Serie B, lots of salvation challenges but also a direct clash for the playoffs: there is no shortage of points of interest in the matches scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
After twenty-two days, the competition for a playoff spot seems to be getting fiercer and fiercer. From Palermo down – the Sicilians are momentarily fifth – we have 7 teams bunched within just 3 points: Cesena and Bari are also part of this group, and they will give life to a thrilling direct clash on the twenty-third day (both are on 29 points, together with Catanzaro).
The Romagnoli in the last round put an end to a long fast of victories by beating Sampdoria (1-2) at Marassi: Michele Mignani’s team had not won since mid-December and since then, in addition to picking up a sound drubbing in the Coppa Italia against Atalanta, had barely scraped together a point in four matches. Two draws in a row, on the other hand, for the Apulians, who must be more consistent if they want to secure a place among the top eight: last Saturday the Galletti drew with Brescia (2-2), breaking the “Under 2.5” streak that had lasted seven rounds. The challenge at the “Manuzzi” also promises to be eventful, and compared to the first leg match, played in December (ended 1-0 for Bari) we could see a few more goals.
Also gravitating to the playoff zone is Juve Stabia, which has somewhat pulled the handbrake in recent weeks: we foresee balance in the challenge with the other terrible newcomer, Carrarese, not too far from eighth place. The Apuans come from the heavy defeat with Spezia (0-4), the second in a row after the one with Pisa, but they remain a very solid team that is definitely going beyond expectations.
The predictions for the other matches
Sampdoria is increasingly in crisis: the blucerchiati, despite changes on the bench – at the helm now is Leonardo Semplici – just can’t get going and are floundering in the relegation zone. Doriano’s last success dates all the way back to October, precisely against Mantova, its next opponent. The Virgilians are fresh from the important success in Cittadella, and in front of their own public, where they scored most of the points, they should also manage to avoid defeat against a Samp in clear difficulty.
We close with two salvation clashes: Cosenza-Cittadella and Frosinone-Sudtirol. The Calabrians in the week saw the second appeal on penalty points rejected (thus confirmed the -4) and from the market the desired reinforcements are not coming. After the defeat in Cremona (3-1), the fifth in the last seven days – the Lupi have not won since November – they lie alone in last place again and will have to watch out for a Cittadella intent on redeeming the home knockout with Mantova. Critical moment also for Frosinone: in the challenge with Sudtirol, which has two points less than the Ciociari, it could be the fear of losing that wins the day.
Serie B: possible winners
Juve Stabia or draw (in Juve Stabia-Carrarese).
Cittadella or draw (in Cosenza-Cittadella)
Mantova or draw (in Mantova-Sampdoria)
Matches of at least two goals overall
Cesena-Bari
Mantua-Sampdoria
Serie B: The games by at least one goal per team
Cosenza-Cittadella
Mantua-Sampdoria
Matches by less than three goals overall
Juve Stabia-Carrarese
Frosinone-Sudtirol
Share comparison
The “Over 1.5” sign in Cesena-Bari is listed at 1.33 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.35 on Snai. The “Under 2.5” sign in Juve Stabia-Cremonese is instead quoted at 1.50 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.48 on Snai.
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