Italy – Serie A2, Round 17
20-21 January 2024
CASTELLANA-PINETO
Castellana-Pineto officially opens the third day of 2024. A highly tense match where the points at stake are crucial in the relegation perspective. A moment of profound difficulty for both the team from Apulia and the team from Abruzzo, as they struggle to address their shortcomings, resulting in nine consecutive defeats for Pineto and only two wins in the last eight matches for the home team. The two teams have only a 4-point difference, with Castellana trailing to escape the relegation zone. A truly challenging match where we anticipate moments of tension and difficulty to manage. Pineto enters the match with a new coach after last week's dismissal and, more importantly, a new player in the second position: Andrea Santangelo, returning to Italy after his experience in Azerbaijan. For us, a complicated match, relatively even, and both teams could win at least one set. However, we consider Pineto slightly favored for the final victory; the team knows they need a win to halt the negative record, and what better opportunity than with a new opposite, a new coach, and against a direct rival?!
CUNEO-BRESCIA
Cuneo-Brescia will be a great match. After nine consecutive victories for the Piedmontese team and a firmly secured second place, Brescia will try to stop one of the most in-form teams at the moment on Sunday. Brescia is also in good shape, with four wins in the last four matches, and a team that seems to have found its balance. In the playoff zone and with a very tight ranking, earning points in an away match like Sunday's would be an excellent result for Brescia. The players are aware of this and will do everything to achieve it. Therefore, while considering Cuneo as the favorite for the victory, we predict a challenging match.
PORDENONE-CANTU
Pordenone is the clear favorite of the day. A tough time for the home team, losing four out of the last five matches and dropping to fourth place. The players know how crucial it is to get back on track and not distance themselves from the competitors. For us, an easy read, Pordenone as the winner.
SIENA-REGGIO EMILIA
Siena-Reggio is another match where we won't waste many words. We see Siena as the clear favorite for the victory. Siena finally recovers its arena, lineup, and secures ten wins in the last 14 matches, currently holding the third position alone. Since the beginning of the season, Siena and Ravenna have made the most progress among others, and we believe that the match against Reggio, a certainly approachable opponent at home, is perfect for achieving the sixth consecutive victory.
PORTO VIRO-GROTTA
Porto Viro-Grotta is a complicated match. We know both teams thoroughly. Grotta has been the leader since the first day of this season, and we have learned about its strengths. Similarly, we know Porto Viro, a gritty team that has shown it can compete with everyone and has caused difficulties for numerous opponents in its mini arena. Therefore, a complicated match where both teams could win at least one set. However, we still see the powerhouse Grotta as the favorite for the final victory.
ORTONA-AVERSA
Ortona-Aversa is, in our opinion, the most complicated match of the day. Crucial points are at stake in the relegation perspective between the Campanians and the Abruzzese. Not the best moment for both teams, currently with Ortona in the last place and Aversa in the eleventh. The home team is the underdog in the encounter, while Rossini and his teammates are favored by all bookmakers.