Italy Serie B – Round 14

Sampdoria-Spezia 24/11/23 20:30 CET
A scorching Ligurian derby between two recently relegated teams grappling with the challenges of Serie B: at this stage of the season, no one would have predicted Sampdoria in 14th place and Spezia even in the relegation zone. Sampdoria is in better shape with 3 wins in the last 4 games, saving Pirlo's coaching position. On the other hand, Alvini's position at Spezia is gone after a fatal 2-2 draw against Ternana in the last match. Luca D'Angelo makes his debut as the coach of the Bianconeri, who has been instrumental in Pisa's success in the last five years. The match is expected to be full of surprises being a derby, Spezia's first match with the new coach, and Sampdoria being far from invincible at home with 4 losses in 6 games. Pirlo seems to have fixed the defense with zero goals conceded in the last 2 matches, and Spezia, with 10 goals scored, has the second-worst attack in the league. Expect a match with few emotions and a lack of goals.

Bari-Venezia 25/11/23 14:00 CET
Bari is an indecipherable team that, for the first time this season, scores 3 goals but gets equalized by FeralpiSalò. The team, under Marino's coaching, remains undefeated, with playoffs just one point away, but the certainties of last year are no longer there. Venezia, on the other hand, is flying high with 4 wins in the last 5, including the latest against Catanzaro (2-1). Johnsen is becoming increasingly decisive for the Arancioneroverdi, both in goals and assists, even from the bench. Now, Parma is closer to the top than Palermo in third place. However, caution is needed due to the unbeaten record at the San Nicola this season. The script suggests a match with few goals.

Cittadella-Sudtirol 25/11/23 14:00 CET
Cittadella shines, winning even against Palermo (0-1) and finding themselves in playoff contention. Gorini has found the right formula for a team built to avoid relegation but capable of doing more. In the spirit of 'democracy,' Cittadella has scored 15 goals with 11 different players. Sudtirol, on the other hand, is three points behind, with a game in hand, coming off two consecutive defeats. The defense is conceding, and Casiraghi, with only one goal in the last 6, needs to find form. Both teams have shown more goals than expected, but they tend to play cautiously. This time, the match might end with few goals.

Como-FeralpiSalò 25/11/23 14:00 CET
An unpredictable turnaround at Como: with 7 points in the last 3, the team is virtually third in the standings, enjoying the best period in twenty years. The club's leadership has decided to dismiss Moreno Longo and promote Cesc Fabregas from the youth team. This move is not only about football but also about marketing, considering the players' loyalty to the old coach despite their respect for Fabregas, a former teammate until last year. Therefore, even a seemingly straightforward game like Feralpi at home will be full of uncertainties: how will Como react? The last team in the standings will also be boosted by the explosive 3-3 draw against Bari. It was a game Como should have won, and it might still be possible but with much more caution.

Cremonese-Lecco 25/11/23 14:00 CET
Unmasking the situation: Cremonese is among the contenders for direct promotion with 4 wins in the last 5, revitalized under Stroppa. Their roster, including the goal-scoring prowess of Massimo Coda (already 9 goals), is of a different level. On the other side, Lecco is on a remarkable rise, including a surprising 3-2 victory over the league leaders Parma, accumulating 11 points in the last 5 games compared to just one in the previous 7. Prepare for an open and quality match, considering both teams' good form. However, the technical gap is still in favor of Cremonese, with Lecco facing another challenging task. Lecco has many chances to triumph.

Parma-Modena 25/11/23 14:00 CET
The usual Benedyczak deception; then Parma remains with 10 players and unexpectedly collapses 3-2 against Lecco in the last match. No cause for alarm, at least for now. Pecchia's team is experienced, and after the first setback, they responded with three consecutive victories. The cushion on the third place remains at 6 points. The goal is to restart with full throttle in the Emilian derby against Modena. The Tardini has been a fortress so far - 5 wins and 2 draws - and the home team has an edge in every area of the field, including the bench. On the other hand, Bianco's boys are doing a great job, and the recent misstep against Sampdoria (0-2) doesn't diminish their fifth-place significance. The defense is tough, with 12 goals conceded like Parma, but they need more shots on target: 13 goals scored are not enough to stay in the top positions. Parma has the victory in hand, expecting a low-scoring game.

Reggiana-Ascoli 25/11/23 14:00 CET
A fresh start for both teams. Reggiana comes from a predictable defeat against Cosenza (2-0) after four consecutive positive results. Ascoli, after a 0-1 loss to Como, has lost three in a row and slipped back into the relegation playoff zone. Yet, only 3 points separate the two teams, with similar goal records (13 scored each, one more conceded for the Bianconeri). Ascoli has a prolific striker in Pedro Mendes, with 5 goals this season, while Reggiana has Alessandro Nesta as a coach, bringing a convincing survival plan, both tactically and in style of play.

Pisa-Brescia 25/11/23 16:15 CET
Double Valoti, a significant victory away against Sudtirol (2-1), and Aquilani saves his coaching position. Now, Pisa is tasked with finding consistency. Despite inconsistent performances, the playoffs are only three points away, and the team is yet to show much of its potential, especially in a relatively modest offensive department (13 goals scored). The question is, which version of Brescia will appear at the Arena Garibaldi: the resilient team unbeaten in the first 7 matches or the one capable only of losses in the last 5. A vertical collapse that led to Gastaldello's dismissal. Instead, an experienced figure like Rolando Maran takes charge. A shake-up is needed, but the momentum favors Pisa. Expect a hard-fought match, with the trend leaning Pisa as the potential winner.

Catanzaro-Cosenza 26/11/23 16:15 CET
Among the Sunday fixtures, the Calabrian derby stands out, with Catanzaro's euphoria deflated by three consecutive losses. Cosenza, on the other hand, is on a positive streak for as many games, and a win at the Ceravolo would leapfrog them over direct rivals for the seventh position. Catanzaro performs better in the attacking department, with 20 goals scored, buoyed by the impressive Vandeputte. Cosenza is more solid defensively, conceding only 12 goals. However, in a match like this, numbers and current form only matter to a certain extent. The one who has more hunger, under the intense pressure from both sets of supporters, will count. With caution, based on sentiment, and considering Catanzaro's season trends: expect a match full of goals from both sides.

Ternana-Palermo 26/11/23 16:15 CET
The Breda effect immediately revitalized Ternana, who, in the first match under the new coach, nearly pulled off a surprise against Spezia (2-2). The situation remains critical in the standings - 7 points and last place - but the Rossoverde squad has both shadows and a few bright spots, notably Diakité and Casasola with 2 goals each. Palermo is also going through a delicate moment, with coach Corini back in the spotlight due to three defeats in the last four matches - especially the home losses against Lecco and Cittadella - derailing a team that seemed to be the main contender against Parma. It's a heated match; a draw benefits neither team. The advantage leans towards Palermo, utilizing their technical superiority to secure a full result.