Venezia-Palermo is a match valid for the return leg of the semifinals of the Serie B playoffs and is played on Friday at 8:30 p.m.: odds, predictions, live TV and streaming.
Genoa-Bologna, Serie A: streaming, odds, predictions
Genoa-Bologna is a match of the thirty-eighth day of Serie A and is played on Friday at 8:45 pm: odds, predictions, live TV and streaming.
There is not much at stake in the “Ferraris” challenge between Genoa and Bologna, two teams that can do nothing but try to improve their current position. The Ligurians have never really been involved in the fight for salvation, which arrived months early. The 11th place – to be defended from a possible assault by Monza – certifies the excellent work of Alberto Gilardino, capable of leading a newly promoted team to safety without problems.
What has surprised most about this Genoa, in addition to an impeccable organization of play, is the character it has shown in every game, both against direct competitors and against the big boys. The Rossoblù, dragged by Icelandic Gudmundsson (14 goals in the league), have kept their focus high even in the last period, with salvation already won. Last Sunday, despite conceding their first defeat in three matches (1-0 at the Olimpico against Roma), they gave the Giallorossi a hard time and had done the same two weeks earlier at the San Siro against AC Milan (3-3). For Bologna, on the other hand, this season has already ended up straight among the best of any era, with Thiago Motta’s men – the coach has announced his farewell (he will probably go to Juventus) – even snatching qualification for the next Champions League, surprisingly finishing in the top four. However, in Monday’s post-match at the “Dall’Ara” the Emilians failed to overtake Juventus, getting caught up in the last 10 minutes after going ahead by three goals (3-3). The possibility of finishing in third place, however, is still intact, but in addition to beating Genoa, attention will also have to be paid to Atalanta, at -2 and with one match less.
Genoa-Bologna: the latest lineup news
For the last league match Gilardino rejoins some players long absent due to injury: the various Malinovskyi, Vitinha and Bani could play a few minutes in the resumption. Hopes also for Messias, also held back by injuries in the last period. Up front, the Gudmundsson-Retegui tandem again.
Bologna’s Zirkzee doesn’t make it: the Dutch center forward, surprisingly excluded from the call-ups for the European Championship, remains out for the Marassi challenge as well. Taking his place will be Castro’s turn again. In goal, Motta could alternate between starter Skorupski and second-placed Ravaglia.
The prediction
Closing in third place would mean pocketing about 2.5 million more, an amount that Bologna can use quite a bit. Therefore, we believe that the Felsinei have greater motivation and are slight favorites, although Genoa does not seem to be planning to give any gifts: both should score.
The probable formations of Genoa-Bologna
GENOA (3-5-2): Leali; Vogliacco, Bani, Vasquez; Saballi, Frendrup, Badelj, Thorsby, Martin; Gudmundsson, Retegui.
BOLOGNA (4-1-4-1): Ravaglia; Posch, Lucumì, Beukema, Kristiansen; Freuler; Odgaard, Aebischer, Urbanski, Saelemaekers; Castro.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
Venice couldn’t ask for better. In the first leg of the semifinals of the Serie B playoffs, the Laggunarians brought home a heavyweight victory by producing minimal effort. It bears the signature of Pierini the goal that decided a very balanced match, in which the more lively team, between the two, was Palermo: the rosanero, however, sinned in terms of cynicism, wasting many chances and failing to take advantage of the field factor.
In the return leg, in fact, there will not be the more than thirty thousand at the “Barbera” to push Michele Mignani’s men, who were forced to win by as many as two goals in order to land in the final and continue to dream of promotion to Serie A. The playoff semifinals do not provide for either extra time or penalties: therefore, Venezia, by virtue of the best placement in the standings, could afford to lose even by a single goal difference and still get through the round. Therefore, a great offensive performance will be needed for the Sicilians to overturn the first leg result, along the lines of last September’s. At the beginning of the tournament, Palermo, coached at the time by Eugenio Corini, rifled three goals to the orange and green in the match at the “Penzo” (1-3). Since then, however, a lot of water has indeed passed under the bridge: in 2024, for example, Venezia lost only one match at home (2-3 with Reggiana).
Venice-Palermo: the latest lineup news
Two important returns for Vanoli, who recovers at once Ellertson and Altare, both absent in Palermo due to disqualification. However, not sure of the titularity the former Cagliari, who will have to deal with Svoboda. In attack Pierini is favored over Gytkjaer, all the more so after the goal scored in Sicily.
Few changes in Palermo as well, with Mignani relying on Pigliacelli in goal: Desplanches, in fact, was injured in the first leg match. The former Bari coach’s doubts are in defense a on the left lane, where Graves and Marconi and Lund and Di Mariano are competing for a starting shirt.
The prediction
Venice has qualification in its grasp: the Lagooners will only need to play a shrewd game – the last time they lost by two goals was in January – to detach their pass to the final. Conversely, Palermo will necessarily have to take some risks against a team that knows how to hurt on the counterattack. We expect a prolific game, especially in the second half: at least three goals total.
The probable lineups of Venezia-Palermo
VENEZIA (3-5-2): Joronen; Idzes, Svoboda, Sverko; Candela, Lella, Tessmann, Busio, Zampano; Pierini, Pohjanpalo.
PALERMO (3-4-1-2): Pigliacelli; Graves, Lucioni, Nedelcearu; Diakitè, Segre, Ranocchia, Di Mariano; Insigne; Brunori, Soleri.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
