Spal-Palermo is a Serie B Week 17 match to be played on Sunday at 15:00: odds, predictions, TV and streaming
The adventure of former Roma captain Daniele De Rossi on the bench of Spal – his very first experience as a coach – had begun with a resounding result, a clear 5-0, beaten by his men against a direct competitor like Cosenza. But since that match, no more fireworks have been seen, neither around the ‘Mazza’ nor elsewhere. The Ferrara-based team is registering more or less the same results as under Venturato’s management, which had forced president Tacopina to exonerate the former Cittadella coach and entrust the team to newcomer De Rossi. Two draws in a row against Sudtirol and Ternana were followed by three defeats in a row against Benevento, Brescia and Modena. In the midweek round, a convincing reaction was expected on the field of the tail-end Perugia, but it did not come. On the contrary, Spal even risked defeat (0-0), which was only avoided thanks to Umbrian Melchiorri’s mistake from the penalty spot.
The classification becomes worrying – the team from Ferrara are fourth to last and would play the playout against Cosenza – and the young coach did not hide the problems in front of the cameras, expressing a totally negative judgement on his team’s performance. An opportunity to turn the page is the challenge against Palermo, who are currently three points ahead and seem to have put things right with the four points won between Benevento (0-1) away and Como (0-0) at home. Corini has deserved his reappointment, but he will have to make a further effort to get the Rosanero back into an area more in keeping with the ambitions of the owners who bought the club last summer.
Spal-Palermo: latest line-up news
Di Mariano
A lot of changes are expected at Spal compared to the Perugia game. In attack La Mantia will take the place of the injured Moncini, while on the flanks Dickmann and Celia will be preferred to Tunjov and Tripaldelli. News also in midfield where Murgia and Maistro seem to be ahead of Zanellato and Proia. Some adjustments in Palermo’s starting line-up as well: up front Valente should be back in the trident with Di Mariano and Brunori. Broh and Stulac could also return in the middle. At the back it’s a Bettella-Marconi duel
The prediction
Palermo who currently seem to have something more than a Spal side in a crisis of play and results. A balanced match is on the horizon, in which both should score at least one goal each. A draw cannot be ruled out in the match at the ‘Mazza’ between two teams that currently belong to the club of the disappointments of this Serie B.
The likely line-up for Spal v Palermo
- SPAL (3-5-2): Alfonso; Peda, Varnier, Meccariello; Dickmann, Murgia, Esposito, Maistro, Celia; La Mantia, Finotto.
- PALERMO (4-3-3): Pigliacelli; Mateju, Nedelcearu, Marconi, Sala; Broh, Stulac, Segre; Di Mariano, Brunori, Valente.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
