[Jager]

Bookies back Bologna Friday 20 July, 2007

Bologna are the bookies’ favourites to clinch the 2007-08 Cadetti title, closely followed by newly-relegated Chievo.

Internet gambling site bwin.com released their odds for the new Serie B campaign on Friday and it appears that they are expecting a tight race.

The Bolognesi were widely tipped to challenge for promoton last term, but paid the price for inconsistency and finished eighth.

Despite losing key striker Claudio Bellucci to Sampdoria and talented midfield starlet Mourad Meghni to Lazio this summer, the Rossoblu are seen as the new giants in the Second Division and are listed at 9/2.

Chievo are hot on the Felsinei’s heels at 11/2. After six seasons trading blows with the elite, the Veronese minnows were relegated on the final day of last term.

They will look to bounce back without Azzurri winger Franco Semioli who joined Fiorentina this week.

Below the top two, a number of sides are grouped close together including last year’s revelations Piacenza and sleeping giants Brescia and Bari.

Of the sides promoted from Serie C last year, Pisa are given the best chance of surviving with Ravenna, Avellino and Grosseto joined by relegation play-out winners Spezia as 200/1 outsiders.

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The odds in full:

Bologna 9/2
Chievo 11/2
Messina, Mantova and Bari 7/1
Ascoli and Piacenza 8/1
Lecce 10/1
Rimini 12/1
Vicenza, Treviso, Modena, Albinoleffe and Cesena 40/1
Frosinone and Triestina 50/1
Pisa 100/1
Ravenna, Avellino, Grosseto and Spezia 200/1 


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