The Headline Act: Cesena FC vs AC Monza (19:00 CET)
Stadio Orogel-Dino Manuzzi
Undoubtedly the match of the round. Paolo Bianco’s Monza arrive in Romagna sitting 2nd in the table (54 points), just three points adrift of leaders Venezia. After a wobbling start to the year, the Biancorossi have found their groove, but tonight they face a Cesena side that has made the Manuzzi a fortress.
Michele Mignani, enjoying a solid debut season with the Seahorses, has his side clinging to 8th place (37 points), the final playoff spot. Cesena’s organization has been their hallmark, but they need goals. The pressure is on Mignani to unleash the likes of Cristian Shpendi against a Monza defense that has looked imperious since the turn of the year.
The Stakes: A win for Monza could temporarily put them level with Venezia (depending on results elsewhere) and widen the gap to Frosinone in 3rd. For Cesena, defeat could see them slip out of the playoff zone for the first time in months, with Südtirol and Padova breathing down their necks.
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Leaders on Alert: Venezia FC vs US Avellino 1912 (19:00 CET)
Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo
League leaders Venezia (57 points) welcome an Avellino side that has become a wild card under new management. Giovanni Stroppa has the Lagunari playing the best football in the division—fluid, attacking, and relentless. However, the Penzo is no place for complacency tonight.
Avellino (13th, 29 points) are still finding their feet under Davide Ballardini, who was parachuted in just two weeks ago to replace the previous regime. Ballardini, the ultimate firefighter, has been tasked with steering the Lupi away from the relegation quicksand. While Avellino sit five points clear of the drop zone, their form has been erratic.
Key Battle: Venezia’s midfield dynamism vs. Ballardini’s trademark defensive pragmatism. If Venezia score early, it could be a long night for the visitors. If Avellino hold out, the tension in the lagoon will rise.
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Survival Sunday (on a Tuesday): Calcio Padova vs Spezia Calcio (18:00 CET)
Stadio Euganeo
The early kick-off sees a dramatic encounter at the Euganeo. Padova, sitting comfortably in mid-table (10th, 30 points) under the guidance of Matteo Andreoletti, are technically safe but arguably punching below their weight given their blistering start to the campaign.
The real story, however, is Spezia. The Eagles are languishing in 17th (25 points)—firmly in the play-out zone—and the appointment of the legendary Roberto Donadoni in November has yet to produce the transformative spark many expected. Donadoni knows that a club of Spezia’s stature cannot afford to drop to Serie C. A loss tonight would be catastrophic, potentially cutting them adrift from safety as Virtus Entella and Bari struggle below them.
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The Relegation Dogfight: Virtus Entella vs Modena FC (19:00 CET)
Stadio Comunale (Chiavari)
Another massive fixture for the bottom three. Virtus Entella (18th, 25 points) are fighting for their lives. Manager Andrea Chiappella has kept his side competitive, but draws are no longer enough. They host a Modena side (6th, 43 points) that has been rejuvenated under Andrea Sottil.
Sottil’s Canaries are arguably the dark horses for the playoffs. Physical, direct, and efficient, they will look to bully an Entella side that often struggles to kill off games. For Entella, this is a “must-not-lose”; for Modena, it’s a chance to cement their postseason credentials.
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New Era at Reggiana: AC Reggiana vs FC Südtirol (19:00 CET)
Mapei Stadium
Finally, eyes will be on the Mapei Stadium where Lorenzo Rubinacci continues his baptism of fire as Reggiana boss. Appointed on February 8th to replace Davide Dionigi, Rubinacci has stabilized the ship slightly, but the Granata (15th, 26 points) are hovering dangerously close to the play-out trapdoor—just one point above Spezia.
They face FC Südtirol (9th, 33 points), managed by the evergreen Fabrizio Castori. The Druso outfit is typical of a Castori side: gritty, intense, and relentless. A win for the visitors would vault them right back into the playoff conversation, while a loss for Reggiana could see them end the night in the bottom five.
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Projected Impact:
By 11:00 PM tonight, the Serie B table could look vastly different. If Monza and Venezia both win, the automatic promotion race might effectively become a two-horse sprint, leaving Frosinone and Palermo to fight for the scraps. Conversely, a Spezia win combined with a Reggiana loss would flip the relegation battle on its head, dragging the Emilians into the nightmare scenario.
Kick-off at 18:00 for Padova-Spezia; all other matches at 19:00.