Advantage Monza in play-off first leg
Monza take on Pisa in the first leg of the Serie B play-off final on Thursday evening.
The White and Reds finished fourth in the Italian second tier and Pisa were in front in third, due to their head-to-head record against each other.
Both matches between the two sides in Serie B this season ended with a 2-1 win for Pisa and they are unbeaten against Monza in their last nine meetings, dating back to 2007.
Monza have been building slowly for some years now and it feels like a promotion to Serie A is inevitable at some stage.
Championship fans will be familiar with Adam Nagy and George Puscas, currently on loan at Reading, in the Pisa side.
Background
Monza are the more effective attacking unit and were the second top scorers in Serie B this season.
That should build some confidence in the squad to maximise the home advantage, where Pisa could be looking to stay in the tie for their home leg.
Salernitana’s great escape in Serie A this season will have inspired clubs in the second tier, Venezia finished rock bottom following their promotion last season but did not disgrace themselves, ending the campaign four points from safety.
Empoli were very comfortable in their survival, demonstrating the strength of the Italian second tier.
Goals?
Unders is tempting, but Monza are in the ascendancy and are rightful favourites, they made it through far more comfortably and will be difficult to deny at home, having the second best home record in the league, only trailing the title winners, Lecce.
Monza have scored in eight of ten.
Monza have conceded in six of ten.
Monza have seen both teams score in four of ten.
Monza have seen over 2.5 goals in four of ten.
Pisa have scored in seven of ten.
Pisa have conceded in seven of ten.
Pisa have seen both teams score in five of ten.
Pisa have seen over 2.5 goals in three of ten.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
2-1 Monza, in the ascendancy.