While the top leagues have finished for the season ahead of the World Cup, there are still some big things to be decided around Europe. In Italy, the Serie B playoffs are in full swing, with a place in the top-flight of Italian football at stake for the winner.
Venezia vs Palermo | Betting Tipp, Prediction & Odds
On Wednesday night, Venezia welcome Palermo to the Stadio Pierluigi Penzo in the first leg of their playoff semi-final. The winner will progress to the final, which will also be played over two legs to decide who wins promotion.
Venezia Form
Having finished 5th during the regular Serie B season, Venezia were forced to play the preliminary round of the playoffs. They met Perugia across two legs, with the first leg ending 0-0 away from home before a good 3-0 home victory saw Venezia through to the semi-final.
Despite suffering a heavy 5-1 defeat at Cremonese on the final day of the league season, Venezia have been in excellent form. They enjoyed a great run of victories towards the end of the campaign, winning 5 games in a row between 17th April and 5th May.
At home in Serie B, Venezia have lost only one of their last 15 matches, which was a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Brescia in April. Venezia have scored 2 or more goals in 4 of their last 5 home games.
Palermo Form
A 2-0 win at Salernitana on the final day of the regular Serie B season saw Palermo finish in 4th place and secure an automatic spot in the playoff semi-final.
Therefore, you must go back to the 18th May to find the last time they played a match. However, they have been in good form and Palermo have lost only one of their last 9 Serie B games and just two of their last 16.
Wins have been more difficult to come by away from home and Palermo have 3 of their last 12 but have come away victorious in their last two away games. Interestingly, their last defeat on the road came on the 27th April when they went down at a heavy 3-0 loss at Venezia and will be hoping to avoid a similar result in this match.
Team News
Venezia have injury concerns over three players and Alex Geijo, Agostino Garofalo and Sergiu Suciu are all expected to miss the match.
Having enjoyed a break from competitive action for a couple of weeks, Palermo have no injuries to worry about and come into the game looking fresh.
Top Betting Tips
Venezia enjoyed a good home win in the preliminary round of the Serie B playoffs and have recently defeated Palermo on home soil. They need to take a lead with them for the second leg and William Hill offer 11/8 for Venezia to win the game.
Venezia have kept a clean sheet in 4 of their last 5 home matches and will be aiming to do the same in this one. Palermo have failed to score in 2 of their last 4 away games and you can get 13/5 with Ladbrokes for Venezia to win to nil.
Venezia have shared the goals around the team this season but midfielder, Leo Stulac has been in good recent scoring form. The Slovenian has four goals in his last 6 games, including the recent playoff win over Perugia. Stulac is 9/2 with Ladbrokes to score at any time.