Serie C, the feast of matches continues: the derby between Padova and Vicenza stands out in the A round, but the challenge between Avellino and Catania in the C round also offers several insights.
The Serie C is undoubtedly the big protagonist this week with a midweek round spread over three days. Wednesday’s is by far the richest day in terms of matches: only three games are played in Group A, but one of them, Padova-Vicenza, in addition to being a heartfelt derby is also a big match, as the second and third in the standings face each other.
The gap between the two, however, is important: Padua at the moment has fifteen points more and is the only one that can still threaten the leader Mantova, currently the favorite for direct promotion. Slightly ahead, then, is the team coached by Vincenzo Torrente, which has won its last four matches – five if we also include the Coppa Italia match with Lucchese – without conceding a goal. For Vicenza, which has been winning uninterruptedly for five days, it will not be easy to pierce the Paduan defense. In free fall, on the other hand, Triestina, the fourth force in the group: the alabardati have not been able to win for more than a month and in the last six games they have suffered five defeats and a draw. Also concealing several pitfalls is the match with Fiorenzuola, third-last in the standings, which should manage to score at least one goal.
In Group B, Juventus Next Gen wants to put an end to its three-tournament fast of victories: after the draw with Gubbio (2-2), the Bianconeri should get another positive result in the away match in Olbia: the Sardinians have won only one match since November. Rimini is favored over Sestri Levante, while Torres, second behind the now unreachable Cesena, may have some problems in Ferrara against Spal. Potentially entertaining match instead is the all-Tuscan derby between Pontedera and Lucchese.
The predictions on the other matches
In Group C, the challenge between two noble lapses such as Avellino and Catania stands out. The Irpini are fourth – ahead of them are Juve Stabia, Benevento and Picerno – but the first place seems to have receded too far (the Vespas are +11) but the second, occupied by the Benevento cousins, is still within reach.
Disappointing Cristiano Lucarelli’s Catania, 14th and -6 from the playout. They are unable to change pace the Etnei: in the match at the “Partenio” they do not start with the favor of prediction but could score at least one goal. The surprise of this round is Picerno: the Lucanians have slowed down a bit in the last month (three draws and a knockout) but they have everything to avoid at least the defeat at home of the dangerous Foggia. The Campania derby should be the prerogative of Giugliano, which seems to have more than Turris, while in the Apulian one between Taranto and Virtus Francavilla the hosts, called upon to defend fifth place, will likely prevail. Instead, we do not expect great emotions in Monopoli in the salvation clash with Brindisi. Complicated trip instead for Crotone, back from two defeats in a row, in that of Messina.
Serie C: possible winners
Juventus Nex Gen or draw (in Olbia-Juventus Next Gen).
Rimini (in Rimini-Sestri Levante)
Picerno or tie (in Foggia-Picerno)
Giugliano (in Giugliano-Turris)
Taranto (in Taranto-Virtus Francavilla)
The matches of at least one goal per team
Fiorenzuola-Triestina
SPAL-Torres
Avellino-Catania
Matches of at least three goals total
Olbia-Juventus U23
Pontedera-Lucchese
Messina-Crotone
Serie C: the matches with less than three total goals
Padova-Vicenza.
Monopoli-Brindisi
Taranto-Virtus Francavilla