Serie C, in the midweek round both Mantova and Cesena, leading the A and B rounds respectively, take the field: news and predictions.
Serie C returns to the field immediately and does so with an interesting midweek round. In Group A, all eyes are on the leader Mantova, which has slowed down in the last two days by drawing against Novara and Pro Vercelli. The Virgilians are dreaming of a return to B after more than a decade but cannot afford any more braking, as Padova, another big favorite for direct promotion, now has only 4 points less.
David Possanzini’s team, with the support of its home crowd (11 wins, one draw and one loss between home walls) should return to winning ways against Virtus Verona, but it will not be a walk in the park to bend the proud Scaligeri: at least three goals in total are expected. Staying in Group A, Legnago is one of the potential outsiders and, barring sudden collapses, will play in the promotion playoffs. Massimo Donati’s men start favored in the derby with Pergolettese, which, on the other hand, must do everything possible to get out of the playout zone. Two potentially very balanced matches are those between Atalanta U23 and Lumezzane and Pro Sesto and Giana Erminio: very likely that both will score on at least one occasion. Those who are disappointing are Pro Vercelli, unable to win for two months now. The Piedmontese have scored only one goal in their last four games and are also in danger at home to Aurora Pro Patria: a spectacular match is not expected.
The predictions on the other matches
In the B round, Mimmo Toscano’s Cesena sails the Serie B. The Romagnoli now seem unreachable: second-placed Torres is a full 12 points behind the Bianconeri
For De Rose and his teammates, however, it will not be easy to take the full stake at home to Carrarese, third in the standings and unbeaten for 8 games. A challenge that should provide balance, since two of the best defenses in the league are facing each other. Perugia is on the upswing and has its sights set on a third consecutive victory at home to Entella: the Ligurians have not won since January 7 and are coming off a heavy 4-0 loss at home to Cesena. Piero Braglia’s Gubbio should at least avoid defeat to Arezzo, while Pescara, after saying goodbye to Zeman, is looking for heavy points at home to third-last Recanatese. Ancona, engaged in the all-Marches derby against bottom-of-the-table Fermana, can also lift itself up.
Serie C: possible winners
Legnago (in Legnago-Pergolettese).
Mantova (in Mantova-Virtus Verona)
Perugia or draw (in Entella-Perugia)
Ancona (in Ancona-Fermana)
Gubbio or draw (in Gubbio-Arezzo)
Pescara (in Recanatese-Pescara)
The matches of at least one goal per team
Atalanta U23-Lumezzane
Pro Sesto-Giana Erminio
Matches of at least three goals overall
Mantova-Virtus Verona
Ancona-Fermana
Serie C: matches by less than three goals total
Aurora Pro Patria-Pro Vercelli
Carrarese-Cesena