Italy Serie B - Round 35

Pisa-Catanzaro (26/04/24, 19:30 CET)
A solid point away at Bari (1-1) keeps Pisa in the hunt for the playoffs. "We should have been more clinical in the first half, but our opponents did better in the second," says Alberto Aquilani, seeing the glass half full despite Pisa's away struggles. The good news is they're back at the Arena Garibaldi, where they've won three in a row. Facing Catanzaro, theoretically comfortable in fifth place but never easy to defeat (coming off a 0-0 draw against Cremonese), it promises to be a tough match. Catanzaro has won four of their last five away games. Expect a closely contested game with potential for goals, as seen in Pisa's last five matches.

Venezia-Cremonese (26/04/24, 19:30 CET)
With tickets sold out and the stands packed, the Penzo Stadium braces for the game of the year. Venezia, coming off a comeback win against Lecco (1-2), now welcomes Cremonese with a four-point cushion in third place. Winning would solidify their position and keep them in contention for direct promotion. Cremonese, however, has struggled recently, with only four points from their last five matches. Despite their strong defense (28 goals conceded), they face Venezia's potent attack (62 goals scored). With Venezia stronger physically but prone to unexpected setbacks, expect a cautious game without an abundance of goals.

Brescia-Spezia
Brescia faces an attacking crisis with Borrelli out and Gabriele Moncini at risk due to a muscle problem. Spezia, stable in the relegation playoff zone, seeks to take advantage. Expect a tight game with both teams coming off goalless draws and a similar style of play. The reverse fixture ended in a goalless draw, suggesting another low-scoring affair.

Modena-Sudtirol
Modena, under new management with Bisoli, settled for a draw against Ascoli. Their last win was in late January, and they still haven't secured safety. Sudtirol, with three crucial points still in reach, relies on their solid defense. The match at the Braglia could swing in favor of the visitors, but Bisoli's influence, combined with his history with Sudtirol, adds intrigue. Expect a low-scoring affair with both teams cautious.

Parma-Lecco
A win for Parma would secure Serie A promotion, while defeat would confirm Lecco's relegation to Serie C. Parma, solid defensively and unbeaten in three matches, aims to maintain their momentum. Lecco, despite a strong performance against Venezia, faces an uphill battle. The Tardini, buoyant with promotion hopes, favors Parma, although a determined Lecco could still pose a challenge.

Ternana-Ascoli
With a record number of goalless draws in the last round, both teams seek to rebound. Ternana aims to capitalize on home advantage against Ascoli, who are also in dire need of points. Ascoli aims to avenge their missed penalty in their last match. Ternana, despite defensive reshuffles, holds the edge, although Ascoli could spring a surprise. Expect a hard-fought game with few goals.

Cittadella-FeralpiSalò (27/04/24, 15:15 CET)
Cittadella extends their unbeaten streak to six matches, seeking playoff qualification. Facing FeralpiSalò, who suffered a heavy defeat against Como, Cittadella aims to exploit their opponent's vulnerabilities. Expect an open game, with Cittadella struggling to score but facing a leaky defense.

Cosenza-Bari (27/04/24, 15:15 CET)
Cosenza, rejuvenated by a convincing win over Reggiana, aims to continue their climb out of the relegation zone. Bari, buoyed by a draw against Pisa, seeks to capitalize on their second-half performance. Both teams, evenly matched, could settle for a draw in a low-scoring affair.

Palermo-Reggiana (27/04/24, 15:15 CET)
Palermo, under Mignani's guidance, seeks consistency as they aim for playoff qualification. Facing Reggiana, who are struggling with form and morale, Palermo holds the advantage. However, Reggiana aims to redeem themselves after a series of defeats. Expect an intense game with Palermo favored to win.

Sampdoria-Como (27/04/24, 15:15 CET)
Sampdoria aims to maintain their playoff position against in-form Como. Como, riding high after a convincing win, poses a significant threat to Sampdoria's ambitions. Despite Sampdoria's historical advantage, Como's recent form suggests a challenging game. Expect an intense encounter with goals likely from both sides.
Pirlo talks about "dreaming of the Genoa derby in Serie A," but results must support such aspirations. The Sampdoria side is experiencing a recent slowdown, earning only two points in their last three matches. While they currently sit in eighth place, they face pressure from competitors and seem to have lost their offensive spark. Saturday's challenge at Marassi against Como, riding a wave of confidence towards Serie A, will be formidable. Como's resounding 5-2 victory over FeralpiSalò marks their seventh win in the last eight matches and fifth consecutive win. "We can still improve, especially in possession management," says Welsh coach Roberts, indicating room for growth. Despite Como's historically poor performances at Ferraris Stadium, they're currently Serie B's team to beat. Following the Genoa derby, Como's schedule looks favorable, so a draw or an away win is feasible.