Football Bet of the Day for Sunday: Spezia vs Cremonese tips from expert Herrin Kendrick. Can Esposito lead the hosts to Serie A?
One of our trusted experts, known for his deep knowledge of Italian football, has picked this game as Today’s Best Bet, and the selection makes plenty of sense.
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Game: Spezia vs Cremonese
⚽ Best Bet Delivered by: Luca Pratesi
Football analyst at BettingTips4You
Botafogo -1 Handicap to Win | |
17/10 - odds when tipped | |
Reasoning Botafogo’s dominance at Estadio Nilton Santos continues to provide rich pickings for punters, and Ceara’s recent travel record points to another comfortable win for the defending champions. A one-goal victory would return stakes, but a win by two or more gives full payout – and current form suggests that’s entirely likely. |
🟢 Key Betting Stats:
- Spezia have lost just 6 games all season, tied for the fewest in Serie B.
- Cremonese haven’t won away at Spezia in their last three visits.
- Francesco Pio Esposito shared the Golden Boot in Serie B this season and leads Spezia’s attack.
Rationale:
Sunday’s Serie B playoff final second leg sees Spezia host Cremonese at Stadio Alberto Picco with top-flight promotion on the line, and Herrin Kendrick believes there’s real value in backing the hosts to emerge victorious in this high-stakes Italian encounter.
Spezia enter the return leg in a commanding position after Thursday’s goalless first instalment in Cremona. With a superior league finish, the Ligurians require only a draw to secure promotion — but with form, momentum, and home support firmly on their side, they are tipped to go one better and claim victory inside 90 minutes.
Under Luca D’Angelo, Spezia have rediscovered their identity following last season’s struggles. After barely avoiding another relegation playoff a year ago, they have responded with a resilient and balanced campaign, losing fewer matches than any side bar champions Sassuolo. That defensive steel was on full display across both legs of their semi-final triumph over Catanzaro, which they won 4-1 on aggregate.
Much of Spezia’s resurgence has been built on a reliable backline and efficient counter-attacking, led by Francesco Pio Esposito, whose clinical instincts and tireless pressing make him the focal point of their forward line. The teenage striker, fresh from sharing the Serie B Golden Boot, will be the man Cremonese fear most.
On the other hand, Cremonese must win — nothing less will do due to playoff regulations favouring higher finishers. Giovanni Stroppa’s men were unable to take full advantage of home turf in the first leg and have historically struggled at Picco. Their recent away form is inconsistent, and the absence of defensive leader Luca Ravanelli only compounds their troubles.
Spezia have not lost at home to Cremonese in their last three meetings at the Picco, and with the support of their passionate fans and the psychological advantage of knowing a draw will suffice, they can afford to play with composure while Cremonese chase the game — leaving them vulnerable to swift counters and set-piece threats.
Though Cremonese boast attacking talents like Jari Vandeputte and Franco Vazquez, their blunt showing in the first leg and lack of reliable finishing suggests they may again fall short. With Spezia set up to absorb pressure and hit on the break, they are well positioned to punish any overcommitment from the visitors.
A narrow home win, perhaps even by a solitary goal, seems likely. D’Angelo’s tactical nous and the determination of players like Esposito and Di Serio should be enough to edge this one — and with a place in Serie A up for grabs, expect Spezia to deliver on home soil.
✅ Best Bet – Spezia to Win
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