy, Serie A, Saturday, February 25th, 19:45 (UK)

Sassuolo appears a more cohesive unit when advancing into the final third compared to earlier on in the season. They were unlucky not to find a goal against Napoli and showed they’re more than capable of bagging against the Serie A’s leading lights before that.

The 2-2 against Udinese, the 1-0 win versus Atalanta, and the 2-5 away marker in Milan showcase precisely that. Armand Laurienté will miss out through suspension here, which is far from ideal, but talismanic Domenico Berardi should start in the other wing after injury.

Lecce are a side that has featured often in Serie A best bets, paying out BTTS more often than not. It’ll be the same angle here, with quotes of 1.80 offering a decent angle into the match. I Giallorossi performed exceptionally well in their last 90 minutes, downing Atalanta in Bergamo to the tune of 1-2. La Dea may have heaped the pressure on late on, as expected when chasing the deficit, but Lecce were dogged defensively.

Not only that, but Lecce were always confident in possession and forever keen to receive the ball in tight areas. Those qualities in transition when turning over the ball in their own half act as integral building blocks when moving forward and progressing through the thirds. Sassuolo will attack in numbers, leaving Lecce the necessary space to exploit and counter.

Lecce vs Sassuolo Best Bet

At home, Lecce have paid out BTTS in their last five games. The 10/11 home matches that have overseen BTTS is, by far, the highest strike rate in Italy. Furthermore, goals against AC Milan, Lazio, Atalanta, Fiorentina, and Inter at a packed Via del Mare ushers Lecce’s credentials in front of home support into the spotlight.

Selection: BTTS-Yes
Best Odds: 1.80 (bet365)
Stakes: 10/10

More Lecce vs Sassuolo Tips

Empoli vs Napoli Preview

Italy, Serie A, Saturday, February 25th, 17:00 (UK)

Eintracht Frankfurt were cast aside in the Champions League during the week. Napoli coasted to a 0-2 win with a missed penalty and a Randal Kolo Muani red card mixed in for good measure. Considering Frankfurt’s main man is out of the second leg, it’s a tie verging on being a formality.

With Napoli taking every game in their stride and not looking like they’ll give opponents a leg up whatsoever, it’s difficult to overlook them here. The 75% possession, 18 shots to two, and 1.99xG vs 0.26xG highlighted the gulf in quality when Empoli visited Naples in November.

Empoli vs Napoli Best Bet

At 1.72 for them to keep doing what they’ve been doing all season, it’s something to think about. Overlooking the Coppa Italia, this pick has come to fruition in eight successive fixtures.

Of course, you’d expect rotation amongst the starters, but those waiting in the wings add an injection of hunger and quality whenever they’re called upon – Simeone, Lozano Elmas etc. Empoli will be no pushovers, though the Napoli juggernaut often overpowers opponents of a similar stature.

Selection: Napoli Win and Over 1.5 Goals
Best Odds: 1.72 (bet365)
Stakes: 7.5/10

More Empoli vs Napoli Tips

Fiorentina vs Hellas Verona Preview

Italy, Serie A, Monday, February 27th, 17:30 (UK)

If Hellas Verona captain Darko Lazović starts behind the striker this weekend, then Unibet’s price of 2.85 looks a little large. The Serb, who is also sometimes deployed as a LWB in Marco Zaffaroni’s system, is more than willing to pull the trigger when opportunities arise.

Recent previous totals in CAM of 0, 3, 2, 3, 1(60th-minute substitute) prove Lazović will pull the trigger, as does his 18.7-yard average shooting distance this season, located just outside of the box.

Fiorentina vs Hellas Verona Best Bet

If Fiorentina, who played out a second-leg tie in Portugal on Thursday, allow Hellas Verona shooting opportunities, we may get lucky. Fiorentina’s 9.30 shots conceded per90 is the lowest in Serie A, which suggests a stubbornness in defence, something Lazović will need to overcome.

This is certainly not a ‘banker’ by any means, but with a small stake and the rub of the green, it may pay off in Florence.

Selection: Darko Lazovic 2+ Shots
Best Odds: 2.85 (Unibet)
Stakes: 2.5/10

More Fiorentina vs Hellas Verona Tips

Odds via bet365 and Unibet as at 15:00 Feb 24th. 2023. Odds may now differ.

What are Football Best Bets?

Our best bets are posted by some of the best tipsters around. These are our tipsters best value bets. A best bet can be placed on any number of different markets. The most common of which are 1X2, the Asian handicap, BTTS, and the goals markets. Value can be found in matches from leagues across the world. Be sure to follow bettingexpert for the latest best bets.