Monday Night Football Tips: Genoa to net at Napoli

Napoli aren't as resilient as a team of their ambitions should be

Michael Lintorn picks out the best bets for Monday night's three televised European games...

Empoli v Udinese
Monday, 18:00
Live on ESPN

Match Odds: Empoli 2.0811/10, Udinese 4.3100/30, The Draw 3.412/5

There might not be a fixture all week where the trends for backing the draw are as compelling as they are in this return for Udinese legend Antonio Di Natale to the club where he started his career.

Empoli have lost just three home games since promotion, drawing each of the most recent four 0-0, while Udinese have shared spoils in five of their past nine league matches, including the latest two on the road.

Both further demonstrated their commitment to drawing in their Coppa Italia round-of-16 ties last week, with Empoli taking Roma to extra time and Udinese being beaten on penalties away to Napoli.

Recommended Bet: Back the draw @ 3.412/5

Napoli v Genoa
Monday, 20:00
Live on ESPN

Match Odds: Napoli 1.434/9, Genoa 9.417/2, The Draw 4.94/1

Genoa's surprise candidacy for a Champions League qualifying spot has faltered recently owing to a five-game winless streak, but none of the other contenders like Lazio, neighbours Sampdoria and their hosts Napoli have sprinted clear, meaning that a San Paolo victory would revive their bid.

While that is unlikely against a side who have lost only once in a dozen home outings, one thing that they should have no trouble doing is scoring. The Rossoblu fired seven times in their last four league fixtures without winning any and haven't been shut out on their Serie A travels since matchday two.

Napoli have kept a mere two league clean sheets in nine attempts at the San Paolo this season.

Recommended Bet: Back Napoli not to keep a clean sheet @ 1.84/5

Pacos Ferreira v Benfica
Monday, 20:00
Live on BT Sport Extra (red button)

Match Odds: Pacos Ferreira 7.87/1, Benfica 1.511/2, The Draw 4.67/2

Porto's defeat at Maritimo presents Benfica with an opportunity to charge nine points by triumphing at Pacos Ferreira. As Jorge Jesus' heroes are on a nine-match league winning run, the latter seven without conceding, and have dropped five points all campaign, the chances of them wasting it are minimal.

The champions have faced bottom-half teams nine times this term - six of them away - and have won the lot, giving up one goal in those 13-and-a-half hours of football. As Pacos Ferreira lost to nil against both Benfica and Porto in the first half of 2014/15, a repeat has to be fancied.

Recommended Bet: Back Benfica to win to nil @ 2.427/5