Cremonese vs Monza prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2023-01-13 14:00.
This will be the first-ever Serie A (SA) meeting between Cremonese and Monza with the threat of relegation intensifying around the hosts. A 2-0 loss to fellow strugglers Verona on Monday meant bottom-placed Cremonese are only the fifth newly-promoted team to have not won any of their opening 17 matches in any top-flight campaign. Ominously, the last three such sides got relegated and with time ticking, manager Massimiliano Alvini will likely feel that this game against another promoted side is a must-win if they are to survive.
Signs of improvement have been visible in their recent home games as they held AC Milan to a goalless draw and fell only to a stoppage-time goal against Juventus. Unfortunately, those defensive exploits haven’t been complemented upfront with Cremonese scoring a joint-league low two home goals so far, including four straight scoring blanks at this venue.
Monza have been crying out for action from their forwards themselves, as they remain the only SA team to have a defender – Carlos Augusto (G4) as their outright top-scorer. That hasn’t stopped them from putting together a three-game unbeaten league run (W1, D2) and subsequently, a comfortable nine-point cushion over the relegation zone. Both those draws came against current top-ten sides after conceding a lead which highlights Monza’s fighting abilities and raises hopes of avoiding drop zone drama.
They have struggled as visitors however, and will need to overturn a poor four-game recent away league record (D1, L3) with a lack of goals (two) seemingly a major factor. In the absence of immediate improvements in attack, Monza’s defence may once again be expected to step up, having conceded a goal or less in five of their last six league trips.
Players to watch: Daniel Ciofani struck Cremonese’s last goal and had three goal involvements (G2, A1) against Monza when these sides last met in Serie B last season. Monza’s last goal in that 3-2 loss was scored by Patrick Ciurria, and his side are unbeaten whenever he has made a goal contribution this campaign (W3, D2).
Hot streak: Cremonese are the only SA side yet to win any game from a leading position.