Verdict: Como wins
Best odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
Como want to welcome Cittadella to the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Wednesday afternoon to take a big step towards booking a famous Serie A ticket.
As
Starting with the hosts, who have been a stunning Serie B fairytale this season, Como are firmly in the driver’s seat to secure a storied ticket to the top flight. Interim coach Osian Roberts, who has received a string of praise from across Italy and the atmosphere at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia is red-hot, certainly senses the chance to make another statement here. The Lombardy-based side, who enter midweek games with a one-point lead in the automatic promotion hunt, have picked up 13 points from their five Serie B appearances since returning from the international break in March. Como made a major statement of intent earlier this month with a 5-2 away win at FaralpiSalo and quickly gained a reputation for their clinical performances in the final third. The Blues have lost just one of their last 10 consecutive second division appearances – a run dating back to February 17 – and are rightly considered a standout contender here.
Team news
As defender Matteo Solini is struggling with a long-term muscle injury and has not played since the start of the new year, he will not feature for the remainder of the season. Former Torino striker Ben Lhassine Kone, who has not been there in recent months, will also not play a role here.
With 14 goals in Serie B this season and only three players from League Two to score more, former Wolves outsider Patrick Cutrone will lead the Blues’ attack on Wednesday afternoon. Having intervened in Robert’s first-team plans last month, it is impressive that ex-Stuttgart star Federico Barba will be at the heart of Como’s defense alongside Edoardo Goldaniga.
citadel
As for the visitors, while Cittadella may still be ahead in the play-off chase, Edward Gorini’s men are in the midst of a lengthy crisis. The Maroons suffered last-gasp heartbreak at home to FaralpiSalo at the weekend when they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 draw and will brace themselves for a tough test here. The Veneto team are now considered real underdogs and contenders for a place in the top eight and, remarkably, have not recorded a single win in any of their last 15 consecutive appearances. Cittadella has been under intense scrutiny since the start of the new year and will also be worried about their latest showdown against the hosts on Wednesday. When they hosted Como for the second leg at Pier Cesare Tombolato on September 24, they struck with a routine 3-0 victory, while Gorini’s under-pressure side have recorded just one Serie B away win since the start of December.
Team news
Defender Domenico Frare is dealing with a recent injury problem on Wednesday afternoon, missing two consecutive appearances in the past two weeks. Former Ascoli midfielder Enrico Baldini, who is also struggling with an injury and has not played since the beginning of April, will also not travel to the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.
While Filippo Pittarello has failed to score a single goal in any other competition since the start of the new year, the 27-year-old will lead Cittadella’s attack here. Former AC Milan star Matteo Angeli has continued to receive high praise of late and will form the heart of Gorini’s defense alongside Nicola Pavan.
Key factors to consider
- When Como and Cittadella met in the reverse Serie B duel on September 24th, the hosts fought a routine 3-0 duel on Wednesday.
- Como has picked up 13 points in his five Serie B appearances since returning from the international break in March.
- The Blues have suffered just one defeat in their last 10 consecutive Serie B games.
- Cittadella has stalemated in six of its last seven Serie B games.
- Likewise, Wednesday’s visitors have not picked up a single win in any of their last 15 consecutive appearances – a streak that dates back to January 13th.
Diploma
Como continues a true Serie B fairytale this season, riding a famous wave of momentum. He will be confident of setting another example here. With 13 points from their last five appearances in the top flight and a single defeat since mid-February, Wednesday’s hosts are rightly considered the outstanding contenders for the week. Likewise, we expect a similar win at home as they put in a routine 3-0 winning performance in the Serie B second leg against Cittadella on September 24th.
Verdict: Como wins
Best odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster